Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000 is sadly locked in Android 2.3 Gingerbread due to expired 18-month update window period. Fortunately, a team of developers did something to make Android 4.4 KitKat compatible for the said smartphone and only requires manual installation.

Mackay 4.4 ROM

Mackay ROM is based from CyanogenMod custom ROM build from version 9 to 10.2 and according to XDA recognised developer kasper_h, it runs Android 4.4 KitKat now that is a continuation of the 4.3 Jelly Bean version.

Here are some features found in Mackay 4.4 ROM:

- Android 4.4 KitKat kernel

- Update Linux version to 3.0.101

- Added lag-free governor

- Several processor governors

- Fast charging

- Battery life extender

- USB On-The-Go support enabled

- Improved memory performance

- Updated Wi-Fi driver

Requirements

1. Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000 smartphone. Do not flash this to any other smartphone or suffer unforeseen consequences.

2. Root and install a ClockworkMod recovery or other custom recovery on the handset.

3. Create a manual backup of all data you have stored on the Galaxy S.

4. Make sure that the battery life is at least 50 per cent before flashing the ROM.

5. Install the necessary USB drivers to your computer for Galaxy S smartphone.

6. Enable USB debugging mode. Go to "Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging."

7. Download the Mackay 4.4 ROM and Google Apps package to your computer.

Warning: Mackay 4.4 is a custom ROM which may damage your smartphone due to manual installation. We are not responsible for any damages that may occur on your device. Read, understand and follow the instructions to avoid any errors to happen. Do this at your own risk.

Flashing Instructions

1. Connect the Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000 to your computer using a USB cable.

2. Copy the Mackay 4.4 firmware and the Google Apps package then paste them to the SD card of your Galaxy S2. No need to extract the files.

3. Disconnect the smartphone then turn it off.

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

5. Use the volume keys to navigate and home button to select inside the recovery mode.

6. Create an Android backup of the current ROM by selecting "backup and restore > backup." The saved ROM may be restored anytime you wish to which is located inside the SD card.

7. Perform a full wipe by selecting "wipe data/factory reset" then "wipe cache partition" and "advanced > wipe Dalvik cache." No need to wipe the phone if you are using the old Mackay ROM.

8. Install the Mackay 4.4 ROM by selecting "install zip from SD card > choose zip from SD card > look for the Mackay ROM > confirm installation." Apply the same with the Google Apps package.

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

10. Galaxy S will reboot and may take up to five minutes before reaching the home screen.

Congratulations! Your Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000 now runs the latest Android 4.4 KitKat firmware using Mackay ROM.

For any comments or bug reports, send your feedback to Mackay 4.4 ROM XDA developer original thread.