[GUIDE] Download ANY firmware customization from Sony & create an FTF with Flashtool

[babylonbwoy]

I followed your instruction to make a ftf (usually I wait for someone to post it), did everything correctly (update available via pcc, downloaded it, the 5 files were downloaded, then I made the convert/bundle with everything available except simlock.ta and preset1.ta).

After flashed it my sd wasn't recognized I had the icon in notif bar but not possible to unmount it via storage menu...
Also wifi wasn't working, when trying to enable it disable itself immediately.

I'm recovering using Sony flashtool (still 4.1.2 .350 fw!) but I want to know if I did something wrong for next time I'll try. Also I just excluded kernel in setting to not overwrite doomkernel v9.

I wonder if after sony flashtool relock the bl at the same time or if I have to relock with androxyde FT because I want to use PCC/SUS to update to 244.

Edit : Nevermind, Wifi module not working because of the kernel I was using. Fixed now.

 

[gm007]

This because you didn't use the stock kernel.
And you have to use androxyde's flashtool to relock the bootloader if you didnt backup your TA.

Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

 

[ahassouna]

guys anyone got an ftf for newest one MEA Arabic? I need a download link and cant find any

 

[kingvortex]

Can someone create a FTF File with this:

Germany Vodafone DE 1270-8440 10.3.1.A.0.244 R7B 10.3.A.0.423 R7B

It would be so nice :good:

I decided to create it for you in the end, as I wanted to see how the process works for my own use in future -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2389167
Please note that I haven't flashed this to my phone as I haven't got time today. It was created via the instructions in this thread, so should be fine though.

Note - Before anyone else asks, I cannot create any other FTF for anyone else as they take too long to upload on my connection (1Mb upload lol).

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

 

[gm007]

I decided to create it for you in the end, as I wanted to see how the process works for my own use in future -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2389167
Please note that I haven't flashed this to my phone as I haven't got time today. It was created via the instructions in this thread, so should be fine though.

Note - Before anyone else asks, I cannot create any other FTF for anyone else as they take too long to upload on my connection (1Mb upload lol).

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks

Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

 

[Bioschnitzel]

I decided to create it for you in the end, as I wanted to see how the process works for my own use in future -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2389167
Please note that I haven't flashed this to my phone as I haven't got time today. It was created via the instructions in this thread, so should be fine though.

Note - Before anyone else asks, I cannot create any other FTF for anyone else as they take too long to upload on my connection (1Mb upload lol).

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

Thx man!

Do you have a paypal acc? I would like to spend you a beer for your work :good:

 

[kingvortex]

Thx man!

Do you have a paypal acc? I would like to spend you a beer for your work :good:

You're welcome.
Thanks for the offer, but no need for any donation. I've already got a refrigerator full of beer.
Give it to a charity of your choice instead.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 2

 

[rioosena27]

whether the latest firmware 244 update has included new albums, walkman, and music unlimited ?

 

[babylonbwoy]

Hi, sorry if it was already asked :

what will happens if 'simlock.ta' and 'preset1.ta' aren't excluded from the package ? I ask just to understand, when we update or repair via PCC/SUS I guess the tool uses simlock and preset ?
I uploaded a ftf with these two not excluded I want to know if it can harm devices so I won't post the links if so.

Thanks in advance.

Edit :

BTW : The ftf I made is for the Xperia Tablet Z Wifi 16G version (SGP311FR), so it might be different than for mobile ?
PS : is there a link to check tablet update like the one for mobile ? Maybe you can post one please if it doesn't exist yet ?

 

[gm007]

Hi, sorry if it was already asked :

what will happens if 'simlock.ta' and 'preset1.ta' aren't excluded from the package ? I ask just to understand, when we update or repair via PCC/SUS I guess the tool uses simlock and preset ?
I uploaded a ftf with these two not excluded I want to know if it can harm devices so I won't post the links if so.

Thanks in advance.

Simlock will be skipped by flashtool when flashing the firmware and preset will not harm the phone.

Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

 

[Apollo89]

Hi, sorry if it was already asked :

what will happens if 'simlock.ta' and 'preset1.ta' aren't excluded from the package ? I ask just to understand, when we update or repair via PCC/SUS I guess the tool uses simlock and preset ?
I uploaded a ftf with these two not excluded I want to know if it can harm devices so I won't post the links if so.

Thanks in advance.

Flashtool automatically skips simlock.ta when flashing. Preset1.ta gets flashed, but only writes a couple of zeros to your TA. Nothing harmful, because I already flashed it myself and my phone is still working perfectly.

However, Androxyde told me that he monitored all USB traffic while flashing with PCC/SUS and that preset1.ta did not get flashed. That's why he advised to exclude it from FTFs.

 

[babylonbwoy]

Ok, thanks both. will post the link in tablet section.

 

[kingvortex]

Hey, just thought you'd like to know that your guide made the front page of XDA.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/how-to-download-sony-firmwares-and-create-ftf-files/


Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4

 

[Apollo89]

Hey, just thought you'd like to know that your guide made the front page of XDA.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/how-to-download-sony-firmwares-and-create-ftf-files/


Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4

Nice! :good:

 

[watchman.see]

Part A: changing your customization number to download a different firmware customization (optional)

Requirements:

• Rooted Xperia with locked bootloader:
  - For firmware versions 10.1.A.1.350 and 10.1.A.1.434, use goroh_kun root exploit
  - For firmware versions 10.1.1.A.253, 10.1.1.A.307 and 10.3.A.0.423, use perf_event root exploit and remount-reboot fix
• Build Prop Editor
• The customization number of the firmware you want to download (see list)

1. Start BuildProp Editor.
2. When a Superuser request pops up, tap 'Grant' or 'Allow'.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. At the first start, a backup of 'build.prop' will be created automatically, which can be restored in case of any problems.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Scroll down to 'ro.semc.version.cust' and tap it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Change the value to the customization number of the firmware you want to download.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. When asked to reboot, tap 'No'.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Tap 'ro.semc.version.cus_revision' and change the value to 'R1A'.
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. When asked to reboot, tap 'Yes'.

Part B: downloading firmware with Sony PC Companion

Requirements:

• Sony PC Companion
• Xperia smartphone with locked bootloader

1. Delete this folder if it already exists:
   - Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sony Ericsson\Update Engine\db
   - Windows Vista/7/8: C:\ProgramData\Sony Ericsson\Update Engine\db
2. Start Sony PC Companion.

• Case A: new software version available
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  1. Click 'Update'.
     
     
  2. If you only want to download the firmware without updating, disconnect your phone now. Click 'Accept'.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  3. If you disconnected your phone, this window will appear, which you may close. Otherwise your phone software will be updated.
     
     
     
• Case B: no new software version available
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  1. Click 'Your Phone / Tablet is up to date'.
     
     
  2. Click 'repair my phone / tablet'.
     
     
     
     
     
     
  3. Repairing your phone will delete your personal data and settings. If you only want to download the firmware without repairing, disconnect your phone now. Click 'Next'.
     
     
     
     
     
     
  4. Click 'Continue'.
     
     
     
     
     
     
  5. Tick the checkbox and click 'Next'.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  6. If you disconnected your phone, this window will appear, which you may close. Otherwise your phone software will be repaired and your personal data will be lost.
     
     
     

Part C: creating an FTF file with Flashtool

Requirements:

• Flashtool
• Firmware files from Sony PC Companion or Sony Update Service (see part B).

