Downgrade from Lollipop to Android 4.4.3 (Tutorial, Xperia)

[mediator]

Hi,

 

So I saw a lot of innocent people bugged by Google's latest Lollipop upgrade. I myself did not find an overview to begin with, but finally flashed my Xperia with Android 4.4.3. Good riddance with that annoying Lollipop!

 

Please note - I tried inserting pics, using Ctrl + C/V, but all's gone when I tried to save the post. My internet connection is slow. So I hope, you'll bear the non-pic tutorial. You can see the pics in the links in the references section. This tutorial is to provide the complete overview, since people like me had to do a lot of homework to arrive at the conclusion.

 

 

Anyways, Here are a few simple steps to revert to 4.4.3 firmware of Android.

 

 

Overview

1. Download Firmware (4.4.3, Version - 19.1.1.C.0.56)

2. Use Sony's flashtool for compiling FTF file from the above firmware

3. Restart the phone

 

Steps -

1. Download 'XperiFirm by Igor Eisberg' [Link - http://www.mediafire.com/download/fhcsdeeco7yehc2/XperiFirm_4.5_(by_Igor_Eisberg).zip]

2. Extract the file and open

 

 

 

3. In the middle section, chose the operator. For example, 'Customized IN'.

 

4. With this, in the right section you'll get firmwares.

 

5. The version 'Version - 19.1.1.C.0.56' belongs to Android 4.4.3

 

6. Click on download, it will ask to save in a folder. Chose the folder and remember that folder.

 

7. Once the download is done, it will show 'The Firmware has been downloaded and/or unpacked successfully'.

 

8. In the earlier selected folder, a new folder will be available now like 'D5322_Customized IN_1280-6721_19.1.1.C.0.56_R4B'.

 

9. If you have succeeded so far, then 70% work is done. You already have the needed files

 

10. Now download the flashtool (Size is over 170 MB) -> http://www.flashtool.net/downloads.php

Alternatively you can google search for 'flashtool-0.9.18.1-windows.exe'

 

11. Install the flashtool

 

12. Goto C:\Flashtool\drivers, and double click 'Flashtool-drivers.exe'

 

13.  Check the following

 

    - Flashmode drivers

    - Fastboot drivers

    - Your phone driver, for example (Xperia Ultra T2 driver)

 

14. It is suggested now that you should reboot your system.

 

15. Now goto C:\Flashtool, and double click 'Flashtool.exe'

 

16. Goto Tools -> Bundles -> Create

 

 

17. Now perform these steps

     a) Double click on the three dots in front of 'Select Source Folder'. Select the location of your firmware,as done in step 6.

     b) Double-click in the

[Elih]

where's the complete steps? It was cut upto step17.

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 1/22/2016 at 5:21 AM, Elih said:

where's the complete steps? It was cut upto step17.

The forum upgrade destroyed it.

 

Internet Archive to the rescue

 

17. Now perform these steps

     a) Double click on the three dots in front of 'Select Source Folder'. Select the location of your firmware,as done in step 6.

     b) Double-click in the “Device” space to input the Xperia smartphone or tablet that you want to flash (example D5322, this is available Settings -> About phone)

     c) In front of Branding write 'India' for Indian users. You need to know your branding. AFAIK, this is operator.

     d) In front of Version, write- '19.1.1.C.0.56'

     e) With step a), the section of 'folder list' will get automatically populated. Select all the files using 'Shift + down_arrow' and throw it in the 'firmware content column' using '->' button.

 

18. Once all is done hit 'Create'. This will generate the FTF file.

 

19. To verify, you can goto C:\Users\[Your PC Name]\.flashTool\firmwares and check the availability of FTF file.

 

20. Now in the main window of the flashtool, click the flash symbol

 

21. Select 'Flashmode' and then click OK.

 

22. A firmware selector window will popup. Select your compiled firmware.

 

23. Optional Step - In the exclude column, check on what all you do not want to remove. I'd recommed clean install. Therefore IMO, do not select anything in exclude column.

 

24. Once all is done, click on 'flash' button.

 

25. Once this flashing window completes preparation, 'Wait for Flashmode' window will appear

 

26. Alright, now is the important part.

     a) Switch off your mobile

     b) Connect to the computer using USB cable while pressing the volume down button, until the above screen disappears and flashing starts.

 

27. Once flashing is complete. Restart the phone.

 

Recovery

1. A lot of people may have backed up their phone's content using Sony Companion. This generates a .dbk file. Below is the link to the tutorial for those people who want to recover contacts, notes, etc. but can't since it was backed from a newer application version.

 

http://www.johannesd...mpanion-backup/

 

2. For those who want to recover notes, perform the steps given in the above link, get the db file and use the dbbrowser for sqlite reader -> http://sqlitebrowser.org/

[priyadarshan]

Hi.. im using Xperia Z1..i have already unlocked bootloader for my device..now i wanna go back to kitkat from lollipop,.is it possible to use the same steps for unlocked devices also??

[wendy oltman]

Why are you guys going back to KitKat? Doesn't it slow down the phone? 

[Dick Montage]

You know you are commenting on a thread from over a year ago?