If you own a Samsung Galaxy S4 then you may be wondering when the Android 4.4 update will arrive on your device. Unfortunately I can't give you a clear answer, but I can tell you that Samsung should launch the new OS within the next few months. Until then, you can still experience Android 4.4 thanks to the developer community and their custom ROMs.

This is a guide that will allow you to apply the latest version of AOKP on your Cricket Samsung Galaxy S4. AOKP is a custom ROM based on Android 4.4 and CM 11, but it's still under development. Team Kang is currently launching "nightly" builds for the ROM, and everyone with the proper tools and knowledge can give these builds a try. Just keep in mind that nightly builds can contain bugs, but new builds are being released in a timely manner.

You should also know that, unlike the official release from Samsung, the AOKP ROM does not include TouchWiz, as it features a vanilla Android UI.

IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE PROCEEDING:

  • This is a guide that has been created specifically for the Cricket Samsung Galaxy S4. Applying this ROM to any other device or SGS4 variant can brick your smartphone
  • To install AOKP on Sprint's SGS4, click this link. For US Cellular's Galaxy S4, visit this link instead, and for the AOKP guide for the SGS4 at T-Mobile, visit this link.
  • In order to be able and apply this ROM, you need to have a rooted Cricket SGS4 that also runs the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery
  • To successfully apply this ROM you will need to factory reset your smartphone during the installation process. Create backups if necessary
  • The guide includes instructions on how to create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM
  • Applications such as "Helium", "SMS backup & restore" and "APN Settings Backup & Restore" can be used in order to backup app data, text messages and APN Internet settings respectively
  • If you wish to backup your contacts, you can simply sync them with your Google account
  • Make sure that your smartphone's battery is at least 70% full
  • Before proceeding, you need to enable "USB Debugging", as you'll need to connect your smartphone to your computer. To do so, go to "Settings " > "About device" and tap "Build number" several times until the developer options become visible. Return to "Settings", tap "Developer options" and enable "USB Debugging"
  • This is an advanced guide that includes unofficial operations. There's always a risk that something can go wrong. If you brick your phone, damage it or lose important data, you cannot hold the developers or anyone else responsible. Proceed at your own risk

Cricket Samsung Galaxy S4 – Install Android 4.4 AOKP Custom ROM (nightly) Using CWM Recovery:

  1. Using your computer, visit this link to download the AOKP ROM. Make sure you download the latest version available
  2. Since the ROM does not include Google apps, you need to visit this link to download a separate Gapps package
  3. Connect your smartphone to your computer using the USB cable
  4. Copy the downloaded zip files to your phone's storage (don't unzip the files!)
  5. After the transfer is complete, disconnect your smartphone and power it off completely
  6. You need to enter CWM recovery at this point. To do so, press and hold the "Volume Up", "Power" and "Home" buttons at the same time
  7. Once you've accessed the main CWM menu, you need to create a NANDROID backup of your current ROM. Select "Backup & restore" and follow any self-explanatory steps to create a file
  8. With the backup in place, you can now factory reset your handset. From the main CWM menu, select "data wipeout / factory reset", and also, go to the "Advanced" menu and select "wipe cache" and "dalvik cache"
  9. Go back to the main recovery screen and select "Install zip from SD card". Then, browse and select the AOKP zip file
  10. Return to the main CWM screen and select "Install zip from SD card" again. This time around, browse for the Google apps zip
  11. After both files have been installed, select "+++Go Back+++" and then select "Reboot system now"

NOTE: The first time you restart your smartphone after the flashing process, you will notice that the reboot takes longer than usual. That's normal. However, if the phone does not fully restart after 10 minutes, or if it's boot looping, then the ROM has not been applied successfully. Redo the entire guide and make sure you haven't skipped any steps (especially the factory reset-related ones)

NOTE: You can easily return to your previous ROM, using the NANDROID backup. Simply reboot in CWM recovery, and select "backup & restore"

Cricket Samsung Galaxy S4 – Install Android 4.4 AOKP Custom ROM (nightly) Using TWRP Recovery:

  1. Visit this link to download the latest version of AOKP on your computer
  2. Download the Google apps zip file from this link
  3. Establish a connection between your smartphone and your computer via USB
  4. Copy the unzipped downloaded files onto your phone's storage
  5. When the files have been transferred, disconnect your SGS4 and turn it off
  6. You now have to enter TWRP recovery. Do so by pressing and holding the "Volume Down", "Power" and "Home" buttons at the same time
  7. First things first, create a NANDROID backup of your ROM. Tap "Backup", select the type of data to be saved, give the file a name and then swipe the "Swipe to Backup" button
  8. Now, apply a full factory reset. Tap "Wipe", and from the "Advanced" menu, you also need to select "wipe cache" and "Dalvik cache". Complete the operation by swiping the "Swipe to wipe" button
  9. Go back to the main TWRP screen and select "Install"
  10. Load the AOKP file to install the ROM
  11. Select "Install" again and load the Google apps zip file as well
  12. Once both files have been installed, return to the main TWRP menu and select "Reboot"

NOTE: You will notice that your phone will stay longer than usual in the reboot screen. This is normal after applying a new ROM, and it will only happen once. However, if the process does not end in 10 minutes, or if your device keeps restarting, then something went wrong. You'll need to redo the entire guide while making sure that you haven't skipped any steps

NOTE: Assuming that you intend to return to your previous ROM, use the NANDROID backup to do so. Simply reboot in TWRP recovery, select "Restore" and load the desired backup file

› See More: Samsung Galaxy S4 Cricket: Install Android 4.4 AOKP Custom ROM – via CWM and TWRP Recovery