Android 4.4.4 KitKat has already appeared on the Sony Xperia E3, but only the HSPA+ models (D2202 and D2212). The LTE variants of the Xperia E3 (D2203 D2243 and D2206) are currently still running Android 4.4.2, but that may soon change as new build number 18.5.C.0.19 has been certified for these handsets. This would move the build from the current 18.4.C.2.14 build. We’ll let you know once the update starts rolling.

The Sony Xperia Z3 Dual (D6633) has seen a new firmware update certified by the PTCRB, unfortunately it is not the anticipated Android 5.0 Lollipop firmware. The minor update would move the current Android 4.4.4 KitKat firmware with build number 23.0.1.F.0.96 to version number 23.0.1.F.0.102. Expect this to bring bug fixes and performance enhancements. The wait for Lollipop continues for another day.

Thanks gmfady and Soheil!

New screenshots have leaked showing what looks like official Android 5.0 Lollipop Sony firmware running on the Xperia C3 (D2533). The user interface and features looks exactly like what we have seen over the last week at MWC from the Lollipop builds on display. The handset is running Lollipop firmware build 19.3.A.0.222, compared to the current KitKat build version of 19.2.1.A.0.72.

The move from 19.2.X.X.X.XX to 19.3.X.X.XXX suggests that this would indeed be a major Android firmware upgrade. Yesterday, we brought you news that Sony does not plan to upgrade the 2014 non-Xperia Z series line to Android Lollipop at least according to its social teams. Obviously, Sony’s social media reps have been wrong about big firmware updates in the past.

The emergence of these screenshots could signify that Sony is indeed planning to upgrade select 2014 non-Xperia Z handsets, but it may arrive much later down the road. On the other hand, it could be the case that Sony has been internally testing Lollipop on some of the low/mid-range Xperia devices and has yet to make a formal decision about whether it releases Lollipop or not on these handsets.

We have been down this road in the past with the Xperia PLAY and more recently the Xperia SP, so don’t get too excited just because of these screenshots. We’ll bring you any official news on the 2014 non-Xperia Z series Lollipop plans as soon as we have it.

Via IT168.

Thanks Aession!

When it comes to carrier updates it can be a bit hit-and-miss whether they will bring you the latest updates in good time, or whether it will officially support them at all. Well if you are a T-Mobile US customer running a Xperia Z1s (C6916) or Xperia Z3 (D6616) then you can rest easy. T-Mobile updated its “Software Updates” page yesterday to include both devices.

Right now, it is at the “Manufacturer Development” stage, which means both Sony and T-Mobile have agreed to support the Android 5.0 Lollipop firmware update. No word on timing yet, as we’re still yet to get to the testing stage. We’ll keep you updated on progress over the coming weeks.

Thanks @Cr4zyChris, Rudy, s1dest3p and Wael !

It is perhaps no surprise to see Sony Mobile’s social channels taking a bit of a backlash from angry customers asking why their 2014 non-Xperia Z series device is not receiving Android 5.0 Lollipop. This comes off the back of its social media teams telling people earlier in the week that they were only planning to update the Xperia Z series to Lollipop.

Well following that report, it looks like Sony’s social media teams are singing a different tune and saying that they “can’t comment on upgrades for further products at this time.” This may give some ray of hope to Xperia C3, E1, E3, M2, M2 Aqua, T2 Ultra and T3 owners, or it could simply be a form of damage limitation. As soon as we hear anything more official either way, we’ll keep you posted.

Sony Mobile Indonesia has just stuck the following post on Facebook. It says Android Lollipop will roll from week 12 i.e. next week (week commencing 16 March 2015). It has also posted a brief changelog which includes being able to move apps to SD card. See the translated post below.

Sony Mobile Indonesia Facebook post regarding Android Lollipop (translated)

Say Hello to Android 5.0 – Lollipop

Android 5.0 – Lollipop available for your Xperia through the Center Updates, upgrades and enjoy new features, improved performance and interesting applications.

New features available to you when you upgrade:

• intelligent user interface – Enjoy a bold new user interface, graphics and easy to understand, with Android 5.0 Lollipop. Inspired by the design of Google and the expertise of Sony, every detail is very beautiful and interactive.

• Improved screen lock – Access all your notifications at your fingertips. With a simple swipe shortcuts and intelligent notification card, you do not need to swipe away.

