Firmware Flashing the Samsung Galaxy S II via Odin

Guide and Tutorial for Absolute Beginners

Introduction: Often, the wait between firmware updates for SGSII users can be long and tiring. Especially between upgrades between the different versions of Gingerbread (Android 2.3) which don’t bring many new features but rather much needed battery and performance improvements. Because of this, an increasing number of SGSII owners have decided to take firmware updates into their own hands and no longer rely on official firmware distribution via Samsung Kies. Instead, many resorted to ‘flashing’i leaked or custom firmware packages (often referred to as ROMs) onto their devices by means of third party software.

For novice or average users, the process of flashing custom ROMs can be daunting and, it must be stated, is certainly not for everyone. If you don’t consider yourself a knowledgeable computer user and lack the will or interest to spend time tinkering with different software and packages, then flashing custom ROMs might not be for you. There is a real danger that the actual flash and install procedure can result in a ‘bricked’ phone if improperly carried out. However, this tutorial is aimed at novice users who are contemplating to eventually flash their phone but want to familiarize themselves with the tools and processes first. Navigating the Android jungle can be overwhelming and in many ways, the customization and modification of devices is a rather esoteric endeavour.

An Appeal to ReadersIt takes a considerable amount of time to research, write and proof articles. And while I write primarily out of enjoyment, my work is actually intended to benefit others. For this reason, I would like to ask my readers to consider making a small contribution if you find this document useful or informative.

We encourage that you read and understand this guide in its totality before attempting to attempt carry out any serious software modifications to your phone. This basic suggestion could save you the grief and anguish of being left with slim, sleek and very modern paperweight.

Section 1: Basic Questions

What is Android?

Android is a mobile operating system currently being developed by Google which can can be used on smartphones as well as tablet computers.

How does Android relate to my phones firmware?

Firmware is often device specific whereas Android is a general operating system. Many manufacturers prefer to modify the basic Android system in order enhance usability and tailor fit the OS to their particular devices. For example, on the SGS2 Samsung adds extra facilities to the basic Android package such as Touchwiz and its often apps and app store. This manufacturer and device specific form of the Android OS may be understood as its firmware. This also explains why firmware updates often lag behind the updates of the Android OS. Manufacturers such as Samsung wait for Google to release the OS and then go on to tailor fit it to each one of their devices.

Why would I want to install custom firmware rather than use the official Samsung Kies?

Not only do manufacturers need to customize each version of the Android OS for specific devices, but each region and each carrier also requires the basic firmware to be tweaked, to a lesser or greater degree. As you can imagine, that is a vast amount of software customization for a company that offers as many different handsets and devices as Samsung. As a result, there is often a very long wait even for basic updates that only introduce performance and battery improvements.

Instead of waiting for these updates to be released officially by Samsung, knowledgeable and motivated users take leaked official firmware packages and use tools such as Odin to flash them to their devices.

Official vs. Unofficial Firmware: What is the difference?

In terms of features and functionality, there is no difference between an official and unofficial firmware with the same version number. Unofficial firmwares are custom configurations of official software, which are then repackaged together and distributed over the internet. These software packages are also known as Frankenstein firmwares because they consist of various bits and pieces of different software combined together.

What are custom ROMs and what do they do?

Although Frankenstein Firmwares are also customized, they differ from Custom ROMs in that they consist largely of official software which has been merely repackaged in an unofficial manner. Custom ROMs have little or nothing to do with the Samsung stock software and present the user with a largely different operating system environment. Custom ROMs are generally meant for advanced users who prefer to modify their devices to an extensive degree. There are a very wide variety of such ROMs and they differ greatly in terms of their concept, features and intended end-user profile. Some well-known custom ROMs are:

CyanogenMod [http://www.cyanogenmod.com]

MIUI [http://www.miuiandroid.com]

These are by no means the only available ROMs. You can visit online resources such as the XDA Developers Forum is you would like to find more [http://www.forum.xda-developers.com]

What is meant by ‘rooting’ the phone?

Frankenstein Firmwares are reconfigured, custom versions of official Samsung software.

Custom ROMs are customized versions of the Android OS which have little or nothing in common with official Samsung Firmware.

The procedure of rooting the phone basically means getting full access to the operating system. Just like Windows computers distinguish between normal accounts and accounts with administrator privileges, so too does Android offer different levels of accessibility depending on what type of user account you have. You might now be thinking, ‘Just a second. I never had the option to create an account with administrator privileges like on windows.’ Rooting is generally not considered necessary for typical or average users and there is therefore no official way to do it. Further, the process of rooting your SGS2 will most likely void your warranty and it also requires the use of the third-party software Odin. You might also have noticed that certain apps in the android market require root access in order to be of any use. Some useful things that can only be accomplished with root access are over/underclocking, undervolting and the modification of theme files. The rooting procedure generally consists of flashing a modified kernel via Odin. For an excellent guide to rooting, please see check the following thread in the XDA Developers Forums: [http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399]

Additional guides can be found here:

[http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1126522]

[http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1246131]

Is rooting required in order to flash a new firmware version?

