While Android 4.4 is the latest and most impressive Google update to date, most flagship phones won't take advantage of this new OS for some time (except for the Nexus line-up). But, on the bright side, most smartphone owners can still experience Android 4.4 with the help of custom ROMs.

CyanogenMod has recently started launching CM 11 nightly builds for Sprint's Samsung Galaxy S4. The ROM in question is based on Android 4.4, but being "nightly", this means that the builds are not final, and some bugs might still be present. Fortunately, CyanogenMod launches new nightly builds every day, so one bug that you might find today, could be fixed tomorrow.

This is a guide that will allow you to install CM 11 on your Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4. Before starting the installation process however, read the bullet points below.

IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE PROCEEDING:

• This guide is designed for the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4. Do not try to apply this ROM on any other smartphone or Galaxy S4 variant. You can visit this link to learn how to apply CM 11 on the Cricket Galaxy S4, or this link for the US Cellular SGS4
• This guide requires you to have a rooted SGS4 that runs the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery. This is crucial, so don't proceed any further if these prerequisites are missing
• The installation process will require you to factory reset your device, and wipe the cache as well (unless your smartphone already runs on an earlier version of CM 11). Create backups if necessary
• You can use the "Helium" application to save app data, the "SMS backup & restore" app to backup your text messages, and the "APN Settings Backup & Restore" app to backup your APN Internet settings
• Your contacts should be synced to your Gmail account
• You will create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM, during the installation process
• Before moving forward, make sure that "USB Debugging" is enabled on your smartphone. Go to "Settings" > "About device" and tap the "Build number" field until you gain developer access. Then, go to "Settings" > "Developer options" and enable "USB Debugging"
• It's important that your smartphone does not shut down due to low battery during the installation process. As such, make sure your handset is at least 60-70% charged
• This is an advanced. If you brick your phone or if you lose important data, you can't hold the developers or anyone else responsible
• Don't skip any steps!

Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4: Install Android 4.4 CM 11 Custom ROM – CWM Recovery Method:

1. Download the CM 11 ROM from this link. You should download the newest "nightly" version available
2. CM 11 doesn't include Google apps, so you'll need to download a Gapps zip form this link
3. Connect your smartphone to your computer via USB
4. Transfer the downloaded zip files form your PC to your SGS4's storage
5. Once the transfer is done, disconnect your smartphone from your PC and turn it off
6. Reboot your smartphone in recovery mode. Press and hold "Volume Up", "Power" and "Home" at the same time to do so
7. While in the main CWM recovery screen, select "backup & restore" in order to create a NANDROID backup of your ROM
8. Once the backup is complete, select "data wipeout / factory reset". Also, access the "Advanced" menu and select "wipe cache" as well as "dalvik cache"
   
   • NOTE: this step can be skipped assuming that your SGS4 runs on an earlier CM 11 nightly
9. Now go back to the main recovery screen and select "Install zip from SD card".
10. Browse for the CM 11 zip file downloaded at step 1, and install it
11. Once CM 11 is flashed, select "Install zip from SD card" again, and browse for the Google apps zip file
12. After the CM 11 and Gapps zip files have been installed, select "+++Go Back+++" and then "Reboot system now". NOTE: the first reboot in normal mode (after the flashing process) may take a while to complete. Be patient and don't press any buttons. However, if the process does not end in 10 minutes, or in case your smartphone is stuck in a boot loop, then you'll need to restart the entire guide while making sure that you won't skip any steps

NOTE: You can use your NANDROID backup in order to return to your previous ROM To do so, reboot in CWM recovery, and select "backup & restore"

Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4: Install Android 4.4 CM 11 Custom ROM – TWRP Recovery Method:

1. Download the CM 11 nightly zip from this link. Make sure you get the latest available build
2. Download the Google apps zip file by visiting this link
3. Connect your Sprint SGS4 to your computer via USB, and copy both zip files onto your SGS4's storage (root directory; no need for a new folder)
4. After the files have been copied, disconnect your smartphone from your computer
5. Turn off your device and reboot in TWRP recovery mode. To do so, press and hold the "Volume Down", "Power" and "Home" buttons at the same time
6. Once you see the main TWRP screen, go to "Backup", mark the type of data that you wish to save, rename the file and swipe the "Swipe to Backup" button
7. From the main recovery menu, select "Wipe", and from the "Advanced" menu, select "Wipe cache" as well as "Dalvik cache". Then, swipe the "Swipe to wipe" button
   
   • NOTE: you can skip this step assuming that your SGS4 already runs an earlier CM 11 nightly build
8. Return to the recovery screen and tap "Install". Then, browse for the CM 11 zip file select it
9. From the TWRP menu, select "Install" again, and flash the Google apps zip file
10. After both CM 11 and Gapps files have been installed, go back to the recovery screen and select "Reboot". NOTE: this first reboot could take several minutes to complete. If your device freezes and does not reboot in 10 minutes, or if your smartphone is stuck in a boot loop, then something in the installation process went wrong. Redo the entire guide from the top, without missing any steps and bullet points. (Make sure you properly factory reset and wipe the cache)

NOTE: The previously created NANDROID backup can be used to return to your previous ROM. Should you decide to do so, reboot in TWRP recovery, select "Restore" and then choose the right backup file