Nestle would never have even imagined that some day billions of Android users would start chanting the name of one of its confectionery products. I never have seen such a brilliant way of advertising any product. Everybody with an Android phone or tablet is looking to get KitKat. While Nexus users have already been enjoying the new flavor of Android, or about to receive it anytime soon, there are billions others who are still looking toward their device OEMs and carriers to have at least the lower versions of the platform like Android 4.2 and 4.3.
Owning a Google Nexus device is a kind of guarantee that you would be one of the first to receive the latest version of Android, but if you got a phone/tablet from manufacturers like Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, etc., you might have no choice but to wait perpetually. Even if you get a new (?) update, it’s got to be an old thing by the time it reaches you. Samsung’s treatment with its popular phones like the Galaxy S3 and Note 2 is a very relevant example of how manufacturers shirk from sending software updates to their users.
Yesterday we published an article on installing Android 4.4 KitKat based custom ROMs on the Galaxy Note 2 and many of its variants. Extending our KitKat treat, we have now come with a collection of Android 4.4 custom ROMs for the Samsung Galaxy S3. If you own any of the following variants of the device, you can update your phone with the newest sensation of Android:
- Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300
- Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE GT-I9305
- AT&T Galaxy S3 SGH-I337 (the ROMs for this model can also be installed on the Canadian variants e.g, Rogers, Bell, Telus, etc.)
- Sprint Galaxy S3 SPH-L710
- T-Mobile Galaxy S3 SGH-T999
- Verizon Galaxy S3 SCH-I535
Warning:
The procedure described below is not meant for perfect noobs as it is considered risky. Follow all instructions carefully if you do not wish to caught into a compromising situation. We would always be at our end to help you in case of a mishap but we take no responsibility. Proceed only if you agree to these terms.
Prerequisites:
- A rooted Samsung Galaxy S3. If you have not rooted your phone yet, please take some time and root it using our easy rooting tutorial.
- The KitKat ROMs we are going to talk about are custom ROMs and therefore they require the presence of a custom recovery like ClockworkMod or TWRP on your device. Not only this, you must have the latest version of the recovery you use. You can download ROM Manager (CWM) or Goo Manager (TWRP) to install the latest version.
Note:
Since Goo Manager is working properly these days, we recommend that you install CWM version 6.0.4.3 on your device. If you know how to install recovery image file using ADB command, download the latest CWM recovery .img file from here and install it. 6.0.4.3
About the ROMs:
Please note that most of the ROMs that we have mentioned below are based on CM 11 and therefore have all the bugs of their parent. Being in early stage of development, it is obvious that you might encounter a few bugs in performance. Please install the appropriate ROM on your phone, test them and if you find them stable enough for you,use them. We hope that with new updates, all these ROMs will become more mature and stable.
Downloads:
Download the Android 4.4 ROM:
Now here are the CyanogenMod 11 based KitKat ROMs for Samsung Galaxy S3. In case you find more that one ROM listed for your S3 model, download any of the two.
- Samsung Galaxy S3:
- CM 11 ROM: cm-11-20140209-NIGHTLY-i9300.zip
- Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE:
- CM 11 ROM: cm-11-20140209-NIGHTLY-i9305.zip
- AT&T & Canadian Galaxy S3 (SGH-1747 and 1747M):
- CM 11 ROM: cm-11-20140209-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip
- BeansTalk ROM: BeanStalk-4.4001-20131120-d2att.zip
- Sprint Galaxy S3:
- CM 11 ROM: cm-11-20140209-NIGHTLY-d2spr.zip
- T-Mobile and Canadian Galaxy S3 (SGH-T999 and T999V):
- CM 11 ROM: cm-11-20140209-NIGHTLY-d2tmo.zip
- Verizon Galaxy S3:
- CM 11 ROM: cm-11-20140209-NIGHTLY-d2vzw.zip
- US Cellular Galaxy S3:
- CM 11 ROM: cm-11-20140209-NIGHTLY-d2usc.zip
Download Latest SuperUser:
How to Install:
- Important: Do not forget to backup your phone’s EFS/IMEI before. Read this article for detailed tutorial.
- Charge your phone.
- Copy the downloaded Android 4.4 ROM file and the latest Gapps package from above and copy them to your phone.
