Sony has released the 23.1.A.0.740 firmware for Xperia Z2 D6503. It is the latest firmware release for Xperia Z2 based on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. People know that there have been other Lollipop releases for Xperia Z2 as well but this one is the latest. Sony has released 23.1.A.0.740 firmware for Xperia Z2 which contains several bugs found in the initial Lollipop firmware. Moreover, the .740 Lollipop update is even more stable and battery friendly than previous firmware. The older firmware had some bugs like the phone heated up sometimes and the phone would drain battery pretty fast. All of these issues are apparently resolved by Sony in 23.1.A.0.740 update for D6503. Those who faced these problems in .726 firmware for Xperia Z2, must update their devices.
This update will be released as an OTA update but there is not ETA for when your device will receive this update. To update D6503 to 23.1.A.0.740 ftf, download it from the links given below and install it on your phone using the Flashtool guide. Note that this is an official firmware therefore you do not need to worry about the warranty or TA Partition of device. Your phone will also keep receiving future OTA updates (If you haven’t unlocked bootloader already: Power Users). If phone is rooted, then root access will be wiped after flashing this firmware. The rooting guide for 23.1.A.0.740 firmware will be provided as well. This is a step by step guide so you do not need to have any technical knowledge beforehand.
Early Preparations:
1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z2 D6503
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 Z2 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.
Steps to Install 23.1.A.0.740 FTF on Xperia Z2 D6503
Before moving forward, please make sure that you’ve read the pre requisites and ensure that you are set to go ahead.
- Download the latest firmware Android 5.0.2 Lollipop 23.1.A.0.740 FTF file.
- Copy the file and paste in Flashtool>Firmwares folder.
- Open Flashtool.exe now.
- Hit the small lightening button on the top left corner and select Flashmode.
- Select the FTF firmware file that you placed in the Firmware folder.
- 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.
- Click on OK, and it will start preparing the firmware for flashing. This may take a little while to load.
- 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.
- For Z2 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.
- 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.
- As soon as you see “Flashing ended or Finished Flashing” leave the Volume Down key, plug the cable out and reboot.
- That’s All! Congrats! You’ve installed latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop on your Xperia Z2. Enjoy.
Got any questions? Ask me in the comments below
Next: How To Root 23.1.A.0.740 5.0.2 LP on Xperia Z2 D6503
