Galaxy S6: How to Install a Custom Kernel

If you have ever wanted to install a custom kernel onto your Galaxy S6 then today’s tutorial is just what you have been looking for.

A custom kernel is not dependent on a custom ROM. You can choose to use a custom kernel with or without a custom ROM. This means, you could stick with the stock TouchWiz firmware that was installed on your Galaxy S6 by default and still reep the rewards of using said custom kernel. Just like with a custom ROM though, your Galaxy S6 must already be rooted and you must already have a custom recovery installed.

A custom kernel can be built with specific things in mind and it all depends on what the developers have in mind. Custom kernels can give you more performance than the stock kernel that you might be using now.

A custom kernel can also extend the battery life if your Galaxy S6 too. A custom kernel can sometimes do both of these things but it is generally one or the other. Then again, sometimes a kernel can be made to boost performance with gaming in mind and without much changes beyond that.

This is why you always want to read through the XDA thread where the custom kernel is posted. Find out why the developer created the custom kernel and what their overall goals were with it. As with all performance and battery life modifications, your mileage may vary so please keep that in mind when testing them out.

Galaxy S6 Install Custom Kernel

1. Download the Custom Kernel to the Galaxy S6
2. Boot the Galaxy S6 into Recovery Mode
3. Create a Nandroid Backup of the Galaxy S6
4. Go Back to the TWRP Main Menu
5. Tap on the ‘Install’ Option
6. Browse to and Tap on the Custom Kernel You Downloaded
7. When Ready, Swipe the Blue Arrow at the Bottom All the Way to the Right
8. Wait Until the Installation is Complete
9. Tap on the ‘Wipe Cache/Dalvik’ Option
10. Swipe the Blue Arrow at the Bottom to the Right
11. Tap on the ‘Back’ Option
12. Then Tap on the ‘Reboot System’ Option

Explanation

Before you can begin this tutorial, you will need to have root access to your Galaxy S6 and you will need to have a custom recovery installed on your Galaxy S6. Once both of those are done, then you can proceed with the tutorial listed above.

You’re going to need to locate and find a custom kernel that is made for your specific model of the Galaxy S6. Also, please be aware that custom kernels are made for a specific firmware in mind. This means that if a custom kernel is made for TouchWiz(which is also referred to as stock), then it will most likely not work on any AOSP/CyanogenMod based custom ROMs. This goes both ways too. If a custom kernel is made for AOSP/CyanogenMod, then it will most likely not work for TouchWiz.

Sometimes the developers don’t make this distinction very clear in the XDA thread and this is one of the many reasons why I suggest that you create a Nandroid backup of your Galaxy S6 as soon as you boot up into its recovery mode. After the backup has been created, you can go ahead and install the custom kernel just like the instructions say in the tutorial above. Technically, you don’t have to clear the cache after you install a custom ROM or a custom kernel but I always recommend it just so there isn’t anything left over that can affect the new set up.

As always, if you run into any issues during this tutorial or if you simply have a question about it, please feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this article. I might not be able to recreate the exact same issue that you are seeing but I will always try my best to help out in any way that I can.