Sony has officially rolled out Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 firmware update two days ago and it is a major update over previous 14.1.G.1.534 firmware. 14.1.G.2.257 firmware brings noticeable changes to camera, white balance calibration of displays screen, Wi-Fi range, power management and improves performance overall.
Though Sony has listed 14.1.G.2.257 firmware on its different region website but many users still have not got it yet, may be because 14.1.G.2.257 firmware is still seeding and may roll out in different regions not at the same time.
Xperia Z1 C6902 users in India are asking us about the update, so at present there is one commercial and journalist band Xperia Z1 C6902 14.1.G.2.257 firmware ftf is available for manual flashing so is the case with Xperia Z1 C6903 ftf ( specific region’s ftf also available ).
We have created below a tutorial for newbie’s to let them teach how to flash Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 ftf using Flash Tool Manually ?
[ UPDATE 18 Oct ] 14.1.G.2.257 firmware CONFIRMED in India on C6902.
Changelog of Update
How to flash Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 ftf using Flash Tool Manually ?
Flashing doesn’t need Root and it doesn’t voids your warranty.
Make a backup of data via PC Companion before proceeding.
Step 1 – Download FlashTool
Download FlashTool version 0.9.13.0 in which Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra has been added.
Download flashtool-0.9.13.0-windows.exe
After downloading above FlashTool, install it.
Step 2 – Download Firmware Ftf file
Download the Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 ftf from below links.
Download Xperia Z1 C6903 14.1.G.2.257 firmware ftf
Brand Commercial & Journalist
Download C6903_14.1.G.2.257_GLOBAL-LTE (1277-1398).ftf
Download Xperia Z1 C6902 14.1.G.2.257 firmware ftf
Below file extracted from :- [ For INDIA Xperia Z1 C6902 users specifically ]
- Phone Software Version – 1272-6084_14.1.G.2.257
- File System Version – GLOBAL_HSPA_14.1.G.2.257
- Country – India
Download C6902_14.1.G.2.257_Generic_IN.ftf
[ via XDA user chenthil ]
Brand Commercial & Journalist
Download C6902_14.1.G.2.257_Global.ftf
or
Download C6902_14.1.G.2.257_Global.ftf
Step 3
After downloading ftf file, Go to location where FlashTool is installed and create a folder named “Source Files” and put the above Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 ftf file in it.
Additional Step :- Install Drivers
Install Drivers from the folder named “FlashTool Drivers” in the location where FlashTool is installed.
Step 4 – Open FlashTool
Now Open FlashTool. See the “Black Lightning icon” at the top left corner. Click on it.
Step 5 – Choose Flashmode from Bootmode chooser
Now choose flashmode from given two options.
Step 6
Now browse to “Source Files” location and select it. You will see the Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 ftf file listed below in left hand side of window under the “firmware section tag”.
Step 7 – Wipe data if you wish
See the right hand side of window under the “Wipe” tag, all three options are checked if, will delete all user data. So if you don’t want to delete all user user data and don’t want a factory reset then you should uncheck them.
Click on “Flash” button.
Step 8 – Preparing files for flashing
After clicking on “Flash” Button in above step, now FlashTool will prepare file “C6902 / 14.1.G.2.257 / Global for flashing.”
Step 9 – Connecting phone in FlashMode.
Now enable USB Debugging on your phone and enable unknown sources option in your Xperia Z1 and switch it off. When prompted the notification of connecting your phone, connect it in flashmode.
Press Volume down button and then insert usb in phone, you will see red and green light blink once, it means phone is connected in flashmode now.
As soon as phone is detected by FlashTool, flashing beings and wait till it is finished.
Step – 10 Disconnect phone
Disconnect phone as soon as flashing is finished. Now reboot your phone. You must have Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 firmware on your phone 🙂
Now go to about phone settings and check whether you have 14.1.G.2.257 firmware read, if yes you have successfully updated your Xperia Z1 C6902 / C6903 to 14.1.G.2.257 firmware, Cheers 🙂
Perform each step carefully and it’s very easy to flash firmware ftf files on your phone.
Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 firmware Changelog – As what Sony says…
Sony has officially acknowledged the 14.1.G.2.257 firmware update info on their blog and listed the changelog very carefully as Xperia Z1 users are facing many issues on present unstable firmware.
Below changelog is based on what Sony has updated. We will soon update our changelog as soon as we get hands on this firmware.
- Camera Algorithm Tweaked – Batter Camera Pics now as per Sony’s statement.
- Xperia Camera app runs more smoothly. New camera app actually, new settings seen.
- Display is calibrated, need to see whether yellow hue tint issue on Xperia Z1 is resolved or not.
- Batter power consumption now.
- Exchange sync more better now.
Our Changelog on 14.1.G.2.257 firmware
- Automatic power-off issue Still there. Got 3 times.
- Wi-Fi range improved.
- Touch sensitivity is better from previous firmware.
- Optimized backlight option is gone now, and is permanently ON now.
- Display not improved seems same to us. It many have been improved but not for as. It’s still same as it was before.
- Battery draining at same rate, no improvement.
BUGS in Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 firmware
- NFC icon now shown while it is activated.
