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Install Android 4.4 KitKat CM 11 Custom ROM on Samsung Galaxy S4 I9505

Samsung’s latest flagship device Galaxy S4 runs on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean out of the box and Samsung recently updated the device to Android 4.3 with Knox implementation and Galaxy Gear support. According to the reports, Samsung has planned to update Galaxy S4 to Android 4.4 KitKat in January, 2014. What we have here for you today is the Android 4.4 KitKat based CyanogenMod 11 custom ROM.

Thanks to the developers over XDA forums for bringing us this custom ROM. If you are one of the Android enthusiast and custom ROM freaks, you must be familiar with the CyanogenMod, the best custom ROM available around. Do you wish to taste the Android 4.4 KitKat on your LTE Galaxy S4 before it actually comes out officially? Well, if so then this post is surely for you, but the KitKat ROM is CyanogenMod 11 based as mentioned above.

Disclaimer: The methods involved in flashing custom roms and rooting your phone is 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.

Before head towards the flashing method, here are some pre-requisites and pre-cautions:

This method is only for Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE GT I9505. Do not try this on any other device, it may result in bricking.
Your phone must be rooted and have a custom recovery installed. Follow our full guide here to root and flash a custom recovery.
Using the custom recovery, backup your current ROM. This is highly recommended in case something goes wrong during the flashing process, or the custom ROM doesn’t work fine for you.
Make sure that you’ve backed up all your contacts, call logs and text messages. Also backup your important media content. This is highly recommended in case you need to wipe your phone before or after the installation of custom ROM.
Make sure that your phone’s batter is charged at least over 60%. This is highly recommended in order to prevent any mishap during the flashing process.
Alright! Follow this guide to the letter.

Files you need to download:

Download CM 11 Android 4.4 KitKat based Custom ROM

Download Gapps for Android 4.4 KitKat

How to Install Android 4.4 KitKat CM 11 Custom ROM on Galaxy S4 LTE I9505:

Make sure that you’re rooted and have installed a custom recovery using the link attached above.
Place both the downloaded .zip files on your phone’s SD card.
Boot into the custom recovery. To do so, turn off your device completely. Then turn it on by pressing and holding Volume Up + Home Button + Power Key simultaneously. You should see the custom recovery interface now.
Select wipe, and wipe cache and dalvik cache now.
Now select “Install>Choose Zip from sd/ext sd card>Select the downloaded CM 11 ROM.zip file”.
Proceed the ROM installation, as soon as it ends, once again select “Install>Choose Zip from sd/ext sd card>Select the downloaded Gapps.zip file”.
Complete the Gapps.zip file installation.
Now again wipe cache and dalvik cache in recovery.
Reboot.
Phewww! You should now see the CM logo on the bootscreen. It may take upto 10 minutes in order to show you the home screen. Wait patiently.

All the credit goes the developer for this ROM. If you like the ROM please consider him a donation.

That’s all. In case you have any queries or face any difficulties, feel free to stop by the comment box below. We will try our best to help you out.

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

Santino Gregorio says:

December 23, 2013 at 9:18 pm

Gapps replaces default launcher of CM 11. How can I revert back to the default launcher of CM 11 which is Launcher 3 if im not mistaken
- um009 says:
  
  December 23, 2013 at 10:33 pm
  
  @santinogregorio:disqus heard that for the first time, as i did not test it personally. Perhaps, try finding any compatible or CM11 alike launcher from play store, or flash the ROM again and do not flash gapps.
  - Santino Gregorio says:
    
    December 23, 2013 at 10:40 pm
    
    Thanks for the quick reply... If i try to flash the ROM again should I skip steps of clearing caches and data? Sorry im a bit new on this.
    - um009 says:
      
      December 23, 2013 at 10:47 pm
      
      @santinogregorio:disqus no you should clear the cache and dalvik, I recommend it. Perhaps keep one thing in mind, if you won't flash gapps, you won't be able to use Google Play Store and other Google Apps on your phone.
      - Santino Gregorio says:
        
        December 23, 2013 at 10:56 pm
        
        Oh i see now. Flashing would be simillar to a PCs reformatting. Thanks for the help would try to find another solution like findin an apk of the launcher. Thanks for the help though. Cheers sir!
      - um009 says:
        
        December 23, 2013 at 10:59 pm
        
        @santinogregorio:disqus Your welcome. You can install aokp launcher from the play store, there is a number of other launchers as well. Good Luck.