The best way to update your Sony Xperia phones is always via PC Companion or via Sony Update Service. Well in case your phone shows no notification of the official updates after connecting to PC Companion or Sony Update Service (SUS) then you always flash the original firmware’s ftf file on your phone via Xperia Flash Tool. Read our full tutorial below.
How to Flash ftf file manually on Xperia Phones ?
- Download the “ftf file” of your Xperia device which is must needed in any case.
Use Google search to get the desired ftf file for your Xperia device. You can get some of the ftf files on our blog also. Check below links.
[ OFFICIAL UPDATE ] Xperia Z C6603 Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean 10.1.1.A.1.253 firmware ftf files.
[ OFFICIAL UPDATE ] Xperia P LT22i Jelly Bean 6.2.A.0.400 firmware ftf files.
[ OFFICIAL UPDATE ] Xperia TX LT29i Jelly Bean 9.1.B.0.411 firmware ftf files.
[ LEAKED UPDATE ] Xperia Ion LT28i Jelly Bean 6.2.B.0.203 firmware ftf files.
[ LEAKED UPDATE ] Xperia S / SL Jelly Bean 6.2.B.0.197 firmware ftf files.
[ PORTED UPDATE ] Xperia U ST25i Jelly Bean 6.2.A.0.400 on 3.0.8 old kernel firmware ftf files.
- After getting the ftf files for your phone, now download the Xperia Flash Tool from given below link.
Download flashtool-0.9.10.2beta6-windows.exe
Windows Version 0.9.10.2 Beta 6
Supported Xperia Devices for updating via Flash tool:-
Xperia go (ST27i), Xperia neo V (MT11i), Xperia ray (ST18i), Xperia P (LT22i), Xperia ZL (C6503), Xperia Z (C6603), Xperia PLAY (R800i), Xperia E dual (C1605), Xperia E (C1505), Xperia T (LT30p), Xperia S (LT26i), Xperia arc (LT15i) , Xperia arc S (LT18i).
There may be some more phones supported, do check in the supported phone list in the Flash Tool, if your device is not there, add it manually 😛
- Download the Flash tool on your PC and install it. Let’s say you have installed it on folder named “C:\Flashtool”. Open the folder and find the folder named “drivers”, look for program “Flashtool-drivers” as you can find below.
- Now run the program “Flashtool-drivers” as Admin. As soon as it opens, check under option “”Select components to install” and find the phone for which you want to flash the ftf file. Suppose you want to flash files for Xperia P, then we will tick mark the option “Xperia P, U and Sola Drivers”, “Flashmode drivers” and “Fastboot drivers” to install the concerned drivers of the phone. Click the “install” button and wait till drivers are installed on your PC. Check image screenshot below.
- Now as soon drivers installation is finished. On your PC, navigate back to “C:\Flashtool” and in the folder named “firmwares”, please paste the downloaded ftf file for your concerned phone firmware.
- Open “FlashTool.exe” file from folder “C:\Flashtool”. As soon as you open it, check written “Device disconnected at the end” in dialog box. Check image.
- Switch off your phone,wait for 30 seconds, now connect your USB cable of phone to PC and the other end on your phone’s USB port. While inserting USB cable in your phone’s port, hold “Volume Down” button and then insert cable. You will see green light in notification LED which means your phone has been connected successfully in flashmode. See below, you will find “Device connected in flashmode” written in the Flash tool window.
- “Notice the Black Lightning icon in the top left corner”, Click on it, as soon as you click, it will as k you to choose from two options listed. Choose option “flashmode”. See below.
Follow next Step carefully, any damage caused to your phone will be your responsibility. We are not at all responsible for that.
- Now from “Select source folder” option please navigate to “C:\Flashtool\firmwares” and choose the firmware ftf file which you pasted in this folder. After doing this from option “Select a firmware” choose your listed firmware ftf file and check mark the option “Wipe Data”. Do check mark other options if you want, you must know what they do, don’t do anything stupid here please. Under option “Misc” , check mark the option “No Final verification” if you are on Android 4.0.4 ICS Stock version. Click Ok, then. See below image.
- As soon as you click OK, Flashtool will now prepare files for flashing which you can see on the Flash Tool open window panel, check below.
