Doubtless this is answered over several dozen technical threads so apologies if you deem this replication, but...
What are my options for getting Samsung's TouchWiz version of Ice Cream Sandwich on my S2 at this point?
Is it available to download and flash? I would want as official and safe as possible.
If so, what is the process? Where can I find info etc?
Thanks for the help.
robertandrews said:
Doubtless this is answered over several dozen technical threads so apologies if you deem this replication, but...
What are my options for getting Samsung's TouchWiz version of Ice Cream Sandwich on my S2 at this point?
Is it available to download and flash? I would want as official and safe as possible.
If so, what is the process? Where can I find info etc?
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the stickies in this forum.
These are custom ROMs. There are also factory ICS ROMs available from sammobile.com
And yes, your question has been posted and answered multiple times before.
Look through sammobile.com, read everything.
Or try Google...
I think this thread is what you are looking for
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1544487
Check and YouTube also.
Thanks. So basically, I'm not seeing an unbranded, UK version of Samsung ICS for my phone.
Simply not yet available?
robertandrews said:
Thanks. So basically, I'm not seeing an unbranded, UK version of Samsung ICS for my phone.
Simply not yet available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Official versions of firmware generally disseminate via carriers. I doubt you can get an unbranded official firmware. But it's not like the brand shows up in the firmware, your best bet is to flash the brand that was originally associated with your phone, if you want official. That way your warranty's intact. For example, if you got your phone from Orange, flash the ICS that came from Orange...there won't be an Orange logo anywhere in it.
If you're looking for 'official' and if it's not @sammobile.com, it doesn't exist...and there's been plenty of time that's passed.
robertandrews said:
Thanks. So basically, I'm not seeing an unbranded, UK version of Samsung ICS for my phone.
Simply not yet available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct so far networks released first .
O2 is probably the cleanest UK branded firmware .
Yes ten million UK XDA users are running ICS from the posted threads .
jje
Related
I have an unlocked, SG2 on O2 contract from phones4U.
my phone says that I have Android version 2.3.3 installed.
(I searched for updates the day I got the phone, last thursday and installed the update it found, this took me up to 2.3.3 from 2.2.2 I think.)
When I look now, there are no updates available.
I see some people have 2.3.4 or even 2.3.5? why is that?
What is the latest version available for UK unlocked SG2s?
thanks.
If you read the forums you will see the solution .
One you get an update when O2 update or phones 4u .
Two alternatives are unofficial updates that may break your warranty .
jje
Like JJe said i agree with him.
Now if you are into rooting and want to try the latest firmware that comes with the roms go for it..
But you will lose your warranty and do your research first before you go ahead and root your phone....there is always way round unrooting and keeping your warranty but if you dont mind and you know what your doing go ahead and root and enjoy the goodies in custom roms..
im using VR 3.0 and before that batista rom and they are good as gold..
if you need any help just give me a shout
Thanks for the replies guys, but what I'm asking is which firmware version should I have, is 2.3.3 the most recent available in the UK without rooting and installing a custom rom etc.
If so, I will wait for an update from O2.
cheers.
CarsnGadgets said:
Thanks for the replies guys, but what I'm asking is which firmware version should I have, is 2.3.3 the most recent available in the UK without rooting and installing a custom rom etc.
If so, I will wait for an update from O2.
cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without asking each provider what is your latest firmware its impossible to tell .
The providers roms post in dev section may give a better clue .
Probable any upgrades in the pipeline will be replaced by the new 2.3.5 .
jje
if you stay on official carrier firmware through kies, you'll always have the most uptodate version for your carrier. it will be months behind what'ss available through unofficial methods
CarsnGadgets said:
Thanks for the replies guys, but what I'm asking is which firmware version should I have, is 2.3.3 the most recent available in the UK without rooting and installing a custom rom etc.
If so, I will wait for an update from O2.
cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2.3.3 is the most recent official firmware at the moment in uk
JJEgan said:
If you read the forums you will see the solution .
One you get an update when O2 update or phones 4u .
Two alternatives are unofficial updates that may break your warranty .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cant you just re flash back to stock and your warranty should be fine? or can they tell your phone has been non stock in the past?
Hi guys,
This may be an absolute stupid question about firmwares but I don't understand why some people are able to updated to 2.3.4 or even 2.3.5 whereas my O2 branded handset is so far behind and is only on 2.3.3 and KE7
Anyone know why and how these firmware gets rolled out to different phones/providers?
