21 replies to this topic

[Jurij]

Hello,
 
Today i will show you how to flash your Sony Ericsson / Sony Android device in a few simply steps using Flashtool. Thanks to this tutorial you can upgrade, downgrade or fix current firmware in your phone and also debrand / brand your phone.
 
Before you will start:
 
1. Fully charge battery in your phone.
2. Make backup of data from your phone using for example My Phone Explorer:  MyPhoneExplorer_Setup_1.8.5.exe   6.75MB   1043 downloads
Attention! That step is very important, all data from your phone will be erased during flash.
3. Install Gordon's gate flash driver  ggsetup-3.0.0.1.exe   3.58MB   2989 downloads
4. Download latest Flashtool for your OS from Flashtool website:

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of from forum 4shared download:

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and install it.
5. Download from internet or forum 4shared suitable firmware for your phone. If you want to debrand / brand your phone and want to find specific firmware, check pinned customizations topic in yours phone forum. Flashtool firmware usually has an .ftf extension.
 
If you are ready, let's begin flashing your phone.
 
1. Run Flashtool:
 

 1.png   39.81K   5 downloads

2. Click on flash icon in top left corner and choose Flashmode:
 

 2.png   46.27K   2 downloads

3. Choose directory with your firmware, click on your firmware and press flash button. If you do not want to lose data from your phone, you can uncheck DATA option on the top right corner. That is not recommended, especially if you want to upgrade / downgrade firmware in your phone. 

 3.png   66.29K   2 downloads

4. Turn off your phone, hold back or volume down button and connect USB cable. Windows will install flash device, Flashtool will detect your phone and start flashing it:
 

 4.png   59.4K   2 downloads

Here is an example log from flashing using Flashtool:

18/030/2013 00:30:58 - INFO  - Selected U20 X10 mini pro / 2_1_1_A_0_6 / Play PL
18/030/2013 00:30:58 - INFO  - Preparing files for flashing
18/031/2013 00:31:01 - INFO  - Please connect your device into flashmode.
18/031/2013 00:31:15 - INFO  - Device connected in flash mode
18/031/2013 00:31:15 - INFO  - Opening device for R/W
18/031/2013 00:31:15 - INFO  - Reading device information
18/031/2013 00:31:15 - INFO  - Phone ready for flashmode operations.
18/031/2013 00:31:15 - INFO  - Current device : U20i - CB511TUMYV - 1245-1890_R2B - 1235-3411_2.1.1.A.0.6 - WORLD-1-8_2.1.1.A.0.6
18/031/2013 00:31:15 - INFO  - Start Flashing
18/031/2013 00:31:15 - INFO  - Processing loader.sin
18/031/2013 00:31:15 - INFO  -     Checking header
18/031/2013 00:31:15 - INFO  -     Flashing data
18/031/2013 00:31:16 - INFO  - Loader : S1_Loader_Root_8e35 - Version : R4A045 / Boot version : R8A029 / Bootloader status : UNROOTABLE
18/031/2013 00:31:16 - INFO  - Processing kernel.sin
18/031/2013 00:31:16 - INFO  -     Checking header
18/031/2013 00:31:16 - INFO  -     Flashing data
18/031/2013 00:31:19 - INFO  - Processing fota1.sin
18/031/2013 00:31:19 - INFO  -     Checking header
18/031/2013 00:31:19 - INFO  -     Flashing data
18/031/2013 00:31:19 - INFO  - Processing fota0.sin
18/031/2013 00:31:19 - INFO  -     Checking header
18/031/2013 00:31:20 - INFO  -     Flashing data
18/031/2013 00:31:20 - INFO  - Processing amss.sin
18/031/2013 00:31:20 - INFO  -     Checking header
18/031/2013 00:31:20 - INFO  -     Flashing data
18/031/2013 00:31:29 - INFO  - Processing amss_fs_mimmi_BC18.sin
18/031/2013 00:31:29 - INFO  -     Checking header
18/031/2013 00:31:29 - INFO  -     Flashing data
18/031/2013 00:31:29 - INFO  - Processing cache.sin
18/031/2013 00:31:29 - INFO  -     Checking header
18/031/2013 00:31:29 - INFO  -     Flashing data
18/031/2013 00:31:29 - INFO  - Processing system.sin
18/031/2013 00:31:29 - INFO  -     Checking header
18/031/2013 00:31:29 - INFO  -     Flashing data
18/032/2013 00:32:55 - INFO  - Processing userdata.sin
18/032/2013 00:32:55 - INFO  -     Checking header
18/032/2013 00:32:55 - INFO  -     Flashing data
18/032/2013 00:32:57 - INFO  - Ending flash session
18/032/2013 00:32:57 - INFO  - Flashing finished.
18/032/2013 00:32:57 - INFO  - Please unplug and start your phone
18/032/2013 00:32:57 - INFO  - For flashtool, Unknown Sources and Debugging must be checked in phone settings
18/032/2013 00:32:57 - INFO  - Device connected in flash mode

As you can see, after a few minutes flashing is done and you can unplug your phone and start it. Your phone will install Android OS in 3-5 minutes and then you can enjoy your flashed phone But sometimes you can't find specific firmware with .ftf extension, but you can find .sin_file_set files. Can we use them? Yes! Using Flashtool we can convert .sin_file_set files to .ftf files and flash them.
 
Create your own bundle tutorial:
 
1. Download from internet .sin_file_set files for your phone. You need both appsw and fsp files. You can also flash elabel and cdf files, but those are not required.
2. Create new folder on your desktop (or any other place on your hard disk).
3. Open your appsw .sin_file_set file using WinRAR and copy to your new folder all .sin files:
 

 5.png   61.25K   0 downloads

4. Repeat procedure with fsp file:
 

 6.png   78.66K   0 downloads

5. Run Flashtool and go to Tools => Bundle Creation:
 

 7.png   68.02K   0 downloads

6. Select your new folder with .sin files, add your device name, fill up  branding and compilation version and add all .sin files to your bundle. To do that just clicn on each .sin file on the left side, press >> arrows button:
 
 

 8.png   95.23K   0 downloads

7. Repeat that until left side becomes blank and all files are on the right side, then click on Create button:
 

 9.png   67.24K   0 downloads

8. Choose your smartphone model from the list:
 

 10.png   95.84K   0 downloads

9. Choose loader (usually it's locked):
 

 11.png   74.85K   0 downloads

10. Now Flashtool will create your bundle:
 

 12.png   72.26K   0 downloads

Log from bundle creation:
 

18/011/2013 00:11:00 - INFO  - <- This level is successfully initialized
18/011/2013 00:11:00 - INFO  - Flashtool Version 0.9.13.0 built on 2013-06-04 22:50:00
18/011/2013 00:11:05 - INFO  - Device disconnected
18/017/2013 00:17:40 - INFO  - Adding loader.sin to the bundle
18/017/2013 00:17:40 - INFO  - Streaming from file : .\devices\U20\loader.sin
18/017/2013 00:17:40 - INFO  - Adding kernel.sin to the bundle
18/017/2013 00:17:40 - INFO  - Streaming from file : C:\Users\Jurij\Desktop\Nowy folder (2)\kernel_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin
18/017/2013 00:17:40 - INFO  - Adding system.sin to the bundle
18/017/2013 00:17:40 - INFO  - Streaming from file : C:\Users\Jurij\Desktop\Nowy folder (2)\system_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION-WITH-SPARE.sin
18/017/2013 00:17:53 - INFO  - Adding fota1.sin to the bundle
18/017/2013 00:17:53 - INFO  - Streaming from file : C:\Users\Jurij\Desktop\Nowy folder (2)\fota1_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin
18/017/2013 00:17:53 - INFO  - Adding fota0.sin to the bundle
18/017/2013 00:17:53 - INFO  - Streaming from file : C:\Users\Jurij\Desktop\Nowy folder (2)\fota0_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin
18/017/2013 00:17:53 - INFO  - Adding amss.sin to the bundle
18/017/2013 00:17:53 - INFO  - Streaming from file : C:\Users\Jurij\Desktop\Nowy folder (2)\amss_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin
18/017/2013 00:17:54 - INFO  - Adding amss_fs_mimmi_BC18.sin to the bundle
18/017/2013 00:17:54 - INFO  - Streaming from file : C:\Users\Jurij\Desktop\Nowy folder (2)\amss_fs_mimmi_BC18_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin
18/017/2013 00:17:54 - INFO  - Adding userdata.sin to the bundle
18/017/2013 00:17:54 - INFO  - Streaming from file : C:\Users\Jurij\Desktop\Nowy folder (2)\userdata_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION-WITH-SPARE.sin
18/017/2013 00:17:54 - INFO  - Adding cache.sin to the bundle
18/017/2013 00:17:54 - INFO  - Streaming from file : C:\Users\Jurij\Desktop\Nowy folder (2)\cache_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION-WITH-SPARE.sin
18/017/2013 00:17:54 - INFO  - Creating torrent file : C:\Flashtool\firmwares\U20 X10 mini pro_2_1_1_A_0_6_Play PL.ftf.torrent
18/017/2013 00:17:55 - INFO  - Torrent file creation finished
18/017/2013 00:17:55 - INFO  - Bundle creation finished

