Category Archives: Galaxy Ace

How to upgrade the Galaxy Ace S5830 to Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread via Droid ACE v2 custom ROM

Released just last year, the Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 joined the Galaxy line of user-friendly and feature-rich mobile phones. Although the Galaxy Ace had a slower processor and screen resolution, the phone was still preferred by a lot of consumers due to its not-so-pricey tag, considering that is a smartphone.
The phone had the Android 2.2 Froyo version and received Gingerbread updates not long after its release into the market. Since the Galaxy Ace is still a noteworthy phone today, developers have released custom ROMs for it. Older models of phones are not forgotten by the ever-hardworking community of developers, so we can expect more custom ROMs to be released for not-too-recent Android devices.
XDA Developers member masterex567, in particular, cooked up the Droid ACE v2 custom ROM, based on CyanogenMod 7.2 (CM7.2) RC3 (unofficial), which in turn is based on Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread.
The latest version of the ROM includes performance improvements, such as the latest Firekernel overclocked kernel, Adrenaline Engine and Boost, faster GPS lock, faster SD card read speed, tweaked build.prop, and more.  Several improvements to the GUI, apps, and audio have also been incorporated.
Many of the major bugs in the previous version have also been already crushed.  Yet, this ROM continues to be developed, so there may still be some bugs and issues.
In this guide, learn how to upgrade the Galaxy Ace S5830 to Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread via Droid ACE v2 custom ROM.

Warning

  • The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Samsung Galaxy Ace, model number GT-S5830. Applying these instructions on another device or model may produce undesired outcomes.
  • The information in this guide is provided for instructional and educational purposes only. There is no guarantee that these instructions will work under your specific and unique circumstances.
  • Use these instructions at your own risk. We shall not hold any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.
  • Read and understand the whole guide first before actually performing the instructions.

Requirements

  • A Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 with ClockworkMod Recovery installed
  • Your phone’s USB cable.
  • Download the Unofficial CM7 Droid ACE v2 ROM package (cm7.2-rc3-droidacev2-bugsfixed.zip, 109.44 MB) to your computer.
  • Make sure that your phone’s battery is charged up to 75% or more to avoid interruptions during the process.
  • Backup all personal data on your phone to make sure you have a copy of your personal data (e.g., contacts, SMS, MMS, Internet settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and the like) in case the procedure in this guide erases such data.

Instructions

  1. Copy the ROM package to your phone’s internal SD card.
  2. Switch your phone off and boot into ClockworkMod Recovery. To do this, press and hold the Home and Power buttons until the screen turns on. This will then boot your phone to recovery.
    • NOTE: Once in recovery, you can use the Volume keys to navigate and the Power or Home button to select an option.
  3. Make a NANDroid Backup of your current ROM in case of problems. To create a backup, select Backup and Restore and select Backup. Wait for the process to finish.
  4. Select Wipe data/factory reset and confirm the action on the next screen.
  5. Select Wipe cache partition and confirm the action on the next screen.
  6. Go to Mounts and Storage and select Mount data.
  7. Select Install ZIP from SD card.
  8. Select Choose ZIP from SD card and navigate to the cm7.2-rc3-droidacev2-bugsfixed.zipfile, select it, and confirm the action on the next screen to start installing the ROM on your phone.
  9. Once installation is complete, select Go back and select Reboot system now. This will reboot your phone to the newly installed ROM.
Awesome! You have successfully installed the CM7.2-based Droid ACE v2 custom ROM on your Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830.  If you’re feeling a little bit bold and adventurous,upgrade your Galaxy Ace S5830 to Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean via CyanogenMod 10.

