Samsung Galaxy SII - update and root?

waterwatereverywhere

Hi,

I've had the Samsung Galaxy SII from when it first came out.

In that time I haven't updated it in any way.

It is fine for my needs and I don't feel the need to change it, although it is slowing up.

It is also locked to Three Mobile and I'd like to unlock it to use abroad with foreign SIMs. Three will charge to unlock it.

I googled and found a GiffGaff page which tells you how to "root" the phone and then unlock it for free. But it seems quite technical and i'm worried about destroying the phone, which I rely on daily for internet and phone.

Also the GiffGaff page assumes it is running Ice Cream or later which mine isn't.

Pls can anyone advise if attempting to "root" it (don't even know what it means really...) is worth a try and if I can reverse this if something goes wrong? Also an easier set of idiot proof instructions to follow?

How to upgrade to Ice Cream or later - is this easy to do and should it be done before or after the "rooting" exercise?

Can you really then unlock for free or will I still need to pay Three for an unlock code?

Sorry to ask so many questions - been meaning to sort this phone out for the last year or so and determined to get it sorted now.

RumRat

Hi. I have the same phone and have been contemplating rooting it. Been dithering a while because it used to be so involved. However, the method of choice these days seems to be using this... http://androidxda.com/root-samsung-galaxy-s2-gt-i9100g
All reports I've seen say it works and takes a few minutes. It works on any android phone.
You might be interested in reading this... http://www.lifehacker.co.uk/2014/05/17/root-android-phone

pepdavies

There used to be an app called Galaxy Unlocker or similar. I used it to unlock my Galaxy Mini for free

JJ_Egan

S2 was easy to root but it voids warranty .
Remove root is a question of flashing a stock rom back to the phone .
Rooting / flashing runs a very small risk of bricking your phone .

Upgrade is via settings upgrade or via Kies PC software .

See
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2

womble12345

I have this phone and I havent rooted it and it is running Jellybean. I have the Samsung Kies software (which is free) on my PC and I plug my phone in occasionally and it updates.... Download Kies software on your PC and plug it in and your phone will update to Jellybean.

Given you dont sound too techie if I were you I wouldnt bother rooting, I would just get the latest Samsung software using Kies.

I have rooted previous phones but never felt the need with my S2 as the official Samsung software has been good enough for me. As for unlocking your phone I had heard that 3 would unlock an out of contract phone for free:
http://www.three.co.uk/Support/Device_Unlock
If that failed see how much you can get it unlocked for on ebay...

danthemoneysavingman

Easy to root with Odin I'm sure. Careful with what you click on when downloading the ROM you want, if you're going to update to a more modern rom. Stock roms are readily available via xda developer forum.
(Adblock Plus add-on for whatever browser you use should help minimise click error!)

Be aware, that if you update to a very modern rom, your phone will likely slow down to a crawl as it will not be sufficiently powerful hardware-wise. Try running AppCache cleaner to clear up some background nonsense, which may help improve performance.


PS: if you root you can't update with Kies any more, but then you haven't before anyway ;-)

JJ_Egan

if you root you can't update with Kies any more, but then you haven't before anyway ;-)

It may well update but just remove root .
OTA updates may download and install but usually fail to complete the install leaving a non booting phone .

Quiet_Spark

danthemoneysavingman wrote: »

Be aware, that if you update to a very modern rom, your phone will likely slow down to a crawl as it will not be sufficiently powerful hardware-wise.

Samsung Galaxy SII runs quite happily on KitKat (4.4.2), and on occasions it even seems quicker carrying out certain tasks than when it was on the original Gingerbread (2.3.5).

danthemoneysavingman

Well there you have it!

4743hudsonj

Id do the following

Update to latest stock firmware via Kies software

Use Odin to Root device and load CWM.

Load a rom, My favourite used to be Resurrection Rom as it was quick and stable I ran it from the days of ICS to Jellybean.

Basically Root unlocks the core software of android, allowing apps access to modifications otherwise not allowed. This can include things like changing the design of the software or putting software from other phones (eg newer android versions).

Odin is the tool of choice (for me atleast) that allows you to gain root on the SII.

CWM is a kind of base recovery OS (like if you were booting to recovery on your PC) which allows you to make full back ups and update change the android version (ROM) you are using.

http://galaxys2root.com/

Is a great resource and should give you links to just about everything you need. He also gives reviews on Roms so you can see what your in for.

waterwatereverywhere

Hello

Just a quick message to say many thanks to everyone for all the helpful and detailed replies - I'm very grateful.

As I said, I'm not too techie so I'm printing off all the replies and will carefully read through all before deciding which options are best for me - then set aside a quiet time to put these into action....

Thx again