There’s a new official firmware out for the Galaxy S2 I9100G – having the version number XXLPY – which brings it up to date with Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. Android 4.0.4 is quite an important update over 4.0.3 as its quite a bit faster and smoother in performance and is more stable as well. It’s not the Android 4.1 update that people are probably waiting for, but its an update nonetheless.

Galaxy S2 I9100 owners can download the latest Android 4.0.4 firmware → here, while Galaxy S I9000 owners can grab the latest Android 2.3 Gingerbread firmware → here. 

NOTE: The firmware is for Europe region/Nordic countries, but it will work on Galaxy S2 I9100G of any region, as long as it is the international variant.

Let’s take a look at how you can update to the XXLPY Android 4.0.4 firmware on your Galaxy S2.

Compatibility

This firmware and the guide below are compatible only and only with Galaxy S2, model number I9100G. It’s not compatible with the I9100 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 XXLPY Android 4.0.4 Firmware on Galaxy S2 i9100G

  1. [Important!] This procedure might 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 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 Drivers  |  Alternative Link for Drivers
  3. Download the firmware.
    Download XXLPY |  Alternate Link For Firmware
    Filename: I9100GXXLPY_I9100GDBTLP3_DBT.zip | Size: 380 MB
  4. Extract the downloaded zip file once to get the following files (you might see the file name end with .tar instead of .md5 as the file extension is usually hidden, so it’s normal):
    1. I9100GXXLPY_I9100GXXLPV_I9100GDBTLP3_HOME.tar.md5
    2. SS_DL.dll [ignore this one]
  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. In ODIN, click on the PDA button, then select the I9100GXXLPY_I9100GXXLPV_I9100GDBTLP3_HOME.tar.md5 file obtained in step 4.1.
  11. Important! Do not make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required files as given in step 10. Leave all other options as they are.
  12. 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).
  13. Now, hit the START button to start flashing of XXLPQ on your Galaxy S2. 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 message (with green background) 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 Android 4.0.4 XXLPY firmware is now running on your Galaxy S2 I9100G. Let us know how it works for you, in the comments below.

Those looking to try out Jelly Bean Android 4.1 on their I9100G can try a few custom ROMs → here (keep in mind that these are not official Samsung made firmware).