Install Jelly Bean to your Xperia S using Flashtool [Tutorial]

We have been receiving a number of emails from Xperia S owners asking us to provide a guide on using Flashtool and how to flash the latest Jelly Bean update. We’ve included some steps below that should help along with a download file for the FTF firmware. However, we do have alternative download links in our Firmware Database – this is also open to users to link their own FTF firmware files to share with others.

Please note the pictures used are from our recent Xperia Z Debrand tutorial, but the principal remains the same for the Xperia S. The instructions should be self-explanatory, although if you do have any questions let us know in the comments below. Thanks to Androxyde for his wonderful work in creating and maintaining Flashtool.

Guide to installing Jelly Bean to your Xperia S using FlashTool

Disclaimer: Please read the following instructions thoroughly before attempting to flash your phone. Xperia Blog absolves itself from any responsibility should something go wrong. Please proceed with caution and at your own risk.

Note: This tutorial does not require you to root your handset nor does it require you to unlock your bootloader. FLASHING YOUR HANDSET DOES NOT VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

PREPARATION

1) Download and install Flashtool on your PC from here (Linux / Mac).

2) Enable ‘USB debugging’ on your handset: Settings > Developer options

3) Enable ‘Unknown sources’ on your handset: Settings > Security

FLASHTOOL GUIDE

1) Install drivers for your Xperia handset
The very first step is to make sure that your PC has all of the necessary drivers installed for your Sony Xperia. The best way to do this is to install PC Companion or Sony Update Service (SUS).

Make sure you connect your Xperia to the PC before starting the process to download the necessary USB and ADB drivers. If you have any problems you will find the necessary drivers once you have installed Flashtool in the following location: ‘C:\Flashtool\drivers’.

2) Download the firmware

Download the firmware:
6.2.B.0.200_Global for Xperia S (LT26i)

If you can source a different FTF for your region, you can use that instead of the above file.

Google Drive has a tendency to block downloads temporarily if they are downloaded too often in a short period. If that happens to the above file, then please head over to the Xperia S Firmware Database to find other options, you can also upload your own FTF files here to share with others.

3) Place firmware in correct location on your PC
Place the FTF file in the C:\Flashtool\firmwares folder.

4) Launch Flashtool
Open the Flashtool application on your PC.

Click on the lightning bolt symbol. Select Flashmode and click OK.

5) Select firmware
Select the firmware that you have downloaded in the left column. If you do not want to do a clean install ensure ‘Data’ is not ticked. Press the ‘Flash’ button.

6) Connect your Xperia to the PC

Once you press the Flash button, you will see that Flashtool is ‘Preparing files for flashing’.

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.

7) Flashing process will start
The flashing process should now start.

Once you see the “Flashing finished” message in Flashtool, remove your handset from the PC and restart it (this may take a few minutes so don’t panic).