Looking to revamp your Galaxy S4 with the latest and great Android OS? Tried TouchWiz Lollipop and disappointed?
Well, if you are in town for the latest Android 5.1.1, you can grab the latest CM12.1 ROM for your Galaxy S4.
For GT-i9505, T-Mobile SGH-M919, Verizon SCH-i545, and Canadian SGH-i337M, you will be able to enjoy the full Android 5.1.1 CM12.1 ROM. For AT&T and Sprint S4, you can try the CM12.1 with Android 5.1 ROM as fully-compatible Android 5.1.1 version is not out yet (but still almost identical). For GT-i9500, try Euphoria OS ROM instead!
With latest Android 5.1.1/5.1 brings a ton of performance improvements. One of the biggest improvements I saw was with battery life, you can expect much longer battery life and I found my phone didn’t heat up as much when playing games for long time. There are many other improvements to performance and overall OS so this is definitely worth the upgrade.
Also with latest Lollipop, you will be able to use your 32GB+ microSD cards as it now has full exFat support unlike KitKat AOSP ROMs. So, definitely check it out this week(end) and do let me know what you think!
Download:
Download CM12.1 Android 5.1.1 ROM for GT-i9505, T-Mobile SGH-M919, and Canadian SGH-i337M
Download CM12.1 Android 5.1.1 ROM for Verizon SCH-i545
Download CM12.1 Android 5.1.1 ROM for AT&T SGH-i337 and Sprint SPH-L720
Download Android 5.1 Gapps (DO NOT USE older Gapp as you will FC!!!)
Make sure you are using CWM v.6.0.4.3 or higher to install Android 5.0+ Lollipop ROMs! Also you can use TWRP v2.6.3.3 or higher. You can update your CWM recovery using ROM Manager app on Play Store or TWRP Recovery using Goo Manager on Play Store. If having trouble, you can update manually, see our CWM/TWRP Recovery for Galaxy S4. For AT&T or Verizon with Loki, see How to Update with TWRP v2.8.4.0!
To install, reboot into recovery, make backup ROM, wipe data/factory reset, install ROM, install Gapps, install SuperSU, and reboot. (If for some reason you end up in a bootloop or get force-closed keyboard error on boot, reboot into CWM recovery, go to Mounts & Storage->format /system. For TWRP, go to Wipe->Advanced Wipe->Wipe /system.)
(First time installing custom ROM? See How to Install Custom ROM on Galaxy S4 first!)
Credits – CyanogenMod, XDA for AT&T/Sprint version
Extra MODs:
Want Flash Player? See How to Install Flash Player on Android Lollipop!
If you want some awesome audio, check out Viper4Audio FX MOD, which you can install on this ROM to enhance your music 100%.
If you want to run your apps in tablet/hybrid/custom DPI mode, see our Xposed App Settings guide.
Need to run apps that check for root? Check out How to Run Apps that’s don’t run on rooted Android!
If you want PIE Controls, see our LMT Pie Control guide.
Missing root? See How to Enable Root on CM12.1!
Q&A:
Q: My 3G/4G LTE data is not working!!!
A: See How to Fix 3G/4G LTE data by Manually Setting APN on Android!
Q: I have no Play Store!
A: Make sure you install Gapps zip file in TWRP or CWM Recovery!!! Download link in this post above.
Q: I have no Root!
A: For CM12.1 ROMs, see How to Enable Root on CM12.1!
What is a Custom ROM?
A custom ROM is a custom, modified operating system that you can install on your Android device. Basically it's like installing Windows OS on a Macbook. By installing a custom ROM, you can bypass stock factory settings like locked hotspot tether, install new Android versions early, or even convert your phone into another OS.
With a custom ROM, you can really maximize the capabilities of your smartphone by adding custom features that have been developed by open source developers.
How to Install Custom ROMs
First, you will need to root your device, if it is not rooted yet, follow our root tutorial and root your phone.
Once rooted, you should have TWRP installed on your phone. Installation of a custom ROM is easy if you learn the basic of it. If you don't know how to install custom ROMs using TWRP recovery, see our tutorial on How to Install Custom ROM using TWRP!
I really wish someone would have warned me about the utterly worthless version of the Galaxy S-4 Active that AT&T was promoting when I bought mine. This piece of crap, SGH-I537 is a solid phone, works well but is a bastard child of Samsung that NO ONE wants to support with anything.
I will be upgrading to the S6, standard model, no bullcrap waterproofing unless I can talk my son-in-law into giving me his S5, vanilla model so I can root it and enjoy the options only rooting provides.
I’d even keep an S4 if I could find one but no one in their right mind will trade me a piece of crap Active for a vanilla S4.
Why in the world would anyone make an abomination like the I537?
Only thing I’ve found not working is folders once you have made one on the home screen
Tap to open it or add a mame for it and its blank .