Offiicial Cyanogenmod 7 (CM7) for Galaxy Ace S5830

It took its sweet time, but it’s finally here. CyanogenMod 7 aka CM7 is now official for the Galaxy Ace, bringing Android 2.3.7 with improved performance and customization options, which are the proven hallmarks of CyanogenMod. While CM9 is already on progress based on Ice Cream Sandwich for other devices, with the Ace also having a few Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs, those looking for a stable experience will welcome CM7 with open arms. The ROM will be updated regularly as it’s in the nightlies stage. Nightlies are development builds that are built automatically at the end of each day incorporating all the changes submitted by the developers in that time.
Do keep in mind that the ROM has bugs (albeit very few), and since these are automatic builds, newer releases might introduce new bugs and issues, so the ROM is by no means complete now.
Read on to find out how you can flash CM7 on your Galaxy Ace.
Compatibility
This ROM and the guide below are compatible only and only with the Samsung Galaxy Ace, model number S5830. It may render an incompatible device unusable. Check your model in Settings » About.
Warning!
The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to you or your device, we won’t be held liable.

ROM Info

Known Issues:
  • Torch isn’t working ( not a big bug but still)
  • Link2sd seems to be not working (need confirmation from more users)

Pre-Installation Requirements

  • Rooted Galaxy Ace with Clockworkmod Recovery installed.
  • Sufficiently charged battery, at least 50% is recommended.
  • Backup all your data as this procedure will wipe your installed apps and data (but will NOT touch your sdcard). You can refer to this excellent Android backup guide.

How to Install CM7 on Galaxy Ace

  1. Download the latest version of CM7 from the original development thread.
  2. Download the Google Apps package (this is required since the ROM itself doesn’t contain Google apps like Market, Talk, etc).
    Download Link  |  Filename: gapps-gb-20120116-237-signed.zip
  3. Transfer the two files downloaded in step 1 and 2 to the root of your sdcard on the phone (i.e, don’t put them in any folder).
  4. Power Off your Galaxy Ace. Wait for 5-6 seconds until you feel the vibration to confirm complete switch off.
  5. Then, press and hold these 2 buttons together: ‘Home+Power’ till the Galaxy Ace logo shows up on-screen. You’ll boot into CWM recovery soon enough. (In recovery, use Volume keys to scroll up and down and power key to select an option. Use back key to go back).
  6. Once in CWM, perform a wipe:
    1. Select “wipe data/factory reset”, then select “Yes” on next screen to confirm. Wait a while till the data wipe is complete.
    2. Select “wipe cache“ then select “Yes” on next screen to confirm.
    3. Go back to the main menu, select “advanced”, and then Wipe Dalvik Cache » Yes – Wipe Dalvik. Then go back to the main recovery menu.
  7. Now select “install zip from sdcard”, then select “choose zip from sdcard”. Scroll to the ROM file on the sdcard and select it.
  8. Then select “Yes, Install *your_rom_name*.zip”. The ROM will now start installing.
  9. After the ROM finishes installing, select “go back” to go back to the main recovery menu.
  10. Now repeat step 7, but this time select the Google apps package file gapps-gb-20120116-237-signed.zip to install the Google apps package.
  11. After the installation is complete, select “go back” then select “reboot system now” to reboot the phone.
The official CM7 ROM, based on Gingerbread 2.3.7 is now installed and running on your Galaxy Ace. Visit the development page to get more info and the latest updates on the ROM. Share your thoughts on the ROM in the comments.

How to flash CM7.2 SIII MOD on the Galaxy Ace S5830

A new custom CyanogenMod 7.2 ROM tailor-made for the Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 is already out, featuring the same theme and features of the Galaxy S3′s famous TouchWiz 5 interface and launcher.
The ROM is known as the CM7.2 SIII MOD ROM and it features the same icon pack, wallpapers, home launcher, and a few widgets that were originally found on the Galaxy S3. Although the ROM is not actually based on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, it does, however, feel like you are actually running Ice Cream Sandwich on your Galaxy Ace. Keep in mind, the ROM is built on Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread which translates to a very stable ROM and is good for daily use.
This guide shows you how to flash CM7.2 SIII MOD on the Galaxy Ace S5830.

Warning

  • The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Samsung Galaxy Ace, model number GT-S5830. Applying these instructions on another device or model may produce undesired outcomes.
  • The information in this guide is provided for instructional and educational purposes only. There is no guarantee that these instructions will work under your specific and unique circumstances.
  • Use these instructions at your own risk. We shall not hold any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.
  • Read and understand the whole guide first before actually performing the instructions.

