Update Xperia Z1 C6902, C6903, C6906 To Android 5.1.1 Lollipop 14.6.A.0.368 Firmware

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Xperia Z1

Good day for Xperia Z1 owners. Sony just started rolling out the awaited Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for the Xperia Z1. The update is currently reaching out the C6902 and C6903 variants of this device. Sony already made the major changes to the OS of this device by pushing Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update. The new update in the first place takes the version number to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and the build number to 14.6.A.0.368, which happens to be the latest and greatest version of Android. There are some core enhancements which improve the stability and performance of the device.

The new update provides a full fix to the wide-spread stagefright vulnerability. It also integrates LinkedIn with your Calendar and Contacts Camera focus, speed and accuracy improvements in Superior Auto Mode have been made. There are quite many changes and enhancements that you may come across upon installing this update.

At the time of writing this post, this update is rolling out to a few regions through OTA or through Sony PC Companion. If you haven’t been lucky enough to get this update yet, it may take a few days for Sony to cook this update and roll out for your region. If you happen to be an Android freak like me, you may want to skip the wait and update your device right away and that is what we are here for.

We are going to show you how you can update your Xperia Z1 C6902, C6903 & C6906 to the latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop 14.6.A.0.368 Firmware using Sony Flashtool. Let’s skip the talk and head towards the method right away.

Early Preparations:

1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z1 C6902, C6903 & C6906.

This ROM is only for the device mentioned above. Make sure that your model number matches the one listed above. To do so, go to Settings > About Device on your device and see your model number. Flashing this firmware on any other device will result in bricking it so make sure that you meet this requirement first of all.

2. Battery should be charged at least over 60%.

Make sure that your battery is charged enough to complete the flashing process. In case your battery is low and your device goes dead during the flashing process, you may end up soft bricking your device as it won’t complete the flashing process.

3. Backup everything!

Just to be on the safe side, you may consider backing up each and everything from your Android device. This is highly recommended so that in case anything goes wrong, you still have the access to all of your data and you can restore it immediately. You may backup everything as listed below.

  • Backup SMS Messages
  • Backup Call Logs
  • Backup Contacts
  • Backup Media – Copy your files manually to your PC or Laptop.
  • Titanium Backup – If already rooted, use Titanium Backup to backup all of your apps, system data and other important content. If you haven’t rooted your device previously, skip this step.
  • Backup Nandroid – If CWM  or TWRP installed previously, otherwise skip this step and perform this at the end of flashing.

4. Enable USB Debugging Mode on your device.

Enable USB debugging mode on your device. To do so, tap settings>developer options>USB debugging. If you can’t find developer options in settings, then tap settings > about device and tap “Build Number” for 7 times and you’ll get em’ activated under settings.

5. Install and setup Sony Flashtool.

You must have installed Sony Flashtool. Find the full guide here.

After installing Sony Flashtool, open the Flashtool folder from the drive where you installed it. Now open Flashtool>Drivers>Flashtool-drivers.exe and install the Flashtool, Fastboot & Xperia Z1 drivers from the list. [Important]

6. Use OEM data cable to establish connection.

Make sure that you use the phone’s original data cable to establish connection between your phone and the PC. Using a different data cable might result in interrupting the firmware installation.

 

How To Update Sony Xperia Z1 To Official Android 5.1.1 14.6.A.0.368 Lollipop  Firmware

Before moving forward, please make sure that you’ve read the pre requisites and ensure that you are set to go ahead.

  1. Download the latest firmware Android 5.1.1 Lollipop 14.6.A.0.368 FTF file.
    1. For Xperia Z1 C6902 [Generic/Unbranded. Link 1 | Create your own FTF using this guide.
    2. For Xperia Z1 C6903[Generic/Unbranded] Link 1 | You can also create your own FTF using this guide.
    3. For Xperia Z1 C6906 [Generic/Unbranded] Link 1
  2. Copy the file and paste in Flashtool>Firmwares folder.
  3. Open Flashtool.exe now.
  4. Hit the small lightening button on the top left corner and select Flashmode.
  5. Select the FTF firmware file that you placed in the Firmware folder.
  6. From the right side, select what do you want to wipe. Data, cache and apps log, all wipes are recommended, perhaps you may select if you don’t want.
  7. Click on OK, and it will start preparing the firmware for flashing. This may take a little while to load.
  8. As soon as the firmware is loaded, it will prompt you to attach the phone by turning it off and keeping the back key press.
  9. For Xperia Z1 Volume Down key will do the job of back key, just turn off your phone, keep the Volume Down key pressed and plug in the data cable.
  10. As soon as the phone is detected in Flashmode, the firmware will start flashing, Do not leave the Volume Down key until the process is complete.
  11. As soon as you see “Flashing ended or Finished Flashing” leave the Volume Down key, plug the cable out and reboot.
  12. That’s All! Congrats! You’ve installed latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on your Xperia Z1. Enjoy

In case you got any queries or face any problems regarding this guide, please feel free to stop by the comment box below and let us know. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks all!

Complete changelog:

Improvements to volume and silent mode control, more control of your alerts, simplified and enhanced design
– Integration of LinkedIn with your Calendar and Contacts
– Camera focus, speed and accuracy improvements in Superior Auto mode
– Many new features for Xperia in Business, enhancing enterprise support for Xperia
– Now take pictures from the camera using Sony SmartWatch 3; use the SW3 as a remote shutter button
– Instant calendar events – create & share smart events directly from any email
– Calendar agenda in Email – no need to switch apps to check upcoming events
– Richer Xperia themes
– New Settings menu icons
– Additional options for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in notification menu

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Usama is a software engineer by profession and at TechBeasts.com he uses his expertise to solve everyday consumer tech problems with his main areas of interest being Android, iOS and Windows.

29 COMMENTS

  1. This error message does have any problem to during flashing? As i am upgrading my lollipop 5.0.2 to 5.1.1 because the former one makes my phone UNSTABLE.

  2. @usamamujtaba:disqus

    It is window 7 professional

    Service Pack 1


    Additional Information, the firmware folder from flashtool installed it lacks(missed) a file called “……kernel_body.ftf”.

  3. Hi! is it possible to upgrade it from version 4.4.4 kitkat to 5.1.1, or do i absolutely need to install version 5.0.2 lollipop before upgrading to this version?

  4. my z1 c6902 is currently on 14.6.A.1.236 build number, 5.1.1 android version. my question is, can i still flash your version sir? and after flash, do i stil have to unlock boot loader? thanks in advance

      • Coz I’m getting a battery issue (fast drain) plus cpu overheat. That was all happened after the lollipop update. Tried everything already and I think flashing is my last option.

      • .236 is unstable for me. cpu heats up specially when in wifi or data. battery issue ( fast drain) then shuts off. touch screen is dancing(seems like your swiping even thou your touching). help me find a stable firmware for me sir. note: they were all started after lollipop update.

  5. @hourharriz:disqus You can flash this firmware and see if it works or not. You can flash it on a locked bootloader as well. If it doesn’t resolve the issue, you can safely flash the latest firmware again.

  6. I’ve installed emma flashing tool but there is no folder named firmware is there in the emma installed directory, also how to update drivers via emma as there’s no such option??
    I think this app only detect the phone and install the firmware online, Please help me in installing ftf file which I’ve downloaded.

  7. My mobile’s system is infected with trojan and I tried cleaning but noway. I already have lollipop 5.1.1. Would it help to redownload the same system this way you are describing to get a clean one

Got a question/query or a suggestion? Drop it below.