[How To] Install Android 4.4 KitKat on your Galaxy SL I9003 with CM11 ROM

CUSTOM ROM INFO
Name Cyanogenmod 11 aka CM11 (Unofficial build)
Android Update Android 4.4, KitKat (Launched in Nov 13 by Google)
Is this official? No. Samsung is not expected to push an official update for Galaxy SL I9003
Stability Good enough for daily use
Credits dhiru1602

Let’s see how to install the Android 4.4 KitKat CM11 ROM on your Samsung Galaxy SL I9003.

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 GT-I9003!

Do not use the procedures discussed here on any other Galaxy SL variant or any other device of HTC 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 SL 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

SAMSUNG GALAXY SL 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-20131113_I9003.zip (62.7 MB)

ROM FILE

Download Link | File name: CM11-GalaxySL-KRT16M-Alpha1.zip (187.98 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 SL I9003.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

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

NOTE: Android 4.4 requires latest version of CWM and TWRP recoveries, otherwise the Android 4.4 ROM may give errors while installing. Also, on some devices, TWRP recovery has issues with Android 4.4. We would recommend using the latest CWM recovery to install this ROM.

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 SL 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 SL 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]

18 Comments

  1. I was trying to install kitkat4.4 on my samsung galaxy GT-I9003 with cwm10.2. it gives me error.
    Error Message: this Package was only for dlx device.

    1. Even i tried installing kitkat 4.4 on my samsung GTi9003. it throws same error as metiontioned my murugan.

    2. after installing the concern latest KitKat ROM and google apps…i am unable to get play store app in google app package. I am also unable to login in gmail..plz help

  2. I was trying to install kitkat4.4 on my samsung galaxy GT-I9003 with cwm10.2. it gives me error.
    Error Message: this Package was only for dlx device.

    1. Even i tried installing kitkat 4.4 on my samsung GTi9003. it throws same error as metiontioned my murugan.

      1. after installing the concern latest KitKat ROM and google apps…i am unable to get play store app in google app package. I am also unable to login in gmail..plz help

  3. I was trying to install kitkat4.4 on my samsung galaxy GT-I9003 with cwm10.2. it gives me error.
    Error Message: this Package was only for dlx device.

    1. Even i tried installing kitkat 4.4 on my samsung GTi9003. it throws same error as metiontioned my murugan.

      1. after installing the concern latest KitKat ROM and google apps…i am unable to get play store app in google app package. I am also unable to login in gmail..plz help

  4. Hi vinay.

    Try to download and install latest cwm 11 with following link http://a3mania.com/cyanogenmod/.

    it works i also downloaded and installed it works fine.
    Now I have latest version 4.4 on my galaxyGT-I9003.

    any doubt mail me:[email protected]

  5. Hi vinay.

    Try to download and install latest cwm 11 with following link http://a3mania.com/cyanogenmod/.

    it works i also downloaded and installed it works fine.
    Now I have latest version 4.4 on my galaxyGT-I9003.

    any doubt mail me:[email protected]

  6. Hi vinay.

    Try to download and install latest cwm 11 with following link http://a3mania.com/cyanogenmod/.

    it works i also downloaded and installed it works fine.
    Now I have latest version 4.4 on my galaxyGT-I9003.

    any doubt mail me:[email protected]

  7. version 4.4 it works fine but i cant sing in google play store just saying there was a problem commmunicating with google server try again later

  8. version 4.4 it works fine but i cant sing in google play store just saying there was a problem commmunicating with google server try again later

  9. version 4.4 it works fine but i cant sing in google play store just saying there was a problem commmunicating with google server try again later

  10. thanks man….!! you r great….. got version 4.4

  11. thanks man….!! you r great….. got version 4.4

  12. thanks man….!! you r great….. got version 4.4

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