Fingerprint reader working in US version (after flash)

[drrobo]

I purchased (pre-ordered) the X compact from Amazon, and just wanted prospective buyers in the US to know that, after flashing the customized UK firmware from Xperifirm on the phone just now, the fingerprint scanner works perfectly , and is super fast compared to the Z5 compact. In fact, it's actually unlocked as the screen turns on - no delay. T-mobile LTE and everything else works fine. It took two minutes to do, and I can totally recommend it if you don't want to order the international version.

In other news, I LOVE this phone, particularly the screen - so bright and vivid, and looks beautiful with the loop design. The camera loads so much quicker than the Z5 compact too, and so far in usage all the other apps I have feels just as fast to load/use, if not faster.

 

[Notchr302]

Thanks. Could you please give info on how to do this exactly?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[drrobo]

I think the way to do it on other phones has been described before, so this is just going over old ground, but I always appreciate step by step instructions all in one place. However, being very noob at this, an obligatory disclaimer is if you try this I have no responsibility if you use this advice and it ruins your brand new phone. Use at your own risk. That said, since you're not unlocking bootloaders or rooting or anything like that, I think flashing sony stock firmware is relatively noob-proof (I'm a living example). I did it on my fresh-out-the-box X compact, so don't know if it will wipe your data - assume it will.

No doubt a professional will be able to cut out half my steps and correct this method, but that's appreciated

Edit: As corrected by someone who knows what they're doing (thanks and all credit to AndroPlus and IgorEisberg), you can just download Flashtool, click the Xperifirm button and download the firmware. This lets you skip steps 2-5 below: Flashtool will read the fwinfo.xml file and automatically create the FTF. Then head to step 6 below. Or follow all the steps I listed, which is the long way to do it, but also works

1. Download Xperifirm and flashtool:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/cro...xperifirm-xperia-firmware-downloader-t2834142
http://www.flashtool.net/index.php

2. In Xperifirm find and download the UK customized version of the X compact firmware. This downloads a folder full of files that will need to be converted into a single .ftf file using flashtool in order to flash it to your phone, also with flashtool.

3. Delete the fwinfo.xml file from the folder before you convert into .ftf

4. Open flashtool, go to tools>create> select the folder you downloaded. Select the device (F5321), write in the branding (Customized UK) and version (number with periods). Select all the files on the left and click the arrow to move them to the right.

5. Click create to make the .ftf file in c:/users/YOURUSERNAME/.flashtool/firmwares (or something like that). If it asks you to use the default.fsc select no.

6. Open flashtool. With your phone turned off, hold down volume down and plug in your phone into the PC. Flashtool should say its detected in flashmode. Click the lightning bolt icon, select flashmode, and choose the .ftf file you just made. Hit flash, and again if it asks for default.fsc select no. It might take a while to prepare files for flashing, just leave it. After it starts flashing it will take less than 5 mins.

7. Unplug your new fingerprint enabled phone.

This was all amalgamated from other peoples guides and hard work. For reference and reading first:
http://www.xperiablog.net/2014/08/1...re-files-using-xperifirm-and-flashtool-guide/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z/general/tutorial-how-to-flash-stock-roms-t2240614

 

[Notchr302]

Hey thanks for taking the time to write all of that. Honestly I don't know if I have the guts to try this. If you're a noob, I'm a new born. I was just about to pull the trigger but I'm really considering buying the UK version and be done with it. I don't care about warranty


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AndroPlus]

I think the way to do it on other phones has been described before, so this is just going over old ground, but I always appreciate step by step instructions all in one place. However, being very noob at this, an obligatory disclaimer is if you try this I have no responsibility if you use this advice and it ruins your brand new phone. Use at your own risk. That said, since you're not unlocking bootloaders or rooting or anything like that, I think flashing sony stock firmware is relatively noob-proof (I'm a living example). I did it on my fresh-out-the-box X compact, so don't know if it will wipe your data - assume it will.

