Custom ROM guides
New to custom ROMs? These short guides explain the terms and labels you'll run into on CustomDroid, so you can tell a safe, current build from an old one.
- Why install a custom ROM?
Newer Android on an old phone, security after end-of-life, deGoogling, removing bloatware — the reasons people flash.
- How to update an old Android phone
Put a newer Android version on a phone the manufacturer stopped updating — what you need and the steps.
- Your phone shouldn't spy on you: what privacy costs
Five levels, from free settings to a de-Googled ROM, with what each one gets you and what it takes away — banking apps, tap-to-pay, push notifications.
- How to deGoogle your phone
Run Android without Google using a privacy ROM — GrapheneOS, /e/OS, MicroG, and what you give up.
- Generic system images (GSI)
No ROM lists your phone? A GSI may still run on it — which phones can boot one, what to check first, and what usually breaks.
- What breaks after flashing
Banking apps, tap-to-pay, HD streaming, camera, VoLTE, eSIM — what commonly stops working on a custom ROM, why, and how to check first.
- Back up your phone before flashing
A flash wipes everything — photos, contacts, app data and your 2FA codes. What to save first, and how.
- How to unlock the bootloader
Brand by brand: Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Samsung, Motorola, Sony, Fairphone and Nothing — what it wipes and what it changes for good.
- USB drivers for flashing
Why your computer can't see your phone: platform-tools, Samsung, MediaTek VCOM, Qualcomm 9008 — and where to get each safely.
- How to choose a GApps package
Whether your ROM needs GApps, matching Android version and architecture, MindTheGapps vs NikGapps vs LiteGapps, and the flashing order.
- Recovery and fastboot errors
Error 7, Error 1, failed to mount /system, Lock State — what each flashing error means and how to get past it.
- Restore stock firmware and unbrick
Soft brick or hard brick, and each maker's own way back to stock — plus EDL as a last resort and when to stop.
- Should you relock your bootloader?
Safe on ROMs built for it, like GrapheneOS and CalyxOS; a brick on most others. How to tell, and the stock-firmware-first rule.
- Official vs unofficial builds
What the Official, Unofficial and Discontinued labels mean, and which to trust.
- What end-of-life (EOL) means
When a ROM stops being maintained for your phone — the risks, and what to do next.
- Custom ROM glossary
Bootloader, recovery, GApps, vanilla, MicroG, OTA, fastboot — the words explained.
- How to find your codename
The universal Android device ID ROMs are organised by, and how to find yours.
Compare ROMs
Trying to choose between two custom ROMs? These head-to-head guides break down the differences and who each one is for.
- LineageOS vs crDroid
Stability and wide support vs deep customization on a Lineage base.
- GrapheneOS vs /e/OS
The two privacy ROMs — hardened security (Pixel only) vs an easy deGoogled daily driver.
- LineageOS vs /e/OS
Near-stock Android with optional Google vs a fully deGoogled, MicroG-based fork.
- crDroid vs Evolution X
Two customization-heavy ROMs — clean AOSP tweaks vs a Pixel-style experience.
- LineageOS vs GrapheneOS
Wide-support daily driver vs maximum security on a Pixel.
- PixelOS vs Evolution X
Clean stock-Pixel feel vs the Pixel look with heavy customization.