CUSTOM ROM INFO
Name Carbon ROM
Android Update Android 4.4.2, KitKat (Launched on Dec 9 by Google.)
Is this official? No. 
Samsung has no plans to update Galaxy Grand to Android 4.4 KitKat.
Stability Good enough for daily use.
Credits Xenon92, Carbon Team
Known Issues/Bugs (quoted):

[As of December 25, 2013.]

  • Manual network search not working
  • Neither Carbon ROM nor any other AOSP based ROM has dual SIM functionality for now.

Let’s see how to install the latest Carbon ROM on your Galaxy Grand Duos GT-I9082/GT-I9082L.

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-I9082/GT-I9082L!

Please know that this page is meant only for Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos, model no. GT-I9082/GT-I9082L. Please DO NOT try the procedures given here on other variants of the Galaxy Grand Duos: GT-I9080/GT-I9080L. Also, do not use the procedures discussed here on any other Galaxy device 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 Galaxy Grand Duos in order to avoid any complications later, and have a smooth and successful process.

IMP! MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON ANDROID 4.2.2 UPDATE FROM SAMSUNG

This ROM will only boot if install it over 4.2.2 stock ROM from Samsung, or another Android 4.4 based ROM.

If your Grand Duos is still on Android 4.1 which it came with, kindly update to 4.2.2 stock before installing this update.

GET ANDROID 4.2.2 FIRMWARE FR GALAXY GRAND DUOS – I9082XXUBMK3

GET CLOCKWORKMOD (CWM) RECOVERY

Use the link below to download and install the latest and working CWM recovery for your Galaxy Grand Duos. You need this CWM recovery to be able to install the Android 4.4 KitKat ROM like Carbon ROM.

(Older versions of CWM and TWRP recovery may give error in installation.)

CLOCKWORKMOD (CWM) RECOVERY FOR GALAXY GRAND DUOS

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 (Yes, not Grand Duos), 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 GRAND DUOS ANDROID 4.4.2 KITKAT UPDATE VIA CARBON ROM

Before we head to downloads and installation guide, let us just remind you again that your Galaxy Grand needs to be running on Android 4.2.2 before you install this Android 4.4 based Carbon ROM.

If you have not updated your Grand and are still on Android 4.1.2, then the Carbon ROM might not boot after installation.

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-modular-mini-4.4.2-20131215-signed.zip (123.71 MB)

ROM FILE

DOWNLOAD LINK | File name: CARBON-KK-UNOFFICIAL-20131217-1219-i9082.zip (147.6 MB)

For latest version of the ROM available, you can check out the original page here→

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

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

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

NOTE:

Older versions of both CWM and TWRP recoveries are not working with Android 4.4 based ROMs, throwing installation errors and even WiFi bugs on some phones, therefore you need to use the latest version of either recovery. We believe CWM v6.0.4.3 and above are working fine with Android 4.4 ROMs.

Make sure you have got latest CWM recovery installed on your Galaxy Grand Duos. If you need help on that, find the link for working CWM recovery for Galaxy Grand in the “Before you begin..” section above.

GUIDE FOR CWM RECOVERY 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 button together and release them as soon as you see the Galaxy Grand Duos 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. First Install the ROM file:
    • 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 ROM file
      How to Flash File in CWM Recovery
  5. Now similarly flash the Gapps file.
    └ Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.
  6. Reboot your device. For this, go back to the main menu of recovery and select reboot system now.

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

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

FEEDBACK US!

It was easy to install the latest Carbon ROM KitKat 4.4.2, right? Let us know about the Carbon ROM experience.

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