You can now upgrade your Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505) to the latest CyanogenMod 11 M8 custom ROM based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat OS, fueled up by the CyanogenMod team with tons of new features, stability improvements, performance enhancements, as well as a new streamlined user interface.
In this article, I’ve put together a brief step-by-step tutorial along with all the necessary download files to ensure that you get through the whole upgrade process in a breeze. So, what’s holding you back? Go ahead and try it out now!
Download Android 4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M8 ROM
Click here (230.85MB – MD5:504f201718dd560e24be8d7cbaf7ac9c)to download the latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat CyanogenMod M8 custom ROM snapshot build for Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE variant (GT-I9505).
You can download all the recommended CM11-compatible Google apps (Gapps) here. You’re really gonna need them later, believe me.
Install CM11 M8 on Galaxy S4 LTE (GT-I9505)
1. Prerequisites
- International LTE variant of Galaxy S5 (GT-I9505). You can verify your phone’s model in Settings > About Phone > Model Number
- Custom recovery (CWM/TWRP) with root access on phone
- A USB cable and latest Samsung USB drivers installed on your computer
- “cm-11-20140708-SNAPSHOT-M8-jflte.zip” and “gapps-kk-20140606-signed.zip” packages already downloaded
- Complete backup of phone’s existing content like contacts, messages, apps and other important data. You can backup complete system image using your custom recovery. Alternatively, other backup utilities like Titanium backup or Samsung KIES can also be used
- And at least 70% of remaining battery
In case you didn’t know, flashing a custom ROM always involves steps like complete data/cache wipe-out and factory resetting your phone. So, do create a backup before initiating the upgrade.
Disclaimer: Although this is a stable (Snapshot) build of CyanogenMod 11 M8 developed specifically for Galaxy S4 LTE, we shall not be held liable for any kind of data loss or malfunctioning at any point during the upgrade. That’s why you’re recommended to save a complete backup in the first place.
Proceed entirely at your own risk!
2. Installation Procedure
Done with the backup stuff? Good. Now, if you’ve gathered enough courage, you can go ahead and kick off the upgrade now. If not, just bookmark this page and come back later when you’ve finally made up your mind (and discussed the matter with your lawyer). Anyway, here’s the procedure.
- Connect you GS4 to PC via a USB cable and enable the USB Debugging Mode in phone’s settings.
- Copy “cm-11-20140708-SNAPSHOT-M8-jflte.zip” and “gapps-kk-20140606-signed.zip” files to the root directory of your SD card.
- After that, disconnect the USB cable and turn off your phone.
- Now reboot into the Custom Recovery by holding Volume Up + Home + Power Button at the same time. In the recovery mode, you’ll navigate and select using volume keys and the power button.
- Next, perform a complete wipe-out by selecting “Wipe Cache Partition” & “Wipe Data/Factory Reset” options.
- [Optional] You’re also recommended to clean your phone’s Dalvik Cache in advanced > wipe dalvik cache.
- Go back and select “Install zip from SD card” option and choose “cm-11-20140708-SNAPSHOT-M8-jflte.zip”. Wait for a few minutes until it gets completed.
- To install the necessary Google Apps, repeat the above step but this time choose “gapps-kk-20140606-signed.zip” file.
- After that, reboot your phone normally. It’ll take 3-5 minutes the first time.
Congrats! You’ve successfully installed the latest CyanogenMod 11 M8 Custom ROM on your Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE. If you followed these steps as-is then the process should go smoothly without a hitch. Should you encounter any problem, feel free to comment about it below.
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