Install Android 8.1 Oreo on Galaxy Note 4 via LineageOS 15.1

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is one of the greatest phones ever released by the South Korean giant. Galaxy Note 4 was among the phone that brought Samsung into the spotlight. No other Galaxy Note before the Note 4 or after the Note 4 did Samsung as good as the Note 4. Galaxy Note 4 was the first Samsung phone to come out with a QHD display. The Note 4 had a huge display. The top-notch specifications made this phone a true winner.

Galaxy Note 4’s 5.7-inch display having 1440 x 2560 resolution and Gorilla Glass 4 protection made it incredible. Galaxy Note 4’s camera was also very competitive. The Galaxy Note 4 attracted millions of users because of the innovation it brought in the smartphone industry. The Note 4 is still used by millions of users all across the world. This is the very reason this phone is very popular in the development community as well. Android custom ROM and modification developers are trying their best to keep this device alive. Even though Samsung has stopped paying attention to the Galaxy Note 4, the developers are stilling keeping this device rolling.

Galaxy Note 4 originally ran on Android KitKat out of the box. This phone was updated to Android Lollipop and Android Marshmallow as well. Galaxy Note 4’s Android updates came to an end on Android Marshmallow. Since then, the phone hasn’t got any single further update. Note 4 users were seen asking for another update, but Samsung didn’t pay heed to the request of users. After the company ignored the device, the users turned towards custom ROM developers demanding an upgrade for their device.

The development community surprised the Galaxy Note users with the Android 8.1 Oreo-based on LineageOS 15.1 for the Galaxy Note 4. So, if you are carrying a Galaxy Note 4, it’s time for you to upgrade it to latest Android Oreo right now.

LineageOS 15.1, formerly known as CyanogenMod, is the most popular custom ROM for any Android device. Thankfully, the LineageOS 15.1 for Galaxy Note 4 has entered its stable stages. This means you can run the Android Oreo custom ROM as a daily driver as well.

A custom ROM, even in its stable stage, can carry minor bugs. For example, the LineageOS 15.1 for Galaxy Note 4 has several known bugs. The camera application can act as slow or crash at times. The Bluetooth doesn’t work quite perfectly with the wearable devices. The fingerprint scanner is not working either. For an Android enthusiast, such issues are not a big deal. However, if you are new to custom ROMs, you may choose to stay away from this custom ROM.

That was all the talk about LineageOS 15.1 Android Oreo for Note 4. Now is the time to head towards the tutorial. Follow this guide to install Android 8.1 Oreo on Galaxy Note 4 via LineageOS 15.1 custom ROM.

Requirements:

1. This guide is only for the Qualcomm Snapdragon Galaxy Note 4. Supported devices include N910F, N910G, N910P, N910R4, N910T, N910T3, N910V, N910W8. Other supported versions include N9100ZC, N9100ZH, N91006W, N91009W.
2. Do not try this guide on any other variant of the Galaxy Note 4.
3. If you are carrying a Verizon Galaxy Note 4, you must have the unlocked bootloader.
4. Charge your phone up to 50% to avoid power loss during the installation process.
5. Backup SMS Messages, Call Logs, Contacts and Media Content.
6. Backup EFS and Nandroid as well.
7. Your phone must have a TWRP recovery installed TWRP recovery on it.

Note: This is a custom process and it will trip Knox counter on your phone. If you are brave enough to trip the Knox counter, go ahead. The custom processes are not recommended by device manufacturers. Make sure that you are doing it at your own risk.

Required Downloads:

• LineageOS 15.1 for N910F, N910G, N910P, N910R4, N910T, N910T3, N910V, N910W8: Download
• LineageOS 15.1 for N9100ZC, N9100ZH, N91006W, N91009W: Download
• Use Opengapps Downloader to download GApps for Note 4: Download [In the app settings, change the architecture to arm and Android to 8.1]

Note: This is a guide to perform a clean installation. Be prepeared to wipe your device during this process.

Install Android 8.1 Oreo on Galaxy Note 4 via LineageOS 15.1

1. Make sure you have prepared your phone for LineageOS 15.1
2. Install Opengapps downloader on your phone, and download the suitable Gapps package. You can download the Pico or Micro package.
3. Copy the LineageOS 15.1 ROM file to your phone’s internal or external storage.
4. Boot your Galaxy Note 4 into TWRP recovery. To do so, turn off your phone. Now press and hold Volume Up + Power + Home button for recovery.
5. Once in recovery, tap Wipe > Advanced Wipe > Select Cache, Dalvik Cache, System, and Data > Swipe screen to wipe.
6. No go back to Wipe > Format Data as well.
7. Now get back to the main menu in TWRP and tap Install > Install Zip > Locate LineageOS 15.1.zip file and flash it.
8. Similarly, click on Install once again > Install Zip > Locate GApps.zip file this time and flash it.
9. After flashing both the ROM and Gapps file, go back to Wipe > Advanced Wipe > Cache & Dalvik Cache > Swipe screen to wipe.
10. Reboot your device now.
11. It will take up to 10 minutes for the first reboot. Once your phone has booted up, you will see LineageOS 15.1

That’s all with the LineageOS 15.1 installation. The custom ROMs can act weird at times. In case the experience turns out to be bad for you, you can immediately switch the stock ROM. Here is the guide to install stock ROM on your Galaxy Note 4. If you have any queries and questions, feel free to ask them through the comments section below. I will try my best to help you out. Have a good day!