How to

How to Install Lineage OS ROM on an Android Device

Though CyanogenMod officially stopped the Android support from December 2016, the CM firmware is still available in the form of the new Lineage software. Currently, there are more than 53 Android devices that can be updated to this CyanogenMod iteration, and if you want to try it on your Android device and find out how the new Lineage OS runs you check this post.

In the step by step guide, you can learn how to download and install the Lineage OS on an Android based device. You will also find out what are the advantages, risks and optional prerequisites about the actual manual installation process. To be able to apply the flashing process from below, make sure you follow and read all the guidelines or else you will risk in messing things up.

The Lineage OS is a ROM developed by third party developers based on the Android Nougat system, so it has nothing to do with your OEM or Google. The default Android Nougat OS is adapted and modified so you will not get the stock UI. The firmware comes pre-loaded with various other features, apps, and capabilities that cannot be found on the official software so with this new ROM installed you will be able to customize your Android smartphone or tablet as you like.

However, this update is not an official one and is modified compared with the official one you should know that the main risk related with this installation process is that the warranty of your Android device will be lost and if you will need to take your device to service you will have to pay for the assistance technical services. Thanks to its developers, Lineage OS run smoothly, is light, secured and its UI is similar to the official one, and also through its built-in settings you can tweak the performance of your device.

After installing this new ROM you will notice that the device’s speed will be improved and the battery life will be upgraded. Furthermore, you will be able to overclock or undervolt CPU frequencies, install complex apps from Google Play Store or from other sources and more.

Installing the Lineage OS ROM above the stock Android OS can be applied only on a clean system, so its installation will be possible only if a hard reset and clearing app data cache are ensured.

Because a wipe is implied, before starting the installation of a new ROM, you should backup all the personal data, contacts, accounts, info and your other files including system stuff like internet settings, EFS folder or IMEI / NVRAM data.

For backup, you can use built-in cloud storage services, download backup and restore apps from Google Play or sync all with your Google Account.

A backup possibility is also the Nandroid method to save the Android system that currently runs on your device. Therefore, if you don’t like how the new ROM is running, after installing the Lineage OS ROM, you can use the Nandroid backup file for downgrading back to stock.

Before continuing with the tutorial from below, make sure you read and take care of the following prerequisites:

  • You will need a computer or a notebook to download the Lineage OS and the compatible Google Apps.
  • To be able to connect your handset with the computer you need a compatible USB cable.
  • A custom ROM can be installed only on a rooted Android platform, so your Android device must be rooted. The root process unlocks the internal system of your device and removes the factory and default restrictions.
  • On your Android device, you must install a custom recovery image like CWM or TWRP recovery. Through a custom recovery image, you will wipe the system of your Android device, you can make the Nandroid backup and you can complete the installation steps from down below.
  • An unlocked bootloader is also required.
  • On your Android device, you must gain developer rights. This can be achieved if you go to Settings ->About phone and tap repeatedly on the Built Number.The ‘you are a developer’ message should be displayed and in Settings, you should find the Developer options menu. Once you unhide the Developer Options, check the USB Debugging field.
  • Make sure that your Android device is fully charged and don’t complete the update process if your device runs low on power.
  • Check the list from here and if you don’t find your Android device listed, don’t resume the steps from below because it means that for now it isn’t yet officially supported by the Lineage OS ROM.

Download and Install the Lineage OS on Your Android Device

1. Download and save on your computer the Lineage OS file from the above link and get the firmware file that’s compatible with your Android device

2. Download also the compatible Google Apps and save the files on your computer.

3. Power on your Android device and connect it to your computer using the USB cable.

4. Next, select and place the downloaded files from the computer to your device.

5. When done, remove the USB connection.

6. Switch off your Android device and enter into recovery mode.

7. In recovery select ‘wipe data Factory Reset’, ‘wipe cache partition’ and ‘wipe Dalvik cache’ options.

8. Next, from the main menu of recovery select ‘install zip from SD card’and then select ‘choose zip from SD card’.

9. Pick up and flash the Lineage OS package on your device by following the on-screen prompts.

10. Install as above the compatible Google Apps.

11. When completed navigate to the main menu of recovery and choose ‘reboot system now’.

12. That was it. If after the last reboot your device will get stuck in a boot loop, go to recovery and repeat the wiping process.

Now you should be able to run and enjoy the new Lineage OS on your Android powered device.

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