The virtual ink had only just dried on
our guide to installing CyanogenMod when Google dismissed the official
app from the Play Store.
The virtual ink had only just dried on our guide to installing
CyanogenMod when Google dismissed the official app from the Play Store,
much to the dismay of modders and hackers. A vibrant customisation
community has grown up alongside Android, with CyanogenMod at the
forefront -- this alternative, open source variant of Google's mobile
operating system comes with a stack of extra features and gives you more
control over what you can do with your device.
The official CyanogenMod app made the install process easier than
ever before, guiding you step-by-step through the procedure. Google
didn't like it because it voids the warranty of your handset in most
cases, and there's no easy way to reverse the changes if you have second
thoughts. While you don't have to root your device to install
CyanogenMod, it is a complete Android replacement, and in installing it you'll be wiping everything that's already on your phone or tablet (including apps, music, movies, photos and the original operating system).
So, where does this leave you if you're keen to give
CyanogenMod a try? Well, the accompanying Windows installer is still
present and correct, and instead of downloading the official app from
Google Play you'll need to sideload it instead. We've outlined the
process below, together with screenshots from the official CyanogenMod
app.
Getting started
To begin with, you're going to need one of the supported devices
listed on the CyanogenMod wiki. Most Nexus and Samsung Galaxy devices
are supported, as is the HTC One (I made use of a Galaxy Note 2 in this particular guide). You'll also need a USB
cable, the newer the better -- the one supplied with your device should
do fine.
To sideload the CyanogenMod app, head to the Security section
of the Settings app and tick the "Unknown sources" box under the Device
Administration heading. This gives you permission to install apps from
outside the Play Store. The setting may be hidden or located somewhere
else if you're not using Android KitKat 4.4 -- do a quick Google search for your device and Android version if you're having problems finding the unknown sources option.
Next, download the Android app by visiting http://get.cm/app
on your phone or tablet, or by scanning the QR code on the install page
on the CyanogenMod website. You could also download it to your PC and
transfer it over using something like Dropbox. Run the file from your
Downloads folder, then tap "Install" and "Open" to get it set up.
The app points out a couple of settings you need to change to
enable the CyanogenMod installation process to run smoothly and installs
the Android Debug Bridge to enable you to take complete control over
your device.
You may see one or two warning messages as you go, which you
can safely dismiss. By switching on the USB debugging mode you're giving
the CyanogenMod Windows installer permission to make advanced changes
to your device in order to set up a fresh operating system. Depending on
your device, you may need to activate the developer options first.
When you've configured your device as instructed, you'll be
met with a confirmation message that tells you to continue the
installation using a Windows computer. Head over to the CyanogenMod
Installer website to download and run the Windows installer.
Windows setup
The Windows installer is just as straightforward to use as the
Android app. After a few moments housekeeping, you'll be prompted to
connect up your device -- use the USB cable that came with it or another
good-quality alternative. Using an older, unreliable cable can cause
problems with the installation process.
Plug in your Android device when you're asked to, and the
installation proceeds automatically. The installer downloads the latest
version of CyanogenMod and applies it to your device, wiping everything
on the phone or tablet in the process. Keep your eye on the screen for
any error messages or prompts.
You'll see the Android robot and the CyanogenMod alien a few
times as your device sorts itself out and the necessary software is
installed. The process only took a few minutes to complete on our Note
2, so you shouldn't have too long to wait. When everything is set up and
ready to go, you'll see a confirmation message in Windows.
Once CyanogenMod has installed itself and rebooted, you can
then safely unplug the device from the computer and enjoy your new
operating system. You'll notice CyanogenMod looks like Android Jelly
Bean (work is already underway on a KitKat version), but there are
plenty of changes under the hood -- more audio formats, native theming
capabilities, CPU overlocking tools and support for USB, Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth tethering. Dive into the CyanogenMod wiki to read more about
the operating system.
Troubleshooting
If you run into issues, make sure you've followed the Android app
instructions to the letter, and that your device is in the official list
of supported hardware. If you see a "We couldn't talk to your phone"
message, try using a different USB cable or a different USB port.
Rebooting your computer or your phone can also help to resolve the
issue, as can disabling your antivirus software for the duration of the
installation process.
If you continue to experience problems on Samsung devices, you
can try manually installing the Download Mode driver that lets you get
CyanogenMod on your device -- full instructions can be found in the troubleshooting section of the installer wiki.
I saw one error message, which disappeared after switching USB ports
and rebooting my PC, so don't be discouraged if the installation doesn't
go through first time around.
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