Android & Custom ROMs

The gold standard for Android rooting - systemless root that doesn't modify /system, passes SafetyNet, supports modules, and survives OTA updates. v28+ uses Zygisk. GitHub is the ONLY official source

Kernel-based root for GKI 2.0 devices (kernel 5.10+) - operates at kernel level for stealthier root, granular UID/GID/SELinux permission control, potentially harder to detect

Community fork of KernelSU with expanded device support and additional features - active development for devices not covered by mainline KernelSU

Kernel-based root that patches the boot image directly - combines ideas from Magisk and KernelSU, supports both KPM (kernel) and APM (Android) modules

Magisk/Zygisk module that spoofs device fingerprints to pass Play Integrity checks on rooted devices - essential for banking apps and Google Pay on rooted phones

Zygisk module that generates valid keybox certificates to pass strong Play Integrity (DEVICE verdict) - works alongside Play Integrity Fork for full attestation bypass

Zygisk module that hides Magisk root from specific apps - uses a denylist to prevent detection by banking, payment, and DRM apps

Comprehensive community guide on rooting basics, risks, bootloader unlocking, and step-by-step instructions for various devices

The most secure Android ROM - hardened memory allocator, per-contact permissions, sandboxed Google Play (optional), auto-reboot, Pixel phones only. Recommended by Snowden

The most popular custom ROM with 200+ supported devices - successor to CyanogenMod, clean AOSP base, no Google apps by default, excellent community support

Privacy-focused ROM backed by the Calyx Institute nonprofit - microG for Google-free push notifications, built-in Datura firewall, supports Pixel and Fairphone and Motorola

DeGoogled Android for non-technical users - replaces all Google services with privacy alternatives, comes pre-installed on Murena phones, easy online installer

Feature-packed custom ROM based on LineageOS with tons of customization options baked in - status bar tweaks, lock screen mods, navigation gestures, and more out of the box

Pixel-inspired ROM with a clean Pixel experience plus extensive customization - Pixel launcher, wallpapers, and features on non-Pixel devices with extra tweaks

Clean, polished custom ROM focused on a smooth user experience - known for innovative features like hover notifications, color engine, and Pocket Mode

AOSP-based ROM that delivers the pure Pixel experience on non-Pixel devices - Pixel launcher, UI, features, and monthly security patches for a wide range of devices

Privacy-focused ROM based on LineageOS with a built-in ad/tracker blocker - blocks trackers at the system level, available pre-installed on refurbished phones in Europe

Security-hardened LineageOS fork with automated kernel CVE patching - supports 150+ legacy devices that no longer get security updates, great for reviving old phones

The most widely used custom recovery - flash ROMs, create full device backups, install Magisk, wipe partitions, and perform advanced operations. Supports hundreds of devices

Modern TWRP-based recovery with Material Design UI - built-in Magisk installation, password protection, OTA support. Popular on Xiaomi, Realme, and OnePlus devices

Official Google ADB and Fastboot tools - essential for unlocking bootloaders, flashing images, sideloading updates, and debugging. Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Lightweight Windows installer for ADB and Fastboot with a handy toolkit of common commands - alternative to installing the full Android SDK

Clean, stable custom recovery built on TWRP sources - focuses on reliability and a polished UI, supports a range of devices

Mirror and control your Android screen on your PC over USB or Wi-Fi - no root required, low latency, open source. Essential companion tool for flashing and debugging

Cross-platform GUI app that removes bloatware via ADB without root - community-maintained package lists, backup/restore, multi-device support. The best debloating tool available

Windows app for managing Android apps via ADB without root - Debloat Wizard with safety levels, permission management, APK extraction, and built-in ADB console

On-device debloater that works without a PC - uses Shizuku for rootless privilege escalation, integrates UAD's community removal lists, supports preset sharing between devices

Framework that gives normal apps elevated ADB privileges without root - uses Android's binder mechanism, doesn't void warranty or trip SafetyNet. 180+ compatible apps

Curated list of Android apps that work with Shizuku for elevated permissions without root - great for discovering what you can do without rooting

Spoofs device fingerprints to pass Play Integrity on rooted devices - required if you want Google Pay, banking apps, and Netflix to work with root

Xposed framework for modern Android via Zygisk - hook and modify any app's behavior without touching APKs. Original repo archived, active community forks continue development

System-wide audio processing engine - equalizer, bass boost, surround sound, reverb, and advanced DSP effects. Transforms your phone's audio quality

