Debrand and unlock new S2 locked to O2

[Ramses]

Jutley posted a guide to debranding but the file links are long since broken - I have donwloaded a couple of 'insecure' kernals which I did eventually manage to flash using Odin but could never get past the boot stage - I cleared caches etc (although they never quite seemed to be called what the instructions said !) - thought my phone was broken - eventually I downloaded what looked like a 'complete' OS for the phone from sammobile (I think) called GT-I9100_XEU_I9100XXLPH_I9100XXLPH_I9100XEUKH2.tar.md 5 - and it seemed to reflash my phone back to how it was when I got it (I think).

I would like to unbrand the phone and unlock the phone to use my '3' sim in - how do I go about doing that please. I have read a lot of guides and many many posts and have tried flashing the insecure kernal as detailed above - I would really like some help if possible as I have had my phone for 2 weeks but can not use it !

Any help much appreciated, thanks

[greenman]

Ok, have done it with my S2 and wrote about it here:
http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Lea...y/td-p/1377821

In stages it's:
1. Root
2. Unlock with Play Store app
3. Flash open firmware with Odin (the one you have downloaded will be fine.
4. Re root (if you want to)

Now this may not let Kies update your phone as your sales Code (CSC) may not match (XEU)
Best way to change this is to install 'Nitrality' from the Play Store to check and change your CSC.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....toolbox&hl=en

[Ramses]

Greenman - thanks for taking the time to reply - I used the guide you posted the link to; the root worked as suggested but I ended up using the Galaxy_S Unlock as the first app said it could not find a code. It now accepts my '3' sim and I can make calls. Is the firmware the file the 'I9100PXXLPH_I9100PO2ULP4_I9100PXXLPC_HOME.tar.md5 ' that I got from SamMobile ? If yes, I had already loaded this using Odin after my first unsucessful attempts to unlock. Do I ned to load it again ? Lastly, I still seem to have the O2 branding (and a load of O2 apps I presume ?) - is there a way to get rid of that lot and start with a clean system ?

Thanks again for the help.

[greenman]

Hi, don't know if you've sorted this now
The firmware has of course moved on since I posted that 'How to' in giffgaff.
To find current UK/Ireland firmware go to sammobile.com.
In Search box put I9100.
From the list find latest UK firmware (without any brackets for network firmware at end).
Download and unzip once.
Put in Odin box.
Connect phone in download mode.
Wait for ID:COM box to turn yellow and press start.

To finish off and to get rid of O2 logo's, carry out a factory reset.
Do this from Recovery Mode:
Press and hold Volume up + Home button + Power button until in blue writing of Recovery Mode.
Your phone will start unbranded.

[Ramses]

Hi again Greenman and thanks. I tried what you suggested and still have the O2 branding - I presume this is because the firmware (?) I downloaded was marked for O2 - my phone is actually a I9100P not a I9100, don't know if this makes a difference ? I can download a firmware for I9100 from sammobile for I9100, where it asks for country do I say United Kingdom/Ireland XEU OR do I choose United Kingdom (O2) O2U ? - Sorry if I seem dense just trying to be careful and do the right thing. thanks again for the help it is appreciated.

[greenman]

If you choose firmware with anything after the country name, then it is network branded.
You need UK/Ireland firmware - in the CSC will be the letters XEU.
So it will say I9100XEU***

You will have to go for I9100 rather than I9100P firmware.
By doing so you will lose the NFC function, but it is possible in some cases to get it back on your phone after flashing.

If you decide to go for UK I9100 firmware, then this is the one you want (latest)
http://www.sammobile.com/firmware/?page=8&view=5711

[Ramses]

Hi greenman - forgot to post back thanking you for the much appreciated help - all sorted and beggining to get my head around smart phone use. Thanks again for the support, sorry for the delay.

[greenman]

You're welcome
Thank you for updating.