Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 via AOSP NeatROM

Recognised XDA contributor, Sale, has released AOSP NeatROM (v2.4.1) featuring Android 4.4.2 KitKat for Samsung's 2012 flagship smartphone, Galaxy S3 bearing model number GT-I9300.

The AOSP NeatROM is compiled from the latest SlimKat repos released by the SlimROMs team. It carries tons of customisations and changes.

AOSP NeatROM features

The Real Dark Slim

Notification drawer Shortcuts

Full hardware key rebinding

Keyboard rotation

Nova Launcher

Superuser

Darker Camera - colour filter options, gps indicator, picture quality, smart capture, shutter sound

Darker Gallery

Phasebeam LiveWallpaper

Wifi country code

Mediascanner behaviour on boot

Volume key cursor control

Show permanent enter key on keyboard

IME selector notification

Auto keyboard rotation feature

Systemwide blacklist support for calls and sms/mms

Pattern size customizing

Lock before unlock the new way

Lockscreen shortcuts

Fully revamped lockscreen target options

Start widgets maximized on lockscreen

Enable carousel animation on lockscreen

Enable/disable camera widget on lockscreen

Full customizable low battery warning

Wake up on charge

Volume rocker wake

Volume rocker music control

CRT animation the new way with new animation as well

Fully customizable auto brightness

Display rotation options (0, 90, 180, 270)

Fully customisable volume panel

Power connectivity alert

Less frequent notification sounds

Ascending ringtone

Control safe headset warning

Mute Camera shutter sound

Quiet hours new extended version

Mute Volume adjust sound

SlimCenter

Fully global menu customization

Fully revamped navigation bar and navigation ring customizations

Statusbar brightness control

Full Clock and date customization on status bar

Battery icons

Quick settings style options

Quick pulldown for quick settings

Easy full swipe access between notification drawer and quick settings

Wifi access point is shown in notification drawer

Hide carrier label on notification drawer

Notification drawer shortcuts

Notification transparency

Notification drawer and quick settings background as well with tablet support

Fully customizable quick settings the new way with new included music tiles and features

Battery tile new click/longpress behaviour

Allow to disable Quick Settings completely

Option in Dev Set to customize the device hostname

SystemUI - double tap to sleep gesture

IPV6 tethering support

Allow applications to override power key

DeskClock - back flip and shake actions

Navigation bar

Global menu - Expanded desktop

Wakeup Options

Enable/Disable Root (Enabled by default)

Fixed StatusBar Back Button

Es File Explorer

Head over to the development thread to learn more about AOSP NeatROM.

Galaxy S3 users who wish to update their devices to Android 4.4.2 with AOSP NeatROM v2.4.1 may follow our step-by-step guide.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held responsible for any mishap. Before following the installation, users are also advised to ensure 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 ClockworkMod recovery installed. Ensure that latest version of recovery is installed. [The NeatROM can be installed using TWRP recovery as well. However, this guide uses CWM mode.]

6) The Android 4.4.2 KitKat AOSP NeatROM 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 device>> 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 a few times before rebooting the device.

Download files

Android 4.4.2 KitKat AOSPA NeatROM [File name: I9300_4.4.2_AOSP_NeatROM_v2.4.1.zip]

Gapps file

How to install Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Galaxy S3 I9300 with AOSPA NeatROM

Step-1: Connect Galaxy S3 to the computer using USB cable and transfer the downloaded zip files to the internal storage of the phone. Do not extract any file

Step-2: Disconnect the phone from the computer and switch the device off

Step-3: Place the phone into recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons together

Note: In recovery mode, use Volume buttons to scroll between options and Power button to select the desired option.

Step-4: Create a Nandroid backup of the existing ROM which can be restored later if the new ROM does not work or users wish to go back to the previous ROM. Select backup and restore, name the file and save it to the phone's internal or external storage. Go back to main recovery menu after the backup is completed

Step-5: Perform a Factory Reset. This is to ensure the new ROM will boot into normal mode after the installation process is completed. Select wipe data/factory reset and confirm the action

Step-6: Select install zip from sdcard then select choose zip from sdcard. Now browse to the location where the AOSP Android 4.4.2 ROM is saved. Select it and confirm installation

Step-7: When the ROM is installed, select again choose zip from sdcard and flash the Gapps file

Step-8: When the installation process is completed, go back to the main recovery menu and reboot the phone by selecting reboot system now. The phone will reboot now and boot up into the customised AOSP NeatROM. The first boot process takes some time before loading all the new files

Enter the Google Account info and take control of the device when all files are loaded

AOSP NeatROM based on Android 4.4.2 should now be installed and running on the Galaxy S3. Head over to Setting>> About phone to verify the new software version of the device.

[Source: Android Geeks]