Alternatives to Project Elixir
An AOSP-based custom Android ROM with a clean, Pixel-inspired design, now based on Android 16. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Project Elixir
An AOSP-based custom Android ROM with a clean, Pixel-inspired design, now based on Android 16.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Project Elixir.
PixelOS
AOSP-based ROM delivering a clean Pixel experience with monthly patches.
PixelOS is an open-source, AOSP-based ROM with a clean Pixel experience and monthly security patches. It deliberately has fewer custom features and includes Google apps.
Evolution X
Pixel-style Android ROM with extra customisation for other devices.
Evolution X is an open-source Pixel-style ROM that adds more theming and tweaks than Project Elixir, with device support depending on individual maintainers.
LineageOS
A community Android distribution for a wide range of phones and tablets, shipped without Google apps.
LineageOS is an open-source community distribution covering 739 official devices with monthly security updates. It ships without Google apps, which must be sideloaded before first boot.
crDroid
LineageOS-based ROM with extensive built-in customisation.
crDroid is an open-source, LineageOS-based ROM with extensive built-in customisation and wide device support, though the extra features increase the surface for bugs.
Paranoid Android
Custom Android ROM focused on a smooth, polished user experience.
Paranoid Android is a closed-source ROM focused on smooth performance and polish, with features such as hover notifications and Pocket Mode, on a limited set of supported devices.
OmniROM
A long-running community custom Android ROM built on AOSP with added features.
OmniROM is a long-running, open-source community ROM built on AOSP with a few extra features on top, available only for its supported devices.
GrapheneOS
A privacy- and security-hardened Android operating system for supported Google Pixel phones.
GrapheneOS moves the focus from design to privacy and security hardening, with sandboxed Google Play and a web installer, but it officially supports only Google Pixel devices.
/e/OS
De-Googled Android built for people who do not want to flash it themselves.
/e/OS is an open-source de-Googled Android with a guided installer or preinstalled phones, using microG instead of Google Play Services, so some apps may misbehave.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Android Open Source Project
Google's open source Android code base, which you can download, build and flash yourself.
microG
A free software reimplementation of Google Play Services for Android ROMs without Google apps.
Vector
Zygisk-based framework that runs Xposed-style modules on modern Android.
Shamiko
A module for rooted Android devices that hides root access from apps that check for it.
Seedvault
An open-source encrypted backup application for Android, built into custom ROMs based on AOSP.
