These are the best custom ROMs for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 tablet. Many of the custom ROMs you will find on this list can make your device more stable, faster, more efficient, lighter and remove the bloatware.
In addition to creating a better ROM than you normally get when you open the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 out of the box, you can also find some new features and designs that you might prefer over the stock ROM.
Note: Make sure you check what model number the custom ROM is made for from the download links. Whenever we create a post such as this one, it means the model numbers are all thrown into the same article. Don’t assume that all custom ROMs will work for all model numbers. Each download link will mention what model number the ROM is for somewhere on the page, either in the custom ROM thread title or the original post closer to the download link. If you still don’t see it there then have a read of some comments or leave a comment yourself if you aren’t sure, and the custom ROM poster or other people subscribed to the thread will help you out.
Files You Need
- You must root the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 before you can install most custom ROMs from the list.
- You will need a custom recovery installed on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 before you can upload your new ROM zip files from the list.
- You can choose to install Google Gapps on your Samsung Tab 8.9 if you want to have the Google stock apps.
See also: Free Samsung Firmware Update Tools
CyanogenMod
The official CyanogenMod custom ROM is available for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and is the best custom ROM out there for your device.
Download: CyanogenMod (official)
Jolie Contributions
The Jolie contributions offers a custom ROM based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and a newer ROM based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The Jolie contributions comes with a custom ROM, custom kernel and custom recovery all in the one package. We can tell you that this is one of the most popular options out there for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 device.
Features: based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, comes with a custom kernel and a custom recovery.
Download: Jolie contributions
Omni ROM
The Omni ROM is one of the most popular custom ROMs you can install on any Android operating system. The Omni team consists of many developers who work on other projects coming together in a joint effort to create what we know as Omni ROMs. Omni’s main goal is to experiment and provide people with new features that have not seen in versions of Android. With over a billion users,sometimes the Android software can get boring and Omni wants to give you something new to look at.
Features: based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, choose your Google Gapps builds, Active Display, Flick2Wake, Pick2Wake, customized status bar, customized notification drawer.
Download: Omni ROM (Android 5.1.1)
Ice Cream Sandwich Based on Stock ROM
Here is a stock ROM that is based on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. A stock ROM is the form of a custom ROM means you do not get any additional features from the ROM itself, but you do get some changes. Most notably, you are getting a new ROM that is debloated, Fully Deodexed, Fully ZipAligned, Pre-rooted with SuperSU v2.02, Pre-installed busybox v1.22.1 and more.
Features: OverClock CPU up to 1.4GHz, Based on the latest Samsung framework, Voice calls and SIP are enabled, Jelly Bean 4.2.2 boot animation, Advanced reboot menu, Enabled init.d support, extra build.prop tweaks and more.
Download: Ice Cream Sandwich Stock ROM
Nameless ROM (with Omni)
As most of you probably know the Omni ROM is mainly developed by many of the same developers who originated from the CyanogenMod custom ROM. The Nameless ROM team give a unique ability for the people to have a voice. That means people like you and I can request features and potentially have them included if the developers feel it’s a great idea. As such, the Nameless ROM is put together with nothing but ideas from the people of the community.
Features: Wi-Fi, fast GPS, Bluetooth, SD card, apps, keyboard, screenshots, ART function, USB connection, reboot into the recovery mode, sound and recording.
Download: Nameless ROM featuring Omni ROM
A1 kernel
While not exactly a custom ROM, the A1 custom kernel is great on your Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 if you are wanting to overclock and keep much of the same ROM features. The A1 custom kernel is one of the hottest things to install on your Tab 8.9 device.
Features: Voodoo sound, USB charging automatically, Enabled XBox controller as the “xpad.ko” kernel, pershoot keyboard driver for CM, Charging widget support, many more.
Download: A1 kernel