20 votes

Who here uses a Custom Rom on their phone and why?

I use a custom rom because it has better performance and you can change what you want.

24 comments

  1. [11]
    joelthelion
    (edited )
    Link
    I use LineageOS for a few reasons: It allows me to buy a used high-end phone for 100-200$ and have the latest version of Android (or close) on it. Also helps reduce waste. It allows me to be root,...

    I use LineageOS for a few reasons:

    • It allows me to buy a used high-end phone for 100-200$ and have the latest version of Android (or close) on it. Also helps reduce waste.
    • It allows me to be root, which in turn allows me to block ads on a system-level. That means no ads in applications which is a big plus for me.

    One thing to pay attention to if you're interested, is to pick a well supported phone. Lineage OS publishes uses statistics: https://stats.lineageos.org/

    10 votes
    1. [2]
      luhem
      Link Parent
      How reliable is lineageOS on a well supported device? Like can I use it 24x7 while only needing to reboot every 3-4 days or so? I know this really depends on the phone hardware as well, but does...

      How reliable is lineageOS on a well supported device? Like can I use it 24x7 while only needing to reboot every 3-4 days or so? I know this really depends on the phone hardware as well, but does lineageOS ever get in the way?

      3 votes
      1. joelthelion
        Link Parent
        Lineage is pretty much stock Android. So yes, you can expect to have your phone running for weeks without rebooting, with the occasional hang now and then.

        Lineage is pretty much stock Android. So yes, you can expect to have your phone running for weeks without rebooting, with the occasional hang now and then.

        7 votes
    2. [8]
      efraimbart
      Link Parent
      For anyone interested in blocking ads on a system level without needing root or a custom from, I'm pretty sure there are still ways.

      For anyone interested in blocking ads on a system level without needing root or a custom from, I'm pretty sure there are still ways.

      1 vote
      1. [6]
        Yoshie
        Link Parent
        Yep, DNS66 is probably the best way. It even blocks ads in the YouTube app.

        Yep, DNS66 is probably the best way. It even blocks ads in the YouTube app.

        5 votes
        1. what
          Link Parent
          Alternatively, for web browsing, you can use Firefox Focus and Firefox Android with uBlock Origin. For Youtube, I suggest using NewPipe. It's better than the actual Youtube app, open-source,...

          Alternatively, for web browsing, you can use Firefox Focus and Firefox Android with uBlock Origin.

          For Youtube, I suggest using NewPipe. It's better than the actual Youtube app, open-source, doesn't have ads, and doesn't require Google Play services.

          Of course, the best solution is root and AdAway.

          5 votes
        2. [4]
          whisper
          Link Parent
          Unfortunately, Android doesn't support nested VPNs. Want to block ads using DNS66? You've got it! Want to spin up a VPS somewhere and throw a VPN on it for privacy purposes? Easy enough. Want to...

          Unfortunately, Android doesn't support nested VPNs. Want to block ads using DNS66? You've got it! Want to spin up a VPS somewhere and throw a VPN on it for privacy purposes? Easy enough.

          Want to have both running at the same time, one through the other? No can do.

          For those who want to use a VPN for non-adblocking purpose, getting root and using something like Adaway is still the most robust method.

          3 votes
          1. [2]
            frostycakes
            Link Parent
            Why not run Pi-hole on the VPS as well to get adblocking at that point?

            Why not run Pi-hole on the VPS as well to get adblocking at that point?

            1 vote
            1. whisper
              Link Parent
              I hadn't thought of that! It's a clever idea if the user doesn't want to root their device.

              I hadn't thought of that! It's a clever idea if the user doesn't want to root their device.

      2. joelthelion
        Link Parent
        I think you can install a system-level proxy with adblock, but last I checked it didn't work as well. I'd be interested to hear experiences of people who've tried it.

        I think you can install a system-level proxy with adblock, but last I checked it didn't work as well. I'd be interested to hear experiences of people who've tried it.

        2 votes
  2. efraimbart
    (edited )
    Link
    I used to use custom roms on my phones back when that was the only way to really get updates and features were limited, but then I moved to Nexus/Pixel phones which get immediate updates (if not...

    I used to use custom roms on my phones back when that was the only way to really get updates and features were limited, but then I moved to Nexus/Pixel phones which get immediate updates (if not sooner), plus android is not really lacking in features anymore, so now I don't even root.

    Still use a custom rom to dual boot my hybrid laptop though.

    6 votes
  3. [2]
    teaearlgraycold
    Link
    I use LineageOS + MicroG because it moves me closer to an all FOSS ecosystem.

    I use LineageOS + MicroG because it moves me closer to an all FOSS ecosystem.

