How To Install Android 5.0 Lollipop-Based CM12 Custom ROM For Galaxy S5

Samsung is yet to roll out the Android 5.0 Lollipop but users of the Galaxy S5 can have the Lollipop experience on their devices with the help of a new custom ROM.

An XDA Developers forum member, who goes by the name of albinoman887, has released the CM12, or CyanogenMod 12, custom ROM for the Samsung Galaxy S5. The ROM is based on stock Android user interface, with additional features and options.

According to the CyanogenMod team, the CM12 ROM is not a final version, and so it lacks some popular features found in other CM builds. In addition, the ROM could also have some performance-related issues that developers are expected to resolve in upcoming updates, The Android Soul reported.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is expected to receive the official Android 5.0 Lollipop update in December 2014, while the carrier-branded variants of the device are likely to receive the update in January 2015.

The new CM12custom ROM is not an official release by Samsung, so users will need to root their device before flashing the firmware. The device is also required to have custom recovery, such as ClockworkMod, to flash the ROM.

Here are some points to remember before installing the custom ROM:

• Users must ensure proper backup of personal data on the phone
• The handset should have at least 80 percent battery power
• USB drivers for the Galaxy S5 must be installed on the computer
• USB debugging must be enabled on the phone
• Make sure that the device is a Samsung Galaxy S5 with a Qualcomm CPU

Note: International Business Times cannot be held responsible if anything goes wrong. Users should proceed at their own risk.

Step 1: Download CM12 for Galaxy S5 -- Mirror 1, Mirror 2. File name is cm-12-xxx-UNOFFICIAL-klte.zip.

Step 2: Download Google Apps on to the computer. File name is gapps-lp-201411xx-signed.zip.

Step 3: Connect the phone to the computer, and transfer the CM12 ROM file and Gapps package file to the device’s internal storage and remember the location where the files are saved.

Step 4: Enter the recovery mode by pressing and holding volume up, home and power buttons simultaneously.

Step 5: Once the phone is in the recovery mode, perform a factory reset by selecting “wipe data/factory reset.”

Step 6: Now, return to the recovery menu and select Install.

Step 7: Use the volume keys to navigate to the CM12 ROM’s zip file and select it.

Step 8: Repeat the previous step for the Google Apps and install it on the handset.

Step 9: After the installation is finished, go back to recovery’s Main menu and select “reboot system now.”

The Galaxy S5 will restart automatically and will run on CM12 custom ROM based on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

[Source: The Android Soul]