Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100: How to root Android 4.0.3 firmware XWLP7 and XWLP8

The Samsung Galaxy S2 is definitely one of the best devices manufactured by Samsung and on the eve of the release of the Samsung Galaxy S3, the Galaxy S2 is still on the top of the list of the hottest Android devices. Samsung has rolled out the Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Galaxy S II but some of its variants are still waiting for the update.

Two firmware versions were released for the Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100. Build I9100XWLP7 is for users in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and build I9100XWLP8 is for Optus subscribers in Australia. We have already covered the instructions on how to install the official Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Samsung Galaxy S2, and now we will teach you how to root it.

Now that your Samsung Galaxy S2 is running on official Ice Cream Sandwich, only one thing is missing: root, of course. You can do a lot of things with a rooted device. So, if you want to root your Samsung Galaxy S2 running on official Ice Cream Sandwich, see the instructions below.

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 claim any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.

Requirements

Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 (either the U.K./Ireland variant or the Australia variant)
A Windows PC
Samsung USB drivers properly installed on the computer
Enable USB Debugging on your phone. Go to Settings > Applications > Development.
Create a back up of all the important data (i.e. contacts, call logs, files and internet settings), just in case something goes wrong you have a back up. You can read our guides on how to backup your data locally and how to backup your data to the cloud.
Make sure that you have enough battery power to avoid interruption of the procedure due to power loss.
Install the appropriate firmware update for your phone.
Download Odin3 1.85 to your computer: Odin3_v1.85.zip (437.8 kB)
Download the rooting package (CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEN_LP7-v5.4-CWM5.zip, 6.2 MB) for both firmware I9100XWLP7 (U.K./Ireland) and I9100XWLP8 (Australia)

Instructions

Extract CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEN_LP7-v5.4-CWM5.zip to any folder on your computer.
Extract Odin3_v1.85.zip into a folder on your computer.
Double-click on Odin3 v1.85.exe program to launch Odin3.
Turn off your phone.
Put your phone in Downloaded Mode by pressing the Power button, Volume Down key, and the Home button.
Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable.
Odin3 will recognize your device and will display a message saying “Added!”.
Go to the PDA tab and select the rooting file that you extracted in step 1.
Click Start to start the rooting process.
Once the rooting is successful, you should get a “Pass” message and you can disconnect your phone. If you get “Fail” message, close Odin3, disconnect your phone, remove and reinsert your battery, and start over from step 3.

Congratulations! You have now rooted the official Ice Cream Sandwich firmware on your Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100.

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Comments

Mariam z

my android version is 2.3.5 every time I want to update it says my phone is has the lasted update ( obviously it doesn’t ). if I follow your instructions will it help ? I’m worried about it ruining my phone for me (!!).
Ikomj

I had no problem rooting S2 with ICS 4.0.3 following your instructions – however now find that Sky Go will not work on rooted phone! Is there an equally easy way to unroot??
- Micro
  
  There is a working version of Skygo on the XDA developer site. I’ve downloaded it and it works fine.
Samir

Does this work on any GT I9100? I live in UK and am on 2.3.4
Does my Kernel number matter?
Rdgtrn938

this is great!!!!!! sandwich rocks.. BIG THANX to the Developer!! GG
Sstelang456

worked perfectly
Rahul Valsappan

Worked flawlessly.. !!!
Thanks a lot. Please give a tutorial for how to unroot also. Thanks.
Ibs

hellp i followed the instructions. I think it has worked. but every time i start up my phone i get a yellow exclamation mark underneath the galaxy s2 logo. Is this meant to happen?? please help
- Brainkneefel
  
  Thats normale when youre rooted your phone
Sonho87

i rooted my mobile but in the end im getting yellow exlamatory mark and then later its not staarting wat i should do??
- Oli
  
