Update Galaxy S3 I9300 to Android 5.1 Lollipop CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM

Android 5.1 Lollipop finally arrives on Galaxy S3 I9300, thanks to an unofficial release of CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM. It comes with all the working features as of CM12, and is still a work-in-progress release. So you should expect several bugs around in this ROM, but for those who haven’t yet experienced Lollipop, can give this custom firmware a try. If interested in Android 5.1 for other phones, check out our new Custom ROMs section. You can update Galaxy S3 I9300 to CyanogenMod 12.1 Android 5.1 Lollipop custom firmware using the tutorial below. This is not an official release by Samsung, but just a custom ROM which would require a custom recovery like ClockworkMod in order to flash the ROM zip file on your phone.

As you continue reading below, we will guide you through the entire process of how to install Android 5.1 Lollipop CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM on Galaxy S3 I9300 using CyanogenMod. Don’t forget to backup all your apps and personal data as a precaution. It is always better to make a backup before doing anything with your Android device. The following tips are important as they will help the installation procedure to go smooth without any issues. Let’s continue with the tutorial now.

CyanogenMod 12.1 Android 5.1 Lollipop ROM Features:

This amazing CyanogenMod 12.1 custom ROM comes with tons of new features and is based on Android 5.1 Lollipop. A quick list of the main features in CyanogenMod 12.1 is given below and we are sure you’d love to use this on your Galaxy S3 I9300:

• Android 5.1 Lollipop.
• Close to stock.
• Customisation features.

Complete Steps for Installation of Android 5.1 Lollipop CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM

We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide on how to install CyanogenMod 12.1 Android 5.1 Lollipop custom firmware on Galaxy S3 I9300. If you are used to installing custom ROMs on your Galaxy S3 I9300, then this should not be any different for you.

However, for beginners, you need to root your Samsung Galaxy S3 and install a custom recovery. Please Google that up if you are unsure and make sure you read the tutorial once before actually performing it on your device.

Also See: Gmail 5.0: Material Design from Android 5.0 Lollipop (Download APK)

Warning:

• This tutorial is only for installing CyanogenMod 12.1 Android 5.1 ROM on Samsung Galaxy S3 I9300. Please do not try on any other Galaxy S III variants.
• Your phone should be rooted and have ClockworkMod recovery installed from before.
• This tutorial will wipe out all your data. Proceed at your own risk.
• Perform a Dalvik Cache wipe before proceeding from the recovery mode.
• Samsung KIES will NOT detect your phone after installing this ROM because it is a custom firmware.
• Make sure you backup all your data in your phone before proceeding.

Procedure:

Step 1 - Download CyanogenMod 12.1 Android 5.1 ROM for Galaxy S III to your computer.

Step 2 - Connect and mount your Galaxy S3 USB memory on your computer using the USB cable.

Step 3 - Now copy/paste the downloaded Android 5.1 ROM zip file to your SD card. Make sure the file is in the SD card root (not in any folder).

Step 4 - Then turn OFF your phone and disconnect from the USB cable.

Step 5 - Now to get in the Recovery Mode. Switch ON the phone while pressing and holding Volume Up + Home + Power buttons together.

Step 6 - Once you are in ClockworkMod Recovery, select perform a full data wipe by selecting “wipe data/factory reset” as shown below. Use the Power button to select everything while in the Recovery Mode.

Step 7 - Then, perform a cache wipe by selecting “wipe cache partition” .

Step 8 - Now this is optional, but it is recommended to perform a wipe of your dalvik cache as well. You will not get into boot loops or any other errors. From CWM recovery, go to ‘advanced’ and then select “wipe dalvik cache”.

Step 9 - Then go back to the main recovery screen and select “install zip from SD card”.

Step 10 - Now select “choose zip from sdcard”. Using your volume keys, navigate to the Android 5.1 ROM zip file that you copied to your SD card and select it using the Power button. Confirm the installation on the next screen and the installation procedure should start now.

Step 11 - After the installation completes, go to “+++++Go Back+++++” and reboot the phone by selecting “reboot system now” from the recovery menu.

Your Galaxy S3 I9300 will boot now and it might take about 5 minutes to boot on your first time. So, please wait.

That’s it! Your Galaxy S3 should now have CyanogenMod 12.1 Android 5.1 Lollipop custom ROM installed on your phone! Go to Settings > About phone to verify.

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