yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] TheFamilyMan:
Flashtool 0.9.18.2 & XperiFirm 2.5

Find Flashtool here http://www.flashtool.net/index.php then download the tool and install it on your computer, I prefer a system running Windows 8.1 64-bit. But it'll with on both 32 & 64-bit systems. Then search Xperia Z Ultra Android Development to find either a STOCK ROM that's either ROOTED or simply the factory .ftf. Using the stock .ftf you'll be able to wipe the ENTIRE SYSTEM clean while updating it to the latest version of KitKat 4.4.4.

The version of KitKat will depend where you are located, you mentioned Australia if I remember correctly, because they may have a different customized version than we do here on the United States.

It's really easy to use Flashtool - but there's also app that integrates with it called XpertFirm. It was written by one of the cool devs here on XDA named laguCool and one your device is connected to your system and you open up Flashtool it'll look for all the current updates from every Xperia released as far as I can tell.

Choose your device from the drop-down list, highlight it, and XperFirm automatically finds the most up to date version on the far right side of the Mork number you've selected. It's a really cool app and a BIG help too!

GREAT addition to Flashtool laguCool! I used it on my XZU and it's incredibly easy to use and ads great function to it. Thanks a million!

All you have to do is follow the simple and easy to read instructions on screen and DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THOSE INSTRUCTIONS AT ALL. PERIOD. After your device has finished flashing , it'll tell you if you were successful or not, just unplug it from the USB port and it "SHOULD" be ready for immediate use.

Again, the device reboots as part of the process so you shouldn't have to worry about rebooting unless you made other changes while in Flashtool. If you haven't already, it sounds like you haven't, make sure you perform a TA Backup. It's right on top on the menu of Flashtool - it's important you do this as you may lose function of the Xperia Reality engine which sharpen the screen in certain Sony Media Apps.

By the way you won't find a of stock or rooted version of Lollipop any time soon. Let's be realistic and the GPe version will NOT run on an Xperia Z Ultra at all. That's a fact you can read about in other threads if you choose to. Just sayin'

Good Luck!
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] H. E. Pennypacker:
Android Lollipop just got officially announced, and it'll be released for Nexus and GPe devices in the coming weeks (yes, that includes the Z Ultra GPe), so we'll have Lollipop running on our devices very soon (once it's ported).
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] TheFamilyMan:
GPe Will Not Work on a Xperia Z Ultra! PERIOD.

We're not going to find a of non-rooted stock version or even a rooted version of Lollipop any time soon. Let's be realistic. Plus the GPe version will NOT run on an Xperia Z Ultra at all because the GPe partitions are completely different from the XZU. Ask member ADFURGERSON about it, he'll give you a rundown of the whole shebang!. That's a fact you can read on other threads in Xperia Z Ultra Development and Xperia Z Ultra GPe Android Development if want to.

Just sayin'.

for reference: http://xdaforums.com/xperia-z-ultra/development

http://xdaforums.com/xperia-z-ultra/xperia-z-ultra-gpe
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Triflot:
The GPe ROM has been adapted to the Xperia device by clever people like [MENTION=1124510]scrubber[/MENTION] earlier, so why shouldn't it be possible? The GPe does have a smaller system partition and different bootloader, which is why DooMLoRD had to cut out a lot of stuff to fit the Xperia firmware on it, but overall, they seem pretty interchangeable with some work.

Also, Google said GPe devices should be getting Lollipop in the "coming weeks". While I think a release is more at the behest of Sony, I do think we'll get it this year. :)

All that said, I've been happy with the Xperia updates, too, and think they'll get the whole Rhine family updated in a timely manner. Maybe I'm just overly optimistic...
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] blueether:
A bit backwards there. the GPe software (/system) will happily run on the ZU but not the other way around easily
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] raundown:
I have tried flashing it and the reboot is still happening. I see no sign of it coming at all it just freezes on me real quick and the phone restarts within an hour of usage.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] TheFamilyMan:
I Humbly Stand Corrected

Did you put your device in download mode first BEFORE you flashed your.ftf file? This is me of course, I'd try to format the entire device through Flashtool if is possible - I'm not in front of my puter right now so I can't say if it's possible for sure.

