I'm sure many of you know that Xiaomi's first product is the MIUI back in 2010. They didn't have their own phone back then, so they ported MIUI to the popular phones of the time, so this was also a CUSTOM, or custom ROM. Since then, of course, we refer to it as a factory ROM, as it only runs on their own phones, tablets, etc.
In the past, custom ROMs have held a special place in the hearts of Android enthusiasts, offering a range of features and performance enhancements unlike factory ROMs. They allowed users to tinker with their devices, customise the user interface and even breathe new life into older smartphones. Over the years, however, the popularity of custom ROMs has waned and the once thriving community has lost some of its momentum.
But why are they so reluctant to use CUSTOM ROM? Possible reasons might be these.
Complicated installation
Installing CUSTOM ROM can be a daunting task for many users. The process often involves unlocking the bootloader, installing TWRP Recovery, flashing the ROM and dealing with potential compatibility issues. There is also the risk of voiding the warranty or even disabling the device during the installation process. These complexities and risks have discouraged casual users from venturing into the world of CUSTOM ROMs.
Advanced factory systems
One of the main reasons why CUSTOM ROMs have lost their appeal is the significant improvement in factory ROMs provided by smartphone manufacturers. In recent years, manufacturers have invested significant amounts of money in refining their user interfaces, optimising system performance and solving previous problems to make factory ROMs stable and reliable. As a result, the need to install custom ROMs for a smoother experience has been reduced.
Lack of data protection and security
In recent years, cybersecurity and data protection have become key issues for smartphone users. Factory ROMs are generally considered more secure because they undergo rigorous testing and receive timely security updates from manufacturers. On the other hand, custom ROMs, especially those developed by independent developers, may not offer the same level of security and may pose a potential risk to users' data.
Increased hardware support
In the past, CUSTOM ROMs have proven to be a popular choice to extend the life of older devices by providing updated software beyond the manufacturer's support period. However, thanks to technological advances, newer smartphones have been equipped with powerful hardware that allows them to easily run the latest official software. As a result, the need to install CUSTOM ROMs on modern devices has decreased.
Closed source code
Another factor contributing to the declining popularity of CUSTOM ROMs is that smartphone manufacturers have integrated closed-source features. With the rise of proprietary software and exclusive features embedded in factory ROMs, users are tempted to stick with official systems. These proprietary services often become unavailable or unstable when using custom ROMs, leading users to opt for the more reliable factory experience.
Most popular CUSTOM ROMs
Below are some popular CUSTOM ROMs for Xiaomi and other phones. Each ROM is designed for a specific purpose, so you may find certain features in one ROM and lacking in another. Without being exhaustive, let's check out the list of the best and most popular custom ROMs for Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO devices.
There is currently a unique MIUI ROM that is the most popular in the world besides the factory one. This is the xiaomi.eu, which is still regularly supported. A good part of it is based on the Chinese MIUI, but the global ROM is also being redesigned to keep the popular Eastern features.
Are you using CUSTOM ROM? Did you also start with MIUI back in the day? Write in a comment what you have or how long you've been using MIUI!
