Update/Install custom ROM on Android like a Pro
This is an easy and detailed step by step guide with images to install a custom ROM. Following these you can install any Custom ROM.
We are simplifying a lot of things. Be patient once you try things out it will be a piece of cake.
Follow these steps if you already have a custom ROM and you want to change or update it.
We will be using apps version of Havoc OS and Violet device (Redmi Note 7 pro). The procedure is same for other ROMs and Non-Gapps versions too. This is going to be a clean flash(Recommended before you change ROM) so we will be going over steps to make a Nandroid Backup too.
But make sure you check your ROM community page before you proceed.
!Disclaimer: If you have a ROM installed you know this already. LOT OF THINGS CAN GO WRONG!!! So make sure you follow everything carefully.
That aside let’s begin…
Step 0: Read through the Installation Instructions
Reading through the Instructions will help you prepare yourself mentally and also helps you make sure you have all the necessary Prerequisites before proceeding. Most of the time these are the things you should look for
- Recovery: Check the recommended recovery and see if you need to update yours.
- Firmware: Most ROM’s don’t need you to install it separately as they include the latest one in the ROM zip file.
- Issues/Bugs: Check the community to see if there are any known bugs or issues. These may cause problems after you install so read through it thoroughly.
- Forums/Communities: Almost all the ROM’s have a telegram community or other forms of forums these days. Some times your device forums can be helpful too these can be useful in case you have any issues.
Step 1: Updating your recovery
You already have a Recovery but there are chances of new updates so check the Custom Rom community.
I checked the XDA community page of Havoc OS and found that there is a new update of Orange fox recover that is released. Download the .zip file.
Press and hold the power and volume up buttons to go to your recovery.
Once you are in the recovery if you are already encrypted it will ask you for the system password. Enter it
In the FILES navigate to the latest OrangeFoxRecovery_Version.zip.
Click and Swipe to flash.
Step 2: Taking a Nandroid Backup
Make sure you backup after you install the latest recovery.
Nandroid backup takes a backup of your current ROM with all the APPs and Settings.
!NOTE: Nandroid Backup doesn’t backup your files [pictures, videos, documents etc.] you have to back them up separately. Use a SD card or a Computer.
Press and hold the power and volume up buttons to go to your recovery.
Once you are in the recovery if you are already encrypted it will ask you for the system password. Enter it
Go to BACKUPS -> Select BOOT, DATA, VENDOR IMAGE, SYSTEM IMAGE -> Swipe to start
You can also change the name of the backup on the top it is Auto-Generated if you don’t.
Copy this backup file to your computer. It will be located in Fox/Backup folder with a folder name.
Step 2: Downloading your Firmware
As mentioned in the XDA page of Havoc OS installing Latest China Weekly from -> HERE is recommended. Save this to your system.
Step 3: Downloading and Installing the ROM
Download the latest ROM file from the XDA forums or the download page.
We are downloading from the Havoc OS sourceforge page. HERE
Make sure the name is your device name and the version is the latest and if you are downloading Gapps or Non-Gapps version.
Go to files and first flash the downloaded FIRMWARE.
Since are going to perform a Clean install [we are going to completely wipe the system]. Make sure you copy data from your phone.
Press and hold the power and volume up buttons to go to your recovery.
Once you are in the recovery if you are already encrypted it will ask you for the system password. Enter it
Go to MENU -> MANAGE PARTITIONS -> DATA -> FORMAT DATA then swipe to wipe. Once done all the files in your phone will be deleted.
Now go to WIPE -> DALVIK, CACHE, SYSTEM, DATA and swipe to wipe.
Connect your phone to a system and copy back the havocOS_VersionName.zip and firmware.zip files from your system.
Go to FILES option Navigate through files and locate the Firmware.zip and Havoc_Os_Latest_version_name_Gapps.zip click it and swipe to Flash.
Once that's done without any errors. Well don’t be happy yet ;)
Go to MENU -> REBOOT -> RECOVERY (yes recovery) I learnt this from someone online and it worked well from me.
Once you are back into OFRecovery go to MENU -> REBOOT -> POWEROFF.(yea I know redundant…be patient)
Now power on the phone as usual and the first boot might take a while so sit back and relax.
Go to the power options. Reboot to system.
Once its done check if everything is working fine. If there are any issues go back and flash the Nandroid Backup if you want to or try a different rom or reflash the same ROM.
Don’t forget to ask for help in the ROM community or other places online people will always help you.
If everything is working fine…YAY!! Well done. Pat your self of the back.
Tweak the settings to your liking and enjoy.
Some times there can be a few issues here are some common ones
System does not detect the phone from Recovery:
Go to MENU -> MOUNT and then make sure MTP is turned on
Unable to Find the Downloads etc in FILES:
Look for folder names starting with SD Card you might find the files in sdcard, sdcard1 or sdcard2.
ROM STRUCK ON BOOT:
Try clean flashing again. If you couldn’t get it right as in the forums and channels of the ROM. If you want your system back copy the Nandroid file back to your phone then flash it like a normal ROM file.
