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Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

Summary: Here's how to get it downloaded and installed onto your Nexus S GSM handset NOW!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

UPDATE: Google halts Nexus S Ice Cream Sandwich update

As promised, Google has started to roll out the Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich to all Nexus S. If you've not been offered this update, here's how to get it downloaded and installed onto your Nexus S GSM handset NOW!

  1. Download the Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich update.
  2. Connect your Nexus S to your computer via USB and copy update.zip to the root of your SD card (Do not drop it into a folder or this won't work!).
  3. Power down your Nexus S and power it back on while holding down the volume up button.
  4. Use the volume buttons to navigate to RECOVERY mode and press the power button.
  5. When you see the exclamation mark on the screen, DON'T PANIC! Press the power button followed by volume up.
  6. Select the option to Update from SD card select the update zip package you downloaded earlier and press the power button to confirm.
  7. The update will now install automatically. When it's down your Nexus S will boot up into  Android 4.0.3 ... enjoy your Ice Cream Sandwich!

If you want you can also check to see if the download can be done over the air (OTA):

Click on the Menu button then Settings > About phone > System update.

I suggest you only do this when you have a strong WiFi signal (think about your data caps!) and your handset is fully charged.

And you're done!

Topics: Mobility, Android, Google

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16 comments
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  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    Will this work for the Sprint (4G) flavor of the Nexus S? I think your article needs to state that. I am actually on the phone to Sprint Tech Support right now and trying to determine when they are going to release the official OTA update. The link to <a href="http://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/google_crespo/VQ8PQk_V.zip" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://android.clients.google.com/packages/ota/google_crespo/VQ8PQk_V.zip</a> does seem to give a valid update file but I would be afraid I might brick my phone updating with it. Update: Per the Sprint Escalations Desk they have not even heard of this update yet. They have not been given a timeline for the update. They are giving the standard party line "talk to the Manufacturer". Until it's a OTA update do not expect support from Sprint. I am not willing to test this on my 4G Nexus S as I really really need my phone for my daily activities. Sprint had better get crackin on this if they want a update by Christmas as they stated in their announcements.
    Metalsmith
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    Is this update, given above, exactly same as what Google will be offering OTA?
    vardhankoshal
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    The update failed for me with the following error:

    E:failed to verify whole-file signature
    E:signature verification failed
    bitnguyen
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

      @bitnguyen Got the same exact error on an AT&T Nexus S
      bizb
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

      @bitnguyen i have the same error.
      zarias@...
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    Worked on my Vodafone Australia Nexus S, but note:

    1. Name of update file is: VQ8PQk_V.zip

    2. Re Step 7. After update has installed, Android does not reboot automatically but highlights Reboot option - press the <b>power</b> button to reboot.
    tdambra
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    I successfully did the upgrade. However I have two problems since then:
    1. I cannot download anything from Android Market. It says fails to download due to an error. I can download through WiFi though.
    2. The emails do not update automatically as they used to before.
    amaher98
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    This update is only for the AWS model (IE T-MOBLE, Wind. Moblecity) not ATT, Rogers Model 9020A
    johnvasta@...
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

      @johnvasta@...

      My Wind Nexus S install of ICS OTA also failed. How can one force a retry of the OTA update?
      RealDummy
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    I downloaded this update off this site for my T-Mobile Samsung Nexus S and now I CANNOT get onto a mobile network. I have been on the phone with T-mobile for an hour and they have no fix for me. They gave me the number to SAMSUNG to get a replacement 1-888-987-4357. WHY DID I EVER UPGRADE MY PHONE......
    mtmahmoud
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    I followed the instructions but only after using the 'factory default' setting found in the 'about' setting.... all was fine, loving it... Thanks for posting this. I should also mention I'm on Wind Mobile in Toronto, doubt it makes a diff, but thought I'd mention it... oh, and battery usage is fine right now... I wonder if people weren't making this complaint because now they have more reason to use it with this sexy new OS. :)
    satoriX
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    I followed the instructions but only after using the 'factory default' setting found in the 'about' setting.... all was fine, loving it... Thanks for posting this. I should also mention I'm on Wind Mobile in Toronto, doubt it makes a diff, but thought I'd mention it... oh, and battery usage is fine right now... I wonder if people weren't making this complaint because now they have more reason to use it with this sexy new OS. :)
    satoriX
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    I just noticed that Facial unlock is not available in security settings, I wonder if this is an 'old' version... it's version 4.0.3... does anyone have the full install that can tell me if they have facial unlock available as an option?
    satoriX
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Install Android 4.0.3 'Ice Cream Sandwich' on your Nexus S NOW!

    This works with 2.3.6, for previous Android versions or modded/rooted roms check http://andwise.net/?p=70 and get the full rom
    andwisenet
    Reply Vote

  • Not long, not worth it.

    PEOPLE!!! ICS just rolled out a few weeks ago! Just wait a little longer before screwing around with the phone!

    Look: Google DESIGNED the Nexus S. They know its hardware inside-out. If there is a problem that THEY can't fix, how is anyone else supposed to fix it? There was a problem, so Google stopped the update. It will come, just be patient till the end of January. If it still hasn't come by then: Go ahead with the ROMs.

    Just my advice, do what you want, but it isn't safe to tamper around with your phone's ROOT directory without understanding the Android codec.
    JMK_Mike
    Reply Vote

  • It's easy, it works

    I followed the instructions a couple of days ago. Took less than 15 minutes and it works. It's prettier, data usage is useful, home screen customization is better. But I miss the simple "slide to make the phone silent" feature in gingerbread. I haven't noticed any problems such as reduced battery capacity.

    (I'm in Toronto; Mobilicity is my provider. BTW my $40/month plan includes unlimited data, texting, phone including long distance in US and Canada...so why do I like the data charts? Because if I'm roaming the data charges are very high and that's when I really want to track them.)

    Thanks Adrian.....
    evariste-g
    Reply Vote
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