Ftf firmware file flashtool. Flashing a Sony Xperia smartphone using Flashtool. If the file is * .ext4 or * .elf

FlashTool is a powerful tool for flashing smartphones based on the MediaTek chipset. With this application, you can both install on your device more new version operating system, and completely replace it with a custom one (modified by third-party developers).

However, this whole process is accompanied by a certain risk, and one wrong action can lead to the fact that your smartphone will turn into a useless "brick". To prevent this from happening, carefully read this article. From it you will learn how to flash through FlashTool correctly and not risk your phone in vain.

Determine the processor model

As mentioned earlier, FlashTool only works with devices on base MediaTek... In view of this feature, it is important to make sure that your smartphone is equipped with the processor of this manufacturer, otherwise the firmware program may not interact with it correctly. This, in turn, is fraught with serious consequences.

To determine your processor model, you will need special application- CPU-Z. It can be downloaded for free from Play Market so this process shouldn't give you any trouble. After you download and install the program, do the following:

Run CPU-Z on your smartphone.
Wait a few minutes while the program collects information about the device.
Go to the SOC tab and pay attention to the very top line. This is where your processor model will be displayed.

If the above line says MediaTek, then your smartphone is suitable for working with the program. But still, before flashing through FlashTool, you need to perform a few more important steps. They will be discussed below.

Preparation

It is important to know that flashing your smartphone will cause it to revert to its factory settings. In other words, all information stored on the device will be deleted and cannot be recovered. To prevent this from becoming a nuisance to you, do the following:

Save all contacts from phone book... They can be transferred to a computer using special programs or sync with your Google account.
Copy all important photos, documents and videos to your computer.
Check if there is any left in the SMS important information(passwords from payment systems, bank codes, etc.). If there is one, then it is better to rewrite it.
Check the calendar for significant dates.
If you have left setup files some rare programs, you can copy them to your computer before flashing through FlashTool.

Do not neglect these simple tips, because they will help you save time and nerves. It is better to go through all the points several times, and only after that proceed with the firmware.

Setting up the operating system

Before flashing Android via FlashTool, you need to set some operating system settings. The fact is that Windows does not quite adequately perceive smartphone drivers, so you need to cancel the check digital signatures... This is done like this:

Run command line(Administrator).
Write the gpedit.msc command for a 32-bit OS or C: \ Windows \ SysWOW64 \ gpedit.msc for a 64-bit OS. Hit Enter.
You will see the "Editor group policy". Here you need to select "User Configuration", then "Administrative Templates", and then "System".
Now click "Install Driver", and then select "Digital Signature".
In the window that opens, select the "Disable" item.
Click "OK" and confirm the changes made.

Now operating system will not "swear" at the smartphone driver, and the firmware program will be able to work normally.

Installing smartphone drivers

At this stage, you need to download and install a driver for your device, which will allow it to interact normally with your computer. You should look for it in such places:

First of all, you need to look for the driver on the website of the manufacturer of your device. This way you can be sure not to catch a computer virus.
Sometimes the driver can be found on the disc that comes with some phone models. If so, then you need to insert the CD into your computer's drive and follow the prompts.
In the event that the above two methods do not suit you, you can look for the driver on the thematic forums. Keep in mind that in this way you risk the security of not only your phone, but also your computer. Therefore, be sure to check all downloaded files for viruses before installing them.

After you find the driver, download and install it. This is done by double clicking on the archive and should not cause any difficulties. But sometimes problems still arise, so such cases should be given special attention.

Problems installing drivers

It often happens that the driver does not want to be installed in any one. In fact, there is nothing wrong with that, and the problem is solved quite simply. Namely:

Disconnect the data cable from the computer and phone.
Turn off your smartphone and remove the battery from it. The memory card and SIM card can be left on.
Open "Device Manager" on your PC.
Place the driver files wherever you like.
Without inserting a battery, connect your phone to your computer and get ready.
For just a few seconds, a new device will appear in the manager. You need to have time to click on it with the right mouse button and select the line "Update driver".
Now just specify the path to the driver files and wait for the installation process to finish.