Different firmwares for different regions. You can always flash a firmware of different region which may be 2.3.5, when your country/carrier might not have the latest one available.
Like, I am in India, using KI4 2.3.5, which is an European ROM as my country doesn't have the latest ROM available yet, officially.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
tonynz said:
Hi guys,
This may be an absolute stupid question about firmwares but I don't understand why some people are able to updated to 2.3.4 or even 2.3.5 whereas my O2 branded handset is so far behind and is only on 2.3.3 and KE7
Anyone know why and how these firmware gets rolled out to different phones/providers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid if you want to wait for official O2 updates via Kies then you'll be in for a long wait my friend.
If you want the latest and greatest firmwares then I would suggest you read the 1st 3 posts of Intratech's thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278.
Then read them again and then read them again! It's not as complicated as some make out.
Then decide if you want to take the plunge and take control of your own updates using Odin. I was a total noob and did it and I now now flash the latest firmware as soon as the legend that is Intratech posts them.
You can also get rid of the O2 branding if you want to.
Alternatively you can get the latest O2 branded firmware from Intratech's thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113928 but that's so far behind it's almost embarassing.
tacgls said:
I'm afraid if you want to wait for official O2 updates via Kies then you'll be in for a long wait my friend.
If you want the latest and greatest firmwares then I would suggest you read the 1st 3 posts of Intratech's thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278.
Then read them again and then read them again! It's not as complicated as some make out.
Then decide if you want to take the plunge and take control of your own updates using Odin. I was a total noob and did it and I now now flash the latest firmware as soon as the legend that is Intratech posts them.
You can also get rid of the O2 branding if you want to.
Alternatively you can get the latest O2 branded firmware from Intratech's thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113928 but that's so far behind it's almost embarassing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, I used to have it updating via Odin but decided to go back to the Kies route to wait for the official upgrades. Silly move by me.
I'll update it to 2.3.5 tonight - thanks
It'll be like having a new phone coming from KE7.
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
Hey guys ive had this phone for a good while now, i keep hearing people upgrading their phones to this version and that... and now i see people upgrading "officially" to ICS android, how come that everytime i check samsung skies it says my phone is up to date with android version 2.3.4?
Are these updates trully official? My phone is unlocked so thats not an issue, i feel like ive been missing out alot of stuff :\
Any info regarding this is welcome with my best regards.
why not dl any of official rooms like LP7/8 n flash with odin ?
There is probably not an official ICS release for your carrier or region and there hasn't been an update since GB 2.3.4, you aren't alone in this Bell Canada hasn't ever updated their phones via Kies from 2.3.3 and likely never will, this doesn't prevent you from using Odin to upgrade from GB to ICS, if you do it with an official version you wont end up rooted and you wont increase your counter, it may be quicker to do this instead of waiting, you can always go back and upgrade via Kies if/when your carrier/region receives an official update.
2.3.4 is the latest GB version for unlocked S2's in the UK. Samsung have realeased ICS to the mobile operators first. Their reason for not releasing it for unlocked phones yet is that they need all the mobile operators to verify it works on their networks. Seems reasonable to me.
You can always root and install one of the many ICS custom roms that are already available. Personally, I've tried a couple but will be sticking with GB for the time being. It's faster and has better battery life for me.
HTH
Maybe because you live in Outer Mongolia or you have a special version of the SGSII.
You need to give a bit more detail of your country, the model and the firmare.
Settings -> About phone
Model Number?
Bseband version?
Kernel version?
Build version?
You say that the phone is unlocked, was it locked to a network or has it always been unlocked?
Hey guys thanks a bunch for all your replies, i live in Portugal and my samsung galaxy s2 is unlocked, i find it quite shocking that UK is facing the exact same problem... maybe i should get it rooted on this current version? will i loose warranty if i do that?
Ive got the exact same problem except mine was bought from Greece. This blows.
TheWarKeeper said:
Hey guys thanks a bunch for all your replies, i live in Portugal and my samsung galaxy s2 is unlocked, i find it quite shocking that UK is facing the exact same problem... maybe i should get it rooted on this current version? will i loose warranty if i do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what you want http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1544487
Top download no rooting or voided warrenty, search for instructions on flashing.
