Update Your Galaxy S4 to Android 5.1.1, Sony Reports New Update to Release Soon on Their Z3 and Z2 Series, And More

With most of the latest Android devices getting updated to Android 5.1.1, a lot of old devices are being left out. However, if you own a Samsung Galaxy S4, there is a way to update your device to Android 5.1.1.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 3G users can make this update possible with the help of crDroid Custom ROM.  There are many new features which have been introduced with the help of this ROM. These features are:-

  • Do not disturb
  • Power menu and notifications tiles
  • Blacklisting of calls and text messages
  • Navigation bar on/off
  • Omni-ambient display
  • Vibrate on tiles touch
  • Swipe behavior
  • Ad blocker
  • Superuser indicator
  • Clear recent locations
  • Heads-up customization
  • Quick access button on expanded status bar

Before you start flashing your device with crDroid Android 5.1.1 Custom ROM on Samsung Galaxy S4M you need to follow a series of steps. Firstly, this custom ROM version should be installed only on the GT-I9500 variant of the Galaxy S4.

The smartphone should be rooted before you flash the custom ROM. Keep in mind that the USB drivers should be installed in your computer so that the smartphone is immediately detected.

The battery must have at least 80% of charge before you start flashing it. Also, keep in mind that installation of custom ROM will void the warranty of your device; however, you can flash stock-ROM so as to restore warranty.

The readers are advised to proceed at their own risk and Day Herald shouldn’t be held responsible for any damages to the device during custom ROM installation.

In the first step, you need to download Android 5.1.1 crDroid ROM and the necessary Google Apps for your Galaxy Smartphone and install it in your PC. You need to connect the smartphone to your PC using the USB cable.

After this, you should copy the Google App zip files and crDroid Android 5.1.1 ROM zip to the Galaxy S4 SD Card. Make sure that these files are directly copied to SD Card root storage.

After this, you should switch off the smartphone and disconnect the USB cable from the PC. After this, the phone’s recovery mode should be turned on by holding Volume Up, Power and Home Buttons together. You should select wipe date/factory reset in the ClockworkMod Recovery.

In the Recovery mode, the power button should be used for all types of selections. Next, you should select wipe cache Partition and clear the cache memory. Use CWM Recovery and go to advanced, then choose wipe delvik cache.

This is an optional but a recommended step. You should move to the main recovery system and then choose ‘install zip from SD card’.

Select the crDroid Android 5.1.1 ROM Zip file and start the installation. Repeat similar steps for the Gapps zip file and install it as well. Once the installation is completed, navigate to +++++Go Back +++++ and reboot the smartphone using “reboot system now” from the recovery menu.

You device should take around 5 minutes to complete the booting process. In other news, Sony has promised to launch Android 5.1 series to its Xperia Z range of smartphones beginning from July. Xperia Blog revealed that a new firmware (build number: 23.4.A.0.546) will be released for Xperia Z2 and Z3 devices.

This is understood to be the latest 5.1.1 Lollipop software and has secured the necessary certifications from PTCRB. For those who are not aware, PTCRB is a forum for cellular operations that permits authorization certificate programmers for the different devices operating telecommunication bands in North America.

After issuing a statement confirming updates, the companies like Sony take a week or two before releasing the update.

As a result, devices like Xperia Z2 (D6502, D6503), Xperia Z2 Tablet (SGP521), Xperia Z3 (D6653), Xperia Z3 Dual (D6633), Xperia Z3 Compact (D5803, D5833) and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact (SGP621, SGP641) will get the additional update by end of July or early the beginning of August.

The Android 5.1.1 Update for Sony brings several improvements like improved Android ART Runtime which makes applications open faster than before.