Install Android 5.0.2 Lollipop on Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H. After the tremendous success of Galaxy Core i8262 smartphone Samsung launched Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H phone with Android 4.4 KitKat OS. This phone had some amazing features and specs which made many users crazy. After the launch of Android 5.0.2 Lollipop it was expected from Samsung to upgrade Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H smartphone to this latest Android OS. But nothing happened which disappointed many Core 2 users. Finally some well known developers with their hard work launched the unofficial Android 5.0.2 Lollipop based custom ROM especially for Samsung Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H smartphone. This ROM is completely stable, fast and less laggy. Some screenshots are shown below.
If you are interested in flashing this latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop based ROM on your Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H then head on to our actual article given below.
Disclaimer:
Every step given below is risky and must be followed at your own risk. Neither do I nor the developers of this ROM will be held responsible if any damage happens to your Core 2 SM-G355H. Hence I recommend you to implement all the steps correctly without a single mistake.
Compatibility:
This Android 5.0.2 Lollipop custom ROM must be flashed only on Samsung Galaxy Core 2 having model number SM-G355H. Do not implement this on any other device except the one mentioned as it may result into unwanted outcome. First check your device’s model number from Menu->Settings–>About Phone.
Pre-Requisites:
- Make sure you’ve charged your Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H at least up to 60% so as to decrease the risk of interruption during the flashing process.
- Backup all your phones data and settings including contacts, messages, call logs, memos etc. to your phones SD card or on your PC as everything gets wiped in the last step of this procedure.
- You need to backup EFS folder present in your phones system directory. This folder contains all your phones specific information such as the IMEI, wireless devices MAC addresses, product code, and much more. So a backup of this folder is essential. There is always a risk that this EFS folder might get corrupted. If so happened, your device will be completely useless & will no longer be recognized by your carrier. Refer our article to backup and restore EFS/IMEI data:
- Make sure you have installed mobile specific drivers on your PC. This is recommended so as to recognize your Galaxy Core 2 when connected via USB cable. You can install them by installing Samsung Kies or manually install them from the link given below:
- Make sure your Samsung Galaxy Core 2 is rooted.
- Also a custom recovery like Clockworkmod (CWM) must be installed before proceeding further. Follow our complete guide to root and install CWM recovery on Galaxy Core 2:
Procedure to install Android 5.0.2 Lollipop ROM on Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H:
Procedure:
Step 1: Download and extract the KitKat Deodexer (.zip) file on your computer. You’ll see these three files after extracting: 1.cmd 2.deodex_install.zip 3.main.bat.
Step 2: Now double click on main.bat file.
Step 3: This will open a black command window. Tap any key to continue.
Step 4: This will open the main menu of KitKat Deodexer.
Step 5: For creating working directory press 1 key and hit enter.
Step 6: Work and System folders will be created as shown below.
Step 7: Now open System folder. You’ll see three sub-folders in it: 1.app 2.framework 3.priv-app.
Step 8: Connect your phone to computer and copy the /system/app, /system/framework, /system/priv-app to appropriate folder.
Note: You can also press 2 in the command window to automatically pull these files from your phone but I recommend to do it manually.
Step 9: Next type 3 in the command window to start deodexing.
Step 10: Finally press 4 to create a flashable deodex_install zip file.
Step 11: Now copy this deodex_install zip file along with the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop ROM on your phone.
Note: Do not extract these two zip files.
Step 12: Then safely disconnect your phone from computer and switch it off completely. Then boot into recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume up+ Home button (middle button) + Power button simultaneously till you enter recovery mode.
Note: Touch won’t work in recovery mode. So use Volume keys for navigating up and down and use Home button for selection.
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, then you can easily restore your saved previous ROM.
Refer our detailed article for taking Nandroid backup:
Step 13: 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 14: Now you need to wipe the data and cache partitions from your phones internal memory. For doing so, 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 that this step will clear entire data from your phones internal memory so a complete backup of everything must be done before implementing this step (Refer Pre-requisites section).
Step 15: Return to the main menu and select the Advanced option. On the next screen select Reboot Recovery option.
Wait until you boot again into recovery.
Step 16: 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 data present on your external SD card. So just navigate to the deodex_install 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 17: Now wipe data and cache partitions by selecting ‘wipe data/factory reset’ option and ‘wipe cache partition’ option. This step may solve the further boot loop issue.
Step 18: Now reboot your Core 2 by selecting ‘reboot system now’ option from the recovery mode. Remember 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.
Step 19: After rebooting your phone will update itself. As soon as it gets finished, again boot into recovery, select install zip from SD card option and this time flash the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop ROM. After the flashing is done, remember not to wipe data/cache as you did earlier. Just reboot the system and enjoy Android Lollipop on your Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H smartphone.
If you are not satisfied with this ROM and want to install official Samsung firmware then refer our guide:
Voila! You’ve successfully flashed the latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop ROM on your Samsung Galaxy Core 2 SM-G355H smartphone. You can confirm whether the ROM is properly installed or not by following the path Menu->Settings->About Phone. Note that this is not an official firmware from Samsung but an unofficial custom ROM. It is completely stable and much fast. So enjoy all the latest Android 5.0.2 Lollipop features on your Core 2 with this ROM. Also don’t forget to share your experience after using it. Finally if you face any trouble while flashing this ROM then do inform me through the comments. I’ll try to help you out. Till then enjoy!
