Team Kang is currently launching nightly Android 4.4 AOKP builds on the Samsung Galaxy S4, giving owners of the device the opportunity to experience the KitKat OS ahead of the official release. As you might expect, nightly builds are still under development and they may contain bugs, but on the bright side, new AOKP nighlies are being launched in a timely manner, so a bug today might be dealt with tomorrow.

This is a guide for installing the latest Android 4.4 AOKP custom ROM on the US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S4. One thing that you need to keep in mind, is that AOKP is based on KitKat as well as CM 11. It features vanilla Android user interface, so TouchWiz will no longer be an option once you apply this ROM.

IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE PROCEEDING:

  • This guide / ROM is designed for the US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S4. Attempting to install this ROM on any other variant can result in bricking your phone. Don't do it!
  • If you wish to install Android 4.4 AOKP on the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4, click here. For the T-Mobile SGS4 AOKP guide, click this link
  • In order to apply this ROM, you need to own a rooted US Cellular Galaxy S4 that runs the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery
  • The installation process requires a full factory reset of the device. Backup your data if necessary
  • You can make use of apps such as "Helium", "SMS backup & restore" and "APN Settings Backup & Restore" in order to backup app data, text messages and APN Internet settings
  • To easily backup your contacts, sync them with your Google account, if you haven't done so already
  • Instructions on how to create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM are provided below
  • Before proceeding, make sure that your smartphone's battery is at least 70% full
  • "USB Debugging" should be enabled. To enable this, go to "Settings" > "About device" and then tap "Build number" until you gain access to developer options. Then, go back to "Settings" > "Developer options" and enable "USB Debugging"
  • Make sure you have the latest USB drivers installed on your computer
  • This is a guide for advanced users, and it is somewhat risky for beginners. Proceed with caution. If you brick your phone, you can't hold anyone responsible
  • Don't skip any steps

US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S4 – Install Android 4.4 AOKP Custom ROM Using CWM Recovery:

  1. On your computer, visit this link to download the latest AOKP KitKat release
  2. You will need to download a separate Google apps package. Visit this link to do so
  3. Establish a connection between your smartphone and your PC using the USB cable
  4. Copy both zip files (unzipped!) on your phone's storage
  5. Disconnect your smartphone once you have the files, then power it off
  6. With the device turned off, press and hold the "Volume Up", "Home" and "Power" buttons simultaneously in order to access CWM recovery
  7. You now need to create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM. Select "Backup & restore" create the file. Don't skip this step!
  8. You can now safely factory reset your device. To do so, return to the main CWM screen and select "data wipeout / factory reset". Also, select "dalvik cache" and "wipe cache" from the "Advanced" menu
  9. Return to the main recovery screen and select "Install zip from SD card"
  10. Load the AOKP file downloaded at step 1
  11. You also need to load the Google apps zip, so select "Install zip from SD card" again and browse for the Gapps package downloaded at step 2
  12. Once both zips have been flashed, select "+++Go Back+++"
  13. From the main CWM screen, select "Reboot system now"

NOTE: the first time you reboot your device after installing the new ROM, you will notice that it takes several minutes for the process to complete. If the phone does not restart in 10 minutes, or if it boot looping, then the ROM has not been installed successfully. Redo the guide without skipping any steps, and make sure you properly factory reset your smartphone

NOTE: To return to your previous ROM, reboot it in CWM recovery, select "backup & restore" and load the previously created NANDROID backup

US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S4 – Install Android 4.4 AOKP Custom ROM Using TWRP Recovery:

  1. Using your computer, visit this link to download the most recent AOKP KitKat nightly build
  2. Custom ROMs don't include Google apps, so you'll need to download a Gapps zip file from this link
  3. Using the USB cable, connect your US Cellular SGS4 to your computer
  4. Copy both files on your phone's storage.
  5. Once the file transfer is complete, disconnect your handset and turn it off
  6. Reboot your device in TWRP recovery. To achieve this, press and hold "Volume Down", "Power" and "Home" simultaneously
  7. Tap "Backup", select the type of data that you wish to save, rename the file as you see fit and then swipe the "Swipe to Backup" button. This will create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM, so don't skip this step!
  8. From the main recovery menu, select "Wipe". From the "Advanced" menu, select "Wipe cache" and "Dalvik cache". Then, swipe the "Swipe to wipe" button
  9. Return to the main TWRP screen and tap "Install". Load the AOKP zip file downloaded at step 1
  10. Tap "Install" once more and load the Google apps zip file as well
  11. When both files have been installed select "Reboot" from the main recovery menu

NOTE: After a ROM installation, your phone will take a while to reboot. Be patient. However, if the handset does not restart in 10 minutes, or if it's stuck in a boot loop, then you need to redo the entire guide from the top. Make sure you don't skip any steps, and that you have properly applied the factory reset and cache wipe

NOTE: In case you want to return to your previous ROM, you can easily do so by rebooting in TWRP recovery and selecting "Restore". Then, load the appropriate NANDROID backup


See More: US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S4: Install Android 4.4 AOKP Custom ROM (CWM and TWRP Recovery)