Last update 10 MAR 2018
This is a step-by-step guide for absolute beginners. Please read posts #1, #2 and #3 carefully and thoroughly as they will take you through the rooting procedure and answer your queries. Particularly post #3 as this has, "Tips for using this Dummies Guide".
This guide is for rooting the Samsung Galaxy S2, GT-i9100, GT-i9100M, GT-i9100T & GT-i9100P only and no other variant.***
If you are unsure of the model of your phone, go to Settings > About phone > Model number
(*** The Dummies Guide can also be used to root the, "GT-i9100G", on Gingerbread, (only), providing you use the root kernels mentioned in post #2, here)
#1.1. What is rooting?
Rooting gives you, "Superuser", access to your phone and its features. It allows the installation of the latest custom ROM's, kernels, modems, applications and features that are not available to un-rooted phones. All this process does is to replace the stock kernel, that comes with your phone, with a root kernel and does not affect any data stored on the phone. For more information on the advantages of rooting, see here.
#1.2. Is it difficult
That really depends on your ability to read and follow instructions. I would strongly suggest that you read all the links published here, carefully and thoroughly, to help you understand the process before attempting to root your phone. The actual, "flashing", process, post #2, takes about 30 seconds, however, the set-up for this is longer and can be done in advance.
With, currently, over 255,000 views and over 800 posts, we have not lost a man, (or woman), yet!
#1.3. What hardware do I need?
Galaxy S2 GT-i9100/G/M/P/T phone
USB lead that came with the phone.
A Windows PC running, XP, Vista or Windows 7
USB Jig. Although not needed to root your phone some people find it a useful tool for getting rid of the yellow warning triangle at boot-up, (personally I do not bother and it may not work on newer bootloaders), and for resetting your flash counter to potentially avoid voiding your phone's warranty if you flash back to your original firmware in case you need to take it to a service centre. See here.
#1.4. What software do I need?
7-Zip (or similar... WinRAR or WinZip) to extract the .zip files on your PC. Download, here.
Odin. This is the PC programme that will install the rooted kernel to your phone. Unzip the file and run Odin. Download, here.
Samsung Kies. This is a PC Suite for the Galaxy S2. Dowload and install to your PC as you will require the drivers that come bundled with it, to connect your phone to the PC and Odin3.
Download for Windows, here.
When you have downloaded and installed Kies, connect your phone via the USB lead to ensure that it is working. If you encounter any problems connecting your phone to Kies, see this trouble shooting guide, here.
#1.5. The Root Kernel
Kernel. Your choice of Root kernel depends on the Android Version you are running.
Settings > About phone > Android version to determine which firmware you have.
Now, depending on your firmware version, you can download one of the following 3 kernels to root your phone.
(all the following kernels have the, "brick bug", fix where needed)
#1.6. Android Version 2.3.?, Gingerbread
This relies on matching the current kernel you have installed to a CF-Root kernel. To determine your current kernel...
Settings > About phone > Kernel version (make a note of this in case of problems)
Once you have ascertained which kernel version you are currently running you will need to go here.
Search posts #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 and #8 for a CF-Root kernel that comes closest to matching your current kernel, i.e. KG1, KF3, KI1, KK5, LPQ, LPS, etc:
For instance, if you are currently using 2.6.35.7-I9100JPKJ2-CL655700root@DELL143 #2 use CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEF_ KJ2 -v5.0-CWM5.zip. If there is not a kernel which matches the letters and numbers in bold just go one number up from yours.
Extraction for .zip kernel files only.
Download the .zip file to your desktop and unzip it, (To extract the file, just right click on it and select 7-Zip/WinRAR/Winzip and, "Extract here". This extracted file is the one you will need.). This is the .tar file that contains the kernel that will root your phone. To avoid confusion you can now delete the original .zip file that it came with.
#1.7. Android Version 4.0.?, IceCream Sandwich
Download the Siyah v5.0.1 .TAR kernel file and flash via Odin as follows in post #2.
#1.8. Android Version 4.1.2, Jelly Bean.
Download the Siyah v6.0beta5 .TAR kernel file and flash via Odin as follows in post #2.)