If you did not manage to update the phone driver in time and the device disappeared from the manager, you need to repeat the whole procedure again, starting from point 5.

Search for firmware

Now is the time to find and download the firmware that you will install on your smartphone. Here you have two options: use the official software or custom. In the first case, just go to the website of the phone manufacturer and find Last update for your model. But if you decide to use custom firmware, then you should follow a few simple rules:

Make sure the selected firmware is suitable for your smartphone model. Failure to comply with this condition is fraught with serious problems, up to the transformation of the phone into a "dead" piece of plastic.
Only download files from reputable sites and forums. In this case, even if there is a problem, you can count on the help of the developers. software.
Carefully study the reviews of the firmware provided by other users. Better not to take risks if there are many negative ones among them.
Make sure that the smartphone firmware you have installed is older than the one you are about to download.

Remember, following these simple rules, you will save your phone from unnecessary breakdowns.

Making a backup

Most users have no problem flashing and the whole process goes smoothly. But it is still better to prepare in advance for unforeseen situations, because no one is immune from them. To do this, you need to create a backup copy of the system files of the smartphone before flashing through FlashTool. For this:

Connect your phone to your computer.
Select the read speed.
Specify the type of reading NOR.
Go to the Read back tab and click Add. Create a file backup by giving it any name. Then click Save.
You will see a window in which you should specify the size of the read data in the Length field. First, try entering the value 0x01000000, and if it does not work, then 0x02000000.
Unplug your phone from the cable and unplug it. Take out the battery, insert it back, and then reconnect the smartphone to the data cable (not including).
Press and immediately release the smartphone's power button.

If you did everything correctly, the backup process will begin. Be sure to wait until it ends.

Device firmware

If you have thought everything over and prepared, then you have no choice but to flash through FlashTool. The instructions for this procedure, in fact, are not so complicated, and it looks like this:

Launch FalshTool and click Scatter-loading.
Specify the path to the MTxxxx_Android_scatter_emmc.txt file (instead of "xxxx" there will be numbers corresponding to the processor model of your device). Click Open.
Be sure to check the box DA DL All With Check Sum. Otherwise, you risk "killing" your smartphone.
Press the Firmware-Upgrade button and connect the switched off phone.
Multi-colored download bars will appear at the bottom of the main menu of the program.
As soon as the firmware process is completed, a green circle will appear on the screen, notifying of a successful operation.

Now you can disconnect your smartphone from the data cable and use it. Keep in mind that it can take a long time to turn on your phone for the first time, so don't worry if you have this situation.

By the way, if you do not know through FlashTool, then you can use the same instructions. It is equally valid for all Android devices.

Flashing Chinese phones

How to flash a Chinese phone via FlashTool? It is also possible to do this, but this procedure is somewhat different from the standard one; it will be considered separately. It is important to know the following here:

Never press the Memory Test button in FlashTool. For some reason chinese phones react inadequately to this operation, and it may happen that the firmware will be erased without the possibility of recovery.
Carefully study the information about the firmware on the site from which you download it. It is possible that it contains bugs that can cause you serious problems.
Do not try to install the firmware on your smartphone from another device. So you run the risk of ruining it, and it is not a fact that you will be able to return the phone to working condition.

Also, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact the nearest service center. Chinese smartphones very specific, so let the specialists deal with them.

Actions after firmware

After the flashing of your phone is completed, you need to perform a few more simple steps:

Do not forget to set the current time and date.
Link your device to your Google account. This is especially useful if you've synced your phone book with it.
It will be better if you format the memory card. They can stay on it system files from previous firmware that do nothing useful, but only take up free space.

That's basically it. Now you can enjoy the new firmware that will surely make your smartphone work in a new way.

This manual is primarily intended for owners of Xperia X, Xperia Z5, Xperia XZ and other smartphones who, for some reason, were unable to update their devices to Android 7.0 Nougat via PC Companion or over the air. This happens if the purchased device was originally intended for a specific cellular operator... Then you can wait for the update for many months until the operator's service deigns to distribute the update for "their" customers.

