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Telus Galaxy S2 (T989D) Ultimate Root and Optimization Guide with Steps
- Thread starter Blue1k
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- samsung galaxy s2
ayoshidage
Newbie
Telus Galaxy S2X (T989D) Ultimate Root and Optimization Guide with Steps
*Our device is identical to the T-Mobile Galaxy S2X (T989) but there are a few minor differences you need to know when rooting and loading roms/kernels/modems.
This will work on the T-Mobile phone as well. Just follow the different step to get into download mode.
This will NOT change the flash counter. You are not loading a rooted rom.
Here is a comprehensive and user-friendly guide to rooting your Telus S2X. Included is also some tips to roms, kernels and things to improve battery life.
*Please ensure you follow the steps as laid out here. Failure to do so may mean you may break your device. If this happens, you can always flash back the original rom and fix your mistake. I take no responsibility if you screw up your phone but would be happy to help.
Adopted from Melvin's XDA thread (big thanks goes to Melvin!)
*Please ensure you have a memory card installed to be able to do a backup. You can skip the backup but this is your choice. If anything goes bad you will need to use odin to flash back the stock rom.
1. You will need these 4 files before proceeding:
Odin 1.8
T989 USB Drivers (Windows only)
Clockmod Recovery for T989 (flash with Odin)
If you are on 2.3.5: Superuser app 3.0.5 If you are on 2.3.6: Superuser app 3.0.7
2. Install, unzip the USB drivers and install them on your computer
3. On your phone, go to SETTINGS>APPLICATIONS>DEVELOPMENT Check USB Debugging
4. Now plug in your phone and a menu will come up asking if you want to mount as a USB drive. Select it and copy the SuperUser zip to usbStorage folder on the internal drive (really anywhere is fine but I will keep it simple here and select a folder)
5. Unmount your phone and unplug it from the computer.
6. Now, unzip Odin file and open the folder. Inside it will be the Odin app. Launch Odin but do NOT connect the phone yet
7. To flash with Odin (which is a Samsung Testing application) you will need to boot your phone into DOWNLOAD mode. To do this, do the following:
POWER OFF. Then HOLD VOLUME DOWN and keep pressing it and then press power. It will boot you into the following screen. Press UP to confirm you want to flash
*This is different for us Telus users. T-Mobile have to press both buttons and then connect
8. Now, you can connect your phone to your computer. Wait for odin com port to turn YELLOW before proceeding
9. On ODIN, Select the PDA button and browse to the recovery.tar. Make sure Re-Partition is NOT checked (it shouldn't be). Now press start and let it flash the custom recovery. It should say PASS once finished. Close Odin.
10. Next, disconnect your phone. Power it off. We will now need to get into the new recovery module you flashed. To do this press both VOLUME UP AND DOWN and hold them. Then press power and wait till it boots-don't keep holding power. Once you see the recovery screen let go of the volume buttons immediately. Sometimes, I am not fast enough and the phone reboots. If this happens HOLD the VOLUME buttons again and repeat the process.
You should see something like this:
11. Using your volume buttons, navigate down to BACKUP and RESTORE. Choose:
(NANDROID) BACKUP
*To make a selection press the POWER button (it acts as a return key). This will create a complete backup of your stock phone in case something goes wrong. If it does, you can always boot back into recovery and choose RESTORE from the BACKUP and RESTORE menu. Nice huh! Don't skip this step or you will be sorry.
12. After the restore choose "GO BACK" to return to the main menu. Then select ADVANCED and choose FIX PERMISSIONS. Once this is complete navigate back to main menu
13. Once back at the main menu, choose INSTALL ZIP FROM SDCARD. Select CHOOSE ZIP FROM INTERNAL SDCARD. Navigate down to the usbStorage folder and select the su-3.0.5-efgh-signed.zip or su-3.0.7-efgh-signed.zip file. Go to main menu and reboot system.
You are now rooted!
This means you have full access to system files and is like jailbreaking on an iPhone. You should have a superuser app installed. If not, you are not rooted.
Hope this was helpful to people. Feel free to donate if you wish (see my sig)
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Stock Telus Goodies
PS. Rooting will void warranty but it is reversible. If you need return it use Odin to flash back the stock rom with one from XDA or use the one on my server below.
Telus S2X Stock Items
Telus S2X Stock T989DTLKJ3 Rom and Recovery (to get back to original state)
Pass: sampro.pl
*Thanks to Przekret from XDA!
Steps:
1. To install the stock rom file you will need to first extract it. Use the password above
2. Launch Odin. Press PDA and Select the stock recovery file (tar.md5 file) folder you extracted. Make sure re-partition is NOT selected (see the pic above).
3. Restart your phone in download mode as before (see above how to do this) and wait for the yellow com
4. Press Start and flash back the phone to original state
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How to flash the modem using CWM (for rooted phones)
Telus Stock KJ3 Modem
Steps:
1. Copy the KJ3 zip to your phone
2. Reboot into recovery
3. I would wipe cache in main menu and Dalvik (in the advanced) menu just to be safe. Probably not necessary but I would do it.
3. Choose install zip (choose internal or external depending on where you saved the zip to)
4. Flash as usual.
5. Go back to main recovery menu and select advanced menu. Select Fix permissions. I usually do this to avoid any weird issues. Again probably not necessary.
6. Reboot.
Hey there,
I know this guide is for a Telus model, but has this been tested on a Kodoo phone ? Has anyone tried on Koodo does it work 100% or not. Please comfirm
Atma
Extreme Android User
Hi ayoshidage :ciao:
Yes, I've seen Koodo users root their phones with it. If the superuser file doesn't work, use the one in this guide.
ayoshidage
Newbie
Thanks do I use this guide for the koodoo with files or the other guide you posted in this link. Please tell me .
Atma
Extreme Android User
I don't think it really matters. Use this one and like I said, if the superuser file from this one doesn't work, use the one from the other guide.
Probably a stupid question. I'm new to rooting so im kind of sketched out about the process. I had the telus s2x sgh-t989d , with ICS 4.0.3 , will this guide work the same? are these the latest files i need or should i be searching somewhere else? Also if something goes wrong (hope to god it doesn't) is the backup file to restore to normal for the telus version or t-mobile?
I appologize for being a noob but I would prefer to ask as much as i can before i own a shiny brick.
My ultimate reason for rooting is to modify/disable the camera shutter sounds because of the loud sound when taking pictures in instagram. (Actually had someone complain on the train about the sound).
I appologize for being a noob but I would prefer to ask as much as i can before i own a shiny brick.
My ultimate reason for rooting is to modify/disable the camera shutter sounds because of the loud sound when taking pictures in instagram. (Actually had someone complain on the train about the sound).
Atma
Extreme Android User
Hi Kcharle :hello: There are no stupid questions here and no need to apologize. We all started as noobs and it is smart to ask questions.
Yes, this guide will work for you. If the superuser file in this guide doesn't work and give you root, just try this one. Also, After you get the recovery installed and you are rooted, I recommend installing this TWRP recovery. Just reboot to your clockworkmod recovery menu. Select install zip from sd card, then select choose zip from sd card. Then select the TWRP file and install it. It is a newer recovery and works better then clockworkmod recovery.
If there is a major problem (there shouldn't be, rooting is relatively easy and safe as long as you follow the steps), you could use this guide to unroot and reinstall your stock rom.
Can't you go to settings in your camera app and turn off the sound? There are also camera apps in the Play Store you can turn off the sound.
I can, problem is the instagram app uses its own 'advanced camera' that takes shots at the proper size where if you take a picture in a native app then post to instagram your forced to crop the image to 'instasize', therefore loosing a decent amount of the image. I know its illegal in some spots or whatever but im clearly not posting perv shots or anything offensive to a service thats monitored.
Going to give it a shot today hopefully, should i backup before i start the process? If i remember correctly kies will backup my phone, is there a better option tho? Im talking pre root
Atma
Extreme Android User
Yes, Kies will backup contacts and media. If you are synced with Google, it will also backup and restore contacts. If you do any messaging, you could use something like SMS Backup. If you want to backup apps, you can use App Backup and Restore. It doesn't backup the data though, just the app. After rooting, you can use Titanium Backup and it will backup app and app data.
If you are just going to root, you shouldn't lose any files or settings. It doesn't erase anything, just replaces your stock recovery and you install the superuser file.
ayoshidage
Newbie
Thanks
Also have you tried this from the google play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spocky.galaxsimunlock&hl=en
Does this actually unlock the sim to use any carrier for the phone, does it work on the S2X SGH-T989D model ?
Or is there another app we can install to fully unlock the phone so we can use any carrier we want without paying 20-40 dollars ?
Thanks.
Atma
Extreme Android User
Thanks
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spocky.galaxsimunlock&hl=en
Does this actually unlock the sim to use any carrier for the phone, does it work on the S2X SGH-T989D model ?
Or is there another app we can install to fully unlock the phone so we can use any carrier we want without paying 20-40 dollars ?
.
No, I haven't tried that app. I'm not sure but I don't think it would work with your phone.
I'm not sure of another app. I've never looked into it. T-Mobile will give an unlock code for free after being with them for 40 days. You might ask your carrier about that.
Hey folks, I need some help here!
I downloaded all file from the original post. I also downloaded the Odin Stock ROM from the link given a few posts up for 4.0.3 . I honestly don't know what I'm supposed to do with it. I downloaded the Superapp version 3.0.7 (which I asked about because I'm not using 2.3.6). When I used this version in Recovery, I get the following error. Is this because I'm using the wrong version of it?
I downloaded all file from the original post. I also downloaded the Odin Stock ROM from the link given a few posts up for 4.0.3 . I honestly don't know what I'm supposed to do with it. I downloaded the Superapp version 3.0.7 (which I asked about because I'm not using 2.3.6). When I used this version in Recovery, I get the following error. Is this because I'm using the wrong version of it?
Third time was the charm. I did it twice, but not three last night, but it worked today. Thanks. Rooted!
Averageasian
Newbie
Do these instructions work for my Koodo Galaxy S2 X on 4.0.4? Or will I need an upgraded file? Sorry but I'm kind of a noob to rooting, I only rooted once with Superoneclick on my old phone!
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Atma
Extreme Android User
Hi Averageasian :ciao: Welcome to the forums.
Yes it will work. You might need to use a newer superuser file. You can find one in this guide.
http://androidforums.com/galaxy-s2-t-mobile-all-things-root/627099-guide-root-rom-sgh-t989.html
If it says aborted after trying to flash it, that's normal. Just try again.
Atma
Extreme Android User
Hi tb :ciao: welcome to the forums.
You may need a newer recovery. Try installing this TWRP recovery. Just reboot to your clockworkmod recovery menu. Select install zip from sd card, then select choose zip from sd card. Then select the TWRP file and install it. It is a newer recovery and works better then clockworkmod recovery.
Hey, thanks for the speedy reply!. I'm so grateful to you! You're posts are so much more helpful than the ones at xda! I was able to use the cwm and learned (through another of your posts) that I needed the darkside wipes. I got it running, thanks so much man, really thanks, I spent two days trying to install these roms
I have a Koodo SIIx and I followed this guide. Everything worked except for the SuperSU file, but when I installed SuperSU 0.99, it worked.
JibsJonesJr
Lurker
Hi guys, Im just about to try to root my koodo s2x sgh-t989, I am going to try using the t-mobile method as fantystic pointed out he was able to do his and he is with koodo as well, Is it possible to still update the android os through kies after? Also this is just rooting the stock OS right? I am not interested in running custom roms atm I just wanted to run programs that require a rooted device. I am more concerned with if I will be able to update to jellybean whenever it gets release for the device.
Also is there a place to download the stock Firmware for my device in case i need to restore to factory default? Or can I make a copy of my current one?
Thanks in advance! I am anxious to get started in rooting my first Android phone. Cheers.
Successfully Rooted Koodo S2x sgh-t989 with the guide Fantystic recommend and i use CWM_Root_Superuser_3.1.3_Busybox_1.20.2.zip from another site which is the latest superuser I am running kernel 3.0.8. Thanks everyone for contributing and the creator of the guide appreciate it !
Also is there a place to download the stock Firmware for my device in case i need to restore to factory default? Or can I make a copy of my current one?
Thanks in advance! I am anxious to get started in rooting my first Android phone. Cheers.
Successfully Rooted Koodo S2x sgh-t989 with the guide Fantystic recommend and i use CWM_Root_Superuser_3.1.3_Busybox_1.20.2.zip from another site which is the latest superuser I am running kernel 3.0.8. Thanks everyone for contributing and the creator of the guide appreciate it !