If you want to try the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop on your device you can install the new nightly CyanogenMod 12 custom ROM. The same build is rolling out for several devices which sit anywhere between 5.0 and 5.0.2. Since it’s a nightly build, the ROM gets updates rolling out nearly every night which will further enhance the stability and eventually add more features. All you have to do is install the custom ROM on your device once and the rest will take care of itself.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 does not have any official Android 5.0.2 Lollipop build available yet. So, that makes this one of the best custom options out there for any phone, let alone the S4. It’s without a doubt the best available for this device.
As usual, we’ll run you through a list of the essentials you should read before starting the steps. You’ll learn everything you need, how to back up the operating system, the risk involved and more.
- You must have root access on your device and the system internal away from their default restrictions if you want to use this guide.
- Likewise, you must have a custom recovery installed. We recommend choosing from one of the two main options: TWRP recovery or ClockworkMod. We are only giving the guidance for those options.
- Each custom recovery comes with different menu tweaks; therefore, it will need different steps and wording if you are using a different recovery.
- You will void any remaining manufacturer’s warranty by following the guide. You can gain the privileges back by flashing the stock ROM.
- You may revert the phone back to stock Android with bloatware from the manufacturer by installing the Root and Unroot pro app from Google Play. The unrooting will wipe away the custom ROM and take you back to a device like it was out of the box, only with the firmware upgrades from software updates.
- Speaking of which: the other (free) way users can return the device back the way it was is by flashing another official firmware file over the top. You want to flash the file by clicking the AP button via the Odin application. You may wait for a future OTA file to flash manually or use the older file.
- Read what comes with CyanogenMod 12 for the latest batch of devices here. The same features come for each device.
- Start by taking a backup of the current ROM and data. Do this by snapping a Nandroid backup. It takes a mirror image of everything on the device including the pictures, music, videos, settings, passwords, WiFi passwords, phone contacts, apps, games, game data so you can pick up where you left off next time you open the phone and more.
- You can take a Nandroid without rebooting the phone by installing the Online Nandroid backup application available from the Google Play Store.
- Even though that’s the most popular way to make copies of the data and save the a second copy of the ROM, some people prefer to use other third-party applications for getting the same job done. We recommend checking out the Titanium backup app if you are looking for something extra.
- You need to make sure the battery isn’t going to power down until the flashing finishes. Therefore, check how much battery is left by looking at the status bar. It’s not like an official update where you are plugging into a computer for the time.
- Stop over at the Developer Options menu from the Settings menu and enable the USB Debugging. Furthermore, install the up to date USB drivers if you don’t have them already. Find the drivers from Samsung Kies, third-party links for other websites or by visiting the official Samsung website.
How to install Android 5.0.2 Lollipop CyanogenMod 12 Custom ROM On Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini LTE
- Download the CM 12 unofficial zip file here.
- Download the Google Gapps pack you need here.
- Place both files on the desktop and do not extract the same.
– we must copy over the files zipped. - Connect the Mini LTE to the computer with the files.
- Transfer both files to the internal storage SD card.
- Disconnect the phone from the computer.
- Turn off the phone and reboot in the custom recovery mode.
– use the reboot manager app if you cannot get the button sequence working. - Now is the last chance to take the Nandroid!
- Select “wipe” or “wipe data/factory reset” from your version.
- Select “install’ or “install zip from SD card” and “choose zip from SD card.”
- Upload the unofficial CM 12 ROM zip file.
- Follow the step before last and choose to install the Gapps this time.
- Head to the main recovery screen after both files load.
- Choose the reboot option to boot the device up in normal mode.
- Enter your Google account details after the device boots.
You should always disconnect the phone from the computer properly before disconnecting. You do this by stopping the USB Mass Storage device. Use the keys to get access to recovery mode if the device is getting stuck in a boot loop. From there you ought to try clearing the system cache and dalvik cache options. If it’s still getting stuck in the loop it’s time to apply the factory reset.