Installs BusyBox (collection of Unix utilities) systemlessly - provides essential command-line tools that many root apps depend on

Built-in Magisk module that makes the system hosts file writable without modifying /system - enables system-wide ad blocking via hosts file without breaking OTA updates

Change device fingerprint and build properties to pass SafetyNet, bypass device-specific restrictions, or spoof your device model for app compatibility

Alternative module repository for Magisk with a searchable web UI - community-maintained collection of modules since the original Magisk repo was deprecated

The most popular custom launcher with 50M+ users - deep customization of home screen, app drawer, dock, gestures, icon themes, and subgrid positioning. The benchmark for launchers

Free, open-source Pixel Launcher alternative - Material You theming, At a Glance widget, Global Search, infinite scrolling, customizable icons and fonts. No root needed

Minimalist one-hand-friendly launcher with a list-based interface - inline notification reading, contextual media/calendar integration, Material You theming. Ad-free even on free tier

Feature-rich launcher that auto-sorts apps into categories and adapts colors to your wallpaper - Liquid Glass widgets, fast search with unit conversions, foldable support

Blazingly fast open-source launcher under 250KB that never connects to the internet - type to search apps instantly, auto-promotes frequent results. Privacy-first

Minimal text-only launcher designed to reduce screen time - shows just your most-used apps and daily wallpapers, nothing else. Open source, ad-free

Search-focused open-source launcher with global search across apps, contacts, calendar, Wikipedia, and more - built-in calculator, tag-based organization instead of folders

Massive monochrome line-based icon pack with 14,000+ icons - open source, available in Dark, Light, Material You, and Day/Night variants. One of the largest FOSS packs

Minimalistic pastel-colored icons with a soft, calming aesthetic - thousands of hand-designed icons, open source, supports 20+ launchers. FOSS version on F-Droid

Neon-colored linear icons against dark backgrounds creating a futuristic glow effect - 2,700+ icons, looks stunning on OLED screens. Multiple variants available

Colorful Material Design icons with vibrant colors, soft edges, and light shadows - 1,430+ icons with dark/light folder themes and 18+ wallpapers included

Clean circular icons with modern gradients - 3,200+ icons with alternate color variants, includes wallpapers and KWGT widget presets

Faded pastel shades with a vintage aesthetic - 2,000+ icons, 400+ wallpapers, matching KWGT widgets, multiple alternative icons for key apps

Clean minimalist white icons on transparent backgrounds - 7,900+ icons, ideal for dark wallpapers and AMOLED screens

Public DNS that blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level - configure via Android's Private DNS setting with no app needed. Supports DoH, DoT, DoQ, and DNSCrypt

Cloud DNS firewall with granular per-device blocking of ads, trackers, and malware - custom blocklists, analytics dashboard, parental controls. 300K queries/mo free

Free, open-source Android app combining DNS resolver, per-app firewall, and content blocking in one - 190+ blocklists, Tor DNS support, DNSCrypt. Permanently free

Privacy suite with local VPN-based ad blocker (free), cloud DNS filtering, and WireGuard VPN option - open source, based in Sweden, no ads or tracking

No-root firewall that blocks internet access per-app using Android's VPN service - open source, supports Wi-Fi and mobile data rules separately, IPv4/IPv6

System-wide open-source ad blocker - uses hosts file with root or local VPN without root. Simple, effective, and completely free (GPLv3)

Monitors and blocks hidden trackers in other apps in real-time - uses Android VPN, no root needed. See exactly which trackers each app is phoning home to

Combines Tor, DNSCrypt, and I2P into one app for comprehensive online privacy and anonymity - works with or without root via local VPN

App isolation using Android's Work Profile - sandbox apps so they can't access personal data, freeze apps when unused, run two copies of the same app. Free and open source

Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting by default - pages load 3-6x faster, built-in search engine and VPN option. Open source

The only major mobile browser with full desktop-class extension support including uBlock Origin - Enhanced Tracking Protection, highly customizable, open source

Privacy-hardened Chromium fork and maintained successor to Bromite - built-in ad blocking, DNS-over-HTTPS, AMP redirect removal, WebView replacement. Fully FOSS

Privacy-hardened Firefox fork and maintained successor to Mull - removes Mozilla telemetry, ships with uBlock Origin, disables data-leaking features. IMPORTANT: Mull is abandoned, migrate here

Privacy-first browser with Fire Button that wipes all data instantly - Duck Player for tracker-free YouTube, automatic HTTPS upgrades, built-in email protection

