CyanogenMod 13 or CM13 is a custom ROM that is based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Installing CM13 on your device offers a range of benefits, including improved performance, enhanced features, and increased control over your device. However, the installation process can be intimidating for those who are not familiar with the process. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to install CM13 on your device.

Check Device Compatibility

Before you start the installation process, it is crucial to check whether your device is compatible with CM13. Installing the wrong ROM can result in a bricked device, so it’s essential to ensure that your device is supported. Here’s how to check device compatibility:

List of Supported Devices

CM13 is available for a wide range of devices, including smartphones and tablets. You can find the list of supported devices on the CyanogenMod website. If your device is not on the list, it means that CM13 is not available for your device.

Steps to check device compatibility

To check whether your device is compatible with CM13, follow these steps:

1. Go to the CyanogenMod website.
2. Click on the “Devices” tab.
3. Look for your device in the list of supported devices. If your device is not on the list, it means that CM13 is not available for your device.
4. If your device is supported, click on the device name to access the installation instructions.

It’s crucial to ensure that your device is compatible with CM13 before you proceed with the installation process. If your device is not compatible, you may end up damaging your device.

Back Up Data

Before you proceed with the installation process, it’s essential to back up your data. Installing CM13 will erase all data on your device, including contacts, messages, photos, and apps. Backing up your data ensures that you don’t lose any important files during the installation process. Here’s why backing up your data is crucial:

Importance of Backing Up Data

• Prevent data loss: Backing up your data ensures that you don’t lose any important files during the installation process.
• Easy recovery: If something goes wrong during the installation process, you can easily recover your data from the backup.
• Peace of mind: Knowing that your data is safe and secure gives you peace of mind during the installation process.

Ways to Back Up Data

There are several ways to back up your data, including:

• Cloud storage: You can back up your data to cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
• External storage: You can back up your data to an external storage device like a USB drive or SD card.
• Computer: You can back up your data to your computer using software like Samsung Smart Switch or LG Bridge.

It’s crucial to back up your data before you proceed with the installation process. Choose a backup method that works best for you and ensure that all your important files are backed up.

Unlock Bootloader

Before you can install CM13, you need to unlock the bootloader on your device. The bootloader is a program that runs every time you turn on your device. It checks whether the software on your device is authentic and then loads the operating system. Here’s how to unlock the bootloader on your device:

Explanation of Bootloader

The bootloader is a program that runs every time you turn on your device. It checks whether the software on your device is authentic and then loads the operating system. By default, the bootloader on most devices is locked, which means that you cannot install custom ROMs like CM13. You need to unlock the bootloader to install custom ROMs on your device.

Steps to Unlock Bootloader

The process of unlocking the bootloader varies from device to device. However, the general process is as follows:

1. Go to the developer options on your device and enable USB debugging.
2. Download the appropriate drivers for your device and install them on your computer.
3. Download the Android SDK and install it on your computer.
4. Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable.
5. Open a command prompt window on your computer and type in the command to unlock the bootloader.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to unlock the bootloader.

It’s important to note that unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device. Therefore, it’s crucial to back up your data before proceeding with the process.

Install Custom Recovery

Before you can install CM13 on your device, you need to install a custom recovery. Custom recovery is a tool that allows you to flash custom ROMs, create backups, and perform other advanced tasks. The most popular custom recovery for Android devices is TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). Here’s how to install custom recovery:

Explanation of Custom Recovery

Custom recovery is an essential tool for Android enthusiasts who want to customize their devices. It allows you to take complete control of your device and perform advanced tasks that are not possible with the stock recovery. Custom recovery tools like TWRP enable you to flash custom ROMs, create backups, and perform other advanced tasks.

Steps to Install Custom Recovery

To install custom recovery on your device, follow these steps:

1. Download the TWRP recovery image for your device from the official TWRP website.
2. Enable USB debugging on your device by going to Settings > Developer Options.
3. Connect your device to your computer via USB cable.
4. Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer and type “adb devices” to ensure that your device is connected.
5. Type “adb reboot bootloader” to reboot your device into bootloader mode.
6. Once your device is in bootloader mode, type “fastboot flash recovery [filename.img]” to flash the TWRP recovery image.
7. After the installation is complete, type “fastboot reboot” to reboot your device.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed TWRP custom recovery on your device.

Install CM13

Now that you have installed custom recovery, you can proceed with the installation of CM13. Here’s how to install CM13 on your device:

Preparation for Installation

Before you start the installation process, you need to do the following:

1. Back up your device data.
2. Charge your device battery to at least 50%.
3. Download the CM13 ROM file for your device from the official CM website.
4. Copy the CM13 ROM file to your device’s internal storage.

Steps to Install CM13

To install CM13 on your device, follow these steps:

1. Reboot your device into recovery mode by pressing the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously.
2. In recovery mode, select “Wipe” and then “Advanced Wipe.”
3. Select “Cache,” “System,” “Data,” and “Dalvik Cache,” and then swipe to confirm.
4. Go back to the main recovery menu and select “Install.”
5. Navigate to the CM13 ROM file that you copied to your device’s internal storage and select it.
6. Swipe to confirm the installation.
7. Wait for the installation process to complete.
8. Once the installation is complete, select “Reboot System.”

Congratulations! You have successfully installed CM13 on your device. Your device will now reboot and start up with the new ROM. Enjoy the new features and improved performance of your device with CM13.