9 Best Android Custom ROMs You Must Try

As an Android device owner, you've probably heard of custom ROMs. You've heard of how installing custom ROMs can significantly improve the function of your device. But do you know what they are, how they work or even how safe they are? Well, if you are unsure of Custom ROMs, this article will explain everything there is to know about Custom ROMs.

Part I: Things You Need to Know Before Install A Custom ROM

What Is A Custom ROM?

Before we address Custom ROMs, we thought's we'd explain what ROM is. ROM is an acronym for reading Only Memory and it is the actual OS image that is installed on your device to control the functions of the device.

The ROM version that came preinstalled on your device is known as the stock ROM. The opposite of this is custom ROM which is a standalone version of OS including the Kernel and can be customized in numerous ways. Custom ROMs can be modified in various ways. You can remove some components, add others and do whatever your skills and imagination will allow.

Advantages of Installing A Custom ROM

One of the most attractive aspects of Custom ROMs is the ability to customize them any way you want. But what does that customizability mean? Well, if you install custom ROMs on your device, the following are some of the benefits you'll reap:

1. You'll Get the Latest Version of Android

This is the single most popular reason why most people install Custom ROM on their devices. Most Android device manufacturers never update the device or take too long to offer updates to users and as such, it can take months for the latest version of Android to arrive on your device. With custom ROM installed on your device, you can get the latest version of Android as soon as it is released. This is particularly important for older Android devices that may not be receiving updates anymore.

2. Replace the Manufacturer Skin with the Stock Version

Most Android device manufacturers will replace the often clean looking Google skin with their versions. The intent is to make their devices appear more branded. But as most Android device users now, these manufacturer skins are cluttered and less cohesive. This is why all Samsung devices have a somewhat similar interface.

3. Remove Bloatware that Comes with the Device

Some apps came with the device when you first bought it. Apps like TV apps or a Contacts app that stores your contacts on your carrier's servers just take up a lot of space on your device and you'll find it can be very difficult to get rid of. These apps are often referred to as bloatware because they are not helpful and take up a lot of disk space on your device. Both manufacturers and carriers install these apps on the device and you end up with two sets of bloatware apps on your device.

4. Get Additional Features and Tweaks

Custom ROMs can also offer a lot of features not found on the ordinary Android stock ROM as well as many tweaking options you will not find anywhere else. The following are just some examples:

• With custom ROMs on your device, you will be able to run apps in tablet mode on your phone and benefit from the full-featured tablet interface.

• You can overclock your device to run faster or underclock it to make it run slower and get the most out of your battery life.

• You can also disable the high volume warning that appears on the screen when you're using headphones

• Get more screen real-estate by hiding the bottom navigation bar

• Custom ROMs allow you to easily enable root access by toggling a system setting

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the customizability that custom ROMs can bring to the device. The tweaks depend on your device, your skills and the type of custom ROM installed on the device.

5. Configure App Permissions

Another great thing about custom ROMs is that they come with an easy way to manage app permissions on your device. This makes it possible for you to keep Facebook from tracking your GPS location or play games without giving them personal information.

Part II:10 Best Android Custom ROMs You Must Try

With so many benefits of installing custom ROMs on your device, you may be wondering what custom ROM to install on your device. The following are the best 10 custom ROMs to try;

1. LineageOS (the Legacy of CyanogenMod)

Lineage is the ideal replacement for CyanogenMod which was ideal for beginners. Lineage hangs on to most of the features that made CyanogenMod great. It even comes with a backup of the old wiki. It has a compact launcher with a full-featured camera app and very few pre-installed apps. It also gases a volume profile that allows you to make your device as loud or as quiet as you want and it can make even the oldest smartphones faster again.

2. Dirty Unicorns

This custom ROM can be useful for Nexus, Oppo, Xiaomi and OnePlus as well as some HTC and Samsung devices. It has roughly the same features as Lineage OS as well as root access via apps and regular updates.

3. Paranoid Android

It is one of the oldest custom ROMs in the market although it hasn't been used for a while. In May 2017, Paranoid Android once again made a significant come back with a big update. The CodeAuroraForum (CAF) drivers in the new update are designed to make Snapdragon-based devices more compatible with the ROM. Paranoid Android's greatest strength is that it makes system updates easier to handle.

4. Resurrection Remix

This custom ROM supports a wide range of devices and a wide set of features. You may, however, have trouble installing some Google Apps and its stability has also been questioned over the years.

5. ViperOS

This is an AOSP based ROM and one that offers the perfect balance of battery life, customization, and stability. It is relatively new in the market so it is likely that you may not have heard of it. While it may not have as many customization features as most of the others on this list, it offers the most used customizations.

6. HavocOS

HavocOS has made quite a splash in the industry thanks to the customization it offers. It is one of the most customizable ROMs although all the customizability can take away from its stability. It is also quite appealing aesthetically.

7. AOSP Extended

Based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), this ROM provides great user experience and performance. It also offers a wide variety of customizations to choose from.

8. Pixel Experience

Pixel Experience's features include a launcher, icon, widgets, and fonts. Its customizations may not be as numerous as those on other custom ROMs, but it has a great aesthetic appeal that will have your device looking fantastic.

9. Bootleggers ROM

This is an aftermarket offer that is based Ground Zero Open Source Project (GZOSP). It has lots of customizations aimed at bringing a fresh look to your device. It offers great features including ringtones and custom wallpapers as well as a selection of apps.

Part III: A Safe Tool to Help You Install ROM in One-Click

One of the reasons why most people don't install custom ROMs on their devices even when they want the benefits is because they assume the process is complicated and risky. But there is a tool that can make the whole process of installing ROM on your device very easy. This tool is iMyFone Fixppo for Android, a tool that is primarily designed to help fix Android OS related issues but can also be instrumental in installing ROM on your device. Fixppo for Android will allow you to install ROM on your Android device without affecting the data on the device and in a single click.

• Simple to use-only 3 clicks are needed.

• Highest recovery rate-100% works for Android OS issues.

• Full compatibility-all Samsung phones and tablets are supported.

• No technical knowledge needed-user-friendly interface on the software.

Step 1: Install Fixppo for Android on your computer and launch it after installation and then click "Start" to begin the process. Provide all the requested details about your device in the next window and then click "Download Firmware".

Step 2: After Fixppo for Android completes the download, connect the device to the PC using USB cables and then follow the on-screen instructions to put it in Download mode.

Step 3: As soon as the device is in download mode, Fixppo will begin installing the firmware on to the device and repairing any issues on the device. Keep the device connected to the computer until the process is complete and the device restarts.