Android 8.1 Oreo + Root for Galaxy S4! [Lineage OS ROM 15.1]
For those of you who want to try the latest Android 8.1 Oreo w/ root on your Samsung Galaxy S4, you can do it simply by installing TWRP recovery and installing latest beta version on Lineage OS ROM 15.1, which is the based on latest Android 8.1 Oreo. While Samsung has ben stopped updating stopped updating, past Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, you will still to be able to enjoy the latest Android 8.1 Oreo. Now, this is an AOSP ROM(What is AOSP?), meaning you won’t be able to get any TouchWiz apps (Samsung apps that depend on Samsung firmware).
The Lineage OS ROM 15.1 comes with almost everything working out of the box including 4G LTE data, voice, bluetooth, hotspot, etc…etc…
You will also get all of the regular features of Android 8.1 Oreo including long-press-app to get options for any apps which can be useful in apps like Pandora where you can go ahead and launch your favorite station from the get-go.
This beta version of Lineage OS supports F2FS and comes with improved speed, stability, RAM usage, and excellent battery life. Antutu performance test came out with score of at around 34,000. Also included are LEDify app which allows you to customize LED patterns on device boot, pretty cool feature. You can also use Toolbox which allows you to easily manage your device.
While this is not a perfect version of Android 8.1 Oreo and rather a “work in progress”, if you absolutely need Android 8.1 Oreo on your Samsung Galaxy S4, this is probably the best way to get the best and latest Android 8.1 without buying a new smartphone.
Bugs/Issues
Currently, the only thing completely broken is NFC. If you need NFC, you may want to reconsider. For camera, you can install the free Footej Camera. With Footej camera, everything works including photos/videos for both front and back camera.
Also, bluetooth works great and you will get an updated battery status of your bluetooth device so you know exactly how much battery life you have. While audio works flawless, calls using bluetooth do not work correctly yet so if you use bluetooth device for talking on the phone, you won’t be able to use it until this issue is fixed, I will have an update when it does.
For root, you have the option of using root or not using root with the ROM. For default root, you can enable developer options and enable root for adb and apps. If you want to hide root, I recommend installing Magisk. Now, to get Magisk working flawless, you will need to install Magisk v16 and v16.3 and that will allow you to run apps that check for root such as Nintendo game apps like Pokemon Go or Google Pay. Also face unlock does not working and there may be others bugs I have not found so be aware, when using this ROM!
Models Supported
The following Galaxy S4 models are supported:
- GT-I9505
- GT-I9505G
- GT-I9507, GT-I9508
- AT&T SGH-I337 (MUST be HAVE UNLOCKED BOOTLOADER, UCUAMDB or UCUAMDL bootloader.)
- Verizon SCH-I545 (MUST HAVE UNLOCKED BOOTLOADER, VRUAMDK bootloader.)
- T-Mobile SGH-M919
- Sprint SPH-L720
- SCH-R970
- SGH-S970G
- SM-S975L
Note: GT-i9500 is NOT supported as it has Exynos processor. For GT-i9500, please refer to the GT-i9500 section of XDA forums.
Download:
Download Lineage OS ROM 15.1 for all Galaxy S4 models listed above – Link
Download Android 8.1 Gapps – Link
Download Magisk v16.0 – Link
Download Magisk v16.3 – Link
TWRP – Link
ODIN – Link
Samsung USB drivers – Link
How to Install Android Oreo on Samsung Galaxy S4
Except for AT&T & Verizon, installation easy as pie. For AT&T or Verizon, you can use CWM recovery so DO NOT FLASH TWRP if you have AT&T or Verizon unlocked!!!
NOTE: Before you begin, please BACKUP EVERYTHING just in case things go wrong.
- Reboot into ODIN Download mode, flash LATEST TWRP recovery, you can find it at TWRP.me. Boot into TWRP.
- If you need to make a backup ROM, do it before installing ROM here. (Please see How to Backup/Restore ROM w/ TWRP)
- If you don’t need Magisk, Install ROM, Android 8.1 Gapps and reboot.
- If you need Magisk, Install ROM, Gapps, Magisk v16, Magisk v16.3, then reboot.
- That’s it!
For AT&T or Verizon models using CWM recovery, simply skip #1 of the tutorial but rest should be same and use the recovery for your phone.
If this is the first time installing a custom ROM, PLEASE watch the video tutorial above as it shows you step-by-step on how to install this ROM from scratch and follow while installing so you do not miss a step!
Credits – XDA <— Please donate to the original developer or hit Thanks button on XDA forums if you enjoyed this ROM, thx!
Extra Add-Ons
Also check out these mods I’ve installed along with the ROM:
Q&A
Q: Is this the ONLY way to get Android 8.1 Oreo on my Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone?
A: Yes, since Samsung has stopped updating their firmware starting with Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, you can only now get Android updates by installing TWRP recovery and installing custom ROM. But don’t worry, developers are still updating Android years after Samsung has stopped updating.
A: Yes, since Samsung has stopped updating their firmware starting with Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, you can only now get Android updates by installing TWRP recovery and installing custom ROM. But don’t worry, developers are still updating Android years after Samsung has stopped updating.
Q: I absolutely need bluetooth calls working! Should I install Lineage 14.1 Android 7.1.2 Nougat instead?
A: Well, Lineage 14.1 Android 7.1.2 Nougat has the same bluetooth call bug. If you absolutely need calls working with bluetooth, you may be better off with older Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow ROMs. If you need a good stable Marshmallow ROM, please leave your comments below and we will work on it.
A: Well, Lineage 14.1 Android 7.1.2 Nougat has the same bluetooth call bug. If you absolutely need calls working with bluetooth, you may be better off with older Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow ROMs. If you need a good stable Marshmallow ROM, please leave your comments below and we will work on it.
Q: Do I need to root my Galaxy S4 to install this ROM?
A: No, you only need to flash TWRP recovery to install this ROM. TWRP recovery allow you to flash any custom ROM and it is easy to install TWRP using ODIN as shown in the video above.
A: No, you only need to flash TWRP recovery to install this ROM. TWRP recovery allow you to flash any custom ROM and it is easy to install TWRP using ODIN as shown in the video above.
Q: I am a beginner, can I do this without problems?
A: Yes, anyone can indeed install this if you follow the video tutorial step-by-step. Please only install ROMs on a phone you don’t use or at least have a backup phone so if something goes wrong, you will have another phone to make/receive calls. Use your common sense and don’t install ROMs on a phone you absolutely need at the moment. Also give yourself plenty of time(few hours) to install a ROM so you don’t hurry and miss a step.
A: Yes, anyone can indeed install this if you follow the video tutorial step-by-step. Please only install ROMs on a phone you don’t use or at least have a backup phone so if something goes wrong, you will have another phone to make/receive calls. Use your common sense and don’t install ROMs on a phone you absolutely need at the moment. Also give yourself plenty of time(few hours) to install a ROM so you don’t hurry and miss a step.
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