Flash CyanogenMod (CM) 12.1 on Galaxy Tab S2 8.0

If you’re reading this, that probably means you know what Cyanogenmod is, and what it can do for your Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. However, I want to be clear about the fact that this is not an official release from CyanogenMod, so users may expect some bugs included in the CM 12.1 system. Some of the Lollipop functionalities like WiFi, storage, camera are not working at the moment either, but stability improvements and bug fixes will arrive at a later date, that’s for sure.

Are you ok with all these? Then, this guide is just what you need! To install this CM 12.1 ROM, you need a rooted Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 with the most recent TWRP recovery already installed.

However, note from the start that this guide is only for the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 users and don’t try this method on any of other Android phones or tablets, otherwise you will brick your devices. You must also take a full backup of your handset before following this guide, so follow the steps from these procedures: How to Backup and Restore IMEI / NVRAM Data on Android Devices, Backup Android Data Without Root or use any other method you are comfortable with.

Even though I am here to guide you, don’t get me wrong. I’m not responsible for whatever happens to your Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 while or after following the CM 12.1 instructions mentioned in this page. If you brick your device or if you damage it in any way, it’s your own responsibility and you should blame yourself and not me. However, let’s hope that it won’t be the case for that!

How to Flash CyanogenMod 12.1 on Galaxy Tab S2 8.0:

1. For the start, you have to take the CM 12.1 ROM from here;
2. Then, you need to download Google Apps as well by using this link;
3. Now, transfer the zip file into your device’s internal storage. Place the zip file where you can easily locate it;
4. Turn off your Galaxy Tab S2 handset;
5. Then, press and hold power button and volume down buttons simultaneously. Release the power button after a few seconds and you should see the recovery menu. Use volume down to move the selection to the “Recovery” and press the volume up to make a selection. TWRP should load now;
6. In TWRP, backup your ROM, so tap on backup option in TWRP and select all the partitions including System, Data, Boot, Recovery, as well as EFS;
7. Do not hesitate to swipe right where appropriate, to backup;
8. You have to wipe your device now. For that, tap on advanced wipe and select “data, cache, dalvick cache and system” and swipe to wipe;
9. Once everything is wiped, it’s time to tap on install zip;
10. Choose the ROM file and select it;
11. Swipe the confirmation button to proceed with the installation;
12. Then, you have to go back to the TWRP and tap on the install option;
13. Navigate to the Google apps zip file and select it as well;
14. You must swipe the confirmation button to proceed with the installation;
15. Once the Google apps zip file is installed as well, reboot to system.