hello... I'm new... help...

[OptiC-ShotS]

SO000... im getting the Galaxy s2 next week for T-Mobile.. and i would like to know if their is a rooting guide for the current Android version? Which i believe is 4.0.3? idk.. I'm trying to read up on this phone and I'm lost... I need a link to the guide please... Thanks in advance!! uke::vroam:

 

[Atma]

Hi Optic. I searched for a guide but I couldn't find one I liked so I put this one together for you.

This is for the T-Mobile Galaxy S2 SGH-T989 phone ONLY.

This will void your warranty. Proceed at your own risk.

That said, this is pretty simple, but read through it carefully before you begin.

Make sure on your phone USB Debugging is checked in Settings > Developer Options

Make sure your phone is charged. After you plug in the USB cable in step 2, put your phone down and don't touch it. Losing power or a loose USB cable during installation could cause a big headache.

Download and install Kies. You don't need to use Kies for rooting but it comes with the latest drivers. You may also need it for future updates from T-Mobile. After its installed, plug in your phone to the computer and let Kies find it to make sure the drivers are installed. After that you can close out Kies. You won't need it anymore.


Make a folder on your PC to put these files.

Odin 1.85 - Make a sub folder and extract Odin in it.

ClockworkMod Recovery

Superuser - put this on the root of your sd card. Meaning not in a folder.




1 - Launch Odin by double clicking the Odin3 v1.85 file. Plug your USB cable to your computer but not your phone.

2 - Power off your phone. Then hold down both volume buttons and plug the USB cable into your phone. Press the volume up button when you see this menu.

You will then go to the download screen.

3 - Wait for the Com port in Odin to turn yellow as in the pic. You do not need to check anything that isn't already. Just be sure that Re-Partition is NOT checked. It shouldn't be.

4 - Select PDA in Odin and browse to the ClockworkMod file you downloaded. Select it. Now press Start and Odin will flash the recovery. When it is finished you will see a green PASS in the top section.

5 - Odin will reboot your phone and you can unplug it. You should now have ClockworkMod Recovery 5.0.2.6 on your phone.

Now you want to go to your new recovery.

Power off your phone. Hold both volume buttons and the power button at the same time. When the phone vibrates, let go of the power button but keep holding both volume buttons. In a few seconds you should be in the recovery menu. Use volume buttons to move up/down and power button to select. *if power button doesn't work, use your home button (2nd from left on bottom of phone)*.

Go to install zip from SD Card. Then go to choose zip from SD Card. Select the Superuser.zip file. On the next screen select yes. Superuser will install. You may get an error and installation aborted message. Just try again. It may take several times.

Reboot your phone and check to see if you have the Superuser app in your app drawer. Congratulations! You are now rooted.

Just to be sure, download an app that requires root, Like Titanium Backup, and make sure it works.

Before you do a lot, go back to CWM recovery. In backup and restore, select backup and it will make a nandroid backup. If you have problems in the future you can restore it. Make sure you have at least 1gb free on your sd card. That's about the size of a nandroid.

 

[OptiC-ShotS]

So this method would work for any version? Like the 4.0.4?

 

[Atma]

So this method would work for any version? Like the 4.0.4?

It should but I don't know for sure if the same superuser file would work with 4.0.4. Currently the SGH-T989 only has 4.0.3.

 

[OptiC-ShotS]

Okay.when I get my galaxy I'll message you

 

[JALStudios]

Okay.when I get my galaxy I'll message you

I have a ROM for the Galaxy S2 T-Mobile that is ICS 4.0.4! It is AOSP themed and is fast!

Check it out if you want

[ROM] SpaceROM (ICS 4.0.4) [UCLE2] v2.5 Released! - xda-developers

 

[sleedeane]

Make sure you have at least 1gb free on your sd card. That's about the size of a nandroid.

So 2.53GB should be plenty?

I am now rooted 4.0.3 thanx to all your patience with me and immense wisdom in this stuff.
You've been dead on with everything I've ever asked you.
Sometimes I just need to look at a horseshoe from both directions to know that it's a horseshoe.
Everything is as it was, except now I have ICS, in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Nothing aborted and no errors.
Perfect!

 

[Atma]

So 2.53GB should be plenty?

I am now rooted 4.0.3 thanx to all your patience with me and immense wisdom in this stuff.
You've been dead on with everything I've ever asked you.
Sometimes I just need to look at a horseshoe from both directions to know that it's a horseshoe.
Everything is as it was, except now I have ICS, in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Nothing aborted and no errors.
Perfect!

That's great sleedeane! Glad to hear it. :congrats:

Yes, 2.53gb will be enough for a nandroid. If you need room, you could always move the nandroid to your pc. I like to keep a copy on my phone for emergencies and in case my pc wouldn't recognize my phone.

 

[sleedeane]

Okay.
Just suppose...I don't want this ICS on my otherwise nice phone.
Okay. No supposing: I don't want this ICS on my otherwise nice phone. After playing with it most of the night, I see the problems people are reporting are real and undesirable.
I can't find any positives with this ICS.

I don't suppose I can just flash the rooted GB back-up I have in recovery (that I created a while back when I first installed Juggernaut) back on it, right?
Do I need to revert back to 2.3.6 using Odin the same way I just installed the 4.0.3?

Sorry to be a pain. Though many people don't want this update for various reasons, I had to see for myself.
Plus, I wanted the extra learning experience.
Thank you yet again.

 

[Atma]

I don't suppose I can just flash the rooted GB back-up I have in recovery (that I created a while back when I first installed Juggernaut) back on it, right?
Do I need to revert back to 2.3.6 using Odin the same way I just installed the 4.0.3?

Sorry to be a pain.

Its no problem. You're not the first to change your mind about ICS.

Yes, you could restore a nandroid, but you will probably have a difference in your baseband version and build number. That could cause problems in the future. What I would do is just use Odin like in my guide for going back to Gingerbread. Yes, just like you did the ICS update but with the Gingerbread file. You will probably need to reroot again.

 

[sleedeane]

Well, I am happy to be back to GB.
That ICS...pretty bad.
The lags, the freeze-ups, no access to gallery, Crackle stopped working, lagging, poor quality t.v. playback, Tune-in couldn't find signal anymore, lagging, a force close, face unlock doesn't recognize me, lagging...

Now I know what ICS on this phone is actually like, not what others experiences are.
And most importantly, I am truly comfortable with Odin, now.
I needed the experience, and you (Atmazzz esp, and company) gave me the confidence to trust myself with rooting and flashing, download and recover, backing up properly, etc.

Not only are you, the "techies" in these forums, truly gifted in your knowledge of this stuff; but your ability to convey the right instruction, personalized to the level of knowledge of the "newbie", is astounding.
You guys can get anybody out of any hairy situation. We go from fear and dismay, to happy and proud; if we simply follow your instructions carefully.
Almost like a free ITT education, right here at home, from some very qualified professors.

You know who you are, and I thank you again.
:beer:

 

[OptiC-ShotS]

Well, I am happy to be back to GB.
That ICS...pretty bad.
The lags, the freeze-ups, no access to gallery, Crackle stopped working, lagging, poor quality t.v. playback, Tune-in couldn't find signal anymore, lagging, a force close, face unlock doesn't recognize me, lagging...

Now I know what ICS on this phone is actually like, not what others experiences are.
And most importantly, I am truly comfortable with Odin, now.
I needed the experience, and you (Atmazzz esp, and company) gave me the confidence to trust myself with rooting and flashing, download and recover, backing up properly, etc.

Not only are you, the "techies" in these forums, truly gifted in your knowledge of this stuff; but your ability to convey the right instruction, personalized to the level of knowledge of the "newbie", is astounding.
You guys can get anybody out of any hairy situation. We go from fear and dismay, to happy and proud; if we simply follow your instructions carefully.
Almost like a free ITT education, right here at home, from some very qualified professors.

You know who you are, and I thank you again.
:beer:

okay so im finally getting closer to getting my galaxy s2.. thanks you guys for sending me some help with rooting.. ill let you guys know what version it is out of the box... so what your saying is that ICS for this phone is bad? :/ i was looking foward to using ICS.. oh btw do we happen to have CM9? or any cynogen roms? sorry if i misspelled it :/

 

[sleedeane]

so what your saying is that ICS for this phone is bad?

In fact, ICS has some problems.
In my opinion, the GB is way better.
Look around for other opinions.
Many are sticking with GB after trying ICS.
I suppose others like some of the ICS features and do stay with it.
Just not me.

 

[OptiC-ShotS]

In fact, ICS has some problems.
In my opinion, the GB is way better.
Look around for other opinions.
Many are sticking with GB after trying ICS.
I suppose others like some of the ICS features and do stay with it.
Just not me.

oh okay thanks!! so what exactly are the bugs if you dont mind me asking? also is there a CM7 or CM9? i want to use that as my ROM lol

 

[sleedeane]

.......whoops.....

 

[Atma]

oh okay thanks!! so what exactly are the bugs if you dont mind me asking? also is there a CM7 or CM9? i want to use that as my ROM lol

I think ICS problems vary from user to user. Some people have problems with messaging, force closures and the list goes on. Others love it and have few to no problems. Since I completely wiped my phone and used Odin to install ICS it has run pretty smooth for me.

