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Install Android 4.4.4 KitKat On Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini I8190/N/L Using CyanogenMod 11

Galaxy S3 Mini is currently running on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, and it doesn’t seem that Samsung is in a mood to update this device to any further version of Android. While Samsung has stuck this device on 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, Google has rolled out Android 4.4.4 KitKat and started updating its Nexus devices to this latest and greatest version of Android. Galaxy S3 Mini users might be disappointed on this, but the disappointment isn’t meant to last long as the developers are always there to bring up something that can give the Android devices a new life.

XDA Senior Member New Maclaw has once again brought up the latest firmware, Android 4.4.4 KitKat for the Galaxy S3 Mini based on the famous custom ROM CyanogenMod 11. The firmware is stable and maybe kept for everyday’s use on your device. This seems quite a good chance to get your Galaxy S3 Mini KitKat treatment as CyanogenMod has always remained the users’s choice. As you move forward, you will find a comprehensive guide that will help you to install this Android 4.4.4 KitKat on your Galaxy S3 Mini using the CyanogenMod 11 Custom ROM. You just need to make sure that you follow all the instructions carefully in order to get it done successfully.

Update: Install Android 5.0.2 Lollipop On Your Galaxy S3 Mini With CyanogenMod 12 Custom ROM

Here are the early preparations:

This ROM is only for Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini GT-I8190/N/L. Do not try this on any other device, please check your device’s model in Settings > About Device > Model.
Your device must have a custom recovery installed, in case you’re missing it you may Follow our full guide here to install TWRP.
Your device’s battery should be charged at least over 60%. This is highly recommended in order to prevent any power issues during the flashing process.
Make sure that you backup your important media content, Contacts, Call Logs & Messages. This is highly recommended just in case something goes wrong and you need to reset your phone.
If you already have rooted your device, use Titanium Backup to back up all your important apps + system data. Also if you are using a custom recovery, it is recommended that you backup your current system using that first. [Just for the sake of safety]. Here’s our full Nandroid Backup guide.
You will have to go through Data Wipes during installation of this ROM, so make sure that you have backed up all the mentioned data.
Make an EFS backup of your phone before you flash this ROM.
You need enough confidence to flash this ROM.
Alright! Go ahead and flash the custom firmware, follow this guide to the letter.

Disclaimer: The methods involved in flashing custom roms and rooting your phone are highly custom and may result in bricking your device, and has nothing to do with Google or the device manufacturer that is SAMSUNG in our case. Also rooting your device will void its warranty and you will be no longer eligible for any kind of free device services by the manufacturers/warranty providers. In case of any mishap we may not be held responsible. Follow these instructions to the letter to avoid any mishap or bricking. Make sure that whatever you do, you are doing it at your own responsibility.

How To Install Android 4.4.4 KitKat On Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini Using CM 11 Custom ROM:

Download cm11.0_golden.nova.20140628.zip file.
Download Gapps.zip file for CM 11.
Connect your phone to your PC now.
Copy the both the .zip files to the storage of your phone.
Now disconnect your phone and turn it off complete.
Boot into TWRP recovery now, in order to do so, turn it on by pressing and holding Volume Up + Home Button + Power Key. You should see the recovery mode in a while.
Now in TWRP recovery, wipe cache, factory data reset and advanced options > dalvik cache.
After wiping all these three, select “Install” option.
Now select “Install > Choose Zip from SD card > Select cm1..0_golden.nova.20140628.zip file > Yes”.
This will flash the ROM in your phone, once done get back to the main menu in recovery.
Now once again select “Install > Choose Zip from SD card > Select Gapps.zip file > Yes”
This will flash the Gapps in your phone.
Reboot your device.
You should see the Android 4.4.4 KitKat ROM running on your device in a while.
That’s all!

First boot may take up to 10 minutes, you may not worry if it’s taking that much long. In case it’s taking too long, you may boot into TWRP recovery and wipe cache and dalvik cache and reboot your device as it may fix the issue. In case your device is having issues, you may return to your old system using the Nandroid backup or follow our guide here to install stock firmware.

In case you got any issues or you face any difficulties regarding this post, please feel free to stop by the comment box below and let us know. We will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you all.

