Question about firmware versions - Sony Xperia XZ1 Questions & Answers

Hello!
I am a bit lost with FW versions for XZ1...
I bought US unlocked G8342 version from Amazon and it came with 47.1.A.2.273 - which, aster some searching around, seems to be quite old...
I got xperiafirm and I see that it is listing 47.1.A.8.49 / R5B as current USA custom firmware - anyone can explain why my phone (and Sony companion) think that I have the latest when Sony servers have newer version?
I like having more recent FW on my devices - should I get Central European version (which is even newer - 7.1.A.12.34 / R6B) - will Sony provide OTA upgrades for me here in US?
Will I lose anything with CE1 FW, like any US-specific GSM/LTE bands?
Or should I get current US version via xperiafirm and hope that Sony will keep it updated going forward?
(I know, that I'll get fingerprint sensor with CE1 FW, but this is not that important for me).
Appreciate any insight!

Related

[Q] Firmware availability in UK

I got the 'SIM free' version of the phone, because I thought this would avoid those awful 'carrier delays'
I have tried the update several times (PC support) but just get 'your firmware is up to date' - yet I am still on 17.1.A.2.55 (yet 17.1.1.A.0.402 has been released for a couple of weeks).
How can I tell when it's available (other-than keep trying 'PC support') ?
dweaver1 said:
I got the 'SIM free' version of the phone, because I thought this would avoid those awful 'carrier delays'
I have tried the update several times (PC support) but just get 'your firmware is up to date' - yet I am still on 17.1.A.2.55 (yet 17.1.1.A.0.402 has been released for a couple of weeks).
How can I tell when it's available (other-than keep trying 'PC support') ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not many variants of .402 have been released. Keep an eye out here.
dweaver1 said:
I got the 'SIM free' version of the phone, because I thought this would avoid those awful 'carrier delays'
I have tried the update several times (PC support) but just get 'your firmware is up to date' - yet I am still on 17.1.A.2.55 (yet 17.1.1.A.0.402 has been released for a couple of weeks).
How can I tell when it's available (other-than keep trying 'PC support') ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Z2 is locked to EE but even they released the update last week. Really surprised the sim free version hasn't been released in the UK yet.
It is getting a bit silly, most in the UK are still stuck on .55 but there has been .69 & now .402 Maybe they are doing it the way samsung do updates in that it the carrier branded ones that get the update first then unbranded.
BanziBaby said:
It is getting a bit silly, most in the UK are still stuck on .55 but there has been .69 & now .402 Maybe they are doing it the way samsung do updates in that it the carrier branded ones that get the update first then unbranded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EE, Vodafone and O2 now have the update
Mine is also sim free from UK and still on 55. I hope we get the update soon.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
kamalaggi said:
EE, Vodafone and O2 now have the update
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on O2 and I've yet to get an update.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
It seem like there's another firmware update coming soon, updating to 17.1.2.A.0.189. No sure who'll be getting it though :fingers-crossed:
Source: http://www.xperiablog.net/2014/06/02/xperia-z2-update-17-1-2-a-0-189-on-the-horizon/
i buy in phones4you and i have 17.1.A.2.55
Hey peeps I took this from Sony UK support site:
Latest available software
You may already have the latest software, depending on the date of purchase. Software updates are released at different times depending on operator and/or country. Therefore, we cannot give you an exact date for when a specific update will be available for your device.
Android version: Google Android 4.4 (Kitkat)
Latest available software: 17.1.1.A.0.402
Release started: 2014-05-23
To find your device’s current software version:
Settings > About phone > Build number / version
SO it seems that .402 is available in the UK.
Hope this helps :good:
stress40 said:
Hey peeps I took this from Sony UK support site:
Latest available software
You may already have the latest software, depending on the date of purchase. Software updates are released at different times depending on operator and/or country. Therefore, we cannot give you an exact date for when a specific update will be available for your device.
Android version: Google Android 4.4 (Kitkat)
Latest available software: 17.1.1.A.0.402
Release started: 2014-05-23
To find your device’s current software version:
Settings > About phone > Build number / version
SO it seems that .402 is available in the UK.
Hope this helps :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its still not available for unbranded phones
Just checked and now available for O2.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
I imagine they release staggered and cover the largest number of customers at once, namely carrier phones. SIM free probably accounts for the least stock out in people's hands.
Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

