Install Official Android 4.0 ICS Update Sony Xperia Arc LT15i / Arc S LT18i

Have you looking for how to install Official Android 4.0 ICS Update on Sony Xperia Arc LT15i / Arc S LT18i. Both Sony Xperia Arc LT15i and Arc S LT18i were some nice second generation Android Smartphones from Sony. As new ones the third generation has already arrived like Xperia Sola and Xperia S Sony seemed to have lost interest in older devices. Sony says that we have done very hard work to bring ICS update to their phones without any bugs and problems. After lots of request from customer and fans Sony has released Official Final release of Android 4.0 ICS firmware for few of their devices. Xperia Arc and Arc S customer can now enjoy latest Android version on their device. Sony Xperia Arc LT15i and Arc S LT18i has already been updated by OTA but if you have missed it then you can update manually for every region using the below detailed procedure. We have also included the rooting procedure for guys who will want to root their device on ICS.
Disclaimer: Carefully follow the below mentioned methods and procedures as they can damage your phone. Neither we nor the developer should be held responsible

Below you can look at image both phones are running at official android 4.0.3 firmware version. We are hoping that sony will release android 4.0.4 version within few months for Xperia Arc LT15i and Arc S LT18i.
Pre-Requisites:

1. The methods and procedures discussed here in should only be applied to Sony Xperia Arc / Arc S; they should not be applied to any other device or any other model of Sony.
2. Please charge your device so that at least 70% charge is there with it, to assure that there is no Power interruption during the process.
3. You need Backup all essential data’s on your phone, as they may be lost during the process.
4. Disable all security programs like Antivirus and Firewall from your computer and uninstall the same from your device, as these security suites generally tend to interrupt the process.
5. Enable USB debugging in your Sony Xperia Arc / Arc S from the path “Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging”. The option of USB Debugging should be ticked.

Install Flashtool for Both Phones


1. Download the Flashtool for windows OS edition v0.8.0.0 (MD5: 46E588451662ABA6D1B550FE89F87CDA) from here. The file name is flashtool-0.8.0.0-windows.exe and the size will be 129MB.

2. Install the flashtool software on C drive then you will get Folder like C:/flashtool.

3. Again you need to update latest flash tool files from here. Install and it will replace old files with new files in flash tools folder.

4. Now go to C:/FlashTool folder and open again drivers folder, then you will see Flashtool-drivers.exe.

5. Now, run “Flashtool-drivers”, you will see two options displaying “Arc-Play-Neo-Acro ADB Drivers” and “Flashmode Drivers”, select both the options to install the drivers on your PC. You will get one pop-up boxs on the screen; select the Install this Driver Anyway.

Steps and Procedure to Install Official Android 4.0 ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) Firmware on Sony Xperia Arc / Arc S:

1. Download Official Android 4.0 ICS Firmware file from Here. The file name will be LT18i_4.1.A.0.562_Generic.ftf and file size will be 367MB.

2. Next copy the downloaded FTF file inside the c:\Flashtool\firmwares folder.

3. Now, click on “FlashTool.exe” to run the tool and select “Flash”option when it displays. Then you have to select “Flashmode” when a window will open and confirm your action by selecting “OK”.

4. Further, select your device model Sony Xperia Arc LT15i or Arc S LT18i. Tick marks all three options "No Final Verification Check, Wipe Data and Wipe Cache".

5. Select “OK” to confirm your action.

6. Now, connect your phone to the PC via original USB cable and hold the “Back” key for a while. This will install Android 4.0 ICS Firmware automatically on your phone. Ignore if you get any errors while flashing.

7. After the installation has completed, disconnect your phone from the PC and reboot it.

That’s it you have successfully installed the latest and Official Android 4.0 ICS Firmware on your phone. Let us know if you have any problems while doing this stuff.

47 comments :

  1. The article is wonderful. It would have been even better if you had included some screen shots.

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  2. Absolutely perfect, ICS working, not as smooth as GB, but hey...

    Thanks man!

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  3. does my arc lt 15i changes to arc s lt 18i after installing??

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  4. no it will not change. We have just mentioned that the Android ICS 4.0.4 update will work on both arc lt15i and arc s lt18i devices.

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  5. the file Was Deleted please Re-upload again
    Thank you

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  6. check once we updated the download links.

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  7. I have Cyanogenmod 9 ROM on my Sony Xperia arc S and i want to install ICS version ! can i do this by following steps described bellow?

