Sony Xperia Z1 during it's world premier at the IFA consumer electronics fair, 2013
Sony Corp's President and Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai presents a new Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone during it's world premier at the IFA consumer electronics fair in Berlin, September 4, 2013.Reuters

A new version of CyanogenMod Android v4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M11 custom ROM has been released to Sony's flagship smartphone Xperia Z1 aka Honami.

The new CM11 M11 series custom ROM is around 261 MB in size and based on the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) v4.4.4 KitKat OS. It is said to bring in bug fixes, customisation options to boost device performance, new visual interface, shortcut for easy access to key apps and loads of personalisation options such as-

  • Frameworks: Add base & MSIM APIs for SEEK (Secure Element Evaluation Kit) support
  • Frameworks: Fix volume button changing two 'steps' per click
  • Frameworks: Add 'Screen Off' action for double-tap/long-press configuration options
  • Frameworks & Core Apps: CAF and other upstream updates
  • Show devices connected to your Wi-Fi (tethering) Hotspot
  • Fixes signal strength showing '2147483647′ on certain devices
  • Fixes bug related to 'switch to last app' action while in Recent view
  • Fixes Navigation Bar arrow keys in RTL locales
  • Various security updates
  • General bug fixes
  • Dialer/InCallUI: Fixes smartcover always showing answer fragment
  • Adjustments to 'Glove Mode' (High Touch Sensitivity)
  • Camera: Adds support for all available Slow Shutter speeds (hardware dependent); Improve shutter button
  • APN Updates for various regions
  • Translations updates from CyanogenMod CrowdIn team
  • Lockscreen: Do not play sounds while a phone call is active & MSIM updates
  • Performance tweaks and many more improvements to enhance user-experience

Prerequisites (things to remember before installing Custom ROM)

  • 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].
  • Make sure the device is rooted before going forward for custom ROM installation.
  • This new CyanogenMod Android 4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M11 firmware has to be installed on the Sony Xperia Z1 (aka Honami) model only; if tried on other devices, it might get bricked [To check your device model: Go to Settings >> About phone >> model number]
  • 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.
  • Users make sure they have installed USB drivers on the PC, or else your device (Sony Xperia Z1) will not be recognized by the computer.
  • Make sure your device has more than 80 percent battery, or else there is chance of smartphone getting temporarily bricked if the installation process is interrupted in the mid-way.

[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.]

Step-by-step installation guide of CyanogenMod Android v4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M11 Custom ROM for Sony Xperia Z1:

Step 1: Download CyanogenMod Android v4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M11 Custom ROM (HERE) and Google Apps (HERE) in to your PC.

Step 2: Connect Sony Xperia Z Ultra 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: Then, place Android v4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M11 Custom ROM 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: Then 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'

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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: Again come back to main recovery screen and then tap 'install zip from SD card'

Step 10: Then tap 'choose zip from sdcard' and go to Android 4.4.4 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 (Sony Xperia Z1) will take a few minutes to complete the booting process.

Head to Settings >> select About phone to confirm the installation of CyanogenMod Android v4.4.4 KitKat CM11 M11 custom ROM.

[Credits: CyanogenMod.org]