- Also copy the SuperSU zip file to the device.
- Boot your Galaxy in recovery mode. Here is how to do it: hold down the Volume Up+Home+Power buttons together for 4-6 seconds till the screen turns up and you see the recovery screen. Alternatively,you can enter recovery mode using these apps.
- If you are using CWM, use the volume keys to scroll up/down and the power button to select files and options. TWRP users can simply touch the corresponding buttons to get a job done.
- Important: Before doing anything, do not forget to backup your current ROM using “backup and restore”option (in CWM) or “Backup” option (in TWRP) and check all items to backup.
- CWM Users: Go back to main menu in recovery and select “wipe data / factory reset> yes”. Then go to“mounts and storage” and wipe data and system.
- TWRP Users: Just tap on “Wipe” button and select Data, System and Cache.
- Now go back again and choose “install zip from sdcard> choose zip from sd card” option, select the ROM file in zip and choose “yes” when asked. If you have TWRP, use “Install” button, select the ROM and swipe the slider to confirm installation.
- When the ROM is installed, install the Gapps zip package just like you flashed the ROM in Step 11.
- Then install the ”UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.xx.zip” file the same way.
- Finally, select the reboot system option.
The first boot will takes longer than usual so wait patiently till the device boots up and you see the welcome screen. Go through the startup setup like data connection, Gmail, Google Wallet, etc. In case you have any doubts or question, feel free to share your thoughts. Thanks!
I am using ATT SGH-I747 running on 4.0.4. Baseband version:I747UCLEM. Build number:IMM76D.I747UCALEM. Which rom is best for me???? Please helpppp!!
Please help….
Are you looking for stock or custom ROM?
custom
Well I tried with beanstalk but when I install the zip file after some process it says installation aborted. Can you please help??
What does the recovery log say? Try updating the recovery and try a different ROM.
Actually didn’t see the log carefully but I have the latest version of cwm. which rom should I try?? and what would have I done wrong previously??
Try CyanogenMod. You might have grabbed a faulty ROM.
and im on i9300
I have s5 revo rom atm.. and I cant load any rom
after I finished load everything waiting for phone to boot just will stay on the logo help plz …
Flash it again carefully!
I am using ATT SGH-I747 running on 4.0.4. Baseband version:I747UCLEM.
Build number:IMM76D.I747UCALEM. Which rom is best for me???? Please
helpppp!!
im getting an error saying the cm is d2att not d2can when flashing the rom. How can i solve this?
What is the model number of your phone?
I am having a hard time finding a good fast rock stable kitkat rom for GT-I9300. customizations can be done via various things but finding a rom that wont hang or crash is what i am finding difficult. any suggestions would really help.
hi I got a problem not sure what I am doing wong I know I may be on the wrong forum in model phone but I get this error when trying to flash rom error in/external_sd/MK44.2-yuga-201403122343-NIGHTLY.zip
or any rom and from there I have to use the sony flash tool to go back to a stock rom
do you think there is a problem with my micro sd card or what can it be I formatted my sd card many times I have a sony xpera zc6602 it is rooted the bootloader is unlocked using the lates cwm when it boots into it after restart can u share some info to my problem been trying lots of times and it fails to install any kitkat rom my email also is cornell147@gmail.com @DroidViews:disqus
Status 7 error . how can be fixed ?
Install the latest version of CWM/TWRP recovery. You can use this app for convenience: https://www.droidviews.com/install-cwm-or-twrp-recovery-on-almost-all-android-devices-easily-with-recoverx/
when i choose zip from sd card and i select cm11, it gives error” installation aborted” i dont have backup..i tried alot to fix but all in vain. so plz help
thnx
Don’t let me flash error sonething about bootloader
Describe in detail.
hi h r u has an erorr while installing first zip file erorr(md5 file not found)plz guide me.
See this: https://www.droidviews.com/check-md5sum-of-a-file-on-windows-mac-and-linux/
Has the wifi problem been solved in the latest build of the 4.4 kit kat for Verizon gs3 i535?
in the article above, you mentioned download supersu v1.69 zip. what if i have v1.86? isn’t this a newer version?
That was the latest version at the time of writing. Install the latest one.
