Android 4.4.4 Arrives for Galaxy S4 LTE (Snapdragon 600) via CyanogenMod 11 M8

The latest build of CyanogenMod 11 M8 (CM11 M8) is available for the LTE variant of Galaxy S4, running 1.9GHz Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, bearing model number GT-I9505.

The M8 build, which is the first official snapshot featuring Android 4.4.4 KitKat, comes one month after the release of M7 version. The CM11 M8 supports a number of new devices, including Xperia Z2, OnePlus One, Xiaomi Mi2 and Oppo Find 7a/s.

The CM11 M8 snapshot builds replace CM Stable and Release Candidates and are more stable versions for daily use, reports XDA. Below are the changes and improvements in the new M8 release.

CM11 M8 changelog

• Common: Android 4.4.4 (Google)
• New Devices: Sony Xperia Z2 (sirius); Xiaomi Mi2 (aries); Oppo Find 7a/s (find7); OnePlus One (bacon)
• Common: Fix VPN issues related to 4.4.3 merge
• Common: Enable 'Heads Up' notification mode (Settings > Notifications)
• Settings: 'Interface' replaced by 'Status Bar', 'Notification Drawer', and 'Gestures'
• Settings: Moved 'Expanded Desktop' to 'Display'
• Settings: Moved all lock screen related items to 'Lock Screen' and removed duplicates from 'Security'
• Settings: Moved 'Navigation Bar' layout control to 'Buttons'
• Trebuchet: Custom Homescreen grid size
• Trebuchet: Add Protected Apps feature
• Trebuchet: Add Search Panel (Google Now) option
• WhisperPush: No longer ignores 'Blacklist'
• Futex: Protect against Towelroot
• Various small bugfixes, global and device-specific

Interested users, who wish to update their Galaxy S4 to Android 4.4.4 using CM11 M8, may follow the guide below.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held responsible for any damage to the device. Before following the installation guide, users are advised to verify their devices meet following requirements.

Pre-requisites

• Install USB Drivers for Galaxy S4 to transfer files between the Android device and the computer.
• Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Navigate to Settings>> Developer Options then check USB Debugging.]
• As the tutorial might wipe out all data of the phone, create backup. If the device is having any custom recovery such as ClockworkMod or, TWRP then backup data using the same.
• If the Android phone powers off due to lack of battery during the process, it could damage the device. Therefore, the Galaxy S4 should have charge above 80% battery charge.
• The phone should be rooted and have latest version of recovery.
• The CyanogenMod 11.0 M8 build works only with LTE Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9505. As applying this to any incorrect variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Galaxy S4 by navigating to Settings>> About phone>> Model number.
• After flashing the ROM if the device gets stuck on booting animation or experience boot loop then perform wipe cache partition and wipe dalvik cache for a few times before rebooting the device.
• Once the ROM is installed, users are advised to give 10 minutes to the ROM after the device boots up for the first time for better user experience.

Download files

CM11 M8 [File name: cm-11-20140708-SNAPSHOT-M8-jflte.zip] Alternate link

Gapps

How to install Android 4.4.4 KitKat on Galaxy S4 LTE GT-I9505 with CM11.0 M8

Step-1: Connect Galaxy S4 to the computer using USB cable. Now copy the downloaded files to the SSD card of the phone. Ensure that the file is in the SD card root not in any folder

Step-2: Unplug the USB cable from the phone and switch it off

Step-3: Enter into recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together

Step-4: Create a Nandroid backup of the current ROM, which can be restored later if the new ROM does not work or if you wish to go back to the previous ROM. Select backup and restore, name the file and confirm the process. Go back to main recovery menu when the backup is completed

Step-5: Perform a full data wipe by selecting wipe data/factory reset. Use the Power button to select everything while in recovery mode

Step-6: Do a cache wipe by selecting wipe cache partition

Step-7: Perform a wipe of dalvik cache. This is optional but it is recommended to do so the device will not get into bootloops or any other error. From CWM recovery, go to advanced then select wipe dalvik cache

Step-8: Install CM11.0 M8 on Galaxy S4. Select install zip from sdcard >>choose zip from sdcard. Now browse to the location where CM11.M8 ROM is saved, select it and confirm installation on the next screen

Step-9: When the ROM is installed, follow the similar procedure to flash Gapps file

Step-10: After the installation process is completed, go back to the custom recovery screen and reboot the phone into normal mode by selecting reboot system now

The Galaxy S4 should boot now and might take a few minutes to boot on the first time. Once it boots up successfully, CM11.0 M8 build featuring Android 4.4.4 should be installed on the Galaxy S4. Navigate to Settings>> About phone to verify the new software version running on the device.

[Source: Team Android]