I'll get into it the 1st thing in the morning after I check back if you succeeded or not. I'm sorry about that - I'm a disabled coder and I need help to get setup in the morning.

If I relayed incorrect information I stand corrected. Rahul and Art explained to me the last time I communicated with them (quite a while ago) things weren't going well. I must've been mistaking or didn't understand them which is MY FAULT.

I to am excited like everyone else about obtaining Lollipop. I'm amongst the last people in the Android world who wouldn't be thrilled about this tasty new treat! Hell I even considered grabbing a Nexus 6 - since I just grabbed another XZU since they're to damn cheap to pass up - but I'm just going to grab one for my daughter...uh humm! Got something such in windpipe for a second there :laugh: sorry about that.

Boy I gotta tell ya, that Nexus 6 is going to be one hell of a BEASTLY device. Personally I can't wait until they unveil the Qualcomm 810's later this year cuz that's when I'll seek a worthy successor to my beloved XZU!

Ciao ciao for now
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] raundown:
No I didn't I just turn the phone off normally and flashed.

I'm on my second Ftf now and it's been smooth sailing so far. It's a 4.4.2 Dutch ftf . my first flash was US 4.4.4
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Visa Declined:
Is yours a GPe? Mine freezes/reboots on me at least 10 times a day. It's brand new also.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] raundown:
Nah it's a Sony version. I m on 4.4.2 now it's ok so far, or at least it's lasting longer now before it reboots again
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] adfurgerson:
Public Service Announcement....Never flash an ftf to a GPe device it will hard brick and haven't heard of anyone being able to recover from it.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] TravisBean:
Just got my Z GPE brand spanking new in a factory sealed box for $334 from Expansys.

A year old ?

Bah Humbug !!

This is the most phablet you can buy per dollar. The Adreno 330 graphics chip still makes for game play that is better than 99% of devices out there. (even though it is one of the first incarnations of that chip)

Also keep in mind that the thin elegant design is something which puts it in a class all its own.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Visa Declined:
Not sure why you quoted my post my post to make that comment, and what you're "announcing" is already common knowledge to most people who post here. We have how-to's and sticky threads for this reason.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] adfurgerson:
Because you quoted [MENTION=1807209]raundown[/MENTION] who has been flashing ftf's and posting about it, if he has a GPe. Does it make sense now?
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Visa Declined:
If you wanted to give him a tip, you should have quoted HIS post, not mine. That way I don't get an email saying that someone has replied to me, when it was actually directed towards somebody else. It's not a big deal though.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] TravisBean:
Those email's sure are expensive.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] adfurgerson:
You are the person that mentioned GPe which if you had read HIS posts you would have known he doesn't have, therefore it wouldn't make sense to tip him. I quoted your post because it was the one that brought GPe into the discussion that involved flashing ftf's to fix reboots.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] blueether:
but you were the one talking about a GPe in a thread about flashing FTFs. I'm with [MENTION=3549760]adfurgerson[/MENTION] on this one
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Visa Declined:
Cool. Things aren't always the way I see them.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] raundown:
I think I might have done it. The Dutch FTF did not work for me as well so I have flashed to another FTF again and its been up and running for a day now. Big thank you to you [MENTION=4714947]TheFamilyMan[/MENTION] for suggesting the idea and your rapid responses to the thread. I have to give myself a pet on the back as well as I may have found the true FTF file that once belong to this phone.

I had a chat when I met up with the seller, quite a long chat considering we have never met before. So we talked about work and he said he used to travel to Malaysia a lot for businesses. It turned out this guy may have given me some genuine information judging from the fact that he was able to name some Malaysian places and companies that is not widely known overseas (I have a Malaysian background). When I was thinking back on our conversation I thought this phone could have been bought in Malaysia. And now I am on a Malaysian FTF file and the phone has been working for the longest time comparing to my earlier experiences.

