How to install a new ROM on your Android smartphone
You might have read or heard people talking about custom ROMs they have installed on their Android devices. Here’s how to do it quickly and safely…
One of the main reasons people like to root their devices is to install a new or different version of the operating system. The open source nature of the OS means that it’s possible for anyone to view the code that makes up Android and then modify it as they see fit, in a similar way to which the Linux-based desktop operating systems work.
Custom ROMs can offer new features over the standard ones, allowing you to tailor your device to your needs. They also allow developers to port other manufacturers’ interfaces to other device makes – for instance, HTC’s Sense UI onto Samsung phones – or to remove a heavily customised ROM altogether. Another reason is to hurry along the update process: you are no longer tied to waiting on the phone manufacturers and the mobile operators to push out the latest version of Android. Installing a new ROM is a relatively simple and quick process thanks to the ROM Manager app which can be downloaded for free from the Android Market.
First of all you need to root your phone and there are a few methods for doing so. Some of the most popular are: SuperOneClick, Universal Androot and Z4Root. Check the compatibility with your particular device before attempting to gain root access. Here’s how we’ll do it:
For this example we’ll use Z4 Root. Download it from here, as it isn’t available on the Market. You will need to register first. Now, copy the .apk file you’ve downloaded to your SD card and then install using an app such as ‘Easy Installer’ or by clicking on the apk in your favourite file manager.
Open Z4Root and in the centre you will see a button saying ‘Root’. Click on the button and wait for a short while, for the process to complete; the progress is shown in the bottom bar. After it has finished, the phone will reboot. You now have root access!
Once you’ve rooted your phone, ROM Manager makes backing up, installing a custom recovery and downloading the new one a breeze – and will even enable you to restore your original ROM if you prefer! This tutorial will take you through the process step by step and help you on the way to a fresh new experience with your phone…
Disclaimer
Rooting your phone and installing ROMs on your device may void your manufacturer warranty. You undertake the procedure outlined in this tutorial at your own risk. Android Magazine and Imagine Publishing Ltd. cannot be held responsible for loss of data or damage to your device.
Words by: Kieron Howard
Installing ROM Manager
First off, you will need to install the ROM Manager app. The good news its that it’s a free one (although there is a premium version that offers more features). Open up the Android Market from your apps list and search for ‘ROM Manager’, then click the icon and install.
Install Clockwork recovery
When you rooted your Android device (see page 68), it’s quite likely that at the same time you installed a piece of ‘custom recovery’ software. ROM Manager will check that you have this installed and that you have the latest version that’s available.
Back up your ROM, part 1
Open up ROM Manager, click on the Backup Current ROM button, give the backup a name (perhaps something like ‘Standard ROM Backup’) and then click OK. You might be asked to allow ROM Manager superuser access and you’ll need to grant this.
Back up your ROM, part 2
The phone will now automatically reboot into recovery mode. The backup process can take a little while, so make sure you aren’t expecting any important calls! The recovery backs up your current ROM to the microSD card, so it’s important not to format this.
Choose your ROM
Back in ROM Manager, click ‘Download ROM’. This will bring up a list of available ROMs for your device. In this example we will install CyanogenMod 7, one of the most popular custom versions of Android due to its stability and wide device support.
Download the ROM
Choose the CyanogenMod version you wish to download – the latest version at time of writing is 7.1.0-RC. It’s strongly advisable to stay away from the ‘Nightly’ builds, as these are largely experimental. Google apps don’t come as standard, so click to download them.
Installing the ROM, part 1
Once the ROM and Google Apps have finished downloading, reopen ROM Manager and you will see the ROM pre-installation screen. Tick the ‘Wipe Dalvik’ and ‘Wipe Data and Cache’ boxes. Click OK and the phone will now reboot into recovery again.
Installing the ROM, part2
The new ROM will now install. This might take a little while. Once complete, the phone will reboot again. The first boot of any new ROM can take a while, sometimes up to 15 minutes, so be patient and don’t panic if the device appears to have frozen.
Set up Google account
Once the phone has booted up, you will then be prompted to enter your Google account details. Doing this will automatically download and set up all your contacts, settings and apps back onto the phone. You now have a brand new ROM to explore!
