Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Sony Xperia M with CyanogenMod 11

Sony’s Xperia M, that it brought up in August, 2013, is currently running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Sony hasn’t unveiled any plans to update this device to any further version of Android however if you’re an Xperia M owner and you’re looking to get your Xperia M a KitKat, then you’re at right place at the moment. In the following post we are going to update Sony Xperia M to Android 4.4.2 KitKat using CyaongenMod 11 custom ROM.

CyanogenMod 11 is based on Android 4.4.2 KitKat and is a custom ROM available for a lot of Android devices. It’s quite useful, specially when the updates for the devices have been discontinued by the manufacturers, CM may play a role of life savior in the case. Before we head towards the installation instructions, the only thing you may keep in mind is, this is a custom ROM and may contain bugs and also may not be kept for every day use. Also, you should proceed only if you’re well-aware of custom ROMs and you know their functionality and how to handle em’.

Here’s the official description of Cyanogenmod in case you’re not familiar with it:

CyanogenMod is a free, community built, aftermarket firmware distribution of Android, which is designed to increase performance and reliability over stock Android for your device.

Pre-requisites and important pre-installation instructions:

1. Make sure that your phone is Xperia M C1904/5. Do not try this on any other phone.
2. Make sure that your phone’s bootloader is unlocked, if not then unlock it here.
3. Please make sure that your phone’s battery is charged at least over 60%. This is highly recommended in order to prevent any power issues during the recovery flashing process.
4. Backup each and everything on your Android phone as follows:
5. Backup all your important contacts, find the full guide here.
6. Backup all your important sms messages, find the full guide here.
7. Backup all your important call logs, find the full guide here.
8. Backup all your important media content manually. (Copy to your PC.)
9. Backup all your apps / data. If you’ve rooted your device, use Titanium Backup to do so. Follow the full guide here.
10. Backup your current system using a custom recovery (CWM or TWRP) if you’ve flashed one. This is recommended in case something goes wrong with rooting your phone, you can use the custom recovery and return to the old working state of your system.
11. Make sure that you read the instructions carefully and applied all precautionary measures. Let’s go ahead.

How to Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Sony Xperia M:

1. Download CyanogenMod 11 Android 4.4.2  KitKat ROM .zip file.
2. Download Google Gapps.zip file for Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
3. Extract the ROM.zip file on your PC you will get a boot.img file.
4. Download Android ADB and Fastboot drivers, follow our full guide here to make it easy.
5. Now place the kernal file that is boot.img file that you extracted from the zip folder in the fastboot folder that you downloaded form the guide linked above.
6. After placing the kernel file in the fastboot folder, open the fastboot folder. Press shift and then Right click on any empty area inside the folder, now select “Open command prompt here“. flash it using the command “Fastboot flash boot boot.img”. In case you are confused, follow the Android ADB & Fastboot drivers guide carefully.
7. Now, Place the ROM.zip file and Gapps.zip file on your phone’s internal or external sd card.
8. Boot into CWM recovery. To do so, turn off your device, now turn it on and quickly press volume up and down keys, you will get the CWM interface.
9. In CWM wipe the cache and dalvik cache.
10. Now select “Install Zip>Choose Zip from Sd card / external Sd card”.
11. Select the ROM.zip file that your placed on your phone’s Sd card.
12. It should take a few mins to flash the ROM, now once again select “Install Zip>Choose Zip from Sd card / external Sd card”.
13. Choose the Gapps.zip file this time and flash it.
14. As soon as done flashing, clear cache and dalvik cache again.
15. Reboot system now, you should see the CM logo on the boot screen now, it may take upto 10 minutes in order to boot into home screen.
16. Congrats! Enjoy unofficial Android 4.4 KitKat custom ROM on your Sony Xperia M now.

That’s all for now. Do tell us about your experience about this ROM. In case you got any queries or you face any difficulties, feel free to stop by the comment box below. We will try our best to help you out. Thanks All!