Secondly, the instructions will be needed by those people who, for some reason, did not like Android 7.0 Nougat, its design, functionality, or so on. Through FlashTool, you can easily roll back to old firmware on Android base 6.0.2 Marshmallow.

WARNING!

Having engaged in reflashing your Xperia smartphone or a tablet via FlashTool, remember that the responsibility for all actions taken lies solely with YOU. Understand the issue thoroughly before installing the firmware.

If, as a result of imprudent actions, instead of an updated Xperia device, you get a brick, then you should not blame the site. All responsibility lies entirely with YOU.

When installing the firmware via FlashTool, the warranty is not lost and does not affect the service in any way.

How to flash a Sony Xperia device to a new firmware. Simple step-by-step instructions for installing firmware via FlashTool

First you need to prepare the device:

Activate USB debugging. Go to Settings> Features for developers (if there is no item, then go to the "About phone" section and click on the "Build number" item several times), find the line "USB debugging" and put a tick.
Go to Settings> Security and activate the "Unknown sources" mode.
The Xperia device must have all the drivers required specifically for your model. The best way is to just install the PC Companion program on your computer and synchronize them with each other.

Where to get Xperia firmware for installation via FlashTool

There are two options:

First. You can download from a special page to the site, it contains the vast majority of ready-made firmware images for Xperia devices in .ftf format. It is in this form that the firmware is installed via FlashTool.

Full list of Xperia firmwares

Second. Download the firmware yourself through the XperiaFirm utility, and then convert the downloaded files to an ftf image for subsequent flashing.

Getting firmware via XperiFirm

This is just a super application, the developers of which are shaking hands tightly.

Download latest version XperiFirm at Xda Developers.
The program does not require installation, opens as a self-extracting package. After launch, the main menu appears, on the left you can see a list of Sony models Xperia devices (1). At the top, click on the "Check All" button for the application to detect the latest firmware versions for various countries, including operators. Click on the “Latest Release” column (2) and you will see the latest firmware at the top of the list. Select the firmware you are interested in in the Operator column, for example Customized_RU or Customized_UA (these will be unlocked firmware versions for the regions of Russia and Ukraine). Take operator firmware it makes no sense, updates come to them with a long delay or do not come at all. After selecting the desired assembly by clicking on it, you will see the proposed assembly versions in the far right column (3), click on the one you need.
After that, a window will appear, in it click on the “Download” button (after checking the box “Unpack automatically”).
Next, select a folder to download files.
This will start downloading all the firmware files. At the end of the process, a special notification window will appear. Write down the values of the "Market" and "Release" lines that were displayed when the firmware was loaded, this data will then be used when generating the firmware files in the .ftf image.
Then go to the folder that was selected for download and check if it contains required files... Example: screenshot below.

Create FTF image of Xperia firmware using FlashTool

You need to download and install Flashtool (0.9.23.0) (follow the link).
After installation, run the program. To do this, go to its installation folder in "C: \ Flashtool" and click on the FlashTool.exe file. If an error pops up, then clear the contents of the folder "C: \ Flashtool \ firmwares".
With FlashTool open, go to Tools> Bundles> Create, as shown in the screenshot.
In the new window, click on the small button with 3 dots in the "Select source folder" line and select the folder with the previously downloaded firmware.
You will see that all files are loaded in the "folder list" field. Next, double-click on the hidden line "Devices" and select your Xperia device model.
In the "Branding" and "Version" lines, insert the values that you had to remember earlier when downloading the firmware.
Select ALL files (do not forget to check) in the "folder list" field and press the button with the right arrow. This will transfer all files to the "Firmware content" field. Then press the "Create" button and the process of compiling the firmware will begin.
After the completion of the procedure for creating the FTF firmware image, a special inscription will appear (see the screenshot). The finished firmware in .ftf format should appear in the folder "C: \ Users \ Nickname of your computer \ .flashTool \ firmwares \".

Installing firmware on Xperia devices using FlashTool

So, you already have ready-made firmware in FTF format, which you downloaded ready-made or created yourself. All that remains is to install it on your Xperia device.

