Samsung Galaxy S2 - Software update - how to?

DIYhelp76

Hope someone can help.

I have an Galaxy S2 mobile phone which I've owned since new.

I have never updated the software in that time - I tried a few times but couldn't get it to work - the phone just comes up with a message saying it cannot update and I haven't had any luck doing it with Kies. I kind of gave up and time passed by....

Now, although the phone still works fine I find I can't download new Apps as they're not compatible with the old software.

I went into a Samsung shop but they told me they couldn't do it as they don't have the older software updates available.

How can I upgrade the software and would I have to upgrade to each of the new software in sequence or can I just jump from its current software to the latest one?

Are the old software upgrades available freely online?

I'm not very technical, which is why I haven't done this ages ago.

Current software is: Gingerbread

Android 2.3.3

GT-I9100

Many thanks in advance.

JJ_Egan

See updato.com for firmware .

DIYhelp76

Many thanks JJ Egan.

That site is useful although none of the reference numbers on my phone exactly match the firmware listed there.

I've found one download for Jelly Bean only which I'm downloading now to the laptop.

Not sure how to get this to update the phone - is anyone able to guide me?

Also can I update from Gingerbread directly to Jelly Bean or would I need to update step by step through:

Honeycomb
Ice Cream Sandwich
Jelly Bean
Kitkat
Lollipop

I'm assuming going as far as say Jelly Bean will allow my phone to be able to download current Apps.

Sorry, clueless as to how to go about this - any step by step advice most welcome!

RumRat

I have one on Jelly bean which is as far as the official updates took it. It is no longer supported for security updates.
So if you are going to update further take it at the very least to Lollipop, which is, AFAIK, the furthest security updates go.
Unless you aren't bothered too much about those.
I'm just recharging mine so I'm not sure which apps it will accept at the moment. I'll give it a try tomorrow, was there a specific app you were trying to download?

dipsomaniac

you have missed the latest 3 x updates off your list marshmallow, nougat and oreo.

have you looked here

https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s2

installing custom roms isn't easy and in my experience has always produced disappointing results especially with battery and camera performance.

while you have nothing to lose by installing a custom rom i would be looking at buying a new phone

JJ_Egan

I have the opposite experience but always use custom Samsung not Android roms .

toshi

(Edit) Android OS has been developed as a part of Android Open Source Project. http://source.android.com/ Google has an obligation to supply the source code.

(Edit ends)

Then, what happens? Development community starts to develop their custom Android for their existing devices to extend their hardware life much longer. Lineage OS is the one of the most established Custom Rom communities. (according to them 1.7 million users in the world)

Thanks to free (freedom) open source developer’s community effort, LineageOS 14.1 (Android 7.1) supports Samsung Galaxy S II (i9100) officially.

https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/i9100

As a community development, you will find distinctive features such as lightweight, full customisation, no bloatware (i.e. longer battery life), privacy protection etc. (even you can block complete advertisement,)

As JJ Egan said, the custom ROM users, including myself. always appreciate the longer battery life, and performance improvement. Especially it is true for older devices. (You can install application only you really need it, which means optimise services and longer battery life) Once you started to use the Custom Rom, you will appreciate the power of software development to improve your user experiences.


In a way, all of us are the victims of software planned obsolescence, as long as the users wish to keep using their lovable devices, they should be able to do so. (Saving money and this planet from silly eWaste) Android Custom Rom development is no incentive commercially, therefore lack of publicity. I understand that this is not everybody’s solution, but it is worth informing alternative solution for extending your Android devices life much much longer with greater user experiences

Happy Hacking

References:
Nearly 200 Android devices are supported by LineageOS officially, you may want to use these devices !
https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/

XDA is the best recourse for Android Custom Rom development
https://www.xda-developers.com/

forgotmyname

Dont update it. It only gets worse....

We had 2 Galaxy S2's in the house, daughter updated hers and regretted it. Left mine totally stock and it just worked.

esuhl

As toshi says, I run Lineage OS on my Samsung Galaxy SII. It runs all the apps that I've tried to install (except one very graphics-intensive racing game) and has the latest security updates, unlike the latest official ROM for the phone. And there's no bloatware.

https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/i9100/install

I had to repartition the device to make room for the OS and GApps (Google apps). I also use Apps2SD so I can disable/remove built-in components (like the calendar, exchange server, etc.) and move apps in their entirety to an external SD card.

forgotmyname

Original S2 didnt need Apps2SD it just did that out of the box

esuhl

forgotmyname wrote: »

Original S2 didnt need Apps2SD it just did that out of the box

The Android OS can't/won't fully move apps to the SD card. And you can't physically uninstall many preinstalled components.

The only way round this (that I'm aware of) is to use an app like Apps2SD.