MultiROM: The Multiboot Modification for Android Devices

Overview

MultiROM is a low-level software modification for Android devices which enables multiboot, a widespread feature on desktop computers. However, on mobile devices, the user is usually presented with a single, pre-installed operating system and installing another means losing the previous one. While this might not sound like a problem for an average user, multiboot is a very useful feature for every Android developer or enthusiast -- of which there are many. For example, MultiROM can be used to keep a stable, working system on their phone while developing another one, and there are many other scenarios where MultiROM saves significant amounts of time. All in all, this software modification is simply a useful thing to have on many occasions while developing for or otherwise dealing with Android phones on a more advanced level. Main part of the modification is a boot manager, which shows up on every boot and lets the user choose which system to start. The secondary systems are installed and managed via easy-to-use graphical interface and everything is tied together by an Android application which can automatically install and update all other parts of MultiROM. MultiROM is open-source software, everybody can use it for free, and to December 2014, it has nearly 31 000 active installations. The users can also find many articles, tutorials and videos on the internet made by third-parties to help them with the installation and usage of MultiROM. The need for and appreciation of this modification was also confirmed by a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Competition history

• ISEF 2015 Category not listed · Entry SOFT005I

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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