Users of Galaxy S3 LTE can now enjoy the taste of KitKat Google presented with Android 4.4. It’s the unofficial CyanogenMod 11 ROM that brings the KitKat update on Galaxy S3 LTE.

As regards official KitKat update for the Galaxy S3 LTE from Samsung, well, chances are more than not that it will never happen, as S3 is already past the update chart.

CM11 presents a brilliant option for Galaxy S3 LTE users to try the KitKat update, and even though it’s in not complete, and remains in development, it’s still good for try — to taste the KitKat.

Let’s see how to install the custom Android 4.4 KitKat update using CM11 on your Galaxy S3 LTE.

WARNING!

Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page.

You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

CHECK DEVICE MODEL NO.

To make sure your device is eligible with this, you must first confirm its model no. in ‘About device’ option under Settings. Another way to confirm model no. is by looking for it on the packaging box of your device. It must be GT-I9305!

Do not use the procedures discussed here on any other Galaxy S3 (including the S3 devices, T-Mobile, Sprint and international ones) or any other device of Samsung or any other company. You have been warned!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN..

You must do this pre-installation stuff before attempting to install the ROM on your Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9305 in order to avoid any complications later, and have a smooth and successful process.

BACK UP YOUR DEVICE

Back up important data and stuff before you start playing around here as there are chances you might lose your apps and app-data (app settings, game progress, etc.), and in rare case, files on the internal memory, too.

For help on Backup and Restore, check out our exclusive page on that linked right below.

► ANDROID BACK UP AND RESTORE GUIDE: APPS AND TIPS

CHARGE YOUR DEVICE

If your android device powers off due to lack of battery while the process is underway, it could damage the device.

So, make sure your device is adequately charged — at least 50% battery of the device.

EXAMPLE VIDEO

If you haven’t used a custom recovery, either CWM or TWRP, before, to install a .zip file of a ROM on anything else, then we suggest you first watch a video of that, given right below, to get familiar with the process.

Just fyi, the video below shows installing a .zip file (of recovery) on Galaxy S3, but it doesn’t matter as the process remains exactly same. So, once you are finished with video, jump to downloads and step-by-step guide below.

GALAXY S3 LTE GT-I9305  ANDROID 4.4 KITKAT ROM

DOWNLOADS

Download the files given below and transfer them to a separate folder on your phone and remember the location.

GAPPS FILE

Download Link | File name: pa_gapps-full-4.4-20131114-signed.zip (208.2MB)

ROM FILE

Download Link | File name: cm-11-20131114-UNOFFICIAL-i9305.zip (180.53 MB)

For latest version of the ROM, check the original page →.

Reminder: Before you proceed, make sure you’ve transferred the files you downloaded above to a separate folder on your Galaxy S3 LTE.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Make sure you have backed up your phone adequately (including important data stored on internal memory).

You will need the CWM recovery given below to be able to install Android 4.4 ROM. It’s the .IMG file of the CWM. Install it and then use the guide below to install the Android 4.4 ROM, CM11.

Link to CWM Recovery (for Android 4.4 CM11 ROM)

GUIDE FOR CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY (CWM) USERS
  1. Boot into recovery mode. For this:
    • Power off your device and wait for 5-10 seconds until the device is fully switched off.
    • Press and hold  Volume Up + Home + Power buttons together and release them as soon as you see the Galaxy S3 logo.
      └ In Recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
  2. Create a Nandroid Backup from recovery. It’s optional but very important to do, so that in case something goes wrong you can restore to current status easily. For making a Nandroid Backup, go to Backup And Restore » Backup.
  3. Perform a Factory Reset (This will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:
    • Select Wipe data/Factory reset, then select Yes on the next screen to confirm factory reset (screenshot)
  4. Install the ROM file first (CM11-1.1-11-12-13-UNOFFICIAL-jfltevzw.zip). For this:
    • Select Install zip » Choose zip from sdcard (or external sdcard, you know where your files are) » browse to the location where you saved the file and select the CM11-1.1-11-12-13-UNOFFICIAL-jfltevzw.zip » select Yes on next screen to confirm installation of the file.
      How to Flash File in CWM Recovery
  5. Now similarly flash the pa_gapps-full-4.4-20131114-signed.zip, as you did in step 4.
    └ Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.
  6. Now, do a factory reset as you did in step 3.
  7. Reboot your device. For this, go back to the main menu of recovery and select reboot system now.

Note: In case your device gets bootloop (stuck at logo while rebooting), just do a factory reset (step 3) and you will be fine.

That’s all. Your phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android 4.4, be extremely excited for this!

Feedback Us!

It was easy to install Android 4.4 KitKat, right? Let us know how it tastes to you.

Your suggestions and queries, if any, are most welcomed!