**2019 update: **"UnlockRoot" is no longer available - even if you have the .exe the installer fails - but KingoRoot seems to work (for Android 4.0.4) but does install an toolbar/"ribbon" on the notification area.

As mentioned in a previous blog post, I have an LG P970 Android phone... unfortunately LG have taken a while rolling out updates. At the time of writing this post the official software still thinks Android 2.2 is is the latest version available - as it turns out, that's only for South Africa... some other regions have ("official") software updates to Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

See this link for a list of official downloads: http://www.lg-phones.org/official-stock-lg-optimus-black-firmware-rom.html - note the "V20" or "V30" in the URLs/filenames. The "V10" is the original software that comes on the phone (Android 2.2), "V20" is Android 2.3.4, and "V30" is Android Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4). Depending on the country heading you look under, "V30" might not be listed. In my case, South Africa, only V10 and V20 are available, and end with the letter "E" - I thought this might be important (and that I could only use other "E" software versions), but it seems to not be as I was able to update with "V30B" and everything seems to be working fine.

Here's how you upgrade to Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) :

1. Download "LG United Mobile Driver" from http://www.lg.com/au/support-mobile/lg-Optimus-Black-P970 (my mirror)
2. Download a "V30B" file (see link above) - I believe I used http://csmgdl.lgmobile.com/LGP970/ANEUTL/V30b_00/V30B_00.kdz (from the "Europe Open" section)
3. Download "LG-P970 ROM Converter" from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1692191 (my mirror) to the same folder
4. Download "SmartFlashTool_External" (my mirror)
5. Install the LG drivers
6. Run "LG-P970 ROM Converter" - choose not to patch with CWR (none of my attempts worked)
7. Turn off your P970 phone, ensure it's unplugged from your computer, hold down the Volume+ button, and plug it in to your computer (you should see a "Software Update" page)
8. Extract and run "SmartFlash" (B_SmartFlashTool_Extern.exe)
9. Click on the "ROM Copy D/L" tab (top of the application)
10. Select the "CP bin" file (LGP970_V30B_00_CP.fls)
11. Select the "AP bin" file (LGP970_V30B_00_AP.bin)
12. The "COM Port" and "Communication Driver" should auto-select, otherwise you'll have to try changing these until it works
13. Click "Start"... and wait for a loud sound of an annoying voice to play when it finishes

If all went okay, your phone should start up in to Ice Cream Sandwich.

To root the phone:

1. Download "UnlockRoot Pro" from unlockroot.com ("Free Download" but some sites flag it as having malware :/)
2. Install it (Custom/Advanced) - make sure you untick the browser toolbar plugin options and click CANCEL when you get the popup message (read it, clicking "OK" installs them anyway), and untick the "lyrics" installation option
3. Enable USB Debugging on your phone (System -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging (at the top)
4. Run UnlockPro and click "Root" - wait for it to select your phone, then click on it, let it restart your phone and you should be done