[How To] Update AT&T Galaxy S2 Skyrocket (LTE) to Android 4.4 KitKat

CUSTOM ROM INFO
Name Evervolv
Android Update Android 4.4, KitKat (Launched in Nov 13 by Google)
Is this official? No. Samsung is not expected to update the Galaxy S2 to newer Android releases.
Stability Good enough for daily use
Credits Kiltnar

Bugs/Issues?

  • Apps saved to your sdcard will have the links disabled with a reboot, please move them to your phone memory for the time being.
  • 1st boot will not have vibration, after you reboot it will come back.
  • Softkey lights may flash – this is a notification alert… Voicemail, messages, etc. Low battery will also cause it.
  • ART is Broken. Do NOT switch to ART from Developer options, otherwise your phone boot.

Let’s see how to install the Android 4.4 KitKat Evervolv ROM on your AT&T Galaxy S2 Skyrocket LTE SGH-I727.

WARNING!

Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page.

You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

CHECK DEVICE MODEL NO.

To make sure your device is eligible with this, you must first confirm its model no. in ‘About device’ option under Settings. Another way to confirm model no. is by looking for it on the packaging box of your device. It must be SGH-I727!

Do not use the procedures discussed here on any other Galaxy S2 (including the S2 devices at Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T’s non-LTE variant SGH-I777 and the international ones) or any other device of Samsung or any other company. You have been warned!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN..

You must do this pre-installation stuff before attempting to install the ROM on your Galaxy S2 Skyrocket in order to avoid any complications later, and have a smooth and successful process.

BACK UP YOUR DEVICE

Back up important data and stuff before you start playing around here as there are chances you might lose your apps and app-data (app settings, game progress, etc.), and in rare case, files on the internal memory, too.

For help on Backup and Restore, check out our exclusive page on that linked right below.

â–º ANDROID BACK UP AND RESTORE GUIDE: APPS AND TIPS

CHARGE YOUR DEVICE

If your android device powers off due to lack of battery while the process is underway, it could damage the device.

So, make sure your device is adequately charged — at least 50% battery of the device.

EXAMPLE VIDEO

If you haven’t used a custom recovery, either CWM or TWRP, before, to install a .zip file of a ROM on anything else, then we suggest you first watch a video of that, given right below, to get familiar with the process.

Just fyi, the video below shows installing a .zip file (of recovery) on Galaxy S3, but it doesn’t matter as the process remains exactly same. So, once you are finished with video, jump to downloads and step-by-step guide below.

Install ClockworkMod Recovery using another custom recovery

AT&T GALAXY S2 SKYROCKET ANDROID 4.4 KITKAT ROM

DOWNLOADS

Download the files given below and transfer them to a separate folder on your phone and remember the location.

GAPPS FILE

Download Link | File name: gapps-kk-20131101.zip (125.43 MB)

ROM FILE

Download Link | File name: ev_skyrocket-4.0.0-skyrocket.zip (152.52 MB)

For latest version of the ROM, check the original page →.

Reminder: Before you proceed, make sure you’ve transferred the files you downloaded above to a separate folder on your Galaxy S2 Skyrocket SGH-I727.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Make sure you have backed up your phone adequately (including important data stored on internal memory).

NOTE:

Older versions of both CWM and TWRP recoveries are not working with Android 4.4 based ROMs, throwing installation errors and WiFi bugs, therefore you need to use the latest version of either recovery. We believe TWRP v2.6.3.x and above, and CWM v6.0.4.x and above are working fine with Android 4.4 ROMs.

GUIDE FOR CWM RECOVERY USERS
  1. Boot into recovery mode. For this:
    • Power off your device and wait for 5-10 seconds until the device is fully switched off.
    • Press and hold  Volume Up + Home + Power buttons together and release them as soon as you see the Galaxy S2 logo.
      └ In Recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
  2. Create a Nandroid Backup from recovery. It’s optional but very important to do, so that in case something goes wrong you can restore to current status easily. For making a Nandroid Backup, go to Backup And Restore » Backup.
  3. Perform a Factory Reset (This will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:
    • Select Wipe data/Factory reset, then select Yes on the next screen to confirm factory reset (screenshot)
  4. First Install the ROM file:
    • Select Install zip » Choose zip from sdcard (or external sdcard, you know where your files are) » browse to the location where you saved the file and select the ROM file
      How to Flash File in CWM Recovery
  5. Now similarly flash the Gapps file.
    â”” Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.
  6. Reboot your device. For this, go back to the main menu of recovery and select reboot system now.

