Root How To Root + Install Custom ROM + Backup + More

[jUsT2eXy]

I have seen many threads & posts from confused Hero owners. The forum is cluttered full of them. So I thought it would be good for all the information to reside in one thread and if people are still having problems then they should make a new thread. I understand that it is sometimes difficult to find the right instructions as there are conflicting posts / thread everywhere.
There are so many guides out there. Each more confusing than the last. So many unnecessary steps. This way is quick and easy.

Note: I have to the best of my knowledge checked and performed the following guides myself and confirm that they work. If my spelling or grammar is wrong, my methods are wrong, you'd like to add something or whatever please Private Message me with the URL of the post and please specify what is wrong. I will try and change / update it ASAP.

I take no responsibility for anything that may go wrong. It is your responsibility to BACKUP everything periodically. The end.

The following Guides are for GSM Hero's Only (Europe)... US / Sprint Users Please See Here

I have made the following GUIDES:-

What Is Rooting & The Benefits & The Downsides

Which Method Do I Use? (Searchable by firmware) <-- Click Me FIRST

How To ROOT

How To Install A Custom ROM

How To Update The Radio

How To Back Up & Restore Your Phone

How to Back Up Your Applications

I am on T-Mobile/3UK & I can't Root my phone / upgrade to a customROM

I Am On Orange [2.73.61.66 Firmware] & I Cant Use Any Instant Rooting Methods



WORK IN PROGRESS // Thanks for your support. I would like to thank Modaco, its users and people on this forum for helpful information which enabled me to put this guide together after my own experiences and frustration at finding contradicting info.

My Work Here Is Done. My Time With My Beloved Hero (The Best Phone I Have Ever Had To Date)... Is Now Over. I Have A Samsung Galaxy S Now ^_^ So Unfortunately This Guide Is No Longer Going To Be Updated/Supported. However Everything Within This Guide Will Still Work & Will Be Valid For Ever & Ever ... Feel Free To PM Me If The Thread Needs Updating...I Won't Leave My Fellow Hero Users Completely.

 

[jUsT2eXy]

What Is Rooting?

Rooting is the process by which you regain administrative access to your phone. It opens up otherwise impossible options to your phone.

Why Root?

Full control over your system
Ability to install 3rd party applications, themes etc
Backup your phone
Relocate your phones caches thus allowing you to save phone memory = Faster Phone
Install applications to your SD CARD thus allowing you to save phone memory = = Faster Phone

OkOk That Sounds Great...But What Are The Downsides huh?!1?11?

You will lose the ability to receive over the air updates. (Not a big deal)
Void warranty (But you can un-root you phone so this is not a problem)
3rd Party App may maliciously control your phone (Not likely)

These are just some reasons. Please your a search engine with the term 'android root' and you can read up on other reasons.

 

[jUsT2eXy]

How To ROOT:-

Those with T-Mobile ROMS should try this but it will not necessarily work. Some have reported success, some failure. Might as well try it. For others it works 100%..

Also...You need to enable USB debugging in order for the SU permission app to work..
To do this..click Menu,Settings, Applications, Development & Click on USB Debugging (Make sure the box is ticked)

DOWNLOAD THE INSTANT ROOT APK
http://neilandtheresa.co.uk/Android/InstantRoot.apk (official link down..use alternative)

http://cache.techie-buzz.com/images/mobiles/arnaw/downloads/instant-root.zip
(alternative)

Note: The alternative link downloads as a .zip file. Therefore open the zip file and drag the InstantRoot.apk to your desired location... anything else contained in the zip file is of no use to you.

Safe & Easy.

1)Download it.
2)Save it to your SD Card ROOT (not in any folders)
3)Open up a file manager on your phone (Download ASTRO File Manager from the marketplace..if you don't have a file manager..)
4)Find the 'InstantRoot.apk' file.
5)Run it.
6)It will say it's been successful

Voila. Your done.

To verify you have rooted your phone, go to the market, search root, read the app description and make sure it says 'requires root access'. Download it, run it. If it runs/works you have rooted your phone. If it does not work you have not rooted your phone.

 

[jUsT2eXy]

How To Install A Custom ROM (In this case VillainROM 10.0 [Official Android 2.1] ):-


You need these files first:

=======================================================================

Amon ra's recovery version. [The latest is 1.6.2]

VillainROM 12.0

HTC Hero with version 1.5 ( which you have) Or 2.1 (but check forums first)

A program called instant root (please see above)

A program named flashrec


================================================== =====================

1. Install instant root ( you get root access )

2. Copy the Amon Ra recovery image to the root of sdcard ( not in any folder )

ROOT OF SD CARD = So if your SD card appears as the G: (G drive) on your computer put the file straight onto the G: not G:/foldername ... Don't put the file into any folders. When you click on your SD drive on your computer you should see the file without having to go into any folder.

