You're looking for a custom ROM for your Samsung A9 (2018)!
The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) is a great device, and having a custom ROM can breathe new life into it. Here are some popular custom ROMs for the Samsung A9 (2018):
Before you start searching for a custom ROM, make sure:
Some popular sources for custom ROMs:
Remember to always research thoroughly, read reviews, and understand the risks involved in flashing a custom ROM. Make sure to backup your data before attempting to flash a new ROM.
Which custom ROM are you interested in trying out? Or do you have any specific questions about the process?
For the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
(model SM-A920F), official software support ended with Android 10 . However, active community development continues through unofficial custom ROMs and Generic System Images (GSIs), which can bring modern versions of Android to the device . Current ROM Availability
AOSP/Unofficial ROMs: Projects like Evolution X have unofficial builds for Samsung devices as recent as April 2026, often offering Android 14 or 16-based features .
LineageOS: While there may not be an "official" LineageOS build for the A9 2018, it is a primary candidate for GSI (Generic System Image) installations .
GSIs: Because the A9 2018 is Project Treble compliant, you can flash GSIs to experience clean Android 12, 13, or 14 . Core Technical Challenges
Locked Bootloader: Samsung devices require unlocking the bootloader before any custom software can be installed .
Custom Recovery: You typically need TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) to flash ROMs . However, newer methods allow for flashing GSIs using Odin by packing them into LZ4 compressed archives .
Encryption & Security: Modern ROM installations on Samsung often require disabling Verified Boot (vbmeta) to allow the device to boot modified firmware . General Installation Framework How to Install a Custom ROM on Any Android Phone (Example
Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) — known for being the world's first quad-camera smartphone — remains a solid piece of hardware, but its official software support ended years ago. To keep this device snappy, secure, and modern, the developer community has produced several Custom ROMs that bring newer versions of Android and a cleaner user experience. Popular Custom ROMs for Galaxy A9 (2018) Since this device uses the Snapdragon 660
chipset, it has better development support than many Exynos-based Samsung phones. LineageOS (18.1 / 19.1 / 20):
The gold standard for stability. It offers a "Stock Android" feel, stripping away Samsung's One UI bloatware to significantly improve RAM management and speed. Pixel Experience: Designed to make your
feel like a Google Pixel. It comes with all Pixel-exclusive features (wallpapers, icons, animations) and Google Apps (GApps) pre-installed.
Best for users who want extreme customization. It is based on AOSP but includes a "Configuration Center" where you can tweak everything from status bar icons to hardware button shortcuts.
A lightweight ROM focused on battery life and "clean" performance. It avoids unnecessary features to ensure the Snapdragon 660 runs as cool as possible. Prerequisites for Flashing Before you begin, ensure you have the following: Unlocked Bootloader:
Samsung's "OEM Unlocking" must be toggled in Developer Options. Custom Recovery: You will need TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) or OrangeFox Recovery installed. Drivers & Tools: ADB and Fastboot drivers installed on your PC. Flashing a ROM wipes all data . Back up your photos, contacts, and 2FA tokens. General Installation Steps Get the ROM file and the appropriate (if not included in the ROM).
Move the files to your phone's internal storage or an SD card. Boot to Recovery: Power off, then hold Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP. Wipe > Advanced Wipe and select Data, Cache, System, and Dalvik , find your ROM , and swipe to flash. Repeat for GApps/Magisk (optional).
Format Data (if required to remove encryption) and reboot to System. Why Install a Custom ROM? Android Version Upgrades:
Official support stopped at Android 10, but custom ROMs can bring you up to Android 13 or 14 Performance:
Removing "One UI" bloatware frees up 1–2GB of RAM, making multitasking much smoother.
