Download And Install Android 2.3.6 (GRK39F) On Nexus S [How To Tutorial]

Google has started rolling out Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread (Build GRK39F) for their latest Google experience smartphone, the Nexus S. We are here to guide you how you can install the update right now in an easy to follow manner.

google-nexus-s

The company hasn’t officially announced what is new in GRK39F, but according to reports flying around, it apparently fixes the tethering issue which plagued Nexus S units with Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread Build: GRK39C. Everything else remains the same, but if Google does announce any other features for this build, we’ll let you know.

Owners of the Google Nexus S now have two options: they can wait it out till Google pushes an over-the-air (OTA) update which will let them install GRK39F with a tap of a virtual button or they can follow our guide after the disclaimer and do it manually like Android enthusiasts do.

How To Install Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread (GRK39F) Update On Nexus S

DISCLAIMER: Redmond Pie is not to be held responsible for any loss of data as a result of the malfunctioning of your Google Nexus S.

Having Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread (Build GRJ22) is a necessary pre-requisite. You can check from Settings > About to see if you’re running said build. If not, you’ll have to, well, install that before you can install this. A simple search on Google will score you a guide that you can follow.

With GRJ22 installed, you can now follow our step-by-step guide post below:

Step 1: Download Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread (GRK39F) update for your Google Nexus S.

Step 2: Rename the downloaded file to update.zip. Please ensure that the name isn’t update.zip.zip as that will cause problems later on; Windows users can confirm this by right-clicking on file downloaded in step 1 > Properties > Details > Name.

Step 3: Connect your Nexus S with your computer to transfer update.zip to the root/parent-directory of your phone.

Step 4: After completing transfer, turn off your Nexus S.

Step 5: Hold down Power + Volume Down until you get into your bootloader (you’ll know when you do) and then go into Recovery mode.

Step 6: Select apply sdcard update.zip.

Step 7: Wait for the update to be installed and then reboot back into Android.

If you followed the steps correctly, you should now have Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread GRK39F with working tethering installed. Nexus One user? Simply follow our guide posted here on how to manually download and install Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread on said device.

You can follow us on Twitter or join our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the web.