Installing the Ice Cream Sandwich Beta on the Sony Mobile/Ericsson Xperia arc s (LT18)

Updated 25 May, 2013, 11:43 am IST

Saturday February 25 06:34 am

Installing the Ice Cream Sandwich Beta on the Sony Mobile/Ericsson Xperia arc s (LT18)

2012-05-31: ICS + root is now available for the arc/arc s http //www.youtube.com/watch?v=huPuFmmeZHc&hd=1 If your region hasn't received the update, just download the FTF (FlashTool File) directly and flash it. Ray http //forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1598195 arc s http //forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1598072 neo v http //forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1598540 neo http //forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24983903&postcount=2 PC Companion will NOT update your device if the bootloader is unlocked. You must either use the FlashTool to flash new firmwares directly (preferred) or relock your bootloader (Google it). All the ROMs should be on XDA-Developers. On February 23rd, 2012, Sony Mobile released a follow-up to the Ice Cream Sandwich alpha they released back in December. This new beta firmware now has 3G enabled for calls, texting and mobile data (3G/H). Screenshots from the beta http //adf.ly/7wJE4 The video shows how to install it on bootloader unlocked devices. If your phone cannot get into fastboot mode (hold [menu] and plug in, the LED should turn BLUE), then you need to unlock your bootloader through either the free or paid process. Watch my other video for frequently asked questions about the bootloader https //www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn-Vubgka1M&hd=1 REPEAT I will NOT answer ANY BOOTLOADER-releated questions on this video. Flashing your phone is an ADVANCED process. It can lead to BRICKING your device. DO NOT ATTEMPT this if you do not know what the bootloader is, what rooting is, or the difference between the back button and menu button are. I am not responsible for anything that happens to your phone. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. This ROM can be flashed on the arc s (LT18), ray, and neo v. Users have also reported success with the original arc (LT15) but the memory configuration is different so it may not work properly. Use at your own risk. Again, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. As stated on the Sony blog, only 2011 Xperia devices will get the upgrade http //blogs.sonymobile.com/products/2011/12/21/ice-cream-sandwich-coming-to-2011-xperia%e2%84%a2-smartphones-from-end-marchearly-april-2012/ Hopefully someone does port it over the the X10 so keep an eye out on the XDA developer forums http //forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=617 Video How to install custom ROMs on the X10 https //www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO0NKO7QX1g The firmware shows up as an "i" firmware but can be flashed to ANY device (I have an LT18a) with full 3G support in your region. (a in a, i in i. It will NOT switch your radio or give you support in the opposite region. e.g. your a phone will NOT have 3G in an i zone and your i phone will NOT have 3G support in an a zone.) Before starting, your phone needs to be on build 4.0.2.A.0.42 so flash it back using the FlashTool (http://androxyde.github.com/) or Wotan Server (http://www.wotanserver.com/). Flashing Guides FlashTool https //www.youtube.com/watch?v=Keo61Zffh5Q&hd=1 Wotan Server https //www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQIw608rZfI&hd=1 Firmwares http //adf.ly/7tNSh To proceed with this process, you need to download the ICS beta firmware files from Sony Mobile, install the necessary drivers, and run commands through the command prompt. You should be in an Administrator account (or run every as administrator) and turn off any (crappy) antivirus programs that falsely identify fastboot, adb or other system-modifying programs as viruses. ICS beta firmware downloads 1. Sony Ericsson ICS Beta http //developer.sonymobile.com/wp/2012/02/23/android-ice-cream-sandwich-beta-rom-available-for-unlocked-2011-xperia-smartphone-models/ 2. ADB & Fastboot Drivers, Sony Update Service, etc.: http //jp1.ca/androidstuff The beta does NOT officially support the following - WiFi, Bluetooth - Google Sync, Gmail, Google Talk However, these can be enabled after flashing using XDA modifications. Optionally, once you've installed the beta, you can boot into DooMLoRD's kernel, root, and install the patches to enable other functionality. Guide http //forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1513305 Downloads WiFi + Bluetooth enabler http //forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=20335538#post20335538 DooMLoRD's kernel for root, recovery http //forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=20335549#post20335549 Optional ICS boot animation, Google Apps (Gmail, Talk, etc.): http //forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=20335538#post20335538 ClockWorkMod Auto-Installer: http //forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1437840 SuperUser http //www.mediafire.com/?h9bdqbb8mpco5 Once all that's complete, enter in your APN settings (Settings / More... / Mobile networks / Access Point Names) to enable 3G data http //pastebin.com/jNse0tpf If anything goes wrong, use the FlashTool (http://androxyde.github.com/) to flash your phone back to stock e.g. https //www.youtube.com/watch?v=Keo61Zffh5Q&hd=1 Firmwares http //adf.ly/7tNSh