Install Jelly Bean 4.1.2 XXMF2 Official Firmware on Galaxy Ace 2 I8160

Galaxy Ace 2 I8160 has already been updated, in one of our previous posts, to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean XXMF1 official firmware.

In the meantime, a new version of the tool has been launched by Samsung; its name: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean XXMF2. We dedicate this guide for all of you who want to update your phone to this tool.

Instructions

Brace yourselves, requirements are now due: use the smartphone that’s already carrier + factory unlocked, turn on USB debugging, charge the battery, flash USB drivers for the Galaxy Ace 2 GT-I8160 (from this location) on your PC and create backups via this tutorial.

How to update Galaxy Ace 2 with XXMF2 firmware

Then begin the tutorial by downloading the next two files on your notebook’s desktop: the (file name: I8160XXMF2_I8160OLBMF1_XSE.zip) and Odin tool (from here).
Unzip each of them in turn; after the extracting process is over, you are going to be stuck with several files, among them these fellows: .tar.md5 and Odin tool v3.07.exe.
Once you find both of them on your device’s desktop, you will be asked to follow the previous tasks with these: boot the I8160 into Download Mode after you turn it off. That mode will be reached by your device only if you do as follows: press and hold, at the same time, Volume Down and Home, press Power till you see the handset switching itself on and then press Volume Up.
Run, for the next step, the Odin as Admin on your notebook, then do the following: plug the smartphone to the personal computer with the USB cable of the Galaxy Ace 2 I8160.
The success of the connection will be given by one of the following signs: a message that says “Added!!” or a yellow ID:COM box; but in case the plugging did not work out, you can change the outcome by either re-installing the USB Drivers on the notebook or by using a different USB port this time.
Then continue the guide by performing these guidelines: choose PDA and opt for a file with either .md5 or .tar in it, click on Phone and select a file with MODEM in it, tap CSC and choose a file that comes with CSC in its name and finish by tapping PIT and then opting for a file with .pit as its extension (should neither file appear on the display, just move on to the next instructions below).
You will now need to select, in Odin, the following three options: Auto Reboot, Repartition and F. Reset Time; but the middle one needs to be chosen only if the .pit file was selected before.
Next few tasks: tap on START, wait for the flashing of the official XXMF2 to commence and then for it to gloriously end. The Galaxy Ace 2 I8160 needs to restart after the firmware is on it; it should also show PASS. If that happens, you should do this: unplug the smartphone from your notebook.
Then go to Settings and afterwards be sure to open this: About phone. At a closer inspection, the Android 4.1.2 JB XXMF2 official firmware will stare you in the face right there.

[sc name=”banner-jos”]

NOTE: The guide may not go all that smoothly. For instance, the handset can, unfortunately, remain stuck in booting animation. To save it from that fate, you should: