Essential Phone: Download/Install Android 11 AOSP ROM

Essential Phone is a discontinued 2017’s flagship smartphone by Andy Rubin. The Essential PH-1 last literally stunned everyone by releasing major Android OS update and security patch updates on the very first day with Google Pixel devices for the last two years or so. The software update support was one of the top-notch in terms of the Essential PH-1 users. However, the brand didn’t run well in the market and closed by the end of last year. However, due to the better device software and flagship hardware, some of the Essential Phone users are still using it without any issues. But due to the Pure Android UI or the lack of software update support, users are looking for ROM alternatives. Here we’ve shared Essential Phone: Download/Install Android 11 AOSP ROM that you can follow to flash it.

It’s known to most of us that Google has finally launched the latest generation of Android OS called Android 11 (R) officially. The stable version is only running on the list of eligible Pixel devices right now. While some of the enlisted other Android device models are running on the Android 11 Developer Preview build and more devices are started getting the beta update.

It’s also worth mentioning that all the Project Treble supported Android devices (Android 8.0 Oreo or higher) can easily run Android 11 GSI build by manually flashing it. While talking about the AOSP Custom ROM, more & more Android devices are getting the third-party firmware support incrementally.

What is AOSP ROM?

AOSP is also known as the Android Open Source Project. Recently, Google has uploaded the newly launched Android 11 source code to AOSP so that all the custom firmware developers can start developing and providing Android 11 based custom ROM for the compatible Android devices.

A big thanks to XDA Senior Member 63c for providing the AOSP ROM for the Essential Phone (Codename: mata). We’ll gonna share with you the StatiXOS custom firmware flashing for the Essential PH-1. According to the developers or contributors of StatiXOS, it’s a custom ROM based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) aiming to be minimal while providing quality of life improvements and up to date security patches.

Android 11 Features

Now, before heading over to the firmware details and flashing steps, let’s take a quick look at the Android 11 features below.

• Scheduled Dark Mode
• Smart Reply & Smart Folders
• Improved App Suggestions
• Conversations Notification
• Built-in Screen Recording
• Pin Apps to Sharing Menu
• Improved Voice Access (Accessibility)
• Bluetooth Active in Airplane Mode
• Improved Privacy & Security Features
• A New Power Menu
• Redesigned Device Controls
• Redesigned Music Control
• One-Time App Permissions
• Permissions Auto-Reset
• Chat Bubbles
• Notification History
• Wireless Android Auto
• Google Play System Update (Security Patch)
• Talkback braille keyboard
• Improved Lookout Mode
• Improved Camera features (Bokeh Mode, Built-in HAL, and Camera2 API support)
• Enhanced Digital Wellbeing
• Improved Enterprise Mode
• Improved Autofill Keyboard Suggestions
• Nearby Share
• Scoped Storage
• Resume on Reboot
• Blocked Permissions
• Soft Reboot
• Background Location
• Improved Call Screening (Identify Spams)
• Picture-in-picture mode
• 5G detection API
• Hinge angle sensor support
• Ethernet tethering
• Gesture sensitivity

What’s Not Working?

• RIL crashed for one of our testers
• In Call Audio
• Essential Camera app fails to save photos
• Bluetooth is unreliable

Essential Phone: Download/Install Android 11 AOSP ROM

The installation is pretty simple and easy. If you have installed any custom ROM before then you will have no issue flashing the ROM as the process is exactly the same. But before proceeding to the installation let me clear that this build is in the very early stage which means there will be bugs and many functions may not work properly. So, we do recommend not to flash the ROM on your primary device.

Pre-Requirements

• Enable USB Debugging on your Essential Phone. Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
• Also, enable the OEM Unlock from the Developer Options.

• Make sure the bootloader on your device is unlocked and your device is rooted and you have a custom recovery installed.
• Make sure your device has more than 50% battery.
• Make sure you have taken a backup of your important data. Now proceed to install StatiXOS – AOSP ROM (Android 11) on your Essential Phone device.
• Make sure that you have installed TWRP recovery on your Android device.
• GApps package is already included in this ROM. No need to install Gapps.

Disclaimer

RootMyGalaxy.net is not responsible for any damage happened to your device(s) while following this guide, proceed at your own risk.

Download Link:

• Official TWRP Installer for Essential Phone (mata)
• StatiXOS – AOSP 11.0 ROM (Essential Phone)
• Download latest Magisk (If you want root access)

Flashing Steps: StatiXOS

• Make sure your device is rooted and have the latest TWRP recovery installed. (Check the Pre-Requirement Section Above)
• First, download the files from the above link and extract them
• Now transfer the downloaded files to the internal storage of your device.
• Now reboot to the TWRP recovery
• Take a Nandroid backup by selecting the option from the home screen and then your data and cache from the recovery menu.
  • Guide: How To Create & Restore Nandroid Backup
• Now return to the main menu of TWRP and wipe cache, data, and system before flashing the ROM

• In order to Wipe data: Go to Wipe —> Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik/ART cache, cache, System, Vendor, and Data and then swipe to wipe. (Don’t select the internal storage)

• Now return to the main menu of TWRP again and install the ROM which is just a .zip file
  • Go to Install -> Install Zip > ROM File (.zip)

• Last but not least, flash Magisk (optional) if you want to root (not recommended as all devices have different methods)
  • Guide: How To Install Magisk On Android Android 11 To Gain Root

Once the flashing process is completed, reboot your Essential Phone and you will be booted into AOSP ROM Based on Android 11. If you have any doubts regarding this process, feel free to comment below.

Source: XDA Developers