Android 4.4 KitKat has been around for several weeks, but now Google has launched not one, but two updates for the new OS. Android 4.4.2 has been recently released, but unless you happen to own a newer Nexus device, then you'll have to wait a bit more before you'll be able to enjoy this particular update. Or maybe not!

Custom ROMs have always offered solutions to those who like tinkering with their devices and wish to be up to date. As an example, OmniROM has recently started launching Android 4.4.2 nightly builds for the HTC One.

This guide will allow you to install the latest OmniROM custom ROM based on Android 4.4.2, onto your HTC One (GSM, codename m7ul). Keep in mind however, that this is not a stable release. Nightly builds usually contain bugs, but on the bright side, new nightlies are being release on a daily basis, bringing bugfixes and improvements to the table.

IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE PROCEEDING

• This is a guide designed for the HTC One GSM, codenamed "m7ul". Do not attempt to apply this guide to any other smartphone or HTC One variant, as it won't work and in the worst case scenario, you will brick your phone
• This guide requires you to own a rooted HTC One GSM, running the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery (both methods will be explained below). Don't attempt to apply this guide if you don't meet these prerequisites
• This installation process requires you to factory reset your device. Create backups if necessary
• This guide provides instructions on how to create a NANDROID backup
• You can use the "Helium" application to backup your app data
• The "APN Settings Backup & Restore" app can be used to backup your APN Internet settings
• You can download and use the "SMS backup & restore" to backup your text messages
• Your contacts can be synced with your Gmail account as a method of backup
• You'll need to enable USB Debugging before starting the installation process. To do so, go to "Settings" > "About" > "Software information" > "More" and tap "Build number" until you receive a message that you are a developer. Then, go back to "Settings" > "Developer options" and mark the check box associated with "USB debugging"
• Make sure that your smartphone has at least 60-70% battery life left
• This is an advanced guide. If you brick / damage your phone, or if you lose important data, you cannot hold the developers or anyone else responsible
• Don't skip any steps

What You Need to Download:

IMPORTANT: you will need to download two zip files for this guide. One is the ROM, the other is Gapps. Do not unzip these files, and make sure that you remember their location.

• In order to successfully complete this guide, you need to download the OmniROM package. Visit this link to do so. Make sure you download the latest version available (sort by "Last modified").
• Since the OmniROM package does not include Google apps, you will need to download a separate Gapps zip file. Visit this link to download the latest Android 4.4.2 Paranoid Android Gaps package.

HTC One GSM (m7ul) – Install Android 4.4.2 OmniROM Nightly – CWM Recovery Method:

1. Once you have downloaded the necessary files, connect your HTC One to your computer using the USB cable
2. Copy both zip files onto your phone's storage
3. After the files have been transferred, disconnect your HTC One from your computer
4. Turn off your device and then hold and press and hold the "Volume Down" and the "Power" buttons simultaneously. This will reboot your device in fastboot mode
5. In fastboot, select "recovery". This will make your device enter CWM recovery
6. In the main recovery screen, select "backup & restore" and create a NANDROID backup. This backup can be used later on in order to return to your current ROM
7. Select "data wipeout / factory reset" and then select "wipe cache" and "dalvik cache" from the "Advanced Options" menu
8. After your device has been reset, go back to the recovery menu and select "Install zip from SD card" and choose the Android 4.4.2 OmniROM zip file
9. Once OmniROM has been flashed, select "Install zip from SD card" again, but this time select the Google apps zip and flash it
10. After both zip files have been flashed, press "+++Go Back+++" and then select "Reboot system now"

NOTE: The first reboot in normal mode can take several minutes to complete. If the process takes longer than 10 minutes, or if your device is stuck in a boot loop, then you'll need to redo the entire process from the top, without skipping any steps

NOTE: Should you choose to do so, you can use the NANDROID backup to return to your previous ROM. To do so, reboot in CWM recovery and select "backup & restore"

HTC One GSM (m7ul) – Install Android 4.4.2 OmniROM Nightly – TWRP Recovery Method:

1. Connect your HTC One to your computer via USB
2. Copy the downloaded zip files onto your phone's storage
3. Disconnect your device from your computer once the transfer is complete
4. Reboot your handset in fastboot mode by pressing and holding the "Volume Down" and "Power" buttons at the same time. Then, select to boot in Recovery mode.
5. In TWRP recovery, select "Backup" to create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM. Select the type of data that you wish to backup, rename your file and then "Swipe to Backup"
6. After the backup is complete, go back to the recovery menu and select "Wipe". Then go to "Advanced" and select "Wipe cache" and "Dalvik cache", and then "Swipe to Wipe"
7. Once your device's memory has been reset, go back to the recovery menu and select "Install". Browse for the Android 4.4.2 OmniROM zip file and flash it
8. Select "Install" again and flash the Google apps zip file as well
9. After both files have been installed, go back to the recovery screen and select "Reboot". NOTE: this first reboot after the flashing process may take a while to complete. If the device is not rebooted in 10 minutes, or in case your handset is "boot looping" then you'll need to restart the guide without skipping any steps

NOTE: you can use the NANDROID backup to return to your previous ROM, if OmniROM is not working as you'd want it to. Simply boot in TWRP recovery and select "Restore"