The Google Nexus 4 made by the Life’s Good company is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and the Adreno 320 GPU. The Adreno 320 GPU was the best graphics processor available at the time of the Google Nexus 4’s release — something the Mountain View company wanted to show off on launch day. Since then the Google Nexus 4 smartphone has gone on to be one of the most successful smartphones in history and is still far from embarrassing to pull out of the pocket today.

Chances are those who still do own the Google Nexus 4 device will want to upgrade what’s on the display with something newer. That’s where these custom ROMs come into play.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

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 install a custom recovery on the Google Nexus 4 smartphone before you can install a custom ROM on the device.
  • You must root the Google Nexus 4 before you can install a custom ROM unless your ROM is coming to your pre-rooted.
  • You can install the Google Gapps packages on your device via the custom recovery after you flash the custom ROM if you want to have the Google stock apps running. Some custom ROMs will not have the Google stock applications running automatically.

Pure Nexus Project (Layers)

The Pure Nexus Project are the most popular custom ROM for the Nexus range. Anyone with the latest Google Nexus 6P would know what I mean. More people are choosing to install this ROM on a Nexus device than any other thanks to its pure experience.

Features: Based on AOSP Android 6.0.1_r13, SELinux Enforcing, Pre-rooted with SuperSU 2.52, Addon.d support, Init.d support, Googles marshmallow wallpapers, Google sounds from factory image, Native NTFS and exFAT support, Disabled Tethering checks, ADB over wifi access, Kitkat style silent mode by default, Full 3-Minit battery support and many more.

Download: Pure Nexus Project (Layers)

CandySix (Unofficial)

CandySix custom ROMs are usually based on CyanogenMod, but the one we have here is unofficial and not done by the usual CandySix team. With that being said, it’s still had a few talented developers creating this unofficial build.

Features: Layers, LCD density options, Battery bar, Status bar customization, Multi-window, Force expand notifications, Quick setting pull down options, Quick setting customization, Slim-Dim, DarkUI switch, Time context headers in the panel, Force expand notifications and more.

Download: CandySix (Unofficial)

Turbo ROM

Anyone wanting a custom ROM that is based on the current and latest Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow software update should try installing the Turbo ROM. As the Turbo in the name suggests, you can expect the ROM to be lightening fast — we knew that about the stock version of the more current Android updates anyhow in comparison to what devices like the Google Nexus 4 smartphone arrived with out of the box. While it is true you can expect the Turbo custom ROM to be fast; it is a ROM that is also based on the AOSP builds, and it comes jam-packed with many features. In fact, the developers goal according to him was to create one of the most customizable custom ROMs out that available for the Google Nexus 4 smartphone. Here is a list of some of the features you can expect to find in the Turbo custom ROM for the Google Nexus 4 smartphone:

Features: Turbo tweaks to the battery bar, LCD density changer, Expanded desktop, Double tap to sleep on the lock screen, Double tap to sleep on the status bar, Bottom left and right lock screen shortcut changer, Lock screen weather and Lock screen torch toggle. Additionally, there is a Memory bar in Recents, Recents clear all button toggle, placement adjustments, SlimRecents, Slim’s navigation bar customization, Show weather in QS header, Quick pulldown in QS, Advanced location tile toggle, Status bar battery configuration, Blacklist status bar icons, List view animation customization and Advanced reboot. In terms of outside the Turbo tweaks, you get a heck of a lot more, including Settings dashboard organization, Settings dashboard column configuration, More rotation settings, Ambient display notification inversion toggle, Battery and notification light configuration, Screenshot sound toggle, Battery saver color configuration, Heads up notifications toggle, Flashlight notification toggle, Phone number lookup, Quick reply messaging and Swipe to delete in messaging. Furthermore, you get Settings dashboard switches toggle, Proximity wake checker, Wake on plug configuration, Slim’s ambient display settings, Link and unlink ring and notification volumes, Full Slim IME customizations, Reset battery stats, Force expanded notifications toggle and Disable immersive messages toggle.

Download: Turbo ROM

Chroma ROM

The Chroma ROM usually doesn’t need any introduction because we know the name from so many ROMs given to other devices already. Nonetheless, for those who do not already know, the Chroma ROM is a custom ROM that is always wanting to stay close to what Android developers give you in a stock ROM. That is the case here yet again with the Chroma ROM for the Google Nexus 4 smartphone that is based on the Android Marshmallow software updates. Knowing that, it begs the question why bother installing a custom ROM in the first place? The answer to that question — at least in this case with Chroma on Nexus 4 — lies with a few essentials features that Google and Android didn’t include in the stock ROM for reasons unbeknownst to us.

