DotOS 5.1 With Android 12 UI GSI for All Treble Supported Android device

Since project treble was introduced into the Android ecosystem in 2017, more Android fans have been able to easily upgrade their devices to a newer Android version with GSIs (Generic System Images). Project treble simply opened the door that was closed on many Android fans who have always wanted a custom ROM for their device. Project treble comes with support for Android 8.0 upwards, which means if you have a treble enabled smartphone running Android 8.0 or above, you can easily try out new Android OS versions on your device even when your manufacturer stops giving you updates.

Android 12 has recently released with beautiful skin, new features and delivers a better user experience compared to previous Android versions. The first beta of Android 12 is out for various devices and even Tecno Mobile’s Camon 17 made the list of supported devices. I recently published an article on DotOS 5.1 for Redmi, Realme, OnePlus, Pixel, Motorola, Samsung, Mi, Poco and others. You should check it out to see if your device is officially supported to install the latest DotOS 5.1 with Android 12 like UI on your device. However, if your device isn’t supported officially, you’re not completely out of luck as you can still enjoy the DotOS 5.1 freshness with the DotOS 5.1 GSI.

But, before we dive into the details of how to install DotOS 5.1 GSI on your Project Treble enabled device, let’s discuss a little more on GSIs.

What Is A GSI (Generic System Image)?

GSI or Generic System Image is a system image with adjusted configurations for Android devices that can be easily installed on a Project Treble compatible device. It’s considered to be a ‘Pure Android’ implementation with unmodified AOSP (Android Open Source Project) code. If you don’t know, all the Android 8.0 Oreo or later versions running Android devices are Project Treble supported.

You can grab both the x86 and ARM64 CPU GSIs to flash on any Project Treble compatible Android handsets. If you’ve been in the custom ROM community for some time now, you should know that there are several GSIs available for Treble compatible devices. The likes of Resurrection Remix, Pixel Experience, Crdroid, AOSP, Havoc to mention a few. These GSIs brings a personalized Android experience for fans.

Advantages Of GSI Build

• Offers faster software updates from smartphone OEMs
• Any Android 8.0 Oreo or higher (Project Treble supported) devices are eligible to use Android GSI build
• Non-Pixel devices are also eligible to install the latest Android OS version (Beta and Stable)

DotOS 5.1: Android 12 For You

DotOS 5.1 is based on the latest Android 11 OS but brings Android 12 like UI for fans who can wait to get their hands on the new OS. DotOS 5.1 picks its design inspiration from Android 12 and comes with several UI tweaks, optimization and performance boost for Treble enabled smartphones. Now, let’s see Android 11 features and how DotOS 5.1 has reformed the OS.

Android 11 And Its Features

Android 11 (Android R) is the most recent Android OS version released by Google but currently, it’s in the early beta stage and will take a couple of months to arrive as the stable version. As we’ve mentioned above, it’s the 11th iteration of Android OS and brings so many features and other improvements that you won’t find on Android 10. With Android 11, you will get some of the improved features or functions which were introduced in Android Q last year.

We’ve listed some of the highlighted and useful features below that can be a game-changer for the majority of the Android users in the coming few months.

• Scoped Storage: It offers Storage Access Framework API to which requires user consent for editing and deleting media files. Additionally, users can edit or delete media files in a bulk and the access will be required for even file path access to simplify development.
• Scheduled Dark Mode: You can now schedule the dark mode on your Android device either by setting a custom time or using the sunrise/sunset option according to your timezone.
• Chat Bubbles: Just like the Facebook Messenger chat heads, users will be able to use Android Messages app as a chat bubble which looks cool and convenient too.
• One Time App Permission: In Android 11, you will get one extra option like Only This Time while using the app permission for the location access on any app. While the Android 10 users will only get two options like While using the app or Deny.
• Screen Recording: Previously, most of the Android devices didn’t offer an inbuilt screen recording feature except for some of the custom skins like One UI 2.0 (Android 10). Now, in the Android 11, the user can simply use the screen recording option from the quick shortcut toggle.
• Motion Sense Gesture: Though this feature is for the Pixel 4 series devices, it allows users to pause or play music. Cool, isn’t it?
• Pinned Share Menu: Now, the Android 11 users can easily pin any app in the Share menu interface for quick sharing.
• Conversation Tab in Notifications: The notification bar in Android 11 offers its own messaging/conversation tab for your ease.
• Bluetooth Works in Airplane Mode: In Android 11, users can get connected to the Bluetooth headphones without turning it off while using Airplane mode. A good mode by Google.

