Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4 Receive Android 5.0 Lollipop with Unofficial CyanogenMod 12 Builds: How to Install

Samsung's Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4 have joined the group of non-Nexus devices to receive the unofficial build of CyanogenMod 12 (CM12) featuring Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Although Samsung is yet to make it official, the Galaxy S5 has been rumoured to receive stock Android 5.0 experience in December. The Lollipop firmware for the next Galaxy series is likely to arrive in early 2015.

Thanks to the hard work of XDA developers, both the fifth and fourth generation Galaxy S series smartphones have got early Android 5.0 treatment via CM12 builds, albeit unofficially.

Senior XDA member Shwan5162 has shared a ROM that is built of AOSP and CM12, brings Galaxy S5 (KLTE)a very close Nexus experience. Most of the features are working in this build except camera and NFC.

Another member, AntaresOne, has shared the unofficial CM12 build for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 powered Galaxy S4 bearing model number GT-I9505. As it is an unofficial version, a number of features in this ROM such as external SD card, GPS, infrared, NFC, RIL and sound are not working.

As these builds are in their beta version, bugs are highly likely and cannot be installed as a daily driver. If you are interested to try out the CM12 builds, check out the following installation method. Installing the ROM will be at your own risk.

Pre-requisites

• Back up your data before using custom recovery like CWM or TWRP.
• Enable USB debugging mode from Settings>> Developer Options
• Ensure the Android device has above 80% battery charge.
• Check the model number of Galaxy S5/S4 and install CM12 ROM accordingly. Installing these on an incorrect variant might brick the device
• IBTimes UK will not be held liable for any damage to the device.

How to install Android 5.0 on Galaxy S5 (klte)via CyanogenMod 12 Nexus Experience ROM

Step-1: Android 5.0 CM12 ROM for Galaxy S5 [the ROM does not include Gapps]

Step-2: Connect the Galaxy S5 to the computer using USB cable then copy the downloaded ROM zip file to the root folder of the phone's SD card

Step-3: Switch off the phone and wait until the it is shut down completely

Step-4: Press Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together to boot the phone into recovery mode

Note: Use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power button to select particular option in recovery mode.

Step-5: In recovery mode, perform wipe date/factory reset. Also perform Dalvik cache and Cache

Step-6: Once the process is completed return to the main recovery and select install zip from SD card, then choose zip from SD card. Now head over to the location where the Android Lollipop ROM is saved, select it and confirm installation

Step-7: After the installation process is completed, reboot the phone by selecting reboot system now

Now you can enjoy the Android 5.0 CM12 ROM on your Galaxy S5.

[Source: XDA]

How to install Android 5.0 on Galaxy S4 I9505 via unofficial CyanogenMod 12 ROM

Step-1: Download Android 5.0 CM12 ROM for Galaxy S4

Step-2: Download Gapps

Step-3: Connect the Galaxy S4 to the computer using USB cable and copy the downloaded zip files to the root folder of the phone's SD card

Step-4: Reboot the phone into recovery mode

Step-5: Switch off the phone and wait until the it is shut down completely

Step-6: Press Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together to boot the phone into recovery mode

Note: Use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power button to select particular option in recovery mode.

Step-7: In recovery mode, perform wiping task by selecting wipe date/factory reset

Step-8: Select install zip from SD card, then choose zip from SD card. Now head over to the location where the Android Lollipop ROM is saved, select it and confirm installation

Step-9: After the ROM is installed, repeat the similar process to install Gapps

Step-10: When the installation process is completed, return to the recovery menu and reboot the phone by selecting reboot system now

When the Galaxy S4 boots up successfully, Android 5.0 CM12 ROM should be installed on the phone.

[Source: XDA]