Here is the required procedure for obtaining root and installing clockworkmod (CWM) recovery on XXLPQ, the official Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 firmware, released for the Galaxy S2 i9100 via Samsung PC software, Kies.

Thanks to Chainfire, who as always didn’t take much time after the release of the firmware to come out with a rooted and CWM-enabled CF-Root kernel for it. Be fully aware that this root and clockworkmod recovery installation guide is only for XXLPQ firmware and not any other firmware. So, make sure you have XXLPQ installed on your Galaxy S2 international version, i9100.

Compatibility

This procedure is compatible only and only with Samsung Galaxy S2, model number i9100. It’s not compatible with any other device. Check your device’s model number in: Settings » About phone. Also, make sure you are on XXLPQ firmware as well.

Warning!

Read everything carefully and thoroughly. 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 you or your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Root XXLPQ Firmware and Install Clockworkmod (CWM) Recovery

  1. Download CF-Root kernel from the original download page → here.
    Filename: CF-Root-SGS2_XX_XEO_LPQ-v5.3-CWM5.zip
  2. Unzip the downloaded file once. You will get a .tar file – CF-Root-SGS2_XX_XEO_LPQ-v5.3-CWM5.tar.
    DO NOT extract the .tar file (this might show up as a zip file as well, but do not extract it). You need to flash the .tar file using Odin to gain root access and install the ClockWorkMod Recovery (CWM) alongside. (If you’re getting a zImage file, it means you’ve extracted the .tar file too! — and that’s not a right thing to do. Use 7-zip (free software) to extract.)
  3. Download Odin3 v1.83 from → here
    Filename: Odin3-v1.83.exe | Size: 416 KB.
  4. Switch off your phone. Wait for vibration to confirm complete switch off.
  5. Now, put the Galaxy S2 in Download Mode — press and hold these keys together: Volume Down + Home + Power. You’ll see a Warning! screen.. press Volume Up to continue.
  6. Open Odin now by double clicking on Odin3 v1.83.exe file you got in step 3.
  7. Connect your phone to PC now. You should get the message “Added! !” under Odin’s message box in the bottom left (Check screenshot after step 9). If you don’t get this message, then probably there is a problem with drivers. Make sure you’ve the drivers installed.
  8. On Odin, click the PDA tab and select the .tar file you got in step 2 — CF-Root-SGS2_XX_XEO_LPQ-v5.3-CWM5.tar.
  9. Important! Do not touch any other button or make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required file in PDA tab as given in step 8. Your Odin’s screen should look like this:
  10. Click the Start button on Odin to flash the CF-Root kernel (after double checking the ODIN screen). After flashing is complete, you’ll get a PASS message (with green background). Upon successful flashing, your ODIN screen will look like this:


    IMPORTANT Note: If ODIN gets stuck and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or you get a FAIL message (with red background) in ODIN, do the following: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 6. 
  11. After CF-Root is installed, phone will restart automatically. When the Galaxy S2 logo shows up on phone, you can disconnect the cable from phone.
  12. Your phone is rooted now. Note that this time around it’s the new SuperSU app — alternative to good old superuser app — is included with the root and clockworkmod recovery. It allows you to give root access to applications and control their access. Also, CWM based recovery has been automatically installed too. Use the CWM app in app drawer to boot into recovery and do ROM backups and restore, installations, and much more.
  13. If you run into any problems while flashing CF-Root, let us know and we’ll try to help you out.

You have successfully rooted and obtained ClockworkMod recovery on XXLPQ Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 firmware. Let us know your thoughts on it in the comments.

Clockworkmod Recovery XXLPQ CWM