The Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone has been released for years now and consumers find the device to be outdated in today’s world. It is true that processors are now faster than before. Even display quality has improved since the S2 got released.
If you’re an S2 user, you are in for some good news. Following the release of Android 4.4 KitKat, a team of modders known as CyanogenMod has launched a ROM of this latest OS specifically for this outdated smartphone from Samsung.
CM11 is now available for the Galaxy S2 GT-i9100 version and it is free of bloatwares. Everything from the official Android 4.4 comes in this ROM. The surplus is that users can install ad-ons from CM with this custom KitKat.
However, installing it will require users to root their device. Here is a checklist on what is required to perform the update.
1: Flash this firmware to the Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 only, as any other models might get damaged.
2: Root the handset and then install a custom recovery like ClockworkMod.
3: Install the right USB drivers for your Galaxy S2 on your PC.
4: Make a manual backup of all your personal info, settings and data files.
5: Ensure that your battery level is at least 50% to stop any power interruptions during the flash.
6: Enable the USB debugging mode on your phone. Head to “Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging mode” or “Settings > Developer options > USB debugging.”
7: Download CyanogenMod 11 for Galaxy S2 i-9100 and the Google Apps package to your computer.
If all is ready, follow the instructions below.
1: Plug your Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 to your PC via USB.
2: Copy over the CyanogenMod 11 and the Google Apps packages to the SD card of the Galaxy S2. Do not extract the zip files.
3: Unplug the phone from the PC before turning it off.
4: Reboot into recovery mode by pressing and holding the volume up, home and power keys simultaneously until the Samsung logo appears.
5: Inside recovery mode, make an Android backup of your current ROM. Select “backup and restores > backup.” You can then restore the saved ROM inside the SD card anytime you need to.
6: Do a full wipe on your phone. Select “wipe data/factory reset” and “wipe cache partition.” Then choose “advanced > wipe Dalvik cache.”
7: Return to the main menu and install the CyanogenMod 11 by selecting “install zip from SD card > choose zip from SD > search the ROM you have copied earlier > confirm installation.” Do the same thing with the Google Apps.
8: Once the installation has finished, go back and select “reboot system now.”
9: It might take five minutes or so before your Galaxy S2 reaches its home screen after rebooting.
