CUSTOM ROMS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT

I have seen some posts around the forum which clearly indicate that some folks do not have a good knowledge of what Custom ROMS are.

I’ll do my best to explain what they are and give you some benefits and issues, if there’s any, of Custom ROMS.
Although this is for Android devices generally, I’ll be using ROMS for Samsung Galaxy S II (GT-I9100) as illustrations since that’s the phone I use. Whichever device you have, you’ll find this post very useful.

Android being an Open Source mobile operating system can be highly customized. This is why most tech savvy individuals go for android devices. Android Customizations go far beyond installing live wallpapers, Themes, third party widgets……The need to always have a refreshed and updated look to my phone is my motivation making me a FLASHAHOLIC. (Lol, go carry dictionary na)

ROM

This is the Software that runs on android device. It is called ROM because it is stored in the Read Only Memory of the device. This is similar to “Firmware” in the case of Nokia phones

ROMS are of two types:

1. STOCK ROM – It is provided or built in by the phone manufacturer. This Rom as it is, prevents you from carrying out certain customizations.
The Stock Rom on which all the other ROMS are based is the ROM made by Google Company (The owner of the OS) called Android Open Source Project, AOSP. This is the exact ROM that runs on all NEXUS devices.
Phone Manufacturers or OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) like Samsung, LG, HTC etc modify AOSP and port it to their phones. In this case we simply have Samsung ROMS or Sammy ROMs, HTC or Sense ROMs etc. These ROMs are all considered as STOCK ROMs.

2. CUSTOM ROM – Because Android is an open source OS, Modifiers, Modders, Customizers or DEVELOPERS as we are best called (I no join o! I dey try sha) are free to take stock ROMs or other Custom ROMs, modify them, remove stuffs not needed by most users (bloatware), add things, optimize, and basically do anything they feel will improve the look and performance of the OS. The end Product is a CUSTOM ROM.

Some Developers or Devs even though they are not phone manufacturers, have worked so hard to customized the original android operating system, AOSP and have made wonderful Custom ROMs out of it which support numerous smartphones. Some of these ROMs are:

1. CYANOGENMOD: CM has support for loads of smartphones (techno users make una no worry CM get una for mind)

2. AOKP (Android Open Kang Project): With its Unicorn logo, it allows you to customize toggle buttons and add your own, use of custom vibration patterns and swipe gestures throughout interface.

3. PARANOID ANDROID: Renowned for its feature of the HYBRID MODE and colourful wallpapers

4. MIUI: Has so many features like Backup manager, virus scanner, an app to find lost device.

Others are SUPERNEXUS, SLIM BEAN…….

The above Custom ROMs also serve as a base for other Custom ROMs i.e. developers modify CM, AOKP, etc to have their own Custom ROMs, It’s an endless cycle huh? That’s the power of OPEN SOURCE. Such custom ROMs include:
REVOLT, RESURRECTION REMIX, VANILLA ROOTBOX, JELLYBAM, OMEGA, TOKOROM, THUNDERBOLT, ILLUSION……

If you use a Samsung device, these Custom ROMs are based on The Stock ROMs released by Samsung for their various devices:
NEATROM (My favourite)






OMEGA, WANAMLITE, ALLIANCE, DISASTER, TURKBEY, BIFTOR, OPTIMUS, VIVERK ETC.

WHY DO WE INSTALL CUSTOM ROMS?

The reasons are numerous, some are:

• You get a faster update which are Beta tested. I’ve used very good and stable ROMs based on android 4.2.2 (Vanilla Rootbox is a good one) on my GS II, I personally don’t think Samsung will roll out this android version for the phone.

• The Devs have removed useless apps locked in by your phone manufacturer and carrier

• Some very cool features are incorporated to your phone, hardware buttons perform additional functions…

• The Devs have optimized the kernel( more on kernels later) for better battery life and performance

• A ROM from another phone entirely can be ported to your own device.

• You have the ability to install Apps to your SD card and conserve your phone’s memory by use of apps like ‘Apps2SD’

• Custom ROMs come rooted so you enjoy the full benefits of a rooted device.

Generally, Custom ROMs are usually faster, more efficient and they use less memory.

It’s worth mentioning that these custom ROMs are free, Yes you are not compelled to pay a dime before u use them, They are supported by optional donations. I urge you to make a donation sometimes. (I know say 9ja like Awoof)

There are ISSUES involved in using Custom ROMs

• Your WARRANTY IS VOID. This shouldn’t be an issue anyway:
Before thinking of installing a custom ROM,
 Root your device with the appropriate method

 Do a nandroid backup and keep it safe somewhere

Then install the custom ROM.

To get back your warranty, restore your backup and unroot the device.

• During flashing of the Custom ROM, you may brick your phone if you are not careful. This is very rare with modern techniques and the phone may also be revived.

• Custom ROMs have bugs. Stock ROMs have bugs too. This bugs are usually reported and fixed. We can live with some of the bugs and some can be very annoying. This is not an exception from life generally…… From my Experience, Life itself has a bug, we just learn to live through them.

This is not a copy and paste work. Everything I wrote here is from my knowledge of Custom ROms, most of which I gained from xda forum. It is by no means exhaustive, you can make corrections and add whatever is missing. If you happen to post this somewhere else please give the necessary credits and if you find it useful, don’t hesitate to drop your comment below.........

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