Basics of Installing ROM on Android: Important Things

Basics of Installing ROM on Android: Important Things

Don’t you like the preinstalled UI or the default ROM of your Android phone? Are you looking for a device that comprises a feature-loaded interface with the capability for theme installation and change system elements?

If your answer is yes, then you must consider installing a custom ROM. Don’t have any idea of what it is and how it can benefit you? Read on this post to get an answer to your queries.

What Is Custom ROM?

Flashing a custom ROM helps revitalize your Android phone or tablet by adding new features and keeping it up-to-date. This is a third-party firmware that is based on the Android source code by Google. Hence, you can download it without any risk.

Most Android users today prefer these ROMs for better performance and use the most updated Android operating system. It boosts performance by overwriting the preinstalled stock Android ROM with plenty of customizations.   

Why You Need To Install Custom ROM

Today, the preinstalled Stock ROM UI is equipped with a lot of customization features with certain limitations. If you’re not satisfied with that, install a custom ROM to avail yourself of amazing benefits. 

If your current version is not supporting ROM, then consider downgrading it to a lower version. For example, you can downgrade from macOS Ventura to Monterey on macOS or Android 12 to Android 11.

Benefits of Installing Custom ROM

Installing a custom ROM provides plenty of advantages to users in numerous forms. If you admire the features of the devices from other manufacturers, choose ROM, which ports them over to previous devices. 

For enhanced security and privacy, you can get de-Googled ROMs. Other major benefits of custom ROM include no bloatware, whole device control and ownership, quick updates from ROM developers, and lots more.

Consider These Things Before Installing a ROM

Before you install ROM on Android, there are certain things that you must consider. You must have an Android device and GApps or Google Apps. Other prerequisites include an unlocked bootloader. 

To unlock the bootloader of your phone, go to the XDA Forums and find your device name, followed by unlocking the bootloader. There, you’ll find the most useful guide. Ensure you have a custom ROM zip file, USB data cable, and a custom recovery.

Step-by-step Guide to Install a Custom ROM

Implementing the steps mentioned below is risky and time-consuming as well. Hence, you must be prepared in advance about the common issues encountered while installing a custom ROM. Also, look for potential solutions to quickly resolve the issue.

Download the Appropriate ROM

The first thing you need is to download a custom ROM that is compatible with your device model and XDA forums. Find the most suitable ROM, as several variants are available in the market based on region, carrier, and other factors. 

The ROM will be downloaded as a .zip file. Once it gets downloaded, save it on the internal storage of your phone. However, you may also need to download the GApps in an individual zip.

Download the GApps

Usually, custom ROMs do not feature in Google’s apps and services as preinstalled. Hence, you must flash the Google apps package to access Google Play services for your apps, such as Gmail, Play Store, or Sync. 

Find and download the most suitable GApps in the form of a zip file. The installation process is similar to flashing the custom ROM and may take about a few seconds.

Boot into TWRP

Before you boot into recovery, make sure you have installed TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). After copying the Google Apps and ROM to the internal memory of your phone, flash the files by booting into TWRP. 

Once you boot into TWRP, you have to do some more things before installing the ROM. TWRP Recovery is one of the most crucial methods for custom ROM installation.

Good to Know: Back Up Your Data

Before you find a decent ROM to test and install, take a complete backup of the entire system. You can boot into TWRP and restore the backup if the installation fails. Choose Backup in TWRP, select Boot, tap on System Image, click on Data, and then click Modem and EFS. 

Next, swipe to backup. Access the TWRP main menu again and choose Wipe. Swipe to Factory Reset and choose Format Data and type Yes. Format your phone and choose Install.

The Conclusion

This is all about downloading and installing a custom ROM on an Android device. Hopefully, you will get the most useful guide and can easily install it on your phone. But remember that alongside other things, you require some patience as it takes a long time. 

Diligently follow all the steps to use a fresh new ROM on your device with advanced features and functionalities. Before starting the process, just back up your data.