As some of you have noticed, I've recently upgraded from my trusty Nexus S to a new Galaxy Nexus, so I'll be spending a lot less time in the Nexus S forum; however, I've been getting a lot of people asking me for a guide on manually updating their Nexus S, so as a parting gift, I'm leaving behind this thread, a (hopefully) 100% complete guide to manually updating.
Disclaimer: While manually updating with official files as presented in this thread will not void your warranty, there is always the chance of bricking your device any time you mess around in recovery mode. As long as you follow the directions closely and accurately, odds of this are EXTREMELY low; however, should something go wrong, neither I, nor AndroidForums, nor anyone else other than yourself, can be held responsible.
Preamble
Even though I'll be spending less time on the Nexus S forum, I will do my best to keep this thread updated with current links and information. Mods, please feel free to edit this guide should I be too slow in updating it.
Latest Version: 4.1.1, build JRO03E
Preferred order to update: Because the 4.0.3 update sometimes causes problems with the recovery installer, there is a preferred order to install updates when coming from pre-4.0.3 version.
If there is a 4.0.4 incremental update from your current version, use that. Otherwise, use the full 2.3.6 ROM update to flash to 2.3.6, then use the 2.3.6 to 4.0.4 incremental update.
It is possible to flash all of the updates (in order of course) from the recovery menu without rebooting the device; however, it is recommended that you reboot between each update and let the device go through the optimization process during the first boot.
How-To Flash an Official OTA Manually
Below is a video showing you how to flash the update files linked lower down in this post.
Manually Updating Your Nexus S - YouTube
For those who prefer reading over watching, here is are the textualized instructions:
*How-To access recovery mode:
Official Update Links
Use these links to download the official update file for your device.
Full ROMs
Full ROMs are OTA updates that are not incremental. You can flash them on top of any version prior to, up to, and including the version your device is currently running. Unfortunately, they do not work for downgrading to a previous version (that requires unlocking your bootloader and using a custom recovery image). Generally speaking, full ROMs are the preferred method of updating since they take the guess work out of choosing the right file.
I9020T and I9023
This is for the I9020T and I9023 model versions only.
Android 2.3.3/GRI40/XXKB1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 2.3.4/GRJ22/XXKD1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 2.3.6/GRK39F/XXKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 4.0.3/IML74K/XXKI1 Radio/KL1 Bootloader
Android 4.0.4/IMM76D/XXKI1 Radio is an incremental update (see below).
Android 4.1.1/JRO03E/XXKI1 Radio/KL1 Bootloader is only an incremental update so far (see below).
I9020A
This is for the I9020A (aka AT&T version) models only.
Android 2.3.6/GRK39C/UCKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 2.3.6/GRK39F/UCKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 4.0.4/IMM76D/UCKJ1 Radio is an incremental update (see below).
Incremental ROMs
Incremental updates can be flashed only on top of the versions they are meant to be flashed from.
I9020T
This is for the I9020T model version only.
From Android 2.3 (Build GRH55/XXJK8 Radio/JK1 Bootloader)
2.3 to 2.3.1
From Android 2.3.1 (Build GRH78/XXJK8 Radio/JK1 Bootloader)
2.3.1 to 2.3.2
2.3.1 to 2.3.3 (GRI40)
2.3.1 to 4.0.4
From Android 2.3.2 (Build GRH78C/XXJK8 Radio/JK1 Bootloader)
2.3.2 to 2.3.3 (GRI40)
2.3.2 to 2.3.4
From Android 2.3.3 (Build GRI40/XXKB1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.3 (GRI40) to 2.3.4
From Android 2.3.4 (Build GRJ22/XXKD1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.4 to 2.3.6
2.3.4 to 4.0.4
From Android 2.3.6 (Build GRK39F/XXKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.6 to 4.0.3
2.3.6 to 4.0.4
From Android 4.0.3 (Build IML74K/XXKI1 Radio/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.3 to 4.0.4
From Android 4.0.4 (Build IMM76D/XXKI1/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.4 to 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
I9023
This is for the I9023 model version only.
From Android 2.3.3 (Build GRI40/XXKB1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.3 (GRI40) to 2.3.4
From Android 2.3.4 (Build GRJ22/XXKD1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.4 to 2.3.6
2.3.4 to 4.0.4
From Android 2.3.6 (Build GRK39F/XXKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.6 to 4.0.3
2.3.6 to 4.0.4
From Android 4.0.3 (Build IML74K/XXKI1 Radio/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.3 to 4.0.4
From Android 4.0.4 (Build IMM76D/XXKI1/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.4 to 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
I9020A
This is for the I9020A (aka AT&T version) model version only.
From Android 2.3.3 (Build GRI54/UCKB2 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.3 to 2.3.4 (GRJ22)
From Android 2.3.4 (Build GRJ22/UCKD1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.4 (GRJ22) to 2.3.6 (GRK39C)
2.3.4 (GRJ22) to 2.3.6 (GRK39F)
From Android 2.3.6 (Build GRK39C/UCKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.6 (GRK39C) to 2.3.6 (GRK39F)
From Android 2.3.6 (Build GRK39F/UCKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.6 (GRK39F) to 4.0.4 (IMM76D)
From Android 4.0.4 (Build IMM76D/UCKJ1/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.4 (IMM76D) to 4.0.4 (IMM76M)
4.0.4 (IMM76D) to 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
From Android 4.0.4 (Build IMM76M/UCKJ1/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.4 (IMM76M) to 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
Special thanks to: XDA Developers Forum for maintaining a catalog of official update links.
Disclaimer: While manually updating with official files as presented in this thread will not void your warranty, there is always the chance of bricking your device any time you mess around in recovery mode. As long as you follow the directions closely and accurately, odds of this are EXTREMELY low; however, should something go wrong, neither I, nor AndroidForums, nor anyone else other than yourself, can be held responsible.
Preamble
Even though I'll be spending less time on the Nexus S forum, I will do my best to keep this thread updated with current links and information. Mods, please feel free to edit this guide should I be too slow in updating it.
Latest Version: 4.1.1, build JRO03E
Preferred order to update: Because the 4.0.3 update sometimes causes problems with the recovery installer, there is a preferred order to install updates when coming from pre-4.0.3 version.
If there is a 4.0.4 incremental update from your current version, use that. Otherwise, use the full 2.3.6 ROM update to flash to 2.3.6, then use the 2.3.6 to 4.0.4 incremental update.
It is possible to flash all of the updates (in order of course) from the recovery menu without rebooting the device; however, it is recommended that you reboot between each update and let the device go through the optimization process during the first boot.
How-To Flash an Official OTA Manually
Below is a video showing you how to flash the update files linked lower down in this post.
Manually Updating Your Nexus S - YouTube
For those who prefer reading over watching, here is are the textualized instructions:
- Download the appropriate file for your device from one of the links below.
- Copy that file to the root directory of your Nexus S (rename it or make note of the file name so that you can find it later).
- Reboot into Recovery Mode (make sure your battery is fully charged before this step).*
- (Optional but recommended step) Select "Wipe cache partition."
- Select "Apply update from /sdcard" and select the update file you copied to your phone. Select Yes and let it install.
- Select "Reboot system now."
- Let the device boot. It may take several minutes to optimize your applications.
*How-To access recovery mode:
- Turn off your phone
- While holding Volume Up, press and hold the Power button to turn on your phone.
- Use the Volume buttons to highlight "Recovery" and select it using the power button.
- At the tiangle exlamation point screen, press and hold the Power button and press Volume Up to bring up the recovery menu options.
Official Update Links
Use these links to download the official update file for your device.
Full ROMs
Full ROMs are OTA updates that are not incremental. You can flash them on top of any version prior to, up to, and including the version your device is currently running. Unfortunately, they do not work for downgrading to a previous version (that requires unlocking your bootloader and using a custom recovery image). Generally speaking, full ROMs are the preferred method of updating since they take the guess work out of choosing the right file.
I9020T and I9023
This is for the I9020T and I9023 model versions only.
Android 2.3.3/GRI40/XXKB1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 2.3.4/GRJ22/XXKD1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 2.3.6/GRK39F/XXKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 4.0.3/IML74K/XXKI1 Radio/KL1 Bootloader
Android 4.0.4/IMM76D/XXKI1 Radio is an incremental update (see below).
Android 4.1.1/JRO03E/XXKI1 Radio/KL1 Bootloader is only an incremental update so far (see below).
I9020A
This is for the I9020A (aka AT&T version) models only.
Android 2.3.6/GRK39C/UCKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 2.3.6/GRK39F/UCKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader
Android 4.0.4/IMM76D/UCKJ1 Radio is an incremental update (see below).
Incremental ROMs
Incremental updates can be flashed only on top of the versions they are meant to be flashed from.
I9020T
This is for the I9020T model version only.
From Android 2.3 (Build GRH55/XXJK8 Radio/JK1 Bootloader)
2.3 to 2.3.1
From Android 2.3.1 (Build GRH78/XXJK8 Radio/JK1 Bootloader)
2.3.1 to 2.3.2
2.3.1 to 2.3.3 (GRI40)
2.3.1 to 4.0.4
From Android 2.3.2 (Build GRH78C/XXJK8 Radio/JK1 Bootloader)
2.3.2 to 2.3.3 (GRI40)
2.3.2 to 2.3.4
From Android 2.3.3 (Build GRI40/XXKB1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.3 (GRI40) to 2.3.4
From Android 2.3.4 (Build GRJ22/XXKD1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.4 to 2.3.6
2.3.4 to 4.0.4
From Android 2.3.6 (Build GRK39F/XXKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.6 to 4.0.3
2.3.6 to 4.0.4
From Android 4.0.3 (Build IML74K/XXKI1 Radio/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.3 to 4.0.4
From Android 4.0.4 (Build IMM76D/XXKI1/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.4 to 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
I9023
This is for the I9023 model version only.
From Android 2.3.3 (Build GRI40/XXKB1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.3 (GRI40) to 2.3.4
From Android 2.3.4 (Build GRJ22/XXKD1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.4 to 2.3.6
2.3.4 to 4.0.4
From Android 2.3.6 (Build GRK39F/XXKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.6 to 4.0.3
2.3.6 to 4.0.4
From Android 4.0.3 (Build IML74K/XXKI1 Radio/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.3 to 4.0.4
From Android 4.0.4 (Build IMM76D/XXKI1/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.4 to 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
I9020A
This is for the I9020A (aka AT&T version) model version only.
From Android 2.3.3 (Build GRI54/UCKB2 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.3 to 2.3.4 (GRJ22)
From Android 2.3.4 (Build GRJ22/UCKD1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.4 (GRJ22) to 2.3.6 (GRK39C)
2.3.4 (GRJ22) to 2.3.6 (GRK39F)
From Android 2.3.6 (Build GRK39C/UCKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.6 (GRK39C) to 2.3.6 (GRK39F)
From Android 2.3.6 (Build GRK39F/UCKF1 Radio/KA3 Bootloader)
2.3.6 (GRK39F) to 4.0.4 (IMM76D)
From Android 4.0.4 (Build IMM76D/UCKJ1/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.4 (IMM76D) to 4.0.4 (IMM76M)
4.0.4 (IMM76D) to 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
From Android 4.0.4 (Build IMM76M/UCKJ1/KL1 Bootloader)
4.0.4 (IMM76M) to 4.1.1 (JRO03E)
Special thanks to: XDA Developers Forum for maintaining a catalog of official update links.