Update Xperia Z3, Z3 Dual To Android 5.1.1 23.4.A.1.232 Firmware

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cA couple of days ago Sony pushed a new update for Sony Xperia Z2 and Z3 family. Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact, Z3 Dual and Z3 Tablet Compact are the Z3  family members that are seeing this new update. The new update stays on Android 5.1.1, the only new thing is the complete removal of Stagefright vulnerability from the firmware. New firmware for Xperia Z3 moves the build number to 23.4.A.1.232. The update is available for almost all variants of Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Dual. At the time of writing this post, this update is rolling out through OTA or through Sony PC Companion. Just in case you’re not willing to wait for OTA update to reach your device, you may want to find out a manual method to get rid of Stagefright right now by flashing the update on your own.

We are going to help you to install/flash Android 5.1.1 Lollipop 23.4.A.1.232 Firmware on Xperia Z3 D6603, D6643, D6653 and Xperia Z3 Dual D6633 using Sony flashtool. Let’s go ahead without any further ado and get it done.

Early Preparations:

1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z3 D6603, D6653, D6633

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.

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 Z3 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 Z3 D6603, D6653, D6643 To 23.4.A.1.232 Android 5.1.1 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 23.4.A.1.232 FTF file.
    1. For Xperia Z3 D6603 [Generic/Unbranded] Firmware 1
    2. For Xperia Z3 D6643 [Generic/Unbranded] Create your own FTF using this guide.
    3. For Xperia Z3 D6653 [Generic/Unbranded] Firmware 1 Create your own FTF using this guide.
    4. For Xperia Z3 D66333 [Generic/Unbranded] Firmware 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 Z3, 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 Z3. 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!

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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.

3 COMMENTS

  1. does “flashing” my Z3 with this ROM means:
    1. I will be rooting my phone?
    2. I will be unlocking it’s bootloader?
    3. Will I lose all the exclusive “low-light” camera features?

  2. @riderblade03:disqus
    1. No, its a stock firmware. Even if your device is rooted earlier, it will unroot it and restore it back to pure stock ROM.
    2. No you will not be unlocking bootloader.
    3. No you won’t loose any camera features.
    This is a completely untouched stock firmware. Best of luck 🙂

  3. Worked like a CHARM, thank you so much mate.
    I live in Sweden and updated from 23.1.1.E.0.1_RC1 (CE4) to 23.4.A.1.232_RC1 (CE4) without any problem at all and no wipe before 🙂

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