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How to Install LineageOS Android 12 on Oppo A37F | Complete Custom ROM Guide

The Oppo A37F, also known as the Oppo A37FW in some variants, is an older Android smartphone that originally shipped with an outdated version of Android. However, users who want a newer Android experience can still upgrade the device through a compatible custom ROM.

With LineageOS based on Android 12, the Oppo A37F can get a more modern interface and access to applications that require newer Android versions. This makes the device more practical for basic daily use, especially for users who want to keep an older phone useful for longer.

This guide explains how to install LineageOS Android 12 on the Oppo A37F using TWRP recovery.

Important: Custom ROM installation can erase your personal data and may cause boot problems when performed incorrectly. Make a complete backup before starting and use files specifically intended for your Oppo A37F/A37FW.

What You Need

Prepare all the required files before beginning the installation.
The main files used in this installation are:

• TWRP Recovery
  
• LineageOS Android 12 ROM
  
• GApps
  
• Baseband Fix
  
• Bluetooth/Nebula Kernel
  
• Any additional fix package required by the ROM

The installation procedure requires TWRP to be installed on the Oppo A37F. The source procedure specifically uses a TWRP 3.3.1.0 recovery build.

If TWRP is not installed on your phone yet, install a compatible TWRP recovery before continuing.

Is the Oppo A37F Compatible?

The installation process is demonstrated on the Oppo A37F/A37FW.
The source procedure indicates that you can start from the stock Oppo ROM regardless of its software version, or even from another custom ROM, as long as the device has a working TWRP recovery environment.

Nevertheless, always verify that the files you download match your exact device variant.

Step 1: Install the Required TWRP Recovery

Turn off the Oppo A37F completely.

To enter TWRP recovery, press and hold the appropriate hardware key combination. In the demonstrated procedure, the phone is started by holding Volume Down + Power, then releasing the Power button while continuing to hold Volume Down until recovery appears.

Once TWRP loads, you can begin the installation.

Step 2: Flash the TWRP Image

Even if TWRP is already installed, the procedure recommends installing the specified TWRP image first.
From the TWRP main interface:

1. Tap Install.
   
2. Select Install Image.
   
3. Locate the TWRP image file.
   
4. Select Recovery as the target partition.
   
5. Swipe to confirm the flash.

After flashing the new recovery, return to the main menu and choose:
Reboot → Recovery

This restarts the phone directly back into the newly installed TWRP environment. The demonstrated procedure uses TWRP version 3.3.1.0.

Step 3: Flash the LineageOS Android 12 ROM

Once the updated TWRP recovery has loaded, return to the Install menu.
Locate the LineageOS ROM ZIP you prepared earlier.
Select the file and swipe to confirm the installation.
TWRP will begin installing the operating system. Depending on the size of the ROM and the storage speed of the device, the process may take several minutes.
Wait until TWRP reports that the installation has completed successfully.
Do not interrupt the process while the system partition is being modified.

Step 4: Install the Required Update or Additional Package

After the LineageOS ROM has finished installing, return to the TWRP home screen and choose Install again.
Select the required update or supporting package supplied with the ROM.
Swipe to confirm the installation and wait for the successful result.
The procedure then returns to the TWRP main screen before continuing with the remaining components.

Step 5: Install the Bluetooth/Nebula Kernel

The next important component is the custom kernel.
From TWRP:

1. Tap Install.
   
2. Select the Nebula/Bluetooth Kernel package.
   
3. Swipe to flash it.
   
4. Wait for the installation to finish.
   

This kernel is used to address Bluetooth functionality on the LineageOS installation.

According to the tested installation, Bluetooth may initially fail to activate, while installing the required kernel restores normal Bluetooth operation.

Step 6: Install the Baseband Fix

After installing the kernel, go back to the TWRP home screen.

Choose Install again and flash the supplied Baseband Fix package.
Swipe to confirm and wait until TWRP reports a successful installation.
This step is particularly important because the custom ROM installation may initially result in missing IMEI or an unknown baseband status.

The baseband fix is intended to restore the required information so that the IMEI and baseband can appear correctly again.

