Given an Android phone, how can I find out what custom and stock ROMs are compatible?


Question

I've recently started trying to dabble in custom ROMs, or even just trying to boost an old phone with a newer version of Android, but there doesn't seem to be a conclusive place online to find out what ROMs are supported by what phones (and how to root any given phone), what ROMs are available out there in the world in general, it all seems a bit... messy!



So here's my example for my question: I have an Obi S453, how can I find out what ROMs I might be able to install?


Answer

This site offers a fairly comprehensive coverage to the questions asked by you:





Coming to your device in particular, it appears there is lack of developer support to create custom ROMs as a quick search (not comprehensive ) did not provide any evidence. Even the OEM, it looks like has not come out with any plans to update to Lollipop, whereas most popular phones have the next version Marshmallow rolled out or in the process of rolling out.



Possible reasons for lack of developer support, in general, could be (i am not a developer, so guessing):




  • Chipset being not developer friendly

  • Not a popular phone compared to low cost "budget phones"

  • Kernel and chip set information not "open source"

  • Difficulty in porting custom ROM from another ROM

  • OEM not coming up with a improved versions of phone


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