How to Install Benghazi Android 5.1.1 Lollipop Custom ROM on Samsung Galaxy Note 2 [Tutorial]

A new Android custom ROM has been made available to Samsung Galaxy Note 2 3G (GT-N7100) model.

This new firmware is created by software developer community, Benghazi. It is based on the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) 5.1.1 Lollipop, which is currently being released to the Google Nexus devices.

It is around 260MB in size and brings lot of bug fixes, performance enhancing tweaks, improvements in battery-life and numerous customisation options which include --

• App Circle sidebar
• Apps to CD
• Custom Notifications LED lights
• Recent Panel settings
• 4-Way reboot
• Lockscreen shortcuts
• Double tap to lock the screens
• Gesture anywhere feature
• Inbuilt file manager from OmniROM
• New Screen recorder
• Privacy options
• Beats audio
• Guest user option
• HD True Color without any missed colours
• Weather app at Notification panel
• Battery bar
• Lantern Music player
• Captive portal, CyanogenMod Theme engine and many more improvements to enhance user-experience

Prerequisites (things to remember before installing Custom ROM)

• This new Benghazi Android 5.1 Lollipop custom ROM has to be installed on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 (Exynos chipset) 3G model only; if tried on other devices, it might get bricked [To check your device model: Go to Settings >> About phone >> model number]
• Make sure the device is rooted before going forward for custom ROM installation.
• Installation of custom ROM requires clearing of memory in the smartphone, so make sure to back all the data by installing Clockwork Mod (CWM) Recovery/ TWRP in the smartphone.
• Make sute to install USB drivers on the PC, or else your smartphone (Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100) will not be recognised by the computer.
• Make sure your device has more than 80% battery, or else there is chance of smartphone getting temporarily bricked if the installation process is interrupted mid-way.
• Though installing custom ROM improves the device's performance and UI experiences, it makes the company warranty void and they will no longer be liable to provide updates in future [users can restore warranty by flashing the device with stock-ROM].

[Disclaimer: This procedure is very technical and should be performed by a person with sound knowledge of rooting (or manual software installation) Android devices. If the step-by-step installation process is not followed properly, there are chances of the smartphone getting bricked or being permanently irreparable. International Business Times, India Edition cannot be held responsible for any damage or claims from readers if the procedure does not yield the required results or if the smartphone is bricked. Hence, users are advised to proceed with caution.]

Tutorial- Step-by-step installation guide of Benghazi Android v5.1.1 Lollipop Custom ROM for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100:

Step 1: Download Benghazi Android v5.1.1 Lollipop custom ROM (HERE) and Google Apps (HERE) in to your PC.

Step 2: Connect Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to PC via USB cord.

[Note: Before plugging the phone to the computer, be sure that you have installed USB driver software, if not, click HERE to download the firmware]

Step 3: Place Android 5.1.1 Lollipop custom ROM zip file and Google Apps .zip file into the phone's SD card memory. [Note: Users are advised to paste the .zip file in SD card root, not in any other folder.]

[Note: Before users' begin installing the custom software, be sure that the device must have rooted and has installed ClockworkMod Recovery/TWRP tool.]

Step 4: Now, turn off the device and disconnect from the PC.

Step 5: Perform the regular Recovery Mode sortie by press holding 'Volume (up)', 'Home' and 'Power' buttons.

Step 6: After entering the RECOVERY mode, clear the phone memory, by choosing 'wipe data/factory reset'

[Note: use 'Volume' keys to navigate and 'Power' button to select options, while operating under Recovery Mode]

Step 7: Now, clear the cache memory by selecting 'wipe cache partition'

Step 8: Then to go back to ClockworkMod recovery, and select 'advanced' and tap 'wipe dalvik cache' [Note: This step is optional, but many recommend this procedure so that user will not face boot loops or any other errors in the middle of custom ROM installation]

Step 9: Come back to main recovery screen and then tap 'install zip from SD card'

Step 10: Tap 'choose zip from sdcard' and go to Android 5.1 Lollipop ROM .zip file in SD card and enter the installation process. Repeat the same procedure again to install the Google Apps. [Note: use 'Volume' keys to navigate and 'Power' button to select options]

Step 11: Once done with the installation process, navigate to '+++++Go Back+++++' and re-start the device by opting 'reboot system now' seen in the recovery menu.

Now your device (Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100) will take a few minutes to complete the booting process.

Head to Settings >> select 'About phone' to confirm the installation of Benghazi Android 5.1.1 Lollipop custom ROM.

[Credits: Team Android]