Samsung offered an official Android firmware 4.4.2 for Samsung Galaxy SIII (AT&T i747, d2att) back in June last year. We haven't heard anything about the official Android 5 firmware yet. Having tested the official version of Cyanogenmod 12.1 for AT&T Samsung Galaxy s3, based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, I realized that I don’t want to go back. This is the fastest firmware I've ever had. A significant role in this can be played by the refusal virtual machine Dalvik in favor of ART.

Fortunately, the original Android code open (by at least, this applies to Android Open Source Project or AOSP), so you don't have to wait for updates from the manufacturer if enthusiasts have offered firmware for your device. Even the very popular Samsung Galaxy SIII (AT&T i747, d2att) was bypassed for a long time, not offering the official Cyanogenmod 12 firmware, although there were many unofficial Android 5 firmware on xda developers.

Although there are many different Android 5 firmware for AT&T Samsung Galaxy s3, I chose the official version CyanogenMod 12.1. I prefer to avoid even unofficial versions of CyanogenMod. Even the official one involves installing a new bootloader, modem, and Google Apps. Despite being open source, there is always a risk of catching malware. Therefore, of course, official firmware may be preferable. On the other side, official firmware is updated very rarely, so due to the presence of unpatched vulnerabilities, it may not be as secure when using the Internet on a smartphone.

I liked CyanogenMod 12.1 because when flashing, all applications were restored. True, I don’t know whether to thank the previous firmware CyanogenMod or Google for this, because... I used both options for synchronization. But it is Google that allows you to save a list of applications and, if desired, even their settings, so it is certainly synchronization with Google that helps restore applications. Although you have to log in to each application that requires logging in to your account again.

How to install Android 5.1 Lollipop (Cyanogenmod 12.1) firmware on Samsung Galaxy SIII (AT&T i747, d2att)

Warning: When flashing a phone, something can always go wrong. Use the firmware instructions below at your own risk.
As of May 26, 2015, Bluetooth may not work correctly on nightly builds of CyanogenMod 12.1. In addition, there may be problems with the camera, but you can install free application.

CyanogenMod notifies you when updates are available. They can be downloaded immediately from the settings menu. True, in latest versions when installing them directly from Android, the error "E: Zip file is corrupt! E: Error installing zio file "@/cache/recover/block.map"" occurred

You can still install the firmware update. To do this, you need to reboot into Recovery mode, then select Install ZIP and select the archive that is downloaded from the settings to the cmupdater folder on the phone.

Update (June 6, 2015)
I've been testing cm-12.1-20150529-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip for over a week now. Absolutely satisfied with everything, no problems arose at all. So I recommend installing CyanogenMod 12.1 on Samsung Galaxy s3 AT&T!

Update (June 16, 2015)
I've been testing cm-12.1-20150606-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip for over a week now. Everything is still stable. Applications are now easier to find, as they are displayed in alphabetical order, each next to the corresponding letter with which the application begins. "Updates over the air" (over the air or OTA updates) are now installed without error.

Update (June 24, 2015)
On the previous firmware cm-12.1-20150606-NIGHTLY-d2att suddenly began to fail Google apps Apps. In this case, an error constantly appeared, and the phone began to heat up very much, while the battery discharged quickly even after turning off data transfer and navigation. Installed cm-12.1-20150620-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip and new Banks GApps.

Update (June 26, 2015)
The camera did not work on the previous firmware cm-12.1-20150620-NIGHTLY-d2att. When using it, the error “I can’t connect to the camera” began to appear. I installed cm-12.1-20150625-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip, and then disabled recording of data with shooting coordinates in the settings. Photo and video work.

Update (December 28, 2015)
On the previous firmware cm-12.1-20150625-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip I didn’t like turning Wi-Fi on/off, although I couldn’t find fault with the rest. Installed cm-12.1-20151228-NIGHTLY-d2att.zip and

2. Enable USB debugging in your smartphone settings.

3. Download and install special application CyanogenMod Installer (Android) . IN Google Play it no longer exists, link to a reliable source from w3bsit3-dns.com.

4. Download and install the application for Windows (Vista/7/8) - CyanogenMod Installer (Windows).

5. Launch installed application on Android and follow the step-by-step instructions.

6. Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.

7. Launch the application on your desktop. It should detect the connected device.

8. The process of downloading the firmware itself and all the files necessary for its installation will begin. This will take some time, after which you will see a message Everything is ready.

9. Click on the button Install and lean back in the chair. During installation, your device may reboot. Do not interrupt the process or disconnect the device from the computer under any circumstances.

10. We wait until the flashing is completed, which will be notified by the appearance of the inscription Installation Complete in the desktop application.

11. That's all. We are happy with the new firmware and write comments about our impressions.

I don’t know who is interested in my posts about the phone, Android, CyanogenMod and other boyish nonsense. Their place is probably in specialized forums. And yet. The number of Android users has exceeded 1.5 billion, maybe my experience will help someone cope with similar challenges.

So. After flashing Xiaomi Redmi 2 with MIUI 7.1 (Android 4.4.4) on CyanogenMod 12.1 (Android 5.1.1), my joy quickly gave way to sadness when, during incoming calls, I saw the following picture on the screen:

I didn’t know which of the two SIM cards they were calling me on - the information about the operator was cut off. And for me this is important. For example, I call my daughter on MTS from Life, because it’s cheaper for me, and it’s cheaper for her to call me on MTS. But since she is still a child, sometimes, out of inattention, she simply dials my last call. It's the same with parents. Therefore, it is important for me to control which SIM card the incoming call is on, and, if necessary, reset and call back myself. And in general, this is how I know whether people are calling me for work or not. In MIUI 7.1 when incoming call on the screen next to the caller’s number there was a small SIM card icon with the number 1 or 2. Not very informative, but if you wanted, you could at least see it. There is complete ignorance here.

