How to port Ice cream Sandwich on your Samsung Galaxy S2

As most of the Android users know that Google has recently released the new Android operating system 4.0, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. It will take some time for Samsung to officially release the new version of the Android OS for its phones. In March 2012, Samsung released the Android 4.0 ICS update for its Galaxy S2 phone. While most European and Asian countries have been able to get a bite of the Ice Cream Sandwich, the US owners of Galaxy S2 are still waiting for their update. Samsung’s guide highlights the major features of Ice Cream Sandwich and its differences from Gingerbread. It also includes complete side by side screenshots highlighting the changes. The differences highlighted in the ICS include simple things such as how to save new contacts, to more complex ones such as setting VPN networks and managing applications. Although the official release will still take some more time, for the tech-savvy there is an alternate route, hacking community has just released alpha update for the same, which can be can be ported on most popular handsets. Since the build of the OS in alpha stage some of the applications may not work properly.  We highly recommend not installing this update since it is in alpha stage and wait for the beta release. Some applications such as the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, modem and camera may not work properly. But those who want to really give it a try make sure to backup their device, which can be used to restore the device to its previous version. The process of upgrading: The first and the most important step are to root your device if it is not already rooted. Also make sure that your phone is completely charged, since a completed drained battery in the middle of installation might “brick” it. • Get a rooted Samsung Galaxy S2 or root your device • Install ClockWorkMod recovery • Backup your device to restore your previous versions, in case of problems in the alpha version of Android OS 4.0. The actual Ice Cream Sandwich installation Step 1: Download these files: Galaxy S II ICS Alpha 7 Galaxy S ICS Alpha 4 Step 2: Connect the phone to your computer via USB and transfer the file to the root of your phone’s storage media. (This helps in easily identifying these files in file manager) Step 3: Turn off your phone, after the transfer is over. Step 4: Boot your device on ClockWorkMod recovery by simultaneously holding Volume Up + Home + Power button. Step 5: Scroll down to Mounts and Storage and format /system. Also format /data and /cache. Go back to menu and wipe data /factory reset. Step 6: Now in the main menu: install zip from sdcard > choose zip from sdcard > (Galaxy S II ICS Alpha 7) to flash ICS to your device. If you followed this guide correctly you should have Samsung Galaxy S2 running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.