That’s all. Your phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android 4.4, be extremely excited for this!

Note: In case your device gets bootloop (stuck at logo while rebooting), just do a factory reset (step 3) and you will be fine.

GUIDE FOR TWRP RECOVERY USERS
  1. Boot into recovery mode. For this:
    • Power off your device and wait for 5-10 seconds until the device is fully switched off.
    • Press and hold  Volume Up + Home + Power buttons together and release them as soon as you see the Galaxy S2 logo.
      └ In Recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
  2. Create a Nandroid Backup from recovery. It’s optional but very important to do, so that in case something goes wrong you can restore to current status easily. For making a Nandroid Backup, go to Backup » and select all check boxes and swipe on the Swipe to confirm option at the bottom of the screen to confirm backup.
  3. Perform a Factory Reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:
    • Tap on Wipe » then at the bottom of the screen do a Swipe on the ‘Swipe to factory reset‘ option (screenshot)
  4. First Install the ROM file:
    • Tap on Install » browse to the location where you saved the files and tap on the ROM file. Now at the bottom of the screen, do a swipe on the Swipe to confirm flash option to begin flashing.
      How to Flash File in CWM Recovery
  5. Now similarly flash the Gapps file.
    â”” Make sure to first flash the ROM file and then the Gapps file.
  6. Reboot your device. Go back to the main menu of recovery and tap on Reboot » then, tap on System to reboot your phone.

That’s all. Your phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android 4.4, be extremely excited for this!

Note: In case your device gets bootloop (stuck at logo while rebooting), just do a factory reset (step 3) and you will be fine. ALSO, CWM recovery is preferred in place of TWRP to flash Android 4.4 ROMs.

FEEDBACK US!

It was easy to install Android 4.4 KitKat, right? Let us know how it tastes to you.

Your suggestions and queries, if any, are most welcomed!

Posted by
Shivam

Shivam is our resident designer and web developer who also enjoys writing. He loves to meditate, drive on the freeways and hunt for snipers during his Call Of Duty playtime. Email: [email protected]

29 Comments

  1. I am using twrp 2.6.3.0. It tells me the rom failed to install. I’ve been flashing roms since 2010. I am familiar with the process.

    1. i get the same problem. i tried installing beanstalk 4.4 as well and it had an error flashing using twrp.i switched back to superlite for now

  2. Error executing updater binary in zip ‘/external error flashing zip ‘/ external_sd/ev_skyrocket-4.

  3. I am using twrp 2.6.3.0. It tells me the rom failed to install. I’ve been flashing roms since 2010. I am familiar with the process.

    1. i get the same problem. i tried installing beanstalk 4.4 as well and it had an error flashing using twrp.i switched back to superlite for now

  4. I am using twrp 2.6.3.0. It tells me the rom failed to install. I’ve been flashing roms since 2010. I am familiar with the process.

    1. i get the same problem. i tried installing beanstalk 4.4 as well and it had an error flashing using twrp.i switched back to superlite for now

  5. Error executing updater binary in zip ‘/external error flashing zip ‘/ external_sd/ev_skyrocket-4.

  6. Error executing updater binary in zip ‘/external error flashing zip ‘/ external_sd/ev_skyrocket-4.

  7. Same error as HOLT3R

  8. Same error as HOLT3R

  9. Same error as HOLT3R

  10. Are you all getting the error after updating the radio to UCMC1?

  11. Are you all getting the error after updating the radio to UCMC1?

  12. Are you all getting the error after updating the radio to UCMC1?

  13. same error does this requires to first upgrade to UCMC1?

  14. same error does this requires to first upgrade to UCMC1?

  15. same error does this requires to first upgrade to UCMC1?

  16. install the latest version and gets stuck in the logo, do not let me enter recovery mode, i have a i9100…..so bad :s

  17. Carlos Aguado Sierra

    install the latest version and gets stuck in the logo, do not let me enter recovery mode, i have a i9100…..so bad :s

  18. Carlos Aguado Sierra

    install the latest version and gets stuck in the logo, do not let me enter recovery mode, i have a i9100…..so bad :s

  19. Doesnt work the vibrante function

  20. Doesnt work the vibrante function

  21. Doesnt work the vibrante function

  22. Try this and it says “failed to verify whole-file signature. For both files.

  23. Try this and it says “failed to verify whole-file signature. For both files.

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