Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge G935F Upgrade to Android 14 Using LineageOS 21 Custom ROM

Want to give your Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge a new Android experience? In this guide, we will explain how to install an Android 13-based LineageOS 20 custom ROM on the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge SM-G935F. The process includes enabling OEM Unlock, flashing TWRP Recovery with Odin, wiping the required partitions, installing the ROM, and flashing Google Apps.

This is a community-developed software upgrade, not an official Samsung Android 13 update. The ROM and recovery must specifically support the Exynos-based Galaxy S7 Edge, whose device codename is hero2lte.

Device Information

• Device: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
• Model: SM-G935F
• Device Codename: hero2lte
• Target Android: Android 13
• Custom ROM: LineageOS 20
• Recovery: Compatible TWRP Recovery
• Recovery Flash Tool: Odin
• Google Apps: Installed separately

Important Requirements Before Starting

Before installing a custom ROM, prepare your phone and computer carefully. A mistake during firmware or recovery flashing may cause data loss or prevent the device from booting.

• Confirm that the device model is SM-G935F.
• Back up photos, contacts, messages, and important files.
• Charge the phone to at least 60%.
• Install Samsung USB drivers on your computer.
• Download Odin, a compatible TWRP recovery, LineageOS 20, and Google Apps.
• Keep the ROM and Google Apps ZIP files on a microSD card if possible.
• Read the installation instructions provided with your exact ROM build.

Compatibility warning: Do not flash firmware, recovery, or ROM files made for the standard Galaxy S7 SM-G930F or another S7 Edge variant. The files must explicitly support SM-G935F / hero2lte.

Step 1: Enable Developer Options and OEM Unlock

The first step is to enable Developer Options and the OEM Unlock setting. This prepares the device for custom recovery installation where supported.

1. Open Settings on your Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.
2. Scroll to About phone.
3. Open Software information.
4. Tap Build number seven times until Developer Options are enabled.
5. Return to the main Settings screen.
6. Open Developer options.
7. Find OEM unlocking and enable it.
8. Read and accept the confirmation prompt if one appears.

Important: OEM Unlock and bootloader unlocking are related but not identical steps on every device. Follow the on-screen instructions for your exact firmware. Bootloader unlocking may erase all user data. Do not proceed if the OEM Unlock option is missing, the device is subject to an account or organization lock, or you cannot confirm that unlocking is permitted.

Step 2: Download the Required Files

Download all installation files before entering Download Mode. Use the download section at the bottom of this article to add your own verified links.

• Samsung USB drivers
• Odin Flash Tool
• TWRP recovery package for hero2lte
• LineageOS 20 Android 13 ROM ZIP for hero2lte
• Compatible Google Apps package for Android 13 and ARM64

The Google Apps package must match both the Android version and CPU architecture of the ROM. Do not download a package intended for another Android release or architecture.

Step 3: Enter Download Mode

1. Turn off the Galaxy S7 Edge.
2. Press and hold Volume Down + Home + Power.
3. When the Download Mode warning screen appears, follow the on-screen instructions to continue.
4. Connect the phone to the computer with a reliable USB cable.
5. Open Odin and confirm that the device is detected.

If Odin does not recognize the device, check the USB drivers, cable, computer port, and Download Mode connection before proceeding.

Step 4: Flash TWRP Recovery Using Odin

The next step is to flash a compatible TWRP recovery package. Use a recovery file specifically supplied for the Exynos Galaxy S7 Edge SM-G935F.

1. Open Odin on your computer.
2. Click the AP button, sometimes labelled PDA in older versions.
3. Select the correct TWRP TAR or TAR.MD5 package for hero2lte.
4. Make sure Re-Partition is not selected.
5. Do not change other options unless required by the recovery instructions.
6. Click Start and wait for Odin to finish.
7. Confirm that Odin displays PASS.
8. Follow the device-specific key sequence to boot directly into TWRP Recovery.

Do not boot into the stock Android system immediately after flashing TWRP. On some Samsung firmware versions, the stock system can restore the original recovery. Boot directly into TWRP according to the recovery developer's instructions.

Step 5: Start TWRP and Make a Backup

1. With the phone powered off, hold Volume Up + Home + Power.
2. Release the buttons when TWRP Recovery starts.
3. If your recovery offers a backup function, back up the available important partitions to external storage where possible.
4. Make sure the backup and ROM ZIP files are accessible before wiping anything.

A recovery backup is an additional safety measure, not a substitute for copying your personal files to a separate safe location.

