Samsung Galaxy S7 is a legendary smartphone that is still used by many users. However, with the release of new versions of Android, support for the device from the manufacturer stopped at Android 8.0 Oreolevel. However, there are several ways to update Galaxy S7 to Android 9.0 Pie —both officially (for certain regions) and using custom firmware. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, their pros and cons, and also give recommendations for preparing the device.

It is important to understand that updating to Android 9 on Galaxy S7 (models SM-G930F, SM-G935F and their variants) may entail both improved performance and new bugs. For example, some users report problems with camera autofocus or CPU overheating after the upgrade. Therefore, before starting the process, carefully read the section on risks and data backup.

If your goal is simply to extend the life of the device, you may want to consider alternatives like lightweight firmware based on Android 8.0 or installation Google Camera to improve the photo. But if you are determined to switch to Pieread further.

1. Checking the current Android version and device model

Before you start updating, make sure that your Galaxy S7 actually supports the transition to Android 9. To do this:

  1. Open Settings → About device → Software information.
  2. Check the lines:
    • ✅ Android version - if it is already set 9.0, no further action is needed.
    • ✅ Model number - must start with SM-G930 (regular version) or SM-G935 (Edge).
    • ✅ Build number - if it contains G93*XXU, the device is intended for Europe (chance of official update above).

Important! Devices for the USA (models with SM-G930U or SM-G935U) were not officially received Android 9 even through OTA. For them, the only option left is with custom firmware.

Model Support for Android 9 (officially) Support for custom firmware
SM-G930F (Exynos) Yes (limited regions) Yes (LineageOS, HavocOS)
SM-G935F (Exynos, Edge) Yes (Europe, Asia) Yes
SM-G930U (Snapdragon, USA) No Yes (with bootloader unlocked)
SM-G930W8 (Canada) No Limited
⚠️ Attention: If your model does not support the official update, attempting to install firmware for another modification will lead to "brick" (inoperability) of the device. Check compatibility by Model Number in the settings!

2. Official update via OTA or Smart Switch

The safest way is to update via built-in OTA system (by air) or app Samsung Smart Switch. However, it is only available for devices from certain regions (mainly Europe and Asia).

Steps to update via OTA:

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi (update weighs ~1.5–2 GB).
  2. Go to Settings → Software Update → Download and Install.
  3. If the update is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

Steps to update via Smart Switch (PC):

  1. Download Samsung Smart Switch from official website.
  2. Connect Galaxy S7 to the computer via the original cable.
  3. In the app, select Update → Update.
  4. Wait for download and installation (do not disconnect USB!).

    5. If the system writes "No update", but you are sure that your model should support Android 9, try:

    • 🔄 Change the region in the settings (for example, to Germany or India).
    • 📱 Reset network settings: Settings → General management → Reset → Reset network settings.
    • 🔌 Use another Samsung account (sometimes it helps).
    📊 Have you tried updating via Smart Switch?
    Yes, it worked
    Yes, but I didn’t find the update
    No, I’m afraid of losing data
    I prefer custom firmware
    ⚠️ Attention: After the official update to Android 9 some functions Galaxy S7 may work differently. For example, Always On Display becomes less smooth, and Bixby (if it was) may disappear. Check user reviews for your model before updating.

    3. Preparing the device for update (backup and reset)

    Regardless of the selected update method, required create a backup copy of your data. During the process, failures may occur leading to loss of information.

    What needs to be saved:

    • 📸 Photos and videos - copy to a PC or to the cloud (Google Photos, Samsung Cloud).
    • 📱 Contacts and SMS —export via Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Backup and Restore.
    • 🎮 Application data —use Titanium Backup (requires root) or built-in application tools (for example, WhatsApp → Settings → Chat → Backup).
    • 📝 Samsung Notes —synchronize with your Samsung account.

Recommended procedure:

  1. Connect the device to charger (the battery must be charged at 80%+).
  2. Transfer all important files to an external drive.
  3. Write down the IMEI of the device (dial *#06# in your telephone keyboard).
  4. Perform a factory reset (optional, but recommended for a clean installation): 
    Settings → General management → Reset → Reset data

Make sure battery charge is >80%|Back up contacts|Save device IMEI|Disable screen protection (PIN/pattern)|Download the necessary drivers (for the PC method)-->

Critical! If you plan to use custom firmwarereset to factory settings required before installation. Otherwise, reboot cycles are possible (bootloop).

4. Installing Android 9 via custom firmware (LineageOS, HavocOS)

If the official update is not available, it remains option with unofficial firmware. The most stable options for Galaxy S7:

  • 📱 LineageOS 16 (Android 9) - minimalistic open source firmware.
  • 🔧 HavocOS - customizable firmware with advanced settings.
  • 🔄 Resurrection Remix — a combination of functions from different firmware.

Requirements for installation:

  • 🔓 Unlocked bootloader.
  • 🛠️ Installed custom recovery (TWRP).
  • 💾 Firmware compatible with your model (herolte for SM-G930F, hero2lte for SM-G935F).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Unlocking the bootloader:
    • Activate Developer options (click on Number assembly 7 times in the settings).
    • Enable OEM Unlock in Settings → Developer Options.
    • Connect the device to the PC, open cmd and run: 
      adb reboot bootloader

      fastboot oem unlock

  2. Installing TWRP:
    • Download the latest version TWRP for your model from the site twrp.me.
    • Flash via Odin (in the field AP upload the file .tar).
  • Firmware installation:
    • Copy the firmware (.zip) and GApps (Google services) to the card memory.
    • Boot into TWRP (press Power + Home + Vol Up).
    • Execute Wipe → Advanced Wipe (tick Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
    • Install the firmware, then GApps, then Magisk (if you need root).
    What to do if TWRP does not see the internal memory?