If you face any difficulty in updating your Xperia Z1 to 14.1.G.2.257 firmware, drop your comments we will help you out. If you have got notification for 14.1.G.2.257 firmware in India on PC Companion, let us know in comments below 🙂
Must Read :
Xperia Z1 14.2.A.1.142 firmware rolled on Deutsche Telekom carrier
Carrier based Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.259 firmware update rolling out
Xperia Z1 14.5.A.0.283 firmware update rolling on carrier handsets
Lollipop Call Recording MOD for Xperia Z3, Z2 & Z1
Xperia Z1 14.5.A.0.270 firmware update rolling
Xperia Z1 14.5.A.0.242 Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update rolling
Android 5.0.2 Lollipop 14.5.A.0.242 firmware certified for Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact & Z Ultra
Xperia Z1, Z Ultra, Z1 Compact 14.4.A.0.155 firmware certified
Xperia Z1 14.4.A.0.133 firmware update rolling on carrier handsets
Galaxy S5 vs OnePlus One vs Xperia Z1 size comparison pics
View GizmoBolt Tech Blog
One step that may be missing, if you can’t get the phone into FlashMode then you may need to install drivers for it. These can be found in a folder under the flashtool directory;
C:\Flashtool\drivers\Flashtool-drivers.exe
Adding it 🙂 but i expected every xz1 user will be having drivers already installed.
Still for assurance they must install drivers.
Thanks,
Does not work.
I cant install drivers
hi anurag! i just finished flashing to downgrade my z1c from updated 14.4.a.0.157 build number to kernel 14.4.a.108.
but after the procedure my z1c suddenly appears to be blank., i cant see anything from it., but my pc still recognizes it.
what can i do? please help! thank you very much. any reply will be very much appreciated
Cool.
Only reason I mention it is that I didn’t have these drivers instaled (not sure why else you would have them or even where t oget them other than this tool?).
Windows just gave me “driver failed to install’ errors when I tried to enter flashmode or fastboot and I spent ages trying to figure out what the problem was.
well as far as i see, in version 0.9.12.1 of flashtool, Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra drivers are already added and when user first connected his phone to PC, Z1 drivers were automatically installed.
No issues of drivers ever here 🙂
Flashtool not downloading showing error code 6
ok, try downloading directly from flashtool.net website.
thanks but not able to download ftf files from both the links!
Have you checked if this removes the yellow hue issue? Will be doing this once I get home. Thanks for the guide.
i don’t have the issue as i got may yellow tint Xperia Z1 replaced from Sony. Sony says the display is brighter in this update.
But let me tell you my true words :- i don’t find any change rather i think display is even more dim in this new update and it still has yellow hue tint on screen as told to me by many users.
Camera has improved a lot 🙂
Damn, problem is I got the yellow hue when I updated to .534. Was hoping this was gonna fix this.
not able to download ftf files. need help
what’s the issue, use dropbox link, it works fine.
well then please try after some time, may be link is shut down temporarily bcoz of heavy traffic, Tried another link also ?
no it says error 509. temporarily shutdown due to network traffic
yea tried tat chinese link. when i click on download button nothin happens!!
Ok atleast someone let us know if the official update is rolling out in India. Thanks
Not yet available, not seen a single Indian user getting this update including mine 🙁
Only c6903 ppl r getting now I guess. Our turn is next
[ UPDATE 18 Oct ] 14.1.G.2.257 firmware CONFIRMED in India on C6902. Just got it on PCC as well as SUS
Can u please tel me the difference between official version and this journalists version of software?
i have just updated the links for indian version.
Well on journalist version, NFC bug was there. Some preloaded apps difference nothing more, same kernel, same firmware.
It’s just the after flashing a certain region firmware then you will get future updates as per it only.
Thanks. I was about to download this version. Cheers ppl
you didn’t get update yet. Almost every Indian user which were in my circle got the update. Still if you haven’t got it yet. You can download the Indian version ftf, it’s live now 🙂
Thanks bro
Actually I got the update. Awesome
hi, may i know if there is any root method available after this 2.257 update?
Camera performance not improved. Can someone tel the best settings for camera?
Generic India update is not getting downloaded. only 1 kb md5 file downloads every time.
File property also shows its size only 172 Bytes.
Please provide another link.
has it been removed from skydrive?
yes i think so, 2nd file removed…let me get another ftf link. In case you can visit your sony service center and ask them to update your phone.
I want to m2 dual firmware kitkat indian plz help me plz share link.
Hi, the phone can’t boot anymore.
I tried flashing again but it didn’t work.
The sony logo appears and disappears. Please help met out
Is this really the only thing to do, i read something about backup TA on Xda is this also neccesary? TY in advance.
backing up TA needed while unlocking the bootloader of your phone not while flashing 🙂
TY Anurag Kumar, for now you made my day.
One more i am from the netherland ( dutch ) and i downloaded the version C6903 14.1.G.2.257 firmware ftf. is this the correct one.
yes check in your about phone if it says C6903 ( LTE version ) then you downloaded the right file.
hmmm having a bootloop right now
while flashing finished, was there any warning in blue letters like “sim partition file not flashed” ?