No doubt a professional will be able to cut out half my steps and correct this method, but that's appreciated

1. Download Xperifirm, Xperia Companion from Sony (maybe this isn't needed, but it's handy to have),

You only need Flashtool as it has built-in Xperifirm.
Press XF button (right of + button, left of PayPal donate button) and it will create FTF automatically.

 

[drrobo]

You only need Flashtool as it has built-in Xperifirm.
Press XF button (right of + button, left of PayPal donate button) and it will create FTF automatically.

See, I knew there was an easier way! Thank you for clarifying.

 

[Notchr302]

Chinese to me. I'd probably kick my computer If I tried this. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Brave29]

So i did this flash and it worked perfectly, however i can only get 4g for mobile data, their is no option for LTE like i was getting with AT&T before. Any ideas on how to fix this?

 

[Dilbert83]

So i did this flash and it worked perfectly, however i can only get 4g for mobile data, their is no option for LTE like i was getting with AT&T before. Any ideas on how to fix this?

In the UK we refer to LTE as 4g.

 

[everdred]

Does anyone know if we will automatically receive future software updates when we have done this? And does it disable and Bands for service?

EDIT: I flashed the Nordic Combined and it seems like everything is working. It did not reset my phone. Everything remains. If anyone knows answers to my questions i would still appreciate it.

 

[drrobo]

Does anyone know if we will automatically receive future software updates when we have done this? And does it disable and Bands for service?

You'll still receive updates (I did the same US to UK conversion for my Z5 compact to enable fingerprint reader and still received all the updates right on time), and it doesn't change the bands available.

 

[everdred]

You'll still receive updates (I did the same US to UK conversion for my Z5 compact to enable fingerprint reader and still received all the updates right on time), and it doesn't change the bands available.

Everything has been working great! The fingerprint reader is really great, very fast. I did notice that the US version Vs the Nordic version there is 1 less bar for cellular (4 instead of 5) but I'm getting the same service (based on signal numbers) so visually it looks like it is worse but isn't.

 

[Xevuhtess7]

Flashed my US phone to UK firmware and fingerprint sensor is working! Thanks!

 

[IgorEisberg]

3. Delete the fwinfo.xml file from the folder before you convert into .ftf (this step is possibly unnecessary since flashtool now incorporates xperifirm, but I did it anyway to prevent any problems with flashing, and it worked great).

Like AndroPlus said, just open XperiFirm through Flashtool and download the firmware. After it's done, close XperiFirm. Then Flashtool will read the fwinfo.xml file and automatically create the FTF for you.
This file was created by XperiFirm not to be deleted, but to be consumed by Flashtool. If you have problems with flashing with this file in the folder, you better update Flashtool, it's about time.

P.S. XperiFirm is not "built-in" into Flashtool. It's integrated. It means that both programs are completely separate. Flashtool downloads the latest version of XperiFirm whenever there is one, and then launches it. XperiFirm has a specific behavior when it's been launched by Flashtool.

 

[Akorstayblessed]

he fingerprint sensor hardware is in the device but disabled due to a patent by HP since they own the patent of having a fingerprint sensor on the side with the power button.

 

[evang3los]

You only need Flashtool as it has built-in Xperifirm.
Press XF button (right of + button, left of PayPal donate button) and it will create FTF automatically.

So i already had XF downloaded and the UK downloaded firmware, when I hit the XF button it says wait, downloading most recent XF. What should I do now. Flashtool doesnt tell me how far along it is in downloading it. Also if it does is it native to Flashtool(inside the program) or does it just download the XF program again?

 

[44alexsmith]

Are you able to install the Sony Beta Program?

Are you able to use the Sony Beta Program to get early access to Android 7 after flashing the U.K. ROM on
your U.S. Xperia X Compact?

Sony Beta Program
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonymobile.xperiabeta.signup

---------- Post added at 02:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:17 AM ----------

he fingerprint sensor hardware is in the device but disabled due to a patent by HP since they own the patent of having a fingerprint sensor on the side with the power button.

This bites considering HP is a non-factor when it comes to smartphones.
I hate patent trolls.

P.S. Can you provide your source regarding your HP statement?

