CUSTOM ROM

How to Install a Custom ROM on Android

using TWRP Recovery

BY SYED SADIQUE HASSAN

UPDATED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2024

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install a custom ROM on Android devices. One reason why the
Google-owned OS is loved by one and all is its open-source ecosystem. This straight away gives the
users the ability to customize their device as per their requirements. From applying tons of themes, icon
packs to trying out different device wallpapers and font styles, there is no limitation as to what all could be
achieved. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you are ready to set your feet into the custom
development scene, then there is an ocean of modifications waiting out there for you.

Right from unlocking the device bootloader to installing a custom recovery like TWRP, you could try it all.
Then there is also an option to attain administrative privileges by rooting their device via Magisk. But what
most of the users are really interested in is flashing a custom ROM on their Android device. And in this
guide, we are here to help you with just that. We will list out all the necessary steps to flash any type of
custom ROM across any Android device. But first, let’s check out more about these Custom ROMs and
advantages do they bring in the first place. Follow along.

Also Read

How To Boot Into Recovery From Fastboot Mode (TWRP and Stock)
PAGE CONTENTS

What is a Custom ROM:

Advantages of Custom ROM:

Risks With These Custom ROMs:

How to Flash Custom ROM on Android:

Prerequisites:
 Downloads:

Step 1: Unlock Bootloader on your Device:

Step 2: Install TWRP Recovery:

Step 3: Install Custom ROM on Android:

What is a Custom ROM:

Every OEM ships their device with a stock ROM or stock firmware. They provide all the necessary
features that they deem it for the userbase. But here is the thing. Neither could they satisfy the need of
each device owners nor the userbase could be forced to use just what the OEM has to offer. Enter
Custom ROM into the scene.

These are the modified version of the stock firmware with additional features and customizations. Since
Android is an open-source platform, its source code is available for everyone to use. The developers
make full use of these codes, edit them as per the need, recompile it, and re-release for a specific set of
devices.

Advantages of Custom ROM:

So the next question that might come to your mind is why does one need to replace the stock ROM with a
custom one. Well, there are a plethora of reasons to do. To begin with, you get a plentitude of new
features and customization options. Furthermore, every OEM releases Android upgrades for 2-3 years at
max. However, in terms of custom ROMs, these updates go for a considerably longer period of time.
So even if your OEM stops releasing newer Android upgrades, you could get a taste of the same via these
Custom ROMs. Apart from that, these modified firmwares are also able to improve device performance
and optimize battery usage in some cases. So with so many goodies to offer, it is no wonder why the tech
enthusiasts are always looking to flash a custom ROM on to their device.

Risks With These Custom ROMs:

First and foremost, flashing a custom ROM requires you to have an unlocked bootloader. This, in turn,
might make your device’s warranty null and void. Likewise, if you install a custom ROM, you need to wipe
off all the data on your device. You will also need to have a custom recovery like TWRP installed, which
will replace your device’s stock recovery. Furthermore, you would no longer receive regular official
updates from your device manufacturers.

Likewise, some of these ROMs might be buggy and unstable as well. The entire process is itself quite
risky and might lead to a bootloop or even a bricked device, if not done correctly. So with that said, you
are now aware of the perks and risks associated with flashing a custom ROM. If you wish to proceed with
the steps to install the custom ROM onto your Android device, then here are the required instructions.

How to Flash Custom ROM on Android:

While there exist a plethora of custom ROMs, fortunately, the steps to flash them onto your device follow a
near about identical path. With that said, here are all the requirements that you would be needed before
beginning with the flashing part.

Prerequisites:

To begin with, we would request you to take a complete device backup. This is because every time you
flash a custom ROM, you will be wiping the data partition. This will erase all the data from your device.

Next up, download and install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This will provide the
necessary ADB and Fastboot binaries, and will also help the PC in recognizing in the ADB and
Fastboot Modes.

