Install Android 7.0 Nougat ROM on Galaxy Core 2 G355H. Launched in June 2014, Samsung Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H made a tremendous impact on the Android users with its simple looks and decent features. Some of its eye catchy specs include 4.5 inches of TFT screen with 480 x 800 pixels of resolution, powered by 1.2 GHz Quad-core processor it featured 4 GB of internal storage and 768 MB of RAM. As long as cameras are concerned it had a 5 megapixel of primary camera and 0.3 megapixel of front camera for selfies. Although these specs have no value in the market today, still this smartphone gave a really tough competition to its rivals back then.
Samsung Galaxy Core 2 was launched with Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system. But due to its hardware incompatibility, Samsung never released any further official update after Android KitKat which obviously disappointed most of the users. This is when the third party developers started working and developing some cool and amazing custom ROMs based on the later versions of Android. Last time we came up with Android 5.0 Lollipop and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS which had a huge response from you guys. Considering that, we are introducing the latest Android version i.e. Android 7.0 Nougat based custom ROM especially for Samsung Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H smartphone.
In this guide we’ll be discussing the easy step by step procedure on how to update Samsung Galaxy Core 2 to latest Android 7.0 Nougat based custom ROM. Note that this is not any official firmware from Samsung but a third party unofficial custom ROM. There are chances that you might experience few bugs or issues after flashing this firmware. But don’t worry with a new updated version all those bugs and issues will be cleared out. So, if you are willing to experience the amazing features of Android 7.0 Nougat on your Samsung Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H then proceed to our actual tutorial given below. ?
Disclaimer:
This is an unofficial Android 7.0 Nougat lookalike ROM and is not an actual official firmware from Samsung. So flash it at your own risk. It is strongly recommended to implement each and every step correctly. Neither we at DroidThunder.com nor the developers of this ROM will be held responsible for any damage caused to your Galaxy Core 2 by referring this guide.
Compatibility:
This Android 7.0 Nougat ROM is only compatible with Samsung Galaxy Core 2 with the model number SM-G355H. Flashing this ROM on any other device or variant may result into unwanted outcomes. So verify your device’s model number from Menu->Settings–>About Phone before going further.
Screenshots:
Pre-Requisites:
- Charge your Galaxy Core 2 at least up to 60%. This is necessary as lack of battery power may interrupt the flashing process.
- Take backup of all your phones data and settings including contacts, installed apps, messages, call logs, notes etc. before moving ahead. This is must as everything gets deleted in the last step of this flashing process.
- Backup EFS folder which is present in your system directory. This sensitive folder contains all your phones specific information such as the IMEI, wireless devices MAC addresses, product code, and much more. If by mistake the data in it gets wiped, then this will make your phone completely useless & will no longer be recognized by your carrier. Refer our article to backup and restore EFS/IMEI data:
- Make sure that the Mobile specific USB drivers are installed on your PC. You can install them by installing Samsung Kies or manually install them from the link given below:
- Make sure your Galaxy Core 2 is Rooted.
- Also a custom recovery like Clockworkmod (CWM) must be installed before installing this ROM. Refer our step by step guide on how to root and install CWM recovery on Galaxy Core 2 G355H:
- Ensure that you’ve enabled the USB debugging mode on your phone. If not, then do so by following the path Menu->Settings->Developer options ->USB debugging. If you can’t see Developer option then go to Settings->About Phone and tap 7 times on the Build number. This will make the Developers option appear in the Settings menu.
Let’s proceed to our actual tutorial on how to install Android 7.0 Nougat ROM on Galaxy Core 2 smartphone.
Procedure to install Android 7.0 Nougat ROM on Galaxy Core 2:
Downloads:
Procedure:
Step 1: Download both the package files (.zip) in a specific folder on your PC. Do not extract these zip files.
Step 2: Now using micro USB cable connect Galaxy Core 2 to your PC. Transfer both the zip files on your phones internal memory. Then safely disconnect your phone from PC.
Note: If you don’t have a PC, you may directly download the zip files on your phone.
Step 3: Now switch off your Galaxy Core 2 completely until it vibrates. You need to boot your phone into custom recovery mode now. For doing so, press & hold Volume up + Home button (middle button) + Power button simultaneously till your phone enters custom recovery mode.
Note: Touch won’t work in CWM recovery mode (Unless you’ve installed touch recovery). So use Volume keys for navigating up and down and use Home button for selection.
As you enter the CWM recovery, it is highly recommended to firstly take a complete backup of your current ROM that you are using. This backup is called as Nandroid backup and is the backup of your phones entire operating system & is always helpful during the failure while flashing process or during any problem with the ROM. This way you can easily restore your previously saved ROM.
Refer our detailed article for taking Nandroid backup:
Step 4: For taking a complete nandroid backup, use Volume keys and navigate to the ‘backup & restore’ option on the recovery mode itself and on the next screen select ‘backup’ option using Home button. This will make a complete nandroid backup. Refer screenshots.
Step 5: Now you need to wipe the data and cache partitions from your phones internal memory. For doing the same, navigate to the ‘wipe data/factory reset’ option using volume keys. Select it using Home button. On the next screen press Yes option to start the wiping process. Similarly navigate to the ‘wipe cache partition’ option and clear the caches present.
Note: This step will clear entire data from your phones internal memory so a complete backup of everything must be done before implementing this step.
Step 6: Return to the main menu and select the Advanced option. On the next screen select Reboot Recovery option.
Wait until your phone boots again into CWM recovery.
Step 7: Using Volume keys navigate to the ‘install zip from SD card’ option. Select it using Home button. Then on the next screen select ‘choose zip from SD card’ option. This will show you all the files present on your phone. So just navigate to the Deodex_G355HXXU0AOB1 zip file which you’ve copied earlier and select it using Home button. On the next screen select ‘Yes’ option to initiate the process.
Step 8: After the installation completes successfully, return to the main menu and install Nougat ROM .zip file in the same way as you installed the Deodex .zip file.
Step 9: Now again wipe data and cache partitions as you did in Step 5.
Note: This step helps in resolving the boot loop issues.
Step 10: Everything completes here. Just restart your Galaxy Core 2 G355H by selecting ‘reboot system now’ option from the recovery mode. Note that the first boot will take more time to start than usual. But don’t worry after a couple of boots it’ll be normal.
If you are not satisfied with this ROM and want to install official Samsung firmware then refer our guide:
Refer our guide to install Android 5.0.2 Lollipop on Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H:
Success
Gotcha! The all new Android 7.0 Nougat ROM has been successfully installed on your Samsung Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H smartphone. Go to Menu->Settings->About Phone and confirm the same. Enjoy all the latest Android 7.0 Nougat features with this ROM. Also don’t forget to share your views and experience after using it.
As usual if you comes across any difficulty while going through the process then do inform me using the comments section. It’ll be pleasure to help you guys. Till then Keep Smiling and Peace out!✌