Imagine having your smartphone updated to the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat with access to all the features and applications from every known developer including the likes of Cyanogen, AOKP and Paranoid Android. It is every gadget freak’s dream.
Well it is now possible if you own the Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 version. A custom ROM has been developed and it is the whole package. The ROM named PAC-Man ROM by Grarak, is built with the Android Open Source project. The ROM is tweaked in the sense that all the great features on other ROMs are added in the Pac-Man as well.
Some features found in the PAC-Man are PAC in Black, status bar tweaks, quick panel settings tweak, notification drawer tweaks, lockscreen notification, active display, appbar, gesture everywhere, Init.D scripts, built.prop mods, statusbar weather, recents RAM bar, PAC console and Nightly Builds.
To install this powerful OS, you can refer to the following instructions:
Pre-requisites
• The Android 4.4.2 PAC-Man ROM and the instructions given in this guide are meant for the Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 model only. Verify device model number by navigating to Settings > About Phone.
• Back up data and settings using a recommended custom recovery tool, like ClockworkMod (CWM) or TWRP, as it creates a complete image of the existing phone setup. In Recovery, choose Backup and Restore and tap Backup.
• Verify correct USB drivers for the phone are installed on the computer (download Galaxy S4 I9500 USB drivers).
• Ensure USB debugging mode is enabled on the phone, by navigating to Settings > Developer Options (NOTE: Tap the phone’s Build Number seven times to unlock or reveal the hidden Developer Options under Settings.) Then select the checkbox to enable USB debugging mode under Settings > Developer Options.
• Make sure the phone has at least 80% battery charge to prevent unexpected device shutdown (due to battery drain) while installing the ROM.
• Ensure the device is unlocked (not locked to a specific carrier) androoted with latest ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery (v6.0.4.5) installed. Alternatively, install CyanogenMod 10.2 Nightly which includes CWM recovery v6.0.4.5. If you are installing the CWM recovery for the first time, check out the video tutorial below,courtesy of The Android Soul:
• If the device is stuck at booting or experiencing boot loop issues, perform Wipe Cache Partition and Wipe Dalvik Cache a few more times before rebooting.
• Allow newly installed ROM to stabilise for five minutes before you start working on it.
Downloads Required
• Android 4.4.2 KitKat PAC-Man ROM for Galaxy S4 I9500
• Google Apps (pa_gapps)
• ClockworkMod Recovery
• TWRP Recovery
Steps to Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Galaxy S4 I9500 with PAC-Man ROM
Step-1: Download Android 4.4.2 KitKat PAC-Man ROM for Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500) to computer
Step-2: Download Google Apps package
Step-3: Connect the Galaxy S4 to computer via USB cable. Without extracting, copy the downloaded firmware zip and Google Apps zip files to the root folder of the phone’s SD card.
You can choose from CWM or TWRP recovery to install the ROM.
How to Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat via ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery
• Power off the phone and wait for 5 to 10 seconds until the device shuts down completely.
• Now press and hold Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together, until the Galaxy S4 logo appears on screen.
• Then release all three buttons at the same time to boot into recovery mode. NOTE: In recovery mode, use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the desired option.
• Perform Wipe data/Factory reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress) and choose Yes on next screen to confirm the action.
• Return to CWM recovery main menu and select Mounts and Storage > Format System and click Yes on next screen to confirm.
• From the main menu of CWM recovery, go to Advanced and choose Wipe Dalvik Cache. Then hit Yes on next screen to confirm.
• Select Install Zip from sdcard and then click Choose zip from sdcard. Browse to the location of the PAC-Man firmware file which you copied earlier to your phone’s SD card. Choose Yes on next screen to confirm the firmware installation.
• Repeat the previous step to install Google Apps as well.
• Once Google Apps is also installed, select “+++++Go Back+++++”and reboot the phone by tapping reboot system now from the recovery menu. Your Galaxy S4 I9500 will restart and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot. So, do not interrupt the process.
How to Install Android 4.4.2 KitKat via TWRP Recovery
• Power off the phone and wait for 5 to 10 seconds until the device shuts down completely.
• Now press and hold Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together, until the Galaxy S4 logo appears on screen.
• Then release all three buttons at the same time to boot into recovery mode. NOTE: In recovery mode, use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the desired option.
• Perform Wipe data/Factory reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). To do so, tap on Wipe and scroll down to the bottom of the screen and do a Swipe on “Swipe to factory reset” option.
• Now perform a System format by selecting Wipe > Advanced Wipe and then tap onSystem option. Scroll to the bottom of screen and do a swipe on “Swipe to Wipe” option.
• Tap on install and navigate to the PAC-Man ROM zip file you copied earlier to your phone’s SD card. Scroll to the bottom of screen and do a swipe to confirm the action and begin installing the firmware.
• Repeat the previous step to flash Google apps as well.
• Once Google Apps is also installed, select reboot and then tap onSystem to reboot your phone. Your Galaxy S4 I9500 will restart and it may take about 5 minutes for first boot. So, do not interrupt the process.
Your Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 is now running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat via PAC-Man ROM. Go to Settings > About Phone to confirm this.