    5 votes
    1. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. teaearlgraycold
        Link Parent
        I've used Yalp to install a couple of non-FOSS apps. I can't run a lot of apps that depend on gapps though.

        I've used Yalp to install a couple of non-FOSS apps. I can't run a lot of apps that depend on gapps though.

        1 vote
  4. KehrBehr
    Link
    I use CopperheadOS mainly because of privacy and security. This ROM has a heavy focus on both. I also like to be in charge of what software is installed on my device. Having a custom ROM usually...

    I use CopperheadOS mainly because of privacy and security. This ROM has a heavy focus on both.

    I also like to be in charge of what software is installed on my device. Having a custom ROM usually gives you more control over this.

    4 votes
  5. tyil
    Link
    I use a custom rom on my phone, specifically CyanogenMod, and my next phone will probably get LineageOS. I'd recommend everyone to get a custom rom to be able to remove all the garbage that gets...

    I use a custom rom on my phone, specifically CyanogenMod, and my next phone will probably get LineageOS. I'd recommend everyone to get a custom rom to be able to remove all the garbage that gets put on phones by default now. Even if you don't use those apps, they oftentimes still run in the background, gathering personal data on you, and you cannot get rid of them with "fair use". I think the idea that you don't have full permissions of what to do with a product you bought is despicable.

    3 votes
  6. [2]
    azazo9
    Link
    only reason i dont use a custom rom on my g6 is because the wide angle feature of the camera is way too good to lose, and no custom roms support it

    only reason i dont use a custom rom on my g6 is because the wide angle feature of the camera is way too good to lose, and no custom roms support it

    3 votes
    1. trazac
      Link Parent
      I have an LG G5, and I'm kind of in the same boat. Back in the day, the only way to keep up with Android was through custom ROMs. These days, most phones are pretty up to date and features offered...

      I have an LG G5, and I'm kind of in the same boat. Back in the day, the only way to keep up with Android was through custom ROMs. These days, most phones are pretty up to date and features offered in newer versions of Android are less exciting. Phones are starting to reach a pinnacle of performance where they are almost indistinguishable from one another, at least in the high-end. Even budget phones are starting to become very good.

      1 vote
  7. Ten
    Link
    I used to back in the day.. Droid X, Galaxy Nexus, Moto X, Moto G.. but since having a Nexus 6 (and battery life like sub 4 hours..), I haven't felt the need. OFC my device hasn't gotten official...

    I used to back in the day.. Droid X, Galaxy Nexus, Moto X, Moto G.. but since having a Nexus 6 (and battery life like sub 4 hours..), I haven't felt the need. OFC my device hasn't gotten official updates in a while and I've been looking at whatever that ROM that split from Cyanogden... I think it's called LineageOS? Dunno if I should as I also use Project Fi as my phone service.. I really wish I could get a newer phone honestly.

    3 votes
  8. [2]
    jgb
    Link
    I used to use Cyanogen Mod on my Galaxy S2 for a long time, but the phone died and I've since switched to an iPhone.

    I used to use Cyanogen Mod on my Galaxy S2 for a long time, but the phone died and I've since switched to an iPhone.

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. jgb
        Link Parent
        Fine. I don't like iOS much but it has decent apps for all the things I need to do and the hardware is nice.

        Fine. I don't like iOS much but it has decent apps for all the things I need to do and the hardware is nice.

        5 votes
  9. [2]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. trazac
      Link Parent
      I buy all my phones used these days. A $100, 2-year-old flagship phone will be much better than a $200 budget phone in pretty much every way. You have to be a little careful, but I've yet to run...

      I buy all my phones used these days. A $100, 2-year-old flagship phone will be much better than a $200 budget phone in pretty much every way. You have to be a little careful, but I've yet to run into any serious problems. I had to replace the screen on one phone I bought, but that only brought the price up to about $200, the same I would have spent on a phone that wasn't as good.

      2 votes
  10. space_cowboy
    Link
    I used to use one; I started with cyangenmod, then moved to a custom rom. My phone was old and messed up, and applications kept crashing, so I figured I didn't have anything to lose, and I...

    I used to use one; I started with cyangenmod, then moved to a custom rom. My phone was old and messed up, and applications kept crashing, so I figured I didn't have anything to lose, and I switched. I learned a lot in the process, but as it happened, the phone was buggy because it was just in bad physical shape. I don't use one anymore because the camera is better under stock, and everything is working pretty smooth now.

  11. merick
    Link
    I do because I like tinkering with stuff ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Currently running Resurrection Remix on my Galaxy S5, but I've used a couple others. Thinking about trying something different. Maybe LineageOS?...

    I do because I like tinkering with stuff ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Currently running Resurrection Remix on my Galaxy S5, but I've used a couple others. Thinking about trying something different. Maybe LineageOS? Heard good things about it.