Update Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z to Android 5.0 Lollipop using AOSP ROM

How to Update Nexus 9 to Android 5.0 LRX21L Lollipop via Factory Image and Use Chainfire’s One-Click Root — AOSP ROM based on Android 5.0 Lollipop for Xperia Z and Xperia Z1. Android Soul

Following Google's Android 5.0 Lollipop source code release, Sony has announced that the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) version of Lollipop is running for Xperia devices such as Xperia Z1, Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z3.

Although the Android 5.0 roll-out will start in the beginning of 2015 starting with Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2, thanks to the hard work of developers at XDA forum AOSP ROM featuring Android 5.0 is now available for a couple of Xperia smartphones such as Xperia Z and Xperia Z1.

As the Xperia builds are currently under development phase, most of the features might not work properly, which means bugs are highly likely with the installation of the AOSP builds.

Senior XDA member, thomas1991_12 has shared the AOSP Android 5.0 ROM for Xperia Z. Most of the features in this build are working except camera and RIL (calls + data).

For the Xperia Z1, krabappel2548 has developed the Android 5.0 ROM, which currently only boots and allows users to experience the latest Android software. Most of the features such as Wi-Fi, Camera, Mobile Data and Bluetooth are not working properly. Hence users are advised not to install the custom build as a daily driver.

Interested users who are looking for an installation method, could refer to the guide below. There are two different guides and you can go according to the Xperia model.

Key points

Before following the installation guide, ensure that you have backed up all important data of the phone. This procedure will completely wipe out the internal storage of the device.
The bootloader of Xperia Z/ Xperia Z1 should be unlocked.
The phone should have above 80% charge.
Check the model number of the Xperia devices (Xperia Z1 codename Honami and Xperia Z codename Yuga) and install the firmware files accordingly. Flashing these in an incorrect variant might brick the device.
Rooting the device to install custom ROM will void the warranty of the Android device.

IBTimes UK will not be responsible for any damage to the device.

How to install Android 5.0 AOSP ROM on Sony Xperia Z1

Download files

boot.img, cache.img, system.img and userdata.img

Fastboot and ADB files

Step-1: Extract the adb_and_fastboot_files.zip in a folder on the computer

Step-2: Copy the four .img files which you downloaded above to the same folder having adb and fastboot files

Step-3: Do the following to boot Xperia Z1 into fastboot mode

Switch off the Xperia Z1
Press the Volume Up button
Connect the phone to the computer using USB cable while holding the Volume Up button

Note: Before plugging the USB cable on Xperia Z1 ensure that the other end is connected to the computer.

Xperia Z1 should now be in the Fastboot Mode and the LED light of the phone should turn blue

Step-4: Open the folder where all the files are extracted. Open a command window inside the folder. For this press Shift+Right Click in an empty space inside the folder and select Open command window here for the menu

Step-5: Type in the following commands in orderly manner to install Android 5.0 on Xperia Z1

fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot flash cache cache.img

Step-6: Once all the files are flashed, reboot the Xperia Z1 using the following command

fastboot reboot

The Xperia Z1 should now be having Android 5.0 AOSP installed in it.

[Source]

How to install Android 5.0 AOSP ROM on Xperia Z

Download files: Android 5.0 AOSP ROM

Fastboot and ADB files

Step-1: Extract AOSP ROM file on the computer to get the following files

boot.img
system.img
userdata.img

Step-2: Extract adb_and_fastboot_files in a new folder on the computer

Step-3: Move the three .img file which you extracted in step-1 to the same folder where the adb and fastboot files are saved

Step-4: Do the following to boot Xperia Z into fastboot mode

Switch off the Xperia Z
Press the Volume Up button
Connect the phone to the computer using USB cable while holding the Volume Up button

Note: Before plugging the USB cable on Xperia Z ensure that the other end is connected to the computer.

Xperia Z should now be in the Fastboot Mode and the LED light of the phone should turn blue

Step-5: Open the folder where all the extracted files are saved. Open a command window inside the folder. For this press Shift+Right Click in an empty space inside the folder and select Open command window here for the menu

Step-6: Type in the following commands to install Android 5.0 on Xperia Z