Galaxy S3 I9300 Gets Android 4.4.4 KitKat via ParanoidAndroid Final ROM

The international version of Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) can now be updated to the most-stable release of custom Android 4.4.4 KitKat, thanks to the release of ParanoidAndroid (PA) 4.42 Final ROM.

The ParanoidAndroid Final ROM brings the latest KitKat features based on the recently released Android 4.4.4 KitKat stock firmware.

Android 4.4.4 KitKat ParanoidAndroid Final ROM Features

Android 4.4.4 based PA Final build brings a host of exciting features, including a fully revamped user interface (UI), with the following tweaks and enhancements:

Redesigned volume panel
Improved Hover UI/UX interface for smartphones and tablets
PIE controls and PEEK
New improved theme engine
Battery tile and status indicator
New support for colourised themes
Revamped recents menu
Improved Documents UI system API
Bug fixes and a handful of system tweaks

Interested Galaxy S3 I9300 users can go ahead and download Android 4.4.4 KitKat PA custom ROM with stability and performance improvements, using the download links given below:

PA 4.42 Final build for Galaxy S3 I9300

Android 4.4.4 KitKat compatible Google Apps (Stock)

Android 4.4.4 KitKat compatible Google Apps (Full)

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

Pre-requisites

The ParanoidAndroid ROM and the instructions given in this guide are meant for the Galaxy S3 I9300 model only. Verify device model number by navigating to Settings > About Phone/Tablet.
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 necessary USB drivers from manufacturer's website).
Ensure USB debugging mode is enabled on the device, 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 device has at least 80% battery chargeto 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. 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.

Steps to Install Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update on Galaxy S3 I9300 with ParanoidAndroid Final ROM

Step-1: Download Android 4.4.4 ParanoidAndroid Final ROM for your Galaxy S3 (use download links above) on 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 phone's SD card.

The Android 4.4.4 PA ROM can be installed on your phone using either CWM or TWRP recovery. Follow any method based on the recovery mode installed on your device.

How to Install Android 4.4.4 ParanoidAndroid ROM via ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery

Power off the device and wait for 5 to 10 seconds until the device shuts down completely.
Now boot the Galaxy S3 into Recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Home and Power button together until the recovery screen appears. 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. Then perform Wipe Cache Partition and once again hit Yes to confirm.
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 ParanoidAndroid Final 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 is now running on Android 4.4.4 KitKat via ParanoidAndroid Final ROM. Go to Settings > About Phone/Tablet 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 4.4.4 ParanoidAndroid ROM via TWRP Recovery

Power off the device and wait for 5 to 10 seconds until the device shuts down completely.
Now boot the Galaxy S3 into Recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Home and Power button together until the recovery screen appears. 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 ParanoidAndroid ROM zip file you copied earlier to your phone's SD card. Scroll to the bottom of screen and do a swipe on Swipe to confirm flash option to 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.

Your Galaxy S3 is now running on Android 4.4.4 KitKat via ParanoidAndroid Final ROM. Go to Settings > About Phone/Tablet 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.

[Source: XDA]