Compared with hardware and software specs, Reaching customers is also very important in any consumer-based product’s success. Sony is not that great in the mobile sector regarding reaching a vast user base. Sony Xperia 10 II was released with the Android 10 version. Per the schedule, Sony is already rolling out Android 12 to eligible mobiles. In this list, Sony Xperia 10 II got an Android 12 version. You can constantly update your mobile using the standard OTA method. When you can’t do it the usual way, then you can use below manual process.
Unlock the bootloader
Some USA or Other country devices come with a locked bootloader. You can unlock your device using Unlock Bootloader steps if your device is locked.
Things to note and do before running Sony Xperia 10 II Manual Android 12 firmware update (Xperia 10 2, Xperia 10 Two)
Official OTA Method
Don’t use the manual method to update a security patch to the current month. Try this Automatic method.
The process is straightforward and straightforward;
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Go to your device setting menu and scroll down to the bottom.
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Tap on “Software Update.”
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You may have to refresh the page to start the OTA upgrade process.
Run a full backup
You must run a full backup of all files, documents, and data on the Sony Xperia Android device to be worked on. This is because even if you engage a professional to update your firmware, if it is not done correctly, you’ll lose all the data saved on the device. Thus, we always advise running backups to be on the safe side.
Charge the device fully
Fully charge Your Xperia device, or the battery percentage should be more than 80%. If your device is not loaded, kindly wait until it is set before you continue.
Download the needed tools/software
With XperiFirm, you can limitlessly download any Sony firmware from official servers. To perform this action, you must download the required tools for i. Here, we will provide the official links to download the tools you need; ensure you download them and install them on your PC and smartphone, respectively; for installing the firmware on Sony Xperia devices, Download Xperifirm.
XperiFirm
The official Sony Xperia tool for downloading the correct firmware (any version) is XperiFirm. If you use the old version, you can’t download firmware, So I advise you always to use a Newer version; if your versions are old, you will get the prompt to get a newer version). Also, it could be used for Sony Android smartwatches. Install the software in Local Disk C (Admin Privilege Disk).
Androxyde FlashTool
The Androxyde FlashTool (Direct Mirror / AFH Mirror ) is the best flashing tool for Sony Xperia devices, just as the Odin flashing tool is best for Samsung Galaxy devices. Get this tool installed on your PC and continue with the steps below; Also, install this too in Local Disk C.
Download and Flash Sony Xperia 10 II Android 12 Official Firmware (Stock)
Selecting firmware in Sony Xperia is a little bit tricky. Before Downloading any firmware, you should find your model number. You can do this by going to Settings>> About Phone>> Model Number. You should also know your Operator and Region.
Sony Xperia 10 II Model Numbers
International
- XQ-AU42 DUAL
- XQ-AU51
- XQ-AU52 DUAL
- SO-41A
- SOV43
- A001SO
When you have one of the above model numbers, follow the below steps.
1: Download Sony Xperia 10 II RAW firmware using Xperifirm
Note:
The only Latest firmware will be Available in XperiFirm. Sony Xperia 10 II Devices are available with Android 12 updates.
When selecting a region, I advise you to consider the Operator Also.
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Extract the XperiFirm zip files on your PC and install the application file. Launch/open the app after installation to continue.
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Choose your Sony Xperia device model to download its firmware files based on your region/country. When you have seen the different firmware for your device based on your region, go ahead to download it.
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After the download, locate and delete any file with the following name – fwinfo.xml in the downloaded files. The data is unnecessary, so don’t panic about exercising your delete button.
After the steps above, move on to the Androxyde FlashTool steps.
2: Creating. ftf file Using Androxyde FlashTool
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Navigate to Tools > Bundles > FILESET Decrypt >Select files from Folder (Select whole folder).
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Give the Device Name, Branding, and Version From the Xperifirm Tool (You can also give your Details, But to avoid confusion, follow the correct details). Select all the firmware files downloaded from Xperifirm. Select the right arrow in the flash tool. It will move all of your data into “Firmware Content.” Now tap on “Create / Convert.”
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Wait for the process complete. After the entire process, you can find the .ftf file in the log.
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Now, you got the .ftf file needed for flashing Sony Xperia devices. Don’t close this software.
3: Flash a new firmware in your Sony Xperia 10 II Devices
Soon you will have the .ftf file from the above steps. Since you have downloaded the Androxyde FlashTool, continue below.
By default, the downloaded file will be in the Flashtool subfolder. If you installed other than C:/ in Windows, Copy the downloaded firmware files (with .ftf extension) to this folder C: Flashtool/firmware/Downloads.
Enter into Fastboot Mode
- Switch Off your mobile.
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Connect your Xperia mobile device via a USB Data Cable
- Press the Volume Down Button. Now you are in Fastboot Mode.
Flash Firmware
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After entering fastboot mode, select the flash button with an electric symbol. It would help if you chose Flashmode too.
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Select the folder like C: Flashtool/firmware. You will find the created .ftf file with the Version. Select the file.
- In the device Filter option, Select your device.
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On the right side, you will see “Wipe.” Tick the “Wipe data” and “Wipe Cache” options.
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Also, tick no “Final Verification” and tap ok.
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Follow the onscreen instructions that will appear to keep going.
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Then, wait for the process to be complete.
Once the process is complete, You will get the message “Flashing Finished.” Turn on your Sony Xperia mobile device; you have just flashed new firmware.
How to see your current firmware version?
You can check the firmware details here – go to device settings >>> About >>> Version.
Nothing more, enjoy!
