How to install ClockworkMod Recovery on Samsung Galaxy S2? (Video)

By
Jayce Ooi
-
Last modified on

ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery Mode allows you to install custom firmware via zip format in SD card. Besides, CWM also provides backup and restore functions in Nandroid. And other advanced functions too. ClockworkMod Recovery is a must install component because lot of the custom firmware are developed to be flashed via CWM. How to install ClockworkMod Recovery on Samsung Galaxy S II? Personally, I installed CWM through CF-Root. Besides getting CWM installed, I also have Samsung Galaxy S2 rooted. Isn’t that great?

Prerequisites

  • Odin3
  • CF-Root

Note – You need a CF-Root that matches your Samsung Galaxy S2 kernel version. Then use Odin3 to install it.

Step by Step Guide

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Click on About phone.
  3. Find out your Samsung Galaxy S2 kernel version.
  4. Download the correct CF-Root here.
  5. Then power off your phone.
  6. Press and hold down Volume Down + Home + Power buttons at the same time.
  7. Press Volume Up button when warning prompt.
  8. Odin download mode will be loaded.
  9. Connect USB cable to your phone.
  10. At PC, extract CF-Root .tar file that you downloaded to CF-Root folder.
  11. Then bring up Odin3.
  12. Click on PDA.
  13. Select the .tar at CF-Root folder.
  14. Click Start then.
  15. Remove USB cable from your phone when you see green PASS! at Odin3.
  16. After Android loaded, you should see CWM Manager and Superuser installed.
  17. That’s all and enjoys ClockworkMod Recovery.

Check out this post to learn more about Samsung Galaxy S2 ClockworkMod Recovery Mode.

Download Odin3 v1.85 here.
Download CF-Root here.

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103 COMMENTS

  3. Jayce, quick question, I followed your guide but now I want to use Rom Manager (which isn’t compatible with CF-Root) – Can I simply just overwrite the cf-root kernel with the standard Clockworkmod one?

    • I did not test ROM Manager as I don’t us it. Anyway, make a CWM backup first. Then install the kernel that you want. Just restore back if anything bad happens. 😉

  4. Jayce, i want your help..after install CWM all ok. But when reboot the “caution warn” yellow one appear.what does it mean.How to remove that one. Thanks

  7. Hi Jayce,

    after install cf-root,there is a warning symbol appears..always when i restart my device..why?
    my kernel DXKI2..i use ce_xen_ki2..is there were i miss something?

        • Im in the same scenario as Jimmy, rooted using s2 root. I’m guessing the solution would be to unroot your phone using s2 root, then re root using CF root, (you’ll need to reload an insecure kernel on both rooting and unrooting).

          An alternative method is to simply flash an older kernel one with the 2e recovery, as the 3e recovery has signature issues with CWM. After the CWM should install fine, via ROM Manager.

  11. hi,

    My phone kernel now is 2.6.35.77 se.infra@SEI-22 #2.

    i done the root follow your link.my GS2 is i9100G..
    can i install cynogenmod and what is the suitable CF for me

  13. i installed the zedomax_kernel i look at my kernel and it is untouched it says 2.6.35.7. I tried ti create a back up using Rom Manager and it gives me something about e whole file signature and verification failed

  14. Hi, nice guide you got right there! I’ve got a couple of questions to ask. If I root, will my photo data , apps, etc be erased? Another thing, am I able to flash roms like cyanogenmod 7 if I am rooted? Looking forward to ur reply. 🙂

  16. hello jayce,i just flashed to checkrom revohd v4 but i hate the cwm.can i install cwm 4 while having the current cwm?and how do it do it?i want to replace it.tnx btw 🙂

  18. oh man, I have reinstalled kies and samsung usb drivers over and over, but still my phone isn’t recognized by every OS and with every usb cable…

    I messed up my firmware upgrade (ODIN said FAIL!) And after that i can’t do anything via USB.

    Is there a way to install new firmware not using USB connection???

    • Yes, with CWM 5. But you need USB to install it first. Maybe you can try on other PC see. By the way, can you still able to load Odin Download mode now?

  19. Hi,

    Tried 4 computers and 2 usb cables, none of them recognizes my phone. I can get in Download mode in my phone, but in Odin, the COM:ID won’t turn yellow (because no usb connection)…

  21. hy bro! i have o2 pay go set.yesterday i rooted+cwm with ur method.then i flshed official firmware 2.3.5 to remove o2 logo.now my cell have unrooted and cwm has also been uninstalled.but i want to instal custom rom ics nw.what should i do?

  22. hi guys

    i rooted S2 by this guide inspiredgeek.com/2011/04/30/how-to-root-samsung-galaxy-sii-s2-using-odin-and-s2 roor-step-by-step-guide/

    it worked fine,

    downloaded ROM manager app, flash clockworkmod recovery, selected S2, successfully downloaded clockworkmod recovery. then reboot to recovery via CWM app.

    went to the recovery with menu

    ——————————-
    android system recovery

    reboot system now
    apply update from sdcard
    wipe data/factory reset
    wipe cache partition
    ————————

    with message sayings

    E:failed to verify whole file signature
    E: Signature verification failed

    i want to install custom rom

    i have no idea why it wouldnt work on S2

    any help would be brilliant thanks

  23. one more thing i have install both insecure kernel and original kernel to remove yellow mark from my mobile…now can i install CWM if yes send link ,,,,,thanks in advance

      • yes i have rom maneger premium but not clockworkmod recovery work..can i install it on my mobile or not..is there any risk

        • i rooted S2-using-odin-and-s2 root-step-by-step-guide/

          it worked fine,

          downloaded ROM manager app, flash clockworkmod recovery, selected S2, successfully downloaded clockworkmod recovery. then reboot to recovery via CWM app.

          went to the recovery with menu

          ——————————-
          android system recovery

          reboot system now
          apply update from sdcard
          wipe data/factory reset
          wipe cache partition
          ————————

          with message sayings

          E:failed to verify whole file signature
          E: Signature verification failed

          i want to install custom rom

  24. Just a question ‘outside’ the topic discussed here.
    Is that a blinking notification light near the secondary camera during the boot animation??
    as far as I know, there is no notification light in a gs2.

  28. Hi Jayce,

    When I click “start” at Odin 3 v1.85 and it won’t start, what’s wrong with it? I got my com port in the box. It started like this;
    Added!!
    Odin v.3 engine (ID:35)..
    File analysis..
    SetupConnection..
    Initialzation..
    Get PIT for mapping..
    Firmware update start..
    zImage

    It stopped at “zImage”. I followed your guide and I believed I download the correct cf-root. Please advise, thanks.

  29. Hi Jayce,
    I tried the other PC and it’s the same fault. I stuck now.. my S2 is till says “downloading.. do not turn off target!!” I want to switch it off, will I brick my S2? Please advise.

  32. Hey didn’t work for me! My screen just view SAMSUNG GALAXY S II GT-IG100G for 3 ours! What should I do? What next? How can I remove it? Or unroot..?

  33. hi jayce

    what is the difference between flashing my phone with cf root or flashing it with custom kernel or stock kernel……….both root the phone ? is it one and the same thing ?

    second………..i want to back up my firmware with cwm……so if not satisfied, i could revert back to my original firmware………………please tell how to do it .

    Thanx.

  34. to my understanding.

    if i flash my phone with siyah kernel……………it will be rooted…………Ok ? ……………..and there will automatically cwm be installed in my phone…………………….fine now i upgrade it to another fw , say jelly beans………………..and now i want to revert ………………i’ll use cwm manager which will already be there in my phone …………..right ?…………………..but i haven’t done any thing so far to back up my original fw………….will it be backed up automatically or do i have to do any thing before upgrading my phone ??

    please reply………thanx.

  35. I had rooted my Galaxy S2 long time back. I am a novice in rooting and stuff. I have gone through quite a lot of forums & everyone have different ways. I liked the way of your reply in the comments section and so am asking you a few questions:

    1) My phone is still in GINGER Bread. I want to update it to Jelly Bean. I should do it via a Custom ROM or should first unroot my phone & then do it by official Samsung website. Which is good and easier process?? Which is the good Custom ROM for S2?

    2) I am not sure whether my Phone is on Clockwork Mod Recovery? How to know?

    3) If not in Clockworkmod Recovery, I will follow the above steps. But I am not sure about which CF-Root should I Use?
    My details are: Model Number: GT-I9100
    Baseband Version: I9100DXKF1
    Kernel Version: 2.6.35.7-I9100XWKDD-CL161513root@DELL103#2
    Build Number: GINGERBREAD.DXKF4

    Thanks.

  36. I have a rooted Galaxy S2 phone with 16GB External SD Card. I want to change the External Card to 32 GB.
    Do I need to unroot & again reroot my phopne. Or is there any other way?

    Also for S2, do I need to do external partition EXT at SD Card or no need?

  37. Help i installed cwd and it got installed but now the phone wont boot, the screen stays black and sometimes says Kernel Panic Upload Mode

  38. i rooted my P6200, Galaxy Tab 7 Plus.
    after a while.. my camera started to failed.
    the apps is working.. but show all black with
    all the buttons still there.

    sent my tab to samsung service centre,
    they said need to change board at rm700+.
    for sure i’m not willing to pay for it..
    since i can get a new tab below rm1200.

    i installed kaspersky mobile security on my tab,
    surprisingly… the mugshot is working…
    so i think my camera app maybe spoilt by rooting.

    is there any ways to totally wipe off my tab?
    i’ve tried factory reset from within android
    or recovery mode with clear all cache.

    i wish to totally wipeoff my tab & odin it using the
    official P6200 XME file. thanx.

  39. dear jayce

    first I rooted my phone with siyah kernel…it went well and i had cwm …..then i backed up my firmware and it did it well too…

    then confident that if something went wrong I can restore the original fw….i went on and flashed my cell with jell bean via link you provided and it also was smooth sail…..but what happened that now root is gone and so is cwm….now does it mean , i will have to root again ??? second my cwm is also gone ..so how would I restore to original fw if i wanted to ????? I mean the whole purpose of backing up my soft ware is gone ????? what was wrong with my way ?

  40. but jayce how would i restore to original stock fw if i wanted to…as every time my cwm is gone….

    I mean if its for warranty puposes or for the simple reason that i don’t like the new one..how cwm can help me to get back….

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