Install CM12 Nightlies on Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A

by Alex · February 26, 2015

CM 12 Nightlies is the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop based custom ROM that has been released for the Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A. CyanogenMod is also one of the best custom ROMs that are available on the market, so if you want, you can now update your Galaxy S4 with a great and amazing Lollipop powered firmware.

Of course, complete this tutorial only if you are an advanced user; CM 12 is after all a custom ROM that isn’t related with Google or with Samsung – the ROM is developed by third party devs. Anyway, if you are used with these types of update operations, then you will be able to safely install CM12 Nightlies on your own Galaxy S4 LTE-A.

The Nightlies release of CM 12 is the official custom ROM developed and also offered by those of CyanogenMod. The firmware is installed with CM default features and with other great Lollipop apps and programs. In term of performances, now, with this Android 5.0 update you will be able to customize and optimize your SGS4 LTE-A by your own taste.

Anyhow, before choosing to complete this step by step guide, first ensure that CM12 platform is what you need for your device. As you know, there are also other custom updates available for your S4, so choose depending on your own expectations. You can check a proper versus tutorial between CM, AOKP and Paranoid Android at this page.

Now, if you have decided to flash Android 5.0 Lollipop through CM 12 Nightlies, then first root your Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A. The root access must be ensured because the update firmware will have to access, change or modify some in built features and programs. At the same time, the software is provided as a .zip file, which means that you have to install CM12 by using a custom recovery image – thus, replace the stock recovery with CWM, TWRP or any other custom recovery software.

Good; now these two operations are required for the update process that will follow. Since you are dealing with a manual installation process, there are also pre requisites to complete. You can learn how to properly prepare your Galaxy S4 LTE-A for the CM 12 Nightlies firmware by using our dedicated tutorial – do read everything from that guide if you want to safely apply all the guidelines from below.

As already mentioned, CM12 is an unofficial update that isn’t released by Samsung or by Google. Because of that, if you choose to complete this flashing process the warranty of your Galaxy S4 LTE-A will get void – you won’t be able to reclaim the warranty even if you will take your phone back to service (in fact, in that case, you will have to pay for any technical assistance).

Now, it is extremely important to backup your data as during the installation process, a wipe will be initiated – everything that’s stored on your phone will be then erased. So, just use cloud storage apps and other dedicated backup tools and save all of your personal data, info and accounts. Moreover, along with this general process, make a Nandroid backup and save the current ROM that powers your smartphone – if you will not like the CM 12 Nightlies Lollipop OS, then you will be able to downgrade back to stock software.

Well done; now it’s time to see how to properly add Lollipop on your S4 LTE-A.

How to Install CM12 Nightlies on Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A and Update to Android 5.0 Lollipop OS

From your computer access this page; from there download the CM 12 Nightlies file for your Galaxy S4 LTE-A.
Save this file on desktop but don’t unzip it.
Up next, connect your smartphone with your PC and place the same update package on your phone’s SD card.
Disconnect your devices and then enter recovery mode on your SGS4.
From recovery mode menu select “wipe data factory reset”.
Then choose “wipe cache partition”; in the end, pick “advance” and select “wipe dalvik cache”.
Now, go back to main menu of recovery and select “install zip from SD card” and “choose zip from SD card”.
Pick the CM12 firmware file and install Android 5.0 Lollipop OS on your Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE-A.
When done, from main menu of recovery select “reboot system now”.