Last Updated on November 12, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake
The Galaxy S4 Mini GT-I9190 is a fantastic budget phone in a compact package. Its budget demeanor makes the hardware of the phone a hard sell at this time, but the phone’s software is another matter. The phone was released with Android 4.2 and recieved only a handful of updates. Fortunately, you can update your S4 mini to Android Lollipop 5.1.1 by installing a custom ROM, specifically Cyanogenmod 12.1. This version of Cyanogenmod begets almost stock Android Lollipop 5.1.1 which brings a smoother, faster, and more premium experience to your S4 Mini. Other improvements include an improved security options, various bug fixes, and the Material Design language. This guide will help you transform your S4 Mini with the installation of Cyanogenmod 12.1.
To perform this installation, you’ll need your phone (GT-I9190), a MicroUSB to USB cable, a PC, and some files that will be linked below. Also, make sure your S4 Mini is rooted, has a custom recovery, and has full or almost full battery life. Finally, make sure your PC has the correct drivers for your device.
The two main custom recovery images people choose from are ClockworkMod and TWRP recovery. Usually, it comes down to custom recovery personal choice and nothing more. However, TWRP is fast becoming the most popular recovery and not CWM like the old days. If you can install Team Win’s TWRP recovery here too, we recommend you do that.
Once you have a custom recovery image installed, you can take a NANDroid backup from inside the recovery mode. You do that by looking in the recovery menu. A NANDroid will take the complete snapshot of your ROM and even save your game and app data so you can pick up gaming where you left off. There’s no other app on Google Play that comes close to taking a NANDroid for the backup.
Conversely, you cannot take the NANDroid backup until after you have root access. Therefore, make sure you have the root access you need before attempting the backup. Others with root access might prefer downloading Titanium backup. If you don’t have any root access yet you might prefer looking at Helium for Android. All apps for backing up are popular this year depending on your circumstances.
You can learn how to Update Galaxy S4 Mini To Android 5.1.1 With CM 12.1 Custom ROM using that alternate method. Those without root access yet can check the Root Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini i9195 On XXUCNK1 Android 4.4.2 KitKat how to guide if you have that same model number.|
Install Cyanogenmod 12.1 On Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
- Backup your phone. This is a vital step because if something goes wrong you’ll need a backup to be able to restore your phone.
- Download the ROM zip file: Cyanogenmod
- Download GAPPS
- Connect your S4 Mini to your PC and move both files to the SD Card of your phone.
- Reboot your phone into recovery mode by holding down the volume up, home and power buttons at the same time.
- Once you enter recovery mode, select “Wipe Data/Factory Reset” to perform a factory reset, then select “wipe cache partition”.
- Return to the main recovery menu and select “Install zip from sd card”
- Select “choose zip from sdcard” and locate the Cyanogenmod file, select it and install it.
- Repeat step 8, but select the GAPPS file this time
- Reboot your phone
- Enjoy Android Lollipop 5.1.1!
Now that you’ve installed Cyanogenmod 12.1, you can explore some of the new features that have been added to Android Lollipop and Cyanogenmod. Check back on Tech Chomps for guides on future updates!
Want to learn more about rooting your Samsung Galaxy S4 mini? You can read up on what things to do with a rooted Android and apply the same knowledge for your smartphone.