How to install CyanogenMod 11 [KitKat 4.4.2] on Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500

Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 users no longer have to wait for a stable build of a highly-anticipated KitKat update, thanks to the release of the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat custom firmware via CyanogenMod 11 (CM11) ROM. Though the CM11 ROM is an experimental build, most of the features are reportedly working fine with the exception of video camcorder, Wi-Fi tethering and a few random call quality issues.

Android 4.4.2 CyanogendMod 11 ROM brings improved stability and performance for Galaxy S4 GT-I9500

The new Android 4.4.2 KitKat build reportedly offers zippy speeds with the latest KitKat features onboard. Interested users can follow our step-by-step guide to install Android 4.4 KitKat on Galaxy S4 I9500 using CM11 ROM. Android Essentials reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any device damage during or after firmware installation. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Pre-requisites

• The Android 4.4.2 CyanogenMod 11 ROM and the instructions given in this guide are meant for the Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 model only. Verify device model number by navigating to Settings > About Phone.
• Back up data and settings using a recommended custom recovery tool, like ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP, as it creates a complete image of the existing phone setup. In Recovery, choose Backup and Restore and tap Backup.
• Verify correct USB drivers for the phone are installed on the computer (download Galaxy S4 I9500 USB drivers).
• Ensure USB debugging mode is enabled on the phone, by navigating to Settings > Developer Options (NOTE: Tap the phone's Build Number seven times to unlock or reveal the hidden Developer Options under Settings.) Then select the checkbox to enable USB debugging mode under Settings > Developer Options.

• Make sure the phone has at least 80% battery charge to prevent unexpected device shutdown (due to battery drain) while installing the ROM.
• Ensure the device is unlocked (not locked to a specific carrier) and rooted with latest ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery (v6.0.4.5) installed. Alternatively, install CyanogenMod 10.2 Nightly which includes CWM recovery v6.0.4.5. If you are installing the CWM recovery for the first time, check out the video tutorial below, courtesy of The Android Soul:

• If the device is stuck at booting or experiencing boot loop issues, perform Wipe Cache Partition and Wipe Dalvik Cache a few more times before rebooting.
• Allow newly installed ROM to stabilise for five minutes before you start working on it.

Downloads Required

• Android 4.4.2 KitKat CyanogenMod 11 ROM for Galaxy S4 I9500
• Google Apps (pa_gapps)
• ClockworkMod Recovery
• TWRP Recovery

Steps to Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Galaxy S4 I9500 with CyanogenMod 11 ROM

Step-1: Download Android 4.4.2 KitKat CM11 ROM for Galaxy S4 I9500 to computer

Step-2: Download Google Apps package

Step-3: Connect the Galaxy S4 to computer via USB cable. Without extracting, copy the downloaded firmware zip and Google Apps zip files to the root folder of the phone's SD card.

The CyanogenMod Android 4.4.2 KitKat ROM can be installed on the Galaxy S4 using either CWM or TWRP recovery. Follow any method based on the recovery mode installed on your device.

How to Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat via ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery

• Power off the phone and wait for 5 to 10 seconds until the device shuts down completely.
• Now press and hold Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together, until the Galaxy S4 logo appears on screen.
• Then release all three buttons at the same time to boot into recovery mode. NOTE: In recovery mode, use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the desired option.
• Perform Wipe data/Factory reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress) and choose Yes on next screen to confirm the action.
• Return to CWM recovery main menu and select Mounts and Storage > Format System and click Yes on next screen to confirm.
• From the main menu of CWM recovery, go to Advanced and choose Wipe Dalvik Cache. Then hit Yes on next screen to confirm.
• Select Install Zip from sdcard and then click Choose zip from sdcard. Browse to the location of the CM11 firmware file (cm-11-20131214-UNOFFICIAL-i9500.zip)which you copied earlier to your phone's SD card. Choose Yes on next screen to confirm the firmware installation.
• Repeat the previous step to install Google Apps as well.
• Once Google Apps is also installed, select "+++++Go Back+++++" and reboot the phone by tapping reboot system now from the recovery menu. Your Galaxy S4 I9500 will restart and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot. So, do not interrupt the process.

Your Galaxy S4 I9500 is now running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat via CyanogenMod 11 ROM. Go to Settings > About Phone to verify the firmware installed.