Features: The status bar is customized to show Battery Style, Brightness Control, Show/hide notification count, Network traffic, Status bar weather, Clock & Date, Double-tap status bar to turn screen off, Quick pull-down on left or the right side to pull down the tiles, Pressing on clock or date on status bar opens up the Clock, Pressing on clock or date on status bar opens up the Calendar and Show/hide brightness slider. With regards to the navigation bar, we have tweaks to the Navigation bar height, Double tap navigation bar to sleep, Kill app back button and a Clear all recents button. Moreover, there are some lock screen customizations with new lock screen wallpapers, Advanced Reboot, and Power menu customization options. You will also find some rocker volume customizations and a few more tweaks.

Download: Chroma ROM

Fake Nexus ROM

Yes, there is a custom ROM out there with the name “fake Nexus” that is made for the Nexus 4 smartphone. While the name of the ROM probably will not entice many to begin flashing, it’s important to note that it does bear some relevance to the real Nexus stock ROM. These two ROMs — the fake and real ROMs — are both very similar. The fake version is tied in very closely to the original stock ROM for the Google Nexus 4, but it offers owners some minor tweaks. The main difference between the fake version and the real version is that the fake version has the SEAndroid enabled. Moreover, you also get 3G data automatically disabled from the settings, but you can enable it whenever you want. The idea there was to help save you data.

Download: Nexus 4 fake ROM

crDroid

The crDroid custom ROM that is made for the Google Nexus 4 smartphone offers users greater performance and reliability over the official stock ROM for the Nexus 4 smartphone. The crDroid team is one of the most famous in the world, and they know how to create a quality ROM for your smartphone or tablet. You can install crDroid on your device that you use for work and expect to have few problems.

Features: an advanced reboot menu, privacy guard, CyanogenMod profiles, status bar brightness control, quick delete screenshots, based on the CyanogenMod ROM, SlimDim, Power menu in saving targets, Force expanded notifications on expanded status bar, Four tiles per row, Disable quick settings on secure lock screen, Ambient display with a bunch of options, Network traffic meter, Battery saver enhancements, Date and time customizations, crDroid logo in status bar and Omniswitch. Additionally, you get Navbar dimensions, Superuser indicator, Power menu and notifications tiles, Vibrate on tiles touch, Kill app back button configurable timeout, SELinux switch, RAM bar in recent panel, Nonintrusive incoming call, Custom header image, QS transparency and Toast animations.

Download: crDroid ROM

MIUI 7 ROM

The MIUI 7 custom ROM is available for the Google Nexus 4 smartphone and it is based on Android 4.4 KitKat software updates. Like you know, Xiaomi were a brand out of China, who were once only known as the guys who liked to rip off Apple designs. However, they have grown into something much more than that. With some clever design work and always appealing logos, the Xiaomi team are having some much-deserved success out west now too. There are many people choosing to install this MIUi 7 custom ROM on the Google Nexus 4 smartphone, so it is hard not to give it a mention. Just be careful with the build because we have reason to believe that this is ported and not an official ROM.

Features: Android 4.4 KitKat, MIUI 7, weekly updates and more.

Download: MII 7 ROM

Minimal OS

The Minimal OS custom ROM team have made another custom ROM, this time for the Google Nexus 4 smartphone. The Minimal OS obviously gives you as much performance as possible by subtracting anything that is not required and just giving you as clean an Android experience as one could ever ask. The Minimal OS is also based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, so it’s more than appealing from wanting to run the latest version of Android a standpoint.

Features: Memory leak and other fixes from AOS, Disabled the full-screen keyboard in landscape, Battery status style, Quick pulldown, Clear all recents, Volume rocker wake, Notification light, Doze, Long press the back button to kill the app, Date customization and Double tap the status bar to sleep. Moreover, you will also find Layers 4.0 support, Double-tap navbar to sleep, Quick Settings, Advanced reboot, Volume media control, Charging battery light, Double tap to open the camera and an option to disable search bar in recents.

Download: Minimal OS ROM

C-ROM

The C-ROM for the Google Nexus 4 is an original ROM that even those who follow custom ROMs closely in general terms might not know anything about yet. With regards to the Nexus 4, the C-ROM is one of the most popular ROMs out there that people are installing, and it has to be on any list of best custom ROMs that are available for the Google Nexus 4 smartphone.

Features: Peek, on the go mode, floating windows, Anim control, side app bar, Pie, active display, loads more.

Download: C-ROM 

Euphoria OS

Anyone into custom ROMs running on the Android operating system, in general, will need to introduction to the Euphoria OS custom ROM. Widely regarded as one of the best custom ROMS anyone can install for any device in the world, the Euphoria OS ROM makes another return, this time for the Google Nexus 4 smartphone. With nearly half a million active users, the Euphoria OS is one of the ROMs everyone should at least consider as it has one of the largest user bases for any ROM on the Nexus 4 device.

Features: based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, double tap to wake, battery backup, ranking above CyanogenMod 12.1 according to sources, an excellent custom kernel, CameraNext, much more.

Download: Euphoria OS