Best Custom ROMs

Last update : 16/3/2023

Introduction

Here's my list of best custom ROMs for those who still needs to use Android. Keep in mind that this is my own opinion, and this page ignores any issues with hardware and/or firmware as they cannot be modified / audited to become trustworthy.

For those who has no use for Android devices, there's only one recommendation : Discard them... ok that's 2, considering DigDeeper's link (which I hypocritically & ironically agree with despite my site's Android contents).

Best for security buffs

If you take security really seriously & would like to keep using Android in any form, stop reading any further, get the latest affordable Pixel (regardless of my disdain for them nowadays), and flash GrapheneOS (despite my obvious issues with it).

If you're asking for alternatives for GrapheneOS, don't bother. Here's the alleged "alternatives" (most supports verified boot except for /e/) & reasons why I don't recommend them (as far as I experienced) :

• CalyxOS : No security hardening by default (aside from lockable bootloaders), too much prebuilt "privacy-friendly" bloat by default (though they can be not installed using the setup wizard), and does not change default connections (or provide options to change them) such as captive portal & network time. The latter 2 points are troublesome, especially since CalyxOS claims to cater to privacy-conscious users.
• DivestOS : DivestOS focuses on applying their additional security & privacy patches to most LineageOS-supported devices, and releases them without any 1st-party testings (at least for devices not personally owned by the lone developer, though I am unable to confirm as an outsider). As a result, devices that are broken as a result of these patches (such as Pixel 3 & above) might never be fixed (such as the broken camera in their Poco F1 build). And to make it worse, DivestOS only supports the latest Android build that the supported devices can use (and not considered experimental). For example, a functional A11 build for Pixel 3 will never be available in lieu of the permanently broken A12 build. However, if the build works for your device, it is a workable alternative.
• /e/OS : Epic fail.
• Stock ROM : Might as well directly give your data away to some cybercriminals (instead of having them buy it from Go-ogle and/or whoever else). In addition to Goolag bloat, you also get Facebook, along with whatever else the manufacturer slaps on.

If you also care about privacy (in addition to security), here's a few tips I would offer up for those GrapheneOS users :

• Do not use the sandboxed Play Services, or don't allow them any network access if you use them. GrapheneOS does not have any spyware mitigation other than security restrictions, so be careful of which online-only apps you're using as well.
• Don't use apps dependent on Play Services whenever possible. I have my own list for apps I use, and most* are not dependent on Play Services.
*: "Most" excludes Nova Launcher Prime unlocker, though it only depends on Play Services (but not microG) for license verifications.

My personal best

For me, the least terrible ROM is crDroid, at least for A12L & A13. Here's a short-ish list (actually a rehash of its advantages, but a bit more personal) of why I believe it's the least terrible :

• Customizations
• Monet settings (Settings > crDroid Settings > User Interface > Monet settings) allows me to customize the theme to my liking, including the option to not use wallpaper-based colors.
• crDroid is the only ROM I know to offer an option to change the QS background opacity in Settings > crDroid Settings > Quick settings > Background transparency.
• In addition to changing the navbar layout to a more usable one (from left to right - recents, home, back), the navbar's looks can be changed.
• Per-app data restriction - not as effective as GrapheneOS' network permission, but at least it allows you more control for either mobile data and/or wi-fi. I still believe the latter should be the default (and incorporated in upstream AOSP so I don't have to write about this at all).
• microG compatibility, in case I want to play a certain game that demands it. However, the microG vs. GmsCompat debate is still not solved at the time of writing.
• Based off the solid base known as LineageOS, so it "just works" for me. Unfortunately, being based off LineageOS also brought it some issue, which can be seen below.
• This report goes from A12 to A13, which means I don't really have to think of which ROM I'd go to if I am forced to switch to A13... at least if there's no other ROMs I would consider.
• Some devices (such as X3P & OnePlus 9 "Pro") comes with their default brand's camera (MIUI Camera(ANX) & OOS Cam respectively) for those who needs a vendor-optimized camera for whatever reason.

