How to Install Custom ROM on Samsung Galaxy A13 [GSI build]

Samsung Galaxy A13 is the most affordable smartphone with a 6.5-inch HD+ display, a 5,000mAh battery, and a MediaTek Dimensity SoC powers it. The device sports a 50 MP triple camera setup and runs on Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI skin.

If you are here, you may probably want to install the Custom ROM on Samsung Galaxy A13. As you read our title, we can guide you on installing the latest custom ROM on Samsung Galaxy A13 based on GSI build.

When you buy a new phone, it comes with so-called stock ROM or stock firmware which means a pre-installed operating system. This ROM usually comes with limited functionality defined by the OEM (phone manufacturer). A custom ROM is developed using AOSP, also known as Android Open Source Project. Yes, we all know that Android is open-source; therefore, any developer can edit the code or recompile it according to his or her need. You can read our complete article to understand the difference between Custom ROM and Stock ROM.

Flashing the ROM in Samsung Galaxy A13 is easy! All you need to do is follow the instructions carefully. If you are a newbie, then you need to understand that before flashing, you must unlock the bootloader on your Samsung Galaxy A13. To unlock the bootloader, follow our guide on how to unlock the bootloader via fastboot mode on any Android device.

If you have already unlocked the bootloader, you can simply follow our guide to install the custom ROM on Samsung Galaxy A13. Before that, let’s understand What is a GSI build.

What is GSI Stands for?

GSI stands for Generic system image, an Android System image that can be used to replace the current installed Android version with a new one. It is a pure Android with an unmodified Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code. With Android 8.1, Google introduced the project treble support for many devices. Now, with Android 9.0 Pie, Google finally added the API level 28 to support Generic System Images for all app developers to install and run the latest Android GSIs on various existing Android devices. To know more: Read here.

How to Install Custom ROM on Samsung Galaxy A13

To install, as we said, you need to unlock the bootloader and must have a TWRP (to install via a  device) or a PC (to install via Fastboot). Yes, two methods exist to install the custom ROM GSI on Samsung Galaxy A13.

Pre-Requirements:

• This guide is for Samsung Galaxy A13.
• You will require to unlock the device bootloader at first
• ARM, ARM64, or x86: Check your Android Phone’s Processor
• Treble Support: Check If Your Smartphone Supports Project Treble
• Download the required file and Support the GApps file from below.
• Keep your device battery charged up to 60%, at least for a smoother process.
• Take a complete backup of your device data without Root. In case anything goes wrong, you can easily restore all the data.
• Download and install Samsung USB Drivers
• For adb method: Download ADB and Fastboot tool
• For TWRP Method: Download and Install TWRP Recovery on Samsung Galaxy A13

Download Links:

• AOSP Quack Phh-Treble: Download
• LineageOS 19.1Download – If broken link, check the official forum
• Pixel Experience 12 GSI: Download

Install via TWRP Recovery:

1. To install via TWRP, you need to factory reset your device using TWRP
2. Go into the Wipe option and Swipe to Factory Reset.
3. Transfer the GSI build to your Samsung Galaxy A13 using a USB Cable.
4. Once you have moved, you can remove your USB cable.
5. In your TWRP, tap on the install button –> Change type to Install Image and find the GSI you have moved in the 3rd step.
6. Confirm the flash by choosing the system partition
7. Once done, you can reboot your device and wait a few minutes to boot up.

Flash via Fastboot

1. First, do the factory reset on the Samsung Galaxy A13. There are two methods to do it, follow anyone.
   • Factory Reset When Powered On: To install without TWRP, you have to factory reset using your Umdigi A7 Pro factory reset option.
   • Factory Reset via Stock Recovery: Reboot your Samsung Galaxy A13 into stock recovery using a button combination or ADB command.

     adb reboot recovery

   • In your Stock Recovery, navigate using the Volume UP and DOWN button.
2. Make sure to extract the downloaded GSI build.
3. After resetting the factory ROM, you can now boot your device into bootloader mode using the adb command adb reboot bootloader.
4. Now open the extracted folder of the GSI build; there, now open the command prompt window by holding the SHIFT KEY and Right Mouse click.
5. In your command window, enter the command fastboot erase system
6. To flash the system image, enter a command in the following format: fastboot -u flash system name_of_system.img
7. Wait for the image to flash; it could take a few minutes. Once it has been completed, reboot your device manually via power key or by entering fastboot reboot and waiting for a few minutes to boot up.

We hope that this guide is helpful to you and you have successfully installed the Custom ROM on your Samsung Galaxy A13 handset easily. If anything goes wrong or you have any queries, feel free to ask in the comments below.

Credits to all the developers from the XDA forum and 4PDA forum