Galaxy S6/S6 Edge Android 8.1 Oreo + Root! [Review & Install Guide]

Samsung has stopped updating the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge since Android 7.0 Nougat and for those of you who want to still get latest Android 8.1 Oreo + root, here’s how to do it.  Now, this is NOT a Samsung Touchwiz firmware, rather custom ROM or AOSP(What is AOSP?)  But you will get much better performance and battery life over Samsung Touchwiz plus the latest and great Android 8.1 Oreo so I don’t see why not.  The NexusOS ROM comes with all the standard features of latest Android 8.1 Oreo and a few additions like Always On Display.

Before we begin, PLEASE BACKUP EVERYTHING just in case things go wrong!!!

You get the latest Android 8.1 Oreo!

Antutu benchmarking at 88,971!  Almost 20 points higher than Android 7.0 Nougat which benchmarks around 70K.

Always On Display is a cool feature on this ROM although nowhere near Samsung TouchWiz.

For step-by-step installation instructions, please watch the video tutorial above.  But basically, you need to first turn off any security(such as fingerprint), turn on “OEM Unlock” in Developer options, flash TWRP, install ROM, install Kernel(for S6 Edge), install Gapps, install Magisk(if you want root), then reboot.  Also you have to use TWRP v3.2.0+ so if you are using older version, please update TWRP FIRST!

Download:

Download ODIN – Link

Download Samsung USB Drivers – Link

Download TWRP – Link

Download Magisk – Link (If you want root)

Download NexusOS ROM for Galaxy S6 SM-G920F, SM-G920I or S6 Edge SM-G925F, SM-G925I – Link

Download NexusOS ROM for Galaxy S6 SM-G920FD or S6 Edge SM-G925FD – Link

Download NexusOS ROM for Galaxy S6 SM-G920T, SM-G920W8 or S6 Edge SM-G925T, SM-G925W8 – Link

Download NexusOS ROM for Korean Galaxy S6 SM-G920S, SM-G920K, SM-G920L or S6 Edge SM-G925S, SM-G925K, SM-G925L – Link

For ALL GALAXY S6 EDGE, YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO DOWNLOAD & INSTALL KERNEL:

Download Kernel for Galaxy S6 Edge SM-G925F, SM-G925I – Link

Download Kernel for Galaxy S6 Edge SM-G925FD – Link

Download Kernel for Galaxy S6 Edge SM-G920T, SM-G925W8 – Link

Download Kernel for Korean S6 Edge SM-G925S, SM-G925K, SM-G925L – Link

Download Beans Gapps Android 8.1 OreoLink

Credits – XDA <— Please donate to the developer of this ROM if you like it or hit the Thanks button on XDA, thx! (Donate to Developer’s paypal address here: mail@lukasberger.at)

Also check out these mods I’ve installed along with the ROM:

Need help?  Join our HighOnAndroid telegram here.

UPDATE: PLEASE DO NOT USE MAGISK V16.1, PLEASE USE V16 AS IT BREAKS PHONE CALLS.

Not getting 4G LTE?  Sometimes you may have to set APN manually, see How to Fix 4G LTE on by setting APN manually!

Q&A

Q: Is this the only way to get Android 8.0 or 8.1 Oreo on my Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge?
A: While there are rumors that Samsung may still update the Galaxy S6/S6 Edge to Oreo later this year, we have not received any news on this and most likely your only way to get latest Android 8.0/8.1 Oreo will be through custom ROMs such as this.

Q: What are Android 8.1 Gapps for?
A: Gapps are small zip file that includes Google Play Store for your custom ROM.  Without Gapps, you will not get Play Store on your phone, meaning you won’t be able to download apps from the Play Store.  Most people will need this obviously since they will need the Play Store to download news apps to their Android 8.1 Oreo custom firmware.  However, if you don’t need it(perhaps in another country that uses something other than Play Store), you can skip flashing it.

Have a question?

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

Join the HighOnAndroid VIP Fans List for free help from Max and discounts on Android accessories.

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.