Every Android user is aware that many stock-made interfaces tend to have an exhaustively touch-based UI. And yes, this is indeed a cut for EMUI. Great designs, heavy hardware, superb camera-lovers, and the Chinese phone are really knowing people by their other brands with their EMUI. For those who prefer digging deeper into customizability, installing custom ROMs may really be a good option-to-extend-it-for-anexclusive-US-release-device, or to hook it up with updates and new features. The article looks into custom ROMs available today for Huawei P10 while looking into pros, cons, the most well-known ROMs for this device, and so on.
What is a Custom ROM?
A custom ROM is a very modified version of the Android operating system, which replaces the stock firmware provided by a given device’s manufacturer. Such ROMs are usually independently developed by individual enthusiasts or Android developer community members. Their contributions range from features like much better performance to battery life, with even improvements or full options to run the newest Android versions not supported by the OEM.
Why do you need a custom ROM installed on Huawei P10?
Extension Of Software Support: When you install a custom ROM, one of the most convincing reasons would be to keep your device up and running with the software for more time. The Huawei P10, similar to many other older smartphones, has crossed the strings for getting newer device updates from the manufacturer. Luckily, by installing a custom ROM, this very same device can be updated with the latest Android version in an official way, complete with the new features and security patches.
Performance Boost And Longer Battery Life: Custom ROMs are usually faster and have an optimized battery life compared to stock firmware. Developers focus much on stripping out bloatware, streamlining the processes, and optimizing the kernel to give users a much smoother and faster experience. Custom ROMs breathe new life into an aging Huawei P10 that has slowed down over the years.
Customization And Features: Custom ROMs offer a horizon of customization beyond that which is permitted by the stock ROM. It allows users to customize almost everything about the user interface, from the look and feel down to system settings and features. It could be theme installation, navigation bar modification, enablement of advanced power-saving modes unlicensed in EMUI, etc.
Removes Bloatware: In general, manufacturers pre-load bloatware on the devices. They house apps that the user cannot uninstall, take up storage space, and generally slow down the performance of the device. Custom ROMs basically have very minimum bloatware, ensuring that the user is in control of which apps come with the device.
Security and Privacy: Many of the Custom ROMs put a big emphasis on security and privacy, offering better encryption, built-in ad blockers, and more precise permissions for application permission regarding the user app. Therefore, in such a case, for such users who care more about their data privacy, custom ROMs would indeed provide a better-secured experience for them.
Top Custom ROMs for Huawei P10 users
LineageOS:
Overview: LineageOS is perhaps the most familiar custom ROM, and it has one of the best supports over other custom ROMs. Its hallmark is that it is stable, updates often, and provides the touch of stock Android. For users who prefer a very clean and rather bloatware-free version of Android with the latest security patches, LineageOS is the best option.
Features: Some of its main features are Privacy Guard for better security, a customizable status bar, gestures, and shortcuts. It has a good theme engine and allows users to create a different look for the device.
Performance: On this phone, the performance and resource usage are very smooth and efficient. The power users have better battery life with this line than the stock EMUI firmware.
Compatibility: LineageOS is meant for several devices, including the Huawei P10, but you should check the line with the type of version for your device model.
Pixel Experience
Overview: Pixel Experience aims at bringing Google Pixel phone features to other Android devices through a custom ROM. All features and apps that a user finds on Google Pixel phones, such as Pixel Launcher, Google Assistant, and Pixel-exclusive wallpapers, are included in this package.
Features: A very clean, streamlined version of Android with a focus on simplicity and performance hence also has Google’s suite of apps and services for those interested in that ecosystem.
Such performance-optimized ROM HUAWEI P10 gives the world’s fastest and most responsive experience. If one is to download Google services, the experience seamlessly integrates with this service provider.
Compatibility: Pixel Experience works with Huawei P10, as with every other custom ROM. You should only confirm that you have the right variant for your model because it works on various devices.
AOSP Extended Overview: AOSP Extended (AEX) is a custom ROM built off the Android Open Source Project (AOSP); it extends stock Android by adding extra features as well as personalization settings, which are mainly for users who would want to take more control of their devices.
AOSP extension feature: The customizable options are wide for theming, gesture controls, and tweaks to the status bar. Performance customs are also included, along with some extra settings users cannot find in a built AOSP standard.
Performance: AOSP Extended is meant to be a light and fast ROM, and it performs excellently on Huawei P10. There will be horizontal leaning of fluid experience coupled with responsiveness. The extra bonus users get is generally wide customization.
Compatibility: AOSP Extended is there for Huawei P10 and updated regularly for users to enjoy some new features and Android security patches. Resurrection Remix:
Overview: Resurrection Remix is a really complex custom ROM with great feature set and borrows elements from many other different ROMs like LineageOS, SlimRoms and OmniROM. It is pretty famous for its highly customizable nature and fine tuning of almost every UI aspect.
