Update Xperia U ST25i to Android 4.4 KitKat via CM11

 

As Sony is not rolling out any update for the older devices like Xperia U, developers will come up with customs ROMs based on the latest version. If you own a device like Xperia U, then you are also lucky to have a kitkat break on your Sony Xperia U ST25i. This update is by using the CyanogenMod 11 is based on the latest Android 4.4 KitKat. Apart from the KitKat you will also get several customizations as well.

Please note that the tutorials and download links are collected from various sources across the web. So we will not be responsible for any damages to your device. We are putting our level best to provide the articles it the maximum perfection and accuracy.Perform the tutorials at your own risk !

Before you Begin..

Charge your Device

Prior to any process of rooting or updating,always ensure that your device is charged upto a minimum of 80%. Otherwise your device will power off during the process and may brick the device.

Back up your device

Before proceeding further make sure that you have already taken a backup of your all important data as there is a chance for wiping all the data on your device. [App settings,games,etc.]

Check the Device’s Model No

This is the important thing that you have to check whether your device is eligible for the process. Every procedures like rooting or updating may be specific for a device (and Variant). So it cannot be applied on any other device. The best and recommended way to confirm the model no. of your device is to go and see the “About Device” option under Settings.

Guidelines and Requirements:

• Ensure that the bootloader of your device is unlocked.
• The tutorial is specifically for Sony Xperia U ST25i.
• Clockwork Mod recovery must be installed on your device.
• The USB Drivers for your device must be installed on your PC.

Files Required:

• Android 4.4 KitKat CM11 for Xperia U
• GApps for 4.4 KitKat

Steps to Update Xperia U ST25i to Android 4.4 KitKat via CM11

1. First of all download the above mentioned files and keep on your PC.
2. Now connect your Xperia U to your PC via original USB cable. Copy the downloaded files to your device’s internal storage [don't extract the zip files].
3. Now switch off your device and enter into fastboot mode. For this, press and hold the “Volume up + Power” buttons together.
4. Now download Fastboot files for Sony Xperia U and extract it to a suitable location on your PC.
5. You will see the following files:
   1. adb.exe
   2. AdbWinApi.dll
   3. AdbWinUsbApi.dll
   4. fastboot.exe
   5. runme.lnk
6. Now open the CyanogenMod 11 package using a suitable application,preferably WinRAR. Extract Boot.img file on your desktop.
7. Move that file (Boot.img) into the Fastboot extracted folder.
8. Run (double click) the runme.lnk  in the Fastboot extracted folder and type the following to flash the kernel on your device.fastboot flash boot boot.img
   
9. When the flashing process is over disconnect your device from the PC.
10. Put your handset in recovery mode. For this, switch off your phone. Switch on your phone again. When the boot logo appears with LED turns blue, press the Volume up button several times to land on the recovery mode.
11. When entered to the recovery mode, it is recommended to take a Nandroid backup so that you can restore it if anything goes wrong. To do so, select Restore and backup from the recovery main menu and select backup on the next screen.
12. Now select  ”wipe data/factory reset” to wipe all the data. [Use the volume buttons to navigate and power button to select an option].
13. Now select the “wipe cache partition” option to clear or wipe the cache.
14. Go to Advanced and select “wipe dalvik cache”  [This is optional,but it is recommended to avoid bootloop on your device].
15. After wiping the data, select the Mount and storage option and in that select the following options: ‘format/system’,'format/data’,'format/cache’,'format/system’.
16. OK, then its time to flash the ROM on your device. To do so :
17. Return to the recovery main menu and select “install zip from sdcard“.
18. Now select the “choose zip from sdcard” and navigate to the ROM file in your SD card and choose it using the power button. Confirm the installation on the next screen.
19. Wait for the ROM to get flashed.[Usually it will take upto 3 minutes]
20. Similarly flash the Google Apps (Gapps.zip) [like above].
21. After flashing both the ROM and Gapps, return to the recovery main menu and select “Reboot system now” to restart your device.
22.  

          That’s it !! You have successfully updated your Sony  Xperia U to the latest Android 4.4 KitKat version. If you have any issues, please contact us to resolve it..