Google has finally starting rolling out the official Jelly Bean Android 4.1.1 update for the Nexus S, bringing the previous flagship Nexus device up to date with the latest Android version. As usual, the update will be gradually rolled out to more and more regions, so for those that don’t want to wait can update to it manually by following the guide below.

Important! The update is currently rolling out only for the T-Mobile Nexus S I9020T and the Super LCD display-toting I9023/i9020a. This guide is not for the international Nexus S aka the I9020.

Read on for the instructions for updating your Nexus to the official Jelly Bean Android 4.1 release.

Compatibility

This ROM and the guide below are compatible only and only with the international Nexus S, model number I9020a/I9020t/I9023. It’s not compatible with any other device. Check your device model 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 Official Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Update on Nexus S

  1. Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you. This is to ensure you can restore your data if it gets wiped by mistake.
  2. Make sure the bootloader on your Nexus S is unlocked and you have ClockworkMod recovery installed. You can use the Nexus S toolkit here to install ClockworkMod recovery.
  3. Download the official update file from the official XDA page. Download the correct version for your device’s model number. The update is only currently available for the T-Mobile Nexus S I9020t and the Super LCD I9023/I9020a.
  4. Copy the update file to the SD card on your phone, without extracting it.
  5. Boot into ClockworkMod recovery. To do so, turn off the phone. Then, press and hold the Volume Down and the Power buttons together to boot into fastboot mode. Here, highlight the RECOVERY option by navigating to it using the volume buttons, then select it using the Power button to boot into recovery.
  6. Select install zip from sdcard, then select choose zip from sdcard. Scroll to the update file on the SD card and select it. Confirm installation by selecting Yes – Install _____.zip on the next screen. The update will start installing.
  7. After installation is complete, select go back then select reboot system now to reboot the phone into the official Jelly Bean.
  8. What to do if phone gets stuck at boot screen: If your phone gets stuck at the boot screen for more than 10 minutes, remove its battery, re-insert it and boot into recovery (using the procedure given in step 5). Then, select wipe data/factory reset to wipe data. Then reboot the phone, which will then boot up properly.

Root Official Jelly Bean

To root the Jelly Bean update, do the following steps:

  1. Download the root package.
    Download Root  |  Filename: Simple-Root-1.0.zip
  2. Copy the root file to the SD card on your phone, without extracting it.
  3. Boot into ClockworkMod recovery.
  4. Select install zip from sdcard, then select choose zip from sdcard. Scroll to the Simple-Root-1.0.zip file on the SD card and select it. Confirm installation by selecting Yes – Install Simple-Root-1.0.zip on the next screen.
  5. After installation is complete, select go back then select reboot system now to reboot the phone into the official Jelly Bean.

The official Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update is now up and running on your Nexus S I9020a/I9020t/I9023. Have fun with the latest and greatest Android version!