Remote View
Little list of custom and alternative Android ROMs
Little list of custom and alternative Android ROMs
The Fairphone 4 will be launching across the pond. It will sport the /e/OS "deGoogled" ROM.
The past few days, I've seen more and more users mentioning flashing their devices or changing ROMs because they may have fallen down the rabbit hole.
Here is a quick list of different custom ROMs for Android phones. I don't use any, so don't take anything written here as endorsement or suggestion.
Alternative/Custom ROMS
In no particular order, these ROMs usually change the UX/UI and maybe add some security enhancements.
- LineageOS – LineageOS Android Distribution: successor to CyanogenMod, a good place to start
- BlissRoms: Close to stock with "some" added privacy
- OmniROM: Android with custom enhancements
- ArrowOS: An AOSP project that is light and promises longer battery life
- Evolution X: Android 13 with the Pixel UI
- Paranoid Android: Android with custom enhancements
- PixelExperience: Another Android 13 with the Pixel UI
Privacy|Hardened ROMS
Security-wise, LineageOS is a start but (correct me if I am wrong) you need to unlock the bootloader, which is not great. These ROMs purport heightened privacy or "hardened" security.
- iodéOS: "deGoogled" LineageOS fork, uses lots of blacklists for ad- and tracker-blocking. Sells pre-installed devices.
- CalyxOS: Provides a fair amount of privacy. Limited device support. microG is optional. Uses F-Droid and Aurora Store.
- DivestOS: Soft fork of LineageOS. "Hardened" with things like the Mulch WebView, uses F-Droid repositories for updates. Comes loaded with a tracker blocker, Mull browser, removal of proprietary blobs to reduce attack surface. ROMs available for many devices.
- /e/OS: A "deGoogled" Android experience. Uses microG, no telemetry sent to Google, modified NTP and DNS servers, modified GPS service. Uses the "App Lounge" which combines the Aurora Store with F-Droid and PWAs. Has a tracker blocker. Requires you to have an
@murena.ioaccount for some functionalities. - Replicant: Android distribution with an emphasis on freedom and privacy/security.
- GrapheneOS: Private, secure, hardened... has a long list of features. Updates are fast, exploitations are quickly mitigated, non-profit. Probably the most recommended, but Pixel-only.