The Google Nexus 6, codenamed “shamu,” was launched in October 2014. It initially came with Android 5.0 Lollipop and later received an upgrade to Android 7.1.1 Nougat. One of the biggest advantages of Android is its open-source nature, which allows communities to develop and customize ROMs for their devices. If you own a Nexus 6 and want to explore the world of custom ROMs, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will list the best custom ROMs available for the Nexus 6, along with their features and download links.
Stock ROM vs. Custom ROM
Before we dive into the world of custom ROMs, let’s first understand the difference between a stock ROM and a custom ROM.
Stock ROM:
When you purchase a brand new Android device, it comes with a preinstalled operating system known as the stock ROM or stock firmware. The stock ROM is developed by the phone’s manufacturer and has limited functionalities. If you want additional features or a different user experience, you’ll need to switch to a custom ROM.
Custom ROM:
A custom ROM is a modified version of the Android operating system developed by the Android community. It is built from the source code provided by Google and offers a wide range of customization options and features. Custom ROMs often come with performance optimizations, unique design elements, and additional functionalities not found in stock ROMs.
Now that we understand the basics, let’s explore the best custom ROMs available for the Nexus 6.
List of Best Custom ROMs for Nexus 6
Here is a comprehensive list of the best custom ROMs for the Nexus 6. Each ROM offers a unique set of features and customization options. To install any of these custom ROMs, you’ll need to have TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) installed on your device. If you haven’t installed TWRP yet, you can follow our guide on how to install TWRP Recovery on Nexus 6.
Android 13:
Android 13 is the latest version of the Android operating system, offering a range of new features and improvements over its predecessor, Android 12. It introduces a refreshed UI design known as “Material You,” which enhances the user experience with its minimalistic look, rounded corners, and improved pop-ups. Android 13 also brings optimized one-handed UI mode, enhanced privacy and security features, improved app notifications, updated now playing widget, and much more.
To download Android 13 ROM for your Nexus 6, click here.
Android 12:
Android 12 focuses on improved personalization and a revamped user interface, bringing dynamic expression and a fresh design element to the Android experience. It builds upon the privacy and security features introduced in Android 11 and offers a range of visual treatments. Android 12 includes features like improved scrolling screenshots, per-app language preferences, BT LE Audio support, auto theme icons, intuitive QR scanner support, enhanced silent mode, tap-to-transfer media controls, and more.
To download Android 12 ROM for your Nexus 6, click here.
Lineage OS:
Lineage OS is a popular custom ROM that traces its roots back to the famous CyanogenMod. When CyanogenMod ceased development, Lineage OS emerged as its successor. Lineage OS offers a clean and stable user experience along with a plethora of customization options. It is known for its regular updates, extensive device support, and a wide range of features. Lineage OS is available in multiple versions for the Nexus 6, including Lineage OS 17.1, Lineage OS 18.1, Lineage OS 19.1, and Lineage OS 20.
To download Lineage OS for your Nexus 6, click here.
AOSPExtended ROM:
AOSPExtended ROM is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) source code and offers a smooth and lag-free user experience. It includes various cherry-picked commits from multiple projects, ensuring a stable and feature-rich ROM. AOSPExtended ROM provides extensive customization options, such as status bar and lockscreen customization, theming, DU’s navbar/Flingbar, AOSPA Pie, and much more.
To download AOSPExtended ROM for your Nexus 6, click here.
ArrowOS:
ArrowOS is an AOSP-inspired open-source project that aims to keep things simple, clean, and neat. It offers a smooth performance and better battery life, along with essential customization options. ArrowOS brings a system-wide rounded UI, spectrum support, battery tweak features, status bar tweaks, OmniSwitch, slim recent option for quick multitasking, and more.
To download ArrowOS for your Nexus 6, click here.
DotOS:
DotOS, short for Droid On Time Operating System, is a custom ROM developed by a community and team members. It brings various tweaks and features, along with some additions from other custom ROMs. DotOS is known for its stability, performance, and a smooth user experience. It offers features like theme support, customization of the status bar, a Mi Launcher without an app drawer, and more.
To download DotOS for your Nexus 6, click here.
AOSiP OS:
AOSiP OS, which stands for Android Open Source illusion Project, is a custom ROM based on the AOSP source code. It aims to provide a stable and feature-rich Android experience. AOSiP OS offers a clean and minimalistic UI, along with a range of customization options. It brings the latest features of Android to your Nexus 6, ensuring you have an up-to-date and optimized ROM.
To download AOSiP OS for your Nexus 6, click here.
Pixel Experience:
Pixel Experience is a custom ROM that brings the real Google Pixel experience to your Nexus 6. It includes all the features and applications found on Google Pixel smartphones. With Pixel Experience, you can enjoy the stock Pixel user interface, exclusive Pixel wallpapers, camera app, and more. It provides a clean and smooth user experience, just like using a Google Pixel device.
To download Pixel Experience ROM for your Nexus 6, click here.
Havoc OS:
Havoc OS is a custom ROM that aims to provide a smooth and feature-rich user experience. It is based on Lineage OS and offers a range of customization options. Havoc OS brings a system-wide rounded UI, Spectrum support, battery tweak features, status bar tweaks, OmniSwitch, slim recent option for quick multitasking, and more. It focuses on performance, stability, and battery optimization.
To download Havoc OS for your Nexus 6, click here.
CrDroid ROM:
CrDroid ROM is designed to provide a performance boost and reliability over stock Android. It is based on Lineage OS and comes with various customization options. CrDroid ROM offers a stable and responsive user experience, along with additional features not found in stock ROMs. It aims to provide a fully-featured ROM with the best performance and customization options.
To download CrDroid ROM for your Nexus 6, click here.
Resurrection Remix:
Resurrection Remix is a popular custom ROM that combines stability with features from various open-source ROMs. It offers a full-featured and stable user experience, along with the best features of other ROMs. Resurrection Remix provides extensive customization options, allowing you to personalize your Nexus 6 according to your preferences.
To download Resurrection Remix for your Nexus 6, click here.
MIUI:
MIUI is a custom ROM developed by Xiaomi, which is known for its intuitive user interface and feature-rich experience. MIUI 13, the latest version, offers a range of features and customization options. It includes theme support, customization of the status bar, Mi Launcher without an app drawer, and much more. MIUI provides a unique user experience, bringing a touch of Xiaomi’s design language to your Nexus 6.
To download MIUI ROM for your Nexus 6, click here.
BlissROMs:
BlissROMs is a custom ROM that offers a wide selection of customization options from the Android community. It includes unique features along with the best features from other custom ROMs. BlissROMs is based on Android 10 (Android Q) and provides a stable and feature-rich user experience. It focuses on performance, customization, and the latest features.
To download BlissROMs for your Nexus 6, click here.
AICP OS:
AICP OS, which stands for Android Ice Cold Project, is a custom ROM that aims to provide a stable and feature-rich Android experience. It is based on Lineage OS and brings together the best features from other ROMs. AICP OS focuses on stability, performance, and customization. It offers a range of features and optimizations that enhance the user experience on your Nexus 6.
To download AICP OS for your Nexus 6, click here.
Nitrogen OS:
Nitrogen OS is a custom ROM that aims to provide a stock Android experience with the latest features. It offers a smooth and lag-free user experience, similar to Google Pixel smartphones. Nitrogen OS includes features like theme support, status bar customization, and various other tweaks. It provides regular updates and bug fixes, ensuring a stable and optimized ROM for your Nexus 6.
To download Nitrogen OS for your Nexus 6, click here.
Carbon ROM:
Carbon ROM is an open-source project that develops customized ROMs known for their fast and fluid performance. It offers a bloat-free user experience with a focus on stability and customization. Carbon ROM strives to provide the best ROM possible while giving back to the Android community. It offers a range of features and optimizations that enhance the user experience on your Nexus 6.
To download Carbon ROM for your Nexus 6, click here.
Conclusion
Choosing the right custom ROM for your Nexus 6 can enhance your device’s performance, provide a unique user experience, and unlock additional features and customization options. In this comprehensive guide, we have listed the best custom ROMs available for the Nexus 6, along with their features and download links. Whether you prefer the latest Android version, a stock-like experience, or a highly customizable ROM, there is something for everyone. Make sure to follow the installation instructions provided by the developers and enjoy exploring the world of custom ROMs on your Nexus 6.