About updating to MM

So I noticed that sony released official 6.0 for our Z2, in my country we are not even updated to. 264( by ota and sony companion). So I want to update my device to MM via flashtool but all FTFs are for different countries. So I wonder which should I use, I'm afraid different countries fw may not compatible with my device. Since z2 is the very first high end device I own so I cant risk. Or can I just flash one of the ftf and exclude baseband, will that be ok? I have d6503 and a bit knowledge about flashtool
All firmwares are same except bloatwares for different countries. My z2 comes from UK market but I flash Russia FTF and it works perfectly
Ok thx

Xz1 annoyingly slow updates and regions issue.

Could someone please explain why my NEW Xz1 phone (and Sony companion) think that I have the latest updates when according to XperiFirm much newer versions exist. Currently I have:
47.1.A.2.281 currently installed on the phone yet
47.1.A.12.235 is the latest available in other geographical areas.
Is it ok to flash this latest one from a different geographical area onto my phone ?
I live in New Zealand and was considering flashing a UK Customized 47.1.A.12.235
I would use Flashtool by Androxyde.
Would this void my warranty ?
Why is it that Sony put out updates but we just don't get to see them - who's dragging the chain here ?
And since posting the above I'm aware that two more updates have happened:
47.1.A.12.270
47.1.A.16.20
WTF is going on ? Why are we not getting ANY updates ?
drcspynz said:
Could someone please explain why my NEW Xz1 phone (and Sony companion) think that I have the latest updates when according to XperiFirm much newer versions exist. Currently I have:
47.1.A.2.281 currently installed on the phone yet
47.1.A.12.235 is the latest available in other geographical areas.
Is it ok to flash this latest one from a different geographical area onto my phone ?
I live in New Zealand and was considering flashing a UK Customized 47.1.A.12.235
I would use Flashtool by Androxyde.
Would this void my warranty ?
Why is it that Sony put out updates but we just don't get to see them - who's dragging the chain here ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash firmware from other region, but you may lose FOTA update pushes, this means you can only upgrade your firmware through Flashtool or other similar tools in the future.
As for the warranty, I have no idea about it, but I have already flashed my Chinese version XZ1 to Malaysian firmware, since the Chinese firmware does not have any Google apps, and it just works fine, I also replaced the oem.sin file from Chinese firmware to Malaysian firmware in order to have VoLTE enabled.
But as I mentioned before, I lose FOTA after flashed my phone, so I have to download the entire firmware via XperiFirm and flash it manually. If you flash the original firmware without modifications, you may not lose FOTA, if you do so, please tell me!
EDIT: You can only flash firmware matches your model, so don't flash a G8342 firmware into a G8341 or other.

