Samsung Galaxy S: Full Update Guide

This guide will walk you through the process of taking the International version of the Samsung Galaxy S from stock to having the ability to flash the latest version of CyanogenMod.

For other related guides please view the following:

• for the Samsung Captivate, see the Captivate instructions;
• for the Samsung Fascinate, see the Fascinate instructions;
• for the Samsung Mesmerize, see the Mesmerize instructions;
• for the Samsung Showcase, see the Showcase instructions;
• for the Samsung Vibrant, see the Vibrant instructions.

Before you do anything — Make a backup

Don't forget to back up your data. If you have synced the device with a Google account, then the contacts, calendar, Gmail, & select other Google-related data will not be lost and will come back after the next sync. However, you should backup anything you want to keep that is not stored on the SD card:

• SMS/MMS messages,
• Call Log,
• Bookmarks,
• Applications; use Titanium Backup or the Astro File Manager, for example,
• Any application data not on the SD card.

It would also be a good idea to backup everything stored on the SD card in the rare case the SD card must be formatted to resolve any major problems.

MyBackup Root, SMS Backup & Restore, and Call Backup & Restore are all free applications that can assist with backing up your data.

Installing the ClockworkMod Recovery

This guide assumes the Samsung Galaxy S already has Android 2.3 or higher installed on it. If the Samsung Galaxy S already has the ClockworkMod Recovery installed, skip this section.

1. Download hardcore's kernel with the ClockworkMod Recovery and the Heimdall Suite:
   • hardcore's Kernel with the ClockworkMod Recovery 2.5: Download

     md5: be7f5e02254c9c3fa91d1067f815dac1

   • Windows:
     • Heimdall Suite 1.3.1: Download

       NOTE: The Heimdall Suite requires the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package installed on the computer, which can be downloaded here.

   • Ubuntu 32bit:
     • Heimdall Suite 1.3.1 Command-line Binary: Download
   • Ubuntu 64bit:
     • Heimdall Suite 1.3.1 Command-line Binary: Download
   • Mac OS X:
     • Heimdall Suite 1.3.1: Download

       NOTE: The source code for the Heimdall Suite is available on Github.

2. Windows ONLY:
   1. Power off the Samsung Galaxy S and connect the microUSB to the computer but not the Samsung Galaxy S.
   2. Boot the Samsung Galaxy S into download mode by holding down Home & Volume Down while connecting the microUSB to it.
   3. Run the included zadig.exe in the drivers folder of the Heimdall Suite.
   4. From the menu, choose Options » List All Devices.
   5. From the drop down, select Samsung USB Composite Device or Gadget Serial.
   6. Click Install Driver.

      NOTE: A prompt may appear warning that the installer is unable to verify the publisher of the driver. Ignore it and select "Install this driver anyway."

   7. Heimdall can now be used safely on the Windows computer.

      NOTE: For more information about the Heimdall Suite, please read the included README.txt.

3. Power off the Samsung Galaxy S and connect the microUSB to the computer but not the Samsung Galaxy S.
4. Boot the Samsung Galaxy S into download mode by holding down Home & Volume Down while connecting the microUSB to it.
5. Untar hardcore's kernel into the Heimdall directory.
6. On the computer, open terminal and run the following command from the Heimdall directory:

   heimdall flash --kernel zImage

7. A blue transfer bar will appear on the phone showing the kernel being transferred. The device will reboot automatically.
8. The Samsung Galaxy S now has the ClockworkMod Recovery installed. Continue to the next section.

Flashing CyanogenMod

NOTE: In order to flash CyanogenMod via ROM Manager, root access is required. Attaining root access is outside the scope of this wiki page

Method via Recovery

1. Download the latest version of CyanogenMod.

   Optional: Download the Google Apps for the device.

2. Place the CyanogenMod update.zip file on the root of the internal memory.

   Optional: Place the Google Apps .zip on the root of the internal memory also.

3. Boot into the ClockworkMod Recovery.
4. Once the device boots into the ClockworkMod Recovery, use the side volume buttons to move around, and either the power button or the trackball to select.
5. Select the option to Wipe data/factory reset.
6. Then select the option to Wipe cache partition.
7. Select Install zip from sdcard.
8. Select Choose zip from sdcard.
9. Select the CyanogenMod update.zip.

   Optional: Install the Google Apps by performing steps 7 - 9 again and choosing the Google Apps update.zip.

10. Once the installation has finished, select +++++Go Back+++++ to get back to the main menu, and select the Reboot system now option. The Samsung Galaxy S should now boot into CyanogenMod.

Method via ROM Manager

1. Launch ROM Manager.
2. Choose the first option in the app, Flash ClockworkMod Recovery to update to the latest version.
   1. Select Galaxy S (MTD).
   2. Select Yes.
   3. Select ClockworkMod 2.x
   4. Select OK.
3. Select the Download ROM option from the main menu in the ROM Manager.
4. Select the CyanogenMod option, and then choose the latest version of CyanogenMod from the menu.

   Optional: When you select the latest version of CyanogenMod, check the Google Apps option.

5. Once the ROM is finished downloading, it asks if you would like to Backup Existing ROM and Wipe Data and Cache.
6. If Superuser prompts for root permissions check to Remember and then Allow.
7. The Samsung Galaxy S will now reboot into the recovery, wipe data and cache, and then install CyanogenMod. When it's finished installing it will reboot into CyanogenMod.
8. Launch ROM Manager.
9. Choose the first option in the app, Flash ClockworkMod Recovery to update to the latest version.
   1. Select Galaxy S (MTD).
   2. Select Yes.
   3. Select ClockworkMod 3.x
   4. Select OK.