How to Install Android ICS Beta On Sony Xperia Play

This time its Sony that is in the news, as the Sony Developer World has announced that they are going to continue with the update of Android 4.0 in the new beta version of gaming-centric Xperia Play device. With usual installation rules- Sony is suggesting to install Android ICS Beta On Sony Xperia Play only if the customer is “advanced developer” and the Google apps like the Gmail, Google Maps and the Wi-fi won’t be available if you just try to do the surface work with it.

And also one major thing is that the user should unlock the Phone inorder to install, and this also means that the CDMA R800x users i.e., the verizon customers have to work more on it if they want to try the OS before it is officially released.

Follow the steps below to install Android ICS beta on Sony Xperia Play :

Step 1:

Check to see if your Xperia Play is on firmware 4.0.2.A.0.42. If it isn’t, try updating it from Sony’s PC Companion software.

Note that you cannot try out this beta unless you are on the aforementioned firmware.

Step 2:

Unlock your Xperia Plays’ bootloader by following instructions from the official website. [Link]

Step 3:

Download ICS Beta for Xperia Play [Official Webpage] after carefully reading the terms and conditions.

Step 4:

Place the downloaded file in your fastboot directory on your computer and extract the contents of the .zip file using a suitable software (we recommend 7-zip). Fastboot directory will be under the Android SDK directory.

Step 5:

Using fastboot, enter the following commands:

fastboot flash boot ..\Fastboot\Xperia_PLAY_ICS_beta\boot.img

fastboot flash userdata ..\Fastboot\Xperia_PLAY_ICS_beta\userdata.img

fastboot flash system ..\Fastboot\Xperia_PLAY_ICS_beta\system.img

Be sure to replace the bolded text with correct path to each file!

Step 6: 

After flashing is complete, reboot your Xperia Play.

It seems that Sony is trying to take every possible step to keep its customers satisfied, the first step was taken when it announced to bring Andriod 4.0 in its all smartphones of 2011. And we could see this becoming true the release of the first phase of Beta early in the February and the people around the globe glued there eyes for the second phase. And here it is. Now the eyes are on the other leading players of the market( Like LG).

Now the Android ICS Beta On Sony Xperia Play but the update will also be rolled out to the Xperia Arc, Xperia PLAY, Xperia Neo, Xperia Mini, Xperia Mini Pro,  Xperia Pro, Xperia Active and Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman. With the beta version already out, it is just a matter of time before the official Android 4.0 update rolls in.

[ DISCLAIMER: Zuketech Blog will not be held responsible if you lose data or your device gets damaged in the following of this guide. Proceed at your own risk. ]