ParanoidAndroid Final ROM Brings Android 4.4.4 KitKat for Galaxy S4 I9500/I9505

Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500 and GT-I9505) users can now experience the latest custom KitKat features on their handset with due release of Android 4.4.4 based ParanoidAndroid (PA) Final ROM from the industrious custom Android developers.

The new PA 4.45 Final build brings tons of new features in a fast and stable release. Some of the key features are listed below:

Redesigned volume panel
Improved Hover UI/UX interface for smartphones and tablets
PIE controls and PEEK
New improved theme engine
Battery tile and status indicator
New support for colourised themes
Revamped recents menu
Improved Documents UI system API
Bug fixes and a handful of system tweaks

Those who wish to learn more about the upcoming changes and future updates to ParanoidAndroid releases can check the PA team's Google+ profile.

Galaxy S4 users who wish to try out the latest KitKat features on their handset can follow our step-by-step guide below.

IBTimes UK reminds readers that it will not be held liable for any damage to device during or after the ParanoidAndroid 4.5 ROM installation. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Pre-requisites

The ParanoidAndroid Final ROM and the instructions given in this guide are meant for the Galaxy S4 I9500 and I9505 models only. Verify device model number by navigating to Settings > About Phone.
Back up data and settings using a recommended custom recovery tool, like ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP, as it creates a complete image of the existing phone setup. In Recovery, choose Backup and Restore and tap Backup.
Verify correct USB drivers for the phone are installed on the computer (download necessary USB drivers from manufacturer's website).
Ensure USB debugging mode is enabled on the device, by navigating to Settings > Developer Options (NOTE: Tap the phone's Build Number seven times to unlock or reveal the hidden Developer Options under Settings.) Then select the checkbox to enable USB debugging mode under Settings > Developer Options.
Make sure the device has at least 80% battery chargeto prevent unexpected device shutdown (due to battery drain) while installing the ROM.
Ensure the device is unlocked (not locked to a specific carrier) and rooted with latestClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery (v6.0.4.5) installed. If you are installing the CWM recovery for the first time, check out the video tutorial below, courtesy of The Android Soul:

If the device is stuck at booting or experiencing boot loop issues, perform Wipe Cache Partition and Wipe Dalvik Cache a few more times before rebooting.
Allow newly installed ROM to stabilise for five minutes before you start working on it.

Downloads Required

PA 4.45 Final build for Galaxy S4 I9500

PA 4.5 Alpha 3 build for Galaxy S4 I9505

PA Gapps

Steps to Install Android 4.4.4 KitKat Update on Galaxy S4 I9500/I9505 with ParanoidAndroid Final ROM

Step-1: Download Android 4.4.4 ParanoidAndroid Final ROM for your Galaxy S4 (use download links above) on computer.

Step-2: Download Google Apps package.

Step-3: Connect the Galaxy S4 to computer via USB cable. Without extracting, copy the downloaded firmware zip and Google Apps zip files to the root folder of phone's SD card.

The Android 4.4.4 PA ROM can be installed on your phone using either CWM or TWRP recovery. Follow any method based on the recovery mode installed on your device.

How to Install Android 4.4.4 ParanoidAndroid ROM via ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery

Power off the device and wait for 5 to 10 seconds until the device shuts down completely.
Now boot the Galaxy S4 into Recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Home and Power button together until the recovery screen appears. NOTE: In recovery mode, use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the desired option.
Perform Wipe data/Factory reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress) and choose Yes on next screen to confirm the action. Then perform Wipe Cache Partition and once again hit Yes to confirm.
Return to CWM recovery main menu and select Mounts and Storage> Format / data and click Yes on next screen to confirm.
From the main menu of CWM recovery, go to Advanced and choose Wipe Dalvik Cache. Then hit Yes on next screen to confirm.
Select Install Zip from sdcard and then click Choose zip from sdcard. Browse to the location of the ParanoidAndroid Final ROM firmware file which you copied earlier to your phone's SD card. Choose Yes on next screen to confirm the ROM installation.
Repeat the previous step to install Google Apps as well.
Once Google Apps is also installed, select "+++++Go Back+++++"and reboot the device by tapping reboot system now from the recovery menu. Your Galaxy S4 will restart and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot. So, do not interrupt the process.

Your Galaxy S4 is now running on Android 4.4.4 KitKat via ParanoidAndroid Final ROM. Go to Settings > About Phone to verify the firmware installed.

NOTE: If the device gets stuck at boot loop (while rebooting), then just do a factory reset from recovery mode to fix the issue.

How to Install Android 4.4.4 ParanoidAndroid ROM via TWRP Recovery

Power off the device and wait for 5 to 10 seconds until the device shuts down completely.
Now boot the Galaxy S4 into Recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up, Home and Power button together until the recovery screen appears. NOTE: In recovery mode, use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the desired option.
Perform Wipe data/Factory reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). To do so, tap on Wipe and scroll down to the bottom of the screen and do a Swipe on "Swipe to factory reset" option.
Now perform a System format by selecting Wipe > Advanced Wipe and then tap on System option. Scroll to the bottom of screen and do a swipe on "Swipe to Wipe" option.
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Tap on install and navigate to the ParanoidAndroid ROM zip file you copied earlier to your phone's SD card. Scroll to the bottom of screen and do a swipe on Swipe to confirm flash option to begin installing the firmware.
Repeat the previous step to flash Google apps as well.
Once Google Apps is also installed, select reboot and then tap on System to reboot your device. Your Galaxy S4 will restart and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot to complete. So, do not interrupt the process.