Samsung Galaxy Note  phablet
A passerby using his mobile phone walks past an advertisement promoting Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note 3 at its exhibition hall at a railway station in Seoul on 25 November 2013.REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Popular custom ROM developers, CyanogenMod have released the new Android 4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M8 firmware to Samsung's 2013 flagship phablet Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005 (LTE model).

CyanogenMod CM11 M8 Custom ROM is based on the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) v4.4.4 KitKat OS and is said to bring customization options to boost device performance, new visual interface, easy access to key apps and loads of other user-experience enhancing features.

Prerequisites (things to remember before installing Custom ROM in to the device):

  • Though installing custom ROM improve the device's performance and UI experiences, it makes the company warranty void and they will no longer be liable to provide updates in future [users can restore warranty by flashing the device with stock-ROM].
  • This custom ROM (CM11 M8) has to be installed on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 (LTE model) only, if tried on other devices, it might get bricked [To check your device model: Go to Settings >> About phone >> model number]
  • Before installing the custom ROM, be sure your device is rooted. [Also read: Root Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (N9005) LTE with Stock DXUENE4 Android v4.4.2 KitKat Firmware via CF-Auto-Root Tool]
  • Installation of custom ROM requires clearing of whole data in the smartphone, so make sure to back all the data by installing Clockwork Mod (CWM) Recovery/ TWRP in the smartphone.
  • Users make sure they have installed USB drivers on the PC, or else your phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005) smartphone will not be recognized by the computer.
  • Make sure your device has more than 80 percent battery, or else there is chance of smartphone getting temporarily bricked if the installation process is interrupted.

[Disclaimer: This procedure is very technical and should be performed by a person with sound knowledge of rooting (or manual software installation) Android devices. If the step-by-step installation process is not followed properly, there are chances of the smartphone getting bricked or being permanently irreparable. International Business Times, India Edition cannot be held responsible for any damage or claims from readers if the procedure does not yield the required results or if the smartphone is bricked. Hence, users are advised to proceed with caution.]

Step-by-step installation procedure of Android v4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M8 Custom ROM for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 (LTE model):

Step 1: Download Android v4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M8 Custom ROM (here) and Google Apps (here) in to your PC.

Step 2: Connect Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (N9005) to PC via USB cord.

[Note: Before plugging the phone to the computer, be sure that you have installed USB driver software, if not, click here to download the firmware]

Step 3: Then, place Android v4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M8 Custom ROM and the Google apps .zip files into the phone's SD card memory. [Note: Users are advised to paste the .zip file in SD card root, not in any other folder.]

[Note: Before installing the custom software, be sure that the device must have rooted and has installed ClockworkMod Recovery/TWRP tool.]

Step 4: Now, turn off the device and disconnect from the PC.

Step 5: Then perform the regular Recovery Mode sortie by press holding 'volume (up)', 'home' and 'power' buttons.

Step 6: After entering the RECOVERY mode, clear the device memory by choosing 'wipe data/factory reset' option.

[Note: use Volume keys to navigate and power button to select options, while operating under Recovery Mode]

Step 7: Now, clear the cache memory by selecting 'wipe cache partition'.

Step 8: Then to go back to ClockworkMod recovery, and select 'advanced' and tap 'wipe dalvik cache' [Note: This step is optional, but many recommend this procedure so that user will not face boot loops or any other errors in the middle of custom ROM installation]

Step 9: Again come back to main recovery screen and then tap 'install zip from SD card'

Step 10: Then tap 'choose zip from sdcard' and go to Android 4.4.4 ROM .zip file in SD card and enter the installation process. Repeat the same procedure again to install the Google Apps. [Note: use Volume keys to navigate and power button to select options]

Step 11: Once done with the installation process, navigate to '+++++Go Back+++++' and re-start the device by opting 'reboot system now' seen in the recovery menu.

Now, your device (Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005) will take at least five minutes (only for the first time) to complete the booting process.

Users then head to Settings >> select About phone to confirm the installation of Android v4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M8 Custom ROM.

[Credits: Team Android]