 
11. Now you can press flash button and flash your phone with created firmware:
 

 13.png   80.29K   1 downloads

12. When it's done, you can disconnect your phone, turn it on and enjoy your flashed smartphone
 

 14.png   53.91K   0 downloads

 
If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in this thread or in your phone support forum. Please don't ask me where to find firmware files. If you can't find them using internet search engines, you can always become a customer of

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and your phone will be flashed using professional tool with any available firmware you want.
 
 
Best regards,
 
Jurij
 

Tutorial is written for Sony.yt forum, copying is prohibited.

[amir1366]

hi  Jurij,

 

I tired to use exprifirm 4.8.1 to download flash files for xperia x8 e15i.

xperifirm gave me these files:

 

amss_fs_shakira_BC18_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin

amss_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin

boot-test.sin

cache_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION-WITH-SPARE.sin

fota0_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin

fota1_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin

fwinfo.xml

kernel_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION.sin

loader.sin

loader-test.sin

simlock.ta

system_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION-WITH-SPARE.sin

update.xml

userdata_S1-SW-LIVE-3EDC-0001-S1-PARTITION-WITH-SPARE.sin

 

how can I convert them to both system and language files in .sin_file_set format to use in setool box?

[faflak]

Download ready soft from support SETool

[amir1366]

Download ready soft from support SETool

i know that way.

but i need the answer of my question yet.

anyone knows?

[Jurij]

Read this tutorial: http://sony.yt/topic...55-smartphones/ .

 

Inside appsw you have:

 

• kernel,
• amms_s1,
• fota0,
• fota1,
• cache

 

Other files goes to fsp file. Next time do not unpack downloaded firmware, just add .sin_file_set extension. And delete this crap: fwinfo.xml .

[amir1366]

Read this tutorial: http://sony.yt/topic...55-smartphones/ .

 

Inside appsw you have:

 

• kernel,
• amms_s1,
• fota0,
• fota1,
• cache

 

Other files goes to fsp file. Next time do not unpack downloaded firmware, just add .sin_file_set extension. And delete this crap: fwinfo.xml .

Thank you so much.

 

before unpacking, exprifirm download these files:

 

277429693_ta+qo48eAByNP9byVv5MyPjZ.bin          (63 kb)

277443441_TWY1KE9sfaMArfd6u3Z149J6.bin          (64 kb)

277707597_+6GLcgeXHIC+-9oUBGmMFMA3.bin    (67 kb)

277818530_+ax64gIsYYrXhvNgfLmfwdcY.bin           (12.7 mb)

277854703_K3VK9vAh-o1wJog75+ZQ96Yv.bin         (106 mb)

 

i don't understand that how to convert these 5 files to 2 files (system & language) by changing the extention (.bin to .sin_file_set) without unpacking.

can you explain me more?

