[Guide] How to install Android ICS on Nokia N9

If you own a Nokia N9 and have been a fan of our website, you would already know that Android 4.0 and Android 4.1 have been ported for the N9 by developers. Up until now, developers have not released a method by which we can install these ports on our device, but it looks like that is about to change.

Now we have a working port for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for your Nokia N9 and you can follow our step-by-step guide to install it on your device to dual-boot with Meego.

[NOTE] This process should not affect your Meego setup, however we recommend that you backup your data before you proceed.

[NOTE] You will require a Windows computer to follow this guide.

[NOTE] This guide requires knowledge in using command prompt (CMD)

[NOTE] This guide requires that you have the Nokia N9 PR 1.3 update installed on your device.

[DISCLAIMER] Do not proceed with the guide unless you are aware of the consequences of modifying your device. We are not responsible for any loss of data or device malfunction which may occur from following this guide, so please proceed at your own risk.


Flash the dual-boot kernel

1. On your device go to Settings > Security > Device Lock > Autolock and turn it OFF
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2. Download the flasher program to flash your device (WinFlasher-3.12.1.exe)
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3. Install it to your computer to the C:\Program Files\Nokia\Flasher\ folder when prompted.
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4. Switch off your device and make sure it is not plugged to your computer.
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5. Download and extract Navifirm and install it to your computer.
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6. Open Navifirm and select Nokia N9 from the first list on the left, then select 30.2012.7.1 from the second list, finally select your N9 model from the final list.
   [NOTE] You can find the 7 character model number by looking under the SIM tray, which you can type into the last list to help find your device.
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7. After it is selected, click unmark on the top, then look through the list and only select the one which starts with DFL61 AND has the word LEGACY in it.
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8. The select ‘Browse’ next to ‘Save to’ on the right and select the C:\Program Files\Nokia\Flasher\ folder
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9. Uncheck ‘Use product code as final path’ and click Download.
10. Download the kernel file (select the zImage with the latest date to the right of it) and save it inside the C:\Program Files\Nokia\Flasher\ folder.
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11. Open command prompt on your computer by pressing ‘Windows key’ + ‘R’ and typing CMD and pressing enter and type the following: cd C:\Program Files\Nokia\Flasher flasher -a DFL61_HARMATTAN_30.2012.07-1_PR_LEGACY_005-OEM1-958_ARM.bin -k zImage –flash-only=kernel -f -R
    [NOTE] Please make not it is 005 not 001 after LEGACY and that there are two hyphens before flash (–).
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12. After pressing enter at the last line, connect the USB cable to your device first and then plug it to your computer and wait a few seconds for it to flash the device

Installing Sillyboot

1. Unplug your device from the computer and turn it on if it isn't switched on already.
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2. On your device, head over to Settings > Security > Developer Mode and turn it ON. This will restart the device and download some apps, say Yes when you are prompted.
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3. Plug the device back to your computer using the USB cable and select USB storage mode in order to transfer files to it.
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4. Download Sillyboot and save it to your computer.
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5. Copy Sillyboot to the N9 to the MyDocs folder.
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6. Once the file is copied unplug your device from your computer.
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7. Open terminal on the Nokia N9 and type the following into it: devel-su tar xjvf /home/user/MyDocs/sillyboot.tar.bz2 -C / press enter,
   [NOTE] If you are asked for a password enter rootme.

Installing Android Ice Cream Sandwich

1. Download the ICS ROM and save it to your computer. (source)
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2. Remove the NITDroid if you have installed it. To remove it, open Terminal on your N9 and type the following: devel-su rm -rf /home/nitdroid
   [NOTE] If you are asked for a password enter rootme.
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3. Connect your N9 to your computer and copy the fules you downloaded earlier to the MyDocs folder on your device.
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4. Open Terminal on your N9 and type the following command (Press Enter after you type each line) devel-su mkdir /home/nitdroid tar xjvf /home/user/MyDocs/nitdroid_n9_jellybean_alpha5.tar.bz2 -C /home/nitdroid/
   [NOTE] If you are asked for a password enter rootme.
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5. Once you have entered the commands turn off your device
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6. Switch on your device and when you see Press VolUp to boot alternative OS, Press the Volume Up button.

You device will now boot into Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

All credit to this port goes to the nitDroid developers. You can help the continuous development by donating to the nitdroid project


source – Nitdroid