How to Upgrade from LineageOS 18.1 to Official LineageOS 19 Update?

If you’re running an official version of LineageOS 18.1 on your smartphone or tablet and it has been transitioned to version 19, you may have noticed that the built-in updater is no longer working. This is because the developers behind the LineageOS 19 ROM coded the updater in such a way that it cannot switch between two major versions of Android. Instead, you’ll need to manually sideload the LineageOS 19 update if you want to go from an official version of LineageOS 18.1 to the newly released version. In this article, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of upgrading your device to LineageOS 19 without losing any of your personal data.

Preparing for the Upgrade

Before we dive into the upgrade process, there are a few things you need to have set up ahead of time. First, you’ll need to download the LineageOS 19 firmware that is specifically built for your device. Additionally, you’ll need to download the Google apps package for Android 12 that matches the CPU architecture of your device (most likely arm64). Make sure to store these files in the same folder on your PC as your ADB and Fastboot tools.

Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading LineageOS

Now that you have everything you need, let’s walk through the process of upgrading your device from LineageOS 18.1 to LineageOS 19:

Step 1: Boot into Recovery Mode

1. Turn off your device.
2. Press and hold the volume up and power buttons simultaneously until the device boots into recovery mode.

Step 2: Connect your Device to PC

1. Using a USB cable, connect your device to your PC.

Step 3: Download Firmware and Google Apps Package

1. Download the LineageOS 19 firmware and Google apps package (arm64) for your device.
2. Copy and paste these downloaded files into the ADB and Fastboot tools folder on your PC.

Step 4: Enter ADB Sideload Mode

1. On your device, tap on the “Apply update” button.
2. Then tap the “Apply from ADB” button. You should see some text at the bottom telling you to use the ADB sideload command to continue.

Step 5: Open Command Prompt

1. Open Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt on your PC.

Step 6: Execute ADB Sideload Command

1. In the command prompt, type the command adb sideload followed by the exact file name of the LineageOS 19 firmware file that you downloaded.
2. Press enter on the keyboard to continue.

Step 7: Wait for the Process to Complete

1. The process will start, and your PC will start sending the firmware files to your device.
2. On your device, you’ll see that LineageOS Recovery is verifying the update package. Wait for the process to complete without touching the USB cable or interfering with anything.

Step 8: Return to Main Screen

1. Once the first ADB sideload is finished, tap the back arrow on the top of your device to go back to the main screen.

Step 9: Reboot to Recovery

1. Tap on “Advanced” on the main screen and then tap on “Reboot to recovery.” If you have LineageOS Recovery installed, it will boot you right back into that recovery. If you have a custom recovery like TWRP, it will boot you back into TWRP.

Step 10: Reboot System

1. If you do not want any Google apps installed, you can tap the “Reboot system now” option. This will boot you into LineageOS 19 and set up your device.

Step 11: Install Google Apps Package (Optional)

1. If you want to install a Google apps package, after rebooting back into recovery mode, go back into ADB sideload mode by tapping on “Apply update” and then “Applying from ADB.”

Step 12: Execute ADB Sideload Command for Google Apps

1. In the command prompt, type the command adb sideload followed by the name of the Google apps package that you downloaded. Make sure it matches the Android 12.1 version.
2. Press enter on the keyboard to start sending the Google apps package to your device.
3. You will see a signature verification failed message on your device. Tap “Yes” to continue.

Step 13: Complete the Process

1. Once it says “Done” on your device, tap the back arrow to go back to the LineageOS recovery main menu.
2. Tap the “Reboot system now” button to restart your device.

Congratulations! You have successfully upgraded your device from LineageOS 18.1 to LineageOS 19 based on Android 12.1. You can now enjoy the new features and enhancements that come with the latest version of LineageOS.

Remember, if you encounter any difficulties during the upgrade process, you can refer to our “How To” page for troubleshooting tips and solutions.

Conclusion

Upgrading from LineageOS 18.1 to LineageOS 19 may seem like a daunting task, but by following the step-by-step guide provided in this article, you can easily make the transition without losing any of your personal data. Take the time to prepare your device and download the necessary firmware and Google apps package before starting the upgrade process. With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of LineageOS 19 on your device.

Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.