Hey guys! So, you've got an Infinix Hot 8 X650B, and you're looking to spice things up a bit? Maybe you're tired of the stock software, or you're craving some new features and performance boosts. Well, you've come to the right place! This guide is all about custom ROMs for your Infinix Hot 8 X650B. We'll dive into what custom ROMs are, why you might want one, and how to get one up and running on your device. Let's get started!

What is a Custom ROM? And Why Should You Care?

Alright, first things first: what exactly is a custom ROM? In simple terms, a custom ROM is a modified version of the Android operating system that you can install on your phone. Think of it like this: your Infinix Hot 8 comes with a pre-installed version of Android (the stock ROM) that's been tweaked by Infinix. A custom ROM, on the other hand, is built by independent developers or communities, offering a different experience. They often come with features that the stock ROM doesn't have, better performance, and sometimes even newer versions of Android than what your phone officially supports.

So, why should you care about custom ROMs? There are several compelling reasons. Firstly, you might want to improve performance. Custom ROMs are often optimized to run more smoothly than stock ROMs, especially on older devices. This can mean faster app loading times, less lag, and better overall responsiveness. Secondly, customization is a huge draw. Custom ROMs give you a lot more control over the look and feel of your phone. You can change everything from the icons and themes to the boot animation and system fonts. Thirdly, you can get the latest Android version. Many custom ROMs are based on newer versions of Android than what Infinix might be providing updates for. This means you can get access to the latest features and security patches, even if your phone is no longer officially supported. Fourthly, extended features are another benefit. Custom ROMs often include features not found in the stock ROM. This can range from advanced power management options to built-in privacy settings. And lastly, removing bloatware is a big one. Stock ROMs often come with pre-installed apps (bloatware) that you can't uninstall. Custom ROMs often let you get rid of these apps, freeing up storage space and improving performance. It's really cool, right? But before we jump in, you should know that there are some risks involved. More on that later!

Prerequisites: Things You'll Need Before You Begin

Okay, before we get your hands dirty, there are some things you'll need to prepare. First off, you'll need your Infinix Hot 8 X650B itself, of course. Make sure it's fully charged or at least has a decent amount of battery life. Next, you'll need a computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) with a stable internet connection. You will also need a USB cable to connect your phone to your computer. On your phone, you need to enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking in the developer options. To access the developer options, go to Settings > About Phone, and tap the build number repeatedly until it says you are now a developer. After doing that, go back to settings and you will see the Developer options.

Then, you'll need to download a few things. First, you'll need the Android SDK Platform-Tools. This is a package of command-line tools that you'll use to interact with your phone. You can download it from the official Android Developers website. You'll also need the correct drivers for your Infinix Hot 8. These drivers allow your computer to communicate with your phone. You can usually find them on the Infinix website or by searching online. The last one is the most important: the custom ROM you want to install. You can find custom ROMs on websites like XDA Developers, or other Android development communities. Be sure to download a ROM that is specifically designed for your Infinix Hot 8 X650B. Downloading the wrong ROM can cause serious problems. If the site has comments from users, read them for reviews and check if the ROM is stable. And you should back up your data. This is super important! Flashing a custom ROM will wipe all the data on your phone, so make sure to back up your photos, videos, contacts, and anything else you want to keep. You can use your Google account, or use a third-party app. After that, your phone is ready to go. Make sure you fully understand what you are doing before proceeding to the next step. If you're not comfortable with this process, it's best to seek help from someone who is more experienced.

Unlocking the Bootloader: The First Step

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty. Before you can install a custom ROM, you need to unlock your phone's bootloader. The bootloader is a piece of software that loads the operating system when your phone starts up. Unlocking it allows you to modify the system. This process is usually different for each phone. For the Infinix Hot 8 X650B, you might need to use a specific tool or method. A quick search on XDA Developers or other forums should give you the information needed. Be aware that unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your phone. So, if you haven't already backed up your data, now's the time! Once you've backed up your data, the process will usually involve using the Android SDK Platform-Tools. Here's a general idea of how to do it:

1. Connect your phone to your computer using the USB cable.
2. Open a command prompt or terminal on your computer and navigate to the folder where you installed the Android SDK Platform-Tools.
3. Type the following command and press Enter: adb devices. This command should list your phone. If it doesn't, make sure your phone is connected properly and that you have installed the correct drivers. Also, check that USB debugging is enabled on your phone.
4. Type the following command and press Enter: adb reboot bootloader. This will reboot your phone into the bootloader mode. You should see a screen on your phone with some options. Also, check that OEM unlocking is enabled on your phone.
5. Type the following command and press Enter: fastboot oem unlock. Follow the instructions on your phone's screen to confirm that you want to unlock the bootloader. Be careful! This process can be risky and can potentially brick your device. Make sure you understand what you are doing before proceeding. The phone will ask you to confirm if you want to unlock the bootloader.

Once the process is complete, your bootloader should be unlocked. You can then proceed to the next step: flashing a custom recovery.

Installing a Custom Recovery

Now that you've unlocked your bootloader, the next step is to install a custom recovery. A custom recovery is a special partition on your phone that allows you to perform advanced tasks such as flashing custom ROMs, creating backups, and wiping data. The most popular custom recoveries are TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) and CWM (ClockworkMod Recovery). TWRP is generally considered to be the most user-friendly. Again, you'll need to download the correct recovery image for your Infinix Hot 8 X650B. You can usually find the image on the TWRP website or other Android development forums. The process of flashing a custom recovery is similar to unlocking the bootloader:

1. Connect your phone to your computer using the USB cable.
2. Open a command prompt or terminal on your computer and navigate to the folder where you installed the Android SDK Platform-Tools.
3. Type the following command and press Enter: adb devices. Make sure your phone is connected and recognized.
4. Type the following command and press Enter: adb reboot bootloader. This will reboot your phone into the bootloader mode.
5. Type the following command and press Enter: fastboot flash recovery <recovery_image_name>.img. Replace <recovery_image_name>.img with the actual name of the recovery image file you downloaded.
6. Type the following command and press Enter: fastboot reboot. This will reboot your phone.

After your phone reboots, it should now boot into the custom recovery. You can usually access the custom recovery by pressing a specific combination of buttons during the boot process. For the Infinix Hot 8 X650B, this is usually the volume up button and the power button. If everything went well, you're ready to flash your custom ROM.

Flashing the Custom ROM

Here comes the fun part! Now it's time to flash the custom ROM you downloaded earlier. Before you begin, it's always a good idea to create a backup of your current ROM in the custom recovery. This will allow you to restore your phone to its original state if something goes wrong. To do this, go into your custom recovery, select the