Android 4.2.2 (10.3.1.A.0.244) New Update Rolling For Xperia Z [Manually Install]

Following the release of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean update (build number 10.3.A.0.423), Sony has rolled out another software update with build version 10.3.1.A.0.244 for the Xperia Z C6602 GSM and C6603 LTE. The new update, weighing 758.5MB, is based on Android 4.2.2 and available in several countries such as Sweden, Poland and Egypt. The update brings a host of enhanced features for the handset.

Android 4.2.2 firmware features

Smooth Boot animation

Efficient RAM management, 1784MB RAM

Home launcher is more smooth, without lags

Update Center has got a new UI

Album App taking slightly more time to load pictures

3G Signal strength improved

Touch response is improved

Sleep and Wake is faster now

Camera image quality in dark improved

Changes in car mode app

High resolution image is captured in normal mode with HDR off (around 2.8MB)

No screen flickering now

No unusual battery reading bug. Booted twice in between 30 to 20% battery and having no issue

Battery backup has increased

Head over to the source page to read more about the features.

The update is available on Sony PC Companion/Sony Bridge for Mac as well as via Over-The-Air (OTA) update. To check for the OTA update, navigate to Settings>> About phone>> Software update>> OK to download and install the update.

Xperia Z users who failed to install the OTA update and wish to install the same manually, may follow our step-by-step guide (Courtesy of Android Teen) .

Below are three methods to install Android 4.2.2 (10.3.1.A.0.244) Jelly Bean on Xperia Z: one is via Sony Companion/Bridge and rest two methods are installing update using Sony Flash tool for rooted and non rooted devices.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held responsible for any damage to the device. Before installing firmware, users are advised to verify that their devices meet following requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Driver for Sony Xperia Z to connect the Android device with computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Press Menu>> Settings>> Applications. From there navigate and click on Development option then check the USB Debugging Mode.]

3) As the tutorial might wipe out all data of the phone, create a backup. If the device is having any custom recoveries such as CWM/TWRP already installed then backup data using recovery.

4) The Xperia Z should have above 80% of battery charge.

5) The device will lose custom ROM with the installation of official firmware. Additionally, it will lose custom recovery such as ClockworkMod/TWRP which will be replaced by stock recovery.

6) The phone will no longer belong to a rooted version with the installation of official build.

7) The official Android 4.2.2 (10.3.1.A.0.244) Jelly Bean works only with Sony Xperia Z C6602/C6603. As flashing this on any incorrect variant might brick the device, verify the model number of the phone by navigating to Settings>> About device>> Model number and then download appropriate firmware.

Method-1: Steps to install Android 4.2.2 (10.3.1.A.0.244) Jelly Bean on Xperia Z via Sony Companion/Bridge

Step-1: Ensure that the computer is having stable internet connection

Step-2: Download and install Sony Companion for Windows/Sony Bridge for Mac on the computer

Step-3: Connect the Xperia Z to the computer using USB cable

Step-4: Open the Sony Companion/Sony Bridge on the computer. Wait until the Sony Companion/Sony Bridge detects the phone

Step-5: Users should see New Firmware Upgrade is available at the home of Sony Companion/Sony Bridge. Press the Firmware Upgrade button to proceed

Step-6: Check the box to agree all the T&C about the upgrade and press Start Upgrade to proceed further

Step-7: Wait download and install to run

Step-8: The device should now be running upgrade and reboot automatically

Step-9: The update should be completed. To verify the new software version running on the phone, go to Settings>> About Phone>> Android & Baseband version

Step-10: If you see Your phone/tablet is up to date on the Sony Companion/Sony Bridge then wait for Sony Mobile to release the update via Sony Companion/Sony Bridge

Method-2: Steps to install Android 4.2.2 (10.3.1.A.0.244) Jelly Bean on Xperia Z via Sony flash tool [Non Rooted]

Step-1: Download Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean firmware for Xperia Z to the computer

Download links-

Central Europe: C6603_10.3.1.A.0.244_Generic CF.ftf

Spain (Unbranded): C6603_10.3.1.A.0.244_Generic ES.part1.rar and

C6603_10.3.1.A.0.244_Generic ES.part2.rar

Nordic combined (Unbranded): C6603_10.3.1.A.0.244_Generic NCB.ftf.zip.oo1 and

C6603_10.3.1.A.0.244_Generic NCB.ftf.zip.oo2

Note: Download appropriate official firmware according to the model number of the phone.