Continued in next post...
ironass motto... "Flash in haste... repent at leisure"
This is a step-by-step guide for absolute beginners. Please read posts #1, #2 and #3 carefully and thoroughly as they will take you through the rooting procedure and answer your queries. Particularly post #3 as this has, "Tips for using this Dummies Guide".
This guide is for rooting the Samsung Galaxy S2, GT-i9100, GT-i9100M, GT-i9100T & GT-i9100P only and no other variant.***
If you are unsure of the model of your phone, go to Settings > About phone > Model number
(*** The Dummies Guide can also be used to root the, "GT-i9100G", on Gingerbread, (only), providing you use the root kernels mentioned in post #2, here)
#1.1. What is rooting?
Rooting gives you, "Superuser", access to your phone and its features. It allows the installation of the latest custom ROM's, kernels, modems, applications and features that are not available to un-rooted phones. All this process does is to replace the stock kernel, that comes with your phone, with a root kernel and does not affect any data stored on the phone. For more information on the advantages of rooting, see here.
#1.2. Is it difficult
That really depends on your ability to read and follow instructions. I would strongly suggest that you read all the links published here, carefully and thoroughly, to help you understand the process before attempting to root your phone. The actual, "flashing", process, post #2, takes about 30 seconds, however, the set-up for this is longer and can be done in advance.
With, currently, over 255,000 views and over 800 posts, we have not lost a man, (or woman), yet!
#1.3. What hardware do I need?
Galaxy S2 GT-i9100/G/M/P/T phone
USB lead that came with the phone.
A Windows PC running, XP, Vista or Windows 7
USB Jig. Although not needed to root your phone some people find it a useful tool for getting rid of the yellow warning triangle at boot-up, (personally I do not bother and it may not work on newer bootloaders), and for resetting your flash counter to potentially avoid voiding your phone's warranty if you flash back to your original firmware in case you need to take it to a service centre. See here.
#1.4. What software do I need?
7-Zip (or similar... WinRAR or WinZip) to extract the .zip files on your PC. Download, here.
Odin. This is the PC programme that will install the rooted kernel to your phone. Unzip the file and run Odin. Download, here.
Samsung Kies. This is a PC Suite for the Galaxy S2. Dowload and install to your PC as you will require the drivers that come bundled with it, to connect your phone to the PC and Odin3.
Download for Windows, here.
When you have downloaded and installed Kies, connect your phone via the USB lead to ensure that it is working. If you encounter any problems connecting your phone to Kies, see this trouble shooting guide, here.
#1.5. The Root Kernel
Kernel. Your choice of Root kernel depends on the Android Version you are running.
Settings > About phone > Android version to determine which firmware you have.
Now, depending on your firmware version, you can download one of the following 3 kernels to root your phone.
(all the following kernels have the, "brick bug", fix where needed)
#1.6. Android Version 2.3.?, Gingerbread
This relies on matching the current kernel you have installed to a CF-Root kernel. To determine your current kernel...
Settings > About phone > Kernel version (make a note of this in case of problems)
Once you have ascertained which kernel version you are currently running you will need to go here.
Search posts #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 and #8 for a CF-Root kernel that comes closest to matching your current kernel, i.e. KG1, KF3, KI1, KK5, LPQ, LPS, etc:
For instance, if you are currently using 2.6.35.7-I9100JPKJ2-CL655700root@DELL143 #2 use CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEF_ KJ2 -v5.0-CWM5.zip. If there is not a kernel which matches the letters and numbers in bold just go one number up from yours.
Extraction for .zip kernel files only.
Download the .zip file to your desktop and unzip it, (To extract the file, just right click on it and select 7-Zip/WinRAR/Winzip and, "Extract here". This extracted file is the one you will need.). This is the .tar file that contains the kernel that will root your phone. To avoid confusion you can now delete the original .zip file that it came with.
#1.7. Android Version 4.0.?, IceCream Sandwich
Download the Siyah v5.0.1 .TAR kernel file and flash via Odin as follows in post #2.
#1.8. Android Version 4.1.2, Jelly Bean.
Download the Siyah v6.0beta5 .TAR kernel file and flash via Odin as follows in post #2.)
Continued in next post...
ironass motto... "Flash in haste... repent at leisure"
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