You can find lots of CM9 and CM10 roms at XDA. I'm not sure any are 'pure' CyanogenMod. Maybe this one but its an early alpha.

 

[OptiC-ShotS]

Thanks I just want to be prepared when I get my phone.. Like as soon as I get it I want to root it lol. Thanks buddy what's the best ROM or this phone? I don't understand XDA that we'll :/ its not as organized..

 

[Atma]

A lot of people love Darkside. I've just been running rooted debloated stock lately myself.

 

[Captain Mal 78]

I went ahead and rooted my phone since my warranty will be up in a couple months anyway and I didn't like the stock ICS. So far, I've only tried Darkside Evolution version 8 and it's working better for me than the stock ICS.

 

[OptiC-ShotS]

I went ahead and rooted my phone since my warranty will be up in a couple months anyway and I didn't like the stock ICS. So far, I've only tried Darkside Evolution version 8 and it's working better for me than the stock ICS.

Is dark side for ICS?

 

[Captain Mal 78]

Is dark side for ICS?

Darkside Evolution is a customized version of ICS. I got it here.

[ROM][ICS 4.0.3] :ARKSIDE.EVOLUTION.3:: [v8][UVLE1][VENOM OC|UV][7.15.2012] - xda-developers

Here's a list of other custom roms

http://androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-...y-s2-t-mobile-rom-list-updated-7-19-12-a.html

Just be sure to read a lot before you flash a custom rom for the first time. Atmazzz's guides were the most helpful to me. I don't think he has one for flashing custom roms though (he should make one). I just pieced together how to do it from reading multiple sources.

Edit: Keep in mind, custom roms aren't perfect. On darkside, I experience some lag when opening apps and there was another person on darkside that had wi-fi calling issues (although mine has worked just fine). If you want your phone consistently running fast & reliable, I think the stock Gingerbread 2.3.6 is still the best option.

 

[OptiC-ShotS]

So I do have the t989. So does the method the nice guy from the second comment work? Li just got my phone and I want to make sure it doesn't break it lol

 

[sleedeane]

It should but I don't know for sure if the same superuser file would work with 4.0.4. Currently the SGH-T989 only has 4.0.3.

Okay. I'm 4.0.4 now.
Did you decide if this root link will work or not for 4.0.4?
If not, where can I get the necessary guide/link to root this thing again?
Thank you, Atmazzz.

Edit: HELP!!!
I'm in Odin right now, but it seems to be stuck in the "Recovery" download (of the recovery-cwm-hercules.tar). The green bar moved about a fourth of the way across but doesn't seem to be advancing. It's been about a half hour now.
What do I do?

Edit: It says:

<ID:0/004> Added!!
<ID:0/004> Odin v.3 engine (ID:4)..
<ID:0/004> File analysis..
<ID:0/004> SetupConnection..
<ID:0/004> Initialization..
<ID:0/004> Get PIT for mapping..
<ID:0/004> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/004> recovery.img

And this is where it has stopped.
I'm just going to leave it as it is until somebody tells me what to do.
Please, I'm kind of scared right now.
Thank you.

Edit: Okay. After about 2 hours, I got a "fail". I unplugged the phone and everything seems to be okay. Whew!
But I still need to root.
Any suggestions?
Thank you.

Edit: 3:48 A.M. : I did everything again, and now have rooted 4.0.4 and it seems to work awesome!

Oh...what a night.

 

[Atma]

Edit: 3:48 A.M. : I did everything again, and now have rooted 4.0.4 and it seems to work awesome!

Oh...what a night.

Glad you got it working.

Don't forget to make a nandroid backup n recovery.

I would also recommend getting GooManager from the Play Store and using it to install TWRP recovery. If you do, make another backup with it. CWM and TWRP won't read each other's backups.

 

[sleedeane]

Glad you got it working.

Don't forget to make a nandroid backup n recovery.

I would also recommend getting GooManager from the Play Store and using it to install TWRP recovery. If you do, make another backup with it. CWM and TWRP won't read each other's backups.

Okay. I did forget about the b/u, too.
So I did a Nandroid b/u, installed goo.im, installed TWRP, and did a b/u there.
Pretty cool, that Goo.

And to all those on the fence about updating to ICS, I can't believe the difference.
What a difference a day makes!
Everything seems to work great, and now I know what "buttery smoothe" means.
I thought GB was as smoothe as a phone could get. But this is crazy, almost soothing just to touch it.
Like a nice shoulder massage, kind of.
And I do need the therapy.

Thank you