Samsung is not going to update the Galaxy S6 to Android 8.0 Oreo. The only option you have to update your phone to the Oreo firmware is by means of a custom ROM. Galaxy S6 is among the few lucky devices that have got a custom build of the Android Oreo within no time after the official release. An AOSP based custom ROM is already out that can take your Galaxy S6 to the brand new Oreo firmware. The firmware is in early stages, but it’s good enough to taste the Android Oreo for a while.
Although the firmware is very new right now, it has got most of its features in a working state. You will find calls, SMS and mobile data working absolutely fine in this custom ROM. It has also got the WiFi and Bluetooth working. NFC is also among the working features. Fingerprint Scanner and the Camera is also working fine. The only thing isn’t working, for now, is the Gallery unable to play recorded videos. Some Hardware-Codecs will also crash for now. It’s a good chance to run Android Oreo on your Galaxy S6 if you are bored of the TouchWiz UI based Android 7.0 Nougat. Keeping in view Samsung’s track record of the updates, we are not expecting the South Koren manufacturer to roll out any further update for the Galaxy S6 as it has already received two major software updates including Android Marshmallow and Android Nougat. Galaxy S6 came out running on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop originally. Samsung isn’t updating the Galaxy S5 to Android 7.0 Nougat. Galaxy S5 also received two major updates and then its updates stopped. It’s time for us to move towards the installation procedure of the custom ROM now.
If you have made your mind to update your Galaxy S6, then here is the step-by-step guide for you to install Android Oreo on Galaxy S6.
Preparation
- This guide is only own for the Galaxy S6. Do not try this on any other smartphone or else you will end up bricking it.
- Backup your important call logs, text messages, and contacts. Also backup your media content. This is a very important step since the ROM requires you to wipe your phone completely.
- Install latest TWRP custom recovery on your Samsung Galaxy S6.
- Make sure that you are flashing this ROM at your own risk. In case something goes wrong, TechBeasts or the ROM developers cannot be held responsible. Follow the guide carefully.
Download and Install Android Oreo on Galaxy S6
- Download LineageOS-15.0-zerofltexx-2017-09-02_2148.zip file and copy it to your phone’s storage.
- Download GApps.zip file and copy it to your phone’s storage as well.
- Now boot your phone into TWRP recovery on your phone.
- Assuming that you already have a TWRP recovery installed, create a Nandroid and EFS backup of your phone.
- Copy the Nandroid and EFS backup to your computer.
- Once again boot into TWRP recovery on your phone.
- In TWRP, tap Wipe > Advanced Wipe > Select Cache, Dalvik Cache, Data, System, and Cache > Swipe screen to wipe.
- Get back to the main menu in TWRP now, tap Install > Locate and select Android Oreo Custom ROM.zip file > Swipe screen to flash.
- Right after flashing the Android Oreo ROM, flash GApps similarly.
- If you want to be rooted, you can flash Magisk or SuperSU after flashing GApps now.
- Once done, reboot your phone into the system. Android O will take like 10 minutes on the first boot.
That’s all. In case you don’t want the new OS running on your phone, you can choose to restore your phone to stock Android OS.
