1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. Manually install android 4 0 3 ics update on nexus s download

Manually Install Android 4.0.3 ICS Update On Nexus S [Download]

nexus-s-icsIce Cream Sandwich for Nexus S, has begun rolling out from Google. Just a day back we covered the MIUI ICS based custom ROM for the device, and now Google steps in with the official update to Android 4.0.3. User are excited beyond doubt, the one’s that just received the OTA, and the one’s in wait, but waiting can be annoying, and we’re sure they’re already out there looking for a manual way to update the Nexus S to the official ICS. Well there is a way, and it’s easy. Looks like Google is holding onto it’s trend to update it’s Google phones before anyone else does, so if you have a Nexus S and have not received the OTA yet, for reasons that could be a rooted device, custom ROM or more, here’s the manual method.

Update: AT&T Nexus S is not supported! Only T-Mobile and Retail versions of the Nexus S GSM are supported with this update for now.

The update is for the GSM version of the Nexus S, not the CDMA one. Please note that if you are rooted or even running a rooted stock ROM, this update may not work for you. It is advised that you to revert to a completely stock Gingerbread ROM on the device and then proceed with flashing the update.

Disclaimer: Please follow this guide at your own risk. AddictiveTips will not be liable if your device gets damaged or bricked during the process.

Requirements:

  • (https://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/google_crespo/VQ8PQk_V.zip) ICS update for Nexus S.

Instructions:

  1. To begin, download the update form the link above, rename it to update.zip and copy it to the root of your SD card.
  2. Power the phone off and reboot into bootloader mode. (Hold Volume up and the Power button.)
  3. Select Recovery from the menu to boot into recovery.
  4. When you see the warning triangle and arrow, hold the power button and tap volume up. You’ll see a menu.
  5. Select apply update from /sdcard and select the update.zip.
  6. Once the update is flashed, simply reboot your device and cross your fingers.

Your Nexus S should boot into the new ICS firmware if all goes well.

[via xda-developers]
default avatar image
Read Full Bio
Zayed Rehman

Studying Development Sciences in the humble pursuit of saving this world; making occasional contributions to the world of Android. | Find me on Google+

Latest from Author
Chainfire’s 500 Firepaper Auto-Rotates Your Android Wallpaper Between 500px Photos Use Your Android Device To Listen To Emails And News On The Go

37 Comments

  3. In case anyone has any doubts. Just upgrade to 2.3.6 then to this 4.0.3 . Works like a charm

  7. Did not work for me? i got an error message and then it aid installation aborted? any ideas why?

  8. In the last step, my Nexus S detects update.zip as a folder and asks me to select a certain file. What have i been doing wrong?

  12. i manually update my phone with charger plug in working great no problem. happy with it love google and new software, moblicity network great just follow steps and it works

  14. did it a few minutes ago (on a rooted 9020T model). some small hints from my side: If you are on a rooted nexus s and the recovery mode is not working, just re-flash the clockworkmod recoveryimage. once this is done, you can follow the guide above easily. and btw. all apps and settings will remain 😀

  19. I did as above, and rebooted after succesfully installing update.zip. My phone is just stuck on the booting animation… the one with colors flying all around. Doesnt seem to proceed further. Any suggestions ?

    • Im unable to go into recovery mode as well !! I was running stock 2.3.6 prior to applying the 4.0.3 update. Any help will be very much appreciated.

    • I applied this update on a stock 2.3.6 and most of it works fine except that I’m no longer getting any network signals on my cellphone rendering my device quite useless. I tried restoring an older backup through the recovery option and but kept getting a dead android, leading to a regular ICS boot up. I don’t know what to do now.

    • go to recovery via fastboot. there clear/wipe the cache, and then reinstall the update. should work fine

    • I would do that, but my recovery mode won’t open anymore. I get a malfunctioning android and the screen goes blank until i restart my phone. If only I could enter the recovery mode. At the ICS end, apart from not receiving network signals, my cell has stopped displaying the IMEI number as well. 

    • I would do that, but my recovery mode won’t open anymore. I get a malfunctioning android and the screen goes blank until i restart my phone. If only I could enter the recovery mode. At the ICS end, apart from not receiving network signals, my cell has stopped displaying the IMEI number as well. 

    • Seems you need to install a different radio than what has been provided. Simple problem. Go to the bootloader screen by holding down power and volume down, then plug the phone into the coputer. Now, go on the internet and search your phones model number and radio. Should find it easily. Download the file, and then open a command prompt wndow. Go to where you installed the android sdk and go to the tools drectory, ie: C:android-sdkplatform-tools. Ok, now place the radio into that folder, then type ‘fastboot flash radio radio.img’

      Note: this will not work without an unlocked bootloader. If youy have already done that, then props to you. If not, you need to. Also, doing that erases all user data, so back up what you want to keep first, then type ‘fastboot oem unlock’ then go flash the radio. Enjoy your Nexus ICS experience.

  20. Just tried it with my AT&T Nexus S with the zip file I downloaded from the link above, and renamed as update.zip. But the zip file did not pass the Android OS loader’s check for file integrity, and the process aborted. Fortunately it rebooted back into Gingerbread, no problemo, but also, no Ice Cream Sandwich. 

  23. Will this one work For GSM phone on Rogers? Because yesterday there was a manual download for T-Mobile Nexus, but will this one work for ALL GSM NEXUS S PHONES, like the one with Rogers?

    • Arrite, so it turns out, this will only work for the T-Mobile and Retail versions of the Nexus S GSM. Not AT&T.

    • Okay, and if i do this and it messes up, like it wont work, is there a way to go back to Gingerbread? Like resotring or something? Thx in advance for ur response

Searching for something else?

Chances are, we can find what you're looking for: