Android is an open source operating system. So we can make changes into android device (software wise) and operating system as we like. By default Google has given simple android versions like Ice-cream sandwich, Jelly bean, Kit-Kat, etc. But different mobile companies make changes in that default android OS and provide better version of the same with extra features and applications. So we can also make such modifications if we know the developing stuff or we can use other developers work if they are offering. We can make such custom changes in our Android phone. In this article we will learn about such modifications and what is custom ROMs and how we can install such ROMs on our android phone.

What is custom ROMs?

As I mentioned above we can make changes into default android operating system given by mobile company. We can do many system changes as we want which is not originally provided by our mobile company. We can make such android operating system with totally modified functions as per our comfort and as we like to use them. Such modified android version can be called Custom ROMs. 

What changes we can find in Custom ROMs?

It totally depends on the developer of that Custom ROM. He may have given only few changes as he liked and it is also possible that he may have given total new look with lots of modification in default android version. In such custom ROMs we may find new battery icon, network icons, new application icons, totally new User interface, new dialing and messaging interface and many such changes. You may also find new custom ROMs for your mobile which is an exact copy of android version of some other mobile company which is offering better features in compare of android version provided by your mobile company. So you may find many different custom ROMs for your single mobile with different functions and features. As I mentioned you can also create your own as per your need and as you like.

Can you flash any Custom ROM you like from internet?

Obviously no. It is a very important thing to keep in mind. You can’t just take any custom ROM from internet which is originally made for some other mobile model and install it on your mobile phone. By this way you will surely brick your phone which may not come to life again. So keep this thing in mind seriously. You can only flash or install custom ROM on your phone which is originally made for your phone only. So keep this thing in mind. Even if you find that another phone is having the same configuration as your phone, you can’t install that phone’s custom ROM on your phone.

Every phone’s custom ROMs available on internet?

It is not necessary. These days there are many developers doing this job. So it is possible that you may find one or more custom ROMs for your mobile phone. But surely it is not necessary that you will find it. If you find zero work for your phone then you can think that your phone is having less popularity and less people are having it. But no worries if you have knowledge regarding it then you can start with first custom ROM of that phone by yourself.

Requirements for installing Custom ROMs

There are few necessary requirements to have custom ROMs on your phone. Without them you will not be able to do your work. Let’s talk about them.

Knowledge regarding it: This is the first and most important requirement. You can’t install such things without proper knowledge. Half knowledge is always dangerous. So if you are not having proper information regarding this stuff then you can end up damaging your phone with software or hardware problems. So first thing comes is the knowledge regarding installing custom ROM and many more.

Rooting android phone: Rooting android phone means accessing the system files (root of your android device) of your device. Without accessing system folder of your phone you can make any system changes you like. So this is also important that you root your phone first before installing any Custom ROM on your phone. You can find out the method of rooting your phone on the internet easily. Let me tell you rooting methods may be different for different phones. So don’t try out any other method on your phone which can give your trouble for sure.

Custom recovery: To install custom ROM you need custom recovery as well. By default Android is having its default recovery using which you can install company’s original android version or do backup using the same. But for custom ROMs you will need custom recovery. There are two famous custom recoveries available for the same purpose right now and they are CWM custom recovery and TWRP custom recovery. You can install any of them for your phone. Process of installing that also may be different for different phones. Using custom recovery only you can install those custom ROMs on your phone.

Custom ROM for your mobile: Now if you are having all above, then you need to find out custom ROM which is originally made for your mobile model. As I mentioned you just can’t install any custom ROM if it is not made for your phone. So find out that first since without custom ROM you can’t install anything, LOL!

How to install Custom ROMs on your android?

I have already mentioned the requirements in the beginning regarding installation If you already have all four requirements with you then you are ready to go. 