Ics its not stable and battery friendly as gb YET, there are many wonderfull gb roms and rock solid.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
narcosis34 said:
Ics its not stable and battery friendly as gb YET, there are many wonderfull gb roms and rock solid.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats just hearsay people have all sorts of weird issues with their phones all the time that make me scratch my head as mine works perfectly it did on GB and works just as good performance and battery wise with ICS.
tazer4 said:
This is what you want http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1544487
Top download no rooting or voided warrenty, search for instructions on flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the info, ive been reading a bit of that thread but i would like an official version of ICS for portugal ill let it get more stable too, i really dont want to format my phone just to switch back because of some issues ppl report with some of those versions but thanks anyways.
I guess samsung galaxy s2 newer firmwares are not released yet to europe, imo samsung should have done more with a phone of this performance... and price.
dont bring whole europe into it
its specific parts that dont have it yet. uk unlocked is already out few days back.
get checkfus download to see when you get official ICS for your region.
sammobile too
I have a new unbranded Samsung Galaxy S2 from Carphone Warehouse on Orange.
Baseband: I9100XXLPS
Kernel: 3.0.15-I9100XWLP7
Build No: IML74K.XWLP7
It came with Gingerbread 2.3.4 and I loved it. Having plugged it into Kies for the first time and accepted the software update it is now on ICS 4.0.3. I like absolutely nothing about this version and have tried to roll back to GB 2.3.4 using Odin and the link to my version of CPW firmware from skywanker.net. I was under the impression because the phone came with 2.3.4, the flash would roll back to this but it hasn’t. It is still on 4.0.3. and having now found my way to the new list of firmware on Android.firmwares.net I can see that it lists this download as 4.0.3.
Can someone please tell me how I can find a GB 2.3.4 suitable for my CPW XXLPS phone so I can roll back to the stock version it came with?
It is not rooted. I don’t want to root it I just want it as it was out the box and still under warranty!
Please help. I have spent literally days and days trying to find this answer after having plucked up the courage to flash my phone with Odin and I am so disappointed that all I’ve done it put 4.0.3 back on it!
I have spoken to CPW, Orange, Samsung and CPWs Geek Squad and come up blank!
Thank you ;o)
Tried samfirmware.com ?
Thanks for such a quick reply B3311. I've looked up the firmware for my PDA at samfirmware and it is also showing as ICS 4.0.3. This is what I find so confusing. My phone shipped with GB 2.3.4 so why can't I find that anywhere to download and roll back?! Any other suggestions?
http://www.hotfile.com/dl/150009521/71118c0/I9100XWKI4_I9100XEUKH2_XEU.zip.html
you could try this one. official 2.3.4 filed under europe, united kingdom/ireland.
or this one europe, open europe official 2.3.4 firmware
http://hotfile.com/dl/145783246/da10e07/I9100XXKH1.zip.html
Search again at sammobile, you will find the 2.3.4, if you can't search, no one can help.
Hint: Look in Europe
Don't forget to wipe
Before and after flashing.
Look at 2.3.6 aswell if you want.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Will these downloads be compatible with my phone and if I load them would they void the warranty? If anything goes wrong could I just load the 4.0.3 again via Odin? Sorry for so many questions but I have no experience of this sort of thing. I don't even download apps to use - I just like the standard stock function of the phone - or rather I did before ICS!
yeah i understand what you mean ics is pritty buggy and not as good as gb yeah they should work just fine like anything to do with flashing tho its not 100% safe. just download and flash away but take your time
Flashing stock, unrooted firmware will not void your warranty.
May be worth knowing that 2.3.4 is an older version of GB. 2.3.5 and 2.3.6 are newer, and "better" (IMO).
I'm on 2.3.6, and have no intention of moving (I will not call it "upgrading") to ICS until I get the SGS3 next month.
ratdroid said:
Will these downloads be compatible with my phone and if I load them would they void the warranty? If anything goes wrong could I just load the 4.0.3 again via Odin? Sorry for so many questions but I have no experience of this sort of thing. I don't even download apps to use - I just like the standard stock function of the phone - or rather I did before ICS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it depends you flash the same FW, if your dealer finds the firmware version on the phone is not the same when it was supplied , they may deney waranty...so its upto you to find the exact version and flash...
wrong....if some thing went really wrong and gone to unrecoverable stage you cant load 4.0.3 back
Normally there is nothing going wrong if you have followed the steps correctly and carefully....
atifsh said:
Search again at sammobile, you will find the 2.3.4, if you can't search, no one can help.