However, there are a few issues that keeps me from fully shilling for crDroid (if at all) :

• Random issues with headset volume - When raising headset volume above a certain level (usually 50%), it will try to warn me about raising it, citing hearing damage as the reason. Tapping on "yes" removes these warning, at least for a while. However, after some time, the volume instantly drops (down to the maximum limit the ROM considers "safe") without any warning, and raising the headset volume demands me to re-undo the warning (which can only be done with the screen enabled btw) without a way to permanently disable these warnings whatsoever (and to those who claim it's AudioFX, it's not). This issue is present on most LineageOS-based ROMs (some unofficial builds lack these), crDroid included.
On its own, this is barely worth any mention in advantages / disadvantages. However, for someone who frequently uses the jack (sometimes with the M50X, which doesn't get loud enough on most cellphones IMO, unless pushed past the "safe" limit), this is my issue against LineageOS-based ROMs (at least official ones since some unofficials don't implement this shit).
16/3/2023 Update : turns out this shit was demanded by EU (and integrated into Android's internal alert just because Goolag could; so it's now an Android-wide issue). Seriously, those diaper-wearing freaks couldn't back off from fucking around with the user can't they?


• Questionable site with cuckflare & JS/XHR dependency (in addition to a somewhat permissive but annoying BlockAdBlock implementation). If all you care about is getting the ROM, you can just ignore that site & get the SourceForge link (which is cuckflared as well, but at least you get the ROM).
• Questionable status on Vanilla/GApps. Currently, most builds are Vanilla-only, with the exceptions being the GApps-only OnePlus 7T "Pro" & Poco F4. Mi 9T & OnePlus 9 "Pro" had GApps-only A11, but they switched to Vanilla-only as of A12 & has not turned back ever since.
• crDroid does not change any default connections whatsoever (or, at the very least, document them where people can easily see them), requiring users to mitigate this themselves. This probably isn't an issue if you are either never going to connect the device into the internet or manually change them every clean flash, but still.
• No inbuilt applock, which can be an issue if you frequently lend your device to others (or leave them where others can freely access them; or even got some thug demanding access to your device) & hope they don't start digging into whatever you don't want them to see.
• No sensors permission (or network permission to replace per-app data restriction; it's technically there but without the toggle needed to validate it)
• crDroid has the ability to spoof the user's device as a Pixel XL (enabled by default, can be disabled in Settings > crDroid Settings > Miscellaneous > Unlimited Photos Storage), allowing it to get unlimited Goolag Photos storage in return for CPU power drains.
In addition, crDroid has integrated several Pixel-exclusive features (such as live caption, adaptive connectivity, Now Playing) & Goolag's Settings Services (which replaces AOSP's Settings Suggestions).


• Includes the unneccessary bloat known as Game Space, which could encourage letting some unwanted options enabled (we obviously hope this won't be the case).
• 16/3/2023 Update : In addition to Goolag spoofing, crDroid adds in an option to spoof device for Netflix. Why bother kowtowing to some corpo that wants you to lick their dirty feet before you can even start renting their shit?

If I were to have any other alternatives worth mentioning, I would have already made sure to list them above. Here are those that could have been my choice, yet couldn't :

• ArrowOS : Previously known as my "best ROM" for A11. A12L completely destroyed this image & A13 couldn't fix it, since the entire project was stalled.
• DivestOS : What could have been a potent competitor for my recommendations were dragged down by uneven device support.
• HavocOS : The first microG-compatible ROM I've ever used. Unfortunately, development seems stalled.
• LineageOS : To be honest, LineageOS is still the most practical choice for custom ROMs, especially considering the fact that it is a popular base for many ROMs, crDroid included. However, it is the most predictable & boring option compared to other custom ROMs.
• LMODroid : Almost made the cut as an alternative, if not for being mostly LineageOS with less reliable downloads & advertising itself as a "privacy-focused" ROM without everything expected from one.
• SparkOS : Offers too much stuff that got in the way, even more than crDroid.

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