Features: Resurrection Remix has a lot of customizable quick settings options, an advanced power menu feature, and a complete theming engine. Not only that, but it also includes many performance and battery improving settings.
Havoc-OS.
Summary: Havoc-OS is a custom ROM developed from LineageOS, with features and styles that are inspired by Google Pixel. Performance, customization, and neat UI are the main features HAvOc-OS is inspired to provide.
Features: Additional features include advanced gesture control, a customizable power menu, and other interface tweaks. Battery-saver and performance-enhancing features are in place.
Performance: It is a smoothly performing and stable build worth mentioning. It moved fast and responsively on the Huawei P10, with the added advantage of customization in any way you want to customize the Devices.
Compatibility: The last Havoc-OS release was the complete version for Huawei P10 and now regularly updated with new features and improvements.
Install Custom ROM on Huawei P10:
There are certain steps that one should follow while flashing or installing the custom ROM on your device: Understand completely the process-it’s a risk that goes along with the custom ROM installation-that one should be well versed with during it:
Unlock Bootloader: First bootloader in which all custom ROMs need to be installed: It’s up to the user to unlock the bootloader on the Huawei P10. Users unlock it mostly via Huawei’s official bootloader unlock tool or through a third-party tool. Team have to keep in mind unlocking may not void warranty, and all data will be deleted on your device.
Install Custom Recovery: After unlocking the Bootloader, the user will have to install a Custom Recovery-for example, TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). A Custom Recovery will allow flashing (installing) Custom ROMs and also preparing backups and many more maintenance tasks.
Data Backup – It is best to ensure that you take the step to back up data before the installation of such a custom ROM. From contacts, photos, applications, and important other information, install this custom ROM; all data will be wiped out from the device. Thus, you can restore that back into your phone after backing up.
Downloading the Custom ROM and GApps: Now, inquire about downloading the custom ROM file and GApps (that may be required). Generally, such files are provided in a ZIP format and could be downloaded from either the custom ROM developer’s website or from a third party such as XDA Developers.
Flash a Custom ROM: Use the custom recovery you had installed earlier to boot up your Huawei P10 into recovery mode and utilize the following recovery interface to flash the custom ROM. Choosing the selected ROM file from your device storage, install it.
Flash GApps (Optional): If they are not included in the custom ROM, then you will have to flash the GApps package on your own. This action is normally done just after flashing the ROM and before rebooting the device.
Reboot and Welcome: After flashing the ROM and GApps, reboot your device. The first boot may take several minutes because it is preparing the initial operating environment, it will easily be set up, and then you can carry on with the initial setup, including restoring your backup and configuration settings.
Merits and Demerits of Installing Custom ROM on Huawei P10
Merits:
Extended Software Support- With custom ROMs, you would be able to run the latest Android versions on your Huawei P10, hence lengthening the timeframe for which you could have officially used it by Huawei. This will make it more attractive since one will enjoy the latest features, improvements to performance, and security patches, even after Huawei stops updating the device.
Increased Performance: Most customized ROMs are tweaked for speed and efficiency. They are built to remove all the unnecessary bloatware, instead emphasizing on improving the core Android experience. Thus, your Huawei P10 would perform faster, smoother, and multitask well while lagging very little.
Extended Battery Life: Most custom ROMs have advanced power management features due to which the life of the battery can be supplemented. It fine-tunes management of background processes by the device, screen brightness, and many other features that would require more power in order to get maximum usage from one charge.
Increased Customization: Custom ROMs allow modification into almost every aspect of a device, which is one of the biggest attractions. This can include a change in home screen layout and icons, how notification are presented on the device, and even how system animations are displayed-all these are modifiable to an extent that is incomparable to stock firmwares.
Privacy and Security Augmentation: This pride includes those custom ROMs that lay professes heavily on privacy and security. Their features may include built-in advertisement blockers, more in-depth access control over app permissions, and even better encryption options. Hence, these ROMs provide an additional layer of security for data privacy concerned users.
Cons: Risk of Bugs and Instability: Many custom ROMs, however, are well coded and stable. However, bugs, glitches, and even minor annoyances in the form of crashes may result from using newer or less popular ROMs. In severe cases, problems can lead to random rebooting or crashing of an application.
Forfeiting Warranty: Typically, custom ROM install requires unlocking the bootloader which might void the warranty on your device. This is an important aspect worth considering especially as your Huawei P10 is still under warranty and might have to rely on official support when it comes to repairs or replacements.
Compatibility Issues: Custom ROMs do not support fully every hardware features of a Huawei P10. Some features might work less properly or might not be functional at all with some of the ROMs, such as: camera, fingerprint eye-sensor or some connectivity options. Best to do a lot of searching and be keen to pick a ROM that has been tested and proven working fine for your model.
