Install a third party ROM on your Android phone or tablet it can be one of the best ways to give it a new life, especially if it's a relatively old device, which has already stopped receiving system updates from the manufacturer. However, there are many mobile device owners who they don't dare install ROMs on their devices, either due to ignorance or because they believe it is a more difficult or dangerous process than it actually is.
The reality is that installing a ROM on an Android phone is a simpler process than it seems. In this guide, we explain how to do it step by step.
Installing a ROM on your mobile is easier than you think
Install a ROM on your mobile step by step
Of course, a ROM is required before proceeding with the installation take into account some requirements. The first is the need to download one ROM compatible with your device. To do this, we recommend that you take a look at our list with the best third-party ROMs for Android, which offer versions for a large number of models from different brands.
Beyond that, in the vast majority of cases it will be necessary to unlock il bootloader. To do this, we recommend that you take a look at our guide to unlocking the bootloader of any Android device. You will also need to have a modified recovery, and for some procedures, it will almost be mandatory to have a computer with ADB drivers installed on hand. When you meet all the requirements, you can continue.
Install a ROM via ADB Sideload
ADB Sideload is one of the best methods to install a ROM and also one of the least used. It is fast, safe, efficient, does not take up memory on your phone ... The use of TWRP Recovery has become very standardized due to its compatibility with a large number of devices of all kinds, and there are many that have already left the command console aside, however, it is still an extremely useful tool and convenient that can get you out of a lot of trouble. However, second present that you still need to have a modified restore to be able to install a ROM in this way, unless your intention is to install an OTA or official factory image provided and signed by the device manufacturer.
The main benefit of a reset is that you don't need a computer to perform operations like installing a ROM, only for the first time you install it - and, in some cases, not even that. On subsequent occasions, you just need to download the ROM from the mobile itself and install it. But what if your internal memory gets corrupted? Or, if you have never changed the ROM, wouldn't it be more convenient to install it directly from the PC, without occupying the internal memory of the device? We will explain how a ROM is installed by ADB Sideload, as it is extremely simple:
- The first thing to do is download the ROM package you want to install on your mobile and save it in an accessible place on your computer.
- Now, connect your device to the computer with the USB debugging enabled and, through a command window, execute the instruction "adb devices". If the serial number of the terminal appears, everything is correct and you can continue.
- Turn off your phone and manually start the TWRP recovery mode, di usually by holding down the Power and Volume buttons while power on, or via the "adb reboot recovery" command.
- Navigating through the volume keys, we need to position ourselves above the option "Advanced", then select the «ADB Sideload» option.
- On your computer, open a command window and type the instruction “adb sideload [ROM FILE] .zip _“ **, where [ROM FILE] is the path to the downloaded update file. If everything is correct, the installation process will begin.
- Once done, you can restart your device or perform any other operation you deem appropriate.
The recovery mode on an Android mobile
Install a ROM via recovery
If, on the other hand, you want use the modified recovery already installed on your device, the process is much shorter and easier. You just have to make sure that you have a modified recovery and that you have the ROM in the internal memory of the device.
Important | In some cases, the ROM installation process itself will completely format our device's internal memory to perform a "clean install". However, it is also advisable to format the device ourselves via the "wide data / factory reset" options in recovery. Either way, it's best to have a full backup on hand so you don't lose any data.
- Download the ROM: on the platform's official website, download the corresponding ROM package for your device and save it in the internal memory of your Android phone or tablet. You may also need to download the Google Apps package.
- Boot your device into recovery mode: To install the ROM, you will need to have a modified recovery such as TWRP, which will have been installed previously. To access this menu, the most common is having to hold the Volume Down + Power buttons for 5 seconds when the phone is off.
- Install the ROM: in recovery, access the "Install" menu. Select the option corresponding to «Install zip from memory / sdcard», and in the file explorer that will appear, find and select the ROM package you downloaded in the first step. Once the installation is complete, it would be time to install Google Apps.
In this way you will have already installed the new ROM on your device. Although we have not included it in the procedure, in some cases it may be advisable to "Wipe" the different partitions of the system, such as Caché or Data. However, it will depend on whether the ROM is being installed for the first time or whether it is an incremental update. For this reason, once again we advise you to inquire on the official site of the ROM you intend to install.
Another aspect to take into consideration is that although this ROM installation guide will work on the vast majority of current devices, in some it will be necessary to resort to specific tools such as Samsung's Odin or Xiaomi Mi Flash Tool.
