Return to the main TWRP menu once the screen reports successful completion. Step 5: Flash Android 9.0 and GApps
Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) is an older version of the Android operating system, released in 2013. Android 9.0 (Pie) is a much newer version, released in 2018, with many significant improvements and features. Upgrading your device from Android 4.4.2 to 9.0 can breathe new life into your device, providing a more modern and secure user experience. However, the upgrade process can be complex and may not be straightforward for all devices.
Go to Settings → About Phone and tap “Build Number” seven times to unlock Developer Options. Then, go to Settings → Developer Options and enable USB Debugging .
Locate , Transition animation scale , and Animator duration scale . Change their values from 1x to 0.5x or turn them off completely. upgrade android 4.4.2 to 9.0
This wipes your data and voids your warranty (if any remains on a 10-year-old phone). Methods vary by brand:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-xxx.img
Follow these general steps to manually upgrade your device. Note that specific files (ROMs) vary by device model. 1. Locate a Custom ROM Return to the main TWRP menu once the
Android 9.0 requires more RAM than 4.4.2. Older devices with 1GB RAM or less may feel sluggish.
Swipe the slider at the bottom to begin the installation process. This will take several minutes. Step 5: Reboot and Initial Setup
Choose "Wipe Cache/Dalvik" and select "Reboot System". Alternative Method: Build.prop Editor (Fake Update) Upgrading your device from Android 4
If the custom ROM method is too technical or your specific device does not have an Android 9.0 build available, consider these alternatives to modernise your device interface without changing the underlying OS:
The first boot process can take up to 10–15 minutes as the new OS builds system caches.
Then swipe to wipe. This removes your old Android installation completely.
Check the boxes for .
Modern apps require newer APIs that Android 4.4.2 lacks.