Android ICS 4.0 SDK for Nexus S – Complete Details on How to Install ROM

Last updated on October 26th, 2011
by Haris Nadeem in Android Tips

Nexus S Android 4.0 software update

Android ICS 4.0 SDK port for the Nexus S is now available for download – this time, it very much works, as compared to the previous first release which barely had anything working. You can now download the Android ICS 4.0 ROM for Nexus S and try it on your phone.

I have already posted step-by-step instructions earlier on how to install Android 4.0 on Nexus S for the previous first release of the SDK port. But if you still have any issues with it, I’d post the instructions again below.

Download Android ICS 4.0 SDK ROM for Nexus S

You can download Android 4.0 ICS for Nexus S from here: Download Android ICS 4.0 SDK ROM for Nexus S

How to Install Android 4.0 ICS ROM on Nexus S

We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide on how to install Android 4.0 on Nexus S. If you are used to installing custom ROMs on your Nexus S, then this should not be any different for you. However, for beginners, you need to root your Nexus and install a custom recovery. Please Google that up if you are unsure.

Disclaimer: Try this on your own risk. I’m not responsible if you mess up with your Nexus S.

Just To Remember:

This ROM is only for Nexus S (GT-I9020T) and I am not sure if it will work on the other variants of the Nexus S or not.
My phone previously had Android 2.3.7 (CyanogenMod 7.1) which was already rooted and had CyanogenMod recovery installed. Please make sure you have this recovery!
Make a nandroid backup of your previous phone set up before proceeding so you can revert back to it after playing with ICS.

Complete Step-By-Step Instructions:

Step 1 - Download Android 4.0 SDK ROM (We-Scream-For-Ice-Cream-b3.zip) for Nexus S on your PC.

Step 2 - Connect and mount your Nexus S USB memory on your computer using the USB cable.

Step 3 - Now copy/paste the We-Scream-For-Ice-Cream-b3.zip (previous build: ICS-nexus-s-dg-port-beta2.zip) file to your SD card. Make sure the file is in the SD card root.

Step 4 - Then turn off your phone.

Step 5 - Now to get in the bootloader mode. Turn on the phone while pressing and holding the volume up and power buttons.

Step 6 - Follow the navigation instructions on the screen. Select BOOTLOADER and then go to RECOVERY.

Step 7 - Assuming you have ClockworkMod recovery, scroll down to “flash zip from SD card” and press the power button to select it.

Step 8 - Press the power button again and select “choose zip from sdcard”.

Step 9 -Now using your volume keys, navigate to We-Scream-For-Ice-Cream-b3.zip and select it using the power button. Confirm the installation n the next screen and the installation procedure should start now.

Step 10 - After the installation completes, go to “+++++Go Back” and reboot the phone by selecting “reboot system now” from the recovery menu. The phone will boot now and it might take about 5 minutes to boot on your first time. So, please wait.

That’s it! Your Nexus S should have the Android 4.0 software update (SDK port, not official) installed on your phone! Go to Settings >About phone to verify.

ROOT ACCESS: If you want to root your Nexus S with Android 4.0 ICS ROM on it, please see the instructions here!

Have fun playing with it! If you have any issues, please fire them up in the comments below!

UPDATE: Instructions updated for the latest release of the Android 4.0 SDK port.

If you’re still not interested in trying out Ice Cream Sandwich on your phone, try some alternative methods: