List of Best Custom ROM for OnePlus Pad 3 / OnePlus Pad 2 Pro [Updated]

Introduction to Custom ROMs for the OnePlus Pad Ecosystem

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Android tablets, the OnePlus Pad 3 and its predecessor, the OnePlus Pad 2 Pro (often identified by the codename “Aries” or similar flagship SoC variants), stand out as premium hardware platforms powered by the robust Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 architecture. While OxygenOS offers a fluid and feature-rich user experience, many power users seek to unlock the full potential of their hardware by venturing into the world of custom ROMs. We understand that the stock firmware, while stable, may not always satisfy the desire for the absolute latest Android versions, granular control over system processes, or a de-bloated, privacy-centric environment.

Our comprehensive guide is dedicated to the enthusiasts who wish to transcend the limitations of stock software. We have curated a definitive list of the best custom ROMs available for the OnePlus Pad 3 and OnePlus Pad 2 Pro. By leveraging the modular nature of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), these ROMs offer distinct advantages, ranging from enhanced battery life and performance tuning to bleeding-edge Android updates. As we delve into each option, we will highlight the unique features, stability levels, and specific requirements to help you make an informed decision for your device. We strongly recommend that all users possess an unlocked bootloader and have TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) or a similar custom recovery installed before proceeding with any of the installations detailed below.

Prerequisites and Critical Pre-Installation Steps

Before initiating the flash process for any custom ROM on your OnePlus Pad 3 or Pad 2 Pro, we must emphasize the importance of a secure environment. The process of modifying system partitions carries inherent risks, including the potential for hard bricking the device or causing data loss. We advise all users to strictly follow these prerequisites to ensure a smooth transition to a custom firmware.

Backup Your Data: We cannot stress this enough. Use TWRP to create a complete Nandroid Backup of your current ROM, including the Boot, System, Data, and Vendor partitions. This acts as a safety net, allowing you to restore your device to its previous state if the new ROM fails to boot.
Charge Your Device: Ensure your tablet has at least 60% battery charge to prevent shutdowns during the flashing process, which can lead to corrupted partitions.
ADB and Fastboot Tools: Ensure you have the latest Android SDK Platform-Tools installed on your PC. You will need these to unlock the bootloader and transfer files.
Latest Firmware: Most custom ROMs require the device to be on a specific base firmware version (usually the latest official OxygenOS build). Flashing the correct firmware before the ROM is often mandatory to avoid sensor and camera malfunctions.
USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking: Enable these options in the Developer Options menu on your device. This is the gateway to unlocking the bootloader.

Top Custom ROMs for OnePlus Pad 3 and OnePlus Pad 2 Pro

We have categorized the following list based on user preference, stability, and feature sets. Whether you prioritize a Pixel-like experience, a heavy gaming optimization, or a stock Android feel, there is an option here for you.

#1. DerpFest ROM: The Ultimate Balance of Customization and Stability

DerpFest has established itself as a formidable contender in the AOSP-based custom ROM scene. For the OnePlus Pad 3 and Pad 2 Pro, this ROM offers a meticulously crafted experience that blends the fluidity of stock Android with a powerful suite of customization tools. We find that DerpFest is particularly well-suited for users who want to personalize every aspect of their tablet’s UI without sacrificing system stability.

Key Features of DerpFest

Theming Engine: Integrated Substratum and Omnigfx support allow for deep system-wide theming.
Performance Tuning: The ROM includes a custom kernel with optimized CPU and GPU governors, specifically tuned for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, ensuring high frame rates in gaming while maintaining efficiency during media consumption.
Battery Optimization: We utilize Smart Pump and other battery-saving mechanisms to extend standby time significantly.
Navigation Gestures: Advanced gesture controls, including hamburger menu gestures and status bar swipe gestures, are natively supported.

DerpFest updates are pushed frequently, ensuring you stay close to the latest security patches and Android version updates.

