Last week I've created a guide for installing the Android 4.4 KitKat OmniROM custom ROM on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 N7100. This time around I'll tell you what you need to know in order to apply the KitKat OmniROM update on the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

OmniROM has recently started to pump out "nightly" builds for the T-Mobile Note 2, and this latest ROM is based on AOSP Android 4.4 KitKat. However, since these are "nightly" builds, this means that you may run into certain bugs. On the bright side, "nightly" builds are generally launched on a daily basis. That being said, you can remain up to date and deal with unwanted bugs in a timely manner.

Keep in mind that, while this OmniROM update comes with Android 4.4 features, it also includes some extra (custom) goodies such as multi-workspace mode, multi-window, flappable quick settings, per-app permission control, non-obtrusive incoming call alert and much more.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ BEFORE PROCEEDING

• In order to apply this guide, you need to have a rooted T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2 running the latest version of ClockWorkMod Recovery
• Do not attempt to apply this guide for other smartphones or any other Galaxy Note 2 variant, other than T-Mobile's
• This is not an official build. It's a custom ROM and it's not associated with Google or Samsung
• In order to apply this ROM, you will need to perform a factory reset during the flashing process
• To create backups of data from installed application, you can use the "Helium" tool from the Play Store
• To create backups of SMS, you can use "SMS backup & restore"
• To create backups of APN Internet Settings, you can use "APN Settings Backup & Restore"
• You can backup your contacts by syncing them with your Gmail account
• Before proceeding, you need to enable USB Debugging from the Developer Options menu. To do so, go to "Menu" > "Settings" > "Application" > "Development" > "USB Debugging"
• Before proceeding, make sure that your smartphone's battery level is at least at 60-70%. It's mandatory that your smartphone does not run out of battery during the flashing process
• Don't skip any steps
• Although this guide includes all the necessary steps (except for rooting), this is an advanced procedure. If you brick / damage your phone or you lose data, you cannot hold the developers or anyone else responsible

Flashing Android 4.4 KitKat OmniROM on the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2:

1. Download the necessary ROM zip by visiting this link. (NOTE: sort by "Last Modified" and download the latest version)
2. Since OmniROM does not include Google apps, you will need to download a separate zip. Visit this link and download the Android 4.4 Gapps. Make sure you download the package for Android 4.4, weighing 245.5 MB. (It's called "pa_gapps-full-4.4-20131126-signed.zip")
3. After you've downloaded the necessary zip files, connect your Galaxy Note 2 to your computer using the USB cable
4. Copy the zip files that you have downloaded, and paste them onto your phone's internal storage. Do not unzip the files!
5. After the transfer is complete, disconnect the smartphone from your computer
6. Turn off your Note 2
7. Boot your smartphone in CWM Recovery Mode. To do so, press and hold the "Home", "Power" and "Volume Up" buttons at the same time. Once the custom Recovery menu appears, release the buttons
8. Now, create a NANDROID backup. This will create a backup of your current ROM, and it will be useful in case you wish to perform a rollback. Simply select "backup and restore", create a name for your file and confirm
9. After the NANDROID backup is complete, you will need to factory reset your device. Select "wipe data / factory reset" and confirm. NOTE: DO NOT skip this step UNLESS your smartphone already runs on an OmniROM Nightly build and you only wish to apply an update
10. It's time to flash the OmniROM Android 4.4 custom ROM. From the recovery menu, select "install zip from sdcard" > "choose zip from sdcard", then select the ROM zip file and confirm the installation
11. After the flashing is complete, you will also need to install the Google apps zip. Select "install zip from sdcard" > "choose zip from sdcard" again, but this time, browse for and select the Gapps zip file downloaded at step 2
12. Once both zip files have been flashed, return to the main custom recovery menu
13. Select "Reboot system now" and wait for the process to complete. NOTE: this first reboot may take several minutes. Be patient and don't press any buttons. In case it takes too long for the reboot to complete, or in case your smartphone is stuck in a boot loop, then remove the battery, reinstall it and start the guide from the beginning. Don't skip any steps!
14. Congratulations! Once your smartphone reboots, you can add your Google account to restore your contacts, and you can restore your other backed up data using the previously mentioned applications

NOTE: if OmniROM is not your cup of tea then you can return to your previous ROM by using the NANDROID backup created at step 8.