How to Restore Xperia Devices to Stock Firmware [GUIDE]

The custom firmwares bring several tweaks, modifications as well as boost performance of the Android powered Xperia devices. However, the devices sometimes come across bug issues with the installation of custom ROM. In such situations, users are always recommended to restore the Xperia devices to factory settings, which can be done by flashing stock official firmware.

Xperia owners, who wish to restore their devices to stock firmware, may follow our step-by-step guide. This is an official method to restore stock firmware using Sony Flashtool, which is officially supported and released by Sony. This method will perform complete factory reset on the Xperia device. It should be noted this tutorial is only for the below mentioned Xperia devices.

Supported Xperia devices

Xperia Z (C6603) - Volume Down

Xperia ZL (C6503) - Volume Down

Xperia Tablet Z (SGP321 and SGP311) - Volume Down

Xperia Go (ST27i) - Back button

Xperia Neo V (MT11i) - Volume Down

Xperia Ray (ST18i) - Volume Down

Xperia P (LT22i) - Volume Down

Xperia PLAY (R800i) - Back button

Xperia E Dual (C1605) - Volume Down

Xperia E (C1505) - Volume Down

Xperia T (LT30p) - Volume Down

Xperia S (LT26i) - Volume Down

Xperia Arc (LT15i) - Back button

Xperoa Arc S (LT18i) - Back button

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any damage to the device. Users are also advised to verify that their devices meet following requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Driver (Windows/Mac) for Xperia device to connect it with computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on phone to connect it with computer and use Android SDK with it. [Press Menu>> Settings>> Applications. From there navigate and click on Development option then check USB Debugging Mode.]

3) As the tutorial might wipe out all data of the phone, create a backup. If the device is having any custom recoveries such as CWM/TWRP installed then backup data using recovery.

4) The Xperia device should have above 80% battery charge.

5) The tutorial works only on aforementioned Sony Xperia devices. As applying this to any incorrect variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Xperia device by navigating to Settings>> About phone>> Model number.

Steps to restore Sony Xperia devices to stock official firmware

Step-1: Download and install Sony FalshTool/Emma on the computer

Download link: Sony Flashtool [Click here for a guide to install Sony Flashtool]

Step-2: To open Emma, click Start>> All Programmes>> Sony Mobile>> Emma

Step-3: Turn off the Xperia device

Step-4: Pres the Volume Down or Back button while connecting the Xperia device to the computer (Refer to the list above to choose button accordingly)

Step-5: Emma user interface should indicate successful connection

Step-6: Select the appropriate firmware to install on the Xperia device at the Service list. Firmware available will be automatically detected as the computer connect to internet

Step-7: Click on Apply Service at the bottom right corner of Emma user interface. The restoration should take place now

Step-8: Once the official firmware is flashed on the device, unplug the USB cable from the phone to disconnect it from the computer

Step-9: The device will take slightly more than 10 minutes to boot up for the first time

As the Xperia device boots up, it should be running on stock official firmware.

Also read: Xperia Z1 offers twice the official talk time, suggest battery tests

[Source: Android Teen]