Sony Xperia Z2
A Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone (L) and a Sony Xperia Z2 tablet are displayed at the company's stand during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona February 24, 2014. The congress is the wireless industry's largest annual conference and runs February 24-27, 2014. REUTERS/Gustau NacarinoREUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

Smartphone ROM developer community Paranoid Android has released a new firmware update to Sony's 2014 flagship Xperia Z2.

The new custom ROM is based on AOSP (Android Open Source Project) v5.1.1 Lollipop. It brings performance tweaks and customizations features as listed below:

  • Link Time Optimisation (-flto) flags
  • CPU Arch specific flags (armv7-a-neon)
  • Graphite flags
  • Strict-alising
  • O3 optimised (arm and thumb)
  • Lot more tweaks to enhance user-experience on Sony Xperia Z2

Prerequisites (things to remember before installing Custom ROM)

  • The new Paranoid Android v5.1.1 Lollipop custom ROM has to be installed only on Sony Xperia Z2 (aka Sirius); if tried on other devices, it might get bricked [To check your device model: Go to Settings >> About phone >> model number]
  • Though installing custom ROM improves the device's performance and UI experience, it makes the company warranty void and users will no longer be liable to provide updates in future [users can restore warranty by flashing the device with stock-ROM].
  • Make sure the device is rooted before going ahead with custom ROM installation. [Read More: How to Unlock Bootloader on Xperia Devices – Official Sony Video Tutorial]
  • Installation of custom ROM requires clearing of memory in the smartphone, so make sure to back all the data by installing Clockwork Mod (CWM) Recovery/ TWRP in the smartphone.
  • Make sure you have installed USB drivers on the PC, else your device (Sony Xperia Z2) will not be recognized by the computer.
  • Make sure your device has more than 80 percent battery, else there is chance of the smartphone getting temporarily bricked if the installation process is interrupted mid-way.

[Disclaimer:This procedure is very technical and should be performed by a person with sound knowledge of rooting (or manual software installation) Android devices. If the step-by-step installation process is not followed properly, there are chances of the smartphone getting bricked or being permanently irreparable. International Business Times, India Edition cannot be held responsible for any damage or claims from readers if the procedure does not yield the required results or if the smartphone is bricked. Hence, users are advised to proceed with caution.]

Tutorial: Step-by-step procedure for installing Paranoid Android v5.1.1 Lollipop custom ROM on Sony Xperia Z2-

Step 1: Download Paranoid Android v5.1.1 Lollipop custom ROM (HERE) and Google Apps (HERE) in to your PC.

Step 2: Connect Sony Xperia Z2 to PC via USB cord.

[Note: Before plugging the phone to the computer, ensure you have installed USB driver software. If not, click HERE for Windows PC and for Mac, HERE to download the firmware]

Step 3: Place Paranoid Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Custom ROM zip file and Google Apps .zip file into the phone's SD card memory. [Note: Users are advised to paste the .zip file in SD card root, not in any other folder.]

[Note: Before users begin installing the custom software, they must ensure to root the device and install ClockworkMod Recovery/TWRP tool.]

Step 4: Turn off the device and disconnect from the PC.

Step 5: Perform the regular Recovery Mode sortie by press holding 'Volume (up)', 'Home' and 'Power' buttons.

Step 6: After entering the RECOVERY mode, clear the phone memory by choosing 'wipe data/factory reset'.

[Note: use 'Volume' keys to navigate and 'Power' button to select options, while operating under Recovery Mode]

Step 7: Clear the cache memory by selecting 'wipe cache partition'.

Step 8: Go back to ClockworkMod recovery and select 'advanced' and tap 'wipe dalvik cache' [Note: This step is optional, but many recommend it so that user don't face boot loops or other errors in the middle of custom ROM installation]

Step 9: Come back to main recovery screen and tap 'install zip from SD card'

Step 10: Tap 'choose zip from sdcard' and go to Android ROM .zip file in SD card and enter the installation process. Repeat the same procedure to install the Google Apps. [Note: use 'Volume' keys to navigate and 'Power' button to select options]

Step 11: Once you are done with the installation process, navigate to '+++++Go Back+++++' and re-start the device by opting 'reboot system now' seen in the recovery menu.

Your device (Sony Xperia Z2) will take a few minutes to complete the booting process.

Users should then head to Settings >> select 'About phone' to confirm the installation of Paranoid Android v5.1.1 Lollipop custom ROM.

[Credits: Team Android]

Also Read