Another official Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0.3 update for the Samsung Galaxy S2 has hit the hair — firmware version XWLPG — for Nordic countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom). It shows how Samsung is busy with keeping the Galaxy S2 as updated as possible (though I wish they would move to Android 4.0.4 as it has quite a few noticeable improvements over 4.0.3).

So if you want to update your Galaxy S2 to the latest official Android 4.0 firmware, you can manually flash it using the guide below. The update is for Nordic countries but it will work with every Galaxy S2 device out there.

Read on to find out how you can update to the XWLPG firmware on your Galaxy S2.

Compatibility

This firmware and the guide below are compatible only and only with Galaxy S2, model number I9100. It’s not compatible with the I9100G 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 XWLPG Firmware on Galaxy S2 i9100

  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. 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 links: 32 bit (x86) Windows | 64-bit (x64) Windows
  3. Download the firmware.
    Download XWLPG | Alternate Link  |  Filename: I9100XWLPG_I9100NEELP4_NEE.zip | Size: 383 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. I9100XWLPG_I9100XXLPX_I9100NEELP4_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 I9100XWLPG_I9100XXLPX_I9100NEELP4_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 the firmware. 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 (with green background) message 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. After you’ve got the PASS message, it’s possible — and okay — that phone might get stuck at S logo, and not boot up completely. It’s okay, just follow the steps 14.1 to 14.3, and you will be fine. And, if it boots up fine, without getting stuck at S logo, you’re fine. The Android 4.0 installation has been done successfully. So, do the following only if your i9100 doesn’t move beyond the S logo when booting up after getting PASS in Odin (make sure you wait some good 10-15 mins to confirm that it’s stuck):
    1. Boot to recovery mode — for which, remove and re-insert the battery, then press and hold Home + Volume Up + Power keys together. Once you are in recovery mode, use volume keys to move the selection up and down and power or home key to select the option.
    2. Go to Wipe Data/Factory Reset and select it. Select Yes on next screen.
    3. Now, select reboot system now to reboot your phone. It will now boot up fine and you can use the latest Android 4.0 firmware on your Galaxy S2.
  15. If you run into any roadblocks while flashing the firmware, let us know and we’ll help you out.
  16. [Root] If you want to get root access on the XWLPG firmware, follow this guide.

The XWLPG Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 firmware is now installed on your Galaxy S2 i9100. Let us know how it works for you, in the comments below.