If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and want to breathe new life into your device, installing an Android 16-based custom ROM is a solid move. Google...
Mohammed Huwais
Last updated on February 24, 2026
Mohammed Huwais
Author
I started my career as a blogger in 2014 and also worked on an Android niche platform to gain extra income. I cover the topic on How to guides, software updates, Custom ROM updates and also product review. I'm 24 years old, completed MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Sikkim Manipal University.
If you’re using a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and want to breathe new life into your device, installing an Android 16-based custom ROM is a solid move. Google recently released Android 16 for Pixel devices, and developers have already ported unofficial AOSP builds to older phones like the Galaxy S22 Ultra. In this guide, you’ll learn how to safely install Android 16 on Galaxy S22 Ultra and enjoy its latest features.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra blends the Galaxy S series with the legacy of the Note line, mainly through its built-in S Pen. It features a large 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with sharp QHD+ resolution, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, and strong peak brightness, delivering one of the best viewing experiences of its time. The design feels premium and solid with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides, an Armor aluminum frame, and IP68 water resistance. The integrated S Pen with very low latency makes it ideal for note taking, sketching, document signing, and precise control, especially for productivity users.
Performance depends on the region, with either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 chipset, both offering flagship level speed for multitasking and gaming. The quad camera setup remains one of its biggest strengths, led by a 108 MP main sensor, supported by 3x and 10x optical zoom lenses, giving it exceptional versatility in photography. It supports 8K video and strong 4K recording with HDR.
It has a 5000 mAh battery provides solid all day use, along with wired and wireless charging. With long software support, Samsung DeX desktop mode, and Ultra Wideband support, the S22 Ultra remains a powerful and feature rich flagship even years after launch.
Android 16 introduces Material 3 Expressive, a refined evolution of Google’s design language for smartphones and tablets. While it doesn’t completely reinvent the interface, it represents one of the most noticeable user-facing changes in the OS. Rather than a dramatic visual overhaul, Material 3 Expressive enhances the foundation laid by Material Design 3 by introducing smoother, more dynamic animations, larger touch targets, and bolder typography.
This update arrives at a perfect moment. Material Design 3, first introduced with Android 13, had begun to feel dated. Material 3 Expressive breathes new life into the interface while preserving the familiar look and feel users have grown comfortable with. Instead of overhyping the changes, Google’s own animations showcase the polish and fluidity of this next step in Android design.
Android 16 introduces a wealth of new features, system optimizations, and UI refinements. Some of the highlights include:
These updates aim to improve user experience across different types of devices, including foldables, tablets, and standard phones.
Although Android 16 is rolling out first to Pixel devices, many brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Samsung, Realme, and others will follow soon. If you’re impatient, a custom ROM is the best way to get Android 16 today.
Everything seems to be working fine.
If you spot any bugs, report them along with proper logs to the developer.
Always back up your device before flashing any ROM. This prevents data loss if anything goes wrong. Backup guide here.
Charge your phone to at least 50% to avoid shutdowns during the flashing process.
You can skip this part if you have already installed TWRP Recovery on your Galaxy S22 Ultra. For those who haven’t, ADB and Fastboot commands (platform-tools) are required to boot your device into bootloader mode, allowing you to perform the necessary flashing operations. ADB (Android Debug Bridge) establishes a connection between your device and computer, while Fastboot is a more advanced command-line utility for flashing and modifying Android devices.
You can download the ADB and Fastboot Binaries (Platform-Tools) here.
You’ll need the appropriate USB drivers to ensure a successful connection between your Galaxy S22 Ultra and your computer. These drivers enable file transfers, flashing, and other operations between your devices.
You can download the latest Samsung USB drivers here.
Unlocking the bootloader of your Galaxy S22 Ultra. is essential before you can install any custom ROM. Make sure to follow Samsung’s official instructions for unlocking the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe your device, so back up your data beforehand.
You must install TWRP Recovery on your phone to install any custom ROM on your device. After unlocking the bootloader, follow our guide to install TWRP Recovery on your Galaxy S22 Ultra.
You can download the Android 16 custom ROMs for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra from the links below:
| OS | Download Link |
| Lineage OS 23 | Download |
Most AOSP ROMs don’t come with Google apps. You’ll need to flash Android 16 GApps separately.
Note: Flash GApps right after flashing the ROM. Don’t reboot in between.
Warning!
GetDroidTips is not responsible for any issues that may happen to your device if you flash it on another device and brick it. Do it at your own risk.
adb reboot recovery
The first boot after installing a custom ROM may take a bit longer than usual, so don’t panic if it seems slow. After the device boots, you will need to set it up as a new device, just like when you first got it.
By flashing Android 16 on your Galaxy S22 Ultra, you’re extending its life and unlocking modern Android features that Samsung may never officially provide. While this is an unofficial AOSP build, early reports suggest solid stability. That said, bugs may still appear, so always report them with logs to help developers improve the experience.
If you have questions or run into issues during installation, feel free to drop a comment. Enjoy your fresh Android 16 experience!
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