In this article, we introduce you to the Custom-ROM Cyanogenmod for Android. It is easy to install on the app, and it offers a lot of advantages over the other Android versions.
Good for older devices
When choosing between Android and iOS, not only the price is crucial. For many users, the question also plays a role, which device is best suited to the user's preferences and functions. And here Android has the nose quite clearly in front. Because one of the biggest differences between Android and iOS is that Google releases the source code of its operating system. The result: For Android devices, there are a variety of Custom-ROMs, that is, special Android versions that have been changed by independent developers. These modifications are not limited to the optics. The range of functions, the range of preinstalled apps and even the user guidance differ in part from the original.
Also interesting is
By far the most popular custom ROM is Cyanogenmod. According to manufacturers, the various variants are used worldwide on nearly ten million smartphones and tablets. Whether current smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S4, the LG G2 or the HTC One X or older devices such as the Galaxy S II, the LG Optimus and the HTC Desire S - the compatibility list published in the project wiki, which also includes tablets, is long .
Caution, warranty expires
Speaking of older devices: Custom ROMs are the only way to use a current version for owners of smartphones, for which the manufacturer no longer provides official Android updates. Currently, this affects all owners of a Samsung Galaxy S III. Samsung introduced the delivery of Android 4.3 in the middle of November, since in many cases to problems had come. The result: on almost all S-III devices runs still old Android 4.1.2. Cyanogenmod is available in various variants. However, only four are interesting. 7, 10, 10.1, and 10.2. Cyanogenmod 8 and 9 were also developed, but since Google replaced the version 3.x and 4.0 used as a base by successors very quickly, the Cyanogenmod team was working on these variants. Cyanogenmod 7 is based on Android 2.3 and is still popular among all older Android smartphone owners.
Cyanogenmod - the better Android
Tip: The best CyanogenMod alternatives
At the beginning of November 2013 the developers started the work on Cyanogenmod 11, the custom ROM, based on the brand new Android version 4.4. First alpha versions for selected devices are already in circulation. Users who do not want to compromise on stability need to choose a stable version. Also suitable as a release candidate for the product application are Custom ROMs. All other versions - M Snapshot, Nightly and Experiments - are more suitable for users who are willing to experiment with one or the other bug, which in extreme cases can cause the device to fail.
In such cases, the manufacturer's customer service is not a great help, as all companies point out that the Rooting or the application of a Custom ROM will void the warranty. However, if it is actually a pure software error, is not so bad, since the Stock ROM, the original Android, can be re-imported in a relatively simple way. Detailed instructions can be found on the Android-Hilfe.de website and in the English-language forum of XDA-Developers.
What many owners of an Android device is a big advantage, clearly speaks against other users of the use of Cyanogenmod: the renouncement of superfluous. And this is not just the manufacturers pre-installed, called in the scene as bloatware (Blähware), which are on almost all new devices. No, whoever decides for Cyanogenmod must also say goodbye to the manufacturer-specific features and apps. For example, if you install Cyanogenmod on your Samsung Galaxy S III, you will have to go without the TouchWiz interface and do not have to create any other apps like ChatOn and S Voice, as well as the GameHub and Samsung Link. The same applies to Android devices from HTC, LG and Sony.
In practice, the reduction to the essentials, however, has great advantages: Devices equipped with Cyanogenmod generally react much more quickly to user inputs. In addition, the elimination of redundant apps and components also has a positive impact on the battery life. And since a simple tuning function is integrated into Cyanogenmod, you can extract the last bit of power from the CPU - or maximize the battery power by lowering the processor clock frequency. In the basic settings, the corresponding options are hidden, so you must activate the function first. To do this, go to Preferences, select About the phone, scroll all the way down, and tap Build Number number seven times to activate the developer options. Back in the settings, at the bottom of the new menu entry is to see performance. Tap the entry, select Processor, and customize the Governor to suit your needs, such as by choosing the power performance or energy saving mode powersave, and the Enable when booting option.
Cyanogenmod's unique features include preinstalled apps such as the file manager, which has root privileges, and can display the contents of system folders. Also on board are also the music player Apollo, which supports, among other things, the lossless FLAC format, a terminal emulator, with which you can use Android by command line, as well as the Cyanogenmod own Launcher Trebuchet, which allows you to customize the appearance of the user interface .
The fact that the alternative Android is installed on more and more rooted devices, is not least due to the fact that the import of Cyanogenmod has become easier over the years. There are several ways to choose from, the two most important, we detail in detail: The flashing by means of recovery system and - brand new - the import via the Cyanogenmod Installer. The last-mentioned variant is much easier, but you can not choose a specific version of Cyanogenmod. The app simply plays the latest build that fits your device. In our example, the cyanogenmod was 10.2. But no matter which approach you choose, when you flip a custom ROM, all data on the device will be erased. You must first bring all important files to safety. In the ideal case, you can create a complete system backup in the recovery mode - also known as a Nandroid backup.
Note: For licensing purposes, Google standard apps such as Mail, Play Store, and Maps are not part of the Custom ROMs that are available for download on the Cyanogenmod homepage. You must then download the package labeled Gapps separately and flash after the Custom ROM is installed. This limitation does not apply if you choose to install using the Cyanogenmod Installer.
Installation by means of a recovery system: If a recovery system such as Clockworkmod Recovery (CWM) or Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP) has already been installed on the rooted Android device, play the custom ROM in this way. First, download the Cyanogenmod version that matches your device, and then copy the ZIP file to the internal memory card or SD card on your Android smartphone or tablet. To download the Google standard app, download the gapps package that matches the selected Cyanogenmod version and copy the ZIP file to the device. Restart the device in recovery mode by pressing the device-specific buttons. On a Samsung Galaxy, the keys are Lauter + Home + On / Off.
Many ways lead to Cyanogenmod
If you are using Clockworkmod Recovery on your smartphone or tablet, first restore the factory state (wipe data / factory reset). Connect the custom-ROM via install zip. If you have stored the Custom-ROM in the device's internal memory, select choose zip from / sdcard. Otherwise, choose zip from / storage / sdcard1. The last step is to flash the gapps in the same way.
Brand new is the possibility to download Cyanogenmod using a free app. This variant works only with selected devices, but it is many times easier than the manual installation. If the device is still in its original state, it will be routed automatically before installing the Custom-ROM. First, the Cyanogenmod Installer was available in the Play Store. Google removed the app from the Android store at the end of November, so you have to install the installer manually on your device.
Simple Installation
On your smartphone, first enable the option "Unknown Origin" under Settings and Security to allow the import of apps that are not from the Google Play Store. Then, on the device, open the browser and type the URL get.cm/app to automatically download the OneClick.apk file. After downloading, install the APK file by tapping the message bar, touching OneClick.apk, and then confirm with Package Installer Pro, Install Only, and Install. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions. Once the "Continue to Install in Windows" message is displayed, download and install the PC component available for Windows Vista, 7, and 8.
In the first step of the wizard, you are prompted to disable the antivirus program running on the PC for the duration of the installation. Follow the instruction and click Continue. Then connect your smartphone to the computer using a USB cable. The Cyanogenmod Installer then loads the required data from the Internet. Use Install to start the import of the Custom-ROM. The device is now restarted in the download mode. Then the recovery system is installed. The next step is to import the custom ROM and the system applications. If everything has worked out, close the last dialog by clicking on Exit. Finally, the device is set up. You will be accompanied by a step-by-step assistant.
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