You will also have to enable USB Debugging. The former will be needed to execute a bunch of ADB
commands. The latter will help us in the unlocking process. So head over to the device’s Settings page
> About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times (MIUI version 7 times if it is a Xiaomi device) > Go back
to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking.
Now head over to the below section and grab hold of the necessary files that will be needed to install a
custom ROM on your Android device.

Downloads:

Download the desired custom ROM for your device. Some of the most famous ones include
LineageOS, Pixel Experience, HavocOS, Paranoid Android, Derpfest, among others. You could
download them all from our site or refer to the XDA developers website as well. Just make sure that
the ROM corresponds to your device’s model number and not its Lite or Pro version.
Next up, you may also need the Google Apps and Services package, known as GApps. Do keep in
mind that some ROMs like Pixel Experience already have in-built GApps, so you might not need it. So
before going for the download, please go through that ROM’s forum and check whether the GApps
come packed with it or not.

Finally, download the TWRP Recovery corresponding to your device. Head over to the TWRP official
site and download the TWRP build for your device. If the official version isn’t available, you might
download the unofficial builds from XDA as well. However, the mileage in terms of stability might vary,
but you will still be able to flash files nevertheless.

That is all the required files and prerequisites. You may now proceed with the steps to install Custom ROM
on your Android device.

Step 1: Unlock Bootloader on your Device:

First and foremost, you need to unlock the device’s bootloader. Here are the required instructions for that.
For a much-detailed instruction set, refer to our guide on How to Unlock Bootloader via Fastboot Method
on Android.

1. Connect your device to PC via USB Cable.

2. Head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch
the Command Prompt.

3. Type in the below command to boot your device to fastboot/bootloader mode:

adb reboot bootloader

 Fastboot Mode OnePlus device. Source: OnePlus
Forum

4. Now execute the below command to unlock the device’s bootloader:

fastboot oem unlock

5. On the other hand, if you are having a Pixel or Nexus device, you will have to enter the following
command:

fastboot flashing unlock

6. Xiaomi device owners will now need the Mi Flash Tool to unlock the bootloader. They should refer to
our guide on How to Unlock Bootloader on Any Xiaomi Devices Using Mi Flash Tool.
7. Finally, execute the below command to boot your device to the Android OS:

fastboot reboot

8. Once the device boots, sign in with your Google ID and set it up. Then proceed with the next set of
instructions to install Custom ROM on your Android device.

Step 2: Install TWRP Recovery:

You will now have to install the TWRP Recovery on your device. While some devices have just the image
file, others have both the image and ZIP installer. Instructions for both are given hereby. For the detailed
instructions on the said topic, refer to our guide on How to Flash TWRP Recovery on any Android Phone.

1. Rename the downloaded recovery image file to just twrp. The complete name will then be twrp.img.

2. Place this twrp.img file inside the platform-tools folder. If your device’s TWRP also has a ZIP file, then
transfer it to the device’s internal storage.

3. Now launch the Command Prompt window inside the platform-tools folder.

4. If your device only has the image file then execute the below command in the CMD window to flash the
recovery

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

5. Then use the following command to boot your device to TWRP

fastboot boot twrp.img

 TWRP Home

6. On the other hand, devices with both the ZIP and Image files should first boot their device to TWRP
using:

fastboot boot twrp.img

7. Then head over to the Install section of TWRP, navigate to the TWRP ZIP file, and perform a right
swipe to flash it.

8. Then head over to reboot and select System. This will boot the device to Android OS.

That is it. You have now successfully installed the TWRP Recovery on your device. Now you could easily
install the custom ROM on your Android device as follows.
Step 3: Install Custom ROM on Android:

1. Transfer the downloaded custom ROM to your device’s storage. If the GApps package is also needed,
transfer it to your device as well.

2. Then reboot your device to TWRP using the below command. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled

adb reboot recovery

3. Within the TWRP, head over to the Wipe section. Then tap on Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik/ART
Cache, System, and Data from the menu. Do not select Internal Storage.