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  8. yes you can install official Android 4.0.4 ICS version on Sony Xperia ARC S.

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  9. Thank youuuu ^_^ it did work on my phone :)
    but I've remarked that it's a bit slower than before.. does the new version of android slow down he device?

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  10. Not always like that but some times new updates will lag the device when there is some bugs in it.

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  11. Can't download the FTF file....tried with IDM but the format came as zip...had to redownload in FTF format but that did't work to....again tried to download with google chrome...didn't work either....PLZ HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  12. stuck at 8% wtf?????? someone help please.....

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  13. Hey manel..
    Can u tell me steps to install cynogenmod..
    i have simple 4.0.4 at present..
    please reply asap

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  14. in upcoming post i will guide you to install Cyanognemod 9 Android 4.0 ICS ROM.

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  15. hola a todos/as, actualice mi xperia arc (lt15i) al versión 4.1.B.0.431 con Flashtool, una vez actualizado me funcionaba bien todo todo pero me bino una notificacion como que habia una nueva ACTUALIZACION 4.1.B.0.587 y la actualice desde el mismo movil y se me apago y no a buelto a encender, cuando le doi al boton de encendido la led parpadea de color (verde) y no vibra y no hace mas nada

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  16. my phone is not working now, what do i do?

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  17. Hey Donal the phone is not working after the updating with above firmware? Or you have done any other thing ?

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  18. Flashtool link is not working...
    is there any alternative link ?

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  19. @vijay Flashtool link updated check once. If you face any issues come again and comment here.

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  20. yeah i tried it and my phone wouldnt work

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  21. does the update go on the sd card or the phone?

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  22. do i need to remove my sd card? or will the update delete contents in sd card? also tell how to back up my contacts

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    Replies
    1. Contents in SD Card will not be deleted and it remains same. For backup the contacts download a app called " Super Backup : SMS & Contacts " from Google Play store.

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  23. Admin, I have never done flashing stuff before. I have read it on many places that after updating, the phone gets very slow or have bugs in different places. Will this ICS work like the original update?

    Thanks for your concern.

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  24. Admin, can i put a custom rom following the above process?

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    Replies
    1. No you can't put custom rom in above process, If you do the device will be bricked. Custom ROM's will be flashed through ClockWorkMod recovery manager.

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  25. the file is for "Arc S". i have an Arc so please upload the firmware for LT15i

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    Replies
    1. The above firmware file works for both devices. Still you worry about the firmware well get it from here http://goo.gl/79uzl the firmware is exact for your Sony Xperia Arc LT15i device.

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  26. links for latest flashtool and firmware are dead! Please update.

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    Replies
    1. links working fine now. One more thing firmware file is in zip format so extract it to get the firmware ftf file.

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  27. 3. Again you need to update latest flash tool files from here. Install and it will replace old files with new files in flash tools folder.

    Link Dead

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    Replies
    1. no need of downloading that update. First link flashtool is enough and it is latest version right now available.

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  28. if you get an error loader_unlocked.sin not found as i used to get please change the name of the loader.sin file to loader_unlocked.sin this file is found in flash tool folder on c:/flashtool/devices/lt15i

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    Replies
    1. thanks for help Richard this will help a lot people who are thinking to updating their device to Android 4.0.4 ICS or Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

      Delete
  29. i hav LT18i, after flashing... why Model Number change to LT15i?

    ...when instaling flash driver, i mark all phone cz i dont see "Arc-Play-Neo-Acro ADB Drivers"

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    Replies
    1. because both devices have same hardware it won't be problem until phone doesn't work properly. Download latest sony flash tools then it will have ADB Arc drivers.

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  30. I followed all the steps. My LT15i works for a short time then "Oh Snap something went wrong..." Bottom right corner says DieselDumper2k10 and a progress bar comes up. This keeps happening over and over. What do I do to fix it?

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    Replies
    1. Go to recovery and wipe both options data/factory reset and cache partition.

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  31. Thanks this helped.

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  32. I have updated my phone but when I open Bluetooth to transfer data, the phone re-start automatically. Now it is stock with it's initializing mode, and could not continue to open with its home screen.. any one help!

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    Replies
    1. flash the ftf file again it will work for sure.

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  33. 2nd link not working. pls update it thanks.

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  34. Hey, Thank for sharing this!! my phone was successfully upgraded to ICS 4.0.4.
    THANKS a lot :)

    ReplyDelete