[How To] Update Nexus S to Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.x)
December 17, 2011 44
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You may have heard Google is rolling out Ice Cream Sandwich to GSM/UMTS Nexus S devices over the next month. If you are impatient and don’t want to or cannot wait for ICS to hit your Nexus S, there is way to manually update/install Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.x) right now. This guide tells you how.
Disclaimer: This guide is intended as a helpful “how to”. Ashraf and dotTech are not responsible for any gain or loss (including but not limited to bricked devices) incurred as a result of following this guide. Manually update Nexus S to Ice Cream Sandwich at your own risk.
Before we begin
At this moment ICS has only been released for the GSM/UMTS version of Nexus S. It has not been released for the CDMA version of Nexus S (i.e. Nexus S 4G on Sprint). If you try to update your CDMA Nexus S to ICS you will brick it.
Also take note the manual update package is for Nexus S i9020T — the T-Mobile USA version of Nexus S. There are unofficial reports that the update works for i9023 (the Super LCD version of Nexus S); and can work for i9020A (the AT&T/Telus/Koodo Nexus S) by flashing compatible radio files. If you are a brazen fellow you can attempt to update your i9023/i9020A with the T-Mobile ICS package but be warned: You might get a brick.
Note: To flash radio files you need to have an unlocked bootloader. If you don’t have an unlocked bootloader and you don’t want to unlock your bootloader, then don’t flash this update if you have a i9020A. Unlocking your bootloader wipes all data on your phone and may void your warranty.
This guide uses the i9020T manual update package. If you have a i9023 the process is the exact same as the i9020T. If you have a i9020A there is an extra step you need to take which will be mentioned at the end of the guide.
You Might Lose Root
Installing Android updates sometimes leads to loss of root access. This holds true with the ICS update.
Typically root access can be re-gained after Android update. However, the Nexus S ICS update is very new. There isn’t a concrete method to root (yet). So expect to lose root access by manually updating to ICS; and don’t expect to get it back for a few days until Android hackers can figure out a way to reliably get root access for Android 4.x on Nexus S.
I will post a guide on rooting when there is a reliable way to gain root on ICS Nexus S.
Update: Click here to learn how to root Nexus S on Ice Cream Sandwich!
Be Sure You Are On Stock
If you have been modding or installing custom ROMs on your phone, you need to ensure you are on stock Android 2.3.6 before attempting to update to Android 4.x. (Having a rooted Android 2.3.6 is okay.)
If you are unsure, you can check by tapping the Menu button on your homescreen, going to Settings -> About phone, and looking at the “Android version”. If it says 2.3.6 you are most likely on stock and you can skip to the next section of this guide. If it doesn’t say 2.3.6 then you may or may not be on stock. For this latter situation I suggest you flash stock just to avoid issues. Also if you are unsure if you are on stock you should flash stock anyway to avoid issues.
To flash your Nexus S to stock, do the following:
Update: Anyone that has “signature not verified” issue should read comment #12 for directions on how to get around that issue.
- Download Nexus S i9020T Android 2.3.6 package.
- You can download this directly to your phone or to your computer.
- [Optional] Rename the package to “i9020T_2_3_6_Stock”. Make sure the file is named i9020T_2_3_6_Stock.zip — it must be a ZIP file.
- Renaming is optional but it helps keep track of update packages.
- If you downloaded the package on your computer, connect your Nexus S to your computer and transfer the update package to Nexus S’ internal storage.
- [Optional] Make sure the Nexus S is fully charged.
- This step is optional but highly recommended. If your Nexus S runs out of battery during the update you will be short on luck.
- Disconnect the Nexus S from your computer.
- Turn off the Nexus S.
- While the Nexus S is turned off hold the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously until the Nexus S turns on and is in Fastboot Mode. You will know your device is in Fastboot Mode when it says FASTBOOT MODE in red text at the top. Also the screen will list a bunch of information such as HW VERSION, BOOTLOADER VERSION, BASEBAND VERSION, etc.
- While in Fastboot Mode look for where it says RECOVERY. Press the Volume Down button until RECOVERY is highlighted in green (you should only have to press it twice). Then press the Power button.
- Your phone will reboot after which you will be in Recovery Mode, which shows a little green Android buddy and a white triangle with a yellow exclamation mark inside. Hold the Power button while pressing the Volume Up button.
- You should now see blue text at the top of your device’s screen, with the first line saying Android system recover <3e>. Press the Volume Down button once until apply update from /sdcard is highlighted; then press the Power button.