Sony Xperia 10 II Android 12 Features
Many features are added in the 12 version compared with the Android 12 and 11 versions. Here I mentioned some important features. Sony UI is consistent with stock Android. Sony may put its stamp on things, but those who have used Pixel devices or Moto smartphones or enjoy stock Android will find much to love.
In general, Sony UI with Android 12 is very user-friendly. It is bright, inviting, and easy to use. Its simplicity keeps it simple and easy to use. It has a lovely sheen that makes it attractive to the broadest audience. This makes sense, considering Sony makes mostly flagship-level or upper mid-range devices available only in a few regions.
New Gestures
Let’s suppose you need to activate your Phone’s flashlight function. Most people will need to unlock their phones to turn on the flashlight. Sony users can make a simple chopping motion to turn on the flashlight with one hand. It’ll turn on after two more chops.
Sony UI has many gesture shortcuts such as these. These include the quick opening of the camera, taking a screenshot, putting the phone in Do Not Disturb mode, etc.
Attentive Display
The screen might dim after reading on your Phone for a long time. You can either extend the screen’s life (which will drain the battery) or tap the screen repeatedly (which can be annoying).
The Attentive Screen solves this problem by keeping your screen on even though you are looking at it. It requires you to scan your face. Some people might not like this, but it works well once it’s all set up.
Display styles
People love the freedom to customize their phones to suit their needs. This usually involves downloading a third-party launcher or another app. You can make fundamental changes to the home screen with Sony UI. You can change the font, accent colors, and icons’ shapes.
Although it isn’t as robust as Samsung Color OS or Oppo Color OS’s OneUI, it’s still better than nothing.
Conversational Widgets
Sony’s new Android 12 update will include Conversational Widgets, which allow you to see messages from family and friends in a widget on your home screen. This widget will let you quickly glance at important notes without opening the app.
Privacy
The standard camera and microphone indicators handle Privacy. You can also access the privacy dashboard to view apps that have access to your camera, microphone, and other information.
Google always added enhanced Privacy features in every Android Version. In the 12th Version, You can handle your Privacy a lot better. It will always tell you when your installed apps access your location in the background to manage whether you need that Permission on Always or During the app usage.
Live Caption
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You know this already; if you turn on Subtitles on Youtube, It will auto-generate the captions. It can work on the Same functionality all over your device videos. It Doesn’t require Wi-Fi/ Data, and this feature is not yet available. But, It will be rolling out soon.
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The language limit depends on Google Data.
Smart Reply
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It is already available in the Pie version. But it is limited. Now you can explore more actions when you get the messages. For example, you can Open Links, Open Apps based on the Messages.
Sound Amplifier
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We can now adjust the Volume, Tune, and Equalize using the built-in feature. You can do many things like Reduce noise, Enhance the Tune. We always do this using Third-party apps.
Enhanced Gesture Navigation
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The True Gesture Navigation has finally arrived. It may not be the best compared with OnePlus devices, But It is way better than the Pie 9.0 version. You can access recently used apps By Swiping Quarter Screen to the Top. If you swipe From Left to Right, It goes forward, and right to Left goes Backward. Home button work as usual. Simple Navigation to avoid confusion.
Dark Mode
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Unlike Night Mode, it didn’t add a filter on display. If you have OLED Display, It will save your battery power from 5-30% based on your usage.
Privacy
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Google always added enhanced Privacy features in every Android Version. In the 10th Version, You can handle your Privacy a lot better. It will always tell you when your installed apps access your location in the background to manage whether you need that permission on Always or During the app usage.
Direct System Updates
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The direct Security patch update is one of the most critical steps taken from their side, and it will help all the users who are tired of their Manufacturer’s Late updates. Unlike regular OTA updates from your Manufacturers, the frequent patch updates will be handled by Google After you update to the Android 12 version. The update will utilize the Google Play App. If you have Custom Skin OS from your Manufacturer, Google will not change the UI, and they will handle only Patch updates.
Focus Mode
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It can be an additional function of Digital well-being. Now you can Pause some apps to avoid Notifications For a short time or a Long time. Some mobiles are made based on this scenario. To avoid distractions and get focused on what you are doing. For example, think you are Studying, and a Single Whatsapp message can redirect you. With the help of this feature, you can use only Study apps during your Study time.
Family Link
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Like Parental Control, you can control the App Timings within your Added Google Accounts.
Manage Message Conversations
- Better Conversation management with Chat Bubble. You can manage all Messaging services in one place and get the One Chat Bubble Notification on the Lock Screen.
Control Connected devices in one Place
- With the help of a group of connected devices, You can control and connect Smart devices by launching Power Menu Options.
New One-Time Privacy Permissions
- You can give time permission to the app to access your Location, Calls, or Messages.
Other improvements and changes
- HEIF Image, Monochrome Camera Support.
- New Set of Emoji.
- Enhanced Adaptive Battery Improvements compared with the previous Version.
- Contaminant Detection- Your mobile will alert you if any moistures are in your USB Ports.
- Attentive Display- If you look at your mobile, It will always wake up.
- You can use three-finger gestures to take a screenshot.
- Dolby Audio Enhancements.
What more?
As I already mention selecting firmware is an essential step in this process. So follow Model numbers correctly. Bootloader unlockable devices like Sony Xperia 10 II can be flashed manually with Android 12 firmware. You should not try the above method in locked bootloader mobiles. Don’t download any third-party apps; sometimes, it may trigger the updates process. There are a lot of new Gestures available in this update; try them also. I think the Sony OS is better than some other Custom Skin OS. They always provide regular patch updates and Major Upgrades. So try to use this OS instead of a Custom OS. But the decision is your choice…:) If you face any problems, comment below, and we will try our best to solve your problem.
Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.
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