A: Generally, yes, but always exclude the TA partition when downgrading to avoid a hard brick. Additionally, unlock your bootloader before downgrading across major Android versions.
If you’re reviving an old Xperia – to use as a dedicated music player, a backup phone, or a test device for custom ROMs – is the first tool you should download. It may lack modern polish, but it gets the job done without unnecessary complexity. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q: Can I use Flashtool 0.9.23.2 to root Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) on Xperia Z5? A: Yes. Flash a stock FTF, then use the built-in SuperSU rooting option. For newer root methods (Magisk), flash a patched boot image via fastboot instead. Flashtool 0.9.23.2
A: There is a .jar version for Linux, but it requires manual driver setup via udev rules. Most users prefer the Windows version under Wine or a virtual machine. A: Generally, yes, but always exclude the TA
| Feature | 0.9.23.2 | 0.9.38.0 (latest) | |---------|-----------|--------------------| | | No | Yes | | Android 9/10/11 support | No (stops at 7.1.1) | Yes | | Windows 11 compatibility | Poor (needs workaround) | Native | | Flash speed (large system.img) | ~8 MB/s | ~20 MB/s | | FOTAKill error frequency | Low | Moderate | | S1 fastboot protocol | Full support | Partial (removed for security) | | Stable for Xperia Z1-Z5 | Excellent | Good (some regressions) | It may lack modern polish, but it gets