- Now a bunch of files and folders will be listed in blue text. Use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to scroll the list and find the 2.3.6 package you downloaded earlier. If you renamed it like I suggested, look for i9020T_2_3_6_Stock.zip. If you didn’t rename it, look for 1ada25375426.signed-soju-ota-189904.1ada2537.zip. Once you find it, make sure it is highlighted and press the Power button.
- Your device will now automatically install stock Android 2.3.6. Wait for it to do its thing.
- When the install has finished, you will get a message at the bottom of your screen that says Install from sdcard complete. At this time you need to reboot your device — select reboot system now from the top and press the Power button.
- Once the Nexus S has rebooted and you are at the homescreen, double check to make sure you are on Android 2.3.6 (Settings -> About phone). If you are, then you are ready to proceed with the update to Ice Cream Sandwich.
How To Install Ice Cream Sandwich On Nexus S
Update: Anyone that has “signature not verified” issue should read comment #12 for directions on how to get around that issue.
At the time of this writing Google has released Android 4.0.3 for Nexus S. To install Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.x) on your Nexus S, do the following:
- Download Nexus S i9020T Android 4.0.3 package. Update: Now you can get the Nexus S i9020T Android 4.0.4 package which will save you on an incremental upgrade from 4.0.3 -> 4.04.
- You can download this directly to your phone or to your computer.
- [Optional] Rename the package to “i9020T_4_0_3_Stock”. Make sure the file is named i9020T_4_0_3_Stock.zip — it must be a ZIP file.
- Renaming is optional but it helps keep track of update packages.
- If you downloaded the package on your computer, connect your Nexus S to your computer and transfer the update package to Nexus S’ internal storage.
- [Optional] Make sure the Nexus S is fully charged.
- This step is optional but highly recommended. If your Nexus S runs out of battery during the update you will be short on luck.
- Disconnect the Nexus S from your computer.
- Turn off the Nexus S.
- While the Nexus S is turned off hold the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously until the Nexus S turns on and is in Fastboot Mode. You will know your device is in Fastboot Mode when it says FASTBOOT MODE in red text at the top. Also the screen will list a bunch of information such as HW VERSION, BOOTLOADER VERSION, BASEBAND VERSION, etc.
- While in Fastboot Mode look for where it says RECOVERY. Press the Volume Down button until RECOVERY is highlighted in green (you should only have to press it twice.) Then press the Power button.
- Your phone will reboot after which you will be in Recovery Mode, which shows a little green Android buddy and a white triangle with a yellow exclamation mark inside. Hold the Power button while pressing the Volume Up button.
- You should now see blue text at the top of your device’s screen, with the first line saying Android system recover <3e>. Press the Volume Down button once until apply update from /sdcard is highlighted; then press the Power button.
- Now a bunch of files and folders will be listed in blue text. Use the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons to scroll the list and find the 4.0.3 package you downloaded earlier. If you renamed it like I suggested, look for i9020T_4_0_3_Stock.zip. If you didn’t rename it, look for VQ8PQk_V.zip. Once you find it, make sure it is highlighted and press the Power button.
- Your device will now automatically install stock Android 4.0.3. Wait for it to do its thing.
- When the install has finished, you will get a message at the bottom of your screen that says Install from sdcard complete. At this time you need to reboot your device — select reboot system now from the top and press the Power button.
- Once the Nexus S has rebooted you should be at your new homescreen.
- Done.
Extra Steps For i9020A (AT&T/Telus/Koodo Nexus S)
As mentioned earlier i9020A Nexus S devices need to flash radio files after updating to Ice Cream Sandwich using i9020T’s package because i9020A uses different network frequencies.
If you own a i9020A (AT&T/Telus/Koodo Nexus S), after you have updated to ICS using the directions listed above, do the following:
Unlocking Bootloader
- Make sure Nexus S drivers are installed on your computer.
- Install Fastboot and ADB on your computer.
- Shutdown your phone.
- While the Nexus S is turned off hold the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously until the Nexus S turns on and is in Fastboot Mode. You will know your device is in Fastboot Mode when it says FASTBOOT MODE in red text at the top. Also the screen will list a bunch of information such as HW VERSION, BOOTLOADER VERSION, BASEBAND VERSION, etc.
- Connect your Nexus S to your computer.
- Open command prompt on your computer and type “fastboot oem unlock” without the quotes.
- Accept the caution on your Nexus S’s screen.
- Let the device work.
- When it is done boot back into Nexus S until you see the home screen.