Calibrate battery (optional)
Plug in your Android device while it’s on and let it charge fully. Disconnect and turn off, then reconnect the power cable and wait until the LED goes green. Disconnect and turn back on, turn off again and reconnect the charger until the LED goes green again.
More Android hacking tutorials on littlegreenrobot for you to read:
- How to cook your own Android ROM
- Make your Android phone get a GPS lock quicker
- What to do if something goes wrong when rooting your phone
hi there, this is extremely interesting. i am new to smart phones and am very keen to download and try apps and, possibly, root my machine. i have a brand new galaxy s2 and, so far, love it. i don’t know enough yet about this whole business to see its weak sides (if any). has anybody rotted s2 and would the process be the same as you describe above? your comment/advice would be most appreciated. best regards, mike
There are lots of guides online on how to root specific devices. XDA Developers is a good place to start.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
Rooting will more than likely invalidate your warranty, and its possible (although rare) to mess it up and break your phone. You root at your own risk.
That said , rooting allows for lots of tweaks and customizations that are not possible without root access. There are tons of custom ROMS for the SGSII that add great features and performance increases.
i did try your method, alas no support that i could see with rom manager for the xperia x10 mini pro. still xda-developers.com has a great section on the mini pro which im working my way through now so heres hoping!!!
Hi. I’m trying to root my Galaxy S2 but can’t do it. I have tried Z4 root & SuperOneClick(stops on step 6) I would be grateful for any suggestions.
@John The SGSII can be rooted using SuperOneClick , just a slightly different method though: http://samsunggalaxys2review.org/root-your-samsung-galaxy-s2-heres-how/
Thanks Kieron, but that’s the exact method I used but it stopped on step six.
@John66 What firmware version are you running? You can find it in Settings->About. There has been a recent update for the SGSII (KE7)
Any chance of a walk through of how to put cwm on to a phone manually?
Kieron. The firmware version is I9100XXKE7.
@john66 , how long did you wait? First boot can sometimes take a long time
Kieron. At Last, I’ve done it. Updated .net framework & removed sd card.
Hi
I have followed the instructions on how to install a new rom on Android from this website:
I have got Rom Manager on my phone & I have installed easy installer
& I have registered on the website & downloaded for z4root & put it
on my sd card on phone have followed instructions but its saying Application not
installed??? Please help??? ) I’m normally good at doing things like this as I have jailbroken my iPhone many times & know how to use R4 cards but I am somewhat confused on this! lol!!!
I have also looked on Youtube for videos but nothing is working!!! Grrrrrrr!! Please Help!!
HTC Desire HD & HTC Wildfire S user
Many thanks
Kind regards Susan
Hi
I have followed the instructions on how to install a new rom/rooting your device on Android from this website:
I need help with rooting my HTC Desire HD nothing is working!!!!
I have got Rom Manager on my phone & I have installed easy installer
& I have registered on the website & downloaded for z4root & put it
on my sd card on phone have followed instructions but its saying Application not
installed??? Please help??? ) I’m normally good at doing things like this as I have jailbroken my iPhone many times & know how to use R4 cards but I am somewhat confused on this! lol!!!I have also looked on Youtube for videos but nothing is working!!! Grrrrrrr!! Please Help!!HTC Desire HD & HTC Wildfire S userMany thanksKind regards Susan
pls help me i have xperia x10mini rom manager does not have x10mini in his devices what should i do ??????
@boutsilias. HAve a look at this site http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=723 It will help you with any info you need.
i have a HTC sensation and trying super one click for the 1st time. never rooted b4 and wondered if its normal for the programme to acctually “freeze”. last stage says “running psneuter” help? anyone
@ilkin – HTC locked the bootloader on the Sensation , so you’ll need to use a different method. Revolutionary can unlock it: http://revolutionary.io/ and install ClockworkMod , or you can use HTCs official bootloader unlocker, http://htcdev.com/bootloader/ , but you’ll need to manually install ClockworkMod
Hi. Im a newbie to android.i have a. Xperia x8 given to me by a friend, its 2.1 so how do ya. Z4root to your sd? Please hop as this phone is seriously sloooowww
@ilkin You’ll need to find the HBOOT and use http://revolutionary.io/ and head forwards from there.