Root Galaxy S2 Running on XWLPG Android 4.0 Firmware

What’s the one thing most people do after flashing or updating to a new firmware on their devices? That would be rooting the particular firmware. And what follows every new firmware release for Samsung’s Galaxy line of devices? It’s the CF-Root kernel for the firmware by XDA Elite Recognized Developer Chainfire, that lets you root your phone, and also install ClockworkMod recovery on it (so you can flash custom ROMs and mods).

If you’ve updated your Galaxy S2 to the XWLPG Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 firmware and are looking to root it, you can do so by flashing the CF-Root kernel for XWLPG by following the guide below, which will also install ClockworkMod recovery on the phone.

Read on to find out how to root XWLPG firmware on the Galaxy S2 i9100.

Compatibility

This hack and the guide below are compatible only and only with Galaxy S2, model number I9100. It’s not compatible with the I9100G or any other device. Check your device’s model number in: Settings » About phone.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Root XWLPG Firmware on Galaxy S2 i9100

  1. It’s important you’ve the proper drivers for the phone installed. If you have installed Samsung’s Kies software, you already have the drivers, so download them only if you haven’t installed Kies.
    Download links: 32 bit (x86) Windows | 64-bit (x64) Windows
  2. Make sure you are on the XWLPG Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 firmware available → here.
  3. Download CF-Root kernel from the official download page → here.
    Filename: CF-Root-SGS2_XW_NEE_LPG-v5.5-CWM5.zip
  4. Unzip the downloaded file once. You will get a .tar file – CF-Root-SGS2_XW_NEE_LPG-v5.5-CWM5.tar.
    DO NOT extract the .tar file (this might show up as a zip file as well, but do not extract it). You need to flash the .tar file using Odin to gain root access and install ClockworkMod Recovery (CWM) alongside. (If you’re getting a zImage file, it means you’ve extracted the .tar file too! — and that’s not a right thing to do.)
  5. Download Odin 1.85 from → here.
    Filename: Odin 1.85.zip | Size: 199 KB
  6. Extract the contents of the Odin 1.85.zip file to a folder.
  7. Disconnect your phone if it’s connected to PC, then switch it off.
  8. Now, put the Galaxy S2 in Download Mode — press and hold these keys together: Volume Down + Home + Power. A Warning! screen will come up; press Volume Up key to continue to enter Download Mode.
  9. Open Odin — double-click the Odin3 v1.85.exe that you got after extracting the file Odin 1.85.zip.
  10. In ODIN, click on the PDA button, then select the CF-Root-SGS2_XW_NEE_LPG-v5.5-CWM5.tar file obtained in step 4.
  11. Important! Do not make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required files as given in step 10. Leave all other options as they are.
  12. Connect your phone to PC now. 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. Make sure you’ve proper drivers installed (check step 1). Also, uninstall Kies from the Control Panel as well (this will leave the drivers on the computer but remove Kies which can interfere with the procedure).
  13. Now, hit the START button to start flashing CF-Root kernel. When the flashing is complete, your phone will automatically reboot — and when you see the Samsung logo, you can safely unplug the cable. Plus, you’ll get a PASS (with green background) message in the left-most box at the very top of the Odin. 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 phone from the PC, close ODIN, remove battery, re-insert it, turn phone on in Download mode again, and do the procedure again from Step 9.
  14. If you run into any roadblocks while flashing the kernel, let us know and we’ll help you out.

Your phone is now rooted and CWM recovery has been installed on it, with CF-Root kernel. Using all those favourite root-enabled apps of yours is now possible. Enjoy!

30 Comments

  1. At which stage you have to add an APP and how when Rooting?

    Thanks for a good instruction
    Regards ALex

    1. To root, you don’t need to add an APP. Just follow the guide right from step 1 above and you’ll be fine. After rooting, you can install apps from market/play store as you wish.

  2. At which stage you have to add an APP and how when Rooting?

    Thanks for a good instruction
    Regards ALex

    1. To root, you don’t need to add an APP. Just follow the guide right from step 1 above and you’ll be fine. After rooting, you can install apps from market/play store as you wish.

  3. At which stage you have to add an APP and how when Rooting?

    Thanks for a good instruction
    Regards ALex

    1. To root, you don’t need to add an APP. Just follow the guide right from step 1 above and you’ll be fine. After rooting, you can install apps from market/play store as you wish.

  4. Can I root my phone without installing CWM?

  5. Can I root my phone without installing CWM?

  6. Can I root my phone without installing CWM?

  7. This just does not work.
    I get a yellow triangle, but root checker says no immediately.

  8. This just does not work.
    I get a yellow triangle, but root checker says no immediately.

  9. This just does not work.
    I get a yellow triangle, but root checker says no immediately.

  10. Can i install paid apps on play store for free? :))

  11. Can i install paid apps on play store for free? :))

  12. Can i install paid apps on play store for free? :))

  13. my phone stuck on samsung display… wtf.. it make my phne condamed!

  14. imy phone stucked after reboot….Display Samsung for whole day. cant even strt or restart after replace bttry
    HOW????????????????????????

  15. my phone stuck on samsung display… wtf.. it make my phne condamed!

  16. my phone stuck on samsung display… wtf.. it make my phne condamed!

  17. imy phone stucked after reboot….Display Samsung for whole day. cant even strt or restart after replace bttry
    HOW????????????????????????

  18. imy phone stucked after reboot….Display Samsung for whole day. cant even strt or restart after replace bttry
    HOW????????????????????????

  19. akio reverse to the default firmware using odin like u rooted before…
    it happaned to me also with lpg and i reveresd it and it solved

  20. akio reverse to the default firmware using odin like u rooted before…
    it happaned to me also with lpg and i reveresd it and it solved

  21. akio reverse to the default firmware using odin like u rooted before…
    it happaned to me also with lpg and i reveresd it and it solved

  22. my s2 won’t turn on.. it just displays the Samsung Logo with a warning triangle sign below the logo then shuts down again. HELP? pls.

  23. my s2 won’t turn on.. it just displays the Samsung Logo with a warning triangle sign below the logo then shuts down again. HELP? pls.

  24. my s2 won’t turn on.. it just displays the Samsung Logo with a warning triangle sign below the logo then shuts down again. HELP? pls.

  25. Hey, is there another way to put my S2 with icecream sandwihich without root into download mode?
    when i use the power, menu and volume button i can make a screenshot, but can’t go into download mode? do you have other options to do this?

  26. Hey, is there another way to put my S2 with icecream sandwihich without root into download mode?
    when i use the power, menu and volume button i can make a screenshot, but can’t go into download mode? do you have other options to do this?

  27. Hey, is there another way to put my S2 with icecream sandwihich without root into download mode?
    when i use the power, menu and volume button i can make a screenshot, but can’t go into download mode? do you have other options to do this?

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