Update Sony Xperia ZL C6503, C6506 To Official Android 5.1.1 10.7.A.0.222 Firmware

Surprise! Android 5.1.1 Lollipop is finally available for Sony’s very first Xperia Z series. The update is now finding its way to Xperia Z, ZR, ZL & Tablet Z. It’s quite impressive to see Sony rolling out the latest and greatest version of Android for such and old series. The original Xperia Z series came out running the Android JellyBean and received updates to KitKat and Lollipop. The new update shifts the version number to 5.1.1 and stays on Lollipop. We doubt if Sony Xperia Z’s software life is going to end here and if it will receive Marshmallow, perhaps right now it is worth updating to this software as this is the latest Android version of the present time.

Xperia ZL’s variant which received this update are C6503 & C6506. These variants received the update in several regions. The update is rolling out through OTA or through Sony PC Companion. Just in case you haven’t seen any signs of this update through OTA or PC Companion, you may want to take your device to Android 5.1.1 Lollipop manually. You can easily flash the official firmware using its FTF file, which you can make using a software like XperiFirm and flash using a software like Sony Flashtool. In case you’re wondering how you can do so, you may stop worrying as we have got your back.

In the ongoing post we will help you to update your Xperia ZL to latest official Android 5.1.1 Lollipop carrying the build number 10.7.A.0.222 firmware using Sony Flashtool. Let’s go ahead and update the device right now.

Some early preparations: 

1. This is only for Sony Xperia ZL C6503 & C6506.

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.

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 ZL 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.

How To Update Sony Xperia ZL C6503 & C6506. To Official Android 5.1.1 Lollipop 10.7.A.0.222 Firmware

Before moving forward, please make sure that you’ve read the pre requisites and ensure that you are set to go ahead.

1. Download the latest firmware Android 5.1.1 Lollipop 10.7.A.0.222 FTF file.
   1. For Xperia ZL C6503 [Generic/Unbranded] Link 1 – You can also create your own FTF using this guide.
   2. For Xperia ZL C6506 [Generic/Unbranded] Link 1 –  You can also create your own FTF using this guide.[In case you don’t want to create the FTF, the link will be added in a few hours, you may wait.]
2. Copy the file and paste in Flashtool>Firmwares folder.
3. Open Flashtool.exe now.
4. Hit the small lightening button on the top left corner and select Flashmode.
5. Select the FTF firmware file that you placed in the Firmware folder.
6. 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.
7. Click on OK, and it will start preparing the firmware for flashing. This may take a little while to load.
8. 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.
9. For Xperia ZL 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.
10. As soon as the phone is detected in Flash-mode, the firmware will start flashing, leave the Volume Down key and let it flash the firmware.
11. As soon as you see “Flashing ended or Finished Flashing” leave the Volume Down key, plug the cable out and reboot.
12. That’s All! Congrats! You’ve installed latest Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on your Xperia ZL 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!