The HTC One is set to receive the Android 4.4.2 update sometime in the near future, but it may still be a while before US carriers get a hold on the new OS and manage to launch it on the aforementioned device. Where does this leave you –as an HTC One owner-? Well, you can either wait for the official release and use Jelly Bean for now, or you can install a custom KitKat ROM. If you're tempted to do the latter, then you've come to the right place.

This is a guide that will allow you to install the latest official release from AOKP. Mind you, this is not an official Google / HTC release, but it is an official AOKP custom ROM. One thing to keep in mind is that this ROM is in its "nightly" stages of development. This means that you may encounter bugs, but on the bright side, new nightly builds are being released by AOKP every day.

Another very important thing to keep in mind is the fact that, AOKP is based on Android 4.4.2 and CM 11. It includes new and additional features, improved performance and a vanilla user interface. This means that once you install AOKP, you will not be able to utilize the HTC Sense 5 UI.

IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE PROCEEDING:

  • This ROM has been designed specifically for the T-Mobile HTC One. Don't attempt to apply this guide / ROM to any other device or HTC One variant
  • In order to apply this ROM, you need to have a rooted HTC One running the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery
  • Keep in mind that these operations will void your phone's warranty. You could regain the warranty by revoking root access, relocking the bootloader and returning to the official OS
  • The installation process requires you to perform a factory reset and full cache wipe. Create backups if necessary
  • You can use various applications in order to backup app data, text messages and APN Internet settings, such as "Helium", "SMS Backup & Restore" and "APN Settings Backup & Restore"
  • Your contacts can be easily backed up on your Google account
  • The installation guide includes steps on how to create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM
  • Before proceeding, make sure that USB Debugging is enabled. Go to "Settings" > "About" > "Software information" > "More" > and tap "Build number" until the "Developer options" menu becomes visible. Then, return to "Settings", tap "Developer options" and enable "USB Debugging"
  • Your battery should be at least 70% full
  • This is an advanced guide that includes unofficial operations. Proceed at your own risk. If you brick your phone, you can't hold the developers or anyone else responsible
  • Don't skip any steps
  • Keep in mind that the AOKP ROM offers a vanilla Android UI, thus Sense 5 will no longer exist

HTC One T-Mobile – Installing Android 4.4.2 AOKP Nightly Using CWM Recovery:

  1. Using your computer, download the latest available KK AOKP nightly build from this link
  2. Download the Google apps package from this link
  3. Don't unzip the files
  4. Connect your smartphone to your computer via USB
  5. Copy the downloaded zip files onto your phone's storage
  6. Once the transfer is complete, disconnect your HTC One from your PC
  7. Now enter the bootloader. To do so, press and hold the "Volume Down" button. Then, press and hold the "Power" button as well. When the screen goes black, release the "Power" button but keep holding the "Volume Down" button until you open the bootloader.
  8. Use the "Volume" keys to navigate to "Recovery" and select the option by pressing "Power". Your phone will now enter CWM recovery
  9. In the main CWM screen, select "backup and restore" to create a NANDROID backup of your ROM. Don't skip this step!
  10. From the main recovery screen, select "wipe data factory reset" and "wipe cache partition". From the "Advance" menu, select "wipe dalvik cache" as well
  11. Return to the main recovery screen and select "Install zip from SD card" > "choose zip from SD card"
  12. Browse for the AOKP zip file and flash it
  13. Return to the main menu, and select "Install zip from SD card" again, but this time browse and load the Google apps package downloaded at step 2
  14. After both files have been flashed, return to the CWM screen by selecting "+++Go Back+++" > "Reboot system now"

NOTE: the first reboot may take a while. Be patient and don't press any buttons. However, if your device does not reboot in 10 minutes, or if the handset is stuck in a boot loop, then you need to redo the entire guide while making sure that you have properly wiped the device's cache partition and applied the factory reset.

NOTE: You can always return to your previous ROM using the NANDROID backup. To do so, reboot in CWM and select "backup & restore"

HTC One T-Mobile – Installing Android 4.4.2 AOKP Nightly Using TWRP Recovery:

  1. On your computer, download the latest KK nightly AOKP build available from this link
  2. Download the Android 4.4 Google apps from this link
  3. Connect your HTC One to your computer using the USB cable
  4. Copy the downloaded files onto your phone's storage
  5. Disconnect your smartphone from your computer and enter the bootloader. To do so, press and hold the "Volume down" button, and then press and hold the "Power" key. Release the "Power" key once the screen goes black, and release the "Volume Down" button when the bootloader menu appears
  6. Use the volume buttons to highlight "Recovery" and press "Power" to select the option. By doing this you will enter TWRP recovery
  7. From the main TWRP screen, create a NANDROID backup. Select "Backup", mark the type of data that you wish to save, rename the file and swipe the "Swipe to Backup" button
  8. In the TWRP screen, perform a full factory reset. Also, select "Wipe cache" and "Dalvik cache" from the "Advanced" menu. Swipe the "Swipe to wipe" button to complete the operation
  9. Return to the main TWRP screen and select "Install", then browse for the AOKP file and flash it
  10. Select "Install" again and flash the Google apps zip file too
  11. Once both files have been installed, go back to the main recovery screen and select "Reboot"

NOTE: it may take a while for your phone to reboot the first time after the AOKP installation. However, if the process does not end in 10 minutes, or if your smartphone is boot looping, then something went wrong. Redo the entire guide while making sure that you haven't skipped any steps. Also, make sure that you've properly wiped the phone's memory

NOTE: to return to your previous ROM, use the NANDROID backup created previously. Reboot in TWRP and select "Restore"

› See More: HTC One (T-Mobile): Install Android 4.4.2 AOKP Custom ROM (Nightly) – (CWM and TWRP Methods)