An unofficial LineageOS 20 build brought Android 13 to selected Exynos versions of Samsung’s Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S8, S8+ and Note 8 in September 2022. It was a community ROM—not a Samsung update or proof of official LineageOS support—and installation required an unlockable bootloader, custom recovery and a full data wipe. Snapdragon and many carrier variants were excluded.
What was released?
LineageOS 20 is based on Android 13. The 2022 project, associated with XDA developer Ivan_Meler, targeted these device codenames:
| Phone | Codename | Original scope |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S7 | herolte |
Exynos variants |
| Galaxy S7 Edge | hero2lte |
Exynos variants |
| Galaxy S8 | dreamlte |
Exynos variants |
| Galaxy S8+ | dream2lte |
Exynos variants |
| Galaxy Note 8 | greatlte |
Exynos variants |
The announcement mattered because Samsung’s official software support for these phones had already ended. LineageOS supplied a newer Android platform and a stock-like interface, but not Samsung’s complete One UI software stack. Contemporary reporting is available from Android Headlines.
Is it official LineageOS or a Samsung update?
No. The original builds were unofficial community releases distributed through XDA. “LineageOS 20” describes the Android 13-based operating system, not Samsung firmware. Official LineageOS status is determined by the project’s requirements, not by an old forum build; see the LineageOS device-support requirements.
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The 2022 announcement should therefore be treated as a historical release. In 2026, verify whether a maintained build exists for your exact model in the current LineageOS device directory. Do not assume that old download links, maintainers or mirrors remain trustworthy.
Which Galaxy models can use it?
Do not identify a phone only as “Galaxy S8” or “Note 8.” Open Settings → About phone and record the complete model number, processor region and whether it is single- or dual-SIM. The original project covered Exynos-based international hardware. Many US carrier phones used Snapdragon chips and were specifically incompatible.
- A
dreamltepackage is not automatically suitable for every SM-G950 model. - A
greatltepackage is not automatically suitable for every SM-N950 model. - The S7 and S7 Edge are separate targets despite sharing much of their platform.
- Carrier bootloader locks, regional firmware and modem differences can prevent installation or disable cellular features.
What worked in the initial builds?
The following table reflects reports about the early 2022 builds, not a guarantee for every later community build or every variant.
| Function | Reported status in early builds |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio | Working |
| Fingerprint reader, GPS and sensors | Generally working |
| Hardware acceleration and charging | Working |
| Camera | Generally working on S7 and S8; initially broken on Note 8 |
| Storage encryption | Not working or incomplete |
| Network-traffic and GPU monitoring | Not working in early reports |
| Button backlight, battery-percentage and button-remapping controls | Initially incomplete |
| VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling | May not work because of Samsung and carrier-specific implementations |
Android 13 can improve application compatibility, permissions, notification behavior and privacy controls, but it does not recreate Samsung Camera processing, Knox services, Samsung Pay or every One UI feature.
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- Confirm the exact model, codename and SoC. Never flash a package based only on the marketing name.
- Back up photos, messages, authenticator data and local files to another device. A custom-ROM installation normally erases user data.
- Confirm that the bootloader can be unlocked. Some carrier and regional models cannot be.
- Prepare a reliable computer, data-capable USB cable and the Samsung flashing tools required for your model.
- Obtain the device-specific custom recovery and the exact LineageOS 20 ZIP. An optional Google Apps package must match Android 13 and the phone’s architecture.
- Charge the phone adequately and remove Google accounts and screen locks before wiping. This reduces Factory Reset Protection problems.
- Use the exact installation instructions for the device and build. Recovery keys, partitions and download-mode behavior vary; LineageOS explains device-specific installation and FRP considerations in its FAQ.
Common failure modes
Boot loop
Return to recovery, verify the codename and model, and check whether a clean wipe was required. Reflash only files named by the maintainer; do not mix random recovery images, firmware and ROM packages.
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- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charger and charging cable that may be generic.
- Fully Unlocked: Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.), both domestically and internationally.
No mobile service
Check the baseband, regional model and radio configuration. Ordinary calls or data may work while VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling remains unavailable.
Recovery cannot decrypt or mount data
Encryption problems were reported in early builds. Treat an unreadable data partition as a warning, not as evidence that the ROM is compatible. Keep backups outside the phone and follow the maintainer’s exact procedure.
Google setup crashes or Play Store is missing
LineageOS normally ships without Google apps. Use a GApps package matching Android 13 and the device architecture, installed at the stage specified by the build instructions. An incompatible package can break setup.
Security warning or failure to boot
Stop and recheck the model and bootloader state. Keep the correct Samsung stock firmware available for recovery. “Soft brick” procedures are model-specific.
What you give up
- Samsung One UI features, Samsung Pay, Knox-dependent functions and proprietary camera processing may disappear.
- VoLTE, Wi-Fi Calling and other carrier integrations may fail.
- Encryption, certification and DRM behavior can differ from stock firmware; banking, streaming or enterprise apps may reject the modified device.
- Old batteries, storage and processors remain old. A newer OS cannot remove hardware wear, and community builds can bring battery drain, camera regressions or modem instability.
- Unlocking and flashing can cause data loss, downtime and a difficult recovery.
Who should install it?
This project is reasonable only when you have an Exynos-compatible phone, an unlockable bootloader, a complete external backup and a willingness to test essential apps and cellular features. You should also be comfortable restoring Samsung firmware and accepting that the phone may not be suitable as a primary work or emergency device.
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- Infinity Display: a bezel less, full frontal, edge to edge screen. Default resolution is Full HD+ and can be changed to Quad HD+ (WQHD+) in Settings
- Camera resolution Front: 8 MP AF, Rear: 12 MP OIS AF
- Memory: Internal Memory 64 GB, RAM 4GB. Earjack : 3.5 millimeter Stereo
- Battery, talk time is up to 30 hours, video play time is up to 17 hours
- Dust and Water resistant Water resistant and dustproof based on IP68 Rating, which tests submersion up to 1.5 meter for up to 30 minutes. Not shockproof
Avoid it if you own a US Snapdragon carrier model, cannot unlock the bootloader, require guaranteed VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling, depend on banking or enterprise applications, or cannot tolerate downtime and data loss.
Alternatives
Keep stock firmware
Stock software remains the safer choice for Samsung Camera, carrier services and predictable operation, but it will not provide an official Android 13 upgrade.
Choose a newer phone with official LineageOS support
A newer device listed in the official directory is a better custom-ROM starting point than an aging, unofficial port. Follow that model’s installation guide.
Replace the phone
If you need current security updates, reliable carrier support or modern app compatibility, replacement is safer than modifying a discontinued flagship.
Make lighter software changes
Debloating or using a lightweight launcher can improve responsiveness without flashing firmware, although it does not add Android 13 APIs or security behavior.
Current-status check
The September 2022 release proves that Android 13 could run on specific Exynos S7, S8 and Note 8 hardware. It does not prove that a maintained, secure or officially supported build is available today. Check the live device wiki, verify the maintainer and build date, and confirm recovery, modem and app compatibility before committing to a wipe.
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