There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding the release of the Ice Cream Sandwich, (ICS), update. So lets see if we can clear a few things up.
Please read posts #1 and #2 carefully and thoroughly as they should answer most of your queries.
Is my model of phone eligible for ICS
This thread is only for the Samsung Galaxy SII, GT-i9100, GT-i9100M, GT-i9100P, GT-i9100T, GT-i9100G models. To check your model no:-
Settings > About phone > Model number
I got my phone from XYZ carrier directly but cannot get the XYZ ICS update
It doesn't matter where you bought your phone or what sim card you are using.
What does matter is the CSC code, (Consumer Software Customisation code). To find your CSC code... go to the dial pad and type in...
*#1234#
You will then get a screen showing 4 lines of information, thus:-
PDA refers to the build version of the firmware
Phone refers to the baseband/modem version
CSC is specific to geographical region and carriers. It contains the software packages specific to that region, carrier branding and also APN settings for data connection, MMS etc for your service provider.
Build Info: The time and date of the build you are running.
The CSC code will show if ICS has been released for your phone's software and will look something like this:-
I9100XYZKD1 or I9100MXYZKDI
The important part to determine your eligibility for ICS are the 3 letters after the number... in this case XYZ, (unless you have an M, T, G or P variants. In which case it is the 3 letters after that).
You can now go to post #2 to see if ICS is available via Kies for your CSC code.
For an explanation of Samsung's Firmware codes, see here:-
SamMobile Firmware Page
and here:-
[REF] Samsung letter codes to check firmware compatibility - xda-developers
Of course, the easiest way to determine your eligibility for ICS, is to connect your phone, via USB, to Kies on your PC and check for an update!
To download the latest version of Kies, Samsung's PC Suite, see here:-
Kies Samsung
You may want to read through this excellent post by DaveSyd, entitled, "What to expect upgrading SGS2 to ICS using Kies":-
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ga...hat-expect-upgrading-sgs2-ics-using-kies.html
Problem connecting to Kies
If you experience a problem connecting to Kies then follow this excellent troubleshooting guide by Hawker, entitled... "Advanced steps to take for Kies connection problems", here:-
http://androidforums.com/3254687-post172.html
I have an ABC carrier sim card... why can't I get ICS?
See above.
ICS is available for my code but I cannot update
Provided that your phone has never been rooted, unlocked, flashed or altered in any way, (see next section), then the best advice is to take it to a Samsung Service Point and ask them to update the firmware for you. Alternatively you can use one of the methods described in the following two sections.
It is also emerging that sometimes vendors have been flashing phones with a different firmware prior to sale in an attempt to sell to a wider market and therefore upgrades via Kies are not possible, see next section.
I have rooted/unlocked my phone. Can I get ICS
You will not be able to receive ICS via Kies, the Samsung PC Suite, if you are rooted or changed your firmware/kernel and may receive the message, "YOUR DEVICE DOES NOT SUPPORT SOFTWARE UPGRADING VIA KIES" . There are also reports that people who have had their phones unlocked or repaired at a Service Point and re-flashed with different firmware are unable to receive updates via Kies. You will need to revert back to your original stock firmware. See here:-
[ROM+Guide]Official i9100 Firmwares KL1/2/3/LA2,4/LB2,LPE/Q/7/2 Download - xda-developers
or for carrier firmware, see here:-
[ROMS]Official i9100 carrier branded firmware download for Odin Flash - xda-developers
You could, of course, use the method below.
My firmware is not eligible for ICS yet but I want it now!
You do not have to wait for ICS to be released for your CSC code. You can install, via PC software called Odin, any of the stock Samsung firmwares shown in post #2.
Stock, official, Samsung Galaxy S2 firmwares can be downloaded from SamMobile Firmware Page, after registering, by entering either "i9100, i900M, i9100T, i9100P", in the, "Search device here", box on the page followed by your CSC code, (i9100***). To see all firmware releases for your model of phone, just omit the CSC code.
For step-by-step instructions on installing ICS via Odin, see here:-
How to install Ice Cream Sandwich on your Samsung Galaxy S2 | Reviews | CNET UK
(*** Ignore the ICS file that they suggest you download and use the official firmware mentioned above)
This is for competent users and will void your warranty, if you have one, by flashing any firmware other than that intended for your original CSC code as well as preventing future updates through Kies or Over The Air, (OTA).
When will ICS be available for my CSC code?
That, I'm afraid is the $64, 000 question!
A release of ICS, version LPQ, was released to generic, (unbranded), handsets in Korea, Poland, Sweden and Hungary on the 13th March. This was followed by the UK release of ICS to branded phones on Three and O2 CSC firmware.
A lot more releases are now being made available through Kies and some CSC codes are already on their third and fourth update of ICS and on Android 4.0.4.
In conclusion
Whilst I can understand, all too well, how frustrating this must be for some of you who want to get ICS on to your phone immediately I would strongly urge patience as with any major firmware release there are hold-ups and glitches, particularly when dealing with so many locations and different carriers. I'm sorry to say that all the moaning, whinging, whining and throwing teddy bears out of cots... won't bring it any quicker. Thinking back to previous Android releases, this is no different I'm afraid!
