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

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.

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:

• This guide is intended for Sony Xperia Z Ultra C6902, C6903 & C6906 only. Do not try this on any other device.
• Charge your phone’s battery up to 50% to avoid any power issues during the flashing process.
• Download and install Minimal ADB & Fastboot drivers on your computer. You can also our guide to install ADB & Fastboot drivers on Mac OS X.
• Your Xperia Z Ultra’s bootloader must be unlocked. Learn here to unlock bootloader of Xperia smartphones.
• Install CWM or TWRP recovery on your Xperia Z Ultra using this guide.
• Create a Nandroid backup of your current system. Also backup your important contacts, call logs and text messages. This is important in case you’ve to wipe your phone, you will still have access to all of your data.
• Enable USB debugging mode on your Xperia Z Ultra.

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

• Download Android 6.0 Marshmallow AOSP files for Xperia Z Ultra
• Download Google GApps.zip file for Android 6.0 Marshmallow (For Xperia Z Ultra only)
• Download SuperSu.zip file

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.