Hint: Look in Europe
Don't forget to wipe
Before and after flashing.
Look at 2.3.6 aswell if you want.
Sent from my GT-I9100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I've been doing for the last 7 days is searching, searching, searching. I can assure you I have tried to sort this problem out before posting here so please don't suggest that I can't search! Just because my level of expertise in all this is zero - doesn't mean I'm not tyring to learn and help myself!
I am not one to customise the phone so I am very wary of what I am doing to it. I am trying to ensure that I don't make matters worse for myself. I had searched samfirmware according to the criteria of my phone that they requested and it returned only the 4.0.3 option.
I have now found the list for older firmware and can see that there are some 2.3.X under Europe, but my next question is - how safe is this to use with my phone. I was under the impression from the XDA guidelines for flashing with Odin that you should only use firmware that is compatible with your own PDA, Phone and CSC. Will it void the warranty if I put something for Europe on there or cause issues with the function of the phone?
Also - I'm afriad I don't know what you mean by "wipe" the phone. Do you mean do a factory reset?
Go here and find GB Version you wanted.
http://samsung-updates.com/gt-i9100-galaxy-sii/
Thanks for everyone's input so quickly!
I've had a good look at the list on Samfirmware and I'm guessing my best option is to try the one for GB 2.3.6 for UK (Orange). I will give it a go.... watch this space!
angelshie said:
Go here and find GB Version you wanted.
http://samsung-updates.com/gt-i9100-galaxy-sii/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That link provides a very comprehensive list of firmware for my version of phone, but still not the GB 2.3.4 it was shipped with! This is exactly why I'm so confused; I just find it so odd that there is no way to find the orignal firmware for this PDA. Does anyone know if this a common thing with Samsung phones and firmware?
jonnyhall1bmx1 said:
yeah i understand what you mean ics is pritty buggy and not as good as gb yeah they should work just fine like anything to do with flashing tho its not 100% safe. just download and flash away but take your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I keep kicking myself for allowing the update to run! I'm just not up to speed with smartphone tech I'm afraid, but I never allow major updates onto my computer until they've been around a while and all the bugs fixed which is why I am so angry with myself for not being clued up on ICS!
If I'd known about the ICS changes, I'd have stuck with GB for the cute android emoticons in SMS alone ICS has really mucked up my phone and the way I use it. I have no idea what possessed them to release firmware that has removed such useful basic functionality from so many everyday things. And as for the signal and battery problems - that's a rant for other existing threads!!!
I had an intereseting convesation with Samsung Tech though - it seems they are very aware just how buggy ICS is and the issues it's causing as they told me I'd have to send my phone back for a hardware repair if the battery life didn't improve. If this rollback doesn't work I can only hope they release a fix very quickly.
The GB 2.3.6 is slowly downloading so hopefully I’ll be able to give it a go later today. Doesn’t help that I live in the middle of the Fens in Huntingdonshire so am surrounded by beautiful country but only 2mb broadband. AGH!!! Some days I really miss cable
Disaster! Got GB 2.3.6 OK - but it's all "orangified"! Should have realised that but thought because I'm on orange that would be the right one. So now I'm downloading the 2.3.4 for UK / Ireland as orignally suggested by jonnyhall1bmx1. I'm hoping this one will be totally open and not linked to any carrier.
See what happens when I let my brain get involved!!!
ratdroid said:
Disaster! Got GB 2.3.6 OK - but it's all "orangified"! Should have realised that but thought because I'm on orange that would be the right one. So now I'm downloading the 2.3.4 for UK / Ireland as orignally suggested by jonnyhall1bmx1. I'm hoping this one will be totally open and not linked to any carrier.
See what happens when I let my brain get involved!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
since your phone is already unbranded, no need to be on a carrier ROM, search for XWLA2 or XWLA4 which is the latest versions of 2.3.6, may be released for some country name (italy ) doesnt matter...
Good for you that you search, I don't intend to make fun or insult, just that search function works and it's better to get some knowledge before hand instead of relying 100 percent on others.
Now, yes flashing using Odin is safe, as you have experienced now. La2 is the best I found and I always go back to it when required.
Yes wipe means to clean data cache.
