Here, we’ll try to collate together the most up to date versions of the best of the custom ROMs for Android smartphones.  If you’re aware of a newer version than we have posted, or if there’s a ROM missing that you’d like us to include, or if you are one of the creators who would like us to remove a link to a ROM, please let us know.

Note: We are not responsible for any of the custom ROMs linked to on these pages.  Make sure you take a backup of your system and fully read  all instructions before using any of the ROMs.  Be aware that the use of custom ROMs may invalidate your warranty.

If you use and like any of the custom ROMs linked here, please consider making a donation to that ROM’s creator(s) if possible.

MoDaCo Custom Hero ROM – current version 3.2

Created by Paul at MoDaCo

Included in the ‘core’ version

- Built with my new MCR build process which reduces size and boost speed of the ROM
- Includes Teknologist’s Custom Kernel 1.91 featuring additional filesystem support (EXT4, NFS, CramFS, SquashFS 4.0), CompCache modules and config, DroidWall support and much more! See here for details.
- Rooted with ‘adb remount’ permission and superuser APK
- A2SD included (fully automatic – thanks cyanogen!) – create a EXT2, EXT3 or EXT4 partition as your second partition to use. dalvik-cache remains on device.
- Added Jbed Java
- Added Google Voice Search and required speech library
- Added Dropbear SSH server running by default, check ‘About’ screen for password (port 2222). You can now remove this by running /system/bin/removedropbear.sh
- Added Notes app from Dragon ROM
- Added Spare Parts (run it and switch the 2 animation types to ‘fast’ for an even better experience!)
- Added android-wifi-tether 1.60 pre3 (props to the developer, this is a great app!)
- Added WiFi Status indicator, with kind permission of Andrew Schwimmer
- Added busybox 1.15.3 with Droid Explorer support
- Added Titanium Backup
- Added all 4 available HTC widgets
- Added nano 2.09 – text editor for use in shell mode
- Added parted and sqlite tools
- Added terminfo and settings to boot.img to allow nano etc. use
- Added files required for Debian linux including loxley’s updated bootdeb script
- Added huge APN list
- Moved Quickoffice to data partition to allow easy uninstall
- Deleted ‘Learn More’ application
- ROM now includes touch focus in Camera app
- ROM now supports shortcuts using BetterCut (and therefore I assume anycut!) in Rosie
- Silenced boot sound (it’s still there and can be reactivated with a file edit)
- You can now check your MoDaCo Custom ROM (MCR) version from the about menu

Included in main ‘enhanced’ add on pack

- Added Business Card Scanner
- Added WAP browser

Other optional add on packs (apply as normal update zips)

- ‘WaveSecure’ add on pack (puts Wavesecure in ROM – it is no longer in core)
- ‘Boot Sounds’ add on pack (restores boot sounds)
- ‘Hebrew Fonts’ add on pack (installs hebrew fonts)

3.2

Added internal task killer configuration tweak.
Update script fix from teknologist
Now includes freeasbeer’s busybox update
Full rebuild
3G speed tweaks to build.prop
Started migrating Android 2.1 resources (some app icons currently)
Miscellaneous tweaks
Rebuild based on the .73 update
Updated Titanium Backup
Updated WiFi Tether
Updated APNs list

3.1.1

Updated Wireless Tether application
Updated Wavesecure application

3.1

Based on shipping 2.73.405.66
Includes Teknologist’s kernel 1.91
Built with my new MCR build process which reduces size and boost speed of the ROM
Updated Busybox, ROM is now compatible with Droid Explorer
All 4 available HTC widgets now included in ROM
Updated Wireless Tether app
Added Titanium Backup

3.0

Moved base to 2.73.405.66
Updated busybox to fix colour coding ls issue
Updated kernel to Teknologist 1.9
Updated wpa_supplicant (0.5.11)

2.9

Moved base to 2.73.405.61
Added Teknologist’s 1.8 kernel with 80MB compcache, tun.ko etc. etc.
Added loxley’s updated bootdeb script
Added super-APN file from Cyanogen’s ROM
Added Hebrew fonts add on pack

2.8

MoDaCo Custom Kernel 1.2 featuring additional filesystem support (EXT4, NFS, CramFS, SquashFS 4.0), CompCache 0.5.4 modules and DroidWall support
Updated WiFi Tether (1.60 pre3)
Script to optionally remove dropbear SSH (run /system/bin/dropbearremove.sh via ADB)
Moved VoiceSearch to data partition (aids updgrading via market)
Removed Swapper and MoreLocale, now advised downloads in main post

