Upgrade the Samsung Galaxy S2 SGH-T989 to the Jelly Bean OS

To update the phone, I needed the Samsung Kies software installed on my laptop. Beginning April 8, 2015 the Samsung Galaxy S II had an optional software update to Android version 4.1.2/ Software T989UVMC6 via Samsung Kies only.  This update changes the cell phone OS to Jelly Bean.

When you visit https://www.samsung.com/us/kies you will see two versions of Kies to download so make sure you get and run the Kies installation software built for your phone. In my phone's case, I needed Kies 2.6, which provides support for devices launched before September 2013. I renamed the file Kies2.6Setup.exe and then downloaded the Kies3Setup.exe file so I could also work on my wife's Samsung Galaxy S4 phone later. No matter what you see on the Internet, Kies is your one stop shop in which to use a USB cable:

• Keep your device updated to the latest software updateTransfer photos and videos to your PC
• Master your music library if you have one
• Backup important content from your device such as contacts, text messages, etc.
• If you choose to perform the following procedure, make sure:
• Your phone is FULLY CHARGED
• The weather outside is AOK
• Your Internet connection is flawless and pray that once you start it does not go out
• Make sure all applications on your computer, except Kies, are not running
• There is nothing (animals, kids, wife, yourself) that will touch your computer once the update starts
• Don't open any menus or press any buttons on your computer, external hard drives, etc.
• Don't accept any phone calls or use the call button on your phone
• Do not connect any other devices to your computer such as MP3 players, cameras, etc.
• Make sure the cable cannot become disconnected by anyone or anything
• You see the update successfully applied screen at the end after a very long time

Unhook your phone now that you have backed up all your files. Under Settings, go down to Developer options and check USB debugging, OK > run Kies2.6Setup.exe, which will take some time to install and update your computer's device drivers, or run your already installed Kies software > plug in your USB cable and you should see Installing device driver software… followed by  Connecting… screen (be patient this takes a while). Kies then prompted me to automatically update the software on the phone from PDA:LI1 / PHONE: LI1 / CDCLI1 (TMB) to PDA:MC6 / PHONE:MC6 / CSC:MC6 (TMB) Size 473 MB, Next > click on the Update button. Hopefully, in the end you will see:

• Software update for SGH-T989 successfully completed.
• Device will now restart.
• Disconnect and reconnect the cable. OK

Congratulations, you now have an old/new phone that you will have to learn how to navigate and use all over again. However, all that it cost you was your time and not another $700 out of pocket! Plus, now you can now brag to all your geek friends how you upgraded your phone to Jelly Bean.