[Guide/tutorial] Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 Any version to Android 7.1/LineageOS14.1

[Guide] Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 Android 7.1 Nougat/Lineage OS 14.1
[Guide/Tutorial/Howto] Samsung Galaxy S2 i9100 Any version to Android 7.1 Nougat without PC

This detailed step-by-step guide helps you transform your Samsung Galaxy S2 i-9100/i-9100P to a powerful one with Android 7.1 Nougat.
Verify your phone is i9100 or i9100P before going further : when you Power on phone, it is written Galaxy SII i9100.

The flashing of recovery is a bit tricky but none of the S2 I had were recognised by the PC. So this tutorial is PC free.
If your S2 is recognised by PC, it's easier to flash directly TWRP recovery using Odin or Heimdall https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75002977&postcount=343

CHANGELOG OF TUTORIAL
v10. Updated pack with TWRP 3.3.1-0
v9. Updated to Unofficial LOS 14.1
v8. Removed Dorimanx kernel (not maintained)
v7. Added Google Play certification (use instructions with my v5 pack below)
v6. Switched to Dorimanx kernel, swteaks, enhenced tutorial thx to feedback, introduced md5 signatures, Stweaks included
v5. Overclock and optimize
v4. Simpler repit, 2 profiles for repit included
v3.5. More custom partitions, kernel for Android N 1.3
v3. Moved to Lineage OS 14.1, Skyline custom kernel, TWRP 3.1 by the.gangster
v2. Added latest repit, added walkthrough for possible errors
v1. Initial release


1 ) DOWNLOAD ---------------------
- djibe Galaxy S2 i9100 pack (53 MB) v5 : http://bit.ly/GalaxyS2djibepackv5
(contains Philz Touch recovery + kernel Lanchon IsoRec CM13 + the.gangster IsoRec TWRP 3.3.1-0 recovery + lanchon repit djibe edit standard or prefered + Su for LOS 14.1 + Samsung drivers).

- ROM Unofficial Lineage OS 14.1 for GalaxyS2 i9100 : https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=302540&sort_by=date&sort_dir=DESC
Or AOKP : https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s2/development-derivatives/rom-aokp-rom-t3606915

- OpenGApps ARM 7.1 pico (alternatives: Pico, Micro) : https://opengapps.org/?arch=arm&api=7.1&variant=pico

- a microSD card. Copy Philz Touch recovery + kernel Lanchon IsoRec CM13 + the.gangster IsoRec TWRP 3.3.1-0 recovery + lanchon repit djibe edit standard or prefered + Su for LOS 14.1 AND THEIR RESPECTIVE md5 files from my pack on microSD card and insert it in phone.
- Charge phone to 100 %

WARNING. Read carefully the sentences starting with ###.
### It will not work if your phone is encrypted. Uncrypt it before starting this tutorial.
### This tutorial works without a PC. So it will work if (like me) you get "Unknown USB device error" message when plugging phone in Windows.
### Warranty is now void.
### Later in this tutorial, if you get error : "Failed to mount */data* (No such device)", just reformat Data partition to Ext4 (Using lanchon-repit's script or TWRP recovery).

2 ) BACKUP DATA -------------------
Install Samsung drivers (you unzipped earlier).
Then plug phone to PC in File transfer mode.
Collect all .jpg or .mp4

Use an app like Backupyourmobile to backup texts, contacts, etc.
Check that backup is located on microSD card.
Then copy the backup on your PC.


3 ) FLASH RECOVERY, KERNEL AND RE-PARTITION----------------
We gonna repartition phone to reduce an unused preload partition of 512 Mo (stored Samsung updates that no more exist).
We gonna increase system partition to 1 GB so Android 7.1 and Gapps have enough space.
We gonna increase data partition so you can have all the apps you like.
ALL YOUR DATA WILL BE LOST.

FLASH RECOVERY FROM STOCK RECOVERY ----
Shut down phone.
Power it back on in recovery mode : Use Volume+ + Home + Power buttons and release them when you see Galaxy S2 logo.
### Alternative and easier process if your S2 can be recognized by PC using Heimdall : https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=75002977&postcount=343
Then wait till the recovery launches.
### If you already have a custom recovery, go to the mark -!-!- below.

Using default recovery, use volume buttons to navigate and power to confirm,
install zip -> choose Philz_touch_6.48*.zip and install it.
When its done, shut down phone, restart in recovery mode. You are now in the Philz touch recovery.

### If it fails, you need to install CWM recovery using Odin software and SGS2 in Download mode.
### Use a good tutorial for Odin and SGS2 i9100 recovery flashing.
### Download CWM for Odin : https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95916177934516900
### Once finished, continue operations below as if you had Philz recovery.

In Philz touch recovery (or your recovery -!-!-) : go to Wipe -> format /cache and format /system partitions.
Then back to install zip -> Flash kernel-lanchon*.zip (FLASH IT OR TWRP RECOVERY WON'T LAUNCH AND PHONE WILL BE BRICKED),
then flash recovery recovery-the.gangster-IsoRec-TWRP-3.1.0-0-i9100.zip.

Reboot phone to recovery again, it is now TWRP 3.1.0-0 Recovery !!!
Swipe to unlock filesystem.
Check never show this screen during boot again and swipe again.

In TWRP, go to Backup -> select Boot, System, Data,
Tap select Storage and select External storage,
then Swipe to Backup.
Backup is located on your microSD in the TWRP folder.

(To have latest TWRP recovery, go to Install > Select TWRP 3.1.1-0.img and swype to flash).

### Don't flash repit files if you don't have a TWRP recovery

### 2 MAIN CONFIGS TO REPARTITION :
- For standard config, just use the djibe-standard-repit*.zip included in my archive, you'll have :
1GB system, 6GB data (for apps), max internal storage (photos, temp files) and minimal preload (useless partition used for OTA offical updates).

- My PREFERED version is djibe-prefered-repit*.zip :
1GB system, 2GB Internal storage (limited size for photos and files because who takes photos with SGS2 ?), max data (about 11,5 GB for apps), minimal preload (useless partition).

### And a failproof repit one. If you get flash errors with repit files above, use this one.

- For more custom partitions, ask us in a post what partition sizes you want.

### Let the lanchon*.zip filename AS IS because the filename gives the instructions for the repit script. Lanchon is smart !

Go back to TWRP Home screen,
Plug phone to charger.
Tap go to Install, select lanchon-VERSIONYOUWANT-djibe-repit*.zip from your microSD (if file not seen, tap Select storage -> External-storage),
then Swipe to flash. There is an error, files have been copied to /tmp folder. It is normal !

Go back to Install -> Select Storage -> Internal Storage, OK.
Now tap on : (Up A Level),
scroll down and enter the "tmp" folder,
### If you use another PIT file to repartition (not mine -djibe-version), plug phone to Power source (not PC !) or you could hard brick your device.
tap on lanchon-VERSIONYOUWANT-djibe*.zip and Swipe to flash.
### never connect phone to PC during repit !!!
Let it process for 2 minutes.


4 ) Wipe partitions
INFO : F2FS is the fastest filesystem for read and write partitions on flash memories. Compared to EXT4, gain is from 15 to 280 %.
No need to format the /System partition because it is Read only and Ext4 is still faster.
Format has been done with repit. No need to manually format anymore.

Go to Wipe -> Advanced wipe,
select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage then Swipe to Wipe, go back to TWRP Home.


5) INSTALL ROM, GAPPS AND ROOT
Still under TWRP Home screen -> go to Install zip and set Storage to External-Storage.
We need to install files 1 by 1.

Select lineage-14.1-*.zip and Swipe to flash,
Then select addonsu-*.zip (this is the Root) and Swipe to flash,
### You get this error : Updater process ended with signal: 4, Error installing zip file '/sdcard/Download/addonsu*.zip', don't care, root is correctly installed.

then open_gapps-arm-7.1*.zip, and Swipe to flash,

### If you are using ResurrectionRemix, don't flash any custom kernel at all !

Then wipe cache/dalvik,
then reboot system.

Wait for 15 minutes while Android starts for the first time.


6 ) ROOT ACCESS
Once in Android, open the Settings menu, select "About Phone".
Go to Settings -> About -> Hit 7 times on the build number, go back,
Go to the Developer options menu, root access -> activate ADB+apps
and Lower activate Local Terminal.


7) CALIBRATE BATTERY
In Google Play Store, download App Battery Calibration (from IMobS Ltd).
Launch the App.
Confirm root acces.
Plug tab and wait till charge hits 100%, then hit BATTERY CALIBRATION and unplug it.


8) You can use Backupyourmobile to restore data,
you can use GPS Status & Toolbox app to enhance GPS fix.


Enjoy,
djibe

THANKS --------------
Teams of : TWRP, Lineage OS, the.gangster, Lanchon, Resurrection remix, Philz, Skyline, MigoMujahid

JaLoou said:

I do not know may developers of Lineage or Resurrection Remix are great people. But from my point of view such ROMs seem as kidding only. Sorry.
They are not ready for use as reliable daily drivers. And an appearance of some reports about allegedly happiness and satisfaction with Lineage or Resurrection Remix are high probably fakes or at least unserious claims.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

You cannot say so. The developers of Lineage ROM (and the derivatives) are fine guys with lots of know how. They sacrifice many hours of their spare time for this work, all free of charge and also have a private life. They can't fix all bugs from today to tomorrow. You have to be patient. Since the beginning of Nougat for the S2 in 2016, many bugs have already been fixed. Of course, the ROM will be always better optimized for daily use. The bugs become fixed bit by bit, but this takes time.

I have been testing the various Lineage ROMs for quite some time, as a normal user. For me, the lastest versions of AICP 12.1 are working quite usable. With a suitable CPU governor (lulzactiveq) or special settings in the Kernel Adiutor it runs more smoothly than the stock ROM (Jelly Bean). Why should someone write something unserious here, we get no money for it The S2 is a lovely oldtimer - nobody thought in 2011 that it works with an Android OS from 2016/17.

Hi, i tried that, the repit file i isntalled was the one that has your name. The whole process went ok, except for the install. please check the image for more info.

PackElend said:

nope, sorry, may google brings up something

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

I already found a solution. I searched the previous replies. I changed the name of the zip file. I put ext4 where f2fs was. Dunno why my phone dont like f2fs but now its working like a charm.

Glad you did it !
For the PIT file it doesn't change much, but the original lanchon PIT moves data during partition resize, mine erases data.
Enjoy