Custom ROMs for Android: All you need to know
What is a custom ROM?
A custom ROM is a fully standalone version of the Operating system, including the kernel, apps, services, etc - everything you need to operate the device, except it’s customized by someone in some way. So what does the “customized” part mean? Since Android is open-source, the source code of stock ROM is available for everyone. Developers can modify them, optimize them, add/remove things, and pretty much do whatever their imagination and skills allow. For example, pixel experience: provides the stock experience of android for all popular android devices.
Advantages
- Can Increase Overall Performance
- Tons Of Customization
- Removal Of Bloatware
- More battery backup
Disadvantages
- The device loses its warranty
- Some ROMs can brick your device
- Security Concerns
Some Popular custom ROMs in 2021
1. PixelExperience
PixelExperience is an AOSP (Android Open Source Project) based ROM, with Google apps included and all Pixel goodies (launcher, wallpapers, icons, fonts, boot animation). Their mission is to offer the maximum possible stability and security, along with essential and useful features for the proper functioning of the device. It is a community-driven open source project, so it doesn’t have any affiliation with Google LLC company.
2. Resurrection Remix
Resurrection Remix ROM is ultimately full-featured, stable, and combined with the best features of open source ROMs. They are also providing a lot of awesome original Resurrection Remix ROM add-on s in the builds. includes best of performance, customization, power, and the newest features on your device! Resurrection Remix ROM project in 2012 with android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich. It soon became the most popular ROM with its original Samsung Galaxy S2 thread being the most viewed thread on XDA-developers.
3. LineageOS
One of the biggest and most popular custom Android experience is LineageOS. Formerly known as CyanogenMod, LineageOS is a close-to-stock version of Android with additional features that make your device more powerful and customizable. It supports mobile devices from more than 20 different manufacturers.
How to install a custom ROM?
There are some prerequisites before you can start installing a custom ROM.
- Unlocked Bootloader
A bootloader is a piece of software that runs every time your phone starts up. It tells the phone what programs to load in order to make your phone run. The bootloader starts up the Android operating system when you turn on the phone.
Some bootloaders contain an extra layer of security that checks to make sure that it only loads an operating system that passes its approval process. That is called as a locked bootloader. A locked bootloader means you can’t install your own OS.
In most of the devices, bootloader is locked by default. You need to follow some certain steps in order to unlock the bootloader.
You can refer this article to get more information.
2. Custom Recovery
Android Recovery mode is a special kind of recovery application installed in a special bootable partition of every android device. Recovery mode has the capability to access some core functioning in the device, such as Resetting the phone, Installing updates, Backup or restore your data etc.
Stock recovery doesn’t allow us to install to custom ROM on our device. So we need to replace that recovery by using a custom recovery such as TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery
Steps to Install a custom ROM
- Backup your data
You need to completely wipe the internal storage of your device during the installation of the ROM. So backup your important files before jumping into the installation!
2. Download suitable custom ROM
Look for a ROM that best suits your needs. Custom ROMs are device-specific so download a ROM that’s made specifically for your device. Once you’ve found the ROM you want to install, download the zip file and place it in the external storage of your device.
3 . Boot to custom recovery
You can simply do this by keeping pressing the “Power Button + Volume Down”. In some phones, you have to keep pressing the “Power Button + Volume Up + Volume Down”.
4. Wipe storage
Go to the Wipe Menu. Click on Advanced Wipe and select the “data”, “system”, “Dalvik/ART cache”, “cache” and swipe right to wipe.
5. Flash new ROM
Go to the Home screen of the recovery. Select install option, locate and select the downloaded zip file in your external storage and swipe to confirm flash. It takes some time to complete the installation.
6. Reboot the system
After successful installation, click on the reboot system option. The first boot will take approximately 3–4 minutes depending on your device. After successful boot, you can proceed to set up your device.