Xperia Companion not recognizing Z3

[kevlar_heart]

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

[Uliwooly]

@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? 

[kevlar_heart]

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@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? 

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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

[Uliwooly]

@kevlar_heart

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

[kevlar_heart · Accepted solution]

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.

[Uliwooly]

@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. 

[kevlar_heart]

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@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. 

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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."

<should we mark this "closed?">

[Uliwooly]

@kevlar_heart

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

[kevlar_heart]

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

[Uliwooly]

@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.