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.io account 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.

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If you are just getting started, perhaps an introductory guide to digital provacy would be something you’re interested in. Let me know if you see mistakes, or want to propose updates for me to include.