Samsung Galaxy Note 3
A man talks on his mobile phone near advertisements promoting the Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Note 3 at the company's headquarters in Seoul October 21, 2013. Picture taken October 21, 2013. REUTERS/Kim Hong-JiReuters

A new custom firmware Android 4.4.2 KitKat CRASH ROM has been made available to the 2013 flagship model- Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N900.

The custom firmware (CRASH ROM) is said to be based on v4.4.2 KitKat OS and comes with lots of customization options like-

  • Call recording
  • Disable option for Camera shutter sound
  • Flashlight option (users have to press Volume up button)
  • Bypass exchange lock-check option
  • More notification panel customization options
  • Four ways reboot option (Reboot, Recovery, Hotboot and download)
  • White Circle battery
  • Dark themed multi-window option
  • Adds of 'Exit' button option in the browser
  • Default hidden SMS log option
  • Performance tweaks and many more improvements to enhance user-experience

Prerequisites (things to remember before installing Custom ROM in to the device):

  • Though installing custom ROM improve 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].
  • This custom firmware (CRASH ROM) has to be installed on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N900; 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 whole data in the smartphone, so make sure to back up 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 smartphone (Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N900) 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.

[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 procedure of Android 4.4.2 KitKat CRASH ROM for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N900:

Step 1: Download Android 4.4.2 KitKat CRASH ROM (here) in to your PC.

Step 2: Connect Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N900 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 4.4.2 KitKat 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 installing the custom software, be sure that the device must have been rooted and has installed ClockworkMod Recovery 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, perform full data wipe, 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]

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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 4.4.2 ROM .zip file in SD card and enter the installation process. [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 3 N900) will take at a few minutes (only for the first time) to complete the booting process.

Users then head to Settings >> select About phone to confirm the installation of Android 4.4.2 KitKat CRASH ROM.

[Credits: Team Android]