Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are the most successful phones of the Galaxy series. They have the best design and appearance compared to all other smartphones in their tier. They are no less in the specs and hardware as well. Talking about the specs, Samsung released two versions of Galaxy S7. The international version and the USA one. The USA version runs on Samsung’s own Exynos, and the other runs on Snapdragon 820. Both are equally great. They were released with Android Marshmallow. But now you can update via OTA or install Android Nougat on Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge using the guide below.
How to Install Android Nougat on Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge
Samsung recently started a program that allows users to test the Android Nougat 7.0 on their Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. It was a beta program, and Samsung collected users’ feedback on the operating system. Fixed the bugs and implemented the popular choices. The beta program allows users to test the operating system and provide Samsung with feedback on the performance and usability of this new operating system.
Update: Sprint has started rolling out the Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.
The beta program was only available for countries like the USA, South Korea, China, and the United Kingdom.
Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge (Unlocked) were eligible for the beta testing program. This programme started on November 9th, 2016, and ended on the last week of December.
Samsung has started releasing the official Android Nougat for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge on January 17th, 2017.
Install Android Nougat 7 on Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge via ODIN:
In the following guide, we will flash Android Nougat firmware on your Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge using ODIN. It is a simple process but not the official way to get Android Nougat. If you can’t wait for the official OTA version, go for the guide below to install Android Nougat on Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge.
Prerequisites:
Following are some prerequisites that you will need to download on your Windows PC before you move on to the guide:
- Download ODIN V3.12.3.
- Enable USB Debugging and Enable OEM Unlocking from Settings:
- Goto Settings -> About Phone -> Tap on Build Number for 7 Times.
- Now, go back to Settings -> Developers Options.
- Locate and Enable USB debugging.
- Download Samsung Drivers for Windows. (The link to download the file is under the main heading). These drivers are to be installed on your PC; they are essential for your PC to recognize your device correctly.
- For Galaxy S7 Edge SM-G935F. Download the firmware from here.
- For Galaxy S7 SM-G930F. Download the firmware from here.
- For other versions of Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. Follow this link, enter your phone model, and all the present firmware will be displayed. You can then select the firmware respective to your phone.
- Download the firmware from above. The above firmware is unbranded and will run with any unbranded Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge. Make sure your phone is unlocked and not branded with any carrier. The links above are from Sammobile, the most reliable to download firmware for Samsung mobiles.
- Turn off KIES.
- Perform Clean flash. It is recommended that you factory reset your phone before flashing new firmware.
- Knox is not triggered after flashing, as Samsung signs this firmware.
Note: If you don’t want to perform a factory reset and lose data. Factory reset is recommended before flashing new firmware to get the best experience. Download the firmware that you are using right now on your phone. Use its HOME_CSC file instead of the CSC file from the downloaded firmware in ODIN.
Note: If you want to revert to Android Marshmallow, Download Smart Switch on your PC, connect your phone to your PC and restore the stock firmware.
Now let’s move on to the guide on how to install Android Nougat on Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge via ODIN:
- First of all, download ODIN on your PC.
- Install Samsung USB drivers for Windows on your PC.
- Download the correct ROM for your phone and extract it on your desktop or anywhere easily accessible. Extract the .zip file to get .tar or .tar.md5 file.
- Now, turn off your Galaxy S7.
- Get it into Download mode:
- Press the Volume Down, Power button and Home Button simultaneously.
- Keep on holding the buttons till you see a warning.
- Press the Volume Up button to continue.
- Now open ODIN on your Windows PC.
- Connect your Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge with your PC via data cable. The ID:COM section will turn blue, like in the screenshot below. It is an indication that the PC has recognized your device.
- Click on AP or, in some ODIN versions, PDAÂ .
- After that, locate and select the firmware you downloaded and extracted for your phone with the .tar or .tar.md5 file extension.
- If the firmware you downloaded extracts more than one file, then select the corresponding section according to file type. BL belongs to Bootloader, AP belongs to PDA, CP belongs to Phone(Modem) and selects the CSC file in the CSC tab. ( Mostly, you just need to choose an AP/PDA file like in the screenshot)
- Ensure only Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time are checked in the options. DO NOT CHECK REPARTITION.
- Click on Start.
- Now, wait for 4-5 minutes. Don’t disconnect your phone from your PC while ODIN is flashing because it can brick your phone. Wait, even if it takes time.
- Finally, when the flashing is complete, your phone will reboot. It will be running on Android Nougat 7 Beta version.
- After the flash, it takes about 7 minutes to reboot. Do not panic and try to restart or shut down your phone.
If you have any questions regarding how to install Android Nougat on Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge via ODIN. Ask me in the comments. Do give us your feedback after you flash Android Nougat on your phone. Also, share your experience of running Android Nougat on Galaxy S7.