4. Perform a right swipe on the Swipe to Wipe button to erase the selected partitions.

5. Then go back to the TWRP home screen, navigate to the downloaded custom ROM and perform a
right swipe to flash it.
6. The process might take a minute or two. Once that is done, if you need to flash GApps as well, then
 head over to Install, select that GApps ZIP file and again perform a right swipe to flash it.

7. You may now finally reboot your device to the newly installed ROM. For that, head over to Reboot from
TWRP and select System.

So that is all from this guide on how to install Custom ROM on any Android device. If you have any
queries with respect to any of the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments section below.
Rounding off, here are some iPhone Tips and Tricks, PC tips and tricks, and Android Tips and Trick that
you should check out as well.

Tags: Custom ROM, How to, TWRP Recovery

Comments

REPLY
Zahin

September 19, 2017 at 1:32 pm

Will it work on samsung j2 2016??

REPLY
Sukhjinder

September 19, 2019 at 4:49 pm

How to upgrade lenovo k6 power step by step .Now I have android 7 version in my phone

REPLY
Zahin

September 19, 2017 at 2:06 pm

Will it work on samsung j2 2016
 REPLY
Gabriel

October 3, 2017 at 3:46 am

Can´t install. ends up in error 255. :(

REPLY
Abd Razaaq

October 3, 2017 at 3:37 pm

which ROM and Which Phone ?

REPLY
axxl

October 11, 2017 at 9:51 pm

Da error no se puede instalar con este proceso

REPLY
Jasmin

August 17, 2018 at 10:58 pm

So you are a Lava p7 user ?!!
Happy to see you ??

REPLY
Salvatore

November 16, 2019 at 4:12 pm

Perche’ dopo installazione della rom non riconosce WiFi e non funziona la tastiera

REPLY
himel

November 10, 2017 at 10:51 pm

yes
 REPLY
Daren

November 13, 2017 at 11:36 am

Hi!
I just have a Z17mini Nubia with 6.0.1
Can it be upgraded to 7 Or 8? There are lots pages saying Z17mini can receive Oreo but can’t
find it it “HOW” anywhere, (google also fails). Neither Nubia website shows anything of that kind
rather they have NX569J_ENCommon_v206 on their website but gets updated immediately to
…….v209 online!

REPLY
marianne

November 28, 2017 at 2:42 pm

After flashing Gapps as well – will gps and google maps work ok? cheers

REPLY
Wajahat

December 11, 2017 at 11:59 am

Will it work on Galaxy Tab E?

REPLY
Abd Razaaq

December 11, 2017 at 1:55 pm

Yes..

REPLY
Rohim Khan

January 11, 2018 at 8:56 am

How to Remove Twrp Delete LeEco Coolpad Coolp 1
 REPLY
IRFAN HAIDER

January 24, 2018 at 1:26 am

RAZAAQ BHAI need your help about LeTv Le1 pro x800?! can you please write me on
[email protected]

REPLY
Subhasis Ghosal

January 24, 2018 at 8:33 am

After installing this rom, I can’t restart my device to twrp mode and can’t install gapps. please
help me. How can I reboot it again to twrp mode?

REPLY
Sagor

April 22, 2018 at 6:13 pm

Did u find any solution of this problem?

REPLY
Abd Razaaq

April 23, 2018 at 3:47 am

I dunno which ROM he was talking about, please tell me the device name, ROM name and the
error that you are facing. This is installation guide article. If you are facing any issue, then
comment on the respective ROM article.

REPLY
Harry_Walker

July 31, 2018 at 7:33 am

Use Mobile uncle tools apk n use reboot to recovery option!?

REPLY
Alin

February 6, 2018 at 1:53 am

stuck in a loop boot, please help
 REPLY
jacob

February 7, 2018 at 8:48 pm

B ubu

REPLY
Masum Rana

February 12, 2018 at 11:47 am

thanks it’s working

REPLY
Harsh

February 15, 2018 at 12:52 pm

After Flashing the Rom and Gapps, before reboot it showed a msg No operating Sysyem is
installed Do u want o reboot?? Plz help……

REPLY
Tayyab

March 27, 2018 at 3:07 pm

Which device you use

REPLY
Edimar

February 20, 2018 at 9:43 pm

My Moto X2014 did not recognize the chip. What do I do now? I’m from Brazil. Help me!