But for a mainly stable ROM that’s an acceptable issue
Thanks max for what you do it males life a bit more easy for some of us not do tech savy
It’s a very good room. Battery life has improved a lot and overall the phone works very good. Thanks man
I am not sure what i am doing wrong but after flashing the ROM [and GAPPS] my phone keeps on booting in to Recovery Mode.
I have a Verizon S4, running SafeStap 3.72 and HyperDrive RLS20 (the ROM shouldn’t matter since I am wiping the system and data regardless).
I am wiping the system, cache, data and dalvik. Then installing the ROM then [without restarting] flashing GAPPS for 5.1. All file were obtained from the above links.
Any help would be helpful.
Thank you!
Update: After a lot of sweat and some tears found out that SafeStap doesn’t work on CM ROMs.
Gapps doesn’t work for this rom. I am truly disappointed!
It installed, but none of the listed Gapps work. I tried for hours wiping and formatting. What is up with that? I have never had any problems with your featured roms.
try install with CWM, i have the same issue with TWRP, but now works fine ! 🙂
How do you install gapps mine is not working :(( pls help
The camera crashes!!!
I really need some clarification.
I have a verizon S4, currently running safestrap. I understand that CM cannot be used with Safestrap. What I am confused about is wether or not I am able to install the CWM or TWRP instead of Safestrap?
Thanks.
Verizon locks their bootloaders so users with Verizon phones essentially would be unable to install any custom ROMs. However, SafeStap is a workaround. It is like a second bootloader after the first one. With this we are able to install custom ROMs and other things.
You are unable to install CWM since you need an UNLOCKED bootloader.
I am not sure about TWRP. However, I am under the assumption that SafeStap uses TWRP since in my SafeStap bootloader on the top right it has the words “TWRP” and then numbers next to it indicating the version number.
Hope that helps!
Thanks Josh. My safestrap says TWRP 2.7.0.0 at the top. I am assuming that you are correct about safestrap. My curiosity still remains about how to run Cyanogenmod on my Verizon S4. It seems that it’s capable of being done but people are reporting that you cannot use Safestrap.
So, so I need to ditch Safestrap and use TWRP (Is this even possible on Verizon phones?)
There is so many variables, this gets confusing.
replying again to be able to follow the responses
Hi Guys, Im Having some troubles with the rom :/
My Device: Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-i9505 LTE
So To Start I Did All The Steps As Shown But When My System Restarts, Then The cm Boot Animation Starts (for 10mins) after that part Then i Get A Screen That Says “Android Is Runnig” & “veriefying apps” after that it restart again and won’t boot :/
Try formatting system and reinstall ROM but do not install gapps, once your phone boots, reboot into recovery and install gapps then boot. That should make it boot.
eyyx- Mine is doing the same thing. Did this resolve your issues?
maxx hice todos los pasos a seguir y sigue igual las g apps no sirven y despues de arrancar se pega.
So just a question, not that big of a deal really. I have the SGH-I1337M and used this link from above Download CM12.1 Android 5.1.1 ROM for GT-i9505, T-Mobile SGH-M919, and Canadian SGH-i337M. Wiped and flashed as per normal and installed Gapps, all no problem and working well but have noticed to things. Cant seem to find a way to change storage location for the camera and under “About Phone” it now lists my device as a GT-I9505. Wondered why this is, thanks!
How did you get gapps working? I’m on the same phone as you but when I installed cm12.1 the romantic worked but I couldn’t find the proper gapps
Hello, I just installed this rom on my Sprint S-4 (SPH-L720) and it seemed to install correctly. However, when I try to boot my phone up, it just stays on the blue symbol, and nothing else happens.
Evertime I installed CyanogenMod, I always have a problem. I have a Chevy Cruze and when I connect my Galaxy S4 to the car. I can’t use the voice control. It tries to dial and then it fails. I installed google play edition and everything works. My car dials the number. Every edition of CyanogenMod I have ever installed., fails in my car. The Bluetooth connects, but I can’t ever voice dial. Google play edition does
After install on my S4, I get the Google Play has Stopped error and cannot make it past the error to even get to app settings. Any ideas?
After install on my S4, I get the Google Play has Stopped error and cannot make it past the error to even get to app settings. Any ideas? Please help!
Reason for gapps FC is that when u flash rom and gapps either your cwm/twrp is not updated.