[Jurij]

1. 277818530_+ax64gIsYYrXhvNgfLmfwdcY.bin           (12.7 mb) - APPSW,

2. 277854703_K3VK9vAh-o1wJog75+ZQ96Yv.bin         (106 mb) - FSP.

 

Others you can delete.

 

 

how to convert these 5 files to 2 files (system & language) by changing the extention

 

Try command line.

[amir1366]

1. 277818530_+ax64gIsYYrXhvNgfLmfwdcY.bin           (12.7 mb) - APPSW,

2. 277854703_K3VK9vAh-o1wJog75+ZQ96Yv.bin         (106 mb) - FSP.

 

Others you can delete.

 

 

Try command line.

thank you to solving my problem.

[amir1366]

1. 277818530_+ax64gIsYYrXhvNgfLmfwdcY.bin           (12.7 mb) - APPSW,

2. 277854703_K3VK9vAh-o1wJog75+ZQ96Yv.bin         (106 mb) - FSP.

 

Others you can delete.

 

 

Try command line.

Hi,

i used this way, but it didn't work & flash failed. so i think should unpack the .bin files.

i want to flash a xperia st27i.

xperifirm gave me these files:

 

apps_log_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin

cache_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin

fotakernel_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin

kernel_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin

loader.sin

modem_S1-MODEMSW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin

modemfs_S1-MODEMSW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin

partition-image_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-MBR.sin

prcmu_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin

simlock.ta

system_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin

update.xml

userdata_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin

 

Some of these files have different names from my previous question.

Can you please tell me how to detect the APPSW files From FSP files?

[Jurij]

In case of Sony Xperia go ST27i appsw firmware contains:

 

• cache,
• modem,
• fotakernel,
• apps_log,
• partition-image,
• kernel,
• prcmcu

Other files are in FSP

[amir1366]

In case of Sony Xperia go ST27i appsw firmware contains:

 

• cache,
• modem,
• fotakernel,
• apps_log,
• partition-image,
• kernel,
• prcmcu

Other files are in FSP

i did this.

but setool says:   partition-image_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-MBR.sin   not found

and flash fails

i don't know what's the problem!!!!!!!!!!

[Jurij]

Add partition-image_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-MBR.sin to appsw file?

[amir1366]

Add partition-image_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-MBR.sin to appsw file?

yes 

any idea what's the problem?

[Jurij]

Inside appsw there is also update.xml file:

  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> 
- <UPDATE>
  <NOERASE>apps_log_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin</NOERASE> 
  <SYSTEMPARTITIONIMAGE>partition-image_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-MBR.sin</SYSTEMPARTITIONIMAGE> 
  </UPDATE>

Add it

[amir1366]

Inside appsw there is also update.xml file:

  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?> 
- <UPDATE>
  <NOERASE>apps_log_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin</NOERASE> 
  <SYSTEMPARTITIONIMAGE>partition-image_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-MBR.sin</SYSTEMPARTITIONIMAGE> 
  </UPDATE>

Add it

update.xml was in my appsw file.

 

this:

 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

 

-<UPDATE>

 

<NOERASE>userdata_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin</NOERASE>

 

<SIMLOCK>simlock.ta</SIMLOCK>

 

<NOERASE>apps_log_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-S1-PARTITION.sin</NOERASE>

 

<SYSTEMPARTITIONIMAGE>partition-image_S1-SW-LIVE-3065-PID1-0002-MBR.sin</SYSTEMPARTITIONIMAGE>

 

</UPDATE>

 

Should i change it to what you write?

 

and what about the update.xml inside the FSP file?

Edited by amir1366, 02 December 2015 - 14:00.

[Jurij]

If you have it in appsw file, flashing should be done.

[amir1366]

confusing situation !!!

[Jurij]

? Download appsw from other source and try to flash it.

[amir1366]

i tried it with SETOOL support files before.

flash done correctly.

 

but i use xperifirm when my monthly 12 GB download is over.

i know there is a way to download from setool support site without limitation.

do you know that way?   

[Jurij]

Yes - buy another Setool2 mart card to get another 12 gb per month or use Xperia firmware downloader.