Better control over app permissions and the ability to run a "De-Googled" system if desired. Camera Improvements: Many ROMs allow you to install GCam (Google Camera ports)
, which often produces better dynamic range than the stock Samsung app. Flashing custom software voids your warranty and trips Samsung Knox
, meaning features like Samsung Pay and Secure Folder will stop working permanently. direct download links from XDA Developers for a specific Android version? custom rom for samsung a9 2018
Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) officially stopped receiving updates after Android 9.0 Pie
, you can extend its life using custom ROMs or Generic System Images (GSIs). Because this device lacks a massive community for device-specific ROMs, many users rely on GSIs to run newer versions like Android 12. Available Custom ROM Options Android 12 (GSI): Users have successfully flashed Android 12 GSIs on the Go to product viewer dialog for this item. LineageOS:
While there are unofficial builds or GSIs based on LineageOS, official support for the is generally limited compared to other models Debloated Stock ROMs:
These are modified versions of the original Samsung software designed to remove "bloatware" and improve performance. Installation Prerequisites
Before flashing any custom software, you must complete these critical technical steps: Unlock the Bootloader: This is the first step and will wipe all your data Enable Developer Options: Settings > About Phone > Software Information and tap "Build Number" seven times. Install TWRP Recovery: You need a custom recovery like to flash the ROM files. Treble Compatibility:
Check if your device is Project Treble compatible using the "Treble Info" app to ensure it can run GSIs. Step-by-Step Overview
Introduction: The Forgotten Mid-Ranger
The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) was a bold experiment. As the world’s first smartphone with four rear cameras, it aimed to bring versatility to the mid-range segment. However, like many Samsung phones from this era, it shipped with the heavy, resource-hungry Samsung Experience UI (later One UI). Fast forward a few years, and the official software support has long ended, leaving users stuck on Android 10 (One UI 2.1) with outdated security patches.
Enter the custom ROM community. For those willing to tinker, custom ROMs offer a lifeline. After spending two months flashing, testing, and daily driving several ROMs on my A9 (SM-A920F), here is my exhaustive review of the current landscape.
Why Bother with a Custom ROM on the A9 2018?
Before diving into specific builds, let’s address the elephant in the room: Is it worth it?
The Main Contenders (Status: Early 2025)
The A9 2018 is not as popular as the Galaxy S series, but a few dedicated developers on XDA and Telegram have kept it alive. The most stable and actively maintained ROMs are:
Detailed Review: LineageOS 20 – The Gold Standard
I spent three weeks on LineageOS 20 (Unofficial, maintained by a developer named Aarav on Telegram).
Installation Experience: Moderate difficulty. You need to unlock the bootloader (which wipes data and trips Knox—but on an old phone, who cares?), install a custom recovery (TWRP), and then flash the ROM. The instructions are clear, but newbies might struggle with the vendor partition requirements. Warning: The A9 has a fragile bootloader unlock process; you must enable OEM unlocking in dev settings and wait for the 7-day timer if you just reset the phone.
Performance & Daily Use: 9/10 Wow. The difference is night and day. Stock One UI 2.1 feels like wading through molasses. LineageOS 20 is fluid. Apps open faster, the app drawer doesn’t stutter, and the 6GB of RAM finally feels like 6GB. UI transitions are smooth at 60Hz (the screen is only 60Hz anyway). Gaming (Call of Duty Mobile on medium settings) is actually more stable because the CPU isn’t throttling under Samsung’s thermal profile.
Battery Life: 8/10 With the original 3800mAh battery (now several years old), I averaged 5.5 to 6 hours of screen-on time. That’s about 30 minutes more than stock. Idle drain is excellent—losing only 2-3% overnight. Adaptive battery works better here than on stock.
The Quad-Camera Situation: 5/10 Here is the biggest compromise. Stock Samsung camera software is proprietary. On any AOSP-based ROM, the four cameras (Telephoto, Ultra-wide, Depth, Main) are reduced to just the main 24MP shooter. You cannot switch to the 2x optical zoom or the ultra-wide lens. The Google Camera (GCam) port (specifically for SDM660) helps—it takes better main camera photos than stock thanks to HDR+—but you lose hardware-level switching. If you rely on those extra lenses, do not flash a custom ROM.