1 . Make sure your Sony Xperia smartphone is fully charged (preferably).

2 . Make sure you are using the out-of-box USB cable (branded).

3 . Download and install Flashtool - http://www.flashtool.net/downloads.php.

After installing the program, a shortcut should appear on the desktop. If this does not happen, look for Flashtool in the root directory of your computer - usually this C: / Flashtool

4 . Install the drivers from the Flashtool folder - C: / Flashtool / drivers / Flashtool-drivers.exe

If you have any problems installing drivers on Windows 10, 8.1 or 8- follow.

5 . Download in format .ftf and put in a folder C: / Flashtool / firmwares /

From version Flashtool 0.9.18.5 the firmware file must be put in the folder
C: / Users / Username / .flashtool / firmwares /

Flashing process

1 . Run the Flashtool program.

2 . After starting the program, click on the lightning bolt icon. In the window that appears, select Flashmode and click on "OK"

3 . Select the firmware on the left side of the window. In point Wipe check the boxes "DATA", "CACHE" and "APPSLOG"... Click on "Flash"

4 . In a new window, you will see a graphical instruction of your actions: turn off the phone and hold down the volume button WAY DOWN, to plug USB cable to the computer. This will be followed by the firmware process.

5 . We are waiting for messages about successful firmware " Flashing finished".

6 . We disconnect the smartphone from the computer. After flashing, the first start-up of the smartphone will take about 2-3 minutes. Don't panic and wait for the OS to load.

Attention!

All your personal data - music, photos and videos, those on the internal memory of the smartphone will be deleted, including the call log, contacts, SMS, etc.

Everything that you do, you do at your own peril and risk! We are not responsible for your "crooked hands"! If for some reason you spoil your device, only YOU will be to blame!

How to flash Sony Xperia?

Sony Xperia is a line of different tablets and smartphones. Back in 2010, the company Sony ericsson released a series of Android-based models called Xperia X10. After that, the company completely reoriented itself to Xperia and until 2013 produced 27 Xperia Android smartphones, which are quite popular. If you also own it, you should figure out how to flash a Sony Xperia.

Smartphone firmware

Let's take a closer look at how to flash a smartphone using the Flashtool program. This program is designed to work with Sony devices prepared for Android.

Downloading the program

First you need to download Flashtool from the official website and install this program on your personal computer. Then we proceed with the installation. At the very beginning of the installation, the program will ask for the installation path. In our case, this path will look like this: "C: / Flashtool /". In fact, the installation path can be anything (drive C or drive D).

Installing Drivers

If Companion was previously installed on your computer and it clearly found the device, then you can skip installing the drivers. Please note that PC Companion must be disabled when installing Flashtool. If PC Companion has never been installed on a PC before, then the drivers must be installed manually. So, open the folder with the Flashtool program. In our case, it is located at "C: / Flashtool". Then go to the existing folder "drivers" and open the file "Flashtool-drivers.exe" directly. In the new driver installation window that appears, select the desired line with the name of your device, for example, Xperia Sola, and then click "Next" to install the driver.

"Downloading" the official firmware on the PC

The official firmware for your model can be found through Internet search engines. In the search box, enter the following phrase: "Official firmware plus phone model." Then you get to various sources with firmware from official manufacturers, exactly for the device you need. After the third point is completed, we return to our instructions and follow on.

Unzipping

If you pay attention, the “.tft” format is assigned to the firmware file at the end. If the found firmware, or rather the file, has the inscription .zip, .tar, .rar at the end, then such a file must be unzipped. After that, move the firmware.tft file to a folder located at the address: "C: / Flashtool / firmwares /".

Directly flashing the device

In the folder with the installed program, we find a file called "FlashTool.exe". Click on "Lightning" and then on "Flashmode". After this procedure, you will observe the firmware file that was previously sent to the address "C: / Flashtool / firmwares /". It is highly discouraged to uncheck the "Wipe Data" checkbox during the installation process. "Wipe Data" means a complete reset of the settings, and it allows you to eliminate errors and lags in the device. Next, click on "Flash", turn off the phone, hold down the volume on the "Down" device and connect the USB cable. Until the end of the installation of the program, do not remove the cable from the device until Flashing finished appears.

