Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 Tastes Android 4.4.2 KitKat via OmniROM

Samsung has stopped further Android update for Galaxy S2 after releasing Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean. However, the device can still taste latest version of Android software through custom builds.

Recently, OmniROM team has released nightly builds, featuring Android 4.4.2 KitKat, for a number of Android powered devices. One such nightly build is available for the Galaxy S2 bearing model number GT-I9100.

Galaxy S2 users, who wish to update their devices to Android 4.4.2 using OmniROM, may follow our step-by-step guide. The custom firmware can be installed using both CWM and TWRP recovery. It is recommended to install latest version of either CWM (6.0.4.4+) or TWRP (2.6.3.0+) recovery.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held responsible for any mishap. Before following the installation, users are advised to verify their devices meet following requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Drivers for Galaxy S2 to transfer files between the Android device and the computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Press Menu>> Settings>> Applications. From there navigate and click on Development option and then check the USB Debugging Mode.]

3) As the tutorial might wipe all data of the phone, create backup. If the device is having any custom recovery such as ClockworkMod or, TWRP then backup data using the same.

4) If the Android phone powers off due to lack of battery during the process, it could damage the device. Therefore, the Galaxy S2 should have charge above 80% battery charge.

5) The phone should be rooted and have ClockworkMod or TWRP recovery installed. Ensure latest version of recovery is installed. [Click here for our guide to root and install CWM recovery on Galaxy S2 I9100.]

6) Android 4.4.2 KitKat Omni ROM works only with Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100. As applying this to any incorrect variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Galaxy S2 by navigating to Settings>> About phone>> Model number.

Download files

Android 4.4.2 KitKat OmniROM [Alternative link]

Gapps file

How to install Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 with OmniROM

Step-1: Connect Galaxy S2 to the computer using USB cable and transfer the downloaded zip files to the internal storage of the phone. Do not extract/unzip the files

Step-2: Disconnect the phone from the computer and switch then it off

Step-3: Place the phone into CWM/TWRP recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons together

Note: In recovery mode, use Volume buttons to scroll between options and Power button to select the desired option.

Step-4: Create a Nandroid backup of the existing ROM which can be restored later if the new ROM does not work or users wish to go back to the previous ROM.

CWM recovery- Select backup and restore, name the file and confirm the process. Go back to main recovery menu after the backup is completed.

TWRP recovery- Press Backup, set a name for the file and swipe to create the backup file.

Step-5: Perform a Factory Reset. This will delete all data from system partition, while the internal and external storage will not be affected by this guide.

CWM recovery- Select wipe data/factory reset and confirm the action

TWRP recovery- Press Wipe then swipe to apply Factory Reset

Step-6: Install the OmniROM on Galaxy S2.

CWM recovery- Select install zip from sdcard then select choose zip from sdcard. Now browse to the location where Android 4.4.2 OmniROM is saved. Select it and confirm installation

TWRP recovery- Press Install>> browse to the location where the ROM is saved then swipe to confirm installation

Step-7: When the ROM is installed, repeat the similar procedure and flash the Gapps file

Step-8: When the installation process is completed, go back to the main recovery menu and reboot the phone. The phone will now boot up into the customised OmniROM. The first boot process will take about five minutes at the Samsung boot animation screen, so wait until it loads all files and boots the home screen

Enter the Google Account info and take control over the device when all files are loaded

The Galaxy S2 should now be updated with OmniROM featuring Android 4.4.2. Head over to Setting>> About phone to verify the new software version of the device.

Note

If the phone loses root access after installing OmniROM, then flash SuperSU file via custom recovery mode.

If the first boot process takes more than ten minutes or the phone enters into a bootloop, then perform the tutorial again. Apply wipe data/factory reset step and also choose to apply format/system option.

If you do not like the new ROM then you may choose to restore the phone to its previous ROM using the file created ion step-4 though custom recovery mode.

[Source: Android Geeks]