DotOS 5.1 Features

• Revamped AboutDevice cards
• Revamped Customizations app
• Revamped SystemUpdates [OTA]
• Redesigned QSPanel with Android S Inspirations
• Redesigned PackageManager
• Redesigned Settings sections
• Redesigned Quick Panels
• Replaced QSDetails with QS Panels

You can read more on the DotOS Android 11 features here.

Which Phones Are Supported?

Currently, DotOS 5.1 GSI is only available for Android devices with Arm64 A/B partition set. If you don’t know your device partition type, download the treble checker app from Google Play Store to check.

How To Install DotOS 5.1 GSI On Any Project Treble Device

Before proceeding to the installation guide ahead, I want to believe you a custom recovery installed on your device, you have set up ADB and unlocked your device bootloader. If you have done all of this, then, you can proceed to download DotOS 5.1 Android 11 GSI and install it on your device.

There are two different methods of installing GSIs on Android. You can either install using TWRP custom recovery or via Fastboot if your device currently do not have a working TWRP.

Pre-Requirements:

• A Project Treble compatible device.
• This GSI file you want to install. Download DotOS 5.1 GSI from the download link below.
• Have at least 50% of battery charge.
• Take a full data backup of your device before doing anything.
• Your device bootloader should already be unlocked.
• Have a custom recovery like TWRP installed.
• Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging on your device (see developer option).
• Have Android USB Drivers installed on your PC/laptop.
• A PC/Laptop and a USB cable are required (for the Fastboot method).
• Make sure you have Installed the ADB & Fastboot tool for Windows/MAC (for Fastboot method).
• Google Play Services (Gapps) for Android 11 GSI.

Note: This site or its author will not be responsible for any damage inflicted on your device while trying to install the latest DotOS 5.1 Android 11 ROM on your device. So, proceed with caution.

Method 1: Install Android 11 GSI using TWRP Recovery

• Download DotSO 5.1 from the download link below.
• Copy the downloaded Android 11 GSI file to your phone storage (Internal/SD).
• Extract the file using any archiver app to get the Android R GSI image file (I recommended the Zarchiver app).
• Now, reboot your device into TWRP recovery mode.
• In TWRP, take a full Nandroid backup to your SD card or external storage.
• Wipe all partitions except the internal storage.
• Return to TWRP main menu and tap on the ‘Install’ button.
• On the install page, change the file type from ‘zip’ to ‘image.’ You find this option at the bottom of this section.
• Select the system partition on the next screen and flash the GSI.iimg.
• Once the installation is done, reboot your device to the system.
• If you want to flash Gapps, flash it immediately after flashing the GSI image.
• Then finally restart your device.

The first boot may take some time, don’t worry, just wait for it to boot.

Method 2: Install Generic System Images (GSI) using Fastboot Mode

This step requires that you have USB Debugging enabled on your device, unlocked bootloader and must have installed ADB and Fastboot tools and drivers on your PC/laptop.

• Download the DotOS 5.1 GSI from the download link below.
• Extract the .xz file to get the raw .img file.
• Now, copy the gsi.img file to the same folder where you have ADB and Fastboot installation file.
• Launch ADB & Fastboot tool (CMD) on your PC.
• Connect your Android device to the PC/Laptop using a USB cable.
• Now, boot/restart your device into bootloader using the command below.

adb reboot bootloader

• Once in the bootloader, type in the following command and hit the Enter button to wipe your device system.

fastboot erase system

• After erasing your Android device system, install the GSI.img using the following command:

fastboot -u flash system name_of_system.img

e.g fastboot -u flash system dotOS-R-v5.1-arm64_gapps-GAPPS-OFFICIAL.img

• DotOS 5.1 Android 11 GSI will start to install immediately and will take some time. So, be patient and don’t panic.
• Once the installation process is complete, reboot your device with:

fastboot reboot

That’s it, you’ve successfully installed the latest DotOS Android 11 with Android 12 UI on your device. The first boot may take some time, just go grab a cup of coffee and relax for it to boot up.

Download DotOS 5.1 Android 11 GSI Build

We hope that you’ve found this article helpful, and you’ve been able to successfully install the latest DotOS 5.1 Android R GSI on your Project Treble devices by following our simple guide. If you have any questions or want to report n issue, kindly use the comment box below and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is DotOS 5.1 based on Android 12?

A: No, DotOS 5.1 is based on Android 11 but it comes with the Android 12 UI

Q: Can I install DotOS 5.1 without rooting my device?

A: Yes, you can install the latest DotOS Android R without root.

Q: Will I get All Android 12 features on DotOS 5.1?

A: No, you will only get a taste of it and not the full feature since the ROM is based on Android 11.

Q: Which version of DotOS should I install, Vanilla/Gapps?

A: Depends on your preference. If you want a Google-free ROM, then vanilla is the best option otherwise go for Gapps version.