The Samsung Galaxy S4 is expected to make the jump to Android 4.4 officially in the near future, but carrier-branded variants will most likely rollout the update a bit later. If you're not willing to wait for the official release, then your only alternative is to flash a custom ROM on your device.

This guide will allow you to flash the OmniROM custom ROM on the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4. OmniROM is based on Android 4.4.2, and the team behind it has recently started releasing nightly builds for the device. Keep in mind that nightly builds can contain bugs, but OmniROM launches new nighlies every day. This means that certain bugs can be dealt with in a timely manner.

IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE PROCEEDING:

  • Keep in mind that this is a ROM designed specifically for the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4. Attempting to flash this ROM on any other device or SGS4 variant can result in phone bricking. Don't do it
  • In order to install this ROM, you need to have a rooted Sprint SGS4 that runs the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery (both methods are explained below
  • Unless your smartphone already runs on a nightly OmniROM build, you'll need to factory reset your device. Create backups
  • Your contacts can be backed up on your Google account by simply syncing them
  • You can backup your app data, text messages and APN Internet settings using applications such as "Helium", "SMS backup & restore" and "APN Settings Backup & Restore"
  • The installation process below includes details on how to create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM
  • You will be required to connect your smartphone to your computer. Before doing so, enable "USB Debugging" on your smartphone. Go to "Settings" > "About device" and tap "Build number" until you gain access to "Developer options". Return to the "Settings" menu, tap "Developer options" and enable "USB Debugging"
  • Make sure that your smartphone's battery is at least 70% full
  • This guide is meant for advanced users. In case you brick your phone or lose important data, you cannot hold the developers or anyone else responsible
  • Read each bullet point and step carefully

Samsung Galaxy S4 Sprint – Install Android 4.4.2 OmniROM Custom ROM Using CWM Recovery:

  1. On your computer, visit this link to download the latest OmniROM nightly build available
  2. The ROM does not include Google apps for licensing purposes. You will need to visit this link and download the Google apps zip file. Make sure you get the zip file for version 4.4.2
  3. Establish a connection between your smartphone and your computer using the USB cable
  4. Copy the zip files onto your phone's storage (don't unzip them)
  5. Once the files have been copied, disconnect your smartphone and turn it off
  6. Reboot in CWM recovery by pressing and holding "Volume Up", "Power" and "Home" simultaneously
  7. In the CWM menu, select "backup & restore" and follow any additional self-explanatory steps in order to create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM. Don't skip this step
  8. Now, return to the main CWM menu and select "data wipeout / factory reset". Also, from the "Advanced" menu, select "wipe cache" and "dalvik cache". NOTE: you can skip this step if your smartphone runs on an earlier OmniROM nightly build
  9. Go back to the main recovery menu and select "Install zip from SD card". Browse for the OmniROM file and load it
  10. Select "Install zip from SD card" again, and load the Google apps file
  11. Once both files have been flashed, select "+++Go Back+++" and then "Reboot system now"

NOTE: The first time you reboot your smartphone after a fresh ROM installation, you'll notice that the process takes longer. That's normal. However, if the phone does not reboot in 10 minutes, or if it keeps restarting, then the ROM has not been applied successfully. Redo the entire guide, and make sure you've properly factory reset your smartphone

NOTE: The NANDROID backup can be used to return to your previous ROM. To do so, reboot in CWM recovery, select "backup & restore" and load the appropriate file

Samsung Galaxy S4 Sprint – Install Android 4.4.2 OmniROM Custom ROM Using TWRP Recovery:

  1. Visit this link using your PC's Internet browser, and download the most recent OmniROM nightly build available
  2. Download the Android 4.4.2 Google apps package from this link
  3. Connect your Sprint SGS4 to your computer via USB
  4. Copy the files from your computer to your phone's storage, and once the transfer is complete, disconnect your handset
  5. Power off your smartphone and reboot it in TWRP recovery. To do so, press and hold the "Volume Up", "Power" and "Home" buttons at the same time
  6. Now, create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM. Tap "Backup", mark the type of data that you wish to save, rename the file and complete the operation by swiping the "Swipe to Backup" button
  7. It's now safe to factory reset your smartphone. Tap "Wipe" and select "wipe cache" and "dalvik cache" from the "Advanced" menu. Then, swipe the "Swipe to wipe" button. NOTE: this step can be skipped if you come from a previous OmniROM nightly release
  8. Return to the TWRP screen and select "Install". Then, flash the OmniROM zip file
  9. Tap "Install" again and then flash the Google apps zip file
  10. With both zips installed, return to the main recovery screen and tap "Reboot"

NOTE: The first reboot after a fresh ROM installation will take several minutes to complete. If the process does not end in 10 minutes, or if your smartphone is stuck in a boot loop, then you'll need to redo the guide from the start. Don't skip any steps, and fully factory reset your device

NOTE: In case you need or want to return to your previous ROM, you can do so by rebooting in TWRP recovery, tapping "Restore" and loading the NANDROID backup

› See More: Samsung Galaxy S4 Sprint: Install Android 4.4.2 OmniROM Custom ROM –CWM and TWRP Recovery