Android 5.1 Lollipop is rolling out for most of the latest Samsung devices now a days but the company is unlikely to release any official Lollipop updates for the ageing 2nd Gen device anytime soon. It doesn’t matter if you have Samsung Galaxy Note 2, users having Galaxy Note 2 are in for some great news that this device can now taste the sweetness of Lollipop. As Samsung has not yet released the official build for the Note 2 but thanks to the custom ROM developers for providing the latest Android OS versions with custom ROMs ahead of official releases. Ivan_Meler (XDA Developers Senior Member) brings the latest CyanogenMod 12.1 based Android 5.1 Lollipop ROM for Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100).
This CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM is based on the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop, if you are interested to get this custom ROM on your device then follow the given instructions to install Android 5.1 CyanogenMod 12.1 custom Lollipop ROM on your Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100). Keep in mind that this is just a custom ROM which is not officially released by Samsung, thus you’ll need to have a custom recovery like CWM or TWRP already installed on your Galaxy Note 2 in order to flash the CM12.1 ROM and Google Apps Package zipped files.
image credit: forum.xda-developers.com
We’ve given the list of working features for the latest custom ROM from the popular CyanogenMod based on Android 5.1 Lollipop.
Android 5.1 Lollipop CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM Features:
- OpenGL (CPU rendering)
- MALI blobs (GPU rendering)
- HWComposer and MALI R3P2 drivers
- Rotation
- Camera
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- NFC (Android Beam)
- Sensors (ALL!)
- Internal / External SD Card
- Vibration
- Home Button wake
- Simlock
- RIL
- GPS
- Signal Icon
- Soft Keyboard on first boot
- Mouse pointer
- H/W Video playback
image credit: forum.xda-developers.com
Note:
This guide containing the CyanogenMod 12.1 custom firmware and instructions are working only with the Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 (International Variant). Check the model number of your Note 2, if it is GT-N7100 then proceed to the installation guide, otherwise not. You can verify the model number of the device from Settings > About Phone.
Warning:
AndroidXDA.net will not be held responsible for any kind of damage occurred to your Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 during or after the installation of Android 5.1 Lollipop with unofficial CM12.1 custom ROM. Proceed at your own risk.
Before Getting Started:
- Create a proper backup of all your existing data and settings on the phone before proceeding to the installation guide using a recommended custom recovery.
- Enable USB Debugging Mode on the Galaxy Note 2 by navigating to Settings > Developer Options.
- Verify that you’ve properly installed the Galaxy Note 2 USB Drivers on the PC.
- The Galaxy Note 2 should be rooted with the latest version of custom recovery like CWM or TWRP installed.
- The bootloader of your Note 2 must be unlocked.
- Make sure that the battery level of the Galaxy Note 2 is at least above 80% before going ahead.
Required Files:
- Download Android 5.1 based CyanogenMod 12.1 [unofficial] ROM [Mirror]
- Download Android 5.1 Google Apps
Steps to Update Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100) to Android 5.1 with CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM:
Step No 1:- First, download Android 5.1 CyanogenMod 12.1 custom ROM (cm-12.1-20150405-UNOFFICIAL-n7100.zip) for Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 on the desktop of the PC.
Step No 2:- Plug your device to the PC using its USB data cable and mount its USB memory storage.
Step No 3:- Transfer Android 5.1 CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM .zip file which you’ve already downloaded from the above link, to the root folder of your SD card on the phone.
Step No 4:- Unplug the Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 from the PC and power it OFF in order to boot into Recovery Mode.
Step No 5:- Power ON the device while pressing and holding Volume Up + Home + Power buttons at the same time to enter into Recovery Mode.
Step No 6:- While your device is now in CWM Recovery, perform wipe data/factory reset, wipe cache partition and wipe dalvik cache also by navigating to Advanced > Wipe Dalvik Cache.
Note:- wipe dalvik cache will help you to prevent boot loops and other errors while ROM installation.
Step No 7:- Go back to the main Recovery Menu and choose install zip from SD card → choose zip from sdcard.
Step No 8:- Navigate to the CM12.1 Android 5.1 Lollipop custom ROM .zip file which you’ve already transferred to the SD card of your device previously. Select the ROM .zip file using the Power button and confirm the installation to begin.
Step No 9:- Go to +++++Go Back+++++ once the installation is completed. From Recovery Menu, reboot your device by selecting reboot system now.
Your Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 will be rebooted and may take about 4 to 5 minutes to boot for the first time after installation.
Done! You’ve successfully updated Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7100) to the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop with CyanogenMod 12.1 ROM.
Let us know in the comments area below if you have any query or trouble while installing this CM12.1 custom firmware featuring Android 5.1 Lollipop on your Galaxy Note 2.