How to Update HTC Sensation XL to Android 4.0 ICS Firmware

Many would say that HTC should have forgotten to roll out Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for its 4.7-inch Sensation XL and no one really knows if there would be an update in the following months. Thanks to the efforts of XDA Developers, a custom ROM based on Android 4.0.3 ICS now exists that would perfectly operate on this device. But then you should know that this ROM is not official and did not come from HTC, rather it was developed by Android enthusiastic developers who simply want to have their ideas and innovations be used by millions of Android users around the globe. And that’s what exactly we will be using here to update your own device. So, if you’re ready, you should read the pre-requisites first.

Pre-Requisites
A. Make sure your device has at least 60% battery left.
B. Enable USB Debugging by going to Settings => Applications => Development => USB Debugging.
C. Backup all your data including your messages, settings, contacts and files.
D. For the entire process, it is recommended you turn your antivirus off and security suites to make sure all USB ports are working.
E. Make sure you have rooted your device and has S-Off because without this, updating Sensation XL wouldn’t be possible.
Tutorial
Step 1: You need to download HTC Drivers first to make sure there is a good connection between your device and your computer. Then, you need to download .Net Framework from Microsoft. Once finished, download Android Recovery manager.
Step 2: Now, install HTC Drivers as well as the update .Net Framework you just downloaded. You could never go wrong as far as installation is concerned.
Step 3: You will need to download the Android 4.0 ICS package for your Sensation XL. The file has a painstakingly long name so you have to rename it to “update.zip”
Step 4:Connect your phone to your computer and copy update.zip to your device’s internal memory.
Step 5: It is recommended you take not your phone’s current firmware so that if you want to revert, you can do so anytime without a hassle.
Step 6: Run Recovery Manager.exe and click on Start then Download Recovery option. Now select Android Recovery Manager option; if you see 1.23.163.1, select the Vodafone FR 1.23.163.1 option and if it’s 1.24.401.1, select the Europe 1.24.401.1 option.
Step 7: Click on ‘I Agree’ button then choose Download Selected Recovery and Flash to start installing the recovery image. You then need to select ‘No’ thereafter so that your device will be booted to recovery mode again.
Step 8: Once your Sensation XL has been rebooted, you will be seeing an exclamation point (!) or warning symbol. You then need to hold the Power button, then press Volume Up key to confirm your action.
Step 9: If you’re already inside the Recovery Mode, select “Apply Update from SD Card” using the volume keys. You need to browse through your device’s internal memory and select update.zip file.
Step 10: To conclude, you need to reboot your device from the recovery mode.
So far, that’s how you apply the custom Android 4.0 ICS update for you HTC Sensation XL. Let me know if you have questions.