1. Start Flashtool or Flashtool64 (for 64-bit Windows).
   
2. Click 'Tools' > 'SEUS Decrypt'.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Select the 'Source Folder' (copy-pasting this path will not work):
   - Sony PC Companion (Windows XP): C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sony Ericsson\Update Engine\db\13740270\blob_fs
   - Sony PC Companion (Windows Vista/7/8): C:\ProgramData\Sony Ericsson\Update Engine\db\13740270\blob_fs
   - Sony Update Service (32-bit Windows): C:\Program Files\Sony Mobile\Update Service\db\13740270\blob_fs
   - Sony Update Service (64-bit Windows): C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony Mobile\Update Service\db\13740270\blob_fs
   Move all 'Available files' to 'Files to convert' by selecting them and clicking the right arrow button.
   Click 'Convert'.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Enter the following details:
   - Device: your phone model, e.g. 'C6602', 'C6603' or 'C6606' for Xperia Z (see 'Settings' > 'About phone' > 'Model number').
   - Branding: can be found in the first columns of these tables by looking up the customization number, e.g. 'Generic US'.
   - Version: the build number of the firmware, e.g. '10.1.1.A.1.307'.
   Move all files from 'folder list' to 'Firmware content' except 'simlock.ta' and 'preset1.ta' by selecting them and clicking the right arrow button.
   Click 'Create'.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. When you see 'Bundle creation finished', your FTF will be in 'C:\Flashtool\firmwares'. If your combination of device/branding/build is not yet available on xda-developers forum, please be so kind to share it (see part D).
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. To save about 2 GB of disk space, delete this folder:
   - Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Sony Ericsson\Update Engine\db
   - Windows Vista/7/8: C:\ProgramData\Sony Ericsson\Update Engine\db

Part D: sharing your FTF on xda-developers forum

1. Upload your FTF to a file host. I use Dev-Host for this purpose, but it only supports files up to 512 MB, so I use WinRAR to pack my FTF with the following options: 'Compression method' = 'store' (since FTF is already compressed), 'Split to volumes, size' = '512 MB'. Of course you can use a different file host and archiver if required. Please note that Google Drive, Dropbox and Box all have bandwidth quotas, so your shared files may be disabled if they are downloaded too much.
2. Create a new thread on xda-developers forum in 'Xperia Z General' and include at least the following information:
   - Device
   - Build number
   - Android version
   - Customization version
   - Region
   - Branding
   - Download links
   Here is an example: [STOCK ROM][FTF] Xperia Z (C6603) 10.1.1.A.1.253 Generic BE (Unbranded/Belgium)

If this post was helpful, don't forget to click the 'Thanks' button.

I have done exactly as described using Sony PC Companion. it is now completed and I have closed the update window but where is exact location of the FTF file ? I tried searching the strig *.ftf with zero result. I did find file inside the /update engine/db/blob_fs that is over 700 MB. it is the only possible file that could be the FTF but is that the correct file ? and if that is so, are we supposed to change the extension to .FTF on our own ? Sorry for the noob questions. I really appreciate if someone could clarify and assist .

 

[kingvortex]

I have done exactly as described using Sony PC Companion. it is now completed and I have closed the update window but where is exact location of the FTF file ? I tried searching the strig *.ftf with zero result. I did find file inside the /update engine/db/blob_fs that is over 700 MB. it is the only possible file that could be the FTF but is that the correct file ? and if that is so, are we supposed to change the extension to .FTF on our own ? Sorry for the noob questions. I really appreciate if someone could clarify and assist .

...
After downloading the update with the PCC, you must continue on to part C of the tutorial to decrypt the downloaded files and create an FTF with Flashtool.
Also, please delete the quote of the OP as it makes it hard to read through the thread when people quote it unnecessarily.


Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4

 

[watchman.see]

...
After downloading the update with the PCC, you must continue on to part C of the tutorial to decrypt the downloaded files and create an FTF with Flashtool.
Also, please delete the quote of the OP as it makes it hard to read through the thread when people quote it unnecessarily.


Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4

yeap.I read that first post again and realised what I have overlooked. Created the FTF already. Thanks though.

One thing that I do notice that is different is that the first post mentioned both 'simlock.ta' and 'preset1.ta' but I only manage to find simlock.ta and have "un-choose" from the list. is the missing preset1.ta necessary ?

 

[gm007]

preset1.ta is not necessary

Sent from my C6603 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[dragonmhawk]

What does excluding loader.sin do?

 

[Apollo89]

What does excluding loader.sin do?

Loader.sin is an essential part of the firmware and should not be excluded! If you exclude it anyway, Flashtool will ask you to select your device and then it will include the appropriate loader.sin from its own directories, but that's an old version from the very first firmware release (10.1.A.1.350).

Rule of thumb: include all .sin files and exclude .ta files