Update Xperia Z3 To Official Android Lollipop 23.1.A.1.28 Firmware

Sony took a very long time to roll out Android 5.0.2 Lollipop for the Xperia Z family, but now that it has, improvements are coming every second day. Sony has rolled out a newer update with a number of prominent improvements. The new update, which carries the build number 23.1.A.1.28 includes the missing “Close All” button in the recent apps menu. The update also insures the proper working of messaging in stamina mode. Notifications will no longer show no service on the lock screen if there’s weak connectivity. Sony has fixed all the known bugs in this most recent update. All non-branded variants of the Xperia Z3 have started receiving this update in different regions. If you haven’t received the .28 firmware update yet, you may want to get it immediately. The only way to get it right now is to flash it via Sony Flashtool. Wondering how? Well, that is what we are here for.

In the succeeding guide we are going to flash/install the latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop firmware with the build number 23.1.A.1.28 on our beloved Sony Xperia Z3 D6603, D6653 & D6643. Let’s go through some quick preparations and flash the firmware to get the missing features back.

Update Changelog:

– Ensured the lock screen / notification bar doesn’t indicate “no service” when the device has coverage

– Added a Sony feature; bringing back the “close-all-button” in the activity menu, so you can easily close all apps at once

– Unblocked devices with server policies (such as Exchange Active Sync for e-mail), to enable the new Lollipop lock-screen notifications

– Ensured the LED light is lit across all sound modes – and no longer offset by “silent”

– Made the necessary fixes to enable the easy movement of content from internal memory to external microSD card (something we saw affecting a few devices)

– Improved messaging functionality in Ultra stamina mode – some conversations could not be opened before in Ultra stamina mode

Early Preparations:

1. This is only for Sony Xperia Z3 D6603, D6653 & D6643.

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.
• Titanium Backup – If already rooted, use Titanium Backup to backup all of your apps, system data and other important content. If you haven’t rooted your device previously, skip this step.
• Backup Nandroid – If CWM  or TWRP installed previously, otherwise skip this step and perform this at the end of flashing.

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 Z3 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 Z3 D6603, D6653 & D6643 To Official Android 5.0.2 23.1.A.1.28 Lollipop  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 5.0.2 Lollipop 23.1.A.1.28 FTF file.
   1. For Xperia Z3 D6603 [Generic/Unbranded. Create your own FTF using this guide.
   2. For Xperia Z3 D6653 [Generic/Unbranded] Create your own FTF using this guide.
   3. For Xperia Z3 D6643 [Generic/Unbranded] Create your own FTF using this guide.
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 Z3 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 Flashmode, the firmware will start flashing, release the volume down key now and wait.
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 5.0.2 Lollipop on your Xperia Z3. 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!