I install the rom, then gapps and then super su
have you installed gapps for 4.4 after software
MaRiaHaMid What ROM are you using?
Okay so what am I supposed to do now? About the Wi-Fi issue on my s3 4.3 version
MaRiaHaMid No problem, Maria! 🙂
Hi there. I’m sorry I provided the wrong information earlier, I just checked on my phone and it says that I have 4.3 software..
I havent tried anything yet. I just shifted to 4.3
MaRiaHaMid Which ROM did you try?
I’m using galaxy S3 SGH-1747 M
I recently updated my phone to 4.4 and im having severe issues with the WiFi.it seems to disconnect itself time and again. I did a factory reset but it was of no use. Plz help me I am getting very much frustrated
Hi there… i just updated my Samsung galaxy s3, SGH-1747 M to a new software update 4.4 and I’m having severe WiFi issues. It gets disconnected by itself and I have tried EVERYTHING and have even reset the settings but still having the issue. Plz help me as I’m getting extremely frustrated
Can you see your phone’s IMEI?
Hi, I have an s3 lte (in the United Kingdom), I have successfully flashed my phone, but it shows a sim error and asks me to insert a sim. Is there a fix for this?
@stylo Please try the latest version of the ROM.
can u pls put by the camera. “photo sphere-camera” ? by galaxy s3 as new update 🙂 it will be nice 😉 sorry for my english 😀 greets from germany
i have camera problem on my samsung s3 after installing this android 4.4…how to sattle it?
please fix camera on galaxy s3 an android 4.4 latest update v16
Which device model do you have?
GT-I9300 ..
Everything works fine except Wi-fi. I can’t search for or connect to Wifi unless I reboot. I have an s3 i535 Verzion
That’s a known bug in KitKat ROMs currently. Just keep trying the latest builds for a fix.
Installation went by smoothly. Everything seems to work fine except for the WiFi. Cannot search for or connect to WiFi connections. I have a Galaxy s3; i747; at&t.
Any updated ROM version which has fixed this problem? Please help. Thanks in advance.
Hi, WiFi tethering is a known bug in many of the KK based ROMs. Which ROM did you install?
If you installed CM, try this: http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23212708291680880
The Cyanogenmod11 Unofficial D2att zip file.
Then try the newer version (link in my previous reply) to find out if it has been fixed.
I have wiped the data, how can I go back to install the zip files? I can’t see the option.
just got thru with the spicy and most elegant rom so far. Im a pro in
rom change, i have tested almost all roms that exist on SGS3-I9300.
this pice of cake is so cool and swift. no probs during installation. no
probs so far in runing. runing is smooth….thumbs up to all those who
made this pice of cake possible.
…call me COURANT Birdman….
Thanks for sharing your feedback 🙂
hy i installed both rom perfectly but my phone show no register sim error …what i do now ? PLZ SOLVE MY PROBLEM >>…
Your IMEI has gone. Restore the EFS.
Just tried to install the
“AT&T & Canadian Galaxy S3 (SGH-1747 and 1747M):
CM 11 Unofficial ROM: Cm-11-20131119-UNOFFICIAL-D2att.Zip”
PROBLEM: I have the SGH-1747M and although you have stated the D2att.zip will work on my phone, (with rogers canada) CWM v 5504 says”
This package is for :d2att” devices; this is a “d2spr”
Kinda pissed that my phone won’t work and is wiped.
I will try to find the right rom and load it to my sd card but you should change that link to offer another one specific to the 1747M
If you have any insights or corrections or help please chime in.
Thanks
Well, it should have installed the AT&T version but you are being prompted to install the Sprint version, give it a shot too.
Didn’t work.
Have just rooted and applied loaded the kit kat 4.4 cm11 ROM to my Galaxy S3 as per you instructions above – this is my first time doing anything like this and it all appears to have gone flawlessly! Thanks for a great guide, well chuffed 🙂
Glad to know that, Iain! Enjoy the new ROM. 🙂
Sprint Galaxy S3
Installing update…
assert failed: getprop(“ro.bootloader”) == “L710VPBLJ7” || getprop(“ro.bootloader”) == “L710VPBMA6” || getprop(“ro.bootloader”) == “L710VPBMB1” || getprop(“ro.bootloader”) == “L710VPBMD4” || getprop(“ro.bootloader”) == “L710VPAMD7”
E:Error in /external_sd/cm-11-d2spr.zip (Status 7).