Wiping do erase your stored files on internal storage. So remember this.
Always good to do this after and before every flash.
Dial code to wipe *2767*3855#
Sent from my GT-I9100
Try this tutorial:
http://androidadvices.com/update-samsung-galaxy-s2-gt-i9100-gingerbread-xxkg1-234-firmware/
If you want to go to 2.3.6, read this post:
http://www.androidquestions.org/thr...ght-Can-t-browse-without-WIFI?p=1264#post1264
Rob.
(a newbie)
Well I'm absolutely delighted to report that the last firmware flash has done the trick. I'm back onto GB 2.3.4 and all the functionality that I liked is back and the battery and signal strength already improved. What a huge relief! Thanks to everyone who posted here to help me. This is a great forum and it has encouraged me to be more confident with my phone and its functionality in the future.
I sincerely hope this thread will help others out there to rollback from ICS if they have the same issues I did. Ciao for now folks.
Hi,
I would like to thanks to all contributors to this thread.
I also want to rollback to 2.3.6 from 4.0.3 and I own an orange branded galaxy s2.
I've found the necessary firmware from sites posted here (I9100BVKL1_I9100OROKL1_I9100BVKL1_HOME.tar.md5).
Also, I've understood that I need only Odin for this operation.
I would like to have just a confirmation from you guys, if the method mentioned here works in the same way on branded galaxies (orange specifically).
Thank you,
HI guys I lost my original Samsung gs3 stock rom, when I flashed a new Rom "checkrom evo v6" I'm a novice in operating android phones, I didn't have a clue about backing up and my warranty being void by customizing my phone. I have searched every website with the hope of downloading stock rom related to my phone to no avail.I'm in desperate need of having my phone unrooted and going back to the way it was. Pls respond in layman terms
chucky17ng said:
HI guys I lost my original Samsung gs3 stock rom, when I flashed a new Rom "checkrom evo v6" I'm a novice in operating android phones, I didn't have a clue about backing up and my warranty being void by customizing my phone. I have searched every website with the hope of downloading stock rom related to my phone to no avail.I'm in desperate need of having my phone unrooted and going back to the way it was. Pls respond in layman terms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depending on your carrier/country, you may find what you are looking for here: at sammobile.
Sorry, I am newly registered here so cannot yet post links, so here is the butchered version wwwDOTsammobileDOTcomSLASHfirmwareSLASH
Red Hal said:
Depending on your carrier/country, you may find what you are looking for here: at sammobile.
Sorry, I am newly registered here so cannot yet post links, so here is the butchered version wwwDOTsammobileDOTcomSLASHfirmwareSLASH
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response, first my region is ireland, and I did check Sammobile, the firmware link on the website seem to be for registered members only. Tried registering several times but for some strange reason it keeps failing. I would like to know if I could do same download through Samsung kiers and the difference between a stock Rom and a stock firmware? Thanks
chucky17ng said:
Thanks for your response, first my region is ireland, and I did check Sammobile, the firmware link on the website seem to be for registered members only. Tried registering several times but for some strange reason it keeps failing. I would like to know if I could do same download through Samsung kiers and the difference between a stock Rom and a stock firmware? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is the name of your Irish provider?
gee2012 said:
What is the name of your Irish provider?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the 3IE network, and running the jellybean 4.1.1, I've it unlocked all these before I rooted my device.
Both 4.1.2 and 4.1.1 (and everything before that) are available on SamMobile for your phone.
I still can't post links so you'll have to de-butcher this, but that'll take you to a listing of firmwares for your country/carrier. Choose the one you want!
wwwDOTsammobileDOTcom/firmware/?page=3&model=GT-I9300&pcode=3IE&os=1&type=1#firmware
Sorry chucky17ng, I didn't read your post properly. For your purposes there is no practical difference between "firmware" and "ROM". And no, if you have rooted then Kies will bomb out saying your device has been modified.
Your best bet is to grab the firmware once your registration goes through (or source it somewhere else), drop the file onto your phone, then flash it with mobile Odin.
There are other ways, but I know that one works.
chucky17ng said:
I'm on the 3IE network, and running the jellybean 4.1.1, I've it unlocked all these before I rooted my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
brother download here and flash via odin, be happy.
http://www.hotfile.com/dl/188225509/ea568b6/I9300XXELL4_I93003IEELL1_3IE.zip.html