Flashing ICS
- Make sure Nexus S drivers are installed on your computer.
- Install Fastboot and ADB on your computer, if you haven’t already.
- Download i9020A radio file and place it on your Nexus S’ internal storage.
- Download custom recovery img on your computer and place it in the same C:\Android folder you placed Fastboot and ADB in.
- Shutdown your phone.
- While the Nexus S is turned off hold the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously until the Nexus S turns on and is in Fastboot Mode. You will know your device is in Fastboot Mode when it says FASTBOOT MODE in red text at the top. Also the screen will list a bunch of information such as HW VERSION, BOOTLOADER VERSION, BASEBAND VERSION, etc.
- Connect your Nexus S from your computer.
- Open command prompt on your computer and type “fastboot flash recovery C:\Android\recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.0-crespo.img” without the quotes.
- Wait for it to do its thing.
- Unplug your Nexus S from your computer.
- Now turn off your Nexus S (select “Power Off” from Fastboot Mode screen).
- Hold the Volume Up and Power buttons to boot into Fastboot Mode.
- Scroll to RECOVERY and press the Power button to select it.
- At the next screen scroll to install zip from sdcard and press the Power button.
- Find the UCKE1-GRJ22-radio-nexuss-unsigned.zip radio file you placed in your Nexus S internal storage. Make sure it is highlighted and press the Power button.
- Confirm you want to do it.
- Let the Nexus S do its thing.
- Once it is done reboot the device and you will be back at your homescreen.
- Done.
If You Have Issues
If you have issues while or after updating to ICS, one of the easiest way to solve issues is to wipe your device clean then try applying the update again. (That means deleting all your data.)
To wipe your device do the following:
- Turn off the Nexus S.
- While the Nexus S is turned off hold the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously until the Nexus S turns on and is in Fastboot Mode. You will know your device is in Fastboot Mode when it says FASTBOOT MODE in red text at the top. Also the screen will list a bunch of information such as HW VERSION, BOOTLOADER VERSION, BASEBAND VERSION, etc.
- While in Fastboot Mode look for where it says RECOVERY. Press the Volume Down button until RECOVERY is highlighted in green (you should only have to press it twice.) Then press the Power button.
- Your phone will reboot after which you will be in Recovery Mode, which shows a little green Android buddy and a white triangle with a yellow exclamation mark inside. Hold the Power button while pressing the Volume Up button.
- You should now see blue text at the top of your device’s screen, with the first line saying Android system recover <3e>. Press the Volume Down button once until wipe data/factory reset is highlighted; then press the Power button.
- Confirm you want to do it.
- Let Nexus S wipe itself.
- Repeat the same process but this time do it with wipe cache partition.
- Now go back to the top of this guide and re-install Ice Cream Sandwich.
Conclusion
Enjoy Ice Cream Sandwich! There are advantages of owning a Nexus device. :-)
[via XDA-Developers]
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![[How To] Root Nexus S on Jelly Bean or Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.x)](http://dottech.org/wp-content/themes/dt/timthumb.php?src=http://dottech.org/wp-content/themes/dt/images/thumbnail.png&w=134&zc=1)
In your disclaimer, I hope you mean you’re NOT responsible for any….
@James: Whoops. You are right. Thanks for catching that. I have fixed it now.
The sad part is I proofread the whole article but still missed that…
Posting this from ICS. So damn cool.
Any way to put ICS on my LG Optimus?
@Emrys: Offically? I doubt LG Optimus will get offical ICS see ing as even the Nexus One is not getting it. There will probably be custom ROMs based on ICS.
Nexus S on Telus here
When I attempt to apply the update in recovery mode, it says that the signature could not be verified and the installation stops. What should I do?
@bob: Try http://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/google_crespo/ZD3PyN0t.zip — it is the full 4.0.3 package, it may get around the signature not being verified issue. Note your data may be wiped after applying that.
@Ashraf:
thanks but it dint help, i tried whole bunch of other update packageS(although same name- SILLY ME ) your version of download has different name and size (160 mb instead of 124 mb for other.) SO THOUGHT OF GIVING IT A TRY.. BUT NO LUCK AGAIN.. ANY SUGGESTION.. THANKS IN ADVANCE
im on koodo canada using nexus s ..base band I9020AUCKF1
I spent all morning trying to get ICS on my Rogers Nexus S I9020 and found a solution to the errors you get when installing.
