How to Unlock (and Root) the Bell Galaxy S2. Step by Step Guide

[Blue1k]

Sorry I made a mistake in my previous comment. I don't have this phone anymore so I haven't looked at the main post in a while. I got it confused with my T989 S2 thread. The stock rom I listed is in zip format and uses recovery to flash. So you can use the FLASH A CUSTOM ROM guide to do this as it is using the same method.

After you do this, can you go to settings>about and see what kernel is listed. I am hoping it will over write anything that is on the phone. If not, we will need to flash the kernel using odin. I'll have to find the stock bell kernel if this is the case

Good luck and PM if you run into issues.

 

[JSR84]

Big thanks to Blue1k, He really helped me out with my post root screen problems!

Thanks again!

 

[Blue1k]

Glad it worked out! Stock rom and kernel updated in the original post to use Odin.

 

[Blue1k]

Well I'm back to the Bell (i9100 S2)! I couldn't stand not having a home button on the Telus version.

This time in white

Time to load on Miui!!

 

[JDD123]

I'm on Android ver. 2.3.5, baseband version XXKH3, Gingerbread XXKI3, wanted to upgrade to XWKK5 Android ver. 2.3.6. I followed your guide when getting to:
Step 5: Go back to the main menu and select INSTALL ZIP from SDCARD / EXTERNAL SD where I copied the zip to rom folder. Choose my rom.zip but zip doesn't show, it keep returning to the previous menu. What am I doing wrong? Need your help Thanx

 

[Blue1k]

I'm on Android ver. 2.3.5, baseband version XXKH3, Gingerbread XXKI3, wanted to upgrade to XWKK5 Android ver. 2.3.6. I followed your guide when getting to:
Step 5: Go back to the main menu and select INSTALL ZIP from SDCARD / EXTERNAL SD where I copied the zip to rom folder. Choose my rom.zip but zip doesn't show, it keep returning to the previous menu. What am I doing wrong? Need your help Thanx

What version of rom are you trying to upgrade to? Are you using official or 3rd party?

 

[Snazzy]

I'm on Android ver. 2.3.5, baseband version XXKH3, Gingerbread XXKI3, wanted to upgrade to XWKK5 Android ver. 2.3.6. I followed your guide when getting to:
Step 5: Go back to the main menu and select INSTALL ZIP from SDCARD / EXTERNAL SD where I copied the zip to rom folder. Choose my rom.zip but zip doesn't show, it keep returning to the previous menu. What am I doing wrong? Need your help Thanx

Perhaps you saved the zip to the internal SD storage? depending on version of recovery you might see an option in restore that says "restore from internal sd storage"..select that option and then browse to your download folder or wherever you might have saved that zip file.

 

[Blue1k]

I just wanted to be sure the rom you are trying to load is not an odin version. If it is then you shouldn't be using recovery to flash it.

 

[JDD123]

I just wanted to be sure the rom you are trying to load is not an odin version. If it is then you shouldn't be using recovery to flash it.

I download this:

XWKK5
Android 2.3.6

This package has: PDA: XWKK5| Modem/phone: XXKI3| CSC: XEUKH2
Download: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!

XWKK5 Stock Kernel: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!
Password: intratech@XDA

Should I use official KK2 rom instead?

 

[Blue1k]

I download this:

XWKK5
Android 2.3.6

This package has: PDA: XWKK5| Modem/phone: XXKI3| CSC: XEUKH2
Download: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!

XWKK5 Stock Kernel: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!
Password: intratech@XDA

Should I use official KK2 rom instead?

Ah that is why. This is an odin/official rom. You don't use recovery to flash this.

Download the package file (don't need the kernel). Unzip it using 7zip and you will be left with one file (a tar file). Open odin and select PDA button and select the extracted tar file. Flash away

 

[JSR84]

Well I'm back to the Bell (i9100 S2)! I couldn't stand not having a home button on the Telus version.

This time in white

Time to load on Miui!!

You go through phones like I do cars. lol

 

[JDD123]

Ah that is why. This is an odin/official rom. You don't use recovery to flash this.

Download the package file (don't need the kernel). Unzip it using 7zip and you will be left with one file (a tar file). Open odin and select PDA button and select the extracted tar file. Flash away

I was able to flash with odin but then I loose my root, I tried re-rooting with Superoneclick without sucess. How do I re-root my sg2 from here.

 

[Blue1k]

To re root go back to my original post and look at the cf kernel link.

Since you are now on kk5 you will need the kk5 cf rooted kernel. Open up Odin, select PDA and select the root kk5 kernel and flash away

 

[Dhydoytz]

Lol. It is not that hard. Where in Canada are you located. I could help guide you through it on Skype.

I would. That way you have total control of your phone.

Hi blue1k, can you help me too?im here at lloydminster city saskatchewan hehe cheerz

 

[johnr2903]

when i root the phone will i be able to remove all of the apps preloaded by the carrier ???

 

[JSR84]

when i root the phone will i be able to remove all of the apps preloaded by the carrier ???

Not directly, but it will give you the ability to install custom ROM's many of which remove the majority of the bloatware. Also, there are programs that you can install to remove some of the crap, just be careful what you uninstall, always backup before messing with anything!

 

[johnr2903]

ok figured out how to remote those apps but now is there an app that will assist me in removing virgin front home screen and changing the lock unlock sounds ?
thanks in advance
newbie rooted user
by the way thanks op for the guide the root went flawless , and curiosity is making me ask if you do a factory data reset that wipes out root and everything correct

 

[wildotchan]

Blue, first off, HUGE kudos for maintaining this thread ..I've read almost every message in this thread.. all of the help you have provided...many many grateful people, myself included!!

Glad that you're back on the Bell S2!

I'm currently running KG2 (un-rooted original) but IMEI code unlocked and running on Rogers... have been for a few months now... battery life is soooooo poor that I have decided to take the plunge and root..to load something else in hopes of solving my problem...

I'm more or less a noob.... but have been reading up a bit....
Your guide is so comprehensive so I don't foresee any problems rooting...

My question is....

What ROM and kernel would you recommend?
(If running stock, which version?)
(What about custom ROMs and kernels?)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Blue1k]

Hi blue1k, can you help me too?im here at lloydminster city saskatchewan hehe cheerz

Ya no worries. PM me and I can send you my skype. I'm away today in the US but around tomorrow. Anytime man.

 

[Blue1k]

ok figured out how to remote those apps but now is there an app that will assist me in removing virgin front home screen and changing the lock unlock sounds ?
thanks in advance
newbie rooted user
by the way thanks op for the guide the root went flawless , and curiosity is making me ask if you do a factory data reset that wipes out root and everything correct

The Virgin boot screen is linked to the rom or kernel. The only way to get rid of it is to load a new rom. I haven't looked into lock sound hacks but there is a way as some roms have unique lock sounds. I'll look into this

Factory reset does not remove root. Root is tied the rom or kernel you installed. In this case it is the rooted cf-kernel that allows you to have root access. Wiping won't remove it.

 

[Snazzy]

ok figured out how to remote those apps but now is there an app that will assist me in removing virgin front home screen and changing the lock unlock sounds ?
thanks in advance
newbie rooted user
by the way thanks op for the guide the root went flawless , and curiosity is making me ask if you do a factory data reset that wipes out root and everything correct

Actually there are a number of methods to replace and/or customize the boot animation. Here is one that does not require a new ROM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1gfr8vu4PM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[Blue1k]

Blue, first off, HUGE kudos for maintaining this thread ..I've read almost every message in this thread.. all of the help you have provided...many many grateful people, myself included!!

Glad that you're back on the Bell S2!

I'm currently running KG2 (un-rooted original) but IMEI code unlocked and running on Rogers... have been for a few months now... battery life is soooooo poor that I have decided to take the plunge and root..to load something else in hopes of solving my problem...

I'm more or less a noob.... but have been reading up a bit....
Your guide is so comprehensive so I don't foresee any problems rooting...

My question is....

What ROM and kernel would you recommend?
(If running stock, which version?)
(What about custom ROMs and kernels?)

Thanks in advance!

I'm just getting back into roms. I'm a HUGE fan of MIUI Galnet roms. The Miui camera gives much better results than stock

Here is a link to my flickr

I think I will be adding a ROM guide review with Youtube vids to main post to help people decide which rom is for them.

 

[Riche101]

Yikes i deleted the original efs folder rather than rename it hope it works and is not screwed

 

[wildotchan]

I'm just getting back into roms. I'm a HUGE fan of MIUI Galnet roms. The Miui camera gives much better results than stock

Here is a link to my flickr

I think I will be adding a ROM guide review with Youtube vids to main post to help people decide which rom is for them.

Thanks for the quick response, Blue.

I flashed the KI3 stock firmware and have noticed the improvement already...
How's the battery life with MIUI and what kernel are you currently running?

Looking forward to seeing your ROM guide.

By the way, that's a beautiful cat you got there....

Cheers,
wil

 

[ghareb]

Thanks a lot Blue1K for your great guide. I have one small question, I rooted my SGS2 from Bell following this guide then unlocked it by the Galaxy_S unlock app but when I do factory reset, the phone become locked again and I have to re-install the Galaxy_S unlock and repeat the unlocking steps. Any idea why this is happening and how to prevent it?
Best