Step 7: Format Data

After all required packages have been installed, return to the TWRP home screen.
Use the data formatting option and confirm the operation.
The procedure includes formatting the data partition before rebooting into the newly installed system.

Be aware that this operation can delete user data, which is why a backup should be made before starting the ROM installation.

Step 8: Reboot into LineageOS

After formatting data, reboot the phone into the system.
When TWRP asks whether you want to install additional software during the reboot process, select the option to continue without installing it.
The Oppo A37F will then restart and begin the first boot into LineageOS Android 12.
The first boot may take longer than a normal restart, so allow the system sufficient time to initialize.

Step 9: Complete the Initial Android Setup

Once LineageOS successfully boots, complete the initial Android configuration.
Follow the setup process until the home screen appears.

The installation procedure confirms that the Oppo A37F can reach the Android 12 home screen successfully after the required ROM, kernel, and baseband components have been installed.

At this point, you can configure your preferred settings and install your required applications.

Fixing Common Problems After Installation

A custom ROM may not provide complete hardware compatibility immediately. The required supporting files are included specifically to address several issues.

IMEI or Baseband Missing

One of the issues reported with the ROM is missing IMEI information and an unknown baseband.
Installing the appropriate Baseband Fix can restore the baseband information and bring the IMEI information back into the system.

After booting into Android, check the phone information to confirm that the IMEI and baseband are present.

Bluetooth Not Working

Bluetooth may also fail to activate immediately after installing the ROM.
The supplied Nebula/Bluetooth Kernel is intended to solve this problem. After flashing the kernel, Bluetooth should become functional again.

Camera and Wi-Fi

The tested installation reports that the camera and Wi-Fi are functional.
However, hardware compatibility can vary between devices and ROM builds, so it is still recommended to test these features personally after installation.

VoLTE

VoLTE remains one of the known limitations mentioned for this configuration.
The tested system does not necessarily provide fully functional VoLTE, so users who rely on VoLTE should test their carrier connection after installing the ROM.

Video Recording

Video recording is another reported limitation.
The source recommends trying Google Camera (GCam) as an alternative for video recording when the default camera implementation does not work properly.

What Works on LineageOS Android 12?

Based on the tested installation, the following functions are reported as working:

• IMEI information after applying the baseband fix
  
• Baseband
  
• Bluetooth after installing the required kernel
  
• Wi-Fi
  
• Camera
  
• Basic Android functionality
  
• Android 12 interface

The main limitations mentioned are VoLTE and video recording, while other minor bugs may still exist.

Benefits of Installing Android 12 on the Oppo A37F

The biggest advantage of this custom ROM is the ability to move beyond the aging software originally associated with the device.

With LineageOS Android 12, users can get:

• A newer Android interface
  
• More recent Android features
  
• Compatibility with applications that require Android 12
  
• A cleaner custom ROM experience
  
• A way to extend the useful life of an older Oppo A37F

The source specifically highlights the benefit of running applications such as WhatsApp and YouTube that support the newer Android environment.

Things to Check Before Using the Phone Daily

After installation, do not immediately assume everything is working perfectly.

Take some time to test:

1. SIM/network connectivity
   
2. IMEI information
   
3. Baseband status
   
4. Wi-Fi
   
5. Bluetooth
   
6. Camera
   
7. Video recording
   
8. Calls and VoLTE
   
9. Google applications, if GApps has been installed
   
10. Battery and general system stability

This helps you determine whether the ROM is suitable for your particular device and network configuration.

Conclusion

Installing LineageOS Android 12 on the Oppo A37F/A37FW gives this older smartphone a much newer Android experience.

The installation requires a compatible TWRP recovery together with the LineageOS ROM and several supporting packages, including GApps, the Bluetooth/Nebula Kernel, and a Baseband Fix. The kernel helps address Bluetooth functionality, while the baseband fix is used to restore IMEI and baseband information after installation.

Once the installation is complete, the Oppo A37F can boot into a LineageOS-based Android 12 environment with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera, IMEI, and baseband functionality reported as working in the tested setup.

However, VoLTE and video recording may still have limitations, so this ROM is best viewed as a way to extend the life of the device rather than a guarantee of perfect compatibility with every feature.

Always back up your data and use the correct files for your exact Oppo A37F variant before modifying the system.