Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow update via AOSP ROM: How to install

Sony Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact can now be updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, with due release of AOSP ROM from the industrious Android custom ROM developers. With Sony unlikely to roll out its official Marshmallow update anytime soon, the AOSP ROM comes as a blessing in disguise for the Xperia users.

It is ascertained that the AOSP ROM is fully functional on all three Xperia devices with the exception of a minor camera bug found in Z Ultra and Z1 Compact. In other words, all the basic features including Networks and calls, Wi-Fi, display, Brightness, Orientation and Ambient light sensor as well as Bluetooth are confirmed to be working fine on these devices.

Downloads Required

Download Android 6.0 Marshmallow AOSP ROM for all three Xperia devices from the links provided below:

Xperia Z Ultra

Xperia Z1

Xperia Z1 Compact

Also download Google Apps and Chainfire's SuperSU root package from the links below:

Google Apps (Gapps) (common for all three devices)

SuperSU root package (common for all three devices)

Pre-requisites

• The instructions given in this guide are meant for Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact and Z Ultra modelsonly. Verify device model number by navigating to Settings > About Phone.
• Ensure the phone has at least 80% battery chargeto prevent unexpected device shutdown (due to battery drain) while installing the ROM.
• Back up data and settingsusing a recommended custom recovery tool, like ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP, as it creates a complete image of the existing phone setup. In Recovery, choose Backup and Restore and tap Backup.
• Verify correct USB driversfor your phone are installed on the computer
• Enable USB Debugging mode via Settings > Developer Options (if running Android 4.0 or above) or Settings > Applications > Development (if running Android 2.3 or earlier).
• Ensure that the device is rooted with CWM or TWRP recovery installed (required for installing Gapps) and its bootloader is unlocked.

Steps to install Android 6.0 Marshmallow update via AOSP ROM on Xperia Z1, Z1 Compact and Z Ultra

Step 1: Download the Marshmallow ROM (specific for your device) and Google Apps zip files from the links provided.

Step 2: Create a new folder with its name as 'update6' and copy the system.img, cache.img, boot.img and userdata.img files to it

Step 3: Connect your Xperia smartphone to the computer and copy the Gapps file to it. Disconnect the device from the computer after you have successfully copied the necessary files to a desired folder.

Step 4: Boot your Xperia Z1 or Z1 Compact or Z Ultra into bootloader mode using Quick Boot app from play store (if device is rooted) or manually boot it into bootloader mode as follows:

• Turn off the device and wait for about 4-5 seconds until the screen completely shuts down.
• Press and hold Volume Up button and then reconnect the device to PC via original USB cable. The device should now enter fastboot mode and the fastboot logo should appear on the screen.

Step 5: Launch the command windowwithin the update6 folder (containing system.img and other two files) as follows:

• Open the update6 folder. Hold Shift key and then right click on empty white space.
• Now select Open command window from the pop-up context menu.
  • A command window should come up, with location path pointing to update6 folder.

Step 6:Run the following commands in sequence to install the Marshmallow update on your Xperia device.

fastboot flash boot boot.img

fastboot flash cache cache.img

fastboot flash system system.img

fastboot flash userdata userdata.img

fastboot reboot

• Let your Xperia phone finish booting up. Once it is done, check the Settings > About device to confirm that Android Marshmallow is indeed installed on the device.
• In case you face force close issues with apps, or if device lags too much, then perform a factory reset via TWRP recovery to fix it.

Step 7: Boot the device into recovery mode or alternatively use Quick Boot appfrom play store, if your smartphone is already rooted.

Step 8: Once in recovery, take a backup of your device: Tap on Backup, and then select all the partitions for back up. Perform a swipe action from the bottom of the screen to start creating a backup of all your important files and data.

Step 10: Finally, install the Gapps as well by returning back to TWRP recovery home screen: tap on Install, locate the Gapps file and tap on it. Once again do the Swipe action from the bottom of the screen to begin flashing the apps package.

Step 11: Wait until Gapps is installed and then tap on Reboot system button to restart the device.

[Source: The Android Soul]