The Android Open Kang Project (AOKP) has been busy in recent weeks, releasing a number of Android 4.4.2 KitKat ROMs for a variety of devices. On Tuesday, the AOKP team dropped a custom KitKat build for the Sony Xperia Z.
The following guide will walk you through the installation process. As always, androidstray assumes no liability.
Before Getting Started
Do not use this guide for any device other than the Sony Xperia Z. Flashing this ROM onto any other device will most probably result in a bricked phone.
You must have your Sony Xperia Z rooted, with a recovery utility like ClockworkMod installed. As always, you want to backup your device and charge it to at least 80 percent.
Finally, enable USB Debugging mode by navigating to Settings -> Developer Options.
Updating Sony Xperia Z to Android KitKat 4.4.2 via Nightly AOKP ROM
1) Download the Android 4.4.2 KitKat Nightly AOKP ROM, as well as the Google Apps package, which can be found here and here.
2) Using your USB cable, connect your Sony Xperia Z to your computer.
3) Copy Nightly AOKP custom ROM and the Google Apps package to the root folder of your handset’s SD card. Do not extract either.
4) Boot your phone into Recovery mode by restarting it and waiting for the purple LED. Once the LED lights up repeatedly press Volume Up until the device enters Recovery mode.
5) Perform a Nandroid backup of your device in case you need to restore to your previous firmware.
6) In CWM recovery, navigate to “Format system” in the Mounts and Storage submenu, and then press “Yes.” Next, navigate to the Advanced submenu and select “Wipe Dalvik Cache.” Select “Yes” when prompted.
7) Navigate to “Install Zip from SD card” and select the ROM file copied earlier. Repeat the same step to install the Google Apps package.
8) After the installation is complete, press “Go back” and then select “Reboot system now” to restart your phone. This may take some time.
9) After restarting, your Sony Xperia Z will officially be running Android 4.4.2 KitKat Nightly AOKP ROM. Kudos.