Just ordered Samsung Galaxy S 2 i9100 - Beginner Questions

[bman77]

I ordered a new virgin (same as bell) sgs2 and need advice on what to do with it.

These are the things I need to do:
Unlock
Root

That's it

My questions are what are the best ways to do this. To unlock I think their is a rooted app that does so for free, so should I root my phone, unlock it, upgrade to ics, then root it again? (don't think the app works with ics). Also what is the best unbranded 4.03 build for me to flash to? I don't want a custom rom (unless it is REALLY stable) and I want theroot to be as close to stock as possible.

Here's the unlock app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.helroz.galaxysunlock&hl=en



Any help would be greatly appreciated, the phone won't arrive until later this week so I have until then to devise a plan. Btw, I got the phone for 400+tax at bestbuy new, the i9100 version. Is that a decent price?

Thanks!

[HandsomeRob]

Step 1 - Visit here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1055
Step 2 - Why do you want to unlock it? A Virgin phone ought to work on Bell, no? I've never tried this but have heard it works, always assumed so.

CM9 is pretty friggin' vanilla AOSP. By far the best supported ROM out for just about every device. Heck Cyanogen (Steve Kondik) works for Samsung now, they hired him.

[will888]

Use CM9 nightly. Extremely stable. Don't be fooled by the nightly build that it may be unstable. I am still using one of the first CM9 nightly builds. Too lazy to update because it is so stable.


http://get.cm/?device=galaxys2

[bman77]

Sounds cool, I will give cm9 a try, and I have to unlock because I'm using it on MTS, not bell, should have specified :)

[bman77]

Ok, I looked at the cm9 website again and it looks pretty awesome, only question, are the new nightly builds ics? and how stable are they when compared to the "stable build"? I'm will use a nightly build as recommended but it is confusing, haha. And how do I install this firmware easily on my sgs2? does it automatically root when I do so?

And, what it the best way to unlock it? Could I possibly get an unlock code from virgin because I bought the phone outright and there is no virgin hspa in Manitoba so I literally HAVE to use it on another network?

Thanks for all the help, the cm9 tip was stellar!

[shabby]

Skip cm9 and go straight to aokp, its based on cm9 but with a lot more tweaking options. Best way to unlock is to use the galaxy_s unlock tool from the market once you installed a rooted rom.

[will888]

Ok, I looked at the cm9 website again and it looks pretty awesome, only question, are the new nightly builds ics? and how stable are they when compared to the "stable build"? I'm will use a nightly build as recommended but it is confusing, haha. And how do I install this firmware easily on my sgs2? does it automatically root when I do so?

And, what it the best way to unlock it? Could I possibly get an unlock code from virgin because I bought the phone outright and there is no virgin hspa in Manitoba so I literally HAVE to use it on another network?

Thanks for all the help, the cm9 tip was stellar!


The nightlies are very stable. Don't forget to say thank you.

CM9 >> ICS
CM7 >> GB

http://www.cyanogenmod.com/devices/samsung-galaxy-s2

[bman77]

Hmm, now I'm hearing about some rom called resurection remix anyone have an opinion on it? Also, my phone shipped today! :D

My plan as of now if to root on gingerbread, use the unlock app, then uograde to r remix ics. Does that sound good?

Also, what's the quickest way to ,ove over my blackberry contacts, maybe a way to add them to my google account?

Thx

[HandsomeRob]

Ok, I looked at the cm9 website again and it looks pretty awesome, only question, are the new nightly builds ics? and how stable are they when compared to the "stable build"? I'm will use a nightly build as recommended but it is confusing, haha.

I'm yet to encounter one that is unusable. Stable generally means every other app doesn't force close, system crash, etc. But some features may not work.



And how do I install this firmware easily on my sgs2?

Use a recovery. For my SGS1 it's ClockWorkMod Recovery, CWM. There are others like TeamWin, device specific. You have to find the features you like and functionality on your device.
Usually home + vol up + power boots to recovery, select install zip from SD and off to the races.



does it automatically root when I do so?

No, needs to be rooted before you do anything.

[bman77]

Alright, just thought Iwould update you guys, got the phone yesterday and it is working great. I installed Ressurection Remix 2.0 on it with the latest siyha kernel. First though I rooted it on gingerbread and used the unlock app that I linked to, worked flawless. Very happy with my phone, it is now up and running on MTS HSPA+ :)

[erichau]

Alright, just thought Iwould update you guys, got the phone yesterday and it is working great. I installed Ressurection Remix 2.0 on it with the latest siyha kernel. First though I rooted it on gingerbread and used the unlock app that I linked to, worked flawless. Very happy with my phone, it is now up and running on MTS HSPA+ :)

Do you plan to update it to 4.0 anytime soon?

[bman77]

Do you plan to update it to 4.0 anytime soon?

My firmware is 4.0.4 :)

[bargain man]

My firmware is 4.0.4 :)


How is RR 2.0. I'm running 1.8.1 right now. I noticed that vibration doesnt work for notifications in 1.8.1 (have to use 3rd party app). Is it fixed in 2.0? How is the battery life on 2.0?

[bman77]

How is RR 2.0. I'm running 1.8.1 right now. I noticed that vibration doesnt work for notifications in 1.8.1 (have to use 3rd party app). Is it fixed in 2.0? How is the battery life on 2.0?

I am on 2.1 now and battery life and vibrations are good. Camcorder doesn't work unless I patch it after every boot. Check the xda thread, they have many users commenting. I will update to 2.2 and so on until I find one completely stable.