However I have been doing some reading and many people said the different countries variation do not quite matter as long as the model of the phone is the same. Have I really found the culprit by installing the original FTF on the phone or its only a matter of time the reboots are gonna kick in again?
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] raundown:
Ok... it was just a matter of time. The phone rebooted again.

I am starting to notice this happens more often when I play games or when the battery level is below 30%.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] TheFamilyMan:
Check Out Your Life & Verify the .ftf You're Running is 9426.

This is a hunch, and a hunch only, go into settings and under Power Management check out under Battery Usage for apps that are using your system resources the most. If you dint use then and don't need them either disable or deleted them.. It may be silly an unnecessary app that is causing the device to crash. Also verify that you're running the latest 1275-9426 .ftf which is presenting at R4C for the Malaysian version. I running the same .ftf after I rooted and I'm in the United States.

When I updated to KitKat 4.4.4 I used [NUTS] and iBuzman's ROM. I found there were certain apps that simply made my XZU crash and reboot. I can't remember them at this time. First verify what software version you're running - through the service menu - it'll tell you that exact versions of what's detected on your device. I'm chose to iBuzman's ROM I'm running 1275-9426_R3C because it's stock, deodexed, and rooted. The latest version the firmware for my device is 1275-9426_R4C so I'll need to update it. I'm not since it's running smoothly and since it's been announced the entire Xperia Z line is receiving Lollipop

Could be that flashing the 1275-9426_R4C may solve all your problems. You could even consider flashing an .ftf close to your locale which may solve your issues. Also I forgot to ask you, is your boatloader unlocked? Most of the ROM's require an unlocked boatloader, either way, I strongly suggest you run a TA (Trim Area) Backup and save your RSM Keys for use in the future - should ever want to lock the boatloader of you ever needed service on your XZU from Sony. Remember, unlocking the bootloader voids the manufacturers warranty and it'll most likely format the internal memory.

If your prefer keeping an Malay ROM I'd really urge you to go ahead and flash the latest version 1275-9426_R4C. You can download it with XperiFirm from within Flashtool. You'll also find many other ROM D/L's that may run smoother on your device, or B. Choosing to run the latest version (R4C) should suffice providing most of the bugs have been worked out. Question, do you have your device in developer mode and are using USB Debugging?

Check and make sure you're on develop mode, if not go into settings, then about phone, and press the build number several times until you receive, "your note a Developer". If that's the case then go back to settings and under "Development Options" switch the power slide on then go down and just before the divider line - about half way down place a check mark in the USB Debugging box. I usually reboot my device to make sure they're properly working, others may not find the need to do so.

Again, after you've verified you're indeed in developer mode and USB Debugging IS CHECKED OFF proceed to Flashtoolb/XperiFirm and search for updates for your specified device. If there is in fact an update download load it then flash it and hopefully it should solve all your issues.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you!

Jim
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] jaj324:
I just picked up a brand new Z Ultra for 329 off NewEgg. I've been wanting to try one since it was released but too many other devices kept getting in the way. So since I was finally getting tired of my Nokia 1520 and the Nexus 6 won't be available for a month or so I decided to grab a Z Ultra. If you like a big, bright screen, a clean version of Android, premium build quality and a fast processor then yes, this phone is still very relevant in 2014.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] raundown:
Thanks Jim. I was already on the Malay R4C version. No my bootloader was not unlocked. Its unlocked now after you suggested and flashed back to the latest Australian ftf available (Customized AU 1277-0076, 14.4.A.0.108 R4C). And yes I am on developer mode now.

I am gonna take it for a test drive again and report back. You have been a big help, and thank you for your patience!

