Install /e/OS on a Samsung - Galaxy S20 Ultra z3s

This guide installs /e/OS on your z3s. Read it through once before you start, so you don’t hit surprises partway in. Downgrading from a newer OS version than the /e/OS build you’re about to install can cause instability or brick some devices — check your current OS version first. Flashing is done at your own risk: /e/OS builds are provided as best effort, without any guarantee, and the /e/OS project takes no responsibility for the consequences.

Requirements

  • Back up your important data to an external storage device — some of the steps below format the phone, wiping any backup left on it.
  • Charge your phone above 50%.
  • Enable adb on your PC — setup instructions.
  • Download every file listed in the Downloads section below before you start.
  • Use a real data cable — some cables only charge and can’t transfer data.
  • Enable USB debugging on your device — instructions.
  • Confirm your exact model in the Device Selector: where shown, hover the device name for the supported model number, and check it matches yours exactly.
  • Boot the stock OS at least once and check everything works — SMS, calls, and both over WiFi and LTE if available (some devices need VoLTE/VoWiFi used once on stock to provision IMS). Whatever’s broken on stock stays broken on /e/OS.
Warning: Log out of any accounts (Google, Samsung, Mi Account, etc.) set on the stock ROM before proceeding. Most vendors enable Factory Reset Protection (FRP): after a factory reset, a device that's still signed in will ask for the credentials of that account before it can be used again. Also remove any screen locks.

Downloads for z3s

community /e/OS A16

Each build includes /e/OS Recovery — no separate download needed.

Not sure which one to pick? See official vs. community builds.

Steps to install /e/OS using Odin

Tip: You can download odin from here
  1. Make sure OEM Unlock is ON in developer settings
  2. Turn off the phone.
  3. Use vol up + vol down + usb cable plugged to a pc to start the phone in download mode.
  4. Long press vol up then confirm you want to unlock bootloader (this is needed one time only). Please note , ALL YOUR DATA WILL BE ERASED!
  5. Let the phone boot normally, pass the setup and connect to internet (wireless or mobile data) in order to unlock RMM.
  6. Make sure OEM Unlock is ON in developer settings.
  7. Turn off the phone.
  8. Use vol up + vol down + usb cable plugged to a pc to start the phone in download mode, short press vol up to confirm you want to go to download mode.
  9. Download appropriate recovery file linked above in the ‘Downloads for ’ section. Compress the recovery.img into a .tar file with 7zip or a similar compression software, BEFORE COMRESSING THE FILE, rename the recovery to recovery.img
  10. Download AVB disabled vbmeta.tar
  11. Open Odin v3.14.1 and place the downloaded recovery.tar file in AP tab, downloaded vbmeta.tar file in CP tab and click Start - once you press start grab the phone and press vol up + power to force it boot straight in recovery after flashing
  12. Factory reset, Format data, cache and system
  13. Go back, and tap “Apply update”
  14. Tap on “ADB Sideload”
  15. In terminal of your computer, and type “ADB SIdeload file.zip” (Replace file.zip with the respective file name)
  16. Reboot to system
Success: Congratulations! Your phone should now be booting into /e/OS.
To find some troubleshooting tips… click here

adb

  • Getting a Total xFer ':' 0.01x message - Try to upload the /e/OS to internal storage and retry to install
  • adb ':' sideload connection failed ':' insufficient permissions for device error - Try to execute the commands adb kill-server and adb start-server and retry
  • Getting an insufficient permissions error - Try the solution given here
  • When running "adb devices" in bash a device is shown as "unauthorized" - Try the solution given here

Connectivity

  • Trying to troubleshoot mobile connectivity issues - Read this guide


Please share your experience , suggest tips or changes to this install guide documentation by visiting the Galaxy S20 Ultra specific topic on our community forum. To report issues in /e/OS please refer this guide