[Xperia Z General] kingvortex:
Flashtool is an extremely useful tool maintained by Androxyde that allows you to download and flash stock roms to your device and more.

I thought it would be a good idea to create a guide showing how to use some of the most useful features of this great tool. It will be focused on the Xperia Z as that's the device I own, but will also apply to other devices compatible with Flashtool. I will add more sections to the guide as I get time to do so.

Contents:

1. Install Flashmode and Fastboot drivers.

2. Download any firmware customisation and create an FTF.

3. Flash stock firmware in FTF format to your device.

4. More coming soon....:)

Requirements:

Windows PC

Flashtool driver package by DooMLoRD.

Flashtool by Androxyde.

Part 1.

Install Flashtool drivers:

1. Run the installer. You will see this screen.

Press "Next" to continue.

2. Select Flashmode and Fastboot drivers. These drivers are common drivers for all compatible devices. Also scroll down the list and select Xperia Z drivers (or the relevant drivers for your device). This installs the ADB drivers for your device.

Press "Install".

The drivers will now install.

Note: If you're on Windows 8, then try this if you have trouble installing the drivers - Resolving driver installation issues on Windows 8 (thanks to fards)

Part 2.

How to create an FTF of any firmware customisation version:

Flashtool now integrates the excellent XperiFirm by Iagucool for downloading firmware. This guide has been updated to reflect that.

For the purposes of this guide, I downloaded the Customized NCB firmware version 10.6.A.0.454 for the C6603.

1. Start Flashtool and wait until it finishes syncing devices.

2. Click on the XperiFirm icon (highlighted red in image).

If this is the first time you've done this, Flashtool will download XperiFirm.

3. Find Xperia Z (or whichever device you like) on the list and click on it.

Select your device variant from the list that expands and click "Check all".

4. Find the firmware version you want in the list, click on it, then click the firmware version you want to download in the list on the right.

Press "Download" in the window that appears.

5. XperiFirm will download and unpack 5 files.

6. When XperiFirm has finished downloading and unpacking the files, press OK and close XperiFirm.

7. Flashtool will automatically create the bundle and will display when it's finished. You can now close Flashtool.

Part 3.

How to Flash an FTF using Flashtool:

Your bootloader does not need to be unlocked and you do not need root to flash roms in FTF format with Flashtool.

1. Place the FTF you have in C:\Users\your username\.flashtool\firmwares if it isnt there already (if you followed this guide to create an FTF it will be in the correct place already).

2. Start Flashtool and wait until it finishes syncing devices.

3. Click on the lightning bolt icon, select Flashmode and press OK.

4. Choose the firmware you wish to flash from the list on the left (highlighted red). If you want to keep data and installed apps etc, then uncheck everything in the Wipe section (highlighted green). Conversely, if you want a clean install, check everything in the Wipe section. Make sure nothing is checked in the Exclude section (highlighted blue). Note that if you're flashing over a custom rom or downgrading, then wiping all data is required.

When everything is as it should be, press Flash (highlighted yellow).

5. Flashtool will prepare files for flashing.

6. This screen will appear:

Power OFF your device. Connect your USB cable to your PC, then while holding Volume DOWN, connect the other end of the USB cable to your device.

Flashtool will now flash the firmware. When the flashing process starts, you can release the Volume down key.

DO NOT disconnect your device at this point, until it says it's safe to do so. When Flashtool says it has finished, disconnect your device and power it on. You have successfully flashed stock firmware to your device.

Disclaimer:

This guide is provided in good faith and the steps as provided work fine for me. However, I will not accept any responsibility for data loss or possible damage to your device. Following this guide is done at your own risk.

Credits:

DooMLoRD for the Flashtool driver package.

Androxyde for Flashtool.

Iagucool for the XperiFirm firmware downloader used by Flashtool.

If I've forgotten anyone please let me know and I'll add them. ;)