Requirements

Instructions

  1. Copy the downloaded ZIP file to your phone’s internal SD card.
  2. Switch off your phone.
  3. Boot into ClockworkMod Recovery. You can do this by pressing and holding down the Home and Power buttons. Your phone will boot into ClockworkMod Recovery.
  4. Create a NANDroid backup of your current ROM. In case something does not work with this ROM, you can easily revert to your original ROM through your backup. To perform a backup select Backup and Restore then select Backup again. Head back to the main recovery menu after backup is finished.
  5. Select Wipe data/factory reset, then select Yes on the next screen to confirm data wipe.
  6. Select Install ZIP from SD card, then select Choose ZIP from SD card. Browse for the downloaded SIII_MOD_V2.zip file and select it. Confirm the installation process by selecting Yes on the next screen.
  7. After the installation is finished, head back to the main menu by selecting Go back.
  8. Reboot your phone by selecting Reboot system now.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed the CM7.2 SIII MOD ROM on your Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830.

Upgrade Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 to Ice Cream Sandwich

Everybody wants Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) on his/her Android device.  Many users have already loaded up their phones with ICS (mostly unofficial, via hacks or custom ROMs) but still, more and more are discovering it and would want to try it.
While several devices have already tasted Android 4.0, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 users are just getting their share, since it was just very recently that CyanogenMod 9 (based on Android 4.0.3 ICS) was released.
CyanogenMod 9 for the Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 is unofficial, but it’s still worth trying. This firmware is still in beta stage but it is reportedly stable enough for daily use.
Almost every feature is working in this build, but the developers have noted that the following still are problematic:
  • Apps incompatibility
  • Signal bars
  • Vocal functionality
  • Flickering
  • No SIM contacts
  • Lag in video playback
  • Live wallpapers not loading or playing
  • Compass not working
  • Radio doesn’t work
  • Camera not working
Presumably, of course, the developers will be trying to iron out those kinks.
There are also some improvements in this firmware. The firmware is reportedly much faster when used, there is some improvement in the battery performance, issues about flickering have been reduced, Phone.apk is already fixed, library audio files are now updated, and the device sources are already rebuilt. Aside from those enhancements the CyanogenMod 9 animation is also now perfectly working, no more force close errors, and the browser is now working with full GPU acceleration. There’s also a bonus because the developers added a CyanogenMod 9 music player.

Requirements

Ready to install CyanogenMod 9 on your Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830? See the following requirements first and then proceed to the instructions.
  • A rooted Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 (Check our guide on how to root the Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830)
  • Make a back up of all important data on your device (i.e. call logs, SMS, contacts, files, bookmarks and Internet settings).
  • Charge your phone’s battery to at least 60% power.
  • Disable antivirus programs in your computer and if you also have any in your device, uninstall it.
  • Latest release of the CyanogenMod 9 package for the Galaxy Ace S5830.  Get it fromhere style=”font-weight: bold;”>.

Instructions

Note: Use this guide at your own risk. We will not be held liable for any damage on your device as a result of following this guide.
If you are now ready to install this ROM, here are the instructions on how to upgrade your Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830.
  1. Connect your phone to your PC and copy the CyanogenMod package file to the SD card of your device.
  2. Disconnect your phone from your PC.
  3. Turn off your phone and put it into recovery mode by holding down the Menu button and pressing the Power button.
  4. Create a backup of your current ROM by selecting Backup and Restore > Backup.  This is style=”font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;”>not optional.
  5. While in recovery mode, select “install zip from SD card” then “choose zip from SD card”.
  6. Choose the CyanogenMod 9 package file that you copied to the phone.
  7. Confirm the installation and wait for it to complete.
  8. Return to main recovery menu, and do a full wipe as follows:
    1. Select Wipe data/factory reset.
    2. Select Wipe cache partition.
    3. Select Advanced > Wipe Dalvik cache.
  9. Return to main recovery menu.
  10. Select Reboot system now.
When your Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 boots up, it will now be running Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich through CyanogenMod 9.  Congratulations!