• Support multi-user – Create customized user profiles and guest mode on the same device. Do you want to profile you uninterrupted for work or personal profile to play, you can stay focused on what is most important.

• optimal storage – With Android 5.0 – Lollipop you do not have to sacrifice you to save storage applications.Easy to install and transfer the application to the external SD card and enjoy the flexibility and higher performance

Note:

• You will need approximately 1.2 GB of free internal memory for upgrade
• The update may take about 20 minutes to complete

Installation Instructions

To download and install the update system, the first point on your device to the Center for Renewal. Then, select the desired system update and tap Download.Once the download is complete, tap Install and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

 * The latest software is available from Week 12, but availability will depend on the type of Xperia product.

Thanks poenyaku!

Following on from the recent screenies that emerged of a supposed Android Lollipop build for the Sony Xperia C3, it now looks that the firmware update has been certified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. The codename for the Sony Xperia C3 is “Wukong” and the design name for the listed software on the certification is “Wukon To L”, hinting that this is the ‘L’ for Lollipop update for the handset.

This is the format that Bluetooth SIG has used in the past for big firmware updates. For example, the Sony Z Ultra Google Play edition’s Lollipop certification by Bluetooth SIG used the design name “Togap Play to L”. The codename of the Xperia Z Ultra is Togari. The evidence is mounting that Sony is looking to update at least the Xperia C3 to Lollipop, in addition to the Xperia Z series, but we’ll wait for official word before getting our hopes up.

Thanks Aaron!

Yesterday we brought you news that the Android 5.0 Lollipop rollout was expected to start next week according to Sony Mobile Indonesia. That has now been reiterated by Sony Mobile France who has tweeted that its intention is to start the Lollipop deployment next week for the Xperia Z3.

In another tweet, Sony Mobile France also confirmed that the ability to move apps to SD card will be supported. This was first mentioned in the changelog provided by Sony Mobile Indonesia, so it looks like this particular Lollipop feature is a lock, which will please Xperia Z series owners.

Thanks Antonio, François and Keshav!

Google officially announced Android 5.1 Lollipop a few days back and now Sony has been very quick to release the software binaries for the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Android 5.1 software binaries have been released for a number of devices including

Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact, Z3 Tablet Compact, Z2, Z2 Tablet, Z1, Z1 Compact, Z Ultra, E3, M2, T2 Ultra and T3. This means developers can use AOSP for the creation of new custom ROMs based on Android 5.1. There is no word which handsets will officially see Android 5.1 firmware, but we don’ expect this information before the Android 5.0 Lollipop rollout.

Thanks Gabriel and Rasheed!

Sony has now started to roll the Android 4.4.4 KitKat update for the LTE variants of the Xperia E3. Build number 18.5.C.0.19 has been released across a number of regions for the D2203 model including the UK, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Philippines, Nordics, Australia and India.

The D2206 model number has seen the update roll to generic firmware in the US and Latin America. We noticed that the update has not hit Brazil so far (model number D2243), but it shouldn’t be too far behind. If you have updated, let us know how you are finding the latest firmware in the comments below.

Via XDA.

Android Lollipop is finally here. Firmware build 23.1.A.0.690 is currently rolling for the Xperia Z3 (D6603) across the Nordic and Baltic regions. We can confirm that Sony is rolling Android version 5.0.2 with the 3.4 kernel. If you have upgraded let us know your thoughts below.

New features include a new user interface based on Google’s Material Design, but with Sony retaining its “minimalistic approach to interface and application design”. There is also the new notification and lock screen, with fully customisable settings. Other features include multi user profiles/guest mode and the ability to move apps to SD card.

Via XDA.

Thanks to all that sent this in!

The Android 5.0.2 Lollipop firmware update has also started to roll out for the Xperia Z3 Compact. Firmware build 23.1.A.0.690 is currently rolling for the D5803 Xperia Z3 Compact variant in the Nordics and Baltic regions.

Sony has also confirmed in a blog post that the update for other series in the Xperia Z range will commence in “around two weeks time“. Sony doesn’t confirm which handsets are expected to roll first, but we would imagine that the Xperia Z2 would be getting Lollipop next.

Via Quelli Che Telefonano.

Sony Mobile has just released a quick (93 second) promotional video on its Android 5.0.2 Lollipop update that started to roll to the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact today. The video highlights some of the key features in the latest update including the new material design interface, enhanced lock screen with notifications and shortcuts, the new quick settings in the pull down menu, multi-user support and the move apps to SD card feature. Check out the video below.

