Third-party developers are ahead of Samsung in providing Android 4.4 KitKat among several Galaxy smartphones. Recently, an Android 4.4.2 KitKat ROM has been made available for Galaxy S3 Mini based on CyanogenMod 11.

Android 4.4.2 KitKat Galaxy S3 Mini

CyanogenMod 11 developers updated the Android 4.4 to Android 4.4.2 KitKat custom ROM for Galaxy S3 Mini and this includes the following changes.

- 2D/3D hardware acceleration

- GPS and A-GPS

- Glonass navigation

- Compass and sensors

- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 with LE and A2DP

- All native tethering

- CPU sleep mode

- CyanogenMod 11 functions

- YouTube HQ

- Wi-Fi direct

- Kernel version 3.0.101

- Camera and video playback

- Offline charging

- No 1 GHz bug

Requirements

1. Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini GT-I8190 smartphone.

2. Create a manual backup of all personal information, settings and files on your smartphone.

3. Make sure that the battery level is at least 50 per cent.

4. Root the Galaxy S3 Mini and install a ClockworkMod custom recovery.

5. Enable USB debugging mode. Go to 'Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging.'

6. Download and install the necessary USB drivers for Galaxy S3 Mini on the computer.

7. Download the CyanogenMod 11 and Google Apps package to your computer.

Warning: CyanogenMod 11 requires manual installation which may damage your Galaxy S3 Mini. IBTimes and CyanogenMod developers are not liable for any damages or errors that may occur on your smartphone. Read, understand and follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging the device. Do this at your own risk.

Flashing Instructions

1. Connect the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini to the computer using a USB cable.

2. Copy the CyanogenMod 11 and Google Apps package you've downloaded to the microSD card of your mobile phone. Do not extract any of the zip files.

3. Disconnect the smartphone then turn it off.

4. Reboot into recovery mode by pressing and holding the "volume up + home + power" keys at the same time till the Samsung logo appears.

5. Inside the recovery mode, create Android backup by selecting "backup and restore > backup." You may restore the saved ROM anytime you want.

6. Perform a full wipe on your device. Select "wipe data/factory reset" and "wipe cache partition." Then select "advanced > wipe Dalvik cache."

7. Install the CyanogenMod 11 by selecting "install zip from SD card > choose zip from SD card > look for the firmware > confirm installation." Apply the same with Google Apps zip file.

8. Once the installation has been completed, go back to the main menu and select "reboot system now."

9. The Galaxy S3 Mini will reboot and may take up to five minutes before reaching the home screen.

Congratulations! Your Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini is now running Android 4.4.2 KitKat with the help of CyanogenMod 11 custom ROM

For comments or issues, send your feedback to Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini Maclaw main thread.