The Samsung Galaxy A8 Star (SM-G8850 / SM-G885F / SM-G885Y) was a solid mid-range contender upon its 2018 release, featuring a Snapdragon 660, a gorgeous Super AMOLED display, and a premium glass build. However, Samsung’s software support for this model has long ended, leaving it stuck on Android 9 or 10 (depending on region) with outdated One UI skins.
For users unwilling to let this capable hardware fade into obsolescence, custom ROMs are the answer. Here’s a look at the top custom ROMs currently available for the A8 Star, ranked by community preference, stability, and feature set.
Device Context: The Samsung Galaxy A8 Star, released in 2018, was a unique upper-mid-range device notable for its Super AMOLED display and dual front cameras. However, in 2024, the official software (Android 9 Pie or Android 10, depending on the region) is severely outdated.
Installing a Custom ROM is the best way to extend the life of this device, gaining features like Dark Mode, improved privacy, better gesture navigation, and UI customizations that Samsung's OneUI 1.x/2.x lacked. samsung a8 star custom rom top
The A8 Star has a Super AMOLED screen, but older software frameworks didn't fully optimize for pure blacks.
#000000 black for system backgrounds, notification shades, and settings menus.Q: Will I lose my data? A: Yes. Back up your photos and contacts to Google Drive before starting.
Q: Does the fingerprint sensor work? A: Yes. 100% functional on all Android 14 ROMs listed above. Breathing New Life into the Samsung A8 Star:
Q: Can I go back to Samsung OneUI? A: Yes. Download the stock firmware (G8850ZHU5CVK1) from Samfw.com and flash it via Odin.
Q: Which custom ROM is the most stable? A: LineageOS 21 is the undisputed king of stability, but Pixel Experience is nearly as stable with better features.
Keywords used: Samsung A8 Star custom ROM top, best custom ROM for A8 Star, SM-G8850 Android 14, install Pixel Experience A8 Star, crDroid Samsung A8 Star. The Feature: Project Polaris includes a system-wide "True
Before diving into the list, let’s recap the benefits:
Warning: Installing custom ROMs requires an unlocked bootloader, custom recovery (like TWRP), and carries risks (void warranty, potential brick). Proceed only if you’re comfortable with advanced Android modding.