  I have the exact same problem! Can anybody please help me?
Raymondfdavey

i rooted my phone using this method then for some reason clicked unroot in the superuser app (there was just a button to push). my phone is now unrooted in the sense that I don’t have superuser access, but the yellow triangle is still there and so is CWM and root uninstaller. and the weirdest thing is that I can’t re-root! i try repeating this method or others and I still don’t have root access. any ideas anyone?
- Felipe
  
  same here. Any luck?
  - ray
    
    hey yeah i’m now sorted, i can tell you what I did but it’s gonna be a bit sketchy on details as it was a while ago so sorry for that. I downloaded the stock ROM from a website that involved signing up (can’t remember what it was – was blue though and a bit fiddly finding the correct one for my phone model/country etc). I then installed it on my phone using ODIN which effectively took the phone back to factory reset.
    If you google how to revert back to stock ROM you should find lots of help. From this position I was ok to root and now i’m all rooted and happy. incidentally the way i rerooted was pretty sweet and means that even though im rooted I have no yellow triangle on boot. I did it using a guide again but essentially it involves putting two files on your external sd – CMW.zip and SU-busybox-installer.zip. If you google those terms you should find the page i used. good luck.
Timbobnote

Thank you for the clear and concise guide. Worked perfectly.
Will-IRL

Hi.
Thx for the decribtion. So far the rooting ICS on my SGSII was working.
Manuel

-6 Stars
Thank you very much, i have Galaxy S2 I900 4.0.3 and Root passed as expected.
tim

yep can confirm works a treat on a s2 on a 3 network
thanks
Stu Beck

Superb, very easy tutorial and worked perfectly. Thank you :-)
Daniel

i would like to ask regarding the version 4.0.3 that i download past 2 months ago had my samsung s2 hang compare than before. could u pls advise me on wat should or shouldnt i do so that my samsung can functioning normal as before. im appreaciated if u can reply me asap.
Chong Kah Ghee

Hi, My samsung galaxy s2 kernel version was 3.0.15-I9100DXLP9-CL431438dpi@DELL176#3. May I know what is root package should I download, can send me the link. Thanks.
rishtrix

Thanks… took 10 seconds.. Works like a charm (even Google Play) coz last time i flashed another kernel, Google play couldnt download and i had to factory reset it. Thanks once again
sam

hey got a australian telstra galaxy s2 i9100TDVLP3 any root package for this model does anyone know?
thanks
- Zane walker
  
  hi Sam did you have any luck as i am in Aust and also have a Telstra galaxy s2 19100TDVLP3 i am desperately trying to root and unlock my phone any assistance or advice from anybody would be greatly appreciated.
kollol

plz i need easy way to get it done.
david

i did this followed the instructions to the letter and now my phone dont turn on, i get
my model number on boot up and then the screen goes black like its off and that is it.
pankaj

im getting the following error ” Can’t open the serial(COM) port.
All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)”

what do i do?
Srinivas Kotian

I want root my SGS2 I9100 ICS 4.0.3 as guided above. what are the risks I might face. In case the phone bricks will unrooting will restore the phone. pl guide.
Nick

Followed the instructions to the letter. All i get is a yellow warning triangle and then a blank screen. Did a factory reset and the same result, yellow triangle and blank screen. Have i just destroyed my phone. Please help.
caskias

How do I do this with a Mac?
http://www.facebook.com/pokwh Steve Pok Wern Hsiang

Simple and easy, thanks!
peterabdelsater

plzzzzz help , i folowed all the instructions properly but on step 7 when i have to click on the extacted file , i can’t find it , but i’ve downloaded it plzzzzzzzz help me
- peterabdelsater
  
  sry i mean step 8
  - DELICIOUS
    
    same here :(
http://profile.yahoo.com/3C3WNQCDLJA7I3B43V6W2CYC24 Cédric

i cant download the Odin…thing
Dead Link
blagoja

Tried on
I9100XWLP8 and stuck on startup screen with
yellow exclamation. Probably this is not working with LP8 is there a new one that work with LP8 ??
JS Nigeria

Ken, I followed the process. It completed in 2 seconds. Said PASS. But there is no triangle and the Root Checker says the device does not have proper root access.
SGS2 ICS 4.0.3
I repeated the process twice. But same result.
Would you assist please. Regards.
- JS Nigeria
  
  OK.! I did it once again 3rd time. It took 7 seconds. And now I can see the Triangle. Thanks Buddy.
pharaoh122

I followed the instruction and it worked… I think but i cant turn on my phone. it would show the starting with yellow tiangle but immediately shutdown again
http://www.facebook.com/sikander.ali Sikander Ali

i tried this. Now my phone is not getting started. it shows yellow exclamation mark and then screen is blank.
http://www.facebook.com/sikander.ali Sikander Ali

i need some urgent help in this regard.
vijay

how can i unroot my phone back to its original state?

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Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100: How to root Android 4.0.3 firmware XWLP7 and XWLP8

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