You probably already know about the advantages of installing a custom ROM on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 smartphone to remove the bloatware. But did you know about there are still countless other reasons to install a custom ROM on the device, including extending the life of your Samsung Galaxy Note 2? By installing a custom ROM, you are opening the doors to running unofficial software updates that are based on much newer firmware than your phone carrier networks release. They always support a device for a couple of years and then stop. Luckily for you, there are third-party developers out there willing to take on the challenge of giving you the same goodness that newer devices are getting with more recent software updates. That gives you the chance to try those features without having to buy a new device.
Files You Need
- You will need to root the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 smartphone before you install any of the custom ROMs from this list.
- You will need to install a custom recovery on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to install the custom ROM zip files from this list.
See also: Free Samsung Firmware Update Tools
CyanogenMod 13:
Get the best of the latest Android OS today by installing CM 13 custom ROM on your Note 2. The CyanogenMod 13 custom ROM is based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with stock user interface and features. CyanogenMod 13 custom ROM is fully customized and fast with lots of performance tweaks to give you the best performance ever on your Galaxy Note 2.
Features: Android 6.0 Marshmallow based, disable doze mode, slim recent apps window, signal cluster updates, restart the system UI for developer settings, call recording format, app side bar, app circle bar, over scroll effects, ambient display, force expanded notifications, torch to power menu.
Resurrection Remix 5.6.5:
Resurrection Remix custom ROMs are based on CyanogenMod builds, but RR custom ROMs are even smoother and faster than CM custom ROMs. Resurrection Remix custom ROM is specially made to deliver the best performance out of your smart phone’s hardware. There are about 100+ custom features made by the RR team to increase the productivity of the custom ROM.
Features: CyanogenMod 13 based, status bar customization, brightness slider, enable disable notification count, clock alignment, time and date, clock color, battery performance tweaked, smart pull down the switch, thee chooser, RR exclusive pitch black theme included, toast animations, list view animations, system animations.
Download Resurrection Remix 5.6.5 ROM
OmniROM 6.0.1:
Omni ROM always makes custom ROM for limited smart phones and you are lucky that the latest build of OmniROM is available for your Galaxy Note 2. OmniROM 6.0.1 is based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and is super smooth custom ROM with a dark mode in display settings, which makes the phone to consume least battery for optimal usage.
Features: Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow based, floating windows, dark mode, status bar items, CAF task manager, heads up notifications, breathing notifications, call recording enabled, app side bar, snooze option to heads up, notification ticker, mount unmount storage in status bar, notification bar customization.
Bliss 6.0 ROM:
Bliss custom ROMs are also based on CyanogenMod custom ROM builds and there will be no question about performance, but this performance is not only by the custom ROM only. Bliss custom ROMs are always pre loaded with a custom kernel to make it much faster, smoother and stable custom ROM.
Features: Android 6.0Marshmallow based, status bar customization, navigation bar tweaks, modded Google Now launcher (fastest ever), CM theme engine, enable disable navigation bar, nav bar dimensions, brightness slider, day and date toggle, status bar clock alignment (left, right and center).
Ditto Note 4 ROM:
If you ever wanted the features of Galaxy Note 4 on your Galaxy Note 2 then you can have it now by installing Ditto Note 4 custom ROM on your phone. You can have all the desirable features of Galaxy Note 4 on your Galaxy Note 2.
Features: Android 4.4 KitKat based, Note 4 Air command, Note 4 smart select, Note 4 S finder, Note 4 image clip, Note 4 side key panel, Note 4 tool box, Note 4 direct pen input, Note 4 resize a window from the corners, Note 4 power saving mode, Note 4 launcher and widgets, Note 4 settings and UI, Note 4 contact app, Note 4 photos app, open same app in two floating windows.
MiUI V6 ROM:
If you are a simple person who don’t want such complicated features as S-Note, S Finder, S-Pen air command and S Planner, then you should go for a simple yet fast custom ROM “MiUI V6”. MiUI v6 custom ROM had iOS like user interface with a theme store for personalizing your phone.
Features: Android 4.4 KitKat based, removed lots of Chinese apps, removed Chinese language from everywhere, Nian settings, rooted with SuperSU, theme chooser with thousands of themes available, RAM booster in recent apps panel.
Dr. Ketan Custom ROM V14:
If you want even more of the latest UI and features on your Galaxy Note 2, then the Dr. Ketan custom ROM will do it for you. This custom ROM is a mixture of two most advanced smart phones: Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S5. With Galaxy S5 features, your phone will become incredibly beautiful and with Galaxy Note 3 features your phone will become the most productive phone it’s ever been to date.
Features: Android 4.4 KitKat based, Air wake up, air message, toolbox (can be added 10 apps), lock screen effect, phone app with pop up notifications, Galaxy S5 launcher, kids mode, one hand operation in settings.
Download Dr. Ketan Custom ROM V14
Phantom ROM 4.4.2:
Phantom ROM is based on Android 4.4 KitKat with lots of customization available in the settings. The Phantom ROM has a TouchWiz UI, so you will feel like you are more familiar with it after installing this custom ROM. The Phantom ROM also contains Note 3, Note 4 and Galaxy S5 features packed inside.
Features: Android 4.4.2 KitKat based, super fast, supreme performance, long battery life, S5 system UI and toggles, enable ultra power saving mode, smart stay and rotation, air command enable / disable in settings, smart pause, smart scroll, Note 3 apps and features, writing buddy, ripple light, water-color, and more lock screen effects.