12 reasons to install custom Android ROMs

The first Android smartphone has many problems. Instead of waiting for the manufacturer to fix them, volunteer developers created custom ROMs to replace the default software on the phone.

Now more than a decade has passed, and Android phones have become much better. So is the custom ROM installation still valid?

Here are some important reasons why you might want to install a custom Android ROM on your device.

1. Create privacy for life

Smart phones follow us anywhere, from the living room, in the car and the office. They contain a lot of information about the owner. Smart phones know your voice, your texting friends, the photos you share, the places you go, go shopping and the games you use to kill time.

It is difficult to guarantee absolute privacy, but flashing a custom ROM will give you a little more control. Not only can you choose to avoid installing certain Google applications, but also giving you the right to decide which parts of your device are accessible. If you use an app store like F-Droid, you can also be assured that the applications you install do not exploit information about you.

2. Full ownership of the phone

When buying a phone, you own it with a few conditions. You cannot remove certain applications and services. The phone does not allow you to access the system files and you cannot change the annoying aspects of the interface. Technically, it is your device, but there are many adjustments that you do not have the right to perform.

Install custom ROMs to help you control your own hardware. You can convert one operating system to another, adjust more settings and change the experience until you are satisfied with the Android you own. Meanwhile, the new phone is really yours.

3. Personalize everything

Now, you have the right to adjust your phone and take it to a new level. Android has great customization capabilities, allowing you to change the launcher, replace icons and create gestures. But a custom ROM gives you access to everything else, such as setting the clock in the center of the notification bar, hiding the Bluetooth icon that clutter the status bar, removing changes. Manufacturer made against Android interface and added your own customizations.

4. Use free and open source software

Android is an open source operating system, although many people don't see it like that. Most applications that users currently install run proprietary code. Open sourceists can buy Android phones, flash ROMs, select F-Droid via Play Store and enjoy the best experience on top hardware. There may still be certain limitations, but generally, you will get a mobile experience that is quite similar to the freedom you have on your Linux desktop.

5. Extend the life of the phone

When buying a computer, you know that you will use it for years. In general, you will not replace the new device until you are tired of the old system.

The case of the phone is not the same. Every device you see in a retail store has a certain deadline. Most phones will receive updates in no more than two years, even if the time to receive updates for some models is less than 1 year. This makes buyers 'stuck' on older versions of Android, vulnerable to security vulnerabilities and less likely to run the latest applications.

The problem is, most phones exist longer than the time it was supported. Switching to a custom ROM will allow you to enjoy the latest Android version after the official support on the device ends. As with a PC, you can decide how long it will take to use the device you spend.

6. Less dependence on big companies

Sometimes companies ignore features, provide poorly optimized software, add unnecessary tweaks, and insert applications that try to invite you to buy unnecessary things.

For phone manufacturers, there are many relationships that need attention. But if you change the official software, you are no longer dependent on the future decisions of the manufacturer.

7. Get Android updates faster

Many people do not pay attention to Android updates. But for some other users, waiting for a new release may be the most exciting time of the year. However, having to wait and see when and whether my phone is in the area to receive the new update is what makes many people feel tired. Using custom ROM allows you to take control of this issue.

8. Delete bloatware

Smartphones tend to come with more software installed than what users really need. Vendors sell devices with their own application for messaging, creating voicemail and watching videos. Unlocked phones still have a way to add stickers to photos, draw anything with a stylus or create GIFs - things you don't care about. Even Pixel phones are preloaded with Google applications that you don't want.

You cannot remove most pre-installed software. Android allows you to disable the application, but you can't hide everything. Switching to a custom ROM may be the only way to completely remove bloatware that you never want to see again.

9. Speed ​​things up

Some Android devices slow down over time. Installing custom ROMs is a way to speed up your Android experience.

For older devices, the installation of a custom ROM has the same benefits as performing a factory reset operation. You can delete all the junk files that have been accumulated in the past one or two years. But for some devices, restoring the original settings does not make a difference. Bloatware or cumbersome interface can put pressure on the phone or slow down the system because the code is poorly optimized.

Custom ROMs can replace the phone's default software with an experience even better than Google's phones.

10. Have better battery life

Smartphone battery life has improved in recent years. Previously, batteries were often inadequate for one day, but now, newer devices have enough battery life until the next day. If you don't do much, battery life can even last more than two days.

Custom ROMs can help phone batteries last much longer. You don't have to deal with Google Play and other background services from Samsung, Huawei, Sony or HTC. You can also overclock your device, requiring the CPU to use less energy when not using the phone.

11. Undo unwanted changes

New versions of Android offer stability and battery improvements, along with interface tweaks that make everyday phone use more convenient.

But not all changes are loved by all users around the globe. You may not like the way Android Pie asks twice to swipe to the app drawer. You may like the settings menu or notification shade of older releases. Some of these problems can be solved by installing a home launcher for Android instead, but most changes cannot be improved.

To bring the interface back as you want, you need a custom ROM. And you don't need to run an older version of Android. You can run the ROM based on Android Pie, giving you options to tweak certain aspects of the interface at will.

12. Join the Android community

Manufacturers and operators see you as a consumer. The only feedback they particularly care about is whether you are their customer or not. You can love Android and want to help develop this platform, but manufacturers are not ready for you to do it.

Custom ROM community welcomes new developers. You contribute your time to gain experience and see the changes you make come true. You can see people using your software or becoming a user to help test the software and provide much-needed feedback.

You do not need to be a developer to join this community. The community can take advantage of every member to help manage the site, create digital artworks, write blog posts and translate texts. Or you can visit forums and help answer questions from other users.

There are many reasons for not installing custom ROMs. This process is very risky and if you are not careful, you can make your device unusable. Even if you succeed, you may lose some functionality when you buy the device for the first time.

But if you find a stable ROM, you can have a more stable experience than the default software.