Connectivity & Bugs:
Project Elixir – The Customization King
After Lineage, I tried Project Elixir. It’s based on AOSP but with tons of customizations—status bar icons, lock screen clocks, monet theming, and a built-in launcher that feels like OneUI’s app drawer mixed with Pixel.
Performance: Slightly heavier than LineageOS. You’ll notice a micro-stutter when pulling down the notification shade 10% of the time. Battery life is 30 minutes less.
Why choose this over Lineage? If you miss Samsung’s “Good Lock” style customization, this is your answer. The amount of UI tweaks is staggering. However, stability takes a minor hit.
PixelOS – For the Purist
This one aims to replicate the Pixel experience exactly. It comes with Google apps pre-included, Pixel launcher, and even the “At a Glance” widget.
The good: It feels like a Google phone. The camera (using GCam) integrates nicely. The call screening feature (on supported regions) works. The bad: The ROM maintainer for A9 lost interest, so the last update was 7 months ago (Android 13 QPR3). Security patch is outdated. I wouldn’t use this for banking. You're looking for a custom ROM for your Samsung A9 (2018)
The Major Dealbreakers You Must Know
Who is this custom ROM for?
Who should absolutely avoid this?
Final Verdict: Is it worth it in 2025?
Yes, conditionally.
If your Galaxy A9 2018 is collecting dust in a drawer because it’s too slow to use as a daily driver, a custom ROM will give it 2 more years of useful life. Go with LineageOS 20. It is the most stable, best-performing option. You’ll gain speed, security updates, and a modern Android interface.
However, if you still rely on the ultra-wide camera for photos or use Samsung Pay daily, stay on the final official One UI 2.1 (Android 10). No custom ROM can give you those proprietary features.
Scorecard (LineageOS 20 as benchmark):
Pro Tip: Before flashing, back up your stock EFS partition (IMEI data) via TWRP. The A9 is known to occasionally lose IMEI on custom ROMs, and without that backup, you’re left with a WiFi-only tablet.
The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018), known for its pioneer quad-camera setup and reliable Snapdragon 660 chipset, has officially reached its software end-of-life after receiving Android 10. However, a custom ROM can breathe new life into this aging hardware, offering modern Android versions, improved performance, and enhanced privacy. Why Install a Custom ROM on the Galaxy A9 (2018)?
Extended Software Support: While official updates stopped at Android 10, custom ROMs can bring your device up to Android 12 or 13 via GSI (Generic System Image) or unofficial builds.
Performance Boost: Custom ROMs often remove Samsung's heavy One UI "bloatware," resulting in a smoother, more responsive experience and better multitasking.
Privacy and Security: Stay protected with the latest Android security patches that Samsung no longer provides for this model. Best Custom ROM Options
While specific "official" builds may vary over time, the following types are popular for the Galaxy A9 (2018):
For developers / enthusiasts:
The Samsung A9 2018 is not dead for custom ROMs, but the Snapdragon 660 + Samsung proprietary camera stack limits it to a mid-tier custom ROM experience. Use LineageOS 20 unofficial if you prioritize latest Android and can sacrifice 2 cameras + VoLTE.
For daily users:
Stay on stock Android 10 with root + debloat unless you absolutely need AOSP. The camera degradation is significant.
Future outlook:
No official maintainer for LineageOS 21 (Android 14) as of Q4 2024. Development will likely remain unofficial, maintained by @afaneh92 or community backports from the Snapdragon 660 common tree (used by Mi A2, Nokia 7.1).
The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) was a unique device for its time, featuring the world’s first quad-camera setup on a smartphone. However, like many mid-range Samsung phones, it received only two major Android updates (from Android 8.0 Oreo to Android 10) and quarterly security patches before being discontinued. For users seeking a more modern, feature-rich, or debloated experience, custom ROMs offer an alternative path.
Have you flashed a custom ROM on your A9 2018? Share your experience below!
Disclaimer: Flashing custom ROMs carries inherent risks including bricking your device. The author and website are not responsible for any damage. Follow guides carefully and at your own risk.