2.7.1

Changed file split between partitions to resolve issue of system partition running out of space

2.7

Updated WaveSecure, moved to add on pack
New Boot sounds restore add on pack
Dropbear SSH running by default, check ‘About’ screen for password (port 2222)
Add Notes app from Dragon to core
Add Swapper to core
Add WiFi Status to core
Added Voice Search to core with libspeech library

KaguDroid – current version 1.2.2

Created by Lox

This Rom is built from CyanogenMod Android 2.1 sources

v.1.2.2 – 14/02/20107
- Rebased with ERE27 from AOSP, includes all native MT support
- Zipalign-on-install pre-check from OpenEclair
- Updated Busybox which includes more applets
- Lots of minor bugfixes
- has all cyanogen 5.0.1 enchancements

v1.2.1 – 31/01/2010
- fixed backup/restore script of gapps
- updated Proximity Sensor
- updated retro clock widget
- updated APN list

v1.2 – 31/01/2010
Switch to cyanogen sources:
- dalvik-cache in cache/dalvik-cache to same some space in /data
- Clean shudown/startup system
- Multitouch browser using native API and code from Luke Hutchison. More MT integration coming.
- FLAC audio support from Kenny Root
- Phone enhancements from Cytown
- Contacts enhancements from Wysie
- Perform zipalign-on-install of applications
- DeskClock tweaks- longer autosilence and “require unlock” option
- Massive APN list
- Many other bugfixes and tweaks from AOSP contributors

v 1.1.4 – 29/01/2010
- changed kernel witch should solve battery drain
- updated backup/restore of gapps script to match new GoogleBits

v1.1.3 – 25/01/2010
- new launcher design by … me

v1.1.2 – 25/01/2010
- corrected typo in googlebit backup/restore script

V1.1.1 – 24/01/2010
- unsecured boot.img to enable adb remount (new apps2sd instructions, tested, it works)
- charging light issue solved

V1.1 – 23/01/2010
- Compiled from 2.1 sources
- Market fix (thks jnwhite)
- Autorotate home screen
- Multitouch in the browser (using Luke Hutchinson‘s MT api and Browser integration from cyanogen)
- Jbed
- App2SD
- Some IME dictionnaries
- Backup/restore google apps on install
- CID location should work
- Voice Input

V1 – 04/01/2010
- first release
- 7 home screens

What does not work:
- Camera at 5mp: do no try it, it will freeze the camera service then reboot is needed.
- Camera: after a couple of photos, the camera app force close.
- AD2P calls: no sound
- Gallery3D graphics get ‘messed up’ if you switch orientation.
- Live wallpaper are not all playing (we miss OpenGl ES Lite 1.)
- Exchange sync problems with some servers configuration
- All feature that need a custom kernel are not working (usb-tether, compcache)
- Youtube

AychTeeSee’s Vanilla Cupcake ROM – current version3.0.1

Created by AychTeeSee

What Works:
-Everything in the MoDaCo custom rom. After installation, everything is (even more with 3.0) shockingly stable.
-Unlike AOSP roms, all the hardware works properly and you get to experience vanilla Android.

What DOESN’T Work:
Bluetooth (on 3.0)
Trackball (on 3.0)
Use Toggle Headset App for switching to headset.

Changelog:

3.0.1: Fixed Google contact sync.

3.0: HUGE changes, now 100% vanilla, no HTC bloat left. Fixed messaging bugs, and all existing ones.

2.1: Fixed root bug, switched base to 2.73.405.73.

2.0: Switched ROM base to my custom 2.73.405.66 release, added HTC keyboard and Android notes app, removed bootup sound, fixed ringtone bug. Experimental!

1.4: Vanilla Android theme (whew! tough), white notification bar. Aesthetic release.

1.3: Upgraded to Teknologist’s 1.91 kernel, disabled ramzswap, removed more HTC. Faster. Speed release.

1.2: Added Nexus One boot screen (because I luvs the Nexus One), added Calendar app, and TELUS APNs. Minor release.

1.11: Fixes Google Account signin bug.

1.1: Added the G1 ringtones. Fixed music player. Removed more HTC libraries. Basic calendar framework in place, not yet activated. Added my accelerometer-orienting Launcher.apk.

1.0: Fixed all the acore bugs, compiled Android setup wizard, added my custom voice recorder app. Even LESS HTC.

0.5: Temporarily removed white toolbar, thus fixing htc framework issue. Less HTC libraries.

0.4: Added Alarm Clock app, white toolbar, new settings.

0.3: Initial public release.

0.1 – 0.2: Internal releases, porting the apps and fixing HTC dependencies.