Flash Android ROMs

How to Flash a Custom ROM on Android Phone and Tablet

Oct. 14, 2014 11:34 am / Updated by Bobby Hills to Mobile Phone Tips
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Android is great, but sometimes, the version you get with your phone leaves a bit to be desired. For the purpose of an better Android experience, you can install a new version of Android (or ROM).

What is a Custom ROM?

"ROM" stands for "read-only memory." A custom ROM replaces your device's Android operating system — normally stored in read-only memory — with a new version of the Android operating system. Custom ROMs are different from acquiring root access.

5 Reasons to Install a Custom Android ROM

There are several reasons why you should use Custom ROM instead of the Stock ROM created by Google.

• Get The Latest Version of Android: Many manufacturers never update their older Android phones and tablets or updates may take months to reach phones. If you have an older device that isn't receiving updates anymore and you want to run the latest version of Android, a custom ROM is just the ticket.
• Replace Manufacturer Skin: To get the stock Android look and replace all the manufacturer's customizations with the clean Android system, you'll need to install a custom ROM.
• Eliminate Bloatware: If you want to delete the bloatware your carrier and manufacturer added, the best way to do so is to install a custom ROM.
• Add Additional Features and System Tweaks: A custom ROM offers many other features.
• Configure App Permissions: Custom ROMs often include a way to manage Android app permissions.

3 Reasons not to Flash a Custom Android ROM

Custom ROMs aren't prefect and they have downsides.

• Battery Life Problems: The custom ROM may not be as optimized for your device and may drain battery faster than the device's official ROM.
• Hardware Issues: Custom ROMs may not properly support every bit of hardware in your phone, so you may run into bugs, non-functioning hardware, or just other issues.
• Bugs: The custom ROM hasn't been tested by your manufacturer and carrier, so you may run into other bugs specific to your device and ROM.

Things You should Know before Flashing:

There are certain guidelines you should take care of before you start flashing custom ROM on y our device.

• Download the correct ROM specifically compatible with your device.
• Back up Your Existing ROM.
• Backup your data on your device.

How to Flash a Custom ROM to your Android Phone and Tablet

Here are the steps at a glance.

• 2. Install ROM Manager App
• 3. Backup Data
• 4. Download the ROM
• 5. Flash ROM
• 6. Wanna go back? Restore it

1. Install ROM Manager App

ROM Manager is the best known app to manage ROMs. It can use ClockworkMode Recovery for fast and clean recovery, install ROMs directly from your SD card, download ROM through the app and backup and restore ROMs. Just go the Google Play to install it.

Before you use it, you should root your device firstly.

ROM Manager also requires ClockworkMode Recovery. You can tap "recovery setup". Select your "ClockworkMod".

2. Backup Data

Before you ever make a big change to your system—is back it up. Under the back-up and restore section of ROM Manager, tap "Backup Current ROM", and enter a title for the back up and tap "ok".

3. Download the ROM

ROM Manager can download the ROM image compatible with your phone straight from it, since each ROM you find will be based on a specific Android version.

4. Flash ROM

Installing new firmware or low-level system software is called flashing. That's how to flash the new custom ROM over the stock one that came with your phone.

• Tap "Install ROM from SD Card".
• Select the zip file for your ROM from the root directory of your device.
• Select "Wipe Data and Cache".
• Tap "Reboot And Install," to complete the installation of your ROM.
  
  

5. Wanna go back? Restore it

If you're not happy with the new ROM, you can immediately restore your backup by selecting "back-up and restore".

Getting the custom ROMs installed on your device is by far the best way to enjoy something on your device that you haven't had before. Wish you enjoy the greatness that Android has to offer!

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