Sony is not the quickest one to update its devices to latest Android OS, so you cannot expect the Android 5.1 update for the Xperia Z2 anytime soon. The official 5.1 Lollipop update for the Z2 should be arriving in April, or early May, but if can take a leap to world of custom ROMs (unofficial updates), you can run Android 5.1 right away with popular ROM, CyanogenMod 12.1.

We’d recommend it too, because it’s pretty decent build, if not fully stable because the work in is progress right now, but you do get all new features from the Android 5.1 update, with untouched pure stock UI because the ROM is based on AOSP.

All in all, if patience isn’t your strongest suit, take a faith in CM12.1 custom ROM, and flash it now to get 5.1 update on your Xperia Z2. What you’ll need is a custom recovery like TWRP (linked in installation guide below) and a simple flash from it will reboot your Xperia Z2 to the goodness and beauty of Android 5.1.

Whenever you decide to end your affair with custom ROM is up to you. When the official updates hit your phone, you can come back to Sony stock firmware by flashing the same using Flashtool software. You can either flash the 5.1 update that becomes available — we’d be sure to share it — or downgrade back to official Sony pre-5.1 firmware, so that you get an OTA and update to 5.1 automatically that way. It’s easy to switch between, hence no worries whatsoever.

Android 5.1 Xperia Z2

We’ve got the unofficial Android 5.1 update download below, and a guide to help you with installing a TWRP recovery (a must to flash a custom ROM, CWM recovery also works btw) and then installing the 5.1 update.

Note: As you already know, it’s not an official Sony 5.1 update for Xperia Z2, so expect few kinks at some corners of the ROM that are yet to be fixed by the team. Any major bugs will be reported below.

Bugs
  • None
Downloads

Download the ROM file in .zip format from the source development page here, where you could also keep a tab on updates for the ROM, and any current issues with the ROM with fixes, if any, available. Also download the Gapps file from here.

Supported devices
  • Sony Xperia Z2 (mode no. D6503)
  • Don’t try on any other device of Sony or any other OEM
Instructions

Warning: Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page. You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Important Note: Backup important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have backup of all your important files.

  1. Transfer the ROM file package file to your device’s internal storage and remember the location where you save it.
  2. You need TWRP recovery for this. Get it from here. Or here. There’s good instructions set there, too. For more help, Google is your friend.
  3. Boot into Recovery mode.
  4. Once in TWRP recovery, take a backup of your current ROM. Select Backup, then do a “Swipe to Back Up” on the bottom of the screen.
  5. Once the backup is finished, select Wipe, then do a “Swipe to Factory Reset” on the bottom of the screen.
  6. Go back to the main menu of TWRP recovery and select Install.
  7. Navigate to the file where you saved your ROM’s zip file, select it and “Swipe to Confirm Flash” on the bottom of the screen. Now wait until the flashing process finishes.
  8. Also flash the Gapps file the same way.
  9. Go to back to recovery’s Main menu, select Reboot » select System.

Your device will now reboot with Android 5.1 update, thanks to CM12.1 custom ROM.

In case you need any help over this, let us know. And, you can thank the developer infected for this.

Android 5.1 update is also available on: