[Guide] How To Install A Custom ROM On Your Android Phone

Wanna enjoy more features than you can get on your android’s stock firmware? Then try custom ROMs. I guess you are here because you wish to load a custom ROM on your device and you’ll definitely know it means. For benefit of doubt and those reading this kind of tutorial for the first time, it would be improper if I explain how to find and install a Custom ROM on your Android Phone without explaining what it means a Custom ROM itself means.

• Must Read: Top 15 Apps for Rooted Android SmartPhone Devices

ROM stands for Read Only Memory; Stock ROM is the name given to the version of your Android Phone’s OS that comes with your brand new un-tampered phone. Ordinarily, Custom signifies “customized” hence Custom ROM is a ROM – a version of the Phone’s OS – that is customized by someone probably a Modder or a Developer.

Some major reasons why people go for custom ROMs include:

• You can upgrade your Phone’s OS to a better version;
• It enables one to install Apps to SDcard;
• For better performance.

On the other hand, some disadvantages of Custom ROMs are;

• If not careful, one may brick their phone – always go for tested ROMs.
• Custom ROMs could have bugs;
• You may void your Phone’s warranty.

Requirements and Procedure to Loading A Custom ROM

1. Rooted Phone
Nowadays, rooting of Android phone is as easy as A, B, C…, we have covered a lot on this blog concerning Rooting. Do well to make a search via the search box. If you can’t find a suitable tutorial for your phone, let us know using the comment box below or go to Google and search for “How To Root Your Phone Model”

2. Install ROM Manager App
Follow the link to Download ROM Manager from Google play store. It handles backup, flashing and restoring of ROMs. After you must have installed your ROM Manager App, launch and go to Flash ClockworkMod > Backup Current ROM.

Then confirm Phone Model; a success page would appear with:  “successfully flashed clockworkmod recovery”

Note: You will have to flash recovery image.

3. Now, it’s time to checkout the new ROM you wish to run on your android device. Download the ROM you want to try to your Phone’s SD Card. To know what ROM is compatible with your phone, you can make a thorough Google research. Although, a list of ROMs would be shown to you, so you may choose anyone compatible with your phone. NB: CyanogenMod is compatible with most Android though.

4. Download the ROM image you selected (zip archive) and copy it to the Root of your Phone’s SD Card. Note, do not unzip the file, rather copy it as it is. After copying or moving to the Root, you can then proceed to flashing it by launching the ROM Manager App again, click on “Install From SD Card.”

Click on the ROM and you will see popup telling you to backup existing ROM.

Note that you should only wipe data and cache if you want to do a clean installation. It won’t wipe your SD Card data but your Phone’s.

• Must Read: How To Minimize Data Consumption on Android Device

That’s how you can easily install or load a custom ROM on your rooted android smartphone. Cheers!

Disclaimer: We do not take responsibility for any damage you might inflict on your device if you don’t follow the tutorial properly. 🙂