How to update Google Nexus S to Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich

This video shows how to update a T-Mobile (Samsung) Google Nexus S from Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread to Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich using the official Google Android release. You don't have to root your phone (I didn't), but a user reports that the update will also work for rooted phones.
The entire process took about 30 minutes. I sped up the slow parts of the video (downloading and updating), but you can see the speed in the upper left-hand part of the video.
I have not tried this update on other phones. Search for another video if you have a different Nexus S model (Sprint, AT&T...). If it works for phones from other countries, leave a comment, and I'll update this description. I'd also like to know of any apps that don't work. The few apps I have tested so far seem to work.

Based on the comments, this update works on the Austrian and Danish Nexus S, but fails on the Greek, Canadian "Koodo", and Canadian "Telus" Nexus S. "cmcolombianSh" wrote that this update will only work on the Wind and Mobilicity AWS versions of the Canadian Nexus S. "Thorpod" wrote that the update worked for a phone purchased on amazon.de. "ArtlineN" writes that it works on the Belgian GT-i9023. I don't know whether there are multiple models in those countries, so update with caution.

NOTE: It looks like you currently have to be at 2.3.6 for this update to work. It failed for someone starting at 2.3.2 (see comments).

Some people have noted performance problems with some games, and I have noticed that my battery seems to drain a bit faster. Keep this in mind before updating. I don't know how to downgrade to a previous firmware.

Instructions:

Be sure your battery is fully charged before attempting to update.

Download the Ice Cream Sandwich firmware here:
http://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/google_crespo/VQ8PQk_V.zip

Rename the file as update.zip
Connect your T-Mobile Nexus S to the PC (or Mac) with a USB cable.
On the phone, pull down the notifications list at the top of the screen.
Click "USB connected".
Click "Turn on USB storage".
Click "OK".
Wait for the phone to connect.
Copy and paste the "update.zip file to the root directory (just ¨/") of the phone.
Click "Turn off USB storage".
Disconnect USB cable.
Power down the phone.
Press and hold the "Volume Up" button while powering on the phone.
Use the "Volume Up" or "Volume Down" buttons to select "RECOVERY".
Press the "Power" button to accept.
Wait for the warning sign (exclamation point in a triangle) to appear.
Press "Volume Up" and "Power" simultaneously.
Use the "Volume Up" or "Volume Down" buttons to select "Update from /sdcard".
Press the "Power" button to accept.
Use the "Volume Up" or "Volume Down" buttons to select "update.zip".
Press the "Power" button to accept.
Use the "Volume Up" or "Volume Down" buttons to select "Reboot system now".
Press the "Power" button to accept.
Wait for the phone to reboot and install the new firmware.
Enjoy your new phone.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Android (operating System)
• Nexus S
• Ice Cream Sandwich
• Google
• Samsung
• instructions
• Howto

[piacolada206]

Is Google or Samsung going to release a software update soon that will upgrade Gingerbread in nexus s to ICS? Please comment back if anybody has an idea lest I have to do it manually

[overcat2001]

@piacolada206 It's my understanding that all of the Nexus S phones will be updated to ICS with Over-The-Air updates. This started in December 2012 for the T-mobile version. Other versions of the Nexus S have been getting updated, but some are still on Gingerbread. The safest thing to do is to wait.

The Nexus S was introduced before the "Google Update Alliance". GUA was supposed to guarantee that phones would receive Android updates for at least 18 months after product launch, but it's dead.

[ThaDopeMan42O]

Thanks!! Only fail of the video is you using Shiternet Explorer (-__-)

[overcat2001]

@ThaDopeMan42O I've been using Chrome more and more lately on all platforms. On the phone, all I use is Chrome Beta (unless I really need Flash). When I have time, I plan to do a side-by-side comparison of Browser, Chrome Beta, Dolphin, Firefox, Firefox Beta, Opera Mini and Opera Mobile. I want to show launch times, page rendering times and results from HTML test suites. Chrome seems fast to me, but I want to see the actual times. I may be wrong.

You need ICS to run Chrome Beta.

[Vaperousdrop002]

Will this work with my nexus s which I'm currently using with rogers (canada)

[overcat2001]

@Vaperousdrop002 I wonder why this comment was flagged as spam...

From comments below and a little Googling, it seems that this update will work for Wind and Mobilicity. It won't work for Rogers, Koodo, Fido and Telus, but it seems like you are already getting OTA updates to ICS.

[overcat2001]

@005ethan No.  It definitely won't work for the Sprint 4G version of the Nexus S. This is one case where T-mobile beats Sprint.

At least Sprint offers Google Wallet (but not in France yet). When I bought my T-mobile, I was excited about NFC. I still haven't tried the NFC features in ICS, because NFC phones with ICS are still rare.

I don't know when Sprint will release Ice Cream Sandwich for the Nexus S 4G.

[005ethan]

Does this work with the sprint version?



[overcat2001]

@Vaperousdrop002 Android 4.0.3 is the first official release of Ice Cream Sandwich for the T-mobile Nexus S. If you're running a different version, then I'm guessing it's aftermarket firmware. You're supposed to be at 2.3.6 for this.

I wouldn't try this unless you have the T-mobile version. Even so, you should try to find confirmation elsewhere that this installs properly. I'd hate to have you "brick" your phone, and I don't know enough to help you bring it back to life if that happened.

[Vaperousdrop002]

Will this work with my unlocked nexus s which I'm currently using with android 4.0