Install CM12 Nightlies on Sony Xperia Z3

Do you want to update your Sony Xperia Z3 to Android 5.0 Lollipop OS? If you do and if you don’t want to stay stick to the default Android firmware then you might want to try a new custom ROM software. And what better way to do so if not by trying the new CM 12 Nightlies release?

This Lollipop based update is officially released by those of CyanogenMod, which means that you can enjoy a stable and smooth Android OS. Of course, for being able to do so, first you have to complete the update operation. Well, in that matter, we are here to help you out – during the following guidelines you will find all the details needed for the flashing process.

So, the first thing it should be clear for you is that CM 12 Nightlies represents a stable Android 5.0 Lollipop OS that can run without problems on your Sony Xperia Z3. The ROM has been fully optimized for your phone and until now there aren’t any software related issues reported by the users who have already completed the update process.

Moreover, CM12 comes pre installed with all the CyanogenMod dedicated features and apps, which can then be used for improving the performances of your Xperia Z3. Bottom line, you can easily and safely use CM 12 for customizing the Lollipop experience and for upgrading other general performances, such as battery life and general speeds.

But, of course, CM 12 is just another custom ROM that is only based on stock Lollipop firmware. Thus, you will complete an unofficial operation – if you are not an advanced user, then maybe the best will be to skip it. Anyhow, if you read all the lines from below, everything should be safe and secured. However, you still have to know that once you start the update process, the warranty of your Xperia Z3 will get void.

Other risks are being detailed in a separate tutorial, which can be anytime accessed from our how to section – or you can just follow this page. During the same tutorial you can also find how to prepare your Sony Xperia Z3 for the update process that will shortly follow. In a few words, you have to root your Sony branded device and you also have to install a custom recovery image (you can choose between CWM and TWRP recovery) on your phone. The rest of the pre requisites can be of course noticed in the same step by step guide that I have already mentioned.

Good; now, backup your data before starting the flashing process from below – as you will see, a wipe will be required or else the Android 5.0 Lollipop CM 12 Nightlies ROM will not run properly on your Xperia Z3. So, save everything that’s important for you and also use the custom recovery image for making a Nandroid backup (apply the Nandroid backup for saving the current ROM that runs on your smartphone – you will be able to restore the firmware, if the CM12 platform will not be on your taste).

Perfect; now let’s see how to complete this step by step guide.

How to Install CM12 Nightlies on Sony Xperia Z3 and update to Android 5.0 Lollipop Firmware

1. On your computer, from this page, download the CM 12 custom ROM file.
2. Don’t unzip the update package, just place it on desktop.
3. Then, plug in the USB cable and connect your Xperia Z3 with your PC.
4. Finally, transfer the Android 5.0 Lollipop update file on your phone’s SD card.
5. Remove the USB cable and reach recovery mode on your smartphone.
6. Up next, use the recovery mode menu for selecting: “wipe data factory reset”, “wipe cache partition” and “wipe dalvik cache”.
7. When done, from main menu of recovery pick “install zip from SD card” and “choose zip from SD card”.
8. Select the CM12 custom ROM file and just install Android Lollipop on your Sony Xperia Z3.
9. That’s it; in the end, select “reboot system now” in order to go back to Android OS.

Now, you only have to test the new CM 12 firmware on your Sony Xperia Z3 in order to see how Android 5.0 Lollipop runs on your own device. Of course, in the end, tell us what you think about this update and also how things worked for you.