Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Jumps to Android 16, Losing Knox and Google Wallet
Updated
Updated · MUO - MakeUseOf · Aug 19
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Jumps to Android 16, Losing Knox and Google Wallet
3 articles · Updated · MUO - MakeUseOf · Aug 19
Summary
ArtisanROM 3.5.1 brought Android 16 and One UI 8 to a six-year-old Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, sharply improving speed and responsiveness after Samsung left the device on Android 13.
The upgrade preserved key hardware and Samsung features — including S Pen, cameras, 120Hz QHD+, DeX, NFC and microSD — while adding newer Galaxy AI tools such as Note Assist and Photo Assist.
Installing it required bootloader unlocking, Odin, TWRP and ADB sideloading, with multiple wipes along the way and a permanent trip of Samsung Knox.
That Knox break disabled Samsung Wallet, Secure Folder and other security-dependent functions, while Google Play still marked the phone uncertified, leaving Google Wallet effectively unusable and some banking or integrity-checked apps at risk.
The result shows custom ROMs can extend aging flagship hardware and avoid a roughly $2,000 replacement, but only with meaningful security and convenience trade-offs.