Sony vendor image is a binary file that contains device-specific firmware from the device vendor, i.e. Sony. This file is sometimes called by the name “AOSP SW binary blob”, too.

This article explains how the vendor image can be reflashed (installed) without reflashing the actual Sailfish OS. This means that you can change the vendor image while keeping your data and apps untouched.

Sony keeps updating the vendor image every now and then. When publishing a Sailfish OS port for a new Xperia device, Jolla tests the functionality with one vendor image and recommends using the tested one. Potential more recent images are usually not tested. However, the community people at the Forum may do so.

The vendor image for Xperia XA2 has been upgraded from version 16 to version 17B in March 2019. This is used in the examples of this document.

How to check the current vendor image on a phone

Checking the current version of the vendor image can be done with the following commands.

• Xperia XA2 and Xperia 10:

  devel-su grep ro.odm.version /odm/build.prop
  

• Xperia 10 III, Xperia 10 IV, and Xperia 10 V:

  devel-su grep ro.odm.version /odm/etc/build.prop
  

We do not have the command for Xperia 10 II.

Upgrading the vendor image

1. Download the zipped vendor image file to your Sailfish OS installation directory (where you flashed your phone).
2. Unzip it there. The resulting file is “SW_binaries_for_Xperia_Android_*.img”
3. Connect your Xperia to a USB2 port of your computer (pressing the Vol Up button at the same time) so that the blue indicator light gets lit on the Xperia.
4. Give the following command (it is good for all Xperia models).

fastboot flash oem_a <filename>

Example: Xperia XA2

1. Download the zipped vendor image file v17B to your Sailfish X flashing directory. It has the name “SW_binaries_for_Xperia_Android_8.1.6.4_r1_v17B_nile.zip”.
2. Unzip it there. The resulting file is “SW_binaries_for_Xperia_Android_8.1.6.4_r1_v17_nile.img”
3. Connect your XA2 to a USB2 port.
4. Give the following command

fastboot flash oem_a SW_binaries_for_Xperia_Android_8.1.6.4_r1_v17_nile.img

This is the expected output from the command:

  fastboot flash oem_a SW_binaries_for_Xperia_Android_8.1.6.4_r1_v17_nile.img
  target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
  sending 'oem_a' (210888 KB)...
  OKAY [ 4.885s]
  writing 'oem_a'...
  OKAY [ 0.002s]
  finished. total time: 4.900s

Downgrading the vendor image

Downgrading the vendor image goes in the same way as upgrading - see chapter Upgrading the vendor image above. Just ensure that you use an image officially supported by Jolla. Other combinations have not been tested.

Example: Xperia XA2

You may want to return to the v16 image on the Xperia XA2. Download the v16 image file.

The command to flash it is this:

fastboot flash oem_a SW_binaries_for_Xperia_Android_8.1.6.4_r1_v16_nile.img