Update Verizon HTC Droid DNA to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop with CM12 custom ROM

by Alex · December 29, 2014

CM12 has been released for Verizon HTC Droid DNA, though until now the firmware wasn’t stable enough for a daily use. But, thanks to those of xda-developers we now have a stable and smooth Android 5.0.2 Lollipop firmware that can safely embrace the HTC Droid DNA in form of CyanogenMod custom ROM.

Updating your Verizon HTC Droid DNA with CM 12 is not hard, though you should be careful. The update process is not official and you need to follow a manual flashing process as CM12 can’t be OTA installed. Why? Basically because CM 12 is a custom ROM that is only based on stock Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OS. The ROM is not provided by HTC or Verizon so there isn’t an OTA release available.

Since the update isn’t official, if you choose to update your HTC Droid DNA with CM 12, then you need to know that the warranty of your smartphone will get void. That means you can’t restore your phone back to Verizon if something bad happens – this is a complex and risky operation and you can end up in bricking your Android device if you mess things up.

Now, as already mentioned, this version of Android 5.0.2 Lollipop firmware is stable enough for a daily use. In fact, according to those who have already flashed CM12, the ROM is smoothly running on the Verizon HTC Droid DNA. There are no bugs or other software related issues and all the CyanogenMod features are working without further problems. Of course, with these features you can tweak your smartphone and you can improve the general performances – once CM 12 is added, you can bump the speeds, improve battery life and customize the Lollipop experience from your HTC Droid DNA.

For being able to install CM12 on your Droid DNA, first you will have to root your phone. Root access is a must because a custom ROM can be updated only on an unchained Android system. The CM 12 update comes as a .zip package. This file can be installed only by using a custom recovery image, so you must install a custom recovery image, like CWM or TWRP recovery on your Verizon Droid DNA before trying CyanogenMod platform. Don’t skip these processes as that’s the only way in which you can prepare your phone for the update process that will follow.

Backup your data because everythin that’s saved on the internal storage of your DNA will be eventually wiped out – a wipe is applied during the update operation. So, at this point you should use backup and restore software for saving everything that’s important for you including general and personal data, info and accounts and even the current ROM – maybe CM 12 will not be on your taste and you will want to restore the old Android OS on your Verizon Droid DNA.

A computer must be near you because you will have to download some files on the same. Moreover, you will also have to use your phone and your phone’s USB cable. Before starting the update process, on your computer search for security programs; then temporarily deactivate the security protection or else you might have different problems with your antivirus-like platforms. On your phone enable USB debugging; this option can be checked from path “menu -> settings -> developer options”. Charge your handset before doing anything else and apply the steps from below for installing CM12 Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OS only if you own the Verizon HTC Droid DNA – this tutorial is compatible only with the mentioned device.

How to Update Verizon HTC Droid DNA to Android 5.0.2 Lollipop with CM12 custom ROM Firmware

Navigate to this page and from there download the required files: the update package and Google Apps package.
Save these files on your computer and then establish a connection between your smartphone and your PC.
Place the update file and Google Apps package on your phone and in then end remove the USB connection.
Turn off your device and enter your HTC Droid DNA in recovery mode.
Use the recovery environment and select “wipe data factory reset”. Then choose “wipe cache partition” and “wipe dalvik cache”.
Up next, from main menu of recovery choose “install zip from SD card” and “choose zip from SD card”.
Select the CM 12 file and install Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OS on your Verizon HTC Droid DNA.
Repeat that step and add Google Apps package on your smartphone.
Wait until the process is completed and then reboot your phone.