Android 2.3.4 Firmware XXKG1 is now available for download and installation on Samsung Galaxy S2. If you want to install it, check out our XXKG1 installation guide which will make the whole process dead easy. And if you’ve already installed it on your Galaxy S2 and want a Root XXKG1 guide, look below.

If you’re new to rooting you may ask why root it. Well, it allows you to do virtually anything with your phone — install custom ROMs, custom Themes, take full backups of apps (and app’s data) using free Titanium Backup app and install must-have clockwork recovery too.

Before we proceed to download and install instructions, see the info and warnings first:

Warning: Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page. You only are responsible for your device. We won�t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Install instructions:

One can root the XXKG1 firmware using Chainfire’s cf-root method. Download the CF-Root for XXKG1 from here (it’s the same root we used on earlier ROM but it works perfectly for XXKG1 too) and flash it using Odin3 v1.85. And if you want to remove the ‘flash’ icon — yellow triangle which exists to confirm that you’ve flashed stuff on your phone — that shows on boot up after you’ve flash the cf-root, flash this kernel (it’s a .exe file, double click to extract it. Password: intratech@XDA) in odin — root will be retained while that icon upon the boot will no longer annoy you.

If you’re new to odin and stuff, check the detailed Instructions set below.

Video Guide

Step by Step Guide

Here’s what you need to do to Root your XXKG1 Android 2.3.4 Firmware for Galaxy S:

  1. Download CF-Root kernel first. File name – CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEU_KE2-v3.7-CWM3.zip. Size 7 MB.
  2. Unzip the above file. You will get the .tar file – CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEU_KE2-v3.7-CWM3.tar. DO NOT extract the .tar file. You need to flash the .tar file using Odin to gain root access and install the CWM alongside. (If you’re getting zimage, it means you’ve extracted the .tar file too! — and that’s not a right thing to do)
  3. Download Odin software. Filename: Odin3-v1.85.zip. Size: 198 KB. Download Link. Extract the zip file to folder to get 2 files – Odin3 v1.85.exe and Odin3.ini. Do not delete the .ini file (the second one) because it’s very much required, too.
  4. Switch Off your phone. Wait for vibration to confirm complete switch off.
  5. Boot your phone in Download Mode — Press and hold VolumeDOWN+HOME+POWER keys together.
  6. Open Odin now by double clicking on Odin3 v1.85.exe file you got in step 3.
  7. Connect your phone to PC now. You’ll notice “Added! !” message in the Odin’s message box in the bottom left.
  8. On Odin, click the PDA tab and select the .tar file you got in step 2 — CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEU_KE2-v3.7-CWM3.tar.
  9. Make sure “Re-Partition” checkbox is un-ticked. Leave the “Auto Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” checkboxes ticked.
  10. Double check step 8 and step 9. Your Odin’s screen should look like this:Odin Screen Before Flashing Cf-Root
  11. Click the Start button on Odin to flash the CF-Root kernel.
  12. After the CF Root is installed, phone will restart automatically. When the Galaxy S II  logo shows up on phone, you can disconnect the cable from phone. Your Odin’s screen would look like this upon successful flashing:Odin Screen After Flashing Cf-Root
  13. Your phone is rooted now. That surperuser app is there!

A video showcasing the root procedure is on its way, too. So, if you are going to use the Odin for the first time, check out the video before flashing so that you’ve a fair idea of all this.

-_- video coming soon -_-

Removing the Yellow Triangle ‘Flash’ Icon:

If you want to remove that yellow triangle which is a tell-tale sign of flashing done on the phone, flash the XXKG1’s kernel back. Detailed instructions below:

  1. Download the kernel from here. Filename: I9100XXKG1_Kernel.exe.
  2. Double click the above file (enter password: intratech@XDA).
  3. Hit ‘Extract” to extract .tar file — I9100XXKG1_Kernel.tar — right there.
  4. Open Odin3 v1.85.exe
  5. In the PDA Tab, select I9100XXKG1_Kernel.tar file you got in step 3 above.
  6. Keep re-Partition checkbox un-ticked and leave the the “Auto Reboot” and “F. Reset Time” checkboxes ticked.
  7. Hit Start button to flash the XXKG1 kernel.
  8. When the kernel is flashed phone will reboot and that yellow triangle will not be there upon reboot. But your root is still there. That’s it.

About ClockWorkMod recovery:

To boot into ClockworkMod Recovery — power Off your phone completely and then, press and hold (till Galaxy S logo appears): VolumeUP+HOME+POWER. You’ll enter the CWM recovery. You can use this to:

  • Backup your ROMs (which is just great)
  • Restore backed up ROMs  (without it, backup utility makes no sense!)
  • Delete Backups
  • Flash update.zip files
  • Flash custom themes

From the CWM app (you get it after you’ve flashed the CF-Root), you can even flash kernels on your phone without even touching Odin. Also, you can boot into recovery directly from CWM app.

Chainfire is one developer we totally respect. If you love his work, which is always timely and very helpful, do donate him — send your PayPal donations to: jorrit@jongma.org.