[How To] Update Sprint Galaxy S3 L710 to Android 4.4 KitKat with CM11 Custom ROM

CUSTOM ROM INFO
Name CyanogenMod 11 aka cm11 (Unofficial)
Android Update Android 4.4, KitKat (Launched on Nov 13 by Google)
Is this official? No. Official update from Samsung is expected to release in Feb-March 2014
Stability Not recommended for daily use
Credits jetx2x

Bugs/Issue?

  • Issues with Mobile Internet Data
  • Camera works, but is unstable (may cause reboots)

Let’s see how to install the Android 4.4 KitKat on your Sprint Galaxy S3 SPH-L710.

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 SPH-L710!

Do not use the procedures discussed here on any other Galaxy S3 (including the S3 devices at T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T 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 Sprint Galaxy S3 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.

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

SPRINT GALAXY S3 L710 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-20131031.zip (107.6 MB)

ROM FILE

Download Link  | File name: cm-11-20131121-UNOFFICIAL-d2spr.zip (178.37 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 Sprint Galaxy S3 SPH-L710.

STEP-BY-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 v2.6.3.0 and above, and CWM v6.0.4.3 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 S3 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. Also perform a System Format, Go to ‘Mounts and storage‘, select ‘format /system‘, then select Yes on the next screen to confirm system format
  5. 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
  6. Now similarly flash the Gapps file
    └ Make sure to first flash the ROM, then the Gapps file.
  7. 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 S3 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. Also perform a ‘System format‘. For this:
    • Tap on Wipe » tap Advanced Wipe » tap System to select it » then at the bottom of the screen do a Swipe on the ‘Swipe to wipe‘ option
  5. 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
  6. Now similarly flash the Gapps file
    └ Make sure to first flash the ROM, then the Gapps file.
  7. 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.

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]

23 Comments

  1. Is this tutorial compatible with the Virgin Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3? I ask this because the model number is the same- SPH-L710

    1. if model number is the same then yes it should work.

    2. Data may not work perfectly… Check this one out:
      http://androidforums.com/virgin-mobile-galaxy-s3-all-things-root/805148-rom-4-4-2-cyanogenmod-11-d2vmu.html

      wifi may have issues, use avoid them use the latest CWM revocery and backup and clear all data/caches
      4G WORKS!!!!!

  2. Is this tutorial compatible with the Virgin Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3? I ask this because the model number is the same- SPH-L710

    1. if model number is the same then yes it should work.

    2. Data may not work perfectly… Check this one out:
      http://androidforums.com/virgin-mobile-galaxy-s3-all-things-root/805148-rom-4-4-2-cyanogenmod-11-d2vmu.html

      wifi may have issues, use avoid them use the latest CWM revocery and backup and clear all data/caches
      4G WORKS!!!!!

  3. Is this tutorial compatible with the Virgin Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3? I ask this because the model number is the same- SPH-L710

    1. if model number is the same then yes it should work.

  4. I didn’t backup my s3 does anyone have the backup files?

  5. I didn’t backup my s3 does anyone have the backup files?

  6. I didn’t backup my s3 does anyone have the backup files?

  7. i get fail every time, I have 4.3 cant get to 4.4

    1. try latest twrp.. i

  8. i get fail every time, I have 4.3 cant get to 4.4

    1. try latest twrp.. i

  9. i get fail every time, I have 4.3 cant get to 4.4

    1. try latest twrp.. i

  10. updated it but the wifi does not work on it.
    installed jellybean cm10 then installed this (otherwise it wouldnt work) used latest twrp. had to format internal memory.

    NO WIFI so will probably go back to jellybean. it is a major thing for it to be not working 🙁

  11. updated it but the wifi does not work on it.
    installed jellybean cm10 then installed this (otherwise it wouldnt work) used latest twrp. had to format internal memory.

    NO WIFI so will probably go back to jellybean. it is a major thing for it to be not working 🙁

  12. updated it but the wifi does not work on it.
    installed jellybean cm10 then installed this (otherwise it wouldnt work) used latest twrp. had to format internal memory.

    NO WIFI so will probably go back to jellybean. it is a major thing for it to be not working 🙁

  13. I have tried this using TWRP 2.6.3.0 and then reluctantly flashed the latest CWM touch. Both give me assert failed and then something about getprop and bootloader. Any ideas? I am certain that my device is a SPH-L710.

  14. I have tried this using TWRP 2.6.3.0 and then reluctantly flashed the latest CWM touch. Both give me assert failed and then something about getprop and bootloader. Any ideas? I am certain that my device is a SPH-L710.

  15. I have tried this using TWRP 2.6.3.0 and then reluctantly flashed the latest CWM touch. Both give me assert failed and then something about getprop and bootloader. Any ideas? I am certain that my device is a SPH-L710.

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