People who want more out of their devices and handsets can find custom ROMs extremely useful. Along with this, the CyanogenMod team some of the most popular and useful Android custom ROMs. This time, the team started rolling out the CyanogenMod 11 Android 4.4 KitKat nightly builds. The nightly builds are available to a range of Nexus devices including the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10.

However, people should understand that while the custom ROMs allow them to experience the Android 4.4 KitKat update, they can be unstable as well. The custom ROMs are not entirely finished so users may need a range of builds to make sure updates will work well.

Nonetheless, custom ROMs allows users to update their devices without waiting for the official update. Likewise, some devices not receiving the rollouts can also benefit from these custom ROMs. It is best for users to have backup drivers as nightly builds may not be a good idea for daily drive use.

The CyanogenMod 11 Android 4.4 nightly started rolling out just recently. As mentioned, devices that can use the ROM include Nexus 4, 5, 7 and 10. The CyanogenMod team uploaded a list of nightly builds for reference. Other devices that made it to the list include LG's G2, HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S3.

This means that even though the OEM of the Android smartphone has not rolled out Android 4.4 KitKat yet, people can still experience the latest mobile OS via CyanogenMod 11 custom ROMs. Users should create a backup of their data before they flash a custom ROM. The following steps provide an overview on how to flash a Nexus handset:

Important note: Users should have the latest version of TWRP Recovery or CWM before proceeding to the update.

Instructions:

1. Download the zip file and copy to the handset. It is important to enable the WiFi if file is downloaded to the phone. The zip file can be installed either through sideload or sdcard. Users do not need to copy the zip file to the handset if they will use sideload. Sideload instructions are provided separately.

2. Create a backup of important files or data.

3. Reset the phone. Choose factory reset. Caution, this will erase data and cache.

4. Install the zip file from the SD card.

5. Select the zip from the SD card.

6. Choose the zip file, for instance: cm-11-xxxxxxxxxx-UNOFFICIAL-maguro.zip

7. Confirm

8. Repeat steps from 5 to 8 for gapps.

9. Reboot the handset

If using sideload:

1. Download zip on computer

2. Connect to device to the computer via USB. If using Windows, make sure the computer has the right USB drivers.

3. Open a terminal or cmd window and type: adb sideload cm-11-xxxxxxxx-UNOFFICIAL-maguro.zip

4. Repeat for Gapps.

5. Reboot

Disclaimer: We cannot be held responsible for what happens to the device after update or flashing. Providers of the update have no control over what happens after installation. Users can update at their own risk.