Custom firmware: what is it? Custom firmware for android

Devices running the system"Android", deservedly considered one of the most flexible in the configuration. Solutions from Microsoft and Apple are seriously inferior in this aspect. Nevertheless, not all existing versions of "Android" can boast an abundance of user-accessible settings, as often developers simply hide them or block them.

This is done to improve reliabilitysystem, by analogy with the protection of Windows system directories from modification of files. For example, smartphones from Samsung, which operates the shell-add-in TouchWiz in its basic version, do not allow their owners to over-adjust the functionality. However, there is an opportunity to overcome this limitation.

Provided flexibility

Undoubted advantage of systems from "Google" beforeiOS and WinPhone is the ability to relatively easily replace the original operating system with an alternative solution. Custom firmware "Android" are the same packages of control programs, but they added the capabilities and implemented some optimizations. Their preparation and assembly are carried out not by the developer firms, but by the commands of the users themselves, who possess the necessary knowledge. In addition to these improvements, Samsung's custom firmware, for example, allows the gadget owner to use a new version of the operating system, even one that was not officially introduced. In fact, everything is simple. Here they are - custom firmware. What does this give the ordinary user?

Replacement of the basic software complex withoptimized often completely transforms the mobile device, improves performance and convenience of interaction with the interface. Since the basis of the systems from "Google" is "Linux", the installation process is no different from the updates that are performed in the versions running on computers.

What you need to know before installing

In order to install custom firmware,It is necessary to follow a certain order of actions. First of all, you need to unlock the boot block. The owner of the "Android" gadget does not need to study the instructions - everything has been automated for a long time. It only takes to download, install and run the program to get root-access rights. There are many of them, so the choice of a workable option is completely on the user. Examples include Super Su and King Root. For the second program to work, you need access to the Internet, ideally via Wi-Fi.

After the successful completion of ruttingit is possible to install some specialized application designed to store all user data. In particular, you can "save" already installed programs along with settings, a phone book with current calls, etc. A very useful feature that should not be ignored. Here they are - custom firmware. What is this program that saves all the data? One of the best is the Titanium backup. It works if there are root-rights in the system. Note that even if you do not plan to change the firmware, it is recommended to save the data in any case.

Finally, one of the last stages issearch for a resource from which you can download custom firmware. What are these software packages, we already pointed out. It is very important from the existing abundance to choose the one that is designed for the desired model of the gadget. Possessing at least some knowledge of the Linux systems, you can independently fix the firmware from the twin device, but it is better for beginners to refrain from this.

If we talk about the "iron" part, the owner of the gadget you need to prepare your computer with a free USB-port for connecting the device cable, SD memory card.

Consider some of the most popular custom firmware. "What is it, for example, for CyanogenMod, which everyone is talking about?" - the attentive reader will ask. And will be right.

MIUI

Chinese developers are known for the fact thatconstantly produce new models of gadgets and firmware for them. Unsurprisingly, they have achieved a lot in software optimization. So, the distribution called MIUI absorbed the best solutions from the classic "Android" and CyanogenMod. Even more - some ideas implemented in MIUI are completely missing in the original firmware from "Google". Externally, this system is similar to the solution from Apple in its iOS (one working screen). MIUI distinguishes stability of work; ease of transfer to other gadgets, which explains its spread; economical use of resources; Convenience of the interface; a lot of settings and, of course, an impressive appearance. In far 2012, custom firmware 4 from MIUI was introduced, which became incredibly popular. Now there is a version 7.h.h.

There are four teams of collectors of these firmware: Miltirom, Miuipro, Xiaomi and MIUI. Although there are no global changes within the same version, it is impossible to equate them. The decisions from each team have their own, so to speak, inherent flaws and dignities. Choose a user. For example, Miuipro offers only clasped options; Xiaomi does not allow you to post topics with patches, etc.

LEWA

The direct competitor of the above MIUI is another solution from the Chinese. It's about the firmware, called LEWA. Outwardly these two systems are very similar.

The same one main screen and the missing menuapplications. A similar interface. It is worth noting smaller requirements for RAM and more productive work. Worthy replacement of the basic programs from Google. Excellent voice search and Play Market. From all other solutions Lewa distinguishes between the balance of the number of settings and the initial capacity. That is, there is no need to understand dozens of switches, as in MIUI, and the functionality of those that are present is obvious.

Great CyanogenMod

Custom firmware for Samsung Galaxy and otherssmartphones, of course, are not limited to MIUI and Lewa. One of the most well-known alternatives to basic software is CyanogenMod (it's also Cyan, CM). The advantages of this solution are obvious: the absence of "superfluous" programs; set of options; performance optimization; reduced battery power consumption; default ART mode. In addition, it is possible to activate root-access without using third-party applications. It is worth noting that thanks to the efforts of developers, CyanogenMod firmware can be used even on devices with MTK processors. In addition, there are versions based on "Android 5.1.1", capable of working with the kernel "Linux 3.4.67" ("Kit-Cut").

Automatic color temperature adjustmentglow of the screen, exposed depending on the time of day; adjustment of the gamut of colors; optimal work with memory and much more. All these functions are initially present in CyanogenMod 12.1, compiled on the basis of Lollipop. For device owners working on "Android 4.4.2", the official support of which is terminated, this is the only way to update the software, having eliminated the need to replace the gadget with a new model.

Speaking of the Samsung Galaxy, especiallythe latest models, their owners can be said to be lucky, since the installed firmware CyanogenMod automatically selects the current version, downloads it and offers an update. You can be sure that the gadget runs under the most modern version.

Vibe

Many smartphone companies are implementingclassic "Android" some of its "proprietary" developments. This is what happened with Lenovo. Owners of these devices have long known what Vibe UI is. This is an add-in over the standard interface, a kind of shell. Now anyone can appreciate its merits - for this it is not necessary to buy the corresponding gadget. It is enough just to install custom firmware. One of the advantages of this software solution is that its internal structure involves assembling a single interface from independent components, which makes it easy to change any of them. Among the unique features, you can not fail to note the "smart button", when you click on which appears the application selection menu; smart wi-fi, which implements binding to a single station, which saves battery power when communication is lost; a means of transferring files between devices over the wireless network, etc. It is important to understand that in the custom firmware executed on the basis of Vibe, not all functions can be present, as in the original version.

Basic set

Among all the variety of custom firmware is a special group, which can not be ignored. It's about upgrading the basic software.

Umeltsy take as a basis the existing"Android" firmware from any gadget, add to its configuration files certain lines for optimization, remove all "extra" applications, replace some basic programs with analogs, etc. As a result, we get the modified original firmware.

Custom iOS firmware

Apple devices do not always allowInstall the modified software. In part, this explains their higher reliability. So, the "lucky" owners iPhone 1-4 revision (except 4S). But in all the following this possibility is blocked. Deciding on the installation of "custom" in the iPhone, you need, first of all, not to rush, but to visit a lot of Internet resources on this topic. Otherwise, there is a risk of a device failure (as, for example, it happens with 3GS, in which the modem part is updated). In general, we repeat, on new Apple gadgets custom firmware is not installed.

Dilemma

Very often, mobile device owners do notcan decide which firmware is better. In fact, one should proceed from the fact whether everything suits the existing base? The risk of problems arising from the installation of third-party software is not always justified. Sometimes it's more rational to install a new launcher, remove "extra" programs, learn how to work with Clean Master. And to resort to such a cardinal step as installing custom firmware, it is necessary only in the event of any failures in the work, which are "treated" by the updated software.