Last updated on Oct 5th 2017.

Official firmware for Sony Xperia

Sony is working on an Android software update for its Xperia series, updating updates via OTA or Sony PC Companion. However, these updates affected different regions at different times, and some regions received updates immediately, while others suffered long delays.

If the Android update is not successful for your region soon, you can try updating your Xperia device manually. Manual flashing of the firmware can be performed by flashing the Flashtool firmware file on the Sony Flash tool. You can also download stock firmware from Sony server and create your own FTF file and burn it on your own device. This guide shows you how to do it.

First step:DownloadSony Xperia OfficialFirmwareFILESETs using Xperifirm:

Find out what is the latest firmware version available for your device. Go to Sony's official website for the latest build number.
Download and extract XperiFirm
Run Xperia app Firm. It's a black icon, as you can see in this photo. When it opens, a list of devices will appear. Click on the model number of your device.

After you have selected your device, you will see the firmware and information about the firmware. There will be four tabs:

CDA: Country Code
Market: Region
Operator: Firmware vendor
Latest version: build number

See which build number corresponds to the last build number and in which region you want to download.
Select the correct firmware. Do not download customized firmware if you have a shipping-capable device. Do not download proprietary firmware if you have an open device.
Double click on the required firmware. The third column in the same window will give you the build number. Click on the build number and you will see the download option as in this photo

Click Load, then select the path you want to save the filesets to. Select to download.

When the download is complete, go to the second step

Second step: create FTF using Sony Flashtool.

Download Sony Flashtool and install it on your PC or laptop /
Open Sony Flashtool
Tools-> Bundles -> FILESET Decrypt. The small window will be ipen.
Select the folder where you downloaded the files with XperiFrim.
You should see the files listed in the Ävialable field.
Select a Set of Files and place them in the Files to Convert box.
Click "Convert". It will take 5 to 10 minutes.
When the decryption is finished, a new window will open called Bundler. This will allow you to create an FTF file.
If the Bundler window doesn't open, open it by going to Flashtool> Tools> Bundles> Build. Then select the source FILESET folder.
From device from device selsctor there is a blank panel, click on it, then enter firmware area / operator. Enter the firmware build number.
Bring all files except .ta files to the firmware content and click "Create".
Wait for the FTF creation to complete.

Find FTF in Installation Directory> Flashtool>
Firmware flashing

Have you missed this firmware?

What do you think about it?

For those who want to start the journey into creating their own firmware for Sony based on the official ones, you need to know how to unpack Sony FTF format firmware.

What is necessary?

1. Computer

2. Download the latest version not an official flasher FlashTool and install

3. Download Unix image manager ext2explore.exe

3. Download and install the free 7-zip archiver

4. Sony Firmware FTF format

Instructions on how to unpack Sony FTF format firmware

1. Right click on FTF firmware - open archive or unpack from archive

2. After you have installed FlashTool, follow the path C: Flashtool

3. Start the FlashTool program and select the menu in the panel Tools -> Sin Editor

4. Select the ftf extracted from the firmware, the sin file in the Sin Editor and click Extract data. After that, the process of converting the firmware file into a readable form will begin.

5. At the exit, you can get a new file with the extension yassf2 or ext4 or elf

If the file *. yassf2

Select Tools -> Yaffs2, after which a window will appear for selecting a file, select a file with the extension * .yasff2

In a couple of minutes you will receive a folder with the files that were in the firmware

If the file is * .ext4 or * .elf

1. If you have a file with the extension * .elf then rename to * .ext4

2. Run the previously downloaded ext2explore program, select the firmware file and then the firmware contents will appear in the window, now you can save the contents.

What's next?

If you plan to create a flashable update.zip in the future, then you should go to the article - creating an Updater Script

How to properly extract the kernel from FTF firmware?

In order to get the "correct" kernel for the firmware using update.zip, you will need the same Flashtool.

1. Open FTF firmware with archiver and extract kernel.sin

This instruction will help you update your device or return to previous version software.

