There is some truth in some memes floating around the Internet. “They told me I could be anything,” the meme starts, but in Android's case, it's certainly true. Though the Android development community hasn't quite found a way to magically transform an HTC One X into a Samsung Galaxy S3, devs certainly have figured out ways of changing what we see on the display. We've seen launchers that can mimic the iPad interface, as well as launchers that imbue your device with a Galaxy Nexus look. Today's ROM, courtesy of XDA Developers member tazlooney89, gives your Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 a touch of Sony Xperia.
The XperiaS2 ROM looks just like an Xperia interface, but that isn't all there is to this ROM. It's based on CyanogenMod 9.1 (based on Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich) and it's fully deodexed and has zipaligned APKs. It's also rooted and comes with BusyBox installed. The XperiaS2 ROM also has an extended power menu containing options for Reboot, Recovery, Download and Screenshot.
Excited to make worlds, or in this case, Android UIs, collide? This guide shows you how to flash the XperiaS2 ROM for the Galaxy S2 I9100.
Warning
- The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Samsung Galaxy S2, model number GT-I9100. 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
- Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 with ClockworkMod Recovery installed and running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich XXLPQ firmware. You may refer to the following guides for additional help:
- Download the following to your computer:
- 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.
Instructions
Installing the Siyah Kernel
The instructions below are for flashing Siyah Kernel via ClockworkMod Recovery.
- Copy the Siyah Kernel to your Galaxy S2′s internal SD card.
- Turn off your Galaxy S2.
- Boot into Recovery mode by pressing and holding down the Volume Up, Home, and Power buttons.
- Select Install ZIP from SD card.
- Select Choose ZIP from SD card and select the Siyah Kernel.
- Once the Siyah Kernel has been installed, select Reboot system now.
Installing the XperiaS2 and Google Apps package
- Copy the XperiaS2 ROM file and the GApps package to your Galaxy S2′s internal SD card
- Turn off your Galaxy S2.
- Boot into Recovery mode by pressing and holding down the Volume Up, Home, and Power buttons.
- Make a NANDroid backup. Select Backup and Restore. Select Backup.
- Select Wipe data/factory reset. Confirm the action on the next screen.
- Select Wipe cache partition. Confirm the action on the next screen.
- Select Advanced then select Wipe Dalvik cache. Confirm the action on the next screen.
- Select Mounts and Storage and then select Format /data.
- Select Mounts and Storage and then select Format /system.
- Select Mounts and Storage and then select Format /cache.
- Select Install ZIP from SD card.
- Select Choose ZIP from SD card and select the XperiaS2 ROM file.
- Repeat step 11 but this time select the GApps package.
- Select Go back.
- Select Wipe data/factory reset.
- Select Wipe cache partition.
- Select Advanced and then select Fix permissions.
- Select Reboot system now.
Great job! Your Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 has now been given a taste of Xperia's UI and a dose of delicious Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
