Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), the successor to Ice Cream Sandwich, comes with major improvements and new features but one of the big questions which remains is Will my phone get it?

Samsung Galaxy S Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

And why wouldn't you ask the question? Android 4.1 is claimed to be the fastest and smoothest version of Android yet. Google pulled the wraps off of the new operating system at the Google I/O 2012 developer conference in San Francisco. The new OS is expected to roll out in mid-July on a select range of devices.

However, this is not enough for the developer community and in a relatively short span of time, Android developers have ported the Jelly Bean software to Galaxy Nexus, Acer Iconia Tab A500, HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S2.

However, developers have now turned their attention to the Samsung Galaxy S, which has been able to run on Android Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread and Ice Cream Sandwich up until now. But thanks to the efforts of XDA Senior Member known as mkalter, Jelly Bean will now also be available on the Galaxy S. The developer has successfully managed to port the Jelly Bean software to the Galaxy S, which carries i9000 model number. Unfortunately, the ROM lacks some functionality, incluiding major features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio and more.

However, there are certain things that are functioning such as touchscreen, GPU, softkeys/hardkeys, Butter, ADB, USB, internal/external SD and camera. Before downloading the custom ROM, we advise you to make sure that you have the Galaxy S carrying the i9000 model number, because the ROM is not compatible with another variant of the Galaxy S with the model number GT-i9003. You can check your model number by heading to Settings > About Phone.

Users who wish to try the Jelly Bean on their Galaxy S can check further details and instructions on the official thread on xda-developers. However, regular users are advised to wait and see if Samsung decides to issue an official update to Jelly Bean for the Galaxy S.

Please note that using the method involves the risk of data damage. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk. IBTimes UK will not be held responsible for any consequence.

Below are the steps to install the Jelly Bean ROM on the Galaxy S, courtesy of The Android Soul.

Prerequisites: If your device is running on Android 4.0 ICS ROM, then you need not perform steps 2 and 3 that are mentioned below, so skip to step 4 after completing step 1. The method will wipe away all the apps, data and settings without disturbing the SD card. Hence, users are advised to backup all important data. It is also recommended to backup the APN settings.

  1. Firstly, remove the SIM card lock, if it already set by heading to Settings > Location and Security > SIM card lock > Clear the checkbox.
  2. Now, flash the stock XXJW4 firmware.
  3. Root XXJW4 to get the Clockworkmod recovery (CWM).
  4. Download the ROM from the official thread on xda-developers.
  5. Now, switch off your Galaxy S and wait until it will shut down completely. According to The Android Soul, wait for vibration and check capacitive button lights.
  6. By pressing and holding the Volume Up + Home buttons while turning on the device, boot the device into CWM recovery. As soon as the screen turns on, release the buttons. Within a few seconds, you will be able to see that the device will boot up into CWM recovery. To choose the options Volume keys can be used to scroll up and down.
  7. Now choose the wipe data/factory reset option and select "Yes" to confirm.
  8. After the wiping process is completed, choose the install zip option from device's sdcard. Then select choose zip from sdcard. It is required to scroll to ROM file that is placed on sdcard and select it.
  9. Choose "Yes" to confirm the installation. Now, the ROM will begin installing. After the installation process, go back to the "main recovery menu" and repeat step 7 to wipe the data again.
  10. Finally, go into "advanced" and then select "Fix permissions". Once again you need to go back to the main recovery menu and in order to reboot the device choose "reboot system now" and boot into Jelly Bean.
  11. Congrats, you can now enjoy the goodness of Butter on your Galaxy S smartphone.
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