Installing Android 4.4 CM11 On Galaxy S (GT-I9000)

In the absence of an official Android 4.4 KitKat update for most phones outside the Nexus family, the CyanogenMod team has been busy compiling custom ROMs for just about every Android handset under the sun. After the XDA team released a Mackay ROM for Galaxy S owners earlier this week, the CyanogenMod team has now dropped a CM11 build for the same device.

This guide will walk you though the installation process for CM11 on the Galaxy S bearing the model number I9000. As always, DroidReport assumes no liability for the firmware installation. Proceed with caution.

Before Getting Started

Do not use this guide for any device other than the Galaxy S (I9000 model). Flashing this ROM onto any other device will most probably result in a bricked phone.

You must have your Galaxy S rooted, with a recovery utility like ClockworkMod installed. As always, you want to backup your device and charge it to at least 80 percent.

Finally, enable USB Debugging mode by navigating to Settings -> Developer Options.

Updating Galaxy S to Android KitKat 4.4 via CM11 ROM

1) Download the Android 4.4 KitKat CM11 ROM, as well as the Google Apps package and the CyanogenMod 10.2 Nightly, which can be found here, here and here.

2) Using your USB cable, connect your Galaxy S to your computer.

3) Copy CM11 custom ROM and the Google Apps package to the root folder of your handset’s SD card. Do not extract either.

4) Boot your phone into Recovery mode by pressing the Volume Up, Home and Power buttons simultaneously until you see a Galaxy S logo, then release all three to enter recovery mode.

5) Perform a factory reset by selecting “Wipe data/Factory reset.”

6) In CWM recovery, navigate to “Format system” in the Mounts and Storage submenu, and then press “Yes.” Next, navigate to the Advanced submenu and select “Wipe Dalvik Cache.” Select “Yes” when prompted.

7) Flash the CyanogenMod 10.2 Nightly file downloaded earlier by navigating to “Install Zip from SD card.” Repeat the same step to install the ROM file and Google Apps package.

8) After the installation is complete, press “Go back” and then select “Reboot system now” to restart your phone. This may take some time.

9) After restarting, your Galaxy S will officially be running Android 4.4 KitKat CM11 ROM. Kudos.