Upgrading your phones firmware and getting bunch of new features is really exited thing but new firmware comes with many problem.
You will lost your almost important data, settings and applications. so before upgrading we have to create complete backup of our data and some other task like -preparing pc. below you can see complete guide of preparing phone before upgrading.
Please follow all steps of this guide , because it is essential for every android phone before upgrading / installing firmware.
(1) Check your phone compatibility
The first and most important thing is to check your phone’s current firmware version and status of sim to ensure that you can update your phone or not . you can check firmware version by going to settings > about phone .
Other factor is if your phone is locked with network like T-Mobile , AT&T or any of your area. Then it is Probably possible that you can’t update your phone with the firmware of unlocked and international version phone. check your phone network lock status by following this very basic guide – 
- Did your phone have any company logo on it ?
- Do you purchased your phone from a mobile operator store ?
- Do you got your phone under contract with any sim provider ?
- Does your phone blocks when you insert another operators sim ?
- Do you see mobile operators logo when you switch on/off your phone ?
(2) Backup things
Note: While upgrading phone manually or installing any leaked/beta/unofficial firmware , please make backup with the methods below. pc suite software for your phone will not recognize your phone after upgrade and you will not able to restore your backup created by your phone’s pc suite (e.g. for Samsung KIES)
I). Backing up phone data
Updating firmware process will delete all data from your phone like – message,contacts,calendar . So we have to make backup on sd card or on pc or on online backup service. You can follow this Guide to Know about backing up your phone data before upgrading.
How to Backup Android Phone data before Upgrading Firmware
II). Making phone apps backup
Upgrading firmware will also delete your pre-installed and purchased apps , to get these apps back you can make your apps backup. Please note that you need to root your phone to make this backup and restore it. Follow this article below –
How to Make Full Android Backup with Titanium Backup, and How to Restore it
III). Backing up APN settings
Updating firmware also restores MMS and APN settings of your mobile operator. To backup these settings you can go to Applications > Settings > Wireless and Network > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names and write down these settings on paper , after upgrade reconfigure them manually OR use this recommended site to get settings in seconds
(3) Charge your phone
This is the most essential thing while upgrading firmware , before doing anything with your phone please charge your phone battery at least 75% .
if your phone switched off during update process then you will have a nice brick (dead phone)
(4) Preparing Your PC
- Very important thing, remove / completely disable all software that are used with your phone, on PC . This will prevent other softwares to interfere in firmware flashing
- Install all needed drivers of your phone to work updater software properly (For samsung android phones you can use these drivers)
- Check that you have right updater software version, before following the updating guide
- Make sure you have administrator permission on pc in order to work updater software properly
- Also Stop any antivirus , firewall software on your computer
(5) Remove SIM and SD card
Many people don’t follow this step and it can cause many problems , so I highly recommend to remove memory card and SIM
that’s all , you are ready to start firmware installing process. If you faced any problem feel free to ask it via leaving comments below
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Also stop the antivirus service.
Right !
have to uninstall kies ?
No , but completely disable it
So my phone is locked to Orange. I can’t use this method and I have to wait for the official OTA/KIES update?
Yes wait for update released by Orange
I updated it to the 2.3.4 unofficial and it worked. That somehow unlocked the phone or something and I was able to install the 2.3.4 official. I’m guessing there’s a way to work around the whole “Locked to carrier ” thing.
Bro i know it can work but i cant guarantee
or call ur operater pay about £20 to have it unlocked
my phone was locked by some operator
but now i have unlocked my phone
can i use this?
I am not sure about this please contact to XDA developers , if i will got any information then will tell you
were can i get to down load xperianeo_mt15i_4.0.1.a.0.283_aad_2.3.4_global.zip
Will it void my phone’s warranty? And will after the upgrading thing is done, wont Kies recognise my phone?
It will not void warranty , and after upgrading KIES will not work
Please read this too http://androidflip.com/frequently-asked-questions-about-installing-firmware-on-samsung-androids/
is there ice-cream sandwich firmware for galaxy ace. or further firmware of 2.3.5
No Ice cream not released for any phone yet ,,,,
and 2.3.5 for ace is here http://androidflip.com/install-android-2-3-5-on-samsung-galaxy-ace-s5830-xwks2-gingerbread-firmware/
Can I skip the backing up of APN settings as I don’t really use mobile network at all?
Yes you can skip it
i this version creates any problem to wireless?????
no, it works
My firmware version are S5570LWRKB2 ? i wanna install the 2.3.5 XWKS1 on galaxy mini .. I will have any problem?
No , if above guide meet all requirements then you can install any firmware
I started upgrading process for Samsung galaxy ace after setting everything.It taken around 35 minutes.nothing was happening so i take out battery and then switch on the phone.nothing was upgraded.You wrote process will take 5-10 minutes.
is the problem that i have not stopped antivirus protection or anything else?
so should i again try after stop antivirus protection?
yes try again
i have an error message in odin when i start,,, “”usb port can’t be open”" but when i connected the usb cable is shonw correctly in odin,,,
what can i do??
if I install this version of android and didn’t want that, can I restore my android to 2.3.3
after updating can i able to connect my phone through kies
I see a vodafone logo when i turn on my htc sensation z710e thats that mean its branded and how can u know if a phone is pre rooted
Download root checker
I have a galaxy mini locked(android 2.2.1) and i done installing android 2.3.4 normaly.
can you please say how to find the firmware of galaxy pro
There are very few firmware for galaxy pro
Please provide the complete step to upgrade the firmware….In settings > about phone I could not see any firmware version…plz help
Look carefully
Ya I got it….Plz tell me whats the updated version and how to update that..I am using sony ericsson xperia pro…..
link is not working for i8520….thx bro
Fix the drivers link please !
will fix and update soon .
i cant able to connect data in mobile network
my uncle gifted me wildfire s from orange they kept the orange sim as orange is not available in my country.i see a orange logo when is switch off and on my phone but i am using some other network sim so my phone is locked with sim network or not?
hi. thank you for your wonderful work, i really appreciate your help for we the android users
I have a galaxy mini runing android 2.3.4 but i want to upgrade it to 2.3.6. but it is rooted. what should i do before upgrading it to 2.3.6? thank you
Nothing, just flash 2.3.6 firmware.
Do I remove the SIM and the SD card after it finishes downloading or while it loads ?
Before you boot your phone in download mode.