The ZTE Sonata 3 is a budget smartphone that was released in 2016 running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Although it may not be the most powerful or feature-rich device on the market, it still has a loyal user base. However, as time passes, smartphones become obsolete. Manufacturers stop releasing updates for older devices, and eventually, they stop functioning altogether. This is where custom ROMs come in. A custom ROM is essentially a modified version of the device’s operating system that can be installed by users. This allows for greater control over the device, as well as access to new features and improvements over the stock OS. In this article, we’ll go over how to update your ZTE Sonata 3 to Android 13 Tiramisu, a custom ROM based on the latest version of Android, which is Android 10. We’ll cover what Android 13 Tiramisu is, how to prepare your device for the update, and the steps to install the new ROM. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of how to update your ZTE Sonata 3 and enjoy the benefits of Android 13 Tiramisu.
Android 13 Tiramisu is a custom ROM based on Android 10, designed to be faster and more efficient than the stock OS that came with your ZTE Sonata 3. Here are some of the benefits of Android 13 Tiramisu:
- Access to features not available in the stock OS, such as gesture navigation and system-wide dark mode
- Bloatware-free experience
- Improved performance in terms of speed and battery life
- Optimized for gaming and multitasking
- Ability to customize your device’s interface and settings
It’s important to note that installing a custom ROM comes with some risks. The process of unlocking your device’s bootloader and installing a new ROM requires technical knowledge, and if not done properly, it could lead to problems such as a bricked device or even data loss. It’s crucial that you read instructions carefully and follow them closely. There are also risks in terms of security since not all custom ROMs are reliable, and some may contain malware or vulnerabilities. Therefore, it’s essential to download ROMs from trusted sources such as XDA developers or LineageOS. Always back up your data before installing a custom ROM, just in case something goes wrong. Ultimately, if you’re willing to take the risks and put in the effort, updating your ZTE Sonata 3 to Android 13 Tiramisu can be a worthwhile endeavor.
Is Android 13 Tiramisu?
Yes, Android 13 is internally referred to as Tiramisu. This follows the trend of Android development teams using dessert names for their internal project codenames. Android 11 was named “Red Velvet” and Android 12 was named “Snow Cone”.
Before you start the process of updating your ZTE Sonata 3 to Android 13 Tiramisu, there are certain steps you need to take to ensure that nothing goes wrong during the installation process. Here’s what you need to do:
Back up all of your data: This includes contacts, photos, music, and any other important files you have on your device. You can use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or your computer to keep your data safe.
Unlock the bootloader: By default, your device’s bootloader is locked, which means you cannot install custom ROMs. You need to unlock it before you can proceed with the installation process.
Install a custom recovery: A custom recovery is necessary for installing a custom ROM. TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is one of the most popular custom recoveries out there and is compatible with the ZTE Sonata 3.
Download Android 13 Tiramisu and Gapps: Once you’ve unlocked the bootloader and installed a custom recovery, you can download the Android 13 Tiramisu ROM and Google Apps Package (Gapps) from trusted sources such as XDA developers.
It’s important to note that unlocking your device’s bootloader will void your warranty, and some carriers may even refuse to provide support if any issues arise. Make sure you understand the risks before proceeding with this step. Once you’ve completed these preparations, you’re ready to move onto the installation process.
Installing Android 13 Tiramisu
After you’ve completed the preparations, you’re now ready to install Android 13 Tiramisu on your ZTE Sonata 3. Here are the steps involved in the installation process:
- Boot into recovery: To install the custom ROM, you’ll need to boot your device into recovery mode. To do this, press and hold the Power button and Volume Up button simultaneously until you see the ZTE logo appear, then release the Power button but continue holding down the Volume Up button until you see the recovery screen.
- Wipe your current OS: From the recovery menu, select the “Wipe” option and then choose “Advanced Wipe.” From there, select “Dalvik/ART Cache,” “System,” “Data,” and “Cache” and then swipe to wipe these partitions.
- Install Android 13 Tiramisu: Now that your device is wiped, go back to the main recovery menu and select the “Install” option. Navigate to where you downloaded the Android 13 Tiramisu ROM and select it. Swipe to confirm the installation and wait for the process to complete.
- Install Gapps: After installing the custom ROM, you also need to install Gapps if you want to use any Google services on your device. Simply go back to the “Install” menu, navigate to where you downloaded the Gapps package, and select it. Swipe to confirm the installation.
- Reboot your device: Once you’ve installed both Android 13 Tiramisu and Gapps, you can reboot your device. The first boot may take a bit longer than usual, so be patient.
It’s important to note that installing custom ROMs can be risky, and there is always a chance that something could go wrong during the installation process. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully and proceed at your own risk. Additionally, be aware that custom ROMs may not receive regular security updates like official firmware, so you’ll need to keep this in mind if you decide to use Android 13 Tiramisu long-term.
How to install custom ROM for beginners?
Installing a custom ROM for beginners can seem overwhelming, but it’s not too complicated if you follow the steps carefully. Here are the basic steps you need to take:
Step 0: Back up your data. This is an important step before starting the installation. Make a backup of all your data to avoid losing it.
Step 1: Download the correct ROM. First, find the ROM that is compatible with your device model. Choose a reliable website to download the custom ROM from, such as XDA Developers or Android ROMs.
Step 2: Download Gapps or Google Apps. Most custom ROMs do not come with Google apps pre-installed, so you need to download them separately. Choose the correct GApps package for your version of Android and architecture.
Step 3: Booting into TWRP. You need to enter your phone into recovery mode and then boot into TWRP to flash the custom ROM. Learn how to enter recovery mode and TWRP before proceeding with the installation.
Step 4: Installing the Custom ROM. Finally, flash the custom ROM and GApps in TWRP. Reboot your phone and you now have a custom ROM installed on your device.
Follow these steps carefully and your custom ROM installation should be successful.
Conclusion
Updating your ZTE Sonata 3 to Android 13 Tiramisu can be a great way to bring new life to an older smartphone. With new features like gesture navigation and system-wide dark mode, improved performance, and access to the latest version of Android, there are plenty of reasons to consider installing this custom ROM on your device.
However, it’s important to remember that installing custom ROMs carries some risk. If you don’t follow the instructions carefully or something goes wrong during the installation process, you may end up bricking your device. Additionally, custom ROMs may not receive regular security updates, which means that your device could become vulnerable to new threats over time.
If you’re comfortable taking the risk and want to breathe new life into your ZTE Sonata 3, Android 13 Tiramisu is definitely worth considering. Just make sure that you do your research, follow the instructions carefully, and proceed with caution. With some patience and a bit of luck, you could end up with a device that feels brand new again.
