Android is an open-source program, and it gives users the flexibility to use its resources. Custom ROMs for Android is one of the best feature available to date. It allows the users to test and experiment with different types of operating systems on their Android-based smartphone/tablet.
The evolution of custom ROMs for Android started since the beginning of the Android era, and many developers took the initiative to port custom ROMs for Android smartphones and tablets that used to run slowly or didn’t get further upgrades from the manufacturers.
There are many custom ROMs for Android that have different types of features. Some are specialized for performance, and some are packed with customizations. But, all the custom ROMs serve the same purpose, and that is to provide the device with the latest security patches and updates from Android.
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List Of Top 25 Custom ROMS For Android In 2020
1. LineageOS
LineageOS is an open-source operating system for Android-based devices that is free. Formerly it was known as CyanogenMod, which was changed in December 2016. The custom ROM is used as the base on various other custom ROMs due to its light-weight design. LineageOS has minimal applications present, which make it smooth and faster than any other operating system for Android devices.
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2. Pixel Experience
Pixel Experience is an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) based ROM that includes all the Pixel goodies such as the wallpapers, icons, launcher, boot animation, ringtones, etc. The ROM is close to Stock UI and provides better battery life and performance due to its simplicity and necessary customizations. The Pixel Team aims to offer the maximum security and stability possible with the most useful features for the perfect functioning of the device.
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3. cRDroid Android
crDroid Android custom ROM is designed to provide better stability, performance, and more customization options of stock Android. The ROM is designed to be lightweight and straightforward for any Android device. There are over 40+ customization options under the hood and integrated with top-notch security options.
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4. Resurrection Remix OS
Resurrection Remix or, in short, RR OS has been designed to make the Android Experience more elegant. The features of Resurrection Remix OS are hand-picked by the developers and have been beautifully packed in one operating system. You will find many options under personalization, quick advanced settings, custom gesture controls, interface customizations, and much more.
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5. HavocOS
HavocOS is based on AOSP and heavily inspired by the Google Pixel smartphone and its features. The developers have integrated many features of Pixel Experience and integrated various other features from different projects. You will witness a material design with quick settings customizations, navigation bar options, etc.
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- Github
- HavocOS doesn’t have an official website, and you can get the device list on Sourceforge.
6. DerpFest
One of the newest addition in the custom ROM family where the developers are working together to bring a polished custom ROM that includes the best features and supports the community in the long run with its unique contributions and features implemented.
DerpFest was first started as a temporary project-based on AOSiP for the Oneplus 5T based on Android Pie 9.0. The developers got motivated and took the initiative in supporting other devices as well. Now they have a healthy community where the developers and users work together for a better future of the ROM.
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7. AOSiP
As the name suggests, AOSIP is a smooth and good quality custom ROM purely based on the Android Open Source Project. The ROM is packed with twisted and latest features that blend in with the stability of the firmware. The developers aim at striving for the perfection of the ROM as it reflects their work.
This is one of those custom ROMS for Android smartphone users who wants a pure Android stock experience but also with some modifications and tweaks out of the box.
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8. AOSP Extended
Aiming at providing useful customizations with the full support of stability, AOSP Extended is a custom ROM based on the Android Open Source Project with lots of newly added features from various other projects.
AOSP Extended was started since the release of Android 8.0 Oreo and has reached development till Android 10 and has a strong community base of users and developers.
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9. MSM-Xtended
MSM Xtended custom ROM is built for the new era of Android, where the developers try their best to blend the custom ROM with all the latest features, options, and stability for the best user experience.
Some of the key features of this ROM includes the latest Android source codes and security updates officially, over-the-air notifications for any new release of OS version, optimized for battery, and much more.
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10. Evolution X
If you are a fan of Google Pixel or the Pixel Experience ROM, then this custom ROM will suit and satisfy all your requirements. Evolution X has a Pixel user interface and comes with the latest Android 10 updates and features from the Pixel Experience. It includes some Pixel goodies as well, such as the notifications, ringtones, boot animation, fonts, wallpapers, etc.
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11. Paranoid Android
AOSPA or currently known as Paranoid Android, is one of the oldest custom ROMS for Android that aims to extend the system, providing the user with the most beautiful Android by enhancing the user interface and following the same design philosophies that are meant for the AOSP based ROMS by Google.
Some of the newest features that have been implemented in Paranoid Android are On-the-spot controls, Pocket mode, Extended restart, Gestures, Navigation bar customization, Screen stabilization (Gimbal mode), Adaptive playback, Pop-Up camera support and much more.
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12. Pacman
Pac-man custom ROM is based on Cyanogen (Lineage) + AOKP + Paranoid Android that has a dedicated user interface of Pac-man themes, ringtones, boot animation, lock screen wallpapers, etc. The ROM is light-weight and consumes less space. It also boots up quickly and uses fewer resources that result in more battery backup.
Important Links:
- Github
- Pacman doesn’t have an official website, and you can get the device list on Sourceforge.
13. Bootleggers ROM
Bootleggers ROM supports more than 15 Android smartphones and is based on AOSP. The main aim of the developers is to keep the ROM as simple as possible. You will find all the features up to date and some hand-picked apps and features by the Bootleggers team that will give you an experience of using a swiss knife.
One of the most community harvested custom ROMS for Android is Bootleggers ROM that has a factory of features, switches, and menus that gets the work done in a snap of a finger.
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14. Arrow OS
Based on AOSP, the Arrow OS project was started with a vision of keeping the entire operating system clean, neat, and simple for daily use. The developers of Arrow OS focuses on the most needed features for everyday usage for a moderate user. A good custom ROM for normal usage that delivers smooth performance with extended battery life.
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15. Bliss ROMS
Bliss ROMS focuses on providing the best quality of the operating system for Android that can run on most of the devices. It also aims to save the customizations and the features by cross-synchronizing among various other platforms.
The community of this ROM provides a positive impact to the developers, which leads to better outcomes. The contributions of both the developers and the users make this ROM a perfect ROM for everyday users.
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FAQS
- Is it safe to flash custom ROM?
- Using a custom ROM is safe. However, we suggest everyone download the firmware from reliable sources.
- Do I need to root to flash a ROM?
- Rooting is not necessary to flash a ROM.
- Can flashing ROMs damage the phone?
- No, it does not. However, flashing the ROM firmware/package may lead to a boot loop.
- How do you flash a phone ROM?
- You need a custom recovery to flash a custom ROM.
- Does flashing a ROM delete everything?
- In most cases, it does as it requires you to wipe the internal storage. Always take a backup.
- What does flashing ROM mean?
- Flashing a custom ROM means removing the stock ROM that is provided by the manufacturer of the device.
- Should I use custom ROM?
- It is an individual’s choice of installing a custom ROM. We suggest you install it if the official support for updates has been stopped or your current stock ROM is laggy.
- What happens when you flash your phone?
- When you flash your phone with a custom ROM, then the previous ROM is erased along with the data, system, dalvik, cache, etc.