The official Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich update finally started rolling out for the T-Mobile Galaxy Tab 7.7 a couple of days ago, bringing all the goodness of Android 4.0 – such as the improved UI, faster performance, better battery life, advanced data usage monitoring, faster browsing, improved email experience, new multitasking menu, homescreen folders, face unlock, etc – to the 7.7″ tablet. The update was long awaited and is finally here.
However, those who prefer to update their tablet manually or for some reason can’t get the update over the air (for example, if the tablet is running a custom ROM) can download the full Android 4.0 firmware and install it manually on their T-Mobile Galaxy Tab 7.7 using the Odin flashing program. The guide below will walk you through the entire procedure with step-by-step instructions.
Continue reading to find out how you can update your T-Mobile Galaxy Tab 7.7 to the official Android 4.0 firmware.
Compatibility
This ROM and the guide below are compatible only and only with the T-Mobile Galaxy Tab 7.7, model number T859. It’s not compatible with any other device. Check your device model in Settings » About tablet.
Warning!
The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know exactly what you are doing. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.
How to Update T-Mobile Galaxy Tab 7.7 (T859) to Official Android 4.0.4 Firmware
- First, download and install Kies on your computer in order to install the drivers for the tablet. After installing Kies, however, make sure Kies is NOT running. Exit it from the Taskbar at the bottom if it is running as it can interfere with the flashing process.
- This procedure might need you to factory reset your tablet, specially if you are installing the firmware on a custom ROM. To be sure you don’t lose data, backup your apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you. The personal files on the SD cards will remain intact, so you don’t need to backup those.
- Download the Android 4.0.4 firmware:
Download Link | Alternate Link
Filename: T859UVLH6_T859TMBLH6_TMB.zip | Size: 712 MB - Extract the T859UVLH6_T859TMBLH6_TMB.zip file once to obtain a file named T859UVLH6_T859TMBLH6_T859UVLH6_HOME.tar.md5 (the filename may end at .tar, which is normal).
- Download Odin 1.85 from → here.
Filename: Odin3-v1.85.zip - Extract the contents of the Odin3-v1.85.zip file to a folder.
- Now, turn off your Galaxy Tab 7.7, then boot into Download Mode. To do so, press and hold the Volume Down + Power buttons till the screen turns on, then let go of the power button but KEEP holding the Volume Down button till you get a Warning! screen. Here, let go of the volume down button then press the Volume Up button to confirm and enter download mode.
- Open Odin (from step 3) — double-click the Odin3 v1.85.exe that you got after extracting the file Odin3-v1.85.zip.
- Connect your tablet to the computer. You should get the message “Added!” under Odin’s message box in the bottom left. If you don’t get this message, then probably there is a problem with drivers. Check that Kies is properly installed (but again, make sure it is not actively running even in the taskbar). Also try to switch to another USB port – preferably a USB port on the back if using a desktop computer.
- In ODIN, click the PDA tab, then select the T859UVLH6_T859TMBLH6_T859UVLH6_HOME.tar.md5 file that you obtained in step 4.
- Important! Do not make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required file in PDA as given in step 10. Leave all other options as they are. Do NOT check the Re-partition option.
- Now, hit the START button to start flashing the Android 4.0 firmware on your T-Mobile Galaxy Tab 7.7. After the flashing is complete, the tablet will automatically reboot. You’ll also get a PASS message in ODIN. You can now safely disconnect your tablet from the computer.
What to do if Odin gets stuck: If ODIN gets stuck and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or you get a FAIL message (with red background) in ODIN, disconnect the tablet from the PC, close ODIN, then press and hold Volume Down + Power keys till the device reboots and shows the Warning! screen. Here, press Volume Up key to continue to enter Download Mode, then repeat the procedure again from Step 8. - [Important] After you get the PASS message and the tablet reboots, it might get stuck at the booting animation. If that happens, perform the following steps to make it boot. Remember that these steps will wipe your personal data like contacts, apps, messages, etc. If your tablet has already booted, skip these steps, your tablet has been updated successfully:
- Boot to recovery mode — for which, press and hold Volume Up + Power keys together till the tablet reboots, then let go of the power button but keep holding down the Volume Up button for a few more seconds to boot into recovery. Once you are in recovery mode, use volume keys to move the selection up and down and power key to select the option.
- Go to Wipe data/Factory Reset and select it. Select Yes on next screen.
- Then, select reboot system now to reboot the tablet, which will now boot properly.
- If you run into any roadblocks while flashing the firmware, let us know and we’ll help you out.
Your T-Mobile Galaxy Tab 7.7 has been successfully updated to the official Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich update. Let us know how it works for you, in the comments below.