The Android 5.0.2 Lollipop firmware update for the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact does not include any kind of manual camera setting support. The screenshot below says it all. It comes from an application called “Manual Camera Compatibility” that detects whether a Lollipop enabled device will support various manual camera settings (manual focus, WB, ISO, shutter speed & RAW support). For Sony Xperia devices, the answer is that we get no support for any manual camera setting. This may change in future updates, but this is how it stands right now.

Update: Just to clarify, what we are referring to here is the Android Lollipop Camera2 API, which Google included within the Lollipop update. If a manufacturer has opened these settings, it allows third-party applications to access the full range of manual camera settings. We fully expect that Sony will continue to provide manual settings within its own camera app such as White Balance, ISO etc.

Sony Mobile has today started to roll the Android 5.0.2 firmware update for the Xperia Z2 (D65XX). We have noticed firmware build 23.1.A.0.690 rolling across the Nordics and Baltic regions for the D6503 variant, as we saw for the Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact yesterday. If you have managed to download the update post some screenshots in the comments below and let us know your impressions.

Thanks Patryk!

Sony Mobile has also begun seeding Android 5.0.2 Lollipop to its latest tablet devices this morning. Firmware build number 23.1.A.0.690 is currently rolling to the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact and the Xperia Z2 Tablet. The update is currently live for the Nordic region only, but we expect availability to widen over the coming days.

For the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, the Lollipop update is live for both the Wi-Fi (SGP611, SGP612) and LTE (SGP621) variants. For the Xperia Z2 Tablet, the update is live for the 16GB Wi-Fi version (SGP511) and the LTE model (SGP521). The 32GB Wi-Fi variant (SGP512) should go live very shortly. Once you update, let us know your impressions below.

Finally, Android 5.0 Lollipop has started to roll for owners of the newer Xperia Z series, however the limiting factor is that it is currently only available in select regions. For those that don’t have the patience for it to arrive in their region we’ve created a quick guide on how to download and install the Lollipop update to your Sony Xperia device.

The process will be familiar to long-term readers of the blog and essentially if you’ve read one of our various debrand guides in the past, along with our tutorial on how to create a FTF firmware file then you’re pretty much there. However, after numerous requests we’ve decided to provide step-by-step instructions for those new to Xperia devices.

Installing Xperia Lollipop using XperiFirm and Flashtool [TUTORIAL]

Disclaimer: Please read the following instructions thoroughly before attempting to flash your phone. Xperia Blog absolves itself from any responsibility should something go wrong. Please proceed with caution and at your own risk.

Note: You do NOT need an unlocked bootloader or root for you to flash your handset. Warranty will NOT be voided if you flash new firmware to your handset.

It is recommended that you create a backup of your existing regional/carrier firmware just in case you need to send your device back for repair. This guide can be used to create any firmware file, so to create a backup just follow the instructions below with the relevant firmware build.

Preparation

1) Enable ‘USB debugging’ on your handset: Settings > Developer options

2) Enable ‘Unknown sources’ on your handset: Settings > Security

3) Install drivers for your Xperia handset: You need to ensure that your PC has all of the necessary drivers installed for your Sony Xperia. The best way to do this is to install PC Companion.

Make sure you connect your Xperia to the PC before starting the process to download the necessary USB and ADB drivers. If you have any problems you will find the necessary drivers (once you have installed Flashtool) in the following location: ‘C:\Flashtool\drivers’.

XperiFirm steps

First step is to download XperiFirm. Follow the instructions in that link to install.

Once installed you will see the program below. Navigate to your handset on the left pane. You can then choose the firmware for your region/carrier in the middle pane. The pane on the right side will show you which firmware is available for that region. Click on it to download the file.

Once clicked, you are asked to confirm whether you want to download the firmware. Ensure that “Unpack automatically” is ticked and then click “Download” to proceed.

Choose any folder as a location to download the new firmware.

The firmware will now start downloading.

Once complete, you will see the following pop message “Unpacked Successfully!” Click OK.

The same “Unpacked successfully!” message will appear on the download dialog. Click “Close”.

Check your download location and you will find a new folder that contains your firmware files.