Gold standard for encrypted messaging - open-source Signal Protocol, voice/video calls, groups, file sharing. Run by a nonprofit, no ads, no trackers. Free and cross-platform

Security-hardened Signal fork for Android - adds passphrase encryption for local database, auto-lock, RAM shredding, Tor proxy support, and Google-free push notifications

The original free and open-source app repository for Android - all apps are FOSS, community-powered, reproducible builds. The go-to source for privacy-respecting Android software

Open-source Google Play Store client - download and update Play Store apps without a Google account or Play Services. Supports anonymous login

Install and update apps directly from developer release pages (GitHub, GitLab, F-Droid, etc.) - cut out the middleman and get apps straight from the source

Create fully custom home screen widgets with a WYSIWYG editor - weather, clocks, music controls, system info, all styled exactly how you want with complex formulas and animations

Turn your entire home screen into a fully interactive, animated canvas - create custom live wallpapers with widgets, animations, and data sources. The ultimate in Android theming

The most powerful automation app for Android - 100s of triggers, actions, and plugins for automating anything. Even more powerful with root access. One-time purchase

User-friendly automation alternative to Tasker with visual drag-and-drop interface - 80+ triggers, community templates for sharing pre-made macros. Free tier available

Samsung's official free customization suite for Galaxy devices - 20+ modules to customize status bar, Quick Panel, lock screen, keyboard, recents, multi-window, and more

Build plain-language rules to control notifications - cooldown, auto-dismiss, auto-reply, snooze, batch delivery, custom alerts per contact/app. Named one of TIME's Best Inventions 2025

System-wide theme engine that applies overlay themes to change the look of Android UI and apps - works on rooted devices natively and on Samsung without root

Kernel-level iptables firewall for rooted devices - granular per-app, per-network-type rules. More powerful than VPN-based firewalls since it operates at the Linux kernel level

Modern backup app that replaces Titanium Backup - backs up apps, data, SMS, call logs, wallpapers to cloud storage. Works with root or Shizuku for batch operations

System-wide ad blocker using the hosts file (root) or local VPN (no root) - simple, effective, completely free and open source. Blocks ads across all apps

Classic root backup app that can backup, restore, and freeze any app with data - WARNING: development has stalled, compatibility issues on Android 10+. Consider Swift Backup instead

Hibernates misbehaving background apps to save battery - less useful on modern Android (Doze handles most of this now) but still helpful for aggressive apps on older devices

With root, Tasker gains additional powers - toggle system settings, run shell commands, manipulate system files, control secure settings, and automate things that are impossible without root

Remove any app for the current user without root - reversible with 'cmd package install-existing'. The most important debloating command, works on any phone

List all installed packages. Add -3 for third-party only, -s for system only, -d for disabled. Pipe to grep to find specific bloatware package names

Disable a system app without uninstalling it - safer than uninstall, easily reversible with pm enable. Good for apps you're not sure about removing

Change hidden system settings - speed up animations (animator_duration_scale 0.5), change display density, tweak developer options, and more. No root needed

Grant or revoke app permissions from command line - useful for bulk permission management, revoking permissions apps won't let you change in settings

Take screenshots or record your screen from the command line - useful for capturing screens that block normal screenshots (banking apps, DRM content)

The world's largest Android development community - ROM threads, root guides, kernel builds, device-specific forums. 11M+ members, the home of Android modding since 2003

Editorial side of XDA with in-depth guides, reviews, and tutorials on Android customization, rooting, and custom ROMs

Reddit's main Android community for general news, tips, and discussion about everything Android

Reddit community for GrapheneOS discussion, troubleshooting, and privacy-focused Android topics

Reddit community for LineageOS discussion, device support questions, and custom ROM help

Reddit community for Magisk root discussion, module recommendations, SafetyNet/Play Integrity troubleshooting

Reddit community dedicated to Android home screen setups, launcher configurations, widget designs, and customization inspiration

Official GrapheneOS discussion forum for in-depth technical discussions about the most secure Android ROM

Curated GitHub collection of 400+ root apps, Magisk/KernelSU/LSPosed modules, and step-by-step rooting guides for every device. Great starting point

Community-driven privacy recommendations specifically for Android - ROM comparisons, app suggestions, and threat modeling advice from the Privacy Guides team

Discover thousands of community-submitted Android home screen setups with links to all assets used - icon packs, widgets, wallpapers, and launcher configs. Great for inspiration