---------- Post added at 02:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:22 AM ----------

I purchased (pre-ordered) the X compact from Amazon, and just wanted prospective buyers in the US to know that, after flashing the customized UK firmware from Xperifirm on the phone just now, the fingerprint scanner works perfectly , and is super fast compared to the Z5 compact. In fact, it's actually unlocked as the screen turns on - no delay. T-mobile LTE and everything else works fine. It took two minutes to do, and I can totally recommend it if you don't want to order the international version.

In other news, I LOVE this phone, particularly the screen - so bright and vivid, and looks beautiful with the loop design. The camera loads so much quicker than the Z5 compact too, and so far in usage all the other apps I have feels just as fast to load/use, if not faster.

If you flash the U.K. ROM then return to the U.S. from by flashing back to the U.S. ROM,
is there a way Sony can tell you flashed a non-native ROM(i.e. the U.K. ROM)?

For example, if you flash a non-native ROM to a Samsung Galaxy S6 and revert to the
native ROM, you can no longer use Samsung Knox. Plus, Samsung phones use a trip
counter to tell when you flash a non-native ROM.

 

[AnandRajaguru]

.ta files

I think the way to do it on other phones has been described before, so this is just going over old ground, but I always appreciate step by step instructions all in one place. However, being very noob at this, an obligatory disclaimer is if you try this I have no responsibility if you use this advice and it ruins your brand new phone. Use at your own risk. That said, since you're not unlocking bootloaders or rooting or anything like that, I think flashing sony stock firmware is relatively noob-proof (I'm a living example). I did it on my fresh-out-the-box X compact, so don't know if it will wipe your data - assume it will.

No doubt a professional will be able to cut out half my steps and correct this method, but that's appreciated

Edit: As corrected by someone who knows what they're doing (thanks and all credit to IgorEisberg), you can just download Flashtool, click the Xperifirm button and download the firmware. This lets you skip steps 2-5 below: Flashtool will read the fwinfo.xml file and automatically create the FTF. Then head to step 6 below. Or follow all the steps I listed, which is the long way to do it, but also works

1. Download Xperifirm and flashtool:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/cro...xperifirm-xperia-firmware-downloader-t2834142
http://www.flashtool.net/index.php

2. In Xperifirm find and download the UK customized version of the X compact firmware. This downloads a folder full of files that will need to be converted into a single .ftf file using flashtool in order to flash it to your phone, also with flashtool.

3. Delete the fwinfo.xml file from the folder before you convert into .ftf

4. Open flashtool, go to tools>create> select the folder you downloaded. Select the device (F5321), write in the branding (Customized UK) and version (number with periods). Select all the files on the left and click the arrow to move them to the right.

5. Click create to make the .ftf file in c:/users/YOURUSERNAME/.flashtool/firmwares (or something like that). If it asks you to use the default.fsc select no.

6. Open flashtool. With your phone turned off, hold down volume down and plug in your phone into the PC. Flashtool should say its detected in flashmode. Click the lightning bolt icon, select flashmode, and choose the .ftf file you just made. Hit flash, and again if it asks for default.fsc select no. It might take a while to prepare files for flashing, just leave it. After it starts flashing it will take less than 5 mins.

7. Unplug your new fingerprint enabled phone.

This was all amalgamated from other peoples guides and hard work. For reference and reading first:
http://www.xperiablog.net/2014/08/1...re-files-using-xperifirm-and-flashtool-guide/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z/general/tutorial-how-to-flash-stock-roms-t2240614

HI,
Should I have to exclude .ta files during ftf file creation ??

 

[drrobo]

HI,
Should I have to exclude .ta files during ftf file creation ??

I only deleted the fwinfo.xml file, I didn't exclude any .ta files. And that's only because I was doing it the long way - if you download the firmware through Xperifirm in flashtool it will make the .ftf for you and you don't need to worry about messing with separate files.

 

[carlos_polanco]

Hello!

Crazy question
Will flashing a UK firmware to a US device will affect Antenna band reception, ie: Tmobile reception...?