Just a few days after the first Android 4.0.4 firmware leaked for the Galaxy S2, Samsung has officially released the Android 4.0.4 update for the device, for Russia, and should soon be releasing it to other regions. But for those not wanting to wait for the official update to arrive for their device or simply want to manually flash the update can do so by following the guide below. Android 4.0.4 brings improvements in stability and performance (specially in scrolling smoothness), so it’s quite an important update for the still powerful device.

This update is for Russia but can be flashed on any Galaxy S2 out there, as long as it’s the international I9100 variant. Read on to find out how you can flash it on your Galaxy S2 to update to Android 4.0.4.

Compatibility

This firmware and the guide below are compatible only and only with Galaxy S2, model number I9100. It’s not compatible with the I9100G or any other device. Check your device’s model number in: Settings » About phone.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Install XWLPM Android 4.0.4 Firmware on Galaxy S2

  1. To be sure you do not lose any data, backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you. The SD card contents are always safe, so there is no need to back up those. Only backup apps and personal data such as contacts/messages.
    Important! Don’t forget to at least make a backup of your APN settings, which you can restore later if your data connection does not work after installing the ROM. Use the backup guide to find out how.
  2. It’s important you’ve the proper drivers for the phone installed. If you have installed Samsung’s Kies software, you already have the drivers, so download them only if you haven’t installed Kies.
    Download links: 32 bit (x86) Windows | 64-bit (x64) Windows
  3. Download the firmware.
    Download XWLPM | Filename: I9100XWLPM_I9100OXELP8_SER.zip | Size: 510 MB
  4. Extract the downloaded zip file once to get a file named I9100XWLPM_I9100OXELP8_I9100XXLQ6_HOME.tar.md5 (you might see the file name end with .tar instead of .md5 as the file extension is usually hidden, so it’s normal).
  5. Download Odin 1.85 from → here.
    Filename: Odin 1.85.zip | Size: 199 KB
  6. Extract the contents of the Odin 1.85.zip file to a folder.
  7. Disconnect your phone if it’s connected to PC, then switch it off.
  8. Now, put the Galaxy S2 in Download Mode — press and hold these keys together: Volume Down + Home + Power. A Warning! screen will come up; press Volume Up key to continue to enter Download Mode.
  9. Open Odin — double-click the Odin3 v1.85.exe that you got after extracting the file Odin 1.85.zip.
  10. Connect your phone to PC now. You should get the message “Added!” under Odin’s message box in the bottom left.
    If you don’t get this message, then probably there is a problem with drivers. Make sure you’ve proper drivers installed (check step 2). Also, uninstall Kies from the Control Panel as well (this will leave the drivers on the computer but remove Kies which can interfere with the procedure).
  11. In ODIN, Click on PDA and select I9100XWLPM_I9100OXELP8_I9100XXLQ6_HOME.tar.md5 (from step 4).
  12. Important! Do not make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required files as given in step 11. Leave all other options as they are. Make sure Re-partition option is unchecked.
  13. Now, hit the START button to start flashing the firmware. When the flashing is complete, your phone will automatically reboot — and when you see the Samsung logo, you can safely unplug the cable. Plus, you’ll get a PASS (with green background) message in the left-most box at the very top of the Odin.
    What to do if Odin gets stuck: If ODIN gets stuck and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or you get a FAIL message (with red background) in ODIN, disconnect the phone from the PC, close ODIN, remove battery, re-insert it, turn phone on in Download mode again, and do the procedure again from Step 9.
  14. [Important] After you get the PASS message and the phone reboots, the phone might get stuck at the booting animation. If that happens, perform the following steps to make it boot. Remember that these steps will wipe your personal data like contacts, apps, messages, etc. If your phone has already booted, skip these steps, your phone has been updated successfully:
    1. Boot to recovery mode — for which, first power off phone (by removing battery and reinserting it), wait for 5-6 seconds, and then press and hold Home + Volume Up + Power keys together till the screen turns on, then let them go to boot into recovery. Once you are in recovery mode, use volume keys to move the selection up and down and home/power key to select the option.
    2. Go to Wipe data/Factory Reset and select it. Select Yes on next screen.
    3. Then, select reboot system now to reboot the phone, which will now boot properly.
  15. If you run into any roadblocks while flashing the firmware, let us know and we’ll help you out.

The official Android 4.0.4 update is now installed and running on your Galaxy S2. Let us know how it works for you, in the comments below.