If not then try again.
While phone boot loops and you see sony logo, then press volume down button and connect it to PC, try connecting like that to get out of boot loops and then again re flashing via SUS or flash tool.
Anurag, got the phone working again but only after flashing whit the sony update service. All is well now, was worried for a while.
btw do you know a way to get the playstation mobile store working in my region?
Hi i have tried to do this installation on my sony xperia L . But When flash starts I get this message and it
31/037/2013 15:37:25 – ERROR – ERR_SEVERITY=”MINOR”;ERR_CODE=”0017″;ERR_DYNAMIC=”0x80060011 “;
31/037/2013 15:37:25 – ERROR – Error flashing. Aborted
Whats going on?
Morning Brian, can it be the firmware isn’t compatible with the Xperia L.
Does Phone need to have unlocked boot loader, as i keep getting error flashing aborted
forget my last comment i did it
The “C6903 14.1.G.2.257 firmware ftf” works with C6906 ?
Thanks !
Now in my C6906 in number model says “C6903” WTF ?
pliz put video somone!!!!
Please will i be able to flash Xperia Z1 14.1.G.2.257 ftf manually onto Xperia S phone?
No you can’t , if done it will brick your device.
Is there a kernel alone flash that will allow one to make use of the root exploit and then flash the new.257 kernel?
How about my Z Ultra?
same method goes for every Xperia handset buddy 🙂
When I start flashtool. It shows z1 is connected even if not connected and something related to busybox and Android version 4.0.4.. Help me out. If you ask I will send screenshot. Please help
I use your way to flash my xperia z
thank you
in flastools driver… no XZL driver…how?
which ftf file to download? Please let me know
May J flash this ftf firmware my xperia z 4,4(beanstalk rom) ?
can i flash xperia sp to 4.3 without internet connection after downloading flash tool and ftf file?
Yes you can flash without internet connection…
19/004/2014 00:04:06 – INFO – <- This level is successfully initialized
19/004/2014 00:04:06 – INFO – Flashtool Version 0.9.13.0 built on 2013-06-04 22:50:00
19/004/2014 00:04:11 – INFO – Device disconnected
19/004/2014 00:04:21 – INFO – Selected C5302 / 12.1.A.0.266 / 1272-3116_R2B
19/004/2014 00:04:21 – INFO – Preparing files for flashing
19/004/2014 00:04:26 – ERROR – invalid block type
19/004/2014 00:04:26 – INFO – Cannot open bundle. Flash operation canceled
hi having this error while flashing please help
Can you please give me the correct ftf file for sony xperia SP (C5302) , after downloading the complete file im getting “Failed- Network error”.
“https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B91NfT5kQEMFc0otMXFHWHQ1Uzg/edit?pli=1 “
cant download the ftf file from the given link. please help me as I want to root the phone. my present build no. is 14.2.A.1.136
Yar it is giving error 1, error flashing.aborted. kindly help me out on this.
wich drivers for zl c6502?
My Z1 Keep restarting after flashed ….WHAT SHOULD I DO ???? 🙁
Sorry finally I can made UP
Try to re flahs and DO NOT Un check any “Wipe” items
Then It can reboot properly
Bro..can i used your firmware to flash my phone (malaysia)
i want to root and im on 4.4..so I have to downgrade to 4.2.2..i have c6902 indian version..so shud I flash this file C6902 14.1.G.1.534 Generic IN available on xda : http:// forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2469191…reply asap
my xperia m is not giong in debugg mode please help me.
09/020/2014 07:20:57 – ERROR – Processing of loader.sin finished with errors.
09/020/2014 07:20:57 – INFO – Ending flash session
09/020/2014 07:20:57 – ERROR –
09/020/2014 07:20:57 – ERROR – Error flashing. Aborted
09/020/2014 07:20:57 – ERROR – Drivers need to be installed for connected device.
09/020/2014 07:20:57 – ERROR – You can find them in the drivers folder of Flashtool.
09/021/2014 07:21:54 – INFO – Decrypt canceled
Hi, Anurag Kumar,
First of all Thanks a lot for this step by step guide.
I really appreciate your knowledge sharing idea.
Salute to you brother.
Only one small help. I am not able to setup exchange mail after I downgraded to 4.2.2 . It says “could not connect to server “. Also I used to use same settings before when I was using 4.3 and 4.4. But some how the same settings are not working with 4.2.2.
Could you help?
Are you able to add email accounts in stock email app of Sony with same settings ?
Hi Anurag Kumar, I’ve done exactly everything you instruct here. But, after successfully flashing my phone, it wont start. It just show sony logo and then nothing, just a black screen with back lighting.
I’ve read this is a bootstall problem. Do u know what is actually causing this issue?
Thanks
Thanks for the advise. ALMOST everything went fine!!!
For an estrange reason after the update my SMS icon just disappeared!!!
Now I cannot send/receive SMS messages.
dear
when i installation the room of sony z 1 c9603 I have a problem with flash tool program ( ERROR – root : this bundle is not valid )
What does it mean and how the solution
thank you