Updating Sony Xperia Z2 Docomo

Hi!, I have difficutly in the docomo z2 tab firmware I feel not really comfortable with the bloatware, and docomo stuffs. Should I stay in 4.4 or upgrade to 5.0 or maybe change to global version?
the bloatware from Sony are present in all firmwares, the only difference is that in EU/US versions it's only Sony stuff, in japanese it's also operators apps. All Sony Xperia devices for Japan made specifically with locked bootloader, so you can't use custom clean firmware here, maybe it's possible to delete apps but you need to get root, which is possible with some work even on locked bootloader. But i prefer to just disable maximum as possible, i don't need to use devices for super sensitive information yet, so for now i tolerate presense of some bloatware.
Considering updating, japanese Sony devices can be easily updated to latest global versions (local japanese firmwares sometimes behind global for many Sony devices, in Xperia Z2 tablet the last version for Japan is only Lollipop, but the global is Marshmallow many years already).
You can easily update to Marshmallow official firmware by Flashtool from any country version (except few - like Verizon USA are not flashing), but there's some things which you loose if flashing EU Marshmallow version:
1. NFC - in japanese Sony devices it's different chip or something than in european version.
2. Tethering - global versions of this Z2 tablet with 32Gb is only Wi-fi models - you can flash them easily but there's no tethering at all (because Wi-fi models with no SIM slot), there's no even bluetooth internet sharing, this function are removed from Wi-fi only firmwares.
3. 32Gb - as mentioned above - only Wi-fi models with 32Gb, others are only 16Gb, you are loosing serious amount of space - i tested that and really regretted after month using esp. with big video files like movies and etc., 16Gb is very small for normal use.
So, there's a way to get above this problems but you need to flash your device with flashtool 2 times with different firmwares.
1. To get Marshmallow with 32Gb and NFC - flash fully the latest firmware for SGP512 (USA version) - it's 32Gb and NFC works, but because it's Wi-fi model - to preserve storage size and receive Tethering and SIM card functions do step 2. Install it, activate as usual welcome screen. Turn off and ready to flash again.
2. Take any global firmware for SGP521 and flash it with ONLY such parts – system, kernel and cache (apps_logs and userdata - choose wipe), if it asks for FSC - choose NO. Do not choose other parts.
So in result you will get a combined SGP521 firmware - with NFC, 32Gb, SIM, so like fully working Marshmallow on japanese Xperia. This solution do not require any hacking, it's very easy.
This solution works for all other firmwares, for example if you want to obtain 5.1.1 Lollipop the only available version left is for Ireland (i forgot the number, will write later), there's nowhere else this verison, japanese are only 5.0, but to have a working NFC and 32Gb - you need to flash japanese 5.0 and flash again EU 5.1.1 (only system and kernel again) = you will get fully working 5.1.1 which is rarest on this device.
In addition to my reply:
the original Kitkat 4.4.2 17.1.1.C.1.45 can be upgraded by system & kernel of SGP521 model O2 IE 23.0.1.A.0.167 to Kitkat 4.4.4 (rare on this device)
the original japanese 23.1.G.2.151 Lollipop 5.0.2 by system and kernel of SGP521 model VMo LAM 23.4.A.1.232 to Lollipop 5.1.1 (rare on this device)
the SGP512 VMo US/CA/PR (Wi-fi 32 Gb) 23.5.A.1.291 with system and kernel SGP521 model Customized CE1 23.5.A.1.291 to sim/tethering functionality
excluding all parts of firmware except system and kernel, bootloader kept locked
crustier said:
In addition to my reply:
the original Kitkat 4.4.2 17.1.1.C.1.45 can be upgraded by system & kernel of SGP521 model O2 IE 23.0.1.A.0.167 to Kitkat 4.4.4 (rare on this device)
the original japanese 23.1.G.2.151 Lollipop 5.0.2 by system and kernel of SGP521 model VMo LAM 23.4.A.1.232 to Lollipop 5.1.1 (rare on this device)
the SGP512 VMo US/CA/PR (Wi-fi 32 Gb) 23.5.A.1.291 with system and kernel SGP521 model Customized CE1 23.5.A.1.291 to sim/tethering functionality
excluding all parts of firmware except system and kernel, bootloader kept locked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any other way such as updating via sony official?. I'm always stuck at usb drivers when using xperia flashtool
IA. said:
Is there any other way such as updating via sony official?. I'm always stuck at usb drivers when using xperia flashtool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As i know the last one official Android on locked Japanese Z2 tablets is only Android 5.0 Lollipop. It's the only way to update it to version 6, i used Windows 7 and much older flashtool like 0.9.20 - 0.9.23, the most last one version is something changed there it's crushing/not working, old one very stable.
Getting Nougat there (which will bring better battery and multitasking) on locked bootloader which Sony never unlock in Japan - only possible if someone repack old Nougat Developer Preview made for Xperia z3 smartphone i think (which is very good and stable on smartphone). I want to try that but for now stuck with hackintosh of tuning-up Mojave MacOS on my Toshiba Dynabook.
How can I install AICP Pie 9.0 ROM on docomo Xperia Z2 tablet?
Got marshmallow on my Xperia Z2 Tablet Docomo
abeyruma said:
Got marshmallow on my Xperia Z2 Tablet Docomo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you get problems with the LTE network bar always up and down?