Difficult Installation Process: Installing a custom ROM is not an everyday work-a-day event. It really requires technical know-how as to how to unlock a bootloader, install custom recovery, as well as flash the ROM. Any mistake made in this process might actually brick the unit and therefore render it unrepaired by a professional.
Security Vulnerabilities: While some of the custom ROMs may offer better security, some of them are unsafe if not properly maintained or if they come from dubious sources. There is always the risk that this ROM may include backdoors or other vulnerabilities. Well-known ROMs from reputable developers must be employed to minimize this risk.
Paranoid Android:
Short Description: One of the highly regarded custom ROMs that exudes simplicity within its operation and great stability with the features. It has also offered a very neat and clean minimalist approach to Android like Pixel Experience but with some unique tweaks.
Indeed, Android as it is now provides features such as Color Engine for theming; gesture navigation; enhanced battery management; and in fact the ROM is close stock Android, but has a few thoughtful additions to further enhance usability as well as performance.
Performance: It has been optimized heavily for speed and battery life, proving to be quite the engine under the hood for Huawei P10. Digging clear tales of smoothness and no lag, the experience has been fantastic even for older hardware.
Compatibility: This ROM supports the Huawei P10. Availability of the updates also depends on the device model and support by the community.
CrDroid: An overview. CrDroid’s foundation is the LineageOs and intends to make stock Android from performance and reliability point jump at all things possible, with advanced features that most users crave. Thus, what it is trying to achieve is the keeping such rich-feature experience without much compromising stability.
Features: CrDroid boasts a heavily customizable string, with advanced status bar controls for the top, a variety of tweaks for navigation, and further added personal touches at the interface layer. It has even taken in some features from other popular ROMs, making it a very flexible pick indeed. Performance: Balanced between features and performance, CrDroid remains one of the smooth executive alternatives for the Huawei P10. It would offer gadget lovers everything they can want from an active ROM without risking the efficiency of the device.
Compatibility: CrDroid is always updated and supported in a wide range of devices; Huawei P10 is just one of them. It is important to check the latest version to make sure about the compatibility of the specific model.
Custom ROMs for Huawei P10: Common Queries
1. Is it safe to install a custom ROM in Huawei P10?
Custom ROM is safe in general, as long as you do it wrong when you install a proper ROM with the CWM/Nandroid approach. Making any mistakes sends you bricking your device due to some catastrophic failure during the installation process itself. Learn properly, and you’re in good guidance about such matters.
2. Will installing a custom ROM void my warranty?
Yes, warranty actually gets voided when you unlock the boot loader, which is part of the process to install custom ROM. Therefore, if the phone is still under warranty, ensure to keep it in mind before proceeding.
3. Can I revert to the stock firmware once I install a custom ROM?
Yes, you can return to the stock firmware by flashing official Huawei firmware. This usually involves packaged tools like HiSuite or other firmware flashing tools. Typically, a re-locking of the bootloader is required for this-stepping back to stock firmware normally involves very cumbersome complexities.
4. Will I lose My Data upon Installation of Custom ROM?
Typically, installing custom ROM wipes all data including apps, settings, and personal files on an attached device, and indeed you’re advised to backup all essential data before installation.
5. How to arrive at the best custom ROM for my Huawei P10?
Pick a ROM depending on what’s important to you, whether it’s performance, customization, or security, and read as much as you can about all available ROMs as well as users’ reviews, including a look at features on offer by each individual ROM. It is essential that the ROM is meant for your specific model of Huawei P10.
6. What are the common problems associated with using a custom ROM?
The common problems might include bugs, lack of compatibility with a few hardware specifications, sometimes stability issues: besides the above, some custom ROMs may not offer all the features available in the stock firmware, like some camera modes or connectivity options.
Conclusion
Custom ROMs promise a number of benefits along these lines, especially with Huawei P10: full control over the device, performance improvements, and many features that an official update won’t provide. Installing or flashing even a custom ROM is nothing less than going back to those days when customization went deeper than just placing a new wallpaper or ringtone on your device. It takes a lot of commitment and seriosity about Android to do this.
In such a large compilation of custom ROMs, you are bound to find something that caters to your need-from the most simple, stock-like experience of LineageOS; to a heavily packed one where Resurrection Remix won’t let you get bored. The key to a successful transition to a custom ROM lies in thorough research, careful preparation, and a clear understanding of the risks involved.
For people who want to ride on the custom wave, there’s bound to be a fascinating experience for modding on a Huawei P10 as you keep it up-to-date for as long as possible. Whether you’re someone who’s already familiar with Android tweaks and ROMs or you’re just getting started with custom ROMs, the journey of tweaking a device with a custom ROM can certainly make a phone use exciting.