This post was last modified on January 28, 2016 7:06 pm

Usama M

Usama is a software engineer by profession and at TechBeasts.com he uses his expertise to solve everyday consumer tech problems with his main areas of interest being Android, iOS and Windows.

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View Comments

Rachid-e says:

August 17, 2014 at 2:40 pm

Hello Usama thanks for the good job.

I just install this custum ROM in my S3 mini and completed succeseful.

I just wanna know about battery life feedback with this new system, do you use it too ? how do you feel about the battery draining ?
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  August 17, 2014 at 5:05 pm
  
  @rachid_e:disqus Custom ROMs usually eat less battery.. I haven't used it, but it won't eat it up that faster.
FirstLadyKP says:

September 24, 2014 at 7:57 pm

I DID IT! I'm a tech newb but if you just read the instructions carefully, you will follow. This is my first time doing all of this and I did it on my own! All it takes is a little reading and you'll be good. Thank you VERY MUCH Usama for all of your valued articles!! :D I'm sooo happy!
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  September 24, 2014 at 8:36 pm
  
  @firstladykp:disqus Pleasure is all mine :) Stay connected with us and let me know if you should require any further help.
Usama Mujtaba says:

November 30, 2014 at 3:07 pm

@syedabidzaidi:disqus yes it will also work with CWM. Just use the latest recovery.
Gerry says:

February 4, 2015 at 7:20 am

Mr usama, which Gapps u prefer for a s3 mini user like me ? full modular or maybe just micro or mini ?
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  February 5, 2015 at 9:21 pm
  
  @disqus_T83bY2SP5w:disqus Go with micro. That will suite you.
Gerry says:

February 6, 2015 at 2:15 am

Mr usama again im sorry to bother u this much. but when im installing the gapps, which i downloaded earlier but i download all the package. it showed an error message. and now i cant open every apps in my phone. such as gallery and other. So what should i do ? reinstalling the gapps ? do i have to wipe the data again ?
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  February 6, 2015 at 7:37 pm
  
  @disqus_T83bY2SP5w:disqus clear cache and dalvik cache and flash gapps again. No need to wipe data.
Gerry says:

February 6, 2015 at 3:44 am

Mr usama, after i installed Cyanogen and the gapps, the error message keep popping out from my screen. I can't open my files , internet, and other now. What should i do ? I'm sorry i'm new in this
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  February 6, 2015 at 7:37 pm
  
  @disqus_T83bY2SP5w:disqus which CyanogenMod you flashed. 5.0.2 or 4.4.4? Did you perform clean installation?
Gerry says:

February 7, 2015 at 6:49 am

4.4.4. what do you mean by clean installation ? i did every step that u state in the to do list .
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  February 7, 2015 at 11:37 am
  
  @disqus_T83bY2SP5w:disqus Clean installation means, perform a factory data reset prior to the installation of custom ROM.
Usama Mujtaba says:

February 7, 2015 at 8:53 pm

@disqus_T83bY2SP5w:disqus factory reset your device and flash a new stock firmware on it.
Usama Mujtaba says:

February 13, 2015 at 9:01 pm

@disqus_T83bY2SP5w:disqus what error are you exactly getting?
JD says:

March 14, 2015 at 2:08 am

installed twrp successfully following your instructions. however, when trying to backup - it fails. it also fails in twrp, when trying to wipe cache/dalvik cache, factory data reset for preparation to install the custom rom. my phone is a gt-i8190l (latin version - which i really didn't know at the time i bought it). any help would be appreciated.
- Usama Mujtaba says:
  
  March 14, 2015 at 8:20 pm
  
  @disqus_lTlxLzaXAK:disqus try using TWRP 2.8, its available now.
  - JD says:
    
    March 18, 2015 at 11:02 pm
    
    unfortunately, it didn't work. now thinking of unrooting. can you provide a virus free site to download the stock rom? Samsung official site does not have it. I tried a "suggest" download site and got a virus and had to reimage my pc. in the end, root and install custom roms is not my thing...just want the phone back to original stock. thanks.
    - Usama Mujtaba says:
      
      March 20, 2015 at 6:44 am
      
      @disqus_lTlxLzaXAK:disqus download it from Sammobile.com