topic Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3 in Z Series

Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

kevlar_heart — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 16:33:01 GMT

Hello all:

My Z3C is in for repair and I have obtained a Z3 as an interim phone. I can't seem to get Xperia Companion to recognize the Z3. My computer recognizes the device when I connect it, but Xperia Companion is ominously silent...I've rebooted the phone and the computer and changed USB cables...nada

The Z3 is Android 5.02 Build 23.1.C.0.39....it was branded T-Mobile originally.

Do I need the old PC Companion? An incantation by warlocks? Just want to do a full software repair/upgrade on the device

Any help is most appreciated

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

Uliwooly — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 16:47:17 GMT

@kevlar_heart

Are you able to access the phone's internal storage through the computer? when you say "...it was branded T-Mobile originally..." does it mean that you have mod the phone at all? rooting, flashing, unlocked the bootloader, etc?

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

kevlar_heart — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:36:29 GMT

@uliwooly wrote:
@kevlar_heart
Are you able to access the phone's internal storage through the computer? when you say "...it was branded T-Mobile originally..." does it mean that you have mod the phone at all? rooting, flashing, unlocked the bootloader, etc?

Hiya..thanks...No mods at all. What I meant was that it's a T-Mobile Z3....I have T-Mobile. The issue is connectivity to my laptop and Xperia Companion. The laptop recognizes the phone but Xperia Companion does not

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

Uliwooly — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:38:09 GMT

@kevlar_heart

are you able to access your phone's internal storage through your computer?

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

kevlar_heart — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 19:24:59 GMT

I think I sussed out the problem. Found a PC that will connect. Now I face the issue that T-Mobile hasn't released Marshmallow for the D6616. So far the carrier blames Sony and the thread here points to T-mobile. Such is life. This Z3 is a backup for the Z3C I sent in for warranty repair.

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

Uliwooly — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 19:37:08 GMT

@kevlar_heart

of course a carrier will blame Sony, they don't want to upset a customer, it's NOT up to Sony, it's up to them, your carrier/T-mobile, to approve and release the update.

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

kevlar_heart — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 20:52:59 GMT

@uliwooly wrote:
@kevlar_heart
of course a carrier will blame Sony, they don't want to upset a customer, it's NOT up to Sony, it's up to them, your carrier/T-mobile, to approve and release the update.

I posted in the 6616 thread that T-Mobile basically has told people who purchased the D6616 model via T-Mobile that they are out of luck as far as an upgrade to MM is concerned. My recommendation (if asked) to those with a D6616 that is out of warranty that they pursue an option via xda. No amount of commenting will get T-mobile to do the necessary testing for a device they no longer sell. That's why mine was so inexpensive...I knew that going in, so I wasn't too surprised. Nice device for a backup...I can use it after my Z3C gets back around the house for other functions. The OS issue isn't such a dealbreaker, but everyone wants "the latest."

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

Uliwooly — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 21:43:50 GMT

@kevlar_heart

Indeed, Xperifirm and/of Flashtool are the way to go, you can close the post if you want to.

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

kevlar_heart — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 22:45:21 GMT

Last comment to you uli, T-mobile insists that haven't received the OS. Sort of hard to believe as it's on all other devices

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

Uliwooly — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 22:53:59 GMT

@kevlar_heart

If they are no longer selling the device most likely they don't want to spend time and/or resources on this device, and it's easier to blame the OEMs than be honest with the customers.

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

YoGem — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 01:02:59 GMT

Uliwooly is absolutely right, when a carrier stop to sell a device will always blame the manufacturer in order for them to sell different brands of devices that do business with them. Xperia phones are good, flash a different image and your phone will do wonders for a very long time.

Re: Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

kevlar_heart — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 03:50:38 GMT

@YoGem wrote:
Uliwooly is absolutely right, when a carrier stop to sell a device will always blame the manufacturer in order for them to sell different brands of devices that do business with them. Xperia phones are good, flash a different image and your phone will do wonders for a very long time.

Further research indicates that the D6616 variant has a LOCKED bootloader. No one at xda has successfully flashed a ROM to the device. (to be precise...a STABLE ROM).I'd be happy to give up some of the T-Mobile features to get beyond Android 5.0.2

Caveat emptor....neither TMO nor Sony look too good in this situation