It has been a long time since we last saw the latest Android Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus international version. On the other side of the spectrum, Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners have been longing for the elusive Android 4.0.4 update. But, that is soon about to change, thanks to a handful of developers who have managed to snag the official ICS update and managed to find a method to install it manually via ClockworkMod Recovery.

We’ve posted a similar update guide for this same firmware build, although that set of instructions were a bit cumbersome and complex.  In this post, we offer a simpler, easier, and less bloody way to upgrade your Galaxy Nexus SCH-I515 to Android 4.0.4.

The Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich update brings a lot of improvements that includes stability, performance upgrades and bug fixes. Rumor has it that the said update will be released soon but if you can’t wait for the official OTA release then you can update it right now just by following our guide below.

Warning

• The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, model number SCH-I515. Applying these instructions on another device or model may produce undesired outcomes.
• The information in this guide is provided for instructional and educational purposes only.  There is no guarantee that these instructions will work under your specific and unique circumstances.
• Use these instructions at your own risk.  We shall not hold any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.
• Read and understand the whole guide first before actually performing the instructions.

Requirements

• Rooted Verizon Galaxy Nexus SCH-I515 with unlocked bootloader. Need help with rooting and unlocking the bootloader? You can refer to these guides:
• • Samsung Galaxy Nexus: Rooting, BusyBox, and ClockworkMod Recovery install using CASUAL tool
  • How to unlock and root your CDMA Galaxy Nexus using the Galaxy Nexus Root Toolkit, and return back to stock
  • How to root your Samsung Galaxy Nexus using SuperBoot
  • How to root the Galaxy Nexus running Android 4.0.2 ICS with CF-Root
• A Windows PC
• Phone USB device drivers installed on your PC. You can use Samsung KIES to install the necessary USB drivers.
• Temporarily disable antivirus, firewall, and/or other security software on your computer as it can interfere with the procedure.
• Enable USB Debugging on your phone. You can do this by heading to Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging. Make sure that there is a check mark beside that option.
• Backup all personal data on your phone to make sure you have a copy of your personal data (e.g., contacts, SMS, MMS, Internet settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and the like) in case the procedure in this guide erases such data.
• • For backup tips, check our guides on how to sync your data to the cloud and how to create local backups of your mobile data.

Instructions

1. Download the following files and save them to your PC.
   • Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich update package (12f767e7a5d0.signed-mysid-IMM76K-from-ICL53F.12f767e7.zip, sha1sum: 12f767e7a5d0e2906e3b662cb101e89a3eb85e5e)
   • Galaxy Nexus Toolkit 7.0 (Galaxy Nexus ToolKit v7.0.exe, 84.21 MB)
2. Rename the downloaded ICS update file to update.zip.
3. Copy update.zip to your Galaxy Nexus’ SD card. Make sure to place it in the root directory of your phone’s SD card.
4. Install the Galaxy Nexus ToolKit by double-clicking the Galaxy Nexus ToolKit v7.0.exe.  Follow the onscreen installation instructions for the toolkit.
5. Launch the Galaxy Nexus ToolKit.
6. Switch off your phone.
7. Boot into Fastboot Mode. You can do this by holding down the Volume Up and Volume Down keys while switching the phone on.
8. Once Fastboot has loaded, connect your phone to your computer via USB cable.
9. When the Galaxy Nexus ToolKit asks for it, type the number corresponding to your phone’s model number and your phone’s Android version and build number.  You can check the current Android version and build number from the Settings > About phone menu on your phone.
10. In the Galaxy Nexus ToolKit window, press the Enter key to confirm your selection.
11. On the next screen, select the option to boot to ClockworkMod Recovery (CWM) or TWRP Recovery without permanently flashing it.
12. In the succeeding screen, you will be asked to choose which recovery to boot into.  Select ClockworkMod Recovery.  Your phone will reboot into the selected recovery.
13. Inside Recovery Mode, select Install ZIP from SD Card > Apply /sdcard/update.zip. Select Yes on the next screen that follows to confirm the installation. It may take 5-10 minutes for the installation process to complete.
14. Select Go Back to head back to the main recovery.
15. Reboot your phone by selecting Reboot System Now.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed the latest Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich on your Verizon Galaxy Nexus SCH-I515.