Despite how crippled my phone is I am still enjoying the performance and the big screen it has to offer. I can only imagine how fantastic this device would be if its not suffering from Epilepsy. Nexus 6 seems pretty appealing but the specs are overkill for my uses and the price isn't gonna beat the Ultra anytime soon.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] raundown:
[MENTION=4714947]TheFamilyMan[/MENTION] ok I really do think it's hardware related now. When the reboot is happening I plug my charger in and it's fine again. What could this mean?
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] TheFamilyMan:
Rebooting!

Is the battery holding a charge if so how long is your average usage? Go into Power Management then Battery Usage and check out what apps are using the most resources. You'll see a list of apps and exactly how much of the battery they're consuming.

Now this might sound a bit radical to you but eBay has these batteries hovering between the prices of $19.99 - $30.00. That's not bad considering the best it's running, however the only thing that's horrible is the size of the battery itself, 3050 mAh. It's NOT hard to replace the battery at all, really, it's actually quite easy. When you compare the cost of the Barry to the value of this BEAST you'll come out way ahead in the long run.

If you've already performed a factory reset, rooted it, and made absolutely sure you performed a CLEAN INSTALL, and finally flashed the proper ROM - I'd say it could possibly be the battery. To make sure I'd go into recovery, clean dalvik-cache and system cache MANUALLY AFTER FACTORY RESETTING IT then either flash the same ROM or perhaps a different ROM in order to start eliminating variables one by one.

But that's me unless someone else has a better suggestion!

Is it a pain in the ass, YES, but I believe it'll be worth it in the long run. Oh make sure you do everything from Flashtool.

Good luck
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] H. E. Pennypacker:
A defect battery is easy to spot. Let's say you have 80% battery left. Reboot. How much battery is left now? Did it drop a lot (5-20%) during the reboot? If yes, you've got yourself a defect battery.

The obvious thing would be if your battery doesn't hold a charge for that long. If you're getting like an hour or two of screen on time it could be a defect battery - or a rogue app, so do a factory reset and do NOT install a single app for a day or two and see if that helps. If not, defect battery.

Do not buy a non-genuine battery from eBay or some other ****hole. If you do, you'll get what you paid for, which is a craptastic battery which will most certainly swell up in size (this happened on one of my earlier devices with a "fake battery"), before it burst and explodes. Worst case scenario. You've read about these cases in the news papers.

While we're at it, be very careful with chargers. Don't use a charger if it pumps out more volts than the battery can handle. A friend of mine has an iPhone 5S. He has used an iPad charger since christmas to charge it. His battery is dead now. The charger fits, but the iPhone battery is at around 7 volts, while the iPad is at 10. After a little googling it looks like a lot of people are doing this stupid thing. Lesson? Only use the ORIGINAL CHARGER WITH AN ORIGINAL BATTERY.

Note: Be aware that you're also breaking your warrenty the second you open up your Ultra. You're also actually doing it when you're using a third party charger too, but it's harder for the OEMs to prove that one if something happens to your device (hint: boom).
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Visa Declined:
I'm hoping Android L fixes my reboots. I don't think it's hardware because it happens mostly when I'm downloading something or playing videos, basically when data is streaming to the device. If I'm below 50% battery, they happen more often. This is my second Z Ultra with exactly the same problems. I even got a new sim card for it just to cover one more base.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] maxld:
Weird. I have none of these problems. Used to happen when I was using a custom kernel though.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] dillikottis:
Just got a new Z Ultra after my last one died. It's very applicable now, I feel that my Z2 is more sluggish. Only drawback is the lack of a flash. Once I got used to the screen real estate all other phones are to small.

Plus they are very cheap nowadays. I'm running gpe port and xposed, works like a charm.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] mingkee:
I am about to get Z Ultra, but I primary use it as tablet to replace aging Note 8.

$350 for LTE tablet with FHD screen isn't easy to get.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] TravisBean:
I just got my GPE from Expansys for $334, and am using it as a small tablet. I'm very satisfied. Games are amazing.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] raundown:
After a couple days of using the phone it seems like a combination of overheating along with some thing else. Sometimes I find the screen not very sensitive and I had to touch the screen extra hard to get a respond. This usually happens within half or an hour of usage. Battery seems to be draining quite normally.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Torguy:
Well even though it boils down to personal preference, if you ask me personally I would wait for the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact LTE version to come out which is right around the corner.

