Samsung Galaxy Note 4 gets unofficial Android 5.1 update via CM12.1

We’ve already Note 4 Android 5.1 update arriving unofficially via AICP ROM, but now device’s user also have the choice of CM12.1 custom ROM and its cool set of indispensable features. Official Samsung Android 5.1 update would arrive in due time of course, but that means good deal of wait of around three months. Galaxy S6 is first in line to receive Android 5.1 treatment from Samsung, but after that it should be Note 4 sets.

Good news with the CM12.1 unofficial 5.1 update is that all basic functions of the phone are completely working. You’ll lose S-Pen and other Note 4 specific features from for sure, but sacrificing them is not a problem when you are getting rid of Samsung’s unwisely TouchWiz UI in favor of world’s best in stock material design UI from Lollipop.

Just make sure that your Note 4’s model no. is the one supported by the ROM, otherwise your device functionality could be compromised. The ROM supports only two model nos. of the gamut of various variants, SM-G910F and SM-G910G.

Android 5.1 adds cool animations, additional tweaks and much more to Android, you definitely want this. Both looks-wise and features-wise, the CM12.1 is pretty great ROM.

When you want to go back official Samsung firmware/ROM, you can do that quite easily. Just jot down the current build no. of your firmware currently installed on your phone, and then you can search and download the firmware whenever you need to, and install it using PC software Odin.

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Note: You know, because this ROM is not an official Samsung Android 5.1 update for Galaxy Note 4, expect few kinks at some corners of the ROM that are yet to be fixed by the team. Any major bugs will be reported below.

Bugs

• None

Downloads

Download the ROM file in .zip format from the source development page here, where you could also keep a tab on updates for the ROM, and any current issues with the ROM with fixes, if any, available. Also download the Android 5.1 Gapps of your choice, and flash them after the ROM — they contain Google services and apps which aren’t part of ROM.

Supported devices

• Samsung Galaxy Note 4, model no. SM-G910F/G
• Don’t try on any other device whatsoever

Instructions

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.

Important Note: Backup important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have backup of all your important files.

1. Transfer the ROM file package file to your device’s internal storage and remember the location where you save it.
2. You need TWRP recovery for this. Get it from here. There’s good instructions set there, too. For more help, Google is your friend.
3. Boot into Recovery mode.
4. Once in TWRP recovery, take a backup of your current ROM. Select Backup, then do a “Swipe to Back Up” on the bottom of the screen.
5. Once the backup is finished, select Wipe, then do a “Swipe to Factory Reset” on the bottom of the screen.
6. Go back to the main menu of TWRP recovery and select Install.
7. Navigate to the file where you saved your ROM’s zip file, select it and “Swipe to Confirm Flash” on the bottom of the screen. Now wait until the flashing process finishes.
8. Also flash the Gapps the same way as ROM.
9. Go to back to recovery’s Main menu, select Reboot » select System.

Your device will now reboot with Android 5.1 update, thanks to CM12.1 custom ROM.

In case you need any help over this, let us know. And, you can thank the user kylothow for sharing this.

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Android 5.1 update is also available on:

• Samsung: Note 4 (AICP) | Note 3 | Note 2 | Galaxy S5 (all models) | Galaxy S5 (Sprint and Verizon) | S4 (Verizon) (LTE) | S3 | S3 LTE
• Google: Nexus 4
• OnePlus: One
• LG: G3
• HTC: One Max
• Motorola: Droid Razr | Moto G (SOKP) (Hyperdrive) | Moto X 2014 (SOKP) (official soak test) | Moto E 1st Gen (CM12.1) (SOKP)
• Sony: Xperia Z Ultra | Z2