Debrand your Xperia Z firmware With a Generic Firmware Update

One thing about the first batches of Sony Xperia smartphones is that they are locked to a particular carrier. Therefore, for all those who are having the branded SONY Xperia Z smartphone, in the cause of this write-up, you will be able to Debrand your Xperia Z firmware to a generic unbranded firmware. The benefit of doing this is that you can then get faster firmware updates and also you can customize the firmware so as to ensure that there is no unnecessary bloatware. Applying this update won’t root the device or void the warranty in any manner. So, let’s check out how to De-brand the device

Disclaimer & Warning!

It is strongly advised that you use this tutorial only for Sony Xperia Z. Trying using this tutorial in any other Android device May result in unpleasant outcomes of which am not liable. So before you proceed, Check your device’s model number in Settings » About phone. Try this at your own risk. Although, it is very unlikely that your device will be damaged if you follow all the instructions here to the last letter in this tutorial

Pre Requisites & Requirements:

All the data in your SONY Xperia Z should be backed up with the help of below mentioned steps. Don’t use PC Companion or for say ROM Manager to back up the data / ROM as it may not allow you to restore the data

Download the Flashtool on your PC from here (Linux / Mac).

1. Make sure your device has at least 80% battery power.

2. You already have USB Driver Installed for Sony xperia z once you install flashtool from the link above in your PC.

3. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled. [ You can do this by pressing settings>.developer options>>USB debugging].

Steps to Debrand your Xperia Z firmware

Download one of the two firmware which is mentioned below depending upon your region and choice and place the same after extracting the .ftf file in the path C:\Flashtool\firmwares folder.

[C6603] Generic Nordic 10.1.A.1.434

Now, you need to open the Flashtool application in your computer to click on “Debrand your Xperia Z” and then on the Lightning bolt symbol you need to select the flash mode and click on Ok.

Now, select the firmware which you have downloaded in the left column and if you wish to have the clean installation, the “Data” option should not be ticked and then press the “Flash” button. Since the Xperia Z has internal storage and data storage area in the same partition, the data will be wiped completely.

When you see the prompt below you need to connect your Xperia handset to the PC. Turn your phone off. Press and hold the volume down button while plugging the USB cable into your Xperia.