Galaxy S3 I9300 Gets Android 4.4.2 KOT49H KitKat with SuperNexus ROM [How to Install]

Galaxy S3 I9300 users can now enjoy stock Android KitKat experience, thanks to the release of Android 4.4.2 KOT49H custom update via SuperNexus ROM. Built entirely out of Google's AOSP source, the SuperNexus ROM offers a host of feature enhancements and optimisations to Google's original source code to deliver the best possible Vanilla Android experience.

With due credit to CyanogenMod and OmniROM teams, the ROM offers all the latest KitKat features in a lightweight package, besides excluding third-party apps for a complete bloatware free experience. IBTimes UK 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.

Android 4.4.2 SuperNexus ROM Features

Here is the complete list of features ported into the Android 4.4.2 SuperNexus ROM, courtesy of XDA recognised developer, Faryaab:

Deodexed
Rooted (Super SU)
BusyBox Installed
No 3rd Party App
ZERO Bloatware
Android Source Code vastly improved and optimised (i.e. Bionic, Dalvik, Webkit, Framework, libcore, SQlite etc - Thanks to CAF)
Init.d Support
Rsync Support
UserInit Support
Bash & Nano Support
Native SIP/VOIP Support
OpenSSH Support (ssh, sshd, scp, stfp)
HSPA+ Support
OpenVPN Support
Ad-Hoc Network Support
exFAT and NTFS-3G support
EXT4 File System Optimisations
Large APN & SPN List
SELinux enabled
Framework Features:
-Extended Power Menu (Reboot, Recovery, Download & Screenshot Options)
-Tweaked Animation Values Of Progress Spinners (Silky Smooth Loading Spinners)
-Options for switching between USB Mass Storage and MTP/PTP (On Specific Devices)
Browser Features:-
-Increased Maximum Tab limit from 16 to 64
-Option To Close All Tabs With One-Click
-Allowed Any Type Of File To Be Downloaded
Phone Features:-
-Noise Suppression
Miscellaneous Features:
-Allowed Installation Of Apps From Unknown Sources By Default
-Disabled Data Roaming By Default
-Removed Google's Software Updates Option from Settings
-Enabled Gesture Input By default
-Emoji Enabled by default
-Hardware Information of the device (Settings>About Device>Hardware Information)

Pre-requisites

The Android 4.4.2 SuperNexus ROM and the instructions given in this guide are meant for the Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 model only. Verify device model number by navigating to Settings > About Tablet.
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 settings using a recommended custom recovery tool, like ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP, as it creates a complete image of the existing tablet setup. In Recovery, choose Backup and Restore and tap Backup.
Verify correct USB drivers for the phone are installed on the computer (download Galaxy S3 I9300 USB drivers).
Ensure USB debugging mode is enabled on the phone, by navigating to Settings > Developer Options (NOTE: Tap the device'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 device has at least 80% battery charge to prevent unexpected device shutdown (due to battery drain) while installing the ROM.
Ensure the phone is unlocked (not locked to a specific carrier) and rooted with latest ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery (v6.0.4.5) installed. If you are installing the CWM recovery for the first time, check out the video tutorial below, courtesy of The Android Soul:

Downloads Required

Android 4.4.2 SuperNexus 4.0 I9300 Build 1 (dated 25-12-13)
Google Apps KK 20131209
CWM Recovery 6.0.4.5
TWRP Recovery

Steps to Install Android 4.4.2 KOT49H KitKat Update on Galaxy S3 I9300 with SuperNexus ROM

Step-1: Download Android 4.4.2 KOT49H SuperNexus ROM for Galaxy S3 I9300 to computer

Step-2: Download Google Apps package

Step-3: Connect the Galaxy S3 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 Android 4.4.2 SuperNexus ROM can be installed on the Galaxy S3 I9300 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 KOT49H 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 S3 logo appears on screen and the device boots 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 / data 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 SuperNexus ROM firmware file which you copied earlier to your phone's SD card. Choose Yes on next screen to confirm the ROM installation.
Repeat the previous step to install Google Apps as well.
Once Google Apps is also installed, select "+++++Go Back+++++"and reboot the device by tapping reboot system now from the recovery menu. Your Galaxy S3 will restart and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot. So, do not interrupt the process.

Your Galaxy S3 I9300 is now running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat via SuperNexus ROM. Go to Settings > About Phone to verify the firmware installed.

NOTE: If the device gets stuck at boot loop (while rebooting), then just do a factory reset from recovery mode to fix the issue.

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 device boots 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 on System option. Scroll to the bottom of screen and do a swipe on "Swipe to Wipe" option.
Tap on install and navigate to the SuperNexus 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 device. Your Galaxy S3 will restart and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot to complete. So, do not interrupt the process.