Sony seems to take the lead once again in terms of software updates as it has just started rolling out the latest and greatest version of Android to its former flagship device, the Xperia Z1. The new firmware is based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat with the build number 14.4.A.0.108 build number. There’s a number of bug fixes, performance enhancements, latest security updates in Android from Google, Sony’s apps have been updated as well. Improvements have been made with all of the Google apps as well. The update is currently being rolled out for C6903 owners in specific countries.
As always, this update will take some time while it hits the devices all around the world through Sony PC Companion or through OTA updates. For the Android enthusiasts, who can’t wait to get this latest Android 4.4.4 update on their Xperia Z1, we’ve the following guide that will help you to update your Sony Xperia Z1 C6903 to official Android 4.4.4 KitKat firmware based on the build number 14.4.A.0.108. All you need is, you need to follow this guide being careful and get your device this latest stock firmware.
Early Preparations:
- As mentioned, this firmware is only for Xperia Z1 C6903. 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.
Update Sony Xperia Z1 C6903 to Official Android 4.4.4 KitKat 14.4.A.0.108 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. [Generic]
- 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 C6903. 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!
Buenos Dias. Ese archivo FTF sirve para Colombia ? No hay problema por Pais/región?
Gracias. Sigo constantemente su pagina; muy buena ayuda y demás (Excelente todo; felicitaciones)
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Buenos dias. Este FTF sirve para Colombia? NO afecta el Pais/Región?
Muchas Gracias; sigo fielmente tu pagina muy buena Usama
@fabiancarvajal:disqus You can install this on your device without any fears. This is generic firmware and region doesn’t really matter. Good Luck.
@edisongunawan:disqus yes it will wipe cwm and root, but you can again root your device and install CWM. No worries with that. Good Luck with flashing.
@fabiancarvajal:disqus stay connected with us, I’ll post that very soon.
Once I am updating my Xperia as per above instruction, unfortunately it fails and show error as Updating fails and try again. Anybody is facing this problem, please advise.
@vengkoung:disqus Do not leave the volume down button until flashing is finished. This guide works perfectly. Good Luck.
Hi Usama,we are expected waiting the arrival of Android 5.0 Lollipop for the xperia z1 (6903) unlocked and you explain us the setting,yhe rooting and to install the recovery.
Happy New Year 2015.
@quesito35:disqus Sure I will post the update and rooting / cwm recovery guides as well. Happy New Year to you as well. Stay connected 🙂
i downloaded the firmware but i done see it in flash program i only see the x10 file ? Help its 1 G file hard to download again :/ i think its corrupted :/
help me pless urgent…. i cannot turn on phone after do flash on .108. my fon stuck at sony logo only Usama Mujtaba
@wzwh:disqus flash stock ftf on your device to recover it right away. Good Luck.
i try to flash back my z1 with .242 but still stuck at sony logo. then i flash back to .108 still stuck at sony logo. i follow every step in ur guide…
done flash back with .242 but still stuck at sony logo. i tried many time flash back using .242 still same stuck at sony logo. can ur help me ?
@wzwh:disqus When you’re flashing the firmware, please wipe everything using the wipe option in Sony Flashtool and then flash the firmware.
while m downgrading my xperia z1, from 5.0.2 to 4.4.4.
It shows me this error.
kindly help. Thanks.
ERROR – Processing of loader.sin finished with errors.
INFO – Ending flash session
ERROR –
ERROR – Error flashing. Aborted
INFO – Device connected in flash mode
INFO – Device disconnected
@disqus_17l8ghzodO:disqus Please make sure that you’ve connected your device properly.
Also make sure that you’re using latest version of Flashtool. Good Luck.
I’ve latest version of flashtool as well as my device is connected properly. But still facing the same error.
@disqus_17l8ghzodO:disqus youre doing something wrong for sure. Please try changing your data cable. This is happening because of connection failure.
I’ve checked, everything is fine. I follow all the process step by step but facing the same error. Is is necessary to Root the cellph first or unlock the bootloader before downgrading the firmware ? Because my cellph is not rooted. And i want to downgrade from lollypop 5.0.2 to kitkat 4.4.4
Hey Usama, all the links for Sony Xperia Z1 C6903 Unbranded (14.4.A.0.108) are unavailable now. I spent almost 2 hours and got just one link alive for download on xda. It has FTF files for all variants of Z1. I’m giving this link below so that anyone can search FTFs easily and don’t have to go through so much hassle.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2469191
I hope you won’t mind if I post it here.;)
@sanjeevrai:disqus not a problem at all 🙂 Thanks for sharing the link, it will definitely help others. Stay connected with us.
🙂 Thanks for sharing the link
Hi Usama, can you re-upload the firmware please.?
Hi guys
Android 4.4.4 KitKat 14.4.A.0.108 FTF is not found ,,, can any body upload it ?
do not accept it ,,, i have found the file