Sony Xperia XZ2 comes with the Pair of mobiles Compact and Premium. Sony Always releases a compact and premium edition for a different set of users. Sony always maintains security patches monthly for this kind of flagship devices. You will get the Major updates like Oreo and Pie within 30-60 Days from Google release. If you Didn’t get the update or You Bricked your device during root or flashing custom ROM, you could flash firmware manually using Below steps.
Table of Contents
Unlock the bootloader
Some USA or Other country devices are coming with Bootloader locked. If your device is Bootloader locked, you can unlock its using Unlock Bootloader steps.
Things to note and do before running Sony manual firmware update
Run a full backup
It is essential that you run a full backup of all files, document, 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, then, 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
Your Xperia device has to be fully charged, or the battery percentage should be more than 80%. If your device is not loaded, kindly wait until it is charged before you continue
Download the needed tools/software
To perform this action, you need to 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 on your PC and smartphone respectively. For installing firmware on Sony Xperia devices Download Xperifirm. With XperiFirm you can limitlessly download any Sony firmware from official servers.
Xperifirm
The official Sony Xperia tool for downloading the right firmware for all Sony devices running on the Android operating system (any version) is XperiFirm ( If you use Old version, you can’t download firmware, So I advise you always to use Newer version, If your versions are old, you will get the prompt to get newer version). Also, it could be used for Sony Android smartwatches. Install 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 working PC and continue with the steps below; Also install this too in Local Disk C.
Download and Flash Sony Xperia XZ2 Official Firmware
Selecting firmware in Sony Xperia is 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 XZ2 Model Numbers
International Variants
- H8216
- H8216 Dual
- H8276
- H8296 Dual
Japan
- SO-03K
- SOV37
- 702SO
Xperia XZ2 Compact Model Numbers
International Variants
- H8314
- H8324 Dual
Japan
- SO-05K
Xperia XZ2 Premium Model Numbers
International Variants
- H8166
- H8166 Dual
Japan
- SO-04K
- SOV38
Getting started…
1: Download Xperia XZ2 RAW firmware using Xperifirm
Note:
Only Latest firmware will be Available in XperiFirm. Sony Xperia XZ2, Premium Devices available with Pie Update. But Compact device only available with Oreo Firmware.
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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Now, choose your Sony Xperia device model to download its firmware files which are 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 not necessary so don’t panic about exercising your delete button on it.
After the steps above, move on to 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 Device Name, Branding and Version From the Xperifirm Tool (You can also give your Details, But to avoid confusion, follow correct details). Select all the firmware files downloaded from Xperifirm, Select 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 process complete 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 XZ2 Devices
Soon you have .ftf file from the above steps. Since you have downloaded the Androxyde FlashTool, continue below
By Default, the downloaded file will be in Flashtool subfolder. If you installed other then 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 USB Data Cable
- Press Volume Up Button. Now you are in Fastboot Mode.
Flash Firmware
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After entering into fastboot mode, select the flash button with an electric symbol. You should choose Flashmode too.
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Select the folder as C: Flashtool/firmware. You will find the created .ftf file with version. Select the file.
- In device Filter option, Select your device.
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On the right side, you will find “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 complete, You will get the message “Flashing Finished.” Turn on your Sony Xperia mobile device; you have just flashed new firmware into it.
How to see your current firmware version?
You can check the firmware details here – go to device settings >>> About >>> Version.
Nothing more, enjoy!
What more?
As I already mention selecting firmware is an important step in this process. So follow Model numbers correctly. If you face any problem, comment below, we will try our best to solve your problem.
Source: XDA Developer- IgorEisberg
Selva Ganesh is a Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger & addicted Web Developer. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.
I have a single sim Sony XZ2, can I flash the firmware of XZ2 dual sim on it, in other to use two sim cards? I am currently in Germany. Thank you.
If you have Two SIM Slots physically present in your mobile, You can do that. If your mobile is a Single SIM Variant, It may be an Experimental. You Can Use One Physical SIM and One eSIM. The eSIM should be compatible with your Mobile Operator.
It is possible to flash XZ2 dual Indian version firmware to XZ3 to get the VOLTE feature in India
Your idea is experimental. If you flash the Same Model It will work, or else It won’t won’t work. XZ2 dual to XZ3 may not work Because the VoLTE bandwidth configuration will differ.
If I flash Xperia xz2 H8296 Indian firmware to H8266, it will work or not…
Thanks for your reply
May be It will work. But, You will not get the Mobile Network and sometimes It can brick your mobile. Don’t flash different Model number firmware. You can flash different region, But It should be within your model number. You can adjust the settings to get your mobile network. Why You need different firmware?