Sony Xperia Unlocked devices now have ICS ROMs
Did you pick up an Xperia device over the past year?
A while back I let you know that Sony was playing around with the ICS update and demo’ed an alpha build for y’all.
Well it looks like they’ve now got a beta build ready for those who have unlocked their devices (applicable to Xperia Arc S, neo V and ray). The version it will run is 4.0.2.A.0.42.
“Even though a lot of the basic functionality of this ICS beta ROM is working, you should only download and install the beta version if you are an advanced developer” Sony’s mobile developer blog
So, does that scare you off? Watch the video!
Ready? From Sony, here’s the instructions: [due note, that they have hidden away a caveat that says if you do this you won’t be able to get the official final version]
1. Make sure your phone is running the latest software release, which is build number 4.0.2.A.0.42. If you can’t upgrade to this build number, it is not possible to try the Ice Cream Sandwich beta ROM for Xperia™ phones.
2. Go to unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com and unlock the boot loader of your phone. To do this, you must read through and agree to all the legal and warranty conditions that apply.
3. Download the Ice Cream Sandwich beta ROM for Xperia™ arc S, the Ice Cream Sandwich beta ROM for Xperia™ neo V or the Ice Cream Sandwich beta ROM for Xperia™ ray depending on your phone model.
4. Extract the downloaded zip file to your Android Fastboot directory. For example: ..android-sdkfastbootXperia_arcS_ICS_beta.
5. Open a command prompt and go to your Fastboot directory: ..android-sdkfastboot
6. Flash the three beta ROM files one at a time using Fastboot. Use these three commands (replace the folder name if you are using Xperia™ neo V or Xperia™ ray):
- fastboot flash boot ..FastbootXperia_arcS_ICS_betaboot.img
- fastboot flash userdata ..FastbootXperia_arcS_ICS_betauserdata.img
- fastboot flash system ..FastbootXperia_arcS_ICS_betasystem.img
7. Once done, please reboot your phone.