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Install Custom ROMs/GSI on Galaxy S22/Plus/Ultra

In this guide, we will show you the steps to install the custom/GSI ROM onto your Galaxy S22/Plus/Ultra. The latest flagships from the South Korean conglomerate had already managed to spice up the hype mill even before it was released. And once it eventually made its way, it’s fair to say that all those hypes were totally justified. A power-packed device with high-end specs, impressive build quality, an excellent camera, and up to 5 years of updates, well, there’s not much left to ask.

custom rom galaxy s22 ultra
Credits: XD Senior Member Bhammler

then if we step into the custom development, there are quite a few tweaks already waiting in line to make a permanent abode on your device. From gaining administrative access by rooting your device via Magisk to installing a custom recovery like TWRP, there are a plethora of tweaks to try out. However, when it comes to the customized firmware domain, then there’s currently not much to talk about. At the time of writing, there’s just one single Magisk-based ROM, and the list stops right there.

custom rom galaxy s22 ultra
Credits: XD Senior Member Bhammler

But while there aren’t many custom ROMs, there are a slew of Generic System images that you could give a try. From LineageOS to Pixel Experience, the list is quite a lengthy one [as is evident in the next section]. So without any further ado, let’s get started with the steps to install the custom/GSI ROM of your choice onto your Galaxy S22/Plus/Ultra.

Install Custom ROMs/GSI on Galaxy S22/Plus/Ultra

custom rom galaxy s22 ultra

The below instructions are listed under separate sections for ease of understanding. Make sure to follow the same sequence as mentioned. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.

STEP 1: Install Android SDK

First and foremost, you will have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform-tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide to install the Custom/GSI ROM onto Samsung Galaxy S22/Plus/Ultra.

install adb platform tools windows

STEP 2: Download GSI ROM for Galaxy S22/Plus/Ultra

You may now grab hold of the desired GSI ROM for your device from below-

Official Android 12/12L ROMs

ROM NameDownload Link
Google GSIDownload
DescendantOSDownload
LeOS-SDownload
AOSPDownload
StatiXOSDownload
Corvus OSDownload
Ancient OSDownload

Unofficial Android 12/12L ROMs

ROM NameDownload Link
SparkOSDownload
AwakenOSDownload
crDroidDownload
ArrowOSDownload
LineageOSDownload
Miku UIDownload
Pixel ExperienceDownload
Superior OSDownload
Cherish OSDownload
ProtonAOSPDownload
OctaviOSDownload

STEP 3: Download GSI Flasher Tool

Next up, download the GSI Flasher Tool and extract it to any convenient location on your PC.

Download: GSI Flasher Tool [Credits: XDA Senior Member azteria2000]

custom rom galaxy s22 ultra

STEP 4: Convert GSI ROM to TWRP Flashable

  1. Extract the downloaded GSI ROM inside the GSI_Flasher > GSI Folder.
  2. Likewise, rename it to system, so that the complete name becomes system.img.custom rom galaxy s22 ultra
  3. Then select all the three folders inside the GSI Flasher Tool- gsi, META-INF, and scripts.
  4. Now right-click on it and select 7ZIP > Add to archive [you may also use WinRAR for this].custom rom galaxy s22 ultra
  5. Give it any name of your choice, change the Archive format to ZIP, and hit OK.custom rom galaxy s22 ultra
  6. Wait for the process to complete. Once done, send this ZIP file to the platform-tools folder.

STEP 5: Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking

You will also have to enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device. The former will make your device recognizable by the PC in ADB mode. This will then allow you to boot your device to Fastboot Mode. On the other hand, OEM Unlocking is required to carry out the bootloader unlocking process.

custom rom galaxy s22 ultra

So head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.

STEP 6: Unlock Bootloader

You will also have to unlock the device’s bootloader to install the Custom/GSI ROM onto Samsung Galaxy S22/Plus/Ultra. Do note that doing so will wipe off all the data from your device and could nullify its warranty as well. So if that’s all and good, then please refer to our guide on How to Unlock Bootloader on Samsung Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, S22 Ultra

custom rom galaxy s22 ultra

STEP 7: Install TWRP Recovery

Your device also needs to have a working TWRP Recovery installed using the Odin Tool. If you haven’t done so yet, then refer to our guide on How to Install TWRP Recovery on Galaxy S22 Ultra

custom rom galaxy s22 ultra

STEP 8: Boot to TWRP

  1. Connect your device to the PC via USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
  2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
    command-prompt-inside-adb
  3. Type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to TWRP
    adb reboot recovery

STEP 9: Install GSI ROM via TWRP

  1. From TWRP, go to Wipe > Format Data and type in YES in the space provided.
  2. Then hit the checkmark situated at the bottom right and wait for the wipe to complete.custom rom galaxy s22 ultra
  3. Once done, go to Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, and Data partitions.
  4. Then perform a right swipe to wipe these partitions.custom rom galaxy s22 ultra
  5. After that, transfer the GSI ZIP file to your device using ADB Sideload, Mount, or OTG.
  6. Now go to Install, select the GSI ZIP file and perform a right swipe to flash it.
  7. Finally, go to Reboot and select System. Your device will now boot to the newly installed ROM.custom rom galaxy s22 ultra

So these were the steps to install the Custom/GSI ROM onto Samsung Galaxy S22/Plus/Ultra. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.



FAQ: GSI ROM Bugs and Bootloop Fixes

GSI ROMs are known to go through a few bugs and issues related to network, 5G, or VoWIFI/VoLTE. In case, you also come across such bugs, then you could refer to our below-listed guides to fix them.

Likewise, if your device gets stuck in a continuous bootloop, then it’s most probably in need of disabling the verity checks, which requires flashing the vbmeta. All these have been explained in the below-linked guides, do check them out, if needed

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