What is CleanROM?

Author: 
S8Admin
Device Model: 
GPD XD Plus

This page may be very repetitive. This is because I will try and cover as much as possible without you having to visit many sites. A consolidation of all that is CleanROM. I will try not to promote CleanROM, I will only try and give you as much info on it as I can.

I am asking you for help with this page. I need for new users and CleanROM users to give me feedback on the information given here. I need to know:

  • Is the info given here clear and easy to follow? ( to include spelling/grammar )
  • Is there something missing? ( what else would you like for me to explain ? )
  • What do you like/dislike?

Please feel free to join the discussion on our Discord channel here: https://discord.gg/gBM7dW7

If you just want to get started with CleanROM you can use this guide:
GPD XD Plus - Ultimate Noob Guide

Index

 

What is: Firmware, ROMS, Stock Firmware, Custom Firmware?

Firmware is a small piece of software that makes hardware work and do what its manufacturer intended it to do. It consists of programs written by software developers to make hardware devices "tick." Without firmware, most of the electronic devices we use daily wouldn't be able to work. They would not do anything.

Android smartphones and mobile devices have conquered the world, and many users want to update the "firmware" on their devices, install custom ROMs and so on. The problem is that most people now incorrectly use the term firmware when they refer to smartphones and other mobile devices. Because of that, we want to explain the technicalities of firmware, when referring to smartphones and mobile devices, so that you get things right:

  • The term firmware, especially when speaking about devices with Android, has been incorrectly expanded in popular culture to encompass all the software on those devices. Android "firmware" now means the firmware plus the Android operating system on top of it.
  • You also encounter the term Custom ROM. ROM doesn't mean, in this case, the Read Only Memory where the firmware is stored in the smartphone's hardware. Custom ROM means a custom operating system image that also includes the firmware necessary for the smartphone to work. So you get two things in the ROM of a smartphone: the firmware, that is the same as in the definition we shared earlier and the operating system on top of the firmware.
  • When you buy a smartphone, it comes with a "stock ROM" or "stock firmware." This refers to the preinstalled firmware and operating system.The "stock ROM" is provided by the manufacturer of the smartphone (if you have bought it unlocked) or by the mobile operator where you have a subscription (if you bought a locked smartphone). The mobile operator uses the "stock ROM" that is offered by your smartphone's manufacturer and modifies it according to their interests, resulting in a new "stock ROM" that is found only on the smartphones that are sold by that mobile operator.

The same goes for smart TVs, for tablets and other mobile devices with Android.
 

The information above taken from: 
https://www.digitalcitizen.life/simple-questions-what-firmware-what-does-it-do

 

What is CleanROM? ( answered by the developer - Black-Seraph)

CleanROM for GPD XD+

A precursor project to enable GPD XD+ users to properly utilize their handhelds while I’m busy with the Lineage OS bringup of the XD+.

 

The GPD XD+ by the same-named company GPD (GamePad Digital) is an amazing low-cost Android device that should feel right at home in both entry-grade gamer’s as well as retro-enthusiast’s pockets, at least that would be the case if the stock operating system wasn’t such a mess.

CleanROM is a drop-in replacement for the stock operating system that brings a variety of bugfixes, enhancements and quality-of-life features to the table that can be installed via SPFlash (or TWRP, for existing CleanROM users that is).

Should you enjoy what has been provided here, please consider becoming a patron on our Patreon or buy us a coffee over at our Ko-fi page.

 
 
 

Why should I install CleanROM?

If you have just purchased your GPD XD Plus and you do not know enough about emulation or Android then my advice would be not to install it- at least not right away. Pick your XD Plus up and start playing it. Join the XD Plus community and start asking questions. Keep in mind that if you decide to install CleanROM later you will have to wipe all of your data and start over, so just try and keep the installs light and just try and get a feel for how the device works, the process involved for installing everything, and just ask yourself if you really need the benefits of CleanROM in general. You may find that the Stock firmware that is installed on the GPD XD Plus is enough for you. If so continue your setup and enjoy your device.

So this leaves us with the big question: "Why install CleanROM?".
From my own opinion I would have to make 2 big points without listing the huge amount of benefits:

  1. "Why not?"
    If you so desired you can get CleanROM working exactly like Stock Rom by changing settings and adding a bunch of apps. You can NOT get Stock ROM to work as well as CleanROM does no matter what you try.
  2. It's Easy to install
    It may seem intimidating and complicated, but it really isn't. Follow the directions as laid out and you should be fine. I have outilined the process on a tutorial and a video guide to make it as easy as possible. On a side note the GPD XD Plus is extremely hard to brick ( make unuseable by means of a bad software install ). This means that if you fail, you can keep trying. There are many devices that you can damage by a firmware upgrade and will cost you money and general frsutration. This is not one of those devices. The GPD XD Plus is a monster and has come back from many many software problems.

