Running Ice Cream Sandwich on the HTC HD2

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The HD2 proves yet again to have been a great purchase. Just as soon as Android evolved to version 4.0 with ICS so too did ICS AOSP Hit the HD2. Continue reading to learn how to direct-boot Ice Cream Sandwich using Nandroid on the HTC HD2.

To get started, complete my existing instructions to install HSPL, upgrade to a new radio and install MAGLDR. These updates are needed to flash custom ROMs on the HD2. (Note: cLK can be as an alternative to MAGLDR in some cases, but both require HSPL be installed first.) Installation times vary widely by skill level. Once installed, return here to finish the rest.

As a debugging tool for beta ROM installations download and store a functional copy of Android Gingerbread on the SD card, in case there is a need to revert from ICS to an earlier, bug-free version of Android. The Gingerbread ROM I used to use worked for me.

Download and install Ice Cream Sandwich from the XDA forums. (See my most recent configuration for ideas on which to install.) With MAGLDR it is easiest to upgrade using the ClockworkMod Recovery utility, accessible via the MAGLDR main menu once installed. To access ClockworkMod Recovery, enter MAGLDR (reset phone with “shut down” key depressed) and choose “AD Recovery” from the main menu. The resulting menu system provides methods for installing and restoring ROMs from ZIP archives stored on the SD card. (Note: If upgrading from an existing Android NAND ROM, the system partition size may need to be increased before installation as per the ROM instructions.)

Video depicting ICS installation procedure using CWM Recovery.

If installation problems occur please be sure to follow all of the instructions provided with the ROM. Once installed, if things seem buggy, consider direct-booting Gingerbread, or, if using the old dual-booting Android and WinMo, switch over to a direct-boot method such as this one. Or simply try simply copying the set-up below. Those with an Android password management system will revel knowing how much time their careful planning has saved them once again.

HD2 set-up (last updated ):

Device: TMoUS HTC HD2
HSPL: CotullaHSPL3 (SPL-2.08-HSPL)
Radio: 2.15.50.14
Boot Loader: MAGLDR v1.13
Android ROM: NexusHD2-IceCreamSandwich Beta6
Recovery: ClockworkMod Recovery v1.3

  • Anonymous

    How’s the battery life on your HD2 now that it’s running ICS natively?

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    It’s on par with Froyo NAND, which is excellent. Probably twice as efficient as the SD dual-boot version.

  • Anonymous

    I’m a total Android/WM Newbie. I just bought this HD2 a few days ago and I haven’t been really enjoying WinMo that much due to freezing issues. You’ve got a great guide here but for a newbie like me I’m not really that familiar with the lingo and the programs.
    I just want to wipe off WM6.5 and put Android on the HD2. Even if it’s only Gingerbread and not ICS. 
    I’ve read a lot of threads telling me to flash my radio, and install HSPL 2.**.10 or so version but all this is confusing for me! (again, a newb) I’m not sure how to go about starting it. Lol I need an in-depth step-by-step guide. 

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Check out mskip’s guide on XDA for detailed instructions, though I cannot speak to the accuracy. Switching to Android was well worth the time invested to do it. Good luck!

  • Anonymous

    Hey it’s me again. So I managed to install Gingerbread 2.3.7 from NAND using Magldr. But recently I’ve noticed random shutdown issues. This would probably be helpful more in your Gingerbread entry but I figured I’d continue on our thread here. Seeing as how you seem to have experience with all this, I was just wondering if you’ve ran into this issue or have heard about it and know any possible solutions with it? Thanks. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/mikejac69 Mike Carter

    Thanks for this, in the end I followed a more detailed how to (I am a newb!) but seeing Ice cream on a HD2 inspired me to finally rid myself of the old Windows mobile and I have to say, so far so smooth!

  • claud chbib

    i got freezing problem after installing ice cream sandwich is that normal

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Welcome back. Glad to hear you were able to get NAND installed. The unexpected behavior you’re experiencing could be due to a number of issues including having an older radio installed, not reformatting your SD card before you began using Android, installation of a bad NAND rom or simply not resetting the device immediately after NAND was booted the first time.

    Now that you’ve gotten the hang of things, please try copying my Gingerbread setup, which has worked wonderfully for me for the last several months. Please let us know how it works out.

  • Anonymous

     So I’ve just installed Android 4.0 ICS with the exact setup you have here. Everything went pretty successfully. Or at least I thought it did. As I was on the setup screen after installation, the phone just rebooted by itself. Is that normal?
    Clearly my problems lies elsewhere. Any idea? Could this be a hardware issue?

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    Which radio are you using?

  • Anonymous

    2.15.50 as far as I’m aware. 

  • Anonymous

    2.15.50 i’m sure. 

  • Anonymous

    Where can I double check this again?

  • Anonymous

    Coz as far as I know I’m running I have 2.15.50 on it.
    I just want this issue to be fixed. Android is a beast OS on the HD2 and I’d love for it to just work without me having to worry about it. This is so far the only issue I’ve had ever since installing Android on the HD2.

  • http://www.habdas.org/ Josh Habdas

    I would suggest installing Gingerbread using the setup link provided above. Please try and copy the setup as closely as possible. And follow the instructions listed on the page. Hope that helps!