Root Android 4.1.2 XWLSU Jelly Bean for the Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100

The Galaxy S2 I9100 has been updated to XWLSU Jelly Bean 4.1.2 firmware by Samsung.  If you did flash the new OTA update for your smartphone and you like to tinker with it, then this is the right place for you.
The first step that you need to take in that direction, is to root the operating system of your Galaxy S2. Now, you can root your device and its brand new firmware using the instructions that I have listed below.
This update was applied for Galaxy S2 International variant based in Austria, France, Poland, Romania and Spain. Rooting your device is easy and it is something that helps users gain access to all the sub-system parts of their Jelly Bean phone. After applying root for the Galaxy S2 I9100 you will be able to install new custom ROMs and even flash an OS that is based on Google’s latest Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean build.
This guide will help you achieve root and install CWM Recovery image. The ClockworkMod Recovery is a custom installation for your device a mode that you can use in order to flash new custom ROMs, Kernels and other similar zip files that should be used to improve the UI or performance of your Android device.
Before starting the updating process, you will first have to read the preparation guide below and learn what you have to do in order to correctly configure your smartphone. This will help you successfully flash the new rooted I9100XWLSU firmware at your first attempt. Here’s what you need to know:

• this guide will work only with the Samsung Galaxy S2 International variant with the I9100 model number. Check the version of your phone by opening Settings, then About phone and checking the info listed under Build Number.
• Don’t try to use this tutorial with any other Android smartphones.
• your smartphone should be running on stock Android 4.1.2 XWLSU firmware. If the firmware version is of a different build, then you cannot use this tutorial.
• make sure that your computer has all the Samsung USB Drivers installed on it. This will force the phone to be recognized by your PC.
• enable USB debugging option. It can be found in Developer Options.
  > Note: if the Developer Options menu is not listed, then it means that is hidden by your OS. To un-hide it, go to Settings > About Phone  and scroll down to Build Number and tap this section 7 times. You’ll be notified that ‘you are now a developer’ and you can enable USB debugging.
• disable all the antivirus applications from running on your computer.
• disable the Samsung KIES software if it’s installed on your PC. Such security and KIES apps are usually interfering with ODIN and other similar tools that you’ll use to root the phone.
• the phone’s battery power charge level should be over 50%, so that it won’t switch off in the middle of the updating process.
• read the entire post and don’t skip any steps listed in the tutorial.
• this is a guide for users who know what they’re doing. Don’t use the tutorial in case you’re a novice and you don’t know how to enter Download Mode or use ODIN app.
• you can’t held us responsible in case something goes wrong and you brick your smartphone or you lose any important data in the process.
• if you cannot complete the installation then you will be forced to repeat the entire tutorial once again or ask for extra help in comments.
• if you do hit any roadblocks, then make sure to leave a detailed comment at the end of this post, so that we will be able to offer you the best solution for your problems.

These were all the guidelines that you had to go over. Now that you know all of the above, I think that you will be able to flash the rooting files successfully.

How to root Galaxy S2 I9100 on Android 4.1.2 XWLSU Jelly Bean:

1. Download the Rooted Speed Kernel for the I9100 phone from here. Save the file on your computer.
   > you’ll get a .tar file, don’t extract its contents.
2. Download Odin 3.07 zip from here. Unzip the file after the download is complete.
3. Power off your Samsung Galaxy S2 device completely.
4. Boot it into Download Mode. It can be done by pressing and holding Volume Down, Home and Power buttons, all the same time. Release the buttons when the Warning message appears displayed on your phone. Press Volume Up to confirm that you wish to boot the SGS2 into Download Mode.
5. Launch ODIN executable on your computer.
6. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB cable.
7. ODIN will connect with your device and it should confirm by displaying the ‘Added!’ message. Don’t change any default settings.
   > if ODIN doesn’t recognize the SGS2, then you can try to change the USB ports or re-install the Samsung USB drivers.
8. Next, click the PDA button and then browse your PC for the ‘speedmod kernel odin’ tar.md5 file. Load it into ODIN.
9. Disable the ‘Re-partition’ option.
10. Hit the ‘START’ buttons whenever you’re ready to begin the install process.
11. This shouldn’t take too long and the new rooted firmware should be installed after several minutes.
12. ODIN should say ‘PASS’ and the device will reboot.
13. Disconnect the phone from PC when the Samsung boot animation appears.
14. That’s it, these were all the steps that you had to take in order to successfully flash the file. Now your device is rooted.

In case ODIN freezes or says FAIL, the installation wasn’t completed. You will need to power off the device completely by removing its battery. Close ODIN, re-insert the battery back into its place and then repeat the entire tutorial starting with step 4. The second time you try to flash the files, make sure that you don’t skip any steps that I have listed above.
In case the custom Recovery wasn’t installed, you will still be able to flash it now using the Google Play Store and a simple application. You can opt to install CWM or TWRP Recovery. Below you can find the download links for two custom Recovery images:

• Download and install CWM Recovery for Android from Google Play Store here using ROM Manager.
• Download and install TWRP Recovery for Android from Google Play Store here using Goo Manager.

When the application is installed on your device, you simply need to launch it. Use the Install function within the app to finish the custom Recovery installation.
Booting into Recovery Mode is easy, as you simply need to power off your smartphone completely. Press and hold Volume Up, Home and Power buttons simultaneously. Release the buttons when the Recovery mode screen appears. That’s it, now you can start looking for Android 4.2 / 4.1 custom ROMs and flash them using the custom Recovery Mode. Several guides on how to successfully flash such operating systems for your Galaxy S2 phone can be found in our ‘how-to’ section here.
For any other questions, use the comments field below.