OnePlus One receives first official Android 5.0 Lollipop alpha ROM: How to install

OnePlus has released its first official Android 5.0 Lollipop alpha custom build for the OnePlus One smartphone.

Last month, OnePlus confirmed it was working on its custom ROM [a non-CyanogenMod ROM], close to the stock version, bloat-free and highly customisable. The company has now shared a new custom ROM, which it says is a "first step in what will become their own custom ROM".

This custom build is an early version and contains no extra features beyond the stock taste of AOSP (Android Open Source Project) Lollipop. The company will release the official firmware shortly, which will be costomisable, bloat-free with stock-Android-like features by default. Check out the known issues in the early release of this new Android Lollipop ROM.

Known issues

• Data roaming is on by default. Make sure to turn if off to avoid potential charges.
• As always, flashing a custom ROM incurs the risk of bricking your phone. Make sure you know what you're doing and backup everything.
• Camera and video may be unstable. This build supports 4k video, however quality may be low as the company is still fine-tuning the camera.
• Capacitive keys do not turn off when you enable software keys.
• Clock crashes periodically.
• If using the new app pinning feature in L, make sure to turn on the software keys first. Otherwise, you will have to reboot your machine.
• On first boot, startup time will be a bit slow. Rest assured things will speed up in the future.
• Wi-Fi may be unstable.
• This build is not eligible for OTA updates.

If you wish to try out the first Android Lollipop alpha build on your OnePlus One smartphone, head over to the installation guide. Do not forget to check the key notes before installing the custom build. Also, keep in mind that while flashing custom ROMs is under warranty, the company will not take responsibility of any issues encountered during or after the installation.

Key notes

• Create a back up of all data of your OnePlus One using any recovery.
• Users are advised to install the TWRP recovery on their device. Click here to know more about installation instruction for recovery on your device.
• If you have Gapps package, you can install it after the installation of the ROM, in order to access Google services.
• The custom build does not have a built-in recovery, so if you perform a clean wipe, you might have to reflash TWRP onto your device.
• Your OnePlus One should have above 80% battery charge.
• The Android Lollipop ROM is in its alpha stage with limited testing, therefore the device might come across various bugs with the installation. Proceed with extreme caution.
• The stock Android 5.0 ROM works only with OnePlus One. Flashing this on any other device could damage it. Therefore, verify model number of your device before proceeding.
• IBTimes UK will not be held liable for any damage to the device.

How to download Android 5.0 Lollipop official ROM on OnePlus One

Step 1: Download Android 5.0 Lollipop official ROM for OnePlus One. Copy the file to the phone

Note: If you are on Mac, use Android File Transfer. If you have installed TWRP recovery, you should see a TWRP folder and place the zip file in it

Step 2: Boot the phone into TWRP recovery. For this hold Volume Down and Power buttons together

Step 3: Once in recovery mode, first perform data wiping task by navigating to Wipe then do a factory reset to clean you data, cache and Dalvik

Note: This step will wipe all data of the phone, therefore ensure that you have backed up everything properly

Step 4: Head over to Install >> then find the zip file which you have copied previously to the storage of the phone. Select it and confirm installation. This should flash the ROM on your phone

Step 5: Once the installation process is completed, clean the cache again. If you have Google Apps package, install it

Step 6: Reboot the phone. After the device boots up successfully, the device should be running the new Android Lollipop ROM

Experience the early Android Lollipop ROM on your OnePlus One.

[Source: OnePlus]