Question Flashing UK version of XQ-BC52 on TW XQ-BC72 (.oem files for Volte & Wifi Calling)

Hi Everyone,
Can anyone help me with process for flashing UK version firmware of XQ-BC52 on Taiwan version of XQ-BC72. I need to know which firmware files such as ".ta" or any other files to be removed from firmware folder before flashing. The UK or US customization versions supports volte and Wifi calling in my country.
Currently the Taiwan firmware version is at 61.0.A.23.20 (android 11) and UK firmware version is at 61.1.A.2.211 (android 12)
Can I just flash the .oem files of UK firmware to TW firmware?. But, since device firmware versions are different, flashing may fail and corrupt the device. Can you confirm if this is safe to flash?.
Request your help!
ralf_waldo said:
Hi Everyone,
Can anyone help me with process for flashing UK version firmware of XQ-BC52 on Taiwan version of XQ-BC72. I need to know which firmware files such as ".ta" or any other files to be removed from firmware folder before flashing. The UK or US customization versions supports volte and Wifi calling in my country.
Currently the Taiwan firmware version is at 61.0.A.23.20 (android 11) and UK firmware version is at 61.1.A.2.211 (android 12)
Can I just flash the .oem files of UK firmware to TW firmware?. But, since device firmware versions are different, flashing may fail and corrupt the device. Can you confirm if this is safe to flash?.
Request your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think yes but r u sure that customized UK fw supports voLTE and WIFI calling? the switches are in the settings? because I have the same model but with eea customized and have no volte or/and vowifi switches.... My carrier supports them btw
I've been told the customised SEA also has Volte and VoWifi wnabled, but I never got any joy out of it when I flashed it into my HK BC72 device. I have tried the previous firmware revision of the UK one, but nothing there either.
Ndlelex said:
I've been told the customised SEA also has Volte and VoWifi wnabled, but I never got any joy out of it when I flashed it into my HK BC72 device. I have tried the previous firmware revision of the UK one, but nothing there either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I flash it to my XQ-BC52 will it affect anything? I don't want to lose anything, but I want to use volte I have no idea why it isn't enabled when all of the carriers on my country support it
I would first update it to the newest TW Firmware and check if it works (so you can update, without loosing personal data).
If it still doesn't work, I would try the HK firmware, because of Over-The-Air–Updates (OTA). I have VoLTE and VoWifi in Switzerland with this firmware.
If it still doesn't work, try the BC-52 firmwares (but you loose OTA Updates).
Please just check after flashing a new firmware if you have the functions. If it works, first do a repair with Sony Companion before starting to install everything (like apps, files....). This makes a clean install and avoids a lot potential of failures/problems.
I bought the phone in Etoren and it is the model XQ-BC72, I live in the UK, and the update I received via OTA and is installed is 61.1.A.2.211 release-keys. you shouldn't, I guess Sony recognizes you're in the UK and installs the correct one
LaceeWearsPrada said:
So if I flash it to my XQ-BC52 will it affect anything? I don't want to lose anything, but I want to use volte I have no idea why it isn't enabled when all of the carriers on my country support it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't lose your data if you explicitly tell it not to clear userdata off your phone, if that's what you mean. If, however, you're referring to certain functionalities I sometime hear of getting lost, then I myself haven't noticed such with all versions of firmware I have tried out so far.
PlatinCH said:
I would first update it to the newest TW Firmware and check if it works (so you can update, without loosing personal data).
If it still doesn't work, I would try the HK firmware, because of Over-The-Air–Updates (OTA). I have VoLTE and VoWifi in Switzerland with this firmware.
If it still doesn't work, try the BC-52 firmwares (but you loose OTA Updates).
Please just check after flashing a new firmware if you have the functions. If it works, first do a repair with Sony Companion before starting to install everything (like apps, files....). This makes a clean install and avoids a lot potential of failures/problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've yet to do a clean install, the way you have described it. I guess I'll do it just like that when I've given up on trying to activate VoLTE and VoWifi on my phone. It's interesting that your Hong Kong phone has that function over there. I suppose there is some substance in Sony's insistence that the one's network provider be engaged as well.
I was considering getting the Xperia 1 IV which would be a nice upgrade from my Xperia 1 II but with volte not working it would push me away. I managed to get it working on my Xperia 1 II by simply flashing SEA firmware. It was straight forward and has worked flawlessly with OTA updates. It doesn't look like the Xperia 1 IV will work that way. Even if I was to flash SEA firmware it looks like volte still wouldn't work. Come on Sony sort this problem out

Categories

Resources