Sony has been doing pretty much a great job with the software updates. It isn’t been long since Google rolled out Android 4.4.4 KitKat, and Sony didn’t take a while to pick it up and roll out for its mainstream devices. The latest firmware, Android 4.4.4 KitKat based on the build number 14.4.A.0.108 is now being rolled out to Sony Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact, Z Ultra. The update is on a slow roll out, and reaching the different regions through OTA or through Sony PC Companion.
If you’re Xperia Z1 owner, specifically C6902 or C6903 owner, and you’ve been looking for a way to get your device to this latest firmware and the update hasn’t reached your end through PC Companion or OTA, you might be in need of a manual method and that’s what exactly we are here for. We are going to update Sony Xperia Z1 C6902/C6906 to Official Android 4.4.4 KitKat firmware with the build 14.4.A.0.108 using the Sony Flashtool. There aren’t any hard and fast rules to follow as this is the complete stock, and official firmware. All you need is, you need to follow each and every single step explained in this guide carefully.
Early Preparations:
- As mentioned, this firmware is only for Xperia Z1 C6902 and C6906. Do not try this on any other phone, that may result in bricking your device. Check your device’s model number in Settings > About device.
- 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]
- Your phone must be charged at least over 60%. This is highly recommended in order to prevent any power issues during the flashing process.
- 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.
- Make sure that you back up all your important media content, contacts, call logs and text messages. This is highly recommended and important in case something goes wrong during the flashing process or in case you select the data wipe option before flashing. You can easily restore whenever you need.
- To flash this firmware, you do not need to root your device, you do not need to unlock the bootloader. All you need is, your device must be the one mentioned and must be running on Android 4.2.2 or 4.3 Jelly Bean.
- Download the firmware file properly.
- Use the OEM data cable to connect your phone to your PC. Using any other data cable might cause connection problems.
- This firmware can be flashed on Xperia Z1 in any region/any country.
- Alright! Follow this guide to the letter in order to prevent any mishap.
Xperia Z1 C6903 owners may use this guide.
Here’s how you can update your Xperia Z1 C6902/C6906 to official 14.4.A.0.108 Android 4.4.4 KitKat firmware:
- 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 4.4.4 KitKat 14.4.A.0.108 FTF file.
- For Xperia Z1 C6902 [Generic/Unbranded]
- For Xperia Z1 C6906 [Generice/Unbranded]
- 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 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.
- 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 4.4.4 kitkat 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!
This post was last modified on July 1, 2014 10:18 am
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im going to try this on my c6906 hope it'll work.. hehe
@disqus_p92qFvp4tj:disqus Did it work for you? please let me know.
Hi my friend. I did the update as shown in the tutorial and it worked perfect, but now I get another q version is available and open is the same as I know you can pass.
Attached pictures.
Thanks for your help.
@anitachvez:disqus You can simply ignore this message. Or give a try accepting it, it won't make any difference.
Hello!, Can I update from 4.4.2 to 4.4.4, I wanna try this ftf because my phone only updated to 4.4.2, please let me know if this will work.
@xiamxl:disqus yes, this will work. Just follow the instructions properly and you're all done.
Hi, thank you for your quick reply, I flashed the ftf and did well. But then when I connected to PCC updated to build 14.4.A.0.157, is doing good but battery drains fast, do you think is because of the version os the Os, I also did a repair my phone using PCC.
@xiamxl:disqus try calibrating your phone's battery. In case you are not aware of that, you may soon find a guide on our site for battery calibration. I'm working on it currently.
Hi.. do you know when you are leaving the new firmware 14.4.a.0.157 ??
@anitachvez:disqus thanks for letting me know about this firmware. The guide will be up tomorrow. Stay connected.
Thank you!!!
what happens if i have a c6902 and use the file of 6906? really it would brick the phone ? because on tutorials of youtube people say that its not big deal
@rafaelacerete:disqus no it won't brick the phone. It will only change the model number in software.. should be working fine otherwise.
thanks
thanks i did it
@disqus_A7Cxx0Zpwy:disqus use latest version of Flashtool and do not leave the volume down button unless the flashing is finished. Good Luck.
Thanks
I've completed the process successfully.
But now I'm stuck in rooting process at cleaning up
Any suggestions!!!!
@disqus_A7Cxx0Zpwy:disqus the root method is available on our site, please use that and follow the instructions to the letter. Good Luck.
I've followed the same. But it stucks at cleaning up
Pls help
@disqus_A7Cxx0Zpwy:disqus what are you trying to and where does this cleaning up issue come up??
@disqus_A7Cxx0Zpwy:disqus try wiping cache and dalvik cache from recovery. & perform a factory reset.
I select flashtool-drivers.exe and select fastboot,fastmode,xperia z1drivers and install. while installing it shows error and red tik
@kartikjagtap:disqus disable driver signature verification on your PC and then install the drivers again. Best of luck.
hello again sir... i am downloading your c6902 firmware 4.4.4 but it doest go to downloading. stock at loading... do you have other link of the said firmware so that i can download it??? thanks in advance
@hourharriz:disqus the download link is working pretty fine. It must be an issue with your internet..
gud day mister... i want to download the c6902 4.4.4 kitkat firmware but its in .bin file. how am i going to convert to ftf file?
@hourharriz:disqus you must have downloaded an invalid file. The firmware is always in the .ftf file format or zipped inside the .zip file which you can later extract to get .ftf file.