Highlights
- Android developer community is indeed large and now they have achieved great success in building Custom ROMs or Custom builds of Android.
- Custom ROMs on the other hand, take a little bit of explaining – custom ROMs are 3rd party releases based around Android that can be put onto your phone.
- Here we have mentioned some top Custom ROMs for Android. So, make sure to be with us until the end.
Android is great not for its lack of restrictions but the exact opposite. The real problem with Android devices being very open and customizable stems from the software experience that manufacturers provide in most cases – it limits them or hinders their announcement potential at best.
So you need to have a customer ROM for it. Custom ROMs let you change the Android OS on your device with a modified version of Android that has more features and better performance.
Moreover, they let you tap the full potential of your device. So, if you want to know some of the best Custom ROMs for Android, let’s start with the list.
What is a Custom ROM?
A custom ROM is a modified, aftermarket firmware produced by third parties that developed the Android open-source operating system.
But, custom ROMs on the other hand, are generally built by a collection of independent developers or communities and can bring unique features and performance enhancements as well.
This becomes really helpful in updating your old device with the latest Android versions, which is unlikely possible for some older devices that no longer receive official updates.
Why Install a Custom ROM?
Below, we have listed some reasons as to why you may consider installing a custom ROM on your Android device:
- Updates and Upgrades: Custom ROMs are frequently available for much longer and may even receive updates when the manufacturer abandons support because of device age or when Google stops supporting the newest software on a given platform.
- Performance Boost: A custom ROM can be optimized to increase performance and battery life.
- Customization Options: In many cases, the level of customization can be extreme: you are able to change nearly every single element on your device.
- Enhanced Privacy: Some custom ROMs focus on privacy and security.
- Removing Bloatware: It could erase resting neighborhoods or manufacturers’ apps that you do not utilize.
How to Flash Custom ROM
- Reboot into Custom Recovery.
- Now, perform full wipe i.e., Dalvik cache, Cache, System, Vendor (if any), and Data
- Now, flash ROM and GApps (if required)
- After that, you can flash Magisk Zip if you want to root your device.
- Now, again wipe Dalvik Cache
- Finally, reboot the system.
Top Custom ROMs for Android
Here are some top custom ROMs for Android devices:
#1. LineageOS
It is without a doubt the biggest custom ROM project in existence and boasts an active base of users. It is even used as the foundation for most other developers’ creations.
LineageOS originated from late Android themes CyanogenMod, which exploded and eventually morphed into a full-on company. A standalone popularity, however, all but killed the independent CyanogenMod ROM, and a team of developers was forced to fork it back on their own into yet another flavor.
LineageOS is stable and carries support for many devices so there won´t be any issues related to the software.
They are not only quick to roll out their releases when compared with some of the other third-party ROM developers but also constantly polishing and improving upon them.
In the realm of ROMs, LineageOS is about as professional a project as you are going to get on this front and it shows.
#2. BlissRoms
The organization behind BlissRoms is a non-profit initiative and works similarly to LineageOS. In a similar vein to Lineage, BlissRoms creates an entirely new Operating System for your device based on Android similar to Linux distribution.
This supports as many devices as it possibly can and provides resources for others to port to new Devices.
The developers of BlissRoms are working very fast to release the new versions, which are based on the latest Android but also support a quick update.
BlissRoms has a unique feel that differentiates it from other Android ROMs, and the Bliss Team aims to do this. Another great theme that comes with a unique icon theme and design orientated for clean minimalists.
While BlissRoms focuses mostly on design, the ROM also offers gains in performance and security over stock Android releases.
#3. Pixel Experience
Do you ever wish you could have the latest features of Google’s Pixel phones without having to shell out cash for a new Pixel this year? The Pixel Experience ROM got your back.
Pixel, one of the most popular ROMs, almost supports all Android devices and aims to provide a pure pixel experience on any device as Google does with their Nexus line.
Pixel Experience – Essentially, it is a to-do Android at its core. They keep it as vanilla-like and close to the true Android Open-Source Project release from Google.
After this, they mix in all the Pixel-only extras too. The end result is this thing that kind of, sorta feels like a Google Pixel phone on your device.
The biggest disadvantage of the Pixel Experience ROM is zero support. It is, however, not available on a whole lot of devices that they support out of the box.
Pixel Experience builds can be found unofficially all over the XDA forums, so it shouldn’t be too hard to make sure your phone looks Pixel.
#4. Paranoid Android
One of people’s favorites is Paranoid Android, which was brought back to life not too long ago. If you did not know, Paranoid Android is the OG and is among the most legendary custom ROMs ever.
It starts to spit out the new Android 14 Beta. Here are the changes. The first thing you need to know about this ROM is that it mostly targets a clean and reliable user experience.
It does not get any more basic than Paranoid, which may be a little vanilla for some but ensures that the user experience is as buttery smooth as possible.
This includes a redesigned quick settings menu, gesture support for better one-handed use, and some power user options.
One of the PR highlights for Paranoid Android was when Google took its debut ambient mode, “Peek,” and put it in AOSP, which the team said was a massive accomplishment. This way, every time you use the Ambient Display, your brain will flash paranoid.
#5. crDroid
crDroid is an open-source, custom ROM project that aims to improve the performance and reliability of firmware for Android devices such as crystalloid ROM.
Based on the latest version of Android, crDroid claims to be a more optimized ad stock-like experience incorporating additional features for your daily use.
It has been known to be the go-to launcher for all those who long for a pure Android experience but with extra features.
#6. GrapheneOS
Both share the same goals but the way they work against Google tracking your data and location is quite different. The second point on the GrapheneOS column is that it uses Sandboxing, unlike CalyxOS which essentially means running apps in an isolated playground rather than within a device.
#7. Havoc OS
Well, defining Havoc-OS will not be a two or three-word. When you run this ROM the first time, it is as bland as a custom ROM like any other. You will feel Havoc enough after using it for 1–2 Days.
It was among the first ROMs to come out with all these features successfully. It would make you remember the old days like Resurrection Remix or Paranoid Android.
It has more features than the official LineageOS but it also includes a ton of Havoc-OS mods for the Status bar, buttons, lights, gestures, and other miscellaneous configurations.
Yes, at times it is unstable but yes I can definitely say that as far as customizability goes turbo charge has the max features. In the end, if you like anything close to Resurrection Remix but would rock the latest Android version, then Havoc-OS has got your back.
#8. OmniROM
They are one of the oldest custom ROMs around, and as such they have a large audience just about anywhere. The project goes all the way back to 2013 when CyanogenMod was still a hot name, and it is still putting out fresh builds even today.
There is nothing groundbreaking, but it offers an adaptable AOSP-based ROM with pure stability and a wide range of device support.
Android 14 and ROG Phone, Google Pixel & Redmi Note series updates It is not the best phone in updates, but still fine for performance and daily use.
#9. Evolution X
Evolution X is nothing less than a custom ROM that wants itself to be the best option for a given range of Android devices. Referred to as a “Pixel Experience” ROM, Evolution X is essentially stock Android with some extra features and tweaks.
This ROM is great for those who still want a mostly pure Android experience but also some more flexibility and power user options.
So, that’s all we have for you regarding some of the best custom ROMs for Android. We hope that this guide has helped you. For more details, comment below.
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