Update Sony Xperia Z Ultra To AOSP Android 6.0 Marshmallow Custom ROM

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Xperia Z Ultra debuted running Android Jelly Bean. Sony brought this device to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and now this is where its software support will end. Xperia Z Ultra won’t be getting and higher version of Android, that means no new Marshmallow for Z Ultra. This may make the Z Ultra users a little bit sad, but there’s no need to worry about Marshmallow as long as we have some great developers working on this device. To fulfil the Marshmallow thirst of Z Ultra owners, XDA member Ev3rtH came up with Android 6.0 Marshmallow AOSP custom ROM.xperia-z-ultra-hero-black-620x420-a82de52b739491a12b1212ca4f27a18d

The ROM is in its WIP stage. The initial build is good enough to give you a touch and feel of Android Marshmallow, some of the features in this ROM may not work which do not let this ROM become a daily driver. We will be helping you to install this ROM on your Z Ultra but while we do, you may keep in mind that flashing this ROM is recommended for Android power users only who know how to deal with custom ROMs and handle the phone if anything goes wrong. For now Camera, NFC, GPS are not working on this ROM, but we expect these features to work in the future builds. Let’s go ahead and flash the AOSP based Android 6.0 Marshmallow on our beloved Xperia Z Ultra.

Early Preparations:

Disclaimer: Unlocking bootloader and flashing custom ROMs voids the warranty of device. In case of any mishap, Techbeasts or Sony may not be held responsible. Make sure that you’re going to do everything at your own risk.

Required Downloads

How To Install AOSP Android 6.0 Marshmallow Custom ROM On Xperia Z Ultra

Step#1: Now go to your Windows drive (i.e. C drive) > Program files > Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder.

Step#2: Copy all the ROM files (boot.img, cache.img, system.img etc) to this Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder.

Step#3: Now connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode. To do so, turn off your Xperia Z Ultra completely. Now press and hold Volume Up and plug the data cable in. Your phone will be connected to your PC in fastboot mode.

Step#4: Now open the Minimal ADB & Fastboot folder from Program files and open “Py_cmd.exe” file.

Step#5: Now in the command window, issue the following commands one by one.

fastboot devices

This will verify the connection of your device in fastboot mode.

fastboot flash boot boot.img

This will flash the boot into your device in order to make the Marshmallow firmware boot up.

fastboot flash cache cache.img

This will flash the cache partition on your device.

fastboot flash system system.img

This will flash the AOSP Android Marshmallow system.

fastboot flash userdata userdata.img

This will flash the userdata of the target ROM.

Step#6: Once all of the above steps are done, reboot your phone.

How To Install Google GApps

  1. Copy the downlaoded GApps.zip file to your Xperia Z Ultra.
  2. Now boot into TWRP or CWM recovery on your Xperia Z Ultra. To do so, turn off your phone completely. Now turn it on and as soon as you see the boot screen press Volume Up or Down key to boot into TWRP or CWM.
  3. Now depending on your recovery, select the install zip option  and locate the GApps.zip file. Flash the file and reboot.
  4. You’re all done and you’ve installed GApps as well.

How To Root AOSP Android Marshmallow on your Xperia Z Ultra

  1. Copy the downlaoded SuperSu.zip file to your Xperia Z Ultra.
  2. Now boot into TWRP or CWM recovery on your Xperia Z Ultra. To do so, turn off your phone completely. Now turn it on and as soon as you see the boot screen press Volume Up or Down key to boot into TWRP or CWM.
  3. Now depending on your recovery, select the install zip option  and locate the SuperSu.zip file. Flash the file and reboot.
  4. You’re all done and you’ve rooted your Xperia Z Ultra running Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

That’s all. In case you’re stuck with something, feel free to reach us out through the comment box below. 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.

2 COMMENTS

  1. this guide, or some passage in the linked guides, doesn’t work. The flash of Android 6.0 deletes the custom recovery, so I cannot access TWRP. Plus the AOSP link doesn’t work, I had to find another set of .img files elsewhere.

  2. The ROM seems great but I can’t acces to my recovery anymore. How am I supposed to install a new one & GAPPS ?

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