Until Sony decides to adorn your Xperia Z3 with the beautiful Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, here is how to do it manually. Very close to AOSP, this unofficial CyanogenMod 12.1 custom firmware is based on the latest Lollipop version. Follow this guide to flash CM12.1 on Xperia Z3.

-Also, read: Galaxy S6 edge Tips to Help You Take the Best Out of Your Curved Phone

Prerequisites to flash CM12.1 on Xperia Z3:

Backup any important datafrom your Sony Xperia Z3 as a complete wipe will be required during the flashing process.Make sure ADB and Fastboot is configured on your PC.Sony Xperia Z3 must berooted with unlocked bootloader and installed with a recovery tool.Your device must be charged to at least 60% of power.

Note:this is a nightly version and while developer is calling it bug-free, please be careful if you aren't very familiar with custom firmwares in beta.

How to flash CM12.1 on Xperia Z3:

Required files: downloadCM12.1 Android 5.1.1 Lollipop custom firmware for Xperia Z3 fromhereand save it on your computer. Extract boot.imgfile separately.

Connect your Xperia Z3 to your computer using a USB cable and copy the zip file to your phone memory's root folder.Copy the boot.imgfile toandroid-sdk-windows\platform-tools directory.Switch off your Xperia Z3 and enter Bootloader mode: press and hold theVolume Upbutton while connecting the phone with USB cable. Phone LED will turn blue indicating the Bootloader mode.Once in the Fastboot mode, on your PC navigate toandroid-sdk-windows\platform-toolsdirectory and open Command Prompt with Shift + Right-click > Open Command Prompt.Typethe following command and press Enter:fastboot flash boot boot.imgType the command and press Enter:fastboot rebootEnter in the Recovery Mode: switch onthe phone while pressing the Volume Upbutton a few times.Wipe data task: from CWM recovery menu, selectwipe data / factory resetand confirm the process.Also clean cache fromwipecache partition.From recovery menu, selectinstall zip from sdcardfollowed bychoose zip from sdcard.Locate the CM12.1Android 5.1.1 Lollipopcustom firmware and confirm the flashing process.Once done, return back to main recovery menu and reboot yourinto the new custom ROM.First boot takes a good 5 minutes so please be patient.

Enjoy the latest version oflollipop on your Xperia Z3.