- As soon as files are prepared, the selected firmware ftf will be installed on your Xperia device.
Done now hopefully if you performed every step carefully. The first reboot in the phone after installing ftf file is very slow, it will be OK after that. If you have got any confusion on How to Update manually Xperia phone by flashing ftf file via Xperia Flash Tool, do let us know in the comment section below, we will help you out 🙂
View Comments (161)
what if my phone is not supported by flash tool, how to add it ?
how to update xperia s with new jelly bean firmware ftf ?
Somebody knows if i can flash with any tft my xperia acro s?
No not yet, only Xperia S and SL users have reported this update. So ftf is only for them...ftf for Acro S will be uploaded soon as it is released.
Thank you :)
If I make this step as you make it >> will I miss all app , contacts , SMS and my picture . please tell me before I make it :)
Can i flash this ftf file for my Xperia SL without rooting my phone? I’m from Philippines. The JB update here is still not available till now. Huhuhu. I want the JB update badly
Yes you can flash it without rooting and even without unlocking bootloader, its stock file from the firmware.
how to get the 3d camera and all oher features on jelly bean?
can we expect them after jelly bean .211 update?
For 3D Camera you port this feature as per now. No news till now will it be there or not.
can u plz tell me hoe to port 3d camera?
please help me, i love 3d panorama app, n theres no more 3d app on JB,
please tell me how to port it...
how to get the 3d camera 3d panorama all oher features on jelly bean?
can we expect them after jelly bean .211 update?
Hey Anurag, i have a sony xperia ion lt28at, it is rooted but the bootloader unlock allowed says NO, and i still havent got the jelly bean update, will the above procedure still work with my phone?
Yes, flashing the ftf file don't need anything regarding bootloader, you can flash on locked/unlocked bootloader.
Officially firmware has been released, if you haven't got notification yet, please download the ftf file from there - https://www.gizmobolt.com/2013/06/25/flash-manually-xperia-ion-lt28i-lt28h-jelly-bean-6-2-b-0-211-ftf/
it says in the beginning that you need to have a unlocked bootloader in order to proceed with this process, and mine is locked, dont wanna take risk of flashing some other firmware ftf file and then my phone gets bricked, till today havent read a genuine way of unlocking bootloader and whatever flashing processes i have seen and read always say if your bootloader is locked you cannot proceed with the flashing process.
To unlock bootloader, you can get steps OFFICIALLY from SONY here - http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com
Regarding flashing thing :- You do not need unlocked bootloader to flash a ftf. We have flashed ftf files 100 times on our locked bootloader devices Xperia S, SL, Z, P, J Ion...Never such a problem arose.
Please send us the screenshot where it says that you need to unlock bootloader...You can also refer this link - https://www.gizmobolt.com/2013/06/20/how-to-flash-xperia-s-sl-jelly-bean-6-2-b-0-211-world-india-ftf-file/ to download the latest flashtool and than try.
flash tool showes device noy recognised then a list is poped up bt there was no xperia sl... i want to update my sl. hlp
got my phone flashed.... thankz anurag for ur wonderful step by step info on flashing... even amateurs like me cud do it....
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhha.....
Great you liked out tutorial :)
Do visit us regularly...
I want to flash this rom to my phone .. since it is the official release , do i need to unlock the bootloader ???
Which ROM you want to install ?
LT26i_6.2.B.0.200_GenericDE.zip on my xperia s
THanx.. just installed Jb on my XPS .. btw can we install random roms (.ftf) using flashtool on a phone say XPS with unlocked bootloader ? ? ? ? ?
to install other ROMS like CM or MIUI you need to have unlocked bootloader :)
They have their own procedure.
Mate am from India and we have a update for XZ so do i need a unlocked bootloader or i can update without it. Am asking this bcz am not able to unlock my bootloader :P
Anurag can u please answer my question mate :)
hi,
Yes buddy you need to unlock your bootloader if you are updating via flashing the ftf file on your XZ.
In case you have got the notification and unable to update...try visiting Sony care they can update it for you.
Or try by using SUS.
Why is my comment not shown here. I didnt use any bad words or like stuff dude
Which comment you are talking about ?