REPLY
Abd Razaaq

February 21, 2018 at 4:44 pm

What are you trying to do? Can you comment on the respective link?
 REPLY
gayan

March 4, 2018 at 3:02 pm

i flash G900L but 3g not working wayyyyyyyyyyyyy

REPLY
Cmr0

March 27, 2018 at 9:28 pm

hi, i have a problem i thik. i root my tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab gtp7500) but i didt with de
Kingroot app (i think thats the name). Now i want to install a newer ROM in this case nougt.(i
have android 4.0,4) but right now i dond now how to proceed,

REPLY
NAVDEEP MEHTA

April 29, 2018 at 10:06 am

Which gapps on my oppo f1s

REPLY
OOI

May 5, 2018 at 9:14 pm

should i clear the system,cache ,dalvik cache and data if i am installing resurrection remix 7.1.2
for leagoo kiicaa power

REPLY
OOI

May 5, 2018 at 9:41 pm

https://www.getdroidtips.com/resurrection-remix-leagoo-kiicaa-
power/#About_Resurrection_Remix
this is the link i used ( i downloaded the file and flashed it but got bootloop isit because i am
using t591)
 REPLY
MedXa

July 26, 2018 at 4:51 am

i have a problem with Install MIUI 9 Update for Bluboo Dual
when the ROM installation process he stuck on system extracting

REPLY
Abd Razaaq

July 26, 2018 at 6:11 pm

Please tell the Phone model and Which version TWRP Recovery running on your phone?

REPLY
Michael

August 15, 2018 at 4:55 pm

Great work !.
I have now successfully instailed 15.1 on a Samsung S4 Active and it all looks good. I appreciate
that the Camera doesn’t work in either version 15.0 or 15.1 and this is being worked on, but is
there any chance of a fix in the foreseeable future?.

REPLY
Milinda Montilla

November 14, 2018 at 11:17 pm

Hola buenas tardes, intente colocar resurrection remix a un doogee dg310 hice todo paso por
paso, luego al terminar el twrp me indica si deseo instalarlo procedi a deslizar para instalar,
luego el telefono paso a reiniciarse seguido aparecio el logo de android y se apago luego volvio
a encenderse aparecio logo y se apago y asi fue como por media hora que probe a ver si era
normal ya que es mi primera vez, y no termino de avanzar nunca :( que habria sido si puedes
ayudarme de antemano gracias

REPLY
Habib

March 20, 2019 at 11:50 am

You wrote there about os only at when time we should flash gapps and what is the works of
gapps

REPLY
Eric Tan Yih Lang -

April 24, 2019 at 7:54 pm

failed to install havoc. already follow all the steps. please help!

REPLY
john

June 29, 2019 at 1:48 am

Good day. dear guru.
please can you help me out on how to fully root my meizu m3s and possibly flash custom Rom
on it?
the root permission i got on the phone after i unlocked the bootloader is not a full root.
my reason for this request is that ALL GOOGLE APPS ARE NOT WORKING. from google play
service to google manager. every thing is grounded.
please i need your help.

REPLY
Robin

November 29, 2019 at 5:29 pm

Which Partition should the custom ROM be flashed to? Boot, Recovery or System Image

REPLY
Nemfield

May 22, 2020 at 2:46 am

SUCCESS!!! My Moto G5s Plus has a new lease on life. The whole process took me 3.5 hours.
I’m sub-novitiate skill level. Unlocking the bootloader finding an appropriate TWRP image,
figuring out how to flash it to keep it permanent, that was all the hard part. Finding the correct
gapps took me three tries also, but here we are! Squeeky clean OS.
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