Step 6: Wipe the Required Partitions

A clean installation is generally recommended when moving from the stock system to a custom ROM. The exact wipe procedure must follow the instructions for the specific ROM and recovery.

1. Open the Wipe menu in TWRP.
2. Select Advanced Wipe.
3. Select Dalvik / ART Cache.
4. Select Cache.
5. Select System.
6. Select Data.
7. Review the selection carefully and swipe to perform the wipe.

Storage warning: Wiping Data removes applications and personal settings. Formatting Data is a separate operation that can erase internal storage and remove encryption. Some ROM installations require it, while others specify a different procedure. Follow the instructions for your exact build, and do not erase the storage containing your only copy of the ROM.

Step 7: Install LineageOS 20 Android 13

1. Return to the TWRP main menu.
2. Tap Install.
3. Browse to the location of the LineageOS 20 ROM ZIP.
4. Select the ROM package verified for SM-G935F / hero2lte.
5. Swipe to confirm the installation.
6. Wait until the installation process finishes.
7. Read the recovery log if an error appears.

Do not interrupt the installation. If TWRP reports a compatibility error, installation failure, or missing partition, stop and check the ROM developer's instructions rather than repeatedly flashing the same package.

Step 8: Install Google Apps (GApps)

LineageOS does not normally include proprietary Google applications. If you want the Google Play Store, Google Play services, Gmail, and other Google applications, install a compatible Google Apps package.

1. After the ROM installation completes, remain in TWRP Recovery.
2. Without booting into Android, return to Install.
3. Select the Google Apps ZIP compatible with Android 13 and ARM64.
4. Swipe to confirm installation.
5. Wait until the installation completes successfully.
6. Follow any additional instructions supplied by the ROM developer.

Important: Install Google Apps before the first Android boot. Booting into the ROM first and installing GApps later may cause application crashes or require a clean reset. Confirm that the selected package is compatible with your particular LineageOS 20 build.

Step 9: Reboot Into Android 13

1. Return to the TWRP main screen.
2. Select Reboot and then System.
3. Wait for the first boot to complete.
4. Follow the Android setup instructions.
5. Sign in to your Google account if desired.
6. Check Wi-Fi, mobile network, calls, camera, audio, Bluetooth, and other functions.

The first boot may take longer than a normal startup. If the phone remains on the boot logo for an unusually long time, repeatedly restarts, or fails to boot, check the ROM's installation notes and recovery logs before attempting another installation.

Download Section

Use the buttons below to provide the required files for your readers. Replace each placeholder URL with your actual download link before publishing.

1. Samsung USB Drivers

Drivers required for the connection between your phone and computer.

Download USB Drivers

2. Odin Flash Tool

Used to flash the compatible TWRP recovery package.

Download Odin Tool

3. TWRP Recovery for Galaxy S7 Edge SM-G935F

Choose the recovery package for the hero2lte device.

Download TWRP Recovery

4. LineageOS 21 Android 14 Custom ROM

Download the compatible Android 13 ROM ZIP for Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

Download LineageOS 21 ROM

5. Google Apps for Android 13 (ARM64)

Download a GApps package that explicitly supports have been updated to 14

Download Google Apps

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Android 13 an official Samsung update for the S7 Edge?

No. This guide covers a community-developed custom ROM, not an official Samsung firmware update.

Why do I need to enable OEM Unlock?

OEM Unlock is a prerequisite for the custom recovery process on supported firmware. The actual bootloader unlocking process and its consequences depend on the device and firmware.

Do I need Google Apps separately?

Yes, if your ROM build does not include Google Apps and you want Google services. Install a compatible package before the first boot.

What if Odin fails to flash TWRP?

Verify the exact model, recovery package, USB drivers, cable, and Odin log. Do not flash a recovery intended for a different Galaxy S7 variant.

Will all hardware functions work on Android 13?

Not necessarily. Functionality depends on the specific community ROM build. Read the developer's known issues before using the ROM as your daily system.

Disclaimer

This tutorial is for educational purposes. Unlocking the bootloader and installing custom software can erase personal data, trip Samsung Knox, affect security features, and cause software problems. Use only verified files for SM-G935F / hero2lte. The author and website are not responsible for damage caused by incorrect files or flashing procedures.

Final Note: Verify the model, enable OEM Unlock where available, flash the correct TWRP package, install LineageOS 20, and flash compatible Google Apps before the first system boot.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge SM-G935F hero2lte Android 13 LineageOS 20 TWRP Recovery Odin GApps