My thanks go to intratech for some of the clarifications.
Please read posts #1 and #2 carefully and thoroughly as they should answer most of your queries.
Is my model of phone eligible for ICS
This thread is only for the Samsung Galaxy SII, GT-i9100, GT-i9100M, GT-i9100P, GT-i9100T, GT-i9100G models. To check your model no:-
Settings > About phone > Model number
I got my phone from XYZ carrier directly but cannot get the XYZ ICS update
It doesn't matter where you bought your phone or what sim card you are using.
What does matter is the CSC code, (Consumer Software Customisation code). To find your CSC code... go to the dial pad and type in...
*#1234#
You will then get a screen showing 4 lines of information, thus:-
PDA refers to the build version of the firmware
Phone refers to the baseband/modem version
CSC is specific to geographical region and carriers. It contains the software packages specific to that region, carrier branding and also APN settings for data connection, MMS etc for your service provider.
Build Info: The time and date of the build you are running.
The CSC code will show if ICS has been released for your phone's software and will look something like this:-
I9100XYZKD1 or I9100MXYZKDI
The important part to determine your eligibility for ICS are the 3 letters after the number... in this case XYZ, (unless you have an M, T, G or P variants. In which case it is the 3 letters after that).
You can now go to post #2 to see if ICS is available via Kies for your CSC code.
For an explanation of Samsung's Firmware codes, see here:-
SamMobile Firmware Page
and here:-
[REF] Samsung letter codes to check firmware compatibility - xda-developers
Of course, the easiest way to determine your eligibility for ICS, is to connect your phone, via USB, to Kies on your PC and check for an update!
To download the latest version of Kies, Samsung's PC Suite, see here:-
Kies Samsung
You may want to read through this excellent post by DaveSyd, entitled, "What to expect upgrading SGS2 to ICS using Kies":-
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ga...hat-expect-upgrading-sgs2-ics-using-kies.html
Problem connecting to Kies
If you experience a problem connecting to Kies then follow this excellent troubleshooting guide by Hawker, entitled... "Advanced steps to take for Kies connection problems", here:-
http://androidforums.com/3254687-post172.html
I have an ABC carrier sim card... why can't I get ICS?
See above.
ICS is available for my code but I cannot update
Provided that your phone has never been rooted, unlocked, flashed or altered in any way, (see next section), then the best advice is to take it to a Samsung Service Point and ask them to update the firmware for you. Alternatively you can use one of the methods described in the following two sections.
It is also emerging that sometimes vendors have been flashing phones with a different firmware prior to sale in an attempt to sell to a wider market and therefore upgrades via Kies are not possible, see next section.
I have rooted/unlocked my phone. Can I get ICS
You will not be able to receive ICS via Kies, the Samsung PC Suite, if you are rooted or changed your firmware/kernel and may receive the message, "YOUR DEVICE DOES NOT SUPPORT SOFTWARE UPGRADING VIA KIES" . There are also reports that people who have had their phones unlocked or repaired at a Service Point and re-flashed with different firmware are unable to receive updates via Kies. You will need to revert back to your original stock firmware. See here:-
[ROM+Guide]Official i9100 Firmwares KL1/2/3/LA2,4/LB2,LPE/Q/7/2 Download - xda-developers
or for carrier firmware, see here:-
[ROMS]Official i9100 carrier branded firmware download for Odin Flash - xda-developers
You could, of course, use the method below.
My firmware is not eligible for ICS yet but I want it now!
You do not have to wait for ICS to be released for your CSC code. You can install, via PC software called Odin, any of the stock Samsung firmwares shown in post #2.
Stock, official, Samsung Galaxy S2 firmwares can be downloaded from SamMobile Firmware Page, after registering, by entering either "i9100, i900M, i9100T, i9100P", in the, "Search device here", box on the page followed by your CSC code, (i9100***). To see all firmware releases for your model of phone, just omit the CSC code.
For step-by-step instructions on installing ICS via Odin, see here:-
How to install Ice Cream Sandwich on your Samsung Galaxy S2 | Reviews | CNET UK
(*** Ignore the ICS file that they suggest you download and use the official firmware mentioned above)
This is for competent users and will void your warranty, if you have one, by flashing any firmware other than that intended for your original CSC code as well as preventing future updates through Kies or Over The Air, (OTA).
When will ICS be available for my CSC code?
That, I'm afraid is the $64, 000 question!
A release of ICS, version LPQ, was released to generic, (unbranded), handsets in Korea, Poland, Sweden and Hungary on the 13th March. This was followed by the UK release of ICS to branded phones on Three and O2 CSC firmware.
A lot more releases are now being made available through Kies and some CSC codes are already on their third and fourth update of ICS and on Android 4.0.4.
In conclusion
Whilst I can understand, all too well, how frustrating this must be for some of you who want to get ICS on to your phone immediately I would strongly urge patience as with any major firmware release there are hold-ups and glitches, particularly when dealing with so many locations and different carriers. I'm sorry to say that all the moaning, whinging, whining and throwing teddy bears out of cots... won't bring it any quicker. Thinking back to previous Android releases, this is no different I'm afraid!
My thanks go to intratech for some of the clarifications.