• First put your installed custom ROM on root of your memory card or phone storage (if memory card is not available). 
• Then enter into recovery mode after switching off your phone. The process of entering recovery mode may be different for different phones that you can find out from internet.
• After reaching to recovery mode first thing you should do is to back up your original android version so that if anything goes wrong you can revert back to original stuff, otherwise you may lose many things.
• After backing up you can format your original android version by format system option. And few more option like clear cache and clear battery status. 
• After formatting your original OS, you can choose install from SD card option to install the custom ROM. From there you can select the installed custom ROM that you have put in memory card and install it directly.
• That’s it. After installing it you can reboot your phone. Let me tell you that after first reboot it may took longer time to start your phone. So keep it in mind.

What if something goes wrong during installation of Custom ROM?

This thing may happen with newbie. So as I mentioned first thing is to take a back up of your original android version using custom recovery. If you have done it then you are safe, otherwise you may found little more trouble. If you have made backup using recovery then obviously you can restore it back using same recovery and you will get everything back with your data and applications. You will lose nothing. Now if you haven’t taken any backup before doing this then you are in little trouble. You have to use some computer software using which you can flash/install your original android version using it. For that you need little more knowledge regarding it. Or you can visit service center of your mobile company for the same. But let me tell you by this way you will lose all your data and applications. So always take a complete backup before going for custom ROM or any other system change.

Will my data remain safe after installing Custom ROM?

The data which is stored in your memory card like songs, videos, photos, game data, app data, etc. will remain safe. It will make no changes in it if you haven’t formatted your SD card too from recovery during installation process. But you have to install all your apps again. The data of game and apps will remain safe if you have installed it in your SD card. But you have to install the apps and games again.

What I will lose in compare to original version?

You may lose some system apps which is provided by your mobile company or given in your default android system.  I mean if some certain and exclusive app is provided by your phone company then it is possible that you may not find the same in custom ROM. But you may install them again if it is possible. All other system apps for calling, messaging and browsing will remain same with possibly different functionalities.

Are custom ROMs stable just like original android version of our phone?

This is also depends on the developer of that custom ROM and how he/she has made it. In most of the cases you will surely not get that stable version that you got originally in your phone. Surely you may found more features in compare of original one. But it is also possible that you may found some bugs and faults in many other area and apps. That doesn’t mean that you will always get buggy Custom ROM. It is also possible that you may found rock stable custom ROM with great features which is even more stable than the original. But that thing is very rare. So it all depends on custom ROM and how good it made up by developer. So if you want to choose any custom ROM for your mobile then do proper investigation about any ROM before installing. Choose the famous one among the people which is already reviewed by many other users.

Can custom ROMs make changes in Hardware stuff like increasing RAM, increasing camera pixel and all that?

Not at all. There is no way you can make changes in hardware related stuff using custom ROM. If anyone claims to be doing so then there is no truth in it. They can just make changes that are related to software and nothing else. So don’t expect any hardware changes using custom ROM as there is no way this can be done.

Advantages and Disadvantages

In advantages you will obviously get better android version which is having more features in compare to original version came with your phone. Some time it is also possible that originally your mobile company hasn’t provided the latest android version update for your phone, but using custom ROM you can have the latest version for your phone. So that’s the biggest advantage.

In disadvantage, as I mentioned in most of the cases you may find custom ROM with few bugs. So it means it may not be as stable as the original version. But it doesn’t mean that you will never find stable custom ROM. You may find even more stabler version in custom ROM than the original. Other disadvantage is that for custom ROM, you need to root your android phone. And that will surely void the warranty of your phone. So you have to bear with it to get something better. These are the only disadvantages. It is obviously nothing in compare to its advantages.

Is Custom ROM for everyone?

Nope. You can do all those normal things in original version too. Which means it is not necessary to go for custom ROM. You can do calling, messaging, install all apps, photos and all those normal stuff in both original and custom ROM. So if you are happy with that only then no need to go for custom ROM. But if you want to have all the extra benefits I mentioned above you can go for custom ROM. So no, custom ROMs are not for everyone, but are for those who want to have extra features and functions as they like.

So this is it. I guess I have covered pretty much all the information I know about custom ROMs. I still think that it is not all but only experience will tell you more about it. But at least it is enough to clear basics and little bit more. I hope this will help you to flash/install first custom ROM on your phone. It is better to understand all the possible risks involved in it before trying it yourself. Have fun.