First, find the stock 2.3.3 ROM and install it through clockwork mod recovery. I did a wipe afterwards, though I’m not 100% sure how necessary it is. I then went into settings>about phone>software update and let it update to 2.3.6. From there, I used the 160 MB link above (http://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/google_crespo/ZD3PyN0t.zip), though again I’m not 100% sure it was necessary. I installed it through the stock recovery feature (Turn phone off, hold volume up and power, go to recovery).
I had to install the radio files from the post, it seems to be working great now!
@Ben:
arent you actually rooting the phone by doing this.. i mean which voids the warranty .. correct me if im wrong.. thanks
@bob and @HIMADRI: It sounds like you need to flash via custom recovery because the signature verification won’t pass.
(The difference between file sizes is because one is an update from 2.3.6 -> 4.0.3 while the other is the full 4.0.3 not an update.)
@Ben: Thanks! That helped me come up with new directions for people have issues.
BTW Is the Rogers the same as i9020T or is it i9020A?
@HIMADRI: No, you don’t need to root. However, you need to unlock your bootloader which may void warranty and wipes all data.
Anyone having the signature could not be verified issue can try the following.
(Note this process requires you to unlock bootloader and that will wipe all your data and may void warranty. As always, try at your own risk
Unlocking Bootloader
Flashing ICS
i9020A Extra Step
Hope that helps. Remember try this at your own risk!
@Ashraf:
Rogers version is i9020a, same freq. as bell/telus/kodoo/at&t.
I followed the instructions to go from stock 2.3.6 to 4.0.3, everything is working perfect, thanks for the great guide.
@Ashraf:
I am stuck on rebooting. After the update is installed and I choose to reboot the system I get a screen full of lows of glowing shapes that fade in and out but it never loads into a home screen. It sits on this screen indefinitely. Any ideas?
@Jay: From the sound it, you are at the boot screen for ICS. The good news is, if you are indeed stuck at the boot screen, that means you probably aren’t hard bricked which means you can probably fix it.
What version of Nexus S do you have? Can you still get into Fastboot Mode and Recovery? My suggestion to you is if you can get into recovery wipe all data then attempt the upgrade process again.
@Steven: Glad to hear it worked for you! You are very welcome :-) Although I can’t take full credit for the guide — it is based off the knowledge gleamed from XDA-Developers.
@Jay: If you still can’t fix it after redoing the update, try looking around at XDA-Developers (http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=880). There are a few threads going on about how to fix bricks.
@Ashraf:
I did go back in and did a recovery wipe on the device and the cache and then it just started working all of a sudden…quite flawlessly! This is freaking amazing! I have the AT&T version BTW, so that’s why I was struggling with whether to do this or not with the different radios, but I’ve got it working!
@Jay: Glad you got it to work! Enjoy ICS and I hope you stick around on dotTech. :-)
@Jay:
I had the same issue, stuck on the boot screen, but a wipe cleared it up. Looks like the wipe is required after loading the full ROM package or flashing the radio.
I’m really enjoying the new update. Everything is so polished. The new launcher, font, folders, keyboard and browser make the OS so much more useable.
@Ashraf
hey followed your steps and got it to work on my nexus i9020A its awesome!!!!!
it works for those using the i9020A on tmobile edge network also which is what im using currently
@Ashraf
Followed your steps and was able to install ICS on my ATT nexus s. Thanks a lot for the comprehensive tips. I am a newbie to unlocking etc but was able to get ICS installed without any issues thanks to you :)
i updated nexus s 2.2.6 to 4.0.3 but internet is not working through sim card but wifi is working tell me how can i solve out it
@Steven: Glad you got it to work :-)
@kevin c: Glad you got it to work :-)
@Ajit: You are welcome!
@bibek: Do you have i9020A? If you do you probably need to flash the radio files as described in the directions above.
thanks for giving a detailed explanation for updating nexus s manually to 4.0.3 ics….i followed all the instructions carefully and updated my nexus s ….after updating,when the phone booted for the first time…it was very slow and used to hang often …nd many times it rebooted itself when i tried to uninstall a pre installed application or try to change phone setting….after messing around with my phone for an hour…it decided to factory reset the phone….so i turned off the phoone and tried to factory reset it from recovery mode but the screen turned black after entering recovery mode ….so the only option was to reset it from phone setting….i did that and after factory reset…every things works smooth…no problems at all….i heard a lot about battery issue….cant tell much bout it coz i jus started only….nywazz thanks for the complete guide..
hey guys I have a nexus s with fido and kinda noob about doing these stuff but from the settings I can tell its i9020A so will this instructions work for my phone?.. Please help me out I am dying to have ICS on my phone.