Installation aborted.
same here
Same issue. I understand I need to do something with the bootloader, but i’ll be damned if I can figure out what! :-/ maybe unlock?
Everything was in working order, now my wifi has seemed to turn off and stop working. Nor scan for networks at all now. Any advice?
Hi, there are wifi issues in the early builds. You can check the latest build of the rom for a fix. Also try rebooting the device and if does not work, wipe cache partition from CWM or Twrp recovery.
Which variant do you have?
CWM latest build, SCHI535, cyanogen build cm-11-20131121-UNOFFICIAL-d2vzw.zip
Wifi was only thing that wasn’t working properly. Reboots not correcting.
Hi there. I have a s3 model SGH-1747M, but i see no roms that will be compatible. Could you point any out. I am also on a Canadian plan with Rogers. Also could you post a link to where i could learn to root my phone? Thanks a lot!
Hi Billy, choose the AT&T version of the ROM. As for rooting, see this guide: https://www.droidviews.com/root-install-cwm-recovery-on-sprintt-mobileattrogers-galaxy-s3/
Hello there, I have installed the rom without a problem. But my question is, how can I load my contacts back ? I normally saved them via Kies and to outlook. Is there a way to do it ?
Did you not use the Gmail sync feature? Backup the current ROM, then wipe cache partition and system in CWM/TWRP, restore the old Samsung ROM, either sync your contacts with gmail or manually backup them to your SD card (there is an option for that in contacts app).
Do you get OTA’S
Do you send out OTA’s? Thanks!
Sorry, but no. The ROMs are so small in size you can download them easily.
Have you updated the “Samsung Galaxy S3: CM 11 Unofficial ROM” link? I have V2 installed and using video is all messed up. I rooted and upgraded yesterday, is video fixed in V5? Thanks.
Yes, all ROM links have been updated today. Install the latest version as it comes with many fixes. However, I am sure about the camera.
Great, what step do I follow from?
Just wipe Calvin and cache partition
I am seeing a battery drain with the latest version of 4.4 on my Verizon Galaxy S3. I have checked for that gsiff_daemon, but it does not seem to be in the folder mentioned in the article. Is there a change to fix that?
Hi Mark, with every new ROM, battery drain is normal. You should wait for 3-4 charge cycles to complete and then draw the conclusion. If you still see the issue, download the latest nightly release from here: http://www.androidfilehost.com/?a=show&w=files&flid=9435
Please let me know of the results. 🙂
what step should i take first i am not rooted and have never done this before?
Which S3 model do you have?
verizon sch i535
See our easy guide here: https://www.droidviews.com/root-and-install-cwmtwrp-recovery-on-verizon-galaxy-s3-sch-i535-android-4-1-14-1-2/
Use method 3 preferably.
Just kept failing at step 10 SG-I9300 international
Did you update your recovery? What version of CWM/TWRP do you have?
CWM v3.60, yes backed up followed everything, when i the tried to restore from back up that failed too, ended up 4.2.2 which is now giving me problems with texts
Well I think you should update your recovery. Install ROM manager app and update it to the latest.
Thanks, works perfect!
Great! Which device do you have?
the SG3-I9300 international
just got thru with the spicy and most elegant rom so far. Im a pro in rom change, i have tested almost all roms that exist on SGS3-I9300. this pice of cake is so cool and swift. no probs during installation. no probs so far in runing. runing is smooth….thumbs up to all those who made this pice of cake possible.
…call me COURANT Birdman….
Does this ROM drain more battery then the 4.3.1 ROM? 4.3.1 has the Android OS using more than 60% of the battery, does this ROM’s OS use less?
I have tested this Rom and have been using it for some days. I have not seen any battery drain issue.
Thanks, I will be sure to notify you if I encounter any issues.
About to do this now I’ll report back I’m coming from cm 10.2 running android 4.3.1 but gonna ask is there anything special I need to do or flash like I always have
Nope. Just wipe cache partition, data and system before installing the ROM.
Thank u I will report back