All or almost all agree that Android is an exceptional operating system for smartphones and also for tablets. The main problem of Android's problems compared to iPhones is the fragmentation of models.
We have Google, HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola and many others, each with a different Android version.
It so happens that, even after the release from Google of the new version of Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, one must wait for the manufacturer to develop the version for that model of mobile phone, which is not always obvious and, certainly, not immediate.
Luckily Android is a free system, with open code that can be modified by those who are capable of it.
For this reason, skilled programmers have taken the Android code released by Google to make it a new ROM that anyone can download and install for free on their mobile phone.
The most famous and the best Custom ROM for Android, the most used in the world, is called CyanogenMod whose programmers, in recent weeks, have released version 13 for many models of Android phones.
UPDATE: from the end of 2016 CyanogenMod has died and been reborn under the name of LineageOS
READ ALSO: How to install a custom Android ROM
A ROM is nothing but the firmware, the operating system of a mobile phone.
CyanogenMod is a ROM customized by programmers who have modified the system for the better by adding options and functions.
CyanogenMod develops different versions for each mobile phone model that must be adapted to the different hardware.
For some there are ROMs based on the latest version of Android, for others the previous version.
For each ROM there is a stable version, an experimental RC and a Nightly call, intended for developers.
On some devices such as the Samsung Galaxy, HTC One and Google Nexus smartphones you can install CyanogenMod Android with an automatic installer from Windows PC without root .
To install CyanogenMod on all other devices you have to root the mobile phone, thus obtaining the modification permissions that are denied by the manufacturers and following the procedure below.
Obtaining root permissions (i.e. system administrator) is not illegal, in some cases it is easier, for other smartphone models it can be more complicated.
For general information you can read the guide to root Android even if you have to search the internet for step-by-step instructions for your model.
After root, the system remains the only one that you can install some special applications by granting them SuperUser (SU) permissions.
To install the new CyanogenMod firmware, a Recovery console called ClockWorkMod Recovery must also be installed on the mobile .
To install clockWorkMod Recovery all you need is to use the Rom Manager application and tap the corresponding option.
The Recovery ClockworkMod console is an interface to install or update the ROM and to create a full system backup and restore it in case of problems.
The newest version of the CyanogenMod 13 firmware is based on Android 6 (Marshmellow)
To see which devices are supported, just go to the CyanogenMod website and look for your model in the list.
For some there will only be Cyanogemod 7 based on Android 2.3.4, for others Cyanogemod 9 (based on Android ICS 4.0) is available while for some smartphones it is possible to install the version of CyanogenMod 11 based on Android Jelly Bean 4.4 .
If your cell phone has been unlocked with root permissions, installing CyanogenMod is a walk, a very simple task even for the less experienced.
After installing the Clockworkmod Recovery, proceed, from the pc, to download the firmware from the LineageOS website, looking for the stable version for your mobile phone.
Each Android ROM is also in Italian so there is no problem in this regard.
In addition to the CyanogenMod files, optionally, you can also download the updated Google Apps, i.e. the Google applications, including the Google Play market.
Both the CyanogenMod file and the Google Apps file must be copied to the mobile phone SD card (you can use an application like Airdroid to do it quickly)
Once you have downloaded all the necessary files and transferred to the SD card (without changing its name), you only need to restart the mobile phone in Recovery mode .
Only the first time, the easiest way to start the Android phone in Recovery mode is by using the Rom Manager application.
From Recovery, backup the current ROM so, any problem there was, you can always restore the system without errors.
To move in the recovery console you have to use the volume keys.
To make a backup copy, go to the " backup & restore " menu.
Unless you are coming from an RC version or a Nightly version of CyanogenMod, then perform a " wipe data / factory reset " and a ' cache wipe '.
In the Advanced menu, also run " wipe dalvik cache " and return to the main recovery menu.
Choose " install zip from sdcard ", then " choose zip from sdcard " and select the downloaded zip file, that is the CyanogenMod ROM to be installed.
Optionally, install the zip of the Google Apps file in the same way.
Restart your device and enjoy the best version of Android that you can find to have more performance and functionality on your smartphone.
If you need help with the process, YouTube I think is the best support resource to see how.