Word Count: ~2,100 words
This paper outlines the technical landscape for installing a custom ROM on the Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
, covering the current state of development, necessary tools, and the standard implementation procedure. 1. Introduction The Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) (model Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
, codename a9y18qlte) was a pioneer in the mid-range market, featuring the first quad-rear camera setup. While its official software lifecycle peaked at Android 10 with One UI 2.0, the enthusiast community continues to support the device through custom ROMs to provide updated security patches and modern Android features. 2. Current Development Status
As of early 2026, developers maintain several key resources for this device: Custom Recovery: Functional builds of TWRP
, OrangeFox, and SHRP exist, supported by universal device trees for the .
ROM Projects: While many mainstream projects like official LineageOS have moved to newer hardware, community-driven "unofficial" ports of LineageOS and Pixel Experience often appear on XDA Forums GSI Compatibility: The Galaxy A9 (2018) LineageOS : A popular, open-source ROM that's based
supports Project Treble, allowing users to flash Generic System Images (GSIs) for even newer Android versions (e.g., Android 11, 12, or higher) when specific custom ROMs are unavailable. 3. Required Tools & Prerequisites
Successful modification requires a specific toolset to bypass Samsung's proprietary systems: How to Install a Custom ROM on Any Android Phone (Example
This draft guide outlines the essential steps and top choices for installing a custom ROM on your Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) Go to product viewer dialog for this item. as of April 2026. Pre-Installation Checklist
Before starting, ensure your device (Model SM-A920F/N/0) is prepared.
Backup Your Data: Flashing a ROM wipes all internal storage. Use tools like Samsung Smart Switch for personal files.
Unlock Bootloader: Go to Developer Options and enable OEM Unlocking.
Download Essential Tools: You will need Odin (for Windows) or Heimdall (for macOS/Linux) to flash the initial recovery image.
Battery: Ensure your phone has at least 60% charge to prevent mid-process shutdowns. Recommended Custom ROMs (2026) The custom ROM scene for the
has matured significantly. Here are the top picks currently maintained: LineageOS 23 (Unofficial)
Description: Based on Android 16, this is the go-to for longevity. Unofficial versions are actively maintained by the community even after official support ends.
Highlights: Clean, bloatware-free experience with the latest April 2026 security patches. OneUI 4.1 Port (Infinity ROM)
Description: Provides a "Samsung Experience" with newer software features ported from more recent Galaxy devices.
Highlights: Best for users who want to keep Samsung's native features like camera processing and UI layout. Pixel OS / Pixel Experience
Description: A minimalistic, clean ROM that mimics the interface of a Google Pixel device.
Note: While the official Pixel Experience project has been deprecated since 2024, forks like Pixel OS continue to provide updates based on modern Android versions. Step-by-Step Installation Guide 1. Install a Custom Recovery
You must replace the stock recovery with TWRP to install ROM zip files.
Put the phone in Download Mode (Power + Volume Down + Bixby button).
Open Odin on your PC and load the TWRP .tar file into the AP slot.
Uncheck "Auto Reboot" in Odin settings, click "Start," and then manually reboot into recovery. 2. Wipe Existing Data In TWRP, select Wipe > Advanced Wipe.
Select Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, and Cache. Swipe to wipe. 3. Flash the ROM
Connect your phone to the PC or use a microSD card to transfer the ROM .zip and GApps (Google Apps) package.
In TWRP, tap Install, select your ROM zip, and swipe to confirm.
Optional: Flash GApps immediately after if they are not included in the ROM. 4. Finalize and Reboot
Go back to the main menu and select Wipe > Format Data (type 'yes' to confirm). This is necessary to remove encryption. Select Reboot > System. Known Issues & Limitations
VoLTE/Wi-Fi Calling: These often do not work on AOSP-based ROMs for older Samsung devices due to proprietary Samsung drivers.
Banking Apps: Many apps (like UPI or high-security banking apps) may block access if the bootloader is unlocked. You may need to use Magisk to hide your root status.
.apk to .zip and flash in TWRP).