How to

Install the CM11 Android 4.4 KitKat Custom ROM Firmware on Xperia Z device

Update Sony Xperia Z to CM 11 Android 4.4

A good news for the Xperia Z fans! The Xperia Z device can now be updated with the latest Android OS using CM 11 Firmware based on Android 4.4 KitKat OS.

As you know, the new official Android 4.4 KitKat Firmware is currently available only for Moto X and Nexus devices.

During this step-by-step guide, we will teach you how easy is to manually install the latest CM 11 custom ROM build on Android 4.4 KitKat on Xperia Z devices.

The latest CM 11 custom ROM is the latest release of the CyanogenMod team, and it is based on Android 4.4 KitKat Firmware. This new custom ROM comes with new extra features, applications and capabilities.

Note: This present custom ROM isn’t the official Firmware released by CyanogenMod and it is a CM 11 OS developed by those of xda forum developers. Knowing that, chances are there might be some minor bugs included on this Firmware. Don’t worry! These existing issues will soon be resolved.

According to those, who have downloaded and installed the present CM 11 on their Xperia Z devices, it is found to be stable and works without any reported complain. But, you should keep in mind, this Firmware represents only a free distribution of Android 4.4 and it is not released by Sony or Google officially.

Prerequisites:

Since it is a custom ROM, the warranty of your Sony Xperia Z device will get void once you start installing this feature. This issue can be resolved and warranty can be restored by downgrading to stock Android Jelly Bean Firmware or by updating the device with the official Android KitKat OS, when this official rolls out.

Note: On a rooted device, the official updates can be flashed manually only.

To be able to complete this step-by-step instructional guide the root access must be obtained.

So, before moving to do anything else, root the Sony Xperia Z device, else the new custom ROM won’t be flashed on the device.

After the Xperia Z device is rooted, you need to install the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery on the device. So, do not skip this part, as without a custom recovery image such as CWM or TWRP recovery image installed; the step-by-step guide can’t be completed.

Back-up all the data of your Xperia Z device. A wipe operation is required, and after wiping the system, the data stored on the internal storage memory will be either deleted or corrupted.

It is recommended to get a Nandroid backup for your current OS. In case, the new custom ROM (CM11) will not be there, you can restore the previous Operating System.

A personal computer will be used during the tutorial. A USB cable and the Sony Xperia Z device is also needed.

Uninstall or disable the security protections that are currently activated and running on your PC.

Ensure that the USB debugging mode option is enabled. You can do this from “menu>settings>developer options”.

Make sure that the device’ battery has more than 65% power left, otherwise the smartphone will experience a forced power off in the middle of the flashing process and can damage the same.

How to Install the CM11 Android 4.4 KitKat Custom ROM Firmware on Xperia Z device:

  1. Firstly, download CM11 based on Android 4.4 KitKat from here, save it on the desktop folder of the computer.
  2. Secondly, Download Google apps pack from here and save it on your desktop folder to PC.
  3. Do not extract (unzip) the downloaded files
  4. Connect the device to the PC by using the USB cable.
  5. Transfer the downloaded files by using copy-paste or drag and drop function on the Xperia Z phones’ SD card.
  6. Disconnect the USB cable from the PC. The computer won’t be used anymore now.
  7. Boot the Sony Xperia Z into recovery mode. You can learn how to do this from here.
  8. From the main recovery mode select “wipe data factory reset” and then select “wipe cache partition” and then pick “wipe dalvick cache”.
  9. Now, from the main recovery menu select ”install zip from SD card” and then “choose zip from SD card”.
  10. Now, load the transferred CM11 Firmware file.
  11. Confirm the installation of the updated file.
  12. Repeat the same, if you want to install the Google apps pack.
  13. Now, return to the main recovery menu and from there “reboot system now”.

Congratulation! You have succeeded in installing the device. Enjoy its features and contact us if you have any other confusion related to this guide.

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