How To Install A Custom ROM On Android Using TWRP Recovery

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

   

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

   

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.