How to Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat via TWRP Recovery

• Power off the phone and wait for 5 to 10 seconds until the device shuts down completely.
• Now press and hold Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together, until the Galaxy S4 logo appears on screen.
• Then release all three buttons at the same time to boot into recovery mode. NOTE: In recovery mode, use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the desired option.
• Perform Wipe data/Factory reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). To do so, tap on Wipe and scroll down to the bottom of the screen and do a Swipe on "Swipe to factory reset" option.
• Now perform a System format by selecting Wipe > Advanced Wipe and then tap onSystem option. Scroll to the bottom of screen and do a swipe on "Swipe to Wipe" option.
• Tap on install and navigate to the CM11 ROM zip file you copied earlier to your phone's SD card. Scroll to the bottom of screen and do a swipe to confirm the action and begin installing the firmware.
• Repeat the previous step to flash Google apps as well.
• Once Google Apps is also installed, select reboot and then tap on System to reboot your phone. Your Galaxy S4 I9500 will restart and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot. So, do not interrupt the process.

Your Galaxy S4 I9500 is now running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat via CyanogenMod 11 ROM. Go to Settings > About Phone to verify the firmware installed.

Root Galaxy S4 I9500/I9505 on Android 4.3 [GUIDE]

WARNING: Do this at your own risk. This process is recommended ONLY for the given model(s).

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Driver for Samsung Galaxy S4 to transfer files between the Android device and the computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on phone to connect it with computer and use Android SDK with it. [Press Menu>> Settings>> Applications. From there navigate and click on Developmentoption and check USB Debugging Mode.]  

3) As the tutorial might wipe out all data of the phone, create a backup. If the device is having any custom recoveries such as ClockworkMod/TWRP already installed, backup data using the recovery.

4) The Galaxy S4 should have above 80% battery charge.

5) The phone should be factory unlocked and not locked to any particular carrier.

6) The device will lose manufacturer's warranty once it is rooted. However, users can reclaim the warranty back by unrooting the handset later.

7) The CF-Auto-Root files work only on Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 and GT-I9505. As applying these to any incorrect variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Galaxy S4 by navigating to Settings>> About phone>> Model number and install the root package accordingly. 

Steps to root Samsung Galaxy S4 I9500/I9505 on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

Step-1: Download CF-Auto-Root file for Galaxy S4 to computer

Download links

For GT-I9500- CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500.zip   

For GT-I9505- CF-Auto-Root-jflte-jfltexx-gti9505.zip

Step-2: Extract the downloaded root zip using Winzip, 7zip, winrar or any other extracting tool to get a file with .tar.md5 extension  

CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500.tar.md5    

CF-Auto-Root-jflte-jfltexx-gti9505.tar.md5  

Step-3: Download Odin3_v3.07. Extract the Odin zip to get Odin3 v3.07.exe file

Step-4: Switch off Galaxy S4 and wait for five to six seconds for vibration to confirm complete power off

Step-5: Place the phone in Download Mode by pressing and holding Volume Down, Home andPower buttons together until the construction Android robot icon with a warning triangle appears on the phone's screen. Then press the Volume Up button to enter Download Mode

Step-6: Run Odin3 v3.07.exe as Administrator   

Step-7: Connect the phone to the computer using USB cable while it is in Download Mode. Wait for some time until Odin detects the device. When the phone is connected successfully, anAdded message will appear under Odin message box. Additionally, the ID: COM box in Odin will turn blue with the COM port number indicating successful connection  

Note: If the Added message does not appear, then try another USB port, try the one located at the back side of the computer. In case Odin still fails to recognise the device then reinstall USB driver.   

Step-8: In Odin, click the PDA button and select CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500.tar.md5 orCF-Auto-Root-jflte-jfltexx-gti9505.tar.md5 file according to the variants

Step-9: Ensure Auto-Reboot and F.Reset Time checkboxes are selected in Odin

Step-10: Click the Start button in Odin. The installation process should begin now and would take few minutes to complete

Step-11: When the installation process is completed, the phone will restart and soon a PASS message with a green background in the extreme left box at the very top of Odin. Once the home screen appears, unplug the USB cable from the phone to disconnect it from computer

Samsung Galaxy S4 I9500/I9505 running Android 4.3 should now be rooted successfully. You can now install any app that requires root permission. To verify the root method is installed and working properly, install Root Checker app from Google Play Sore.   

Troubleshoot issues

Sometimes the device does not boot into Recovery Mode and root the device. If this happens, then perform the entire procedure again. If it still does not install root, ensure Auto Reboot checkbox in Odin is not checked. Then after flashing the root package, pull out the battery and boot the phone into Recovery mode by selecting Volume Up, Home andPower buttons together. This will start the install process.