The Cyanogenmod team stopped updating their CM7 nightlies to make way for the development of CM9. Just when we thought they’ve forgotten about CM7, they now bring Cyanogenmod 7.2 RC1 to a total of 71 Android devices. CM 7.2 RC1 is their latest custom ROM based on Gingerbread and implements several improvements and bug fixes. It’s a good fix for Cyanogenmod fans whose devices aren’t supported by the ICS-based CM9. The most reliable way to flash it would be through Clockworkmod Recovery.
CM 7.2 RC1 is still a “release candidate” which is why you can’t expect it to be perfect – just near-perfection. Even though it’s based on Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread, it brings several UI changes that implement ICS transitions. Some Android 4.0 features have been backported to this update as well in addition to the typical “bug fixes and improvements” included in any update.
Do note that you can flash Cyanogenmod 7.2 using ROM Manager. Flashing CM 7.2 using this free app is the easiest method but I don’t recommend it. The surest way to get CM 7.2 or any custom ROM on your phone would be to install it using Clockworkmod Recovery.
Prerequisites
• A rooted compatible device. There are a total of 71 devices from HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Geeksphone, Huawei, ZTE, and Google Nexus that are compatible to CM 7.2.
• The latest Clockworkmod Recovery compatible with your device. Install it using ODIN.
• Backup your current ROM by going to Clockworkmod Recovery and selecting Backup and restore > backup. Wait for a confirmation that backup is completed. Reboot your phone and check your files to see if there really is a backup – a safety precaution you must take. An alternative would be to backup your ROM using CWM and ROM Manager. Just select the “Backup” option after launching either of these apps.
• Backup your apps + data by using Titanium Backup
CM 7.2 installation guide using Clockworkmod Recovery
1. Download the latest CM 7.2 release from Cyanogenmod. Remember to choose the version tailor-made for your phone. Devices were assigned nicknames to avoid confusion. This blog post by Cyanogenmod details the devices represented by each name.
2. Transfer the downloaded .zip file to your SD card.
3. Turn off your phone.
4. Go to recovery mode. How you do it varies across phone models.
5. Select wipe data/factory reset
6. Select wipe cache partition
7. Select advanced > Dalvik cache then Wipe battery stats
8. Select +++++Go Back+++++
9. Go to mounts and storage > format /system
10. Choose install zip from sd card > choose zip from sd card and choose the downloaded .zip file.
11. Wait for the installation to finish and select reboot system now. Your phone is now running the latest Cyanogenmod 7 release. Enjoy!