The first steps

1. Make sure your Sony Xperia smartphone is fully charged (preferably).

2. Make sure you are using the out-of-box USB cable (branded).

3. Download and install the Flashtool program:

After installing the program, a shortcut should appear on the desktop. If this does not happen, look for Flashtool in the root directory of your computer - usually this C: / Flashtool

4. Install drivers from the Flashtool folder - С: / Flashtool / drivers / Flashtool-drivers.exe

If you have any problems installing drivers on Windows 10, 8.1 or 8- follow.

5. Download the firmware for your Sony smartphone Xperia in format .ftf(firmware can be found on the Internet or on the w3bsit3-dns.com website) and put it in the folder C: / Flashtool / firmwares /

From version Flashtool 0.9.18.5 the firmware file must be put in the folder
C: / Users / Username / .flashtool / firmwares /

Flashing process

1. Run the Flashtool program.

2. After starting the program, click on the lightning bolt icon. In the window that appears, select and click on "OK"

3. Select the firmware on the left side of the window. In point Wipe check the boxes "DATA", "CACHE" and "APPSLOG"... Click on "Flash"

4. In a new window, you will see a graphical instruction of your actions: turn off the phone and hold down the volume button WAY DOWN, connect the USB cable to your computer. This will be followed by the firmware process.

5. We are waiting for messages about successful firmware " Flashing finished«.

6. We disconnect the smartphone from the computer. After flashing, the first start-up of the smartphone will take about 2-3 minutes. Don't panic and wait for the OS to load.

Attention!

All your personal data - music, photos and videos located on internal memory the smartphone will be deleted, including call log, contacts, sms, etc.

Note from anonymous guest - In addition to the article

I want to unsubscribe about the work done. "PociEnt" - xperia M2 dual (2302), vaccination - official firmware Orthodox kit-kat (4.4.4), operating table - win7 x64. The shoals I encountered:
1) when installing drivers from flashtool \ drivers, pay attention to the following - first, in the file properties, in compatibility, specify Vista compatibility and run as administrator;
2) when selectively installing drivers, it appears black magic and nichrome does not work, ticked off everything - it took off (Windows screams for each driver, they say, counterfeit, we choose "install this driver anyway");
3) in flashtool, when you have selected the firmware, on the right, put all the checkboxes in the wipe section (by default, they are not), in other places - do not. (if you do not complete this point, you will get an endless download, "will not take off");
4) in the subject there is a phrase "the first download takes a very long time." To clarify, if the download takes more than 10 minutes, then something went wrong;
5) if something went wrong, you need to press something sharp (me - with a pointed match) the off button, which is next to the SIM card slots (under the lid) and start all over again.
As a result of the operation, I have a wonderful smart with an excellent system, everything shines and plows. I import contacts with the SIM with one hand, wipe my tears of happiness with the other.

Note from Strikeresh - If it gives an error "this bundle is not valid"

So so. Hey guys. 2018 is in the yard, I bought a new Z2) was updated to 6 android, but yes, as some said - the volume of the sound was not enough. Before that, I specially checked, on the 4th it is really much louder and all the rules. And the battery was also somehow suspiciously consumed ...
Made the decision to roll back, shoveled a bunch of everything
I did everything strictly according to the instructions. It's nowhere stricter.
Yes, there was an error: - ERROR - root: this bundle is not valid
We ignore her
The first time I didn’t succeed. Lol
when I connected it to the computer - Windows started to install some driver, and the program wrote a failure
But I didn't shy away and tried it all over again
It works. The download bar has gone. About 90 percent stopped abruptly and did not move. My heart went nafig) but fortunately after thinking for a minute or two, everything ended successfully, and the cherished words about "Flashing finished" appeared in front of me. The phone has just started up, yes, you need to wait for the beautiful blue waves, this is normal. In the end, everything turned out better than ever.
Feel free to try, and thanks to the site owners for everything. Guys, from the bottom of my heart!

Everything that you do, you do at your own peril and risk! We are not responsible for your "crooked hands"! If for some reason you spoil your device, only YOU will be to blame!