Nexus S Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich Update: Canadian Notes
What the manual install involved
The update was offered as an over-the-air package that owners could apply by hand. The steps described in the original post were:
- Download the update package for your version and rename it update.zip (optional on the Nexus S, but convenient).
- Copy it to the phone’s internal storage.
- Power off, then hold volume up and power to reach the bootloader.
- Use the volume keys to choose recovery and confirm with the power button.
- At the warning triangle, hold power and tap volume up to open a menu.
- Choose to apply an update from the SD card and pick update.zip.
- When it finishes, choose reboot system now.
Warnings
Many people reported success, but the post advised making a backup first and installing at your own risk. A manual update can go wrong, so wait for the official release if you are unsure.
Which carriers worked
A later note clarified that the update did not work on Rogers, Fido or Koodo. Wind and Mobilicity owners reported it did. Results depended on the carrier version of the phone.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ice Cream Sandwich?
The nickname for Android 4.0, which merged the phone and tablet versions of Android.
Is the Nexus S still supported?
No. The phone is far out of support, and this page is a historical record.
Should I back up before a manual update?
Yes. A backup protects your data if something goes wrong during installation.