Update LG Optimus Black P970 to Official Android 4.0 ICS ROM





The official Android 4.0 ICS flavor is finally available for the LG Optimus Black P970 users, so if you haven’t received the OTA update yet (or if the firmware hasn’t been yet released on your market) I will show you how to manually install the software on your device. Don’t worry the tutorial will be easy to understand and to apply as we are dealing with the stock ICS 4.0 OS for the Optimus Black and not with a complex custom ROM firmware. That’s why the installation process will be more like a “one-click” operation, completing the same taking only a couple of minutes from your time.

The Ice Cream Sandwich platform had just been launched by LG for the Optimus Black P970 handsets and according to the mentioned company, the software can be OTA applied in Europe (France, Italy, Baltics, Spain, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, Portugal and Poland); anyway if the firmware is still nowhere to find, then you can anytime manually flash it by following and performing the present step by step guide. This is being possible thanks to those of xda-developers who had developed this operation.

As this is the official Android 4.0 OS, by updating the LG Optimus Black to the same you will not void the warranty. The warranty gets void only when you are installing custom ROMs firmware, so you have nothing to worry about. Also, you don’t need to have a rooted phone for being able to complete this procedure. The root access is being required only for flashing beta ROMs, not stock ones. Furthermore, if your Optimus Black is rooted, after applying the ICS software the root access will be revoked and for re-gaining the root access you will have to perform an operation suitable with the new OS.

In order to conclude, if you decide to complete this tutorial you will install the stock ICS ROM on the LG Optimus Black. So, if your handset is currently running a custom ROM (the warranty is currently void) you will replace the firmware with the official Android 4.0 system and you will restore the lost warranty. Don’t forget that all the ICS features and looks will be installed on your device.

Even though we are dealing with the official Android 4.0 ICS software that can be OTA applied too, it is recommended to backup the LG Optimus Black P970 data before going any further. It is unlikely to lose your personal info by performing this tutorial, but you can never be too sure when it comes to your contacts, messages, call logs, market apps and so on. So, take your time and do a full backup. If you don’t know how, you can anytime use our backup and restore guides by searching through our how to section for the same.

Also, a Windows running computer, your smartphone and its USB cord will be required. You will have to download the update file on the computer first, and then apply it to your handset. On your phone go to “Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB debugging” and make sure that the USB debugging option is enabled. On both computer and Optimus Black deactivate all the security tools (antivirus and Firewall included) as these programs are interfering with the update operation. In order to avoid the unpleasant situations it is a good idea to charge the battery of your device before heading to the steps from below. If your phone gets turned off in the middle of the installation procedure, you will risk in bricking it. The same will happen if you will complete this step by step guide for a different or similar smartphone with the LG Optimus Black model number P970; the official ICS Android 4.0 ROM will work only for the mentioned device.

How to Update LG Optimus Black P970 to Official Android 4.0 ICS ROM Firmware

As already mentioned, you need to download a file on your computer. So, go here and get the KDZ file. Then, connect the handset with the computer by using its USB cord. Now, from the computer run the KDZ executable file. Up next, set “Type” and “Phone Mode” to select the .kdz file in your PC. The update should now begin, so just wait and don’t make any other changes. The process should take a couple of minutes. In the end, remove the USB cord and reboot the phone. The first boot might take a little bit longer than usual, but don’t panic there is nothing wrong with your Optimus Black. In order to check whether the ICS update has been installed or not, go to “Settings -> About Phone”.

That was all you need to do. So, as I have mentioned in the introduction, the tutorial was easy to complete as there were only few steps to take care of. Do tell us how things worked for you or if you had problems while trying to install the official Android 4.0 ICS software on the LG Optimus Black P970. Stay close as more step by step guides suitable with your Optimus Black will soon follow and maybe you will even be able to update the same to latest Jelly Bean 4.1 OS.