For flashing via Odin, root access is generally not a requirement.

Section 2: Flashing via Odin

- Disclaimer – Flashing custom firmware onto your via Odin phone entails certain risks. There is a danger that you might botch the upgrade procedure which could lead to a bricked phone. There is also a danger that a novice

user might improperly use Odin in which case the phone might also become bricked. There are a number of methods and several different packages that users can use to flash stock firmware and many of these require different methods and different features of the Odin program. Please be aware that not everything you read on the internet comes from a reliable source and a degree of scepticism should always be employed when making use of such resources. This also applies to readers of this document. We urge you to double-check the upgrade procedure with an external source before you proceed.

- THE AUTHOR CANNOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT MIGHT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF FOLLOWING THESE DIRECTIONS. PROCEED AT

YOUR OWN RISK. -

This guide follows the instructions initially laid down by Intratech of the XDA Developers forums. His original thread (including links to packages and software) can be found here: [http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278] Intratech has very reliable packages and he enjoys the support of the XDA community. Personally, I trust his packages most

Another option for users who wish to upgrade their stock firmware is the packages provided by the fan site SamsungMobile. Their packages along with instructions can be found at [http://www.sammobile.com] SamMobile is generally well-regarded and seen as a reliable source of Samsung firmware; however I have no personal experience with their packages.

Please Note: The following directions only describe the procedure of flashing stock ROMs. The procedure for custom ROMs might differ. Please consult the respective developers and websites.

1. Collect the Necessary Software

Visit the thread above and download the Odin software. The link can be found right before the instructions in the middle of the thread. Once started, Odin should look like this:

Next, you will need to select the appropriate firmware package from among Intratrech’s posts. Generally, I would recommend flashing the Frankenstein firmware with your desired version of the Android operating system. However, if you find a country specific firmware amongst the official packages, you could also opt for one of these. The primary difference between the two is that Kies will not recognize the Frankenstein package whereas it will recognize the official one. Another difference is that if you use the generic firmware, you might have to flash a regional CSC package in order to get your mobile data connection working. The CSC contains regional modifications which help the device detect carrier settings. Make sure you flash the CSC for your region if you have problem with 3G or cellular service. CSC packages can be found on Intratech’s thread.

Once you have downloaded Odin and your desired firmware package, you are ready to proceed. Make sure to back up all files on your phone and SD card before proceeding. Depending

on which firmware package you select (either wipe or non-wipe) your entire phone memory may be wiped equivalent to a hard factory reset. Even with a non-wipe package, you should still take precautions to ensure your data is safe.

2. Unpack the Firmware Package

Use WinRAR or a similar utility to extract the firmware package. Inside the package, you will find either one or three relevant files in the .TAR file format. We will discuss what to do with these files in a moment.

3. Restart Your Device in Download Mode

To start the SGS2 in download mode, first power the phone down and wait for the final vibration signalling complete shutoff. Then, simultaneously depress down on the volume rocker, the home button and the power button. This should cause a warning dialog to appear asking you to confirm whether the phone should enter download mode. Do not yet attach your device to the computer.

4. Start Odin

Important: Beyond this step, you must shut down Samsung Kies. Also, check the system tray to make sure it has not merely been minimized. Kies will interrupt Odin from working and can eventually lead to malfunction.

If your package contains only one file, click the PDA button in Odin and browse for the appropriate file.

If your package contains three files, add them to the appropriate areas in Odin as labelled in the .TAR file names. These files should populate the PDA, PHONE and CSC fields of Odin. All files should be in .TAR format.

Do not yet attach your device to the computer.

5. Double Check the Settings in Odin Do NOT add a file under the PIT section of Odin.

DO NOT tick the fields marked ‘Re-Partition’ or ‘Flash Lock’ in Odin. These fields are not to be touched or modified.

DO NOT tick the fields marked ‘Phone EFS Clear’ or ‘Phone Bootloader Update’

DOUBLE CHECK these settings.

Correctly set up with one file in the PDA field, Odin should look as follows:

The areas marked in red are not to be touched or otherwise modified. Please abide by this. The areas marked in green are the only ones you should have to modify.

6. Attach Device to Computer via USB

This step should cause the ID:COM section in Odin to turn yellow.

7. Click ‘Start’ in Odin

The flash procedure will begin. Do not disconnect the cable or power-off the device while flashing. When the flash has been completed the device should restart.

FINAL NOTICE AND RECCOMMENDED READING

The author has made every attempt to check the procedure outlined above, and has also applied it successfully. However, this does not rule out the possibility that a minor mistake or misinterpretation might have slipped passed the rigorous double-check. All readers are therefore advised to double-check the procedure themselves with the one posted on the XDA Forums. By reading both sets of instructions, readers will also have a better idea of how the procedure is best carried out and will be better prepared before flashing their devices, which, as we have stated before, is not an entirely risk-free procedure. The original thread can be found here:

[http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278]

Another highly recommended FAQ can be found here:

[http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125282]

i The term ‘flashing’ is often how the procedure of installing firmware in an unofficial manner is referred to.