14 DAY TRIAL // Android 4.4 KitKat for the Samsung Galaxy S4 is still a few months away, but users can already get a taste of the new platform release courtesy of unofficial software for them, such as CyanogenMod.
An alpha release from the CM11 branch is now available for download for Galaxy S4 users out there, and it’s based on the KitKat flavor of the Android platform.
Of course, this is only a nightly build, which means that it still packs a series of issues inside, but users will be able to see how Android 4.4 would look like on their devices if they install it.
Among the bugs that have been reported for the build, we can count the lack of haptic feedback, no images being displayed in the gallery app, low microphone volume, and issues with connecting to internal and external storage.
Rotation is not working either, the same as the voice and video recorders, while touch buttons back and options wake the device up. Apparently, applications show problems with storage in this ROM.
Provided that you still want to install the alpha build, you’ll find the necessary download links via this thread in the XDA-Developers forum.
To install it, you’ll have to root the device and unlock its bootloader, and to have CWM Recovery loaded on it. Then, download the CM 11.0 zip file and Gapps to the microSD card of the phone, and boot into recovery.
After that, simply flash the CM 11.0 zip, then flash the Gapps zip, wipe the device clean (data/factory reset), and reboot the smartphone.
The process will remove all personal files from the handset, so make sure you have backed up your data before proceeding.
Also, keep in mind that you’ll be installing the custom ROM at your own risk, and that you’ll be the only ones held responsible should anything happen with the device during the installation process.