#2. Evolution X: Feature-Rich and Pixel-Centric

Evolution X is a household name in the custom ROM community, renowned for its stability and the sheer volume of features it brings to the table. For the OnePlus Pad ecosystem, Evolution X provides a user experience that feels familiar to Pixel users but supercharged with “Evolution” specific additions. We recommend this ROM for users who want a “daily driver” experience that is rock-solid and feature-complete.

Pixel Features: It comes pre-packed with Google Pixel features such as Live Wallpapers, Pixel Launcher, and Pixel Stand support.
Status Bar Tweaks: Extensive customizations for the status bar, including clock positioning, battery icon styles, and network traffic indicators.
Lockscreen Widgets: A rare feature in modern ROMs, Evolution X allows for widgets on the lockscreen, maximizing the utility of the large OnePlus Pad display.
Privacy Guard: Built-in privacy protection features that allow you to restrict network access and permissions for specific apps granularly.

Evolution X maintains a perfect equilibrium between “bloat-free” and “feature-rich,” making it a top-tier choice for the OnePlus Pad 3.

#3. LineageOS: The Gold Standard of Stock Android

LineageOS is the direct successor to the legendary CyanogenMod. It is strictly AOSP-based, meaning it offers a pure Android experience without the fluff. While it lacks the heavy customization found in ROMs like DerpFest or Evolution X, it excels in reliability, speed, and longevity. For the OnePlus Pad 2 Pro and Pad 3, LineageOS is an excellent choice for users who want to extend the life of their device beyond OnePlus’s official support window.

The LineageOS Advantage

Minimalist Approach: The ROM is stripped of unnecessary apps and features, resulting in a very small footprint and blazing-fast performance.
Long-Term Support: LineageOS is famous for providing updates long after the manufacturer has stopped support, ensuring your device remains secure.
Community Driven: As the largest custom ROM project, it has a massive developer base, meaning bugs are identified and fixed quickly.
Native Root Support: While it doesn’t come rooted, it supports Lineage’s AddonSU for those who need root access in a controlled manner.

#4. crDroid Android: Reliability Meets Customization

crDroid is another AOSP-based ROM that focuses on providing a stable platform while incorporating features from LineageOS, SlimRoms, and its own custom tweaks. It is an ideal choice for the OnePlus Pad 3 if you want a balance similar to Evolution X but with a different flavor of customization.

Highlights of crDroid

crDroid Launcher: A lightweight, customizable launcher that is highly responsive.
Smart Charging: The ROM includes smart charging limits to preserve battery health by stopping charging at a user-defined percentage.
System Animations: Fine-tuned animation scales allow users to speed up or slow down transitions to their liking.
Privacy: It includes App Ops and permission management tools that are superior to stock Android.

crDroid is known for its “set it and forget it” reliability, making it a favorite among users who want a customized experience that doesn’t break with every update.

#5. Pixel Extended (PEX): The Pure Pixel Experience

For users who desire the absolute closest experience to a Google Pixel Tablet on their OnePlus hardware, Pixel Extended is the answer. This ROM strips away the OxygenOS identity and replaces it with Google’s clean design language and exclusive features.

Pixel Exclusive Features Included

Pixel Launcher: The stock Pixel Launcher with the At a Glance widget and the Google Discover feed integrated.
Live Wallpapers: A rich collection of Pixel-exclusive live wallpapers pre-installed.
Pixel Sounds: The latest notification sounds and ringtones from the Pixel lineup.
Smoothness: PEX prioritizes fluidity over everything else, using Google’s specific optimizations for the UI.

This ROM is perfect for those who find OxygenOS too “heavy” or distinct from the standard Android look.

#6. Project Elixir: A Modern and Fluid Experience

Project Elixir is a relatively newer entrant that has gained rapid popularity due to its focus on a clean, modern UI and smooth animations. It is based on AOSP and offers a bloat-free experience that is optimized for mid-range and flagship devices like the OnePlus Pad series.

What Sets Project Elixir Apart?