Step-2: Download Sony Flashtool to the computer. Double click on the flashtool.exe file to install. You should see a flashtool folder in the C Drive

[Flashtool-0.9.11.0-windows.exe]

Step-3: Double click on flashtool icon to launch the flashtool

[Those who are first timer, navigate to C:Flashtooldrivers folder to install Flashtool-drivers. Select and check the box of the device model and Flashmode Drivers.]

Step-4: Connect the Xperia Z to the computer using cable. Ensure that all drivers are installed properly

Step-5: Copy the downloaded ftf (official firmware file) to the C:flashtoolfirmwares folder in the computer

Step-6: On the flashtool, click the lightning icon and click flashmode then click OK. A new window should appear now

Step-7: At the right sidebar, check Data, Cache, Appslog boxes if users wish to wipe the device before flashing. To remain the device data, uncheck all the boxes

Step-8: At source folder, browse and choose .ftf in the flashtool/firmwares. .ftf

Step-9: Now press flash button to start flashing

Step-10: Follow the prompt instructions

First to unplug the phone from the computer

Then power off the device

Third, enter Flash Mode on the device by pressing and holding Volume Down button while connect the phone to computer using USB cable. The screen of the device will remain blank

Step-11: Monitor the Flashtool in the computer. It should continue to run and flash the .ftf

Step-12: Wait until the installation is completed. When the installation process is completed a message saying Flashing finished from the flashtool will appear

Step-13: Power on the device. It should now be updated with the new official firmware. To verify the new software version running on the phone, navigate to Settings>> About phone>> Android & Baseband version.

Method-3: Steps to install Android 4.2.2 (10.3.1.A.0.244) Jelly Bean on Xperia Z via Sony flash tool [Rooted]

Step-1: Download Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean firmware for Xperia Z to the computer [Download firmware from links given in above guide]

Step-2: Download Sony Flashtool to the computer. Double click on the flashtool.exe file to install. You should see a flashtool folder in the C Drive

Step-3: Download OTA Root Keeper from Google Play Store on the phone

Step-4: Start OTA Root Keeper on the phone. Click on the Protect root then followed by Temp. un-root

Step-5: Double click on flashtool icon to launch the flashtool

[Those who are first timer, navigate to C:Flashtooldrivers folder to install Flashtool-drivers. Select and check the box of the device model and Flashmode Drivers.]

Step-6: Connect the Xperia Z to the computer using cable. Ensure that all drivers are installed properly

Step-5: Copy the downloaded ftf (official firmware file) to the C:flashtoolfirmwares folder in the computer

Step-6: On the flashtool, click the lightning icon and click flashmode then click OK. A new window should appear now

Step-7: At the right sidebar, check Data, Cache, Appslog boxes if users wish to wipe the device before flashing. To remain the device data, uncheck all the boxes

Step-8: At source folder, browse and choose .ftf in the flashtool/firmwares. .ftf

Step-9: Press flash button to start flashing

Step-10: Follow the prompt instructions

First to unplug the phone from the computer

Then power off the device

Third, enter Flash Mode on the device by pressing and holding Volume Down button while connect the phone to computer using USB cable. The screen of the device will remain blank

Step-11: Monitor the Flashtool in the computer. It should continue to run and flash the .ftf

Step-12: Wait until the installation process is completed. The completion of the installation process will be indicated by a message saying Flashing finished from the flashtool

Step-13: Power on the device. It should now be updated with the new official firmware. To verify the new software version running on the phone, navigate to Settings>> About phone>> Android & Baseband version.

Step-14: Start OTA Root Keeper. Click on Restore Root

Provided all the instructions are followed strictly the Xperia Z C6602/C6603 should be now updated with new official firmware.

Also read: Update Xperia Z to Android 4.2.2 (10.3.1.A.1.10) new firmware