Has anyone flashed this rom on a SPH-L720T (T as in TriBand for Sprint SPARK Models of the Samsung Galaxy S4) ? I read on other forums that flashing a SPH-720 ROM to a SPH-720T device will still be fully functional but without SPARK, is that true for this ROM? I am trying to help my father with his NOT-rooted TriBand phone in regards to getting hot and battery suffering in terms of runtime as a result with RAM usage getting as high as 1.6 GB and then gets down to 1.05 GB after force quitting all applications. There is way too many bloatware that came with this phone that cannot be removed (without rooting) thats simply a resource hog. After installing this ROM on my Non-TriBand Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 SPH-L720 I noticed an immediate improvement over the stock 4.4.2 ROM I used to have and battery seems to last over 50% longer too, RAM usage went down from the previous absolute minimum of 882 MB when I was at stock 4.4.2 to 650 MB on the new 5.1.1 ROM. I am pretty sure this will resolve my father’s phone performance issue only if I can confirm that this ROM will work fine on the TriBand SPARK model, I dont care if SPARK is lost, as long as the phone can make and receive calls, run his APPS and connect to the internet then all shall be good.
I have a rooted Sprint s4 with stock rom. I installed CM 12 using latest version of CWM and wiped everything prior and ended up stuck on the optimizing apps step. So I went back to stock and re-rooted then tired installing TWRP and it would get stuck booting into recovery. So now I’m flashing stock again and need to know what I’m doing wrong? Thanks
ROM working great, links to files are great; using the 5.1 Gapps link provided makes all the difference. Only issue I have and it seems from other forum post, to be a 5.1 issue the exchange service isn’t working correctly. Emails send and receive just fine, only thing is I get a error message saying its not working. I’ve read that a fix is possible via returning to KK exchange but the steps are had for me to follow and require multiply different sources. Max a simple walkthrough and links the to files would be a great help, just a thought..
Thanks, the YouTube channel is great.
my phone stuck on boot only..plz help l720..
it was on 4.1.2
Hello
I was able to flash rom and gapps but when I reboot the phone I get the Google Play has stopped error and the Theme has stopped error. What can I do?
Thank Yopu!
Does this ROM work with Safestrap? I have the cursed SGH-i337.
My headache is now gone. Using CM12.1 L. Was having boot loop issue with Galaxy S4 sch-i545 verizon phone. (Wipe->Advanced Wipe->Wipe /system) with TWRP was the solution. Didn’t have to install su, had it with CM11. Went to developer options/app access to root. Opened su, asked for root permission, rebooted, good to go!!! Thx!
Hi,
This version is horrible. It restarts randomly and every reboot it makes optimization to all the applications (about 140 apps) and it heats the phone to death (and takes about 10-15 min to boot).
Also, its randomly says there is “no service” and a lot of time I have no signal.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO DOWNGRADE FROM THAT VERSION BACK TO 4.4?
Thanks a lot!
Flashed to my sprint 720, was working great till the latest update. Now Wifi & 3G/4G data doesnt work. Is there a fix for this?
GApps not working at all. tried everything. im trying to run it on a T-Mobile SGH-M919.. just force closes right from boot up. please help!!!
Flashed this on my SGH-I337 and it works quite well. So far the only problems I’ve seen are that the stock texting app doesn’t send MMS, and youtube rebooted my phone once for no reason (Only happened once though). Get Textra if you want a better texting app that works well.
I have a question though, albeit a dumb one: How do I update the rom? It keeps telling me there’s an update available (which I’ve downloaded), but do I have to flash that too? do I lose all my data? Any advice/help would be great thanks.
after flash cm12.1 rom my galaxy works good but my wifi connection doesn’t work. it’s always say failure to connect. what can i do to fix this bugs??
wifi not working? what can i do to fix?
Tried installing it using CWM on my Fido(Rogers) i337m GS4 and ended up in a bootloop.
Tried everything, repartition, flash stock rom, I can’t even get into recovery mode, any help?
I can get into recovery, but the System won’t boot. This really sucks. I don’t know what to do.
I followed your instructions to the letter and my phone is bricked at the startup screen where it shows Samsung Galaxy S4. What should I do?
solo instala la rom sin G APPS
This was my first time rooting a phone and learning about clearing partitions, etc. I was able to root, install CWM, and flash the CM12.1 ROM for my Galaxy s4, but I cannot get any of the GApps on my device. I’ve cleaned and wiped and loaded from my SD cards for all of a day with different versions of the GApps, but I can’t get it. CM load ups fine, everytime, but not GApps. Any assistance or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, i ´ve rooted and installed cyanogen 12.1 on my S4 Sprint, but ia have a problem.. the phone calls doesnt worked, i could call and send/receive sms but i couldnt receive any calls. So, i though it was a problem with the rom, so i tried to install a Nightly.. and this is where the real problem began: i couldnt install the nightly at first, so i enter the recovery and made a factory reset and wiped all the data. At this point i was able to install the nightly, it runs ok but i have no Signal in the phone.. ( it says no service) my phone it´s a Sprint S4 and im using it in Argentina but i have it unlocked. I think maybe with the factory reset I undo the unlock.. but now i cant make it work again. Could anyone help me with this please?
I’ve been looking for a fix for incoming calls the last 3 months and i can’t find nothing either. Have tried different modems and builds too.
I live in México and have a s4 sprint gsm unlocked. Seems like calls just work with sprint on USA.