The Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016 Exynos) - “a3xelte” (SM-A310F) has had a buggy /e/ OS 'O’ero 8.0.0 history. Bootloops without end, despite repeated updates.
To the /e/documentation with the notes
Warning: Downgrading Smartphones already on Android Q or LineageOS 17.x to Pie or other OS can cause instability or at worst brick some devices
Caution:Before following these instructions please ensure that the device is on the latest Android firmware. For example to upgrade to /e/ Q the Android firmware should be Android 10 and for /e/ Pie it should be Android 9"
I say nothing more than - the information is simply wrong and therefore erroneous. It is a wasted effort to go into it further.
First I wanted to make a “dirty flash”. During the TWRP nandroid backup, after the very clear and understandable description by @Manoj, which is suitable for every user, even for “Mom and Dad”, I changed my mind and did a “clean install” to minimise possible sources of failure.
Right at the first boot this message shows up:
Android System
There’s an internal problem
with your device. Contact your
manufacturer for details.
The message does not show any further effects. But: The current LineageOS-17.1-for-microG with Android Securtiy Patch Level 5 March 2021 does not show this message!
A valuable feature is that the microSD card can be formatted as an internal memory expansion. In this way, the scarce “16 GB internal storage” can be significantly increased and apps may also be swapped out to it. My 64GB U3 V30 microSDXC is then displayed, among other things, once as a total storage size under “Storage” (8% used - 73.32 GB free). It is strongly recommended not to take the SD card out of the slot again. The risk of data loss is very high.
Connected via WLAN, the system no longer shuts down and the annoying boot loops are no longer present. The SIM card, inserted into the running system, is recognised immediately, the SIM pin is queried and a minute later my provider responds with an SMS and sends me the optimal system settings
The first impression of /e/ OS “Q” on the “a3xelte” is good. The only thing that remains to be clarified is why the message “There’s an internal problem …” continues to be displayed after every restart. LineageOS 17.1 does not know this message.
The fact that the A3 2016 is now finally ready for use under /e/ OS not only pleases me but I think even more /e/friend @Rik “are the builds for this week online already somewhere?”