Inside the folder, you should find a number of files that look similar to the below. Congrats! That is the XperiFirm part of the tutorial complete. You now have the necessary files to create your FTF firmware file to flash your handset using Flashtool.

FlashTool steps

Download and install FlashTool. Once you launch the program, you should see something similar to the below. Navigate to Tools > Bundles > Create.

A new pop-up called “Bundler” will appear. Click on the three dots next to “Select source folder.”

Now choose the folder where your firmware files are located and click “OK”.

The bottom “folder list” of the Bundler should now include all of the firmware files. Now double-click in the “Device” space to input the Xperia smartphone or tablet that you want to flash.

Once you choose your device, you will then be prompted to choose the variant. If you don’t know your variant, go to your Xperia device and click ‘Settings > About phone’ and look under “Model number”.

Now input the branding and firmware version number into the appropriate boxes. You should know these details from the actual firmware you downloaded from XperiFirm earlier.

Highlight all of the files in the “folder list” and click the right arrow to move them all into the “Firmware content” frame. Click “Create”.

Flashtool will now start creating your FTF firmware file. You should see a progress bar as seen below.

Once your FTF firmware file has been compiled you will see the following message.

To ensure the FTF firmware file has been created, you can navigate to the following location on your PC: “C:\Users\[Your PC Name]\.flashTool\firmwares”

Now that the FTF firmware file has been created, you now need to flash your Sony Xperia device. Click on the lightning bolt in the top left of Flashtool to “Flash device”.

Select “Flashmode” and click “OK”.

Select the firmware build version that you want to flash from the “Firmware” pane. If you want to retain your apps/data, untick “DATA” in the “Wipe” pane. Then click “Flash”.

Flashtool will then indicate that it is “preparing files for flashing”.

You may have to wait around 60 seconds for the pop-up below to appear. Once it does, you should now connect your Sony Xperia device. Make sure the device is powered off and then hold the ‘volume down’ button whilst connecting the USB cable.

NOTE: Ignore the instructions displayed which says “press the back button” – these relate to the older Sony Ericsson Xperia handsets.

Flashtool will then start flashing your Xperia device. Once you see “Flashing finished” as indicated below, your Sony Xperia has been successfully flashed.

Congratulations you have just installed Android Lollipop! Now disconnect your Xperia device and power on the handset. Don’t despair if it takes a while for the handset to boot.

We would love to be able tell Xperia Z3 Dual (D6633) owners that Lollipop has landed, but unfortunately the wait continues. However, minor build number 23.0.1.F.0.102 that was recently certified has now been released – at least in Portugal for both the Generic and Optimus (NOS) builds. We’ll keep you posted as soon as Lollipop starts seeding for the Xperia Z3 Dual.

DOWNLOAD FTF: Xperia Z3 Dual (D6633): 23.0.1.F.0.102

Thanks Jozef!

Earlier this month we reported that the Android Lollipop update had been certified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, well the Xperia T2 Ultra has now seen the same. Bluetooth SIG has certified the “Tianchi Update to L”, signifying the ‘L’ for Lollipop update for the Xperia T2 Ultra (codenamed Tianchi).

Sony has not made it clear whether it plans to update select 2014 non-Xperia Z series handsets to Lollipop, but these certifications are promising and shows that Sony is at least internally doing some testing. As soon as we have word one way or the other, we will let you know.

Thanks Aaron!

Sony Mobile commenced the rollout of Android 5.0.2 Lollipop for the Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3 series of devices early last week. However, the updates were only live for the Nordics and Baltic regions (at least for the generic firmware).

Move forward one week and we have still not seen any other regions receive Lollipop, apart from the above. Also, only some variants of the Xperia Z2/Z3 series have seen the update and this has not changed over the last week. Popular variants that haven’t been updated so far include the HSPA+ variant of the Xperia Z2 (D6502) and the Xperia Z3 Dual (D6633).

Well the PTCRB has certified the Xperia Lollipop update for a number of variants with build number 23.1.A.0.690. This includes the Xperia Z2 (D6502, D6503), Xperia Z2 Tablet (SGP521), Xperia Z3 (D6603, D6653), Xperia Z3 Compact (D5803, D5833) and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact (SGP621, SGP641). Hopefully, this signifies a much wider rollout will commence shortly. We’ll keep you posted as and when updates to other regions/variants commence.

Thanks Maikel, Martin, opmaco, Sandro and Soheil!!