Google recently announced that the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the Motorola Xoom (along with the Nexus S) will be rolling out in the coming days in July, but most of you probably don’t wait, so thanks to the Team EOS development team, you can unofficially update your Motorola Xoom (the Wi-Fi or the US 4G variant) to Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean via the Team EOS custom ROM.

NOTE: This is an early build of the ROM, so there may be a few bugs and issues in the ROM, though most things should work properly. Also, the ROM is in the nightlies stage. Nightlies are ROM builds that are built automatically now and then (every night by actual definition), incorporating all the latest changes made to the ROM’s code from the last nightly. Even though care is taken by the developers to make sure the code submitted for each nightly is stable, some things can go wrong with a new nightly as the builds are automatic and cannot be tested before release.

Let’s take a look at how you can install Team EOS’ Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean ROM on your Motorola Xoom.

Compatibility

This ROM and the guide below are compatible only and only with the Motorola Xoom WI-FI/Xoom 4G US variant. It’s not compatible with the 3G variant or 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 Unofficial Jelly Bean Android 4.1.1 on Motorola Xoom

  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.
    Important! 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. Make sure you have ClockworkMod recovery (or any other custom recovery) installed. This guide will assume you are using ClockworkMod recovery.
  3. Download the latest version of the ROM from the official development page links below. Make sure to download the correct version according to whether you have the Wi-Fi variant or the US 4G variant:
    Xoom Wi-Fi Variant Development Page  |  Xoom US 4G Variant Development Page
  4. Download the Google Apps package. This will install apps like Market, Gmail, etc. which are not present in the ROM.
    Download Gapps  |  Filename: gapps-jb-20120712-eos.zip
  5. Copy the zip file downloaded in step 3 as well as the Gapps zip file to the external SD card on your device (do not extract them).
  6. Power off your Xoom and boot into recovery Mode — for this, press power key and then press the Volume down key 2-3 seconds after the red Motorola Dual Core Logo appears on the screen while it boots. Then, hit Volume Up when you see the “Android recovery” text (on the top left of the screen) to boot into recovery.
    In recovery, use volume keys to scroll up/down and the power button to select options.
  7. Select wipe data/factory reset, then select Yes on next screen to confirm. Wait a while till the data wipe is complete (this will not erase your personal files).
  8. Now select install zip from sdcard, then select choose zip from sdcard. Scroll to the ROM file on the sdcard and select it. Confirm installation by selecting Yes – Install _____.zip on the next screen. The ROM will start installing.
  9. After ROM installation completes, select choose zip from sdcard again, then select the gapps-jb-20120712-eos.zip file to install the Google apps package.
  10. After the installation is complete, select go back and then select reboot system now to reboot your tablet and boot up into Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean.

Congratulations! Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean is now installed and running on your Motorola Xoom tablet. Let us know how it works for you, in the comments below.