Galaxy S5 Android 8.1 Oreo Review/Install Guide!

For those of you who want to revamp your old Galaxy S5 or want to buy a cheap Galaxy S5 on ebay and put the latest Android 8.1 Oreo, here’s a quick review/install guide.  No root required!

Installation is really easy, you do NOT need to root your phone.  Simply install TWRP recovery then install ROM/Gapps and reboot.  Will work on any Galaxy S5 supported below.  This is the Resurrection Remix ROM which comes with all the standard features of latest Android 8.1 Oreo along with slew of customization.  For example, you will be able to customize your status bar(center clock) or even customize your hardware buttons(e.g. back button become camera button).

Performance also much improved with Antutu scores nearing 70K so you will have lag-free performance.  Now, this is NOT a TouchWiz-based ROM, meaning you will get nearly pure Google OS just like on Nexus devices but even better since you get the added customization from Resurrection Remix team.   Also, camera works flawless and 4K video recording is supported.  In my testing, I found everything working out of the box including WiFi, calls, 4G LTE, etc…etc…  If you are still on laggy Samsung TouchWiz or older Android OS, this is definitely the best way to make your phone new and start over.

This will work on the following models:

  • SM-G900F, SM-G900M, SM-G900I
  • Canadian SM-G900W8
  • T-Mobile SM-G900T
  • Sprint SM-G900P
  • Verizon SM-G900V (MUST UNLOCKED BOOTLOADER FIRST SEE HERE)

Download files:

  • (Latest April 5th)Resurrection Remix ROM for all S5 listed above – Link
  • (Unofficial Feb version)Resurrection Remix ROM for all S5 listed above – Link
  • TWRP Recovery – Link
  • Download Android 8.1 GappsLink
  • ODIN Program – Link
  • Samsung USB Drivers – Link
  • Download Magisk – Link (optional if you want root and also hide root)

Special Thanks to the Resurrection Remix Team, please hit Thanks here on XDA and donate!

Q&A

Q: Does this work on AT&T SM-G900A?
A: Unfortunately no, the AT&T SM-G900A has a locked bootloader and no one has been able to figure out how to unlock the bootloader yet.  Your best bet is to sell your AT&T SM-G900A and grab the T-Mobile SM-G900T instead which will allow you to fully root and also use fully on AT&T 4G LTE network.

Q: Does this work on Verizon SM-G900V?
A: Yes, but you need to unlock the bootloader first.  Please see this post. Once bootloader has been unlocked, you can flash any S5 ROMs like a regular klte.

Q: Will this allow me to enjoy latest Android 8.1 Oreo?
A: Yes, you will be able to enjoy the latest Android Oreo along with slew of customization/features Resurrection Remix ROM brings.  Performance will be enhanced and also your battery life will improve with latest Android Oreo custom ROM.

Q: Does this ROM work on Korean SM-G900K, SM-G900S, or SM-G900L?
A: Korean models are not supported but there are ways you can make it work, see: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/guide-boot-sm-g900f-roms-korean-galaxy-t3482001

Q: Why do I need to flash Gapps?
A: You need to flash Android 8.0/8.1 Gapps since most custom ROMs do NOT come with Play Store.  It is easy to do, simply flash Gapps after flashing ROM with TWRP recovery, that’s it!

Q: Do I lose all my apps?
A: If you are coming from stock firmware, yes.  You will have to start over since custom ROMs like this are not usually compatible with stock firmware.  However, you will be able to update to newer versions of this custom ROM without losing apps by simply flashing over ROM and Gapps without factory reset.

Q: Do I need to root my Galaxy S5 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.

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.

Have a question?

Please post all your questions at the new Android Rehab Center at HighOnAndroid Forum, thank you for understanding!

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Max Lee

Max Lee is the founder of HighOnAndroid.com. Max makes Android tutorials and review videos for people who want to get high on Android over at his YouTube channel and Korean YouTube channel.