The CyanogenMod team has recently released a CM 11 Nightly build based on the AOSP Android 4.4 KitKat, bringing all the KitKat stock features as well as tons of other goodies created by the CM team.

This tutorial will provide you with the necessary steps you need to take in order to install the CM 11 on your Samsung Galaxy S3 (US Cellular version). But before you get started read the information below.

READ THIS FIRST

  1. This tutorial is designed specifically for the US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S3. You should not attempt to use the following steps for any other smartphone.
  2. Your US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S3 needs to be rooted and have the latest CWM Recovery installed.
  3. Create a full NANDROID ROM Backup of your OS before installing this custom ROM. This will allow you to restore your smartphone in case the CM 11 KitKat ROM will not boot.
  4. Factory reset your Samsung Galaxy S3 as this ROM requires a clean installation.
  5. Back-up any data that you wish to save – Text messages, APN Internet Settings, Contacts, etc.
  6. The phone’s battery level should be over 50%.
  7. Go to Developer Options and enable USB Debugging.
  8. This tutorial for advanced users, so proceed at your own expense!
  9. Lastly, keep in mind that this is a Nightly build and thus it may still have some errors or bugs.

US Cellular Samsung Galaxy S3: Flash the Official CM 11 Android 4.4 Nightly Build

  1. Visit this link and download the latest CM 11 Nightly ROM available.
  2. Visit this link and download Gapps for Android 4.4 ROMs.
  3. Connect the Samsung Galaxy SIII to your computer via the USB cable.
  4. Then move the zip files you’ve downloaded to the smartphone’s internal storage (after you finish copying the files to your smartphone you can disconnect the device from your computer).
  5. Power your Samsung Galaxy SIII off.
  6. Then boot the handset in CWM Recovery Mode (the latest custom recovery is required).
  7. Now create a full NANDROID Backup -> tap Backup and Restore -> name the file -> when the backup process is done, proceed to the next step.
  8. Further on, apply Factory Reset your Samsung Galaxy SIII - > select the Wipe data/ Factory reset to confirm.
    Note: You can skip this test only if your smartphone has a previous CM 11 Nightly build installed.
  9. Now you have to flash the CM 11 ROM by selecting Install zip from SDCard -> then tap Choose zip from SDCard -> locate the custom ROM and confirm the installation.
  10. When the ROM is flashed, tap again Choose zip from SDCard -> then flash the Gapps zip file.
  11. After you install both files, return to the main Custom Recovery screen.
  12. Now reboot your Samsung Galaxy SIII in normal mode.
    Note: The first boot will take a while to complete, so during this time wait patiently and don’t press any key until you see the Home screen.
  13. Finally, use your CyanogenMod or Google account to use your device.
  14. And that’s it! You can now test all the new features that the CM 11 Nightly ROM brings.

Note: If your smartphone doesn’t boot with the new ROM, enters a boot loop or gets stuck at the animation screen, then you will have to repeat this tutorial once more and make sure you don’t skip any of the steps above.

› See More: US Cellular Samsung Galaxy SIII: Install CM 11 KitKat ROM (Nightly Build)