[Q] S2 Rom supports OTA - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all
I have been wondering how I can tell if the custom or claimed-to-be-official S2 ICS rom supports OTA upgrade?
I know it's perhaps impossible for those custom ones, but the ones I downloaded and flashed that claim 'official', how can I be sure if they supports OTA or not? I am a bit tired of keeping flashing the new versions after all.
Thank you!

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it is strictly connected to your product code and region the ROM was released for - these two things have to match.
You will have OTA update if you're using ROM officially released for the region you have set in your phone. and you will get OTA updates only to other ROMs released for this region. few examples:
1. you have XEO product code and you use ROM officially released for XEO - you will get OTA updates but only to other ROMs released for XEO;
2. you have TWO product code but you have installed ROM released for XEO - you won't have OTA update at all (unless you change your PC according to you ROM release region - to XEO - and then, again, updates will be only to XEO ROMs)
3. you HAD XEO and ROM released for XEO, but for some reason you changed your PC to TWO - you won't have OTA update at all (unless you match your PC with region your ROM was released for again).
so, check your product code and the region your ROM was released for, match them however you want - change ROM or PC - and you will be having OTA updates. remember that changing PC is wiping all your data so do backup.
other thing is that you won't have OTA update if you use custom ROM, custom kernel or in some cases root (depending on the root method. rooting phone without making changes to kernel doesn't stop your device from getting OTA update until you make changes in your system).

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gaeilge said:
it is strictly connected to your product code and region the ROM was released for - these two things have to match.
You will have OTA update if you're using ROM officially released for the region you have set in your phone. and you will get OTA updates only to other ROMs released for this region. few examples:
1. you have XEO product code and you use ROM officially released for XEO - you will get OTA updates but only to other ROMs released for XEO;
2. you have TWO product code but you have installed ROM released for XEO - you won't have OTA update at all (unless you change your PC according to you ROM release region - to XEO - and then, again, updates will be only to XEO ROMs)
3. you HAD XEO and ROM released for XEO, but for some reason you changed your PC to TWO - you won't have OTA update at all (unless you match your PC with region your ROM was released for again).
so, check your product code and the region your ROM was released for, match them however you want - change ROM or PC - and you will be having OTA updates. remember that changing PC is wiping all your data so do backup.
other thing is that you won't have OTA update if you use custom ROM, custom kernel or in some cases root (depending on the root method. rooting phone without making changes to kernel doesn't stop your device from getting OTA update until you make changes in your system).
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Thanks for the detailed response. So I guess I need to get a stock rom for Australia then as I bought the phone and am using it in Australia.
Where I can find it? What's the code for Australia market? XEO is just for Euro, rite?
Thanks!!

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Get the PC version of Checkfus (search for it on here/Google) & download I9100XWLP8/I9100XSALP4/I9100XXLPS/I9100XWLP8 which is an unbranded Australian ICS stock rom. Flash it following the instructions in this thread. You can also download carrier branded ICS stock roms with Checkfus if that's your preference.

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MistahBungle said:
Get the PC version of Checkfus (search for it on here/Google) & download I9100XWLP8/I9100XSALP4/I9100XXLPS/I9100XWLP8 which is an unbranded Australian ICS stock rom. Flash it following the instructions in this thread. You can also download carrier branded ICS stock roms with Checkfus if that's your preference.
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Thanks!
a few more questions:
1. How can I tell a ROM definitely supports OTA before I install it?
2. How can change my s2 region code to match the ROM's in order to get OTA working again?
3. what's the real difference between carrier branded rom and unbranded ones? e.g. is it better to use say telstra branded rom?

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1. Be sure that ROM was released for the region/carrier which fits product code set in your phone - it's always written in ROM info on any download page I know. you may also adapt product code in your phone later, to fit the ROM you wish to use (in case you insist on FOTA/Kies updates).
2. *#272*IMEI# changes your product code. Remember that it wipes all your data.
3. Branded FW may include additional apps but also lot of operator's useless trash. Personally I never use branded ROMs and always suggest debranding. Check thread about chosen ROM for more info.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

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gaeilge said:
1. Be sure that ROM was released for the region/carrier which fits product code set in your phone - it's always written in ROM info on any download page I know. you may also adapt product code in your phone later, to fit the ROM you wish to use (in case you insist on FOTA/Kies updates).
2. *#272*IMEI# changes your product code. Remember that it wipes all your data.
3. Branded FW may include additional apps but also lot of operator's useless trash. Personally I never use branded ROMs and always suggest debranding. Check thread about chosen ROM for more info.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Thanks, Re #2, it seems strange that although I never used that command to change my code, only flashed a stock rom issued for another region a while ago, now the checkfus says my handset's the regional code that fits this new rom, other than the supposed-to-be australian one.
Is this normal? So the flashing process can actually alter the phone prod. region code without warning me?

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Theoretically it shouldn't but s... happens. If you were flashing ROMs in which your product code wasn't available then it could adjust itself. Mostly I've seen situations when after such an ROM update, PC just wasn't available for change but it stayed the same as it was. On the second hand I've also heard about few cases like yours. Anyway, are you sure about your original PC if you never used this code option? Maybe originally it was different than you think it ought to be?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

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You can also try www.sammobile.com for stock firmware. Just make sure that you input your device and region correctly
Edit : and you'll have to flash through odin
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

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gaeilge said:
Theoretically it shouldn't but s... happens. If you were flashing ROMs in which your product code wasn't available then it could adjust itself. Mostly I've seen situations when after such an ROM update, PC just wasn't available for change but it stayed the same as it was. On the second hand I've also heard about few cases like yours. Anyway, are you sure about your original PC if you never used this code option? Maybe originally it was different than you think it ought to be?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse
Strange!
1. I use *#1234# command and found my rom info is I9100ZSLPG, which is for the region Hongkong - TGY
2. then I use *#272*imei#* (Product code) to check my phone's current CSC, which is shown already 'TGY'.
Now my question is, why my phone still can't get any OTA update?
Any other bit not matched? How to check if any?
Thanks.