[How To] Update Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.0 3G Edition to KitKat Android 4.4 OS

Not only the WiFi version, N5100, but the 3G version of the Galaxy Tab 8.0 has received an Android 4.4 update, too.

While official Android 4.4 update from Samsung isn’t even sure, let alone when it will come as Samsung is still busy preparing and releasing the Android 4.3 update right now.

The KitKat update from Samsung will happen only 2-3 months later from now, and when you have such a good and working KitKat ROM for your device, it’s simply hard to say no.

In order to install the Android 4.4 update on your Galaxy Tab 8.0, you will need latest version of CWM recovery, as TWRP might now work on Android 4.4 for now.

The CyanogenMod 11 ROM is still a work in progress but is a good install if you want to taste KitKat right now. The CM11 ROM should get better and better with time.

Bugs currently on ROM, are:

Bluetooth voice search

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-N5100 (WiFi only, no sim)!

Do not use the procedures discussed here on N5110 (supports sim card) or any other tablet of Samsung or any 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 Tab 8.0 GT-N5100 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 Tab 8.0, 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.

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 8.0 GT-N5100 ANDROID 4.4 KITKAT UPDATE

DOWNLOADS

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

Android 4.4 KitKat update – CM 11 rom file : DOWNLOAD LINK
File name: cm_n5100-ota–sbrissen_11-11.zip
File size: 187.2 MB

Google Apps: DOWNLOAD LINK
File name: pa_gapps-full-4.4-20131111-signed.zip
File size: 208.2 MB

Reminder: Before you proceed, make sure you’ve transferred the files you downloaded above to a separate folder on your Galaxy Tab 8.0 tablet.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Make sure you have backed up your tablet adequately (including important data stored on internal memory). Also create a nandroid backup using your recovery for additional safety.

You’ll need either CWM or TWRP recovery for installing the CyanogenMod Android 4.4 KitKat ROM on your Galaxy Tab 8.0 GT-N5100. And since CWM and TWRP recoveries function differently we’ve put together separate guides for both of them. So if you’re a CWM user, follow the CWM users guide and if you’re a TWRP user follow the guide for TWRP users.

NOTE: Android 4.4 requires latest version of CWM and TWRP recoveries, otherwise the Android 4.4 ROM won’t install fine.

GUIDE FOR CLOCKWORKMOD RECOVERY (CWM) USERS

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 Tab 8.0 logo.
  └ In Recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
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.
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)
Install the cm_n5100-ota–sbrissen_11-11.zip file first. 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 cm_n5100-ota–sbrissen_11-11.zip » select Yes on next screen to confirm installation of the file.
Now similarly flash the pa_gapps-full-4.4-20131111-signed.zip, as you did in step 4.
└ Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.
Do a wipe data/factory reset now as you did in step 3 above, otherwise your tablet might get stuck in bootloop and won’t progress further after the logo screen.
Now, reboot your device. For this, go back to the main menu of recovery and select reboot system now.

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

See what not to do section below in order to !

GUIDE FOR TWRP RECOVERY USERS

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 Tab 8.0 logo.
  └ In Recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
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 select all check boxes and swipe on the Swipe to confirm option at the bottom of the screen to confirm backup.
Perform a Factory Reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:
- Tap on Wipe » then at the bottom of the screen do a Swipe on the ‘Swipe to factory reset‘ option (screenshot)
First Install the ROM file cm_n5100-ota–sbrissen_11-11.zip:
- Tap on Install » browse to the location where you saved the files and tap on the cm_n5100-ota–sbrissen_11-11.zip file. Now at the bottom of the screen, do a swipe on the Swipe to confirm flash option to begin flashing.
Now similarly flash the pa_gapps-full-4.4-20131111-signed.zip file.
└ Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.
Do a factory reset now as you did in step 3 above, otherwise your tablet might get stuck in bootloop and won’t progress further after the logo screen.
Now, reboot your device. For this:
- Go back to the main menu of recovery and tap on Reboot » then, tap on System to reboot your tablet.