How to Update Epic 4G Touch to AOSP Ice Cream Sandwich ROM [Android 4.0]

Here’s a new custom Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich ROM for the Samsung Epic 4G Touch, which brings the AOSP Android experience to the device i.e it features stock Android as found on the Galaxy Nexus and other Nexus devices – no bloat, no unnecessary apps, etc, just plain, pure vanilla Android.

Jelly Bean Android 4.1 custom ROMs for the Epic 4G Touch can be found → here.

However, keep in mind that since this is a custom and not an official ROM, there are some bugs/issues in it, and Samsung/Sprint specific features will not be available in it. The current list of issues is given below (quoted from the developer):

Known Issues:
– Occasional LoS (Loss of Signal). Doesn’t affect everyone. Just toggle Airplane Mode.
– Camcorder effects cause FC
– 4g goes to “unknown” when first initialized. Turn on again it will work
– SU/Superuser are kinda wonky. Just “update” the SU binary.

Let’s take a look at how the AOSP Ice Cream Sandwich ROM can be installed on the Epic 4G Touch.

Compatibility

This procedure and the guide below is compatible only and only with the Epic 4G Touch, model number SPH-D710. It’s not compatible with 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 AOSP Ice Cream Sandwich ROM on Epic 4G Touch

PART I: Downloading the ROM

1. This procedure will wipe all your apps, data and settings (but it will NOT touch your SD cards, so don’t worry about those). Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
   NOTE: Don’t forget to at least note down your network’s APN settings, which are required to make mobile data work. Go into Settings » More » Mobile Networks, click on the APN that is in use, then note down the setting for each field. While APN settings should be automatically restored from network, you can enter them manually if needed to make mobile data work.
2. Download the latest version of the ROM from the development page.
3. Download the Google Apps package. This will install apps like Market, Gmail, etc. which are not present in the ROM.
   Download Gapps  |  Filename: gapps-ics-20120429-signed.zip
4. Copy the downloaded .zip files to the internal SD card on the phone.

PART II: Installing EL26 Stock ClockworkMod Recovery

1. Download and install the drivers for the phone on your computer.
   Download Drivers
2. Download EL26 Stock CWM Recovery.
   Download Link  |  Filename: StockCWM-EL26.tar.md5
3. Download Odin 1.85 from → here.
   Filename: Odin 1.85.zip | Size: 199 KB
4. Extract the contents of the Odin 1.85.zip file to a folder.
5. Disconnect your phone if it’s connected to PC.  Switch Off your phone. Wait for vibration to confirm complete switch off.
6. Now, put the phone in Download Mode — press and hold these keys together: Volume Down + Power. You’ll get a ‘Warning!‘ screen.. press Volume up to continue to enter download mode.
7. Open Odin (from step 3) — double-click the Odin3 v1.85.exe file that you got after extracting the file Odin 1.85.zip.
8. 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.
9. In Odin, click the PDA tab, and select the file StockCWM-EL26.tar.md5 you obtained in step 2.
10. Un-check the Auto Reboot option in Odin.
11. DO NOT make any other changes in Odin except selecting the PDA file and unchecking the Auto Reboot option as given in steps 9 and 10.
12. Now, hit the START button to start flashing the CWM recovery. When the flashing procedure is finished, you’ll get a PASS message (with green background) in the left-most box at the very top of Odin.
    What to do if Odin gets stuck or gives a FAIL message: 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 7.
13. [Important] After the flashing procedure in Odin is complete, unplug your phone. Remove the battery, then re-insert it. However, DO NOT turn on the phone yet.

Part III: Installing the ROM