10 Best Custom ROMs For Samsung Galaxy S5
One of my favorite things about Android devices is that you can easily change the overall look and feel of your device by installing a custom ROM and if you’re looking to change the look of your Galaxy S5, then continue reading to find out about the best custom ROMs for Samsung Galaxy S5.
Whether you’re tired of the same old interface or you’re facing some performance issues, a custom ROM can really help you get the most out of your device. As the Galaxy S5 is new and quite popular, there are loads of custom ROMs available and you might get confused looking at the various options. After my research, I’ve made a list of the 10 best custom ROMs for Samsung Galaxy S5. You don’t need to look anywhere else and the ROMs mentioned below should cater to all your needs.
In order to install any custom ROM, you’ll need a rooted Galaxy S5 so you should root your device first. Make sure that you root your device and install custom ROMs on your own responsibility as this will void your warranty. However, a lot of Galaxy S5 users have successfully rooted their phones and installed custom ROMs by following the instructions properly. Before proceeding, create a backup of all your important files either through the default Android backup feature or through a third-party app from the Google Play store.
Even people who have flashed custom ROMs before can easily mess up their devices if they don’t follow the developer specific instructions properly. Below the description of each ROM, you’ll find an XDA Forums link for more information and instructions. While most ROMs can be installed using standard instructions.
1. Omega v7.1 ROM
The Omega ROM is one of the most popular series of ROMs available across various Samsung Galaxy devices. This particular ROM is based on Android 4.4.2 and it features a fully customizable installer, meaning you’ll be able to choose whether you want to install everything or remove the bloatware. The ROM features custom boot and shutdown animations, along with OmegaDroid KitKat wallpapers.
Aside from that, Omega ROM also brings a call recorder, 4 way reboot, exit button for the stock browser, option to disable camera shutter sound, HX camera mod, modified YouTube app and TW launcher with wallpaper scrolling.
Notable Features:
- SMS backup and restore
- Disabled scrolling cache
- No SMS to MMS conversion
- Exchange security disabled in Email
- Unlimited contacts merging
2. Alliance ROM
The Alliance ROM is another popular ROM available for the Samsung Galaxy S5. While many ROMs look to improve performance and battery life, this particular ROM focuses mainly on style and interface. If the only thing you care about is how the interface of your phone looks, then this is possible the ideal ROM as it features loads of customization options. Possibly, the best thing about this ROM is that you can choose from 17 different preset designs without even rebooting the phone. Also, the ROM is available in three different themes that you’ll be able to choose on installation.
AllianceROM is based on Android 4.4.2 and features a ROM customizer with an OTA update centre in order to keep your phone up to date with the ROM. Aside from that, it also features a theme manager, custom shortcuts for the hardware keys, extended reboot menu, lock screen effects, modified toolbox, sliding gallery, toast animation picker, lockscreen rotation toggle and SMS blocking. It’s one of the best custom ROMs for Samsung Galaxy S5.
Notable Features:
- Improved launcher animations
- Additional custom fonts
- Rotation toggle for TW launcher
- Battery and performance tweaks
- Additional options for screen off animation
3. PhoeniX ROM
The PhoeniX ROM Coming from XDA developer Tamirda, PhoeniX ROM is a fantastic ROM for the Galaxy S5 that not only looks good, but also feels buttery smooth. A lot of users have rated this ROM highly and it is one of the most popular ROMs that many use as their daily driver. The ROM brings a hacked SMS app with loads of additional features, including folder view, no SMS to MMS conversion, group messaging, scheduled messaging and split view. Aside from that, it also supports launcher theming, with over 10 themes available.
Notable Features:
- Eight Lockscreen effects
- Camera shutter sound menu
- Extended power menu
- Over 100 new wallpapers
- New multi window manager
4. X-Note TMT ROM
The X-Note TMT ROM is another great ROM available for the Galaxy S5 that lets you change the overall feel of your phone. It brings several customization features, including battery text style and customizable notifications panel. Aside from that, it also features TW launcher themes, extended power menu and additional fonts.
Notable Features
- Call recording
- Remap hardware keys
- Boot animation switcher
- Air command from Note 3
- X-Note system UI switcher
5. Zephyr Lite ROM
The Zephyr Lite ROM is a custom ROM that focuses on giving users a stock Samsung UI while removing bloatware in order to improve performance. If you like the UI on your Galaxy S5 and just want it to be a bit smoother and clean, then this ROM is probably the ideal option.
Notable Features:
- Battery tweaks
- Rooted
- BusyBox installed
- Init.d script support
6. CyanHacker ROM
The CyanHacker ROM is based on the popular LiquidSmooth ROM and is an AOSP ROM that focuses on stability, speed and smoothness. The ROM isn’t only fast, but it also includes several additional features. You’ll find almost all the LiquidSmooth features on this ROM along with several new features, including CyanHacker ROM control, slim recents, driving mode, lock screen notifications, PIE and Active Display.
Notable Features
- Cyanogenmod theme store
- Animation control
- Status bar customization
- OmniSwitch
- Viper4Android mod
7. BoBCaT ROM
The BoBCaT ROM is a custom ROM that is well-known across various Android smartphones as it brings several customization features. This particular ROM brings an advanced reboot menu, battery mod, BusyBox manager and YouTube Adaway.
Notable Features:
- CPU monitor
- LED manager
- SMS/MMS mods
- Exit button in browser
- 4 multi-window mod
8. Vanir AOSP ROM
The Vanir AOSP ROM focuses on giving a fast, clean and efficient Android experience to users and the ROM brings several customization features and performance tweaks. Some of the features include Ad blocking, Bravia Engine 2.0, customized carrier label, voltage control and modified DSP manager.
Notable Features:
- Quiet hours
- Volume wake
- Theme chooser
- Customizable navigation and status bar
9. Neat ROM
The Neat ROM is a clean and stable custom ROM that is available across various Samsung Galaxy devices. Based on Android 4.4.2, the ROM is pre-rooted and is ART compatible. The ROM brings several new features, including unlimited contacts in SMS/MMS, call recording, extended power menu, camera mod, NeatROM wallpapers and Init.d tweaks.
Notable Features:
- Scrolling cache disabled
- Volume warning disabled
- No SMS to MMS conversion
- BusyBox
- Signature enabled in messaging
10. XtreStoLite ROM
The XtreStoLite ROM is another one of the best custom ROMs for Samsung Galaxy S5 that is designed to make your experience better. This is possibly the lightest TouchWiz based ROM available for the Galaxy S5. If you don’t want to lose the TouchWiz interface, but at the same time want a clean and lightweight ROM, then this is probably the best option. The ROM brings the latest SuperSu and BusyBox. KNOX is fully removed from the ROM and there is a Private mode as well.
Notable Features:
- Latest Google keyboard
- Call recording
- ART runtime supported
- Performance tweaks
Conclusion
Once you have rooted your Galaxy S5, then you should definitely consider installing a custom ROM. Custom ROMs can change how your phone looks and it can also improve your phone’s performance and battery life. While the Galaxy S5 has a decent UI, not many users have been impressed and some find it to be a minor change from the Galaxy S4. After installing a custom ROM, you’ll be able to change your phone according to your preferences.
Whether you want a new UI or you just want to improve your phone’s performance, the 10 ROMs mentioned above are probably the best ones available for the Samsung Galaxy S5 at the moment. Make sure that you install the ROM that best fits your needs as it can be hectic to try out different ROMs. Also, make sure that you do this at your own responsibility and create a complete backup of your device before proceeding with the flashing process. If you think I’ve missed one of the best custom ROMs for Samsung Galaxy S5, feel free to mention them in the comments section below.
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