There is a great news from the CyanogenMod developers’ team, the CM 11 Nightly custom ROM is now available for the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy S3 device.
During this step by step guide, we will show you how to update the Galaxy S3 Sprint device with the new CM 11 custom ROM.
Those readers who are not in the loop with the info about the CM 11 custom ROM, they can read more about the ROM directly on the CyanogenMod blog web page from here.
Pre-requisites:
- All instructions and information listed here work only with the Sprint variant of the Samsung Galaxy S3 device. Don’t apply it on the same for any other device.
- The Sprint Galaxy S3 device t need to be rooted and installed the latest version of CWM or TWRP Recovery custom image.
- Take the backup of your actual ROM by using a NANDROID ROM backup, you can find a guide about this Is here. This Nandroid backup represents a restore point for the Galaxy S3 device.
- In case the new custom ROM (CM11 Nightly ROM) doesn’t boot into normal mode, you can restore your previous ROM.
- During the installation process, a Factory Reset is necessary for the CM 11 ROM to boot successfully. So, don’t skip the Factory Reset step and keep in mind that the “factory reset” process will wipe all data stored on the S3 device. Data stored in the internal storage will rest unaffected.
- The “factory reset” step can be skipped, in case Sprint Galaxy S3 device already has a previous CM 11 Nightly Build.
- Note: if you skip the “Factory reset” step and the device doesn’t boot into normal mode after the new custom ROM is flashed, you need to repeat the entire step by step installation guide without skipping the “factory reset” step.
- Create the backup of all your data stored into device’s internal memory such as SMS, APN, Internet settings, call logs history, sync your contacts with the Google Account . For saving your data, you can use suitable applications from Google Play Store such as Helium, SMS Backup and Restore, APN Settings Backup and Restore.
- Note, to use these applications and backup guides the root access is required.
- From Developer Options menu, enable the USB Debugging mode.
- Remember that, this instructional guide is for advanced users only, and in case you damage or brick your device or if you lose any data during or after the installation process.
- Ensure that the device’s battery power level is more than 85% so that the device does not get a a forced power off in the middle of the installation process.
- Keep in mind that, this custom ROM isn’t an official release by Samsung or Sprint Companies, but a custom ROM developed and released by the CyanogenMod team.
- Note that the Nightly builds are usually the first release of this CM 11 custom ROM and it may contain bugs, but that will be fixed in the next versions.
- So, the CyanogenMod 11 Nightly custom ROM can be updated with the new released by using the CM Updates section located under Settings>About phone menu.
How to install CM 11 Nightly on Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3:
- First, download the CyanogenMod 11 Nightly zip file from here.
- Second, download Gapps for Android 4.4 KitKat ROMs from here.
- Now, connect the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 device to your computer
- Next, move (copy/paste) the both downloaded zip files to Sprint Galaxy S3 device’s internal storage.
- Once the downloaded files are successfully copied; you can disconnect the Android device from the computer.
- Turn off the Android device.
- Now, boot the device into CMW or TWRP Recovery Mode. Learn how to do this by using the next tutorial from here.
- Create a full NANDROID ROM Backup for the existing OS, for CWM recovery select ‘backup and restore’ function, then name the file and complete the backup process.
- For TWRP, press Backup, name the backup file and swipe to confirm the backup process.
- Now, apply the Factory Reset for Sprint Galaxy S3 device, for CWM recovery image select “wipe data/ factory reset” and confirm.
- For TWRP recovery image press Wipe and then swipe to confirm the factory reset process.
- Next, install the new custom ROM.
- For CWM select “install zip from sdcard”, after that “choose zip from”, and then browse the CM11 zip file and confirm the flashing process. For TWRP version, press Install, browse the internal storage for copied CM 11 zip file, after that swipe to confirm the installation process.
- Now, just wait to complete the installation process.
- Once the new CM 11 custom ROM is successfully flashed, you need to install the Gapps pack, to do this select once again the ‘choose zip from sdcard’ and flash the Gapps file.
- After you’ve successfully flashed the both files ;you need to return to main custom Recovery menu and reboot the device in normal mode.
- The boot process takes around 5-7 minutes to load all necessary files.
- Now, enter your CyanogenMod account details or the Google Account details Congratulations, the new CM 11 Nightly build based on Android 4.4 Kit Kat firmware is now successfully installed on the Sprint Galaxy S3 device.
Troubleshooting:
- If the boot process takes long time to be done or the device is enters into a bootloop, you’ll be forced to repeat the installation guide once again.
- You need to be sure that the “wipe data/factory reset” step along with “format system” step will be applied.
- These options are available from Advanced Recovery Mode settings menu.