CyanogenMod 11.0 M9 Android 4.4.4 ROM Arrives for Sony Xperia Z2 and HTC One M8 [How to Install]

The CyanogenMod team has just started rolling out the first ever non-nightly release dubbed as CyanogenMod 11.0 M9 build for Xperia Z2 'sirius', Xperia Z2 tablets 'castor' and the HTC One M8.

The latest M9 build of CM11 ROM has been successfully ported to about 50 different Android devices till date as it brings tons of new tweaks and improvements over its previous release (CM11 M8 build).

Some of the key features and enhancements added to the CM11 M9 Snapshot build are given below (courtesy of the official changelog):

  • Themes support for additional UI elements
  • Heads Up Notifications – Bug Fixes
  • Lockscreen – Allow doubletap to sleep when using secure keyguard
  • Torch – Improve performance
  • Safe Headset Volume – prompt when interfering with 3rd party device (Jawbone, Square, etc)
  • Center clock support
  • Quick Settings – respect locale changes on additional tiles
  • Proximity Wake-Up support
  • Spam notification filtering – Set notifications to auto-ignore based on content
  • Settings Search – Additional improvements and highlighting
  • Data Usage Info – Add support for CDMA devices without sim cards
  • Bluetooth – Add additional A2DP profiles
  • Bluetooth – Disable AVRCP 1.5 by default (fixes various car unit compatibility)
  • Email – Fix saving attachments to storage for POP3 accounts
  • Translations
  • Account for Play Services induced wake-locks
  • Fix encryption on some LG Devices
  • Dialer – add support for Korean and Chinese to smart-dialer

Interested Xperia Z2 or HTC One M8 users can go ahead and install the latest KitKat update via Cyanogenmod 11 M9 ROM, using our step-by-step guide below.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any device damage during or after the firmware installation. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Pre-requisites

  • The Android 4.4.4 CyanogenMod 11 M9 buildand the instructions given in this guide are meant for the international Sony XperiaZ2 and HTC One M8 models only. Verify device model number by navigating to Settings > About Phone.
  • Verify that your phone has access to latest custom recovery tools such as TWRP v2.6.3.0 and higher or CWM v6.0.4.5 and above.
  • Back up data and settingsusing 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 correctUSB driversfor the phone are installed on the computer (download Sony Xperia Z2 USB drivers or download HTC One M8 USB drivers)
  • Ensure USB debugging mode is enabledon the phone, by navigating to Settings > Developer Options (NOTE:Tap the device's Build Number seven times to unlock or reveal the hidden Developer Optionsunder Settings.) Then select the checkbox to enable USB debugging mode under Settings > Developer Options.
  • Make sure the device has at least 80% battery chargeto prevent unexpected device shutdown (due to battery drain) while installing the ROM.
  • Ensure the phone's bootloader is unlockedand rootedwith latest ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery or TWRP installed.

Steps to Install Android 4.4.4 KitKat on Sony Xperia Z2 with CyanogenMod 11 M9 ROM

Step-1: Download Android 4.4.4 KitKat CyanogenMod 11 M9 Build for Xperia Z2 and Google Apps.

Step-2: Connect the Xperia Z2 to computer via USB cable and copy the downloaded ROM and Google Apps zip files to the root folder on the phone's SD card.
Step-3: Disconnect the USB cable and Power off the phone. Wait for 5 to 10 seconds until the device shuts down completely.
Step-4: Now Power on the Xperia Z2 and wait until the LED notification lights up. Now keep tapping Volume Up or Volume Down until the phone enters recovery mode. NOTE: In recovery mode, use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the desired option.
Step-5: 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.
Step-6: Return to CWM recovery main menu and select Mounts and Storage > Format System and click Yes on next screen to confirm.
Step-7: From the main menu of CWM recovery, go to Advanced and choose Wipe Dalvik Cache. Then hit Yes on next screen to confirm.
Step-8: Select Install Zip from sdcard and then click Choose zip from sdcard. Browse to the location of the CM11 firmware file which you copied earlier to your phone's SD card. Choose Yes on next screen to confirm the firmware installation. Note: Repeat this step to install Google Apps as well.
Step-9: Once the firmware is installed, select "+++++Go Back+++++" and reboot the phone by tapping reboot system now from the recovery menu. Your Xperia Z2 will restart and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot to complete. So, do not interrupt the process.

Your Xperia Z2 is now running on Android 4.4.4 KitKat via CyanogenMod 11 M9 ROM. Go to Settings > About Phone to verify the firmware installed.

Steps to Install Android 4.4.4 KitKat on HTC One M8 with CyanogenMod 11 M9 ROM

Step-1: Download CM11 M9 Android 4.4.4 ROM for HTC One (M8) to your computer and extract boot.img from the zip file in a separate folder. Download Google Apps as well.

Step-2: Connect and mount your HTC One (M8) USB (mass) memory on your computer with USB cable.

Step-3: Now copy the downloaded Android 4.4.4 ROM zip and Google Apps zip files to the root folder on phone's SD card.

Step-4: Copy the boot.img file to android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory.

Step-5: Power off your phone.

Step-6: Now boot into Bootloader/Fastboot Mode. To do so, turn ON the phone while pressing and holding the Volume Down and Power buttons.

Step-7: After booting into Fastboot mode (on your phone), navigate to android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory (on your computer) and open Command Prompt (hold Shift and Right-click to Open Command Prompt).

Step-8: Type the following command and press Enter:

fastboot flash boot boot.img

Step-9: Then, input the following command and press Enter:

fastboot reboot

Step-10: Follow onscreen instructions and select BOOTLOADER to enter RECOVERY.

Step-11: Once you are in ClockworkMod Recovery, perform a full data wipe by selecting "wipe data/factory reset". Hit Power button to select everything while in Recovery Mode.

Step-12: Perform a cache wipe by selecting "wipe cache partition".

Step-13: Perform a dalvik cache wipe as well to prevent boot loops or any other errors. From CWM recovery, go to 'advanced' and then select "wipe dalvik cache".

Step-14: Return to the main recovery screen and select "install zip from SD card".

Step-15: Now select "choose zip from sdcard". Using volume keys, navigate to Android 4.4.4 ROM zip file that you copied to your SD card and select it using the Power button. Confirm the installation on next screen and the installation procedure should begin.

Google Apps: Repeat the above step for installing Gapps on your phone.

Step-16: Once installation completes, choose "+++++Go Back+++++" and reboot the phone by tapping "reboot system now" in the recovery menu.

HTC One M8 will boot now and it might take about 5 minutes to to complete first boot after ROM installation. So, please be patient.

CM11 M9 based Android 4.4.4 KitKat custom ROM is now installed on your phone. Go to Settings > About phone to verify installation.

[Source: Cyanogenmod]