When you change the language in the phone settings to Ukrainian, the same thing happens, even shorter:

For outgoing calls, as you can see, everything is ok, there is no word “operator” and everything fits on the screen:

The problem was solved only by changing the phone language to English, where everything is short and clear, but unusual:

It's especially difficult with English language find the desired item in the phone settings, I barely got used to the Russian layout. And I started playing with phone themes that can be downloaded and installed from Google Play. I tried a lot, everything changes, but the text on an incoming call is still cut off. I haven't installed the theme yet 2nd PitchBlack™ (DarkRed). And, lo and behold! All information about incoming call fit on the screen:

What is in this topic that is not in the others? Again, a lot of experiments and comparisons, and finally the obvious dawned on me: it’s just a matter of fonts. In this topic it is narrower! Perhaps not the most beautiful, but it meets my needs. In the end, I settled on this mix: I took only fonts from the 2nd PitchBlack™ (DarkRed) theme, from

New custom firmware for Android 5.1 Lollipop has become available for Galaxy Note 2 (3G) GT-N7100.

While there are rumors that Samsung is planning to release a new 5.0 Lollipop OS update for its 2012 flagship phablet, the Galaxy Note 2, we think that might not happen since the Galaxy Note 2 is already over two years old. The contract to create updates for 18 months has already expired, so the company is no longer obligated to release new updates for the phone.

Impatient Galaxy owners Note 2 can try out the sweet Google mobile OS v5.0 by installing the new CyanogenMod software on their device.

The new custom firmware is based on AOSP (Android Open Source Project) v5.1 Lollipop, and is said to have new custom settings designed to make your device unique, new interface, fast access to applications and many individual options, for example:

• OpenGL (CPU playback)
• MALI blobs (GPU playback)
• HWComposer and MALI R3P2 drivers
• Rotation
• Camera
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• NFC (Android Beam)
• Sensors (All!)
• Internal/External SD Card
• Vibration
• Wake up with main button
• Simlock
• Signal icon
• Soft keyboard on first boot
• Mouse pointer
• Play H/W video
• Option settings and many other changes aimed at satisfying users

This new custom ROM of CyanogenMod CM12 series was developed by a senior member of the XDA Developers forum under the username Ivan_Meler. But we want to remind you that CM12.1 is an experimental version, so some bugs have not yet been fixed. We advise you to first read the entire article before you start installing a custom ROM.

Necessary requirements (what to remember when installing a custom ROM)

• This new firmware CM12.1 series Android 5.1 Lollipop from CyanogenMod should only be installed on Samsung model Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 3G (Exynos chipset). If you try to do this on other devices, they may turn into bricks. [To check the model, go to: “Settings” >> “About phone” >> model number].
• Make sure your device is rooted before you start installing the custom ROM.
• Installing a custom ROM requires clearing the memory in the smartphone, so make sure to do so backups data by installing Clockwork Mod (CWM) Recovery /TWRP on your smartphone.
• Make sure you have installed USB drivers on your PC, otherwise the computer will not recognize your smartphone (Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100).
• Make sure that the device has more than 80 percent battery charge, otherwise the smartphone has a chance to temporarily brick if the installation process is interrupted in the middle of the journey.
• Although installing a custom ROM improves performance and user interface device, but at the same time voids the company's warranty and it will no longer be responsible for future updates [users can restore the warranty by flashing the device with a stock ROM].

[Denial of responsibility: This procedure is technically complex and must be performed by a person with in-depth knowledge of rooting (or manually installing software) Android devices. If the process is not followed properly step-by-step installation, that is, there are chances that the smartphone will become faulty. International Business Times, India Edition will not be held responsible for damages or reader complaints if what you receive is not what you expected or if the smartphone becomes defective. Therefore, we advise users to handle this with extreme caution. ]

Step by step guide for installing CyanogenMod Android 5.1 Lollipop firmware version CM12.1 on Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100

Step 1: Download CyanogenMod [Unofficial] Android 5.1 Lollipop CM12.1 custom ROM () and Google Apps on your PC.

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

[Note: Before connecting your phone to your computer, make sure you have installed USB driver, if not, click HERE to download the program].

Step 3: Then place the Android 5.1 Lollipop custom ROM and Google Apps zip file into your phone's SD card memory. [Note: Users are advised to place the .zip file in the root of the SD card and not in another folder.]

[Note: Before installing the software, make sure your device is rooted and the ClockworkMod recovery tool is installed.]

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

Step 5: Then boot into recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up (Up), Home button, and Power button at the same time.

Step 6: After entering recovery mode, clear your phone's memory by selecting the "wipe data/reset data" option.

[Note: Use Volume keys to toggle and Power key to select options when in recovery mode].

Step 7: Now, clear the cache memory by selecting the “clear cache” option.

Step 8: Then go back to ClockworkMod recovery, select "Advanced" and click "wipe dalvik cache" [Note: This step is optional, but many recommend doing this so that the user does not encounter a boot loop or any other errors in the middle of installing a custom ROM].

Step 9: Go back to the main recovery screen again, then click “install zip from SD card”.

Step 10: Then click "select zip from sdcard", navigate to the Android 5.1 ROM zip file on your SD card and start the installation process. [Note: Use the Volume keys to navigate and the Power button to select options].

Step 11: Once the installation process is complete, go to “+++++ Return +++++” and start your device again by selecting “reboot system now” from the recovery menu.

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

To ensure that the installation of CyanogenMod Android 5.1 Lollipop CM12.1 custom ROM is complete, go to Settings >> About Phone.