Elixir Settings: A proprietary settings menu that is visually appealing and easy to navigate.
Monet Engine: Full support for Android 12+ Monet theming, allowing dynamic color extraction from wallpapers.
Lightweight: Despite its features, it maintains a lightweight footprint, ensuring that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 runs cooler and more efficiently.

#7. ArrowOS: The Speed Demon

ArrowOS is often described as the “Pixel Experience for enthusiasts.” It focuses heavily on performance and battery life, stripping away anything that might slow down the system. For the OnePlus Pad 3, ArrowOS provides an incredibly snappy interface.

ArrowOS Philosophy

Caffeinated: The team ensures the device stays “caffeinated”—meaning it wakes up fast and sleeps deep.
Minimal UI: It sticks close to AOSP but adds necessary features like Gestures, System-wide theming, and Status bar tweaks without the fluff.
Developer Friendly: The code is clean, making it a great base for other developers and ensuring high stability.

Flashing Procedure Overview

While specific steps vary slightly between recoveries and ROMs, the general workflow we recommend for the OnePlus Pad 3/2 Pro is as follows:

Download Files: Download the Custom ROM zip, GApps (if not included), Magisk (for root), and the correct Firmware.
Reboot to Recovery: Power off the device and boot into TWRP/OrangeFox.
Wipe Data: Perform a Factory Reset (Format Data) and wipe Cache and Dalvik.
Flash Firmware: If required by the ROM, flash the firmware zip first.
Flash ROM: Navigate to the ROM zip and swipe to flash.
Flash GApps: If the ROM does not include GApps (like LineageOS), flash them immediately after the ROM.
Flash Magisk: (Optional) Flash the Magisk zip if you require root access. You can find additional tools for rooted devices at Magisk Module Repository.
Reboot System: The first boot may take up to 15 minutes. Be patient.

Post-Installation: Magisk and Modules

Once you have successfully flashed your chosen custom ROM, the journey to total customization often continues with root access. We at Magisk Modules believe that root access unlocks the true potential of the OnePlus Pad. By installing Magisk, you can utilize a vast ecosystem of modules to tweak audio, improve battery life, or even run full Linux distributions.

For the best modules tailored for Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 tablets, we invite you to visit our repository at Magisk Modules. Whether you need LKT for kernel tuning or Viper4Android for audio enhancement, our repository at Magisk Module Repository is the ultimate destination for rooted users.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

We anticipate that users may encounter minor hurdles during installation. Here are solutions to common problems:

Boot Loop: If the device gets stuck on the boot animation, reboot to recovery and wipe Cache and Dalvik again. If that fails, re-download the ROM zip (file corruption is common) and flash again.
Wi-Fi/BT Issues: These are usually caused by flashing the wrong firmware base. Ensure you are on the latest OxygenOS firmware before flashing the custom ROM.
SafetyNet Fail: If you are rooted with Magisk, use the Universal SafetyNet Fix module found in our repository to pass integrity checks.
Battery Drain: New ROMs often require 2-3 days of “settling” as the Android OS optimizes battery usage. If drain persists, check your Wakelocks using apps like BetterBatteryStats.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right ROM for You

Selecting the best custom ROM for your OnePlus Pad 3 or OnePlus Pad 2 Pro ultimately depends on your personal needs. If you want raw performance and minimalism, LineageOS or ArrowOS are the best picks. If you crave deep customization and a feature-rich environment, Evolution X or DerpFest will serve you well. For those seeking the quintessential Pixel experience, Pixel Extended is unmatched.

We are committed to keeping this list updated as new builds and ROMs emerge. The Android development scene is dynamic, and we strive to provide the most accurate, high-quality information to help you master your device. Remember to always verify checksums, read the specific installation threads on XDA Developers, and back up your data. With the right ROM, your OnePlus tablet can transform from a great media consumption device into a powerhouse of productivity and customization. For all your rooting and module needs, remember to check out Magisk Modules at https://magiskmodule.gitlab.io.

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