Its a beautiful 8inch screen with the latest technology and has been confirmed by many sites and youtube hands on users that it can be used as a regular smartphone without the need for a Bluetooth headset.

And if your thinking its too big for a phone, believe it or not because Sony makes such slim devices, you it wont feel that big, unlike a Samsung that will actually feel like a giant tablet.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Awexit76:
Thinking about selling my purple c6806... Tons of dbrand skins... Plus wireless charging adaptors and dock... 375 shipped, US shipping only
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] H. E. Pennypacker:
It's not allowed to sell anything here. Use Swappa.com.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Awexit76:
Not selling here, guess you didn't notice the thinking part... Just wanting to see what people thought about it... Ya know, conversation... Good idea bad idea, pricing reasonable, etc...
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] H. E. Pennypacker:
Looked like an ad to me. Either way, price looks okay and you'll probably get rid of it pretty quickly. What device are you replacing it with? Nexus 6? Z3?
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Awexit76:
Gotcha, yeah sorry if it looked so, but actually going with the Nexus 9 as a phone... I cancelled cell service about 6 weeks ago... Just use wifi... Call and sms through hangouts.I will throw the cheapest tablet plan I can on the N9 and go for it
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] airplus:
i bought mine 3 weeks ago

in expansys (uk shop) for £230 pounds. I think I am getting VFM considering it used to be at £600 :D
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] supergear:
expansys-usa sucks no idea about it's British counterpart. Z Ultra is too slow of a phone compared to all high end phones released this year. Buy a OPO they are as cheap as z ultra and 3x more powerful
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] Tommy-Geenexus:
Seriously no.

My ZU is as fast as my friends OPO, sometimes even a bit smoother due to buggy cm.

Also you fail to mention the S801 has heating problems, while the S800 heats far less.

Also because of its size the Ultra almost never throttles, even in games. The OPO throttles way earlier.

What benefit you get when your CPU throttles after 30 down to half of the speed?
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] E90 Commie:
I would be grateful if you could point out which chipset and device that is 3x more powerful than a Snapdragon 800.;)

The latest Snapdragon 805 isn't 3 x faster than the 800.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8035/qualcomm-snapdragon-805-performance-preview

The Ultra is still very fast, especially with the GPe ROM. OnePlus One is certainly NOT "3 times more powerful" - since a Snapdragon 801 is just slightly faster than the 800.

The fact is very simple: It is first with the Snapdragon 810/815 that we can talk about important performance upgrades from the 800.
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] supergear:
The Xperia Z Ultra is better IMO than the Sony Z Ultra GPe mainly because it seems more supported by rom devs and Sony's UI isn't that bad
[Sony Xperia Z Ultra] E90 Commie:
Great post, TheFamilyMan.

My feelings are very similar even if I prefer the GPe ROM because of the tweakability. I gave up on Sony ROMs after 4.4.2 when I noticed that the notification bar broke down with 240 DPI. In older 4.2.x and 4.3 ROMs, it worked in phablet mode but not after KitKat.

The small apps are interesting but MultiWindow Sidebar and Xposed Framework create great multitasking and there are floating apps such as the Floating Boat for Tablet (Boat Browser), which works great.

Here is a screenshot of my multiwindow setup:

[IMG="Multiwindow on the Xperia Z Ultra"]http://i.imgur.com/ElloDi7.jpg[/IMG]

Here is Floating Boat for Tablet together with a window opened through MultiWindowSideBar.

[IMG="Floating Boat for Tablet"]http://i.imgur.com/HfvRv5z.jpg[/IMG]

Another thing is that most of the Sony apps runs great on the GPe ROM. I have Album, Clock, Sketch, Movies, Notes and Walkman in perfect shape on my device.

I bought the C6833 yesterday and the GPe ROM was flashed this morning already.