How to update CyanogenMod 9

After installing CyanogenMod 9 on your device, that’s not the end to the custom operating system. Unlike official Android releases, developers release unofficial nightly builds of the mod.

These builds usually address smaller bugs. Recently the CyanogenMod team announced a code freeze on CyanogenMod 9, meaning they’ve stopped development and are bug fixing for an official 1.0 version release. The nightly builds are still offered and it’s not necessary to update every release, but it may be a solution if you’re encountering various problems.

Here’s how to update CyanogenMod 9.

There are a few ways to update CyanogenMod 9. One is GooManager, a ROM manager that can search and install compatible ROMs. The other included updater is ROM Manager. It offers more in-depth updating options.

The problem with these two apps is that they require extra programs and permissions to be installed. While most users know that some apps are already installed, the updaters don’t give a lot of explanation about the other required installs. You also don’t want to take the chance of breaking the device. Consequently, you can use a slightly longer, but still relatively easy, way to update your version of CyanogenMod 9.

Using moboot and ClockworldMod

This method to update CyanogenMod 9 requires you to find the latest nightly build online. I personally use Google to search for the latest build.

After downloading, mount your device (an HP TouchPad, in my case) to the computer and copy the file into a folder. It doesn’t matter which folder you use. I chose the cminstall file that I created when I first installed CyanogenMod 9.

Reboot the device
Select ClockworkMod when moboot starts
Select “install zip from sd card”
Locate the file you saved the nightly build in
Install the update

After the update is complete, reboot and start CyanogenMod 9. When it starts, the nightly build will install the updates, and you’ll have the latest unofficial build of CyanogenMod 9.

The nightly builds only update system files and don’t affect your apps or files. Using this method takes a little longer than the included ROM managers, but at least you’ll know exactly how the update is installed.

It’s not yet known what the official CyanogenMod 9 release will have, but the current unofficial builds perform well enough to keep most users, including myself, interested.

CyanogenMod 9 Release Candidate has been released! Find your device here.