Update Galaxy S2 GT I9100 Using Android 4.0.3 XWLP3 ICS Firmware

The GT I9100 is the code name for the Samsung Galaxy S2 and recently it has received an update for the ICS 4.0 and now the releases reached the 4.0.3 firmware build and if you follow the instructions listed in this post you will learn how to update your device without any other help. However, you should know that this update was first released only for O2 models and some guy managed to remove the branding protecting and it made it available worldwide for any SGS2 user that wishes to test it.
If you install the Android 4.0.3 XWLP3 ICS update, you won’t root the device but merely install some new files over the old ones and your warranty will not get revoked. So, users that are currently using a rooted device and wish to install this update should know that the root access will be lost and, you will have to wait until a new guide will be listed on our website for you to learn how to successfully apply the root on this ICS 4.0.3 OS.
The Samsung Galaxy S2 has easily become one of the most popular devices ever released by Samsung and powered by Android. It is the successor of the previous Galaxy S GT I9000 and it has been released currently in over one hundred and twenty countries worldwide and, that’s the reason behind this guide, to help as many SGS2 users as we can to experience the new ICS build firmware right on their device wherever they might be located right now. Please note that by installing this update and something happens to your device, then you should know that nor Android.gs nor the developers of such firmware cannot be held responsible for any damage that your SGS2 might develop while updating or after the installation is complete; make sure that you know your way around your device and that you can handle complex instructions that are required so that the ICS 4.0.3 XWLP3 update gets installed successfully.
Before we can move to the tutorial guide, you need to see what actions are required from you to be taken so that the updating process goes accordingly to plan and your device will feature the new firmware at the end of it. So, you need to read the instructions below so that you learn how to properly prepare your device and computer. Here’s how to do it:

•  you should make backups of all the videos, pictures, music and of all the other important documents that you currently keep stored on your Galaxy S2. This is required just in case something goes wrong and the files get corrupted or something else goes wrong and you won’t be able to access such docs after the update.
• you can choose to sync your Contacts with the Gmail account assigned to your device.
• the APN and MMS Settings should be saved just in case these get messed up after the update is complete and you can’t connect to the internet.
• charge your phone battery until it reaches over 75% so that you will prevent it from discharging during the updating process.
• remove or disable all the antivirus and antimalware applications from your device and this action will ensure that the firmware update won’t be blocked by such utilities.
• enable the USB debugging mode by selecting Settings on your phone and then Applications/ Development and here you can find the usb debugging option. Enable it and then move to the next part of this article.

Now that you know all this info, I think that you can move to the next part where you will learn what steps you need to take in order to correctly install and apply the new firmware update on your SGS2 device. Make sure that you apply all steps and note that in case you skip any step then the update won’t be completed and you will then be forced to repeat the entire tutorial guide and, that would be something that no one wishes to happen as you will lose time and the update won’t be applied forcing your phone to stop working.
How to Update the Galaxy S2 GT I91oo with Android XWLP3 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich firmware:

1. First you need to download the ICS 4.0.3 XWLP3 zip pack update from here. Extract its contents in a folder on your computer’s desktop.
2. Now download the Odin3 v1.83 from here. Extract the zip contents in the same folder you’ve extracted the firmware zip files.
3. Launch Odin exe and then power OFF your smartphone.
4. Your SGS2 has to be booted into Download Mode and this can be done by pressing and holding simultaneously the Volume Down and Center buttons and while holding these you have to press Power. The download mode will be launched and you can move to the next step.
5. Connect your Galaxy S2 to your computer using its USB cable. After that in ODIN you should notice that the ID:COM label turned yellow, which means that all drivers were updated. In case that box didn’t turn yellow then you should install the USB drivers and then go to Samsung KIES option in your phone and enable it. However, this will force you to repeat all the steps above.
6. Now you need to click the ‘PDA’ tab and choose the I9100XWLP3_I9100O2ULP4_I9100XXLPR_HOME.tar.md5 file, which is the firmware updating image that will install the new ICS 4.0.3 on your SGS2.
7. Hit the START button for the firmware update to start and then wait until it completes all its changes. When the firmware has been updated with success your phone will be switched OFF and then it will restart and load the home screen. Move to the net step.
8. Now that you see the home screen you need to disconnect your phone from your PC and then power it OFF.
9. Boot into Recovery mode by pressing and holding both Volume UP and the Center button; press the Power ON while holding those two buttons pressed. Recovery mode will load.
10. When in Recovery Mode you need to select the ‘Wipe data/ factory reset’ and ‘Wipe Cache partition’ options.
11. After the previous actions have been completed you need to restart your device by selecting the ‘reboot system now’ option. Wait for it to reboot in Android 4.0.3 XWLP3 ICS firmware and test all its new features and tools.

I think that these were all the steps that you had to take and hopefully, you’ve managed to apply all the instructions listed above and that from now on you know where to go for how-to guides and Android tips&tricks that should help you get the best out of your smartphone.
If the update wasn’t correctly applied or if something went wrong and your device doesn’t feature the ICS 4.0.3 XWLP3 firmware, then you should repeat all the instructions listed above, as you might have skipped a step or two and that might be why you couldn’t complete the tutorial. If otherwise, I mean, if the update has been installed successfully then you should start testing it and see which new features have been added and check all its utilities to see which one has been improved and which ones still need to be worked at. For any other questions please feel free to post them as a comment and you will receive a proper answer in no time.