CyanogenMod 11
CyanogenMod 11 ROM featuring Android 4.4.3 available for Galaxy S3 I9300 techmistory

The CyanogenMod team recently announced CyanogenMod 11.0 M7 (CM11) builds are hitting download servers. The new build of CyanogenMod adds a number of changes:

  • Common: Theme Chooser UI Overhaul
  • Common: Calculator app redesign (courtesy Xlythe)
  • Common: Performance Profiles
  • Common: Improved theming performance on low memory devices (~512MB RAM or less)
  • Trebuchet: Move settings to new slide-out panel
  • Trebuchet: Consolidate settings for home and drawer options
  • Media: Add FFMPEG support (expanded media format support)
  • Bluetooth: Improved support for new car audio systems and docks
  • Various small bugfixes, global and device-specific

This release is based on Android 4.4.2 but the Android 4.4.3 source code has been merged into CM for nightlies. Head over to CyanogenMod site to know more the latest release.

One such nightly build is available for the international version of Samsung Galaxy S3 with model number GT-I9300.

Those who wish to update their Galaxy S3 to Android 4.4.3 using CM11 nightly, may follow the step-by-step guide. As the CM builds are in the nightly phase, bugs are likely. But the issues are expected to be fixed in the course of development.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held responsible for any damage to the device. Before following the installation guide, users are advised to verify their devices meet following requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Drivers for Galaxy S3 to transfer files between the Android device and the computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Navigate to Settings>> About phone. Tap on Build Number several times until a message appears saying 'You are now a Developer.' Now enable USB Debugging Mode by navigating to Settings>> Developer Options.]

3) As the tutorial might wipe out all data of the phone, create backup. If the device is having any custom recovery such as ClockworkMod or, TWRP then backup data using the same.

4) If the Android phone powers off due to lack of battery during the process, it could damage the device. Therefore, the Galaxy S3 should have charge above 80% battery charge.

5) The phone should be rooted and have latest version of recovery.

6) Android 4.4.3 KitKat CyanogenMod 11.0 M7 works only with Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300. As applying this to any incorrect variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Galaxy S3 by navigating to Settings>> About phone>> Model number.

7) After flashing the ROM if the device gets stuck on booting animation or experiences boot loop, then perform wipe cache partition and wipe dalvik cache for a few times before rebooting the device.

8) Once the ROM is installed, users are advised to give 10 minutes to the ROM after the device boots up for the first time for better user experience.

Related

Download files

CM 11 ROM [Alternative link]

Gapps

How to install Android 4.4.3 KitKat on Galaxy S3 I9300 with CM11 ROM

Step-1: Connect Galaxy S3 to the computer using USB cable. Now copy the downloaded files to the internal storage of the phone. But do not extract/unzip the files

Step-2: Unplug the USB cable from the phone and switch it off

Step-3: Enter into recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together. This guide supports both CWM and TWRP recovery

Step-4: Create a Nandroid backup of the current ROM, which can be restored later if the new ROM does not work or if you wish to go back to the previous ROM.

CWM: Select backup and restore, name the file and confirm the process. Go back to main recovery menu when the backup is completed

TWRP: Press Backup, name the file then swipe to confirm the process

Step-5: Apply a full Factory Reset. This will wipe all data from system partition, which means the device will lose installed apps data and all the other system files [Factory Reset does not delete contents from internal or external storage.]

CWM: Select wipe data/factory reset and confirm the process

TWRP: Press Wipe and swipe to confirm

Note: Do not skip this process as the new ROM might not boot into normal mode.

Step-6: Install CM11 Android 4.4. 3 ROM on Galaxy S3.

CWM: Select install zip from sdcard then choose zip from sdcard. Now browse to the location where KitKat ROM is saved. Select it and confirm installation

TWRP: Press Install, find the ROM file and swipe to confirm installation

Step-7: When the ROM is installed, follow the similar procedure (step-6) to flash Gapps file

Step-8: After the installation process is completed, return to the custom recovery screen and reboot the phone into normal mode.

The first boot will take a few minutes, therefore, you should not press any button until the home screen of the new ROM appears. Enter your Google Account info in order to take control over the smartphone.

CM11 ROM based on Android 4.4.3 should now be installed and running on the Galaxy S3 I9300. Head over to Settings>> About phone to verify the new software version of the device.

If you do not like the new ROM, you may always choose to restore your phone to the previous firmware version using the back-up files created in step-4. Use the custom recovery mode to restore the previous ROM.

[Source: Android Geeks]