    If TWRP does not display files in the internal memory, most likely the wrong version of recovery is used or encryption is enabled. Solution:

    1. Try a different version of TWRP. (for example, for herolte instead of hero2lte).

    2. Format Data to TWRP (will lead to data loss!).

    3. Use a memory card to transfer files.

    Firmware Stability Features Download link
    LineageOS 16 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Minimalism, close to stock Android forum.xda-developers.com
    HavocOS 2.9 ⭐⭐⭐ Lots of customization, possible bugs with the camera sourceforge.net
    Resurrection Remix ⭐⭐⭐ Functions from Pixel, but less optimized get.resurrectionremix.com
    ⚠️ Attention: Installation of custom firmware voids the warranty and can lead to problems with Samsung Pay, Secure Folder and other services tied to official software Also some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may refuse to work on uncertified firmware.

    5. Solving problems after the update

    Even if the update was successful, some problems may arise. Here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

    🔋 Rapid battery drain

    After updating to Android 9 many users Galaxy S7 complain about increased battery consumption. This is due. from:

    • 🔄 Background optimization — enable Settings → Device care → Battery → Optimization.
    • 📡 Mobile network —try switching to 3G instead of 4G.
    • 🛠️ Unoptimized applications - update them via Google Play.

    📷 Problems with the camera (autofocus, noise in the photo)

    In Android 9 on Galaxy S7 sometimes the camera settings go wrong. Solutions:

    • 🔧 Install Google Camera with support Camera2API (for example, version from Arnova8G2).
    • 📲 Reset the camera settings: Settings → Applications → Camera → Storage → Clear data.
    • 🔄 Roll back to stock firmware if the problem is critical.

    🔊 No sound from the speaker or headphones

    If the sound is gone after the update:

    1. Check whether Do Not Disturb mode is activated.
    2. Clear the cache Audio Service in application settings.
    3. Reflash modem (radio module) via Odin (look for files CP_*.tar for your model).
    💡

    If after the update the device gets very hot, try disabling Adaptive brightness i Interface animation in the developer settings. Limiting the background for applications via Settings → Applications → will also help. ⚙️ Special access → Battery optimization

    6. Rollback to Android 8.0 Oreo (if something went wrong)

    If Android 9 it is unstable, you can return the official firmware Android 8.0. this:

    1. Download stock firmware for your model from the sites SamMobile or Sammobile Firmware.
    2. Unzip the file and prepare Odin (version 3.14.1 or newer).
    3. Download the device into Download Mode (press Power + Home + Vol Down).
    4. In Odin upload files into the appropriate fields:
      • BL — BL_*.tar
      • AP — AP_*.tar
      • CP — CP_*.tar
      • CSC — CSC_*.tar (select HOME_CSCto avoid losing data).
  • Press Start and wait for completion (the device will reboot automatically).

    • Important! After rollback:

    • 🔒 The bootloader will be locked again (re-unlocking will be required for custom firmware).
    • 📱 Applications and data will be saved, but some settings will be reset.
    • 🔄 Knox will be triggered (Knox 0x1), which will void the warranty.
    ⚠️ Attention: If you installed custom firmwarebefore returning to stock, required uninstall Magisk and return the standard recovery. Otherwise, the device may get stuck in a loop. logo Samsung.

    7. Alternatives to updating: how to improve performance on Android 8.0

    If there are risks of updating up to Android 9 seem too high, you can optimize the current system. Here are several ways:

    • 🚀 Lightweight firmware — for example, LightROM based on Android 8.0 with removed bloatware.
    • 🔧 De-bloat — removing unnecessary system applications through ADB: 
      adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.samsung.knox.app.smartmanager

      adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.sec.android.app.launcher

    • 📱 Replacing the launcher — Nova Launcher or Lawnchair will reduce the load on the system.
    • 🔋 Battery optimization - disable Aoda (Always On Display) and reduce the screen resolution to HD+.

    Advantages of staying on Android 8.0:

    • ✅ Stability - no risk of new bugs.
    • ✅ Compatibility - all functions Galaxy S7 work out of the box.
    • ✅ Performance - Exynos 8890 better optimized for Oreo.
    💡

    If your goal is simply to extend the life of the Galaxy S7, often the best solution is cleaning the system i optimizing the current firmwarerather than risky update.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about updating the Galaxy S7 to Android 9

    ❓ Is it possible to update the Galaxy S7 (SM-G930U) from the USA to Android 9 officially?

    No, there is no official support Android 9 for American models (SM-G930U, SM-G935U) The only option is custom firmware, but they require unlocking the bootloader, which on these models often leads to problems with the modem (no network).

    ❓ Why after? Update to Android 9 contactless payment (Samsung Pay) stopped working?

    This is due to a change TrustZone when installing unofficial firmware Samsung Pay only works on Knox when installing unofficial firmware. Samsung Pay only works on certified official firmware. - Google Pay (but it does not support MSTlike Samsung Pay).

    ❓ How to check if the bootloader is unlocked on my Galaxy S7?

    Boot the device in Download Mode (press Power + Home + Vol Down). If it says OEM Unlock: ONat the top of the screen, the bootloader is unlocked. If OFF —unlocking via adb or Odin.

    ❓ Is it possible to upgrade to Android 10 or 11 on the Galaxy S7?

    Technically, yes, but such firmware (for example, LineageOS 17/18) work extremely unstable: problems with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera i overheatingThey are not for everyday use. are recommended.

    ❓ What to do if after the update the device does not turn on (brick)?

    Resuscitation methods:

    1. Try to boot in Recovery Mode (Power + Home + Vol Up) and do Wipe Data.
    2. Flash the stock firmware via Odin (see section 6).
    3. If the device is not detected by the PC, it may be damaged USB port or EMMC memory —contact the service.