[Guide] How to install Android 2.3 Gingerbread on Nokia N900

Google released Android 2.3 alongside the Google Nexus S, which was the first device in the Android lineup to be treated to the new version of OS.  So it will come as a bit of a surprise that the Nokia N900 has already received Android Gingerbread through the NitDroid before most Android devices.

We have already seen Android 2.3 running on the N900 and now we get to try it on our devices

The full instructions of how to install Android 2.3 Gingerbread on your Nokia N900 follows

[NOTE] The process of installing Android on your Nokia N900 is not official supported by Nokia.  Please do not proceed unless you understand the risks of modifying the general operation of your device.

[DISCLAIMER] This site nor the NITDroid developers will not be responsible for any loss of data or malfunctioning of your device which may occure from using this guide. Pelase proceed at your own risk.

Prerequisites

• WiFi or Cellular Data connection.
• MicroSD card (2GB or greater. preferably 8GB).
• Enable all repositories from App Manager (Extras-testing, Extras-devel, Extras and the default Nokia).
• Install rootsh from App Manager.
• Install Leafpad from App manager.

Installation

• Open X-Terminal and type:
  root
  apt-get update
  apt-get install nitdroid-installer
  y
  y again if requested.

• Close X-Terminal when package is installed.
• Download Nitdroid Gingerbread
• Copy downloaded file to /home/user/MyDocs (default N900 location)
• Download Nitdroid kernel
• Copy downloaded file to /home/user/MyDocs
• Open X-Terminal and type:
  root
  cd /home/user/MyDocs
  bzip2 -d gingerbread.tar.bz2
  cd /home
  mkdir /and
  cd /
  mount /home /and
  cd /and
  tar xvf /home/user/MyDocs/gingerbread.tar
  dpkg -i /home/user/MyDocs/nitdroid-kernel-2.6.28-06_final1_armel.deb
• Next type :
  leafpad /etc/multiboot.d/11
  (press tab and your screen which will fill in the rest, and press Enter which will open it in leafpad)
  
  The .item file which has now opened in your screen
  
  If you are using an mmc:
  ITEM_DEVICE=${INT_CARD}p2
  
  If you dont have an mmc (we do not recommend not using an MMC)
  ITEM_DEVICE=mmcblkop2

There are an additional two updates for Gingerbread which you can install:

• Download Codec Update
• Download VOIP update

To install these updates use the following commands
(replace x with 1 and 2)

root
mount /home /and
cd /home/user/MyDocs
bzip2 -d gingerbread_updatesx.tar.bz2
cd /and
tar xvf /home/user/MyDocs/gingerbread_updatex.tar

Reboot your device, and open the physical keyboard. You will be prompted to select between 'Nitdroid' and 'Maemo'. Select Nitdroid and you will have access to Android (Gingerbread) 2.3 on your Nokia N900.

If you come across any issues or have any questions, please address them in our comments section below and we will do our best to help you.