 

 

What are the benefits to installing CleanROM?

  • Easy to use CleanROM settings menu to configure your device
    CleanROM settings are included inside the system settings to give a nice organized control center to all the toggable upgrades available.
  • Support for both GPD XD+ revisions
    (if your speakers / headphones don’t work, please toggle the Headphone polarity setting in the CleanROM settings menu)
    GPD changed the headphone jack on a hardware revision and changed the polarity on accident. As a result GPD now has to release two different stock firmware versions for each release. CleanROM was created with an easy toggle to accomodate to whatever hardware version you have.
  • 2.1GHz CPU overclock & ondemand CPU governor support
    Stock firmware has set the CPU to only operate at 1.8GHz at max. CleanROM has unlocked the cpu to work at it's intended speed of 2.11GHz at max. Although this is not overclock it is working at 100% and is faster than the Stock Firmware.
  • Toggle-able CPU hotplug support (disabling hotplug fixes the infamous “screen refresh issue”)
    Stock Firmware has a bug in the code that will change the cpu that it is using at random times. This will result in the appearance of jerking on the screen or dropped frames when emulating devices. CleanROM was patched to fix this problem.
  • Google GBoard & Swype typing support
    GBoard is a powerful keyboard that has Google integrated right into it. You can text-to-speach, translate, search and much more right from inside the keyboard.
  • SafetNet / CTS fingerprint fix
    (requires Magisk to work properly, gives you access to CTS-locked apps like Netflix after clearing Google Play Store’s data)
    Many apps now have security features that will disable itself if you do not use Stock Firmware or apps. Not everyone enjoys the clutter and the clunkiness of Stock Firmware. This feature will prevent apps like Netflix from knowing you are on a Custom Firmware or if you are rooted.
  • MicroG signature spoofing support
    (interesting for all those people that want to swap the built-in Google apps for MicroG)
    If you wish to go super light you can use MicroG instead GApps. MicroG is a barebones version of GApps.
  • Improved HDMI output support
    The lid can be closed while using an external monitor. This will mean connecting your tv up to the GPD XD Plus will not leave an annoying distraction by leaving the screen on. This will also increase battery life as the screen takes a good amount of energy to power.
  • Disabled shoulder buttons when the lid is closed
    This prevents accidental wake-ups inside your pocket / backpack. Many people using Stock Rom complain that their battery is low or dead after removing the GPD XD Plus from their pocket because of the button wake feature.
  • Disabled ZRAM swap compression
    This improves perceived UX. I have no idea what this means but I think it is a good thing!
  • Fully unlocked LCD brightness levels (from 30-210 to 1-255)
    More range is always better. Maybe you are not near a charger and you want to buy yourself more time playing Mario. Turn the brightness down and mute sound!
  • Boosted built-in microphone (200% compared to stock)
    Stock Firmware had the mic very low and made it harder to record sound.
  • Fully debloated & unbranded system & userdata partition
    One of the biggest reasons I do not like Stock Firmware on any Android device is the amount of clutter that comes with all of the branded apps. I don't need them all and don't trust most of them. CleanROM gives you an optimized barebone foundation to create the best gaming setup you want.
  • Lean Launcher built-in
    As the name implies it is a light weight launcher that leaves out all the clutter.
  • Updated boot logo
    Boot logo has been customized. You also have a super easy way to change it if you like using TWRP.
  • Fully working TWRP recovery
    TWRP has way too many features and benefits to list here. The ability to allow for an easy update is probably the best feature. With a few steps you will have an updated CleanROM without losing any of your precious data.
  • Fully unlocked WLAN channel support (2.4G 1~14, 5G 34~216)
    This should allow for better stable connections.
  • A2DP Keep-Alive functionality
    This helps with troublesome Bluetooth audio devices. It should prevent the occasional drop in audio.
  • Double-tap navigation button feature
    This helps prevent accidental back & home button presses. GPD released a hardware version that occasionally registered multi presses on the back and home buttons.
  • Several bugfixes most people won’t notice
    Status bar icons are tinted the right color now, broken settings have been fixed, etc.

 

 

How do I install CleanROM?

 

 

Where can I get CleanROM?

Tags: 
gpd xd plus
cleanrom