One UI 7 on a Galaxy S8: A Custom ROM Miracle?

The Samsung Galaxy S8, a phone launched way back in 2017, has unexpectedly received a taste of the future – One UI 7, Samsung’s latest user interface. But there’s a significant catch: it’s not an official update from Samsung. This feat was achieved through a custom ROM, a modified version of Android installed by enthusiasts. Let’s delve into the details.

The Quick Summary:

• A custom ROM developer has successfully ported One UI 7 to the seven-year-old Galaxy S8.
• This unofficial ROM brings features like the Circle to Search function and the Now Bar, typically found on Samsung’s latest flagships.
• However, installing custom ROMs is risky and potentially damaging to your phone. It’s strongly discouraged for average users.

One UI 7: A Long Wait for Many

Samsung’s One UI 7, based on Android 15, boasts several exciting features. But Samsung’s update rollout has been slow. Officially, One UI 7 is only available on the Galaxy S25 series, with a beta program for the S24 line. The company hasn’t announced when (or if) older devices will receive the update. This slow rollout has left many users frustrated and seeking alternative solutions.

A Reddit User’s Amazing Feat

A Reddit user, SaidBl1, shared a video demonstrating One UI 7 running smoothly on their Galaxy S8. This seven-year-old device surprisingly handles the latest interface capably. The video showcased several key One UI 7 features:

• About Phone Section: Clearly showing One UI 7 based on Android 15.
• Circle to Search: A convenient search function.
• Quick Settings Toggles: Easy access to common settings.
• Now Bar: A dynamic notification bar displayed on the lock screen and as active notifications.
• New Charging Animation: A visually updated charging animation within the Now Bar.
• Galaxy AI Features: Certain online AI features from Samsung’s latest models work.

Seeing these modern functionalities on the aged S8 is remarkable.

The Catch: Custom ROMs and Their Risks

The secret behind this achievement is a custom ROM. While Samsung promises extended software support for its flagship phones, it can’t maintain updates indefinitely. Generally, flagship phone lines may receive 3-4 major Android OS updates. The Galaxy S8, released with Android 7, is simply too old for official One UI 7 support. This is where the community steps in. Third-party developers create custom ROMs, adapting newer operating systems for older devices.

While a developer initially created this One UI 7 port for the Galaxy S8, the original post appears to be unavailable. However, other enthusiasts have shared the ROM online.

Caution! Installing a custom ROM like this is not for the average user. It’s a complex process with high risks:

• High Risk of Bricking Your Phone: The installation is intricate and a single mistake can render your phone unusable.
• Numerous Bugs and Instability: This specific ROM reportedly suffers from several issues, including:
  • A malfunctioning camera and flashlight.
  • Broken Face Unlock and Smart View (screen mirroring) functionality.
  • Issues with DeX (desktop mode).
  • Random reboots.
  • Problems with Wi-Fi, mobile hotspots, and biometric authentication.
• Battery Drain: The age of the device will result in noticeably faster battery depletion during use.

Is it Worth the Risk? Probably Not

Unless you’re an experienced Android user comfortable with flashing ROMs and managing potential system failures, installing this One UI 7 port is strongly discouraged. The bugs and risks significantly outweigh the benefits for most users. The Galaxy S8 is likely not a primary phone now; any benefit from this upgrade would probably not be worth the trouble.

Community Spirit Keeps Older Devices Alive

Despite the risks, the effort of the hobbyist developers to bring new life to older devices like the Galaxy S8 is commendable. It demonstrates that there’s significant community support for keeping these older phones functioning beyond their official lifespan. We hope that more fans of Samsung phones might still get to experience newer One UI updates officially, someday.

Have a Tip? Contact Us!

Do you have news or tips to share about the Android world? We’d love to hear from you! Please email our team at [email protected]. You can choose to remain anonymous or receive credit for your submission – the choice is yours.