3. Copy flashrec to the root of your sdcard

4. Install flashrec (Use a file explorer like astro)

5. Open flashrec. Then, Back up your recovery on first screen then in address bar put /sdcard/(ur amonra recoveryname with .img) and press flash. Typically it will be like this
/sdcard/recovery-RA-hero-v1.6.2.img

6. Go to the market. Download an app called 'Titanium Backup'. (Needs Root access). Install it. Click Backup/Restore. Click menu, Batch, Then select the option best for you. I select Backup all user apps. However you can select backup all user apps + data (but this may cause problems with your new ROM...but it works fine for me). Let the app do its thing.

Your done! Switch off the phone, switch it back on holding home key & power key

7. Once you are on the recovery screen menu there are a few options. Please do a nandroid backup before continuing. A nandroid backup simply takes a picture of your phone in its current state and if any problems occur you can restore your phone to how it was before. To do this click on Backup/Restore. Then click on Nand Backup. Wait for the process to finish. When it's finished reboot the phone and plug the phone into the computer and copy the nandroid folder to somewhere safe on your pc. Also copy the Titanium backup folder to your pc (this is the apps we backed up).

I recommend reformatting your memory card. To do this select SD card from phone menu, and click format. Or plug the phone into the PC and right click on the drive via my computer, and format it.

Now, put the custom rom (which should be a zip file) onto the root of the sd card. (I.e. Not in any folders). Do not rename the custom rom file or change the extension.

Then Switch off the phone, switch it back on holding home key & power key.

Always do a wipe before flashing your custom ROM. (A wipe will get rid of your data so please make a backup of your data using various apps on the market). In the Recovery Menu click WIPE, then Wipe data/factory reset, dalvik cache, SD:ext partition, battery stats & rotate settings etc.

8. Click on Flash Zip from sdcard and then it should show the Custom ROM. Click flash and wait for the ROM to install.

9. To enable Apps2SD (install apps to sd card) you must create a partition on the SD Card. To do this click on partition sdcard. We want 512MB as EX2 and the rest as FAT. After this has completed, go back to the partition SD menu and click on SD:ex2 to ext3.

Sometimes Apps2SD is not automatically enabled. So
Turn off your phone. Hold down HOME + POWER button. When in recovery menu, select OTHER ,click move Apps + Davlik to SD Card, Reboot phone. (It may take a few minutes for phone to boot up).


================================================== ======
oMg something is wrong!!111!!!11!...my phone will not start it's stuck on the HTC boot screen...

Don't worry. Pull out your battery (only after 15mins if it's still stuck) and power phone up again and see if it works.

If it does not work still. Don't worry. That's were the nandroid backup comes in handy. Switch off the phone, switch it back on holding home key & power key

Select nandroid restore, select the file (it says the time and date on the file)..let it install, and your phone will be back to how it was.

You can then try to reinstall the custom rom again or give up.
================================================== ======

10. Go to the market. Install Titanium Backup again.

11. Plug phone into pc. Copy all your SD card stuff back onto the phone including the nandroid backup and titanium backup folders (but also keep a copy on your pc).

12. Open Titanium backup. Click Backup/Restore, Menu, Batch, Then select one of the 3 options at the bottom of the screen (the word RUN is highlighted in blue). If you are using the free version you will have to click install for every app you have.

13. Your done! Switch off the phone, switch it back on. Now the apps we have restored will now be transferred onto your SD card. This is a long process and depending on the number of apps you have could take 5-10 minutes. So don't worry. When the process is completed, your phone will boot up and all your apps will be on your sd card.





I will update this thread as new developments occur. Thanks.

 

[jUsT2eXy]

Updating The Hero's Radio

Don't worry, you have not missed out on a feature of Hero. It does not have an FM radio.
The Radio we are talking about is the phones Wireless / GSM radio.

An updated Radio optimises the phones wireless / phone capabilities. For example a new Radio ROM may increase your wireless signal strength, or increase your phone signal. Also, the time taken to establish a wireless signal may decrease.

As always make A NANDROID BACKUP BEFORE UPDATING YOUR RADIO. JUST IN CASE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

To do the following, you need to have done at least steps 1-6 from here

Latest Official Radio ROM:-

63.18.55.06PU_6.35.15.14 - download (2.1 Official Radio)
- download (Alternative link)
(Alternative mirrors -> Google it)
=========================================================
63.18.55.06OU_6.35.15.01
63.18.55.06JU_6.35.09.26
63.18.55.06JU_6.35.08.29
63.18.55.06IU_6.35.08.22
63.18.55.06FU_6.35.07.08
63.18.55.06EU_6.35.06.18
63.18.55.06_6.35.05.31
63.18.55.06_6.35.05.15
63.18.55.06_6.35.04.25
To verify which Radio you have. Click Menu on your phone, go to about phone, click on software and it should tell you what Base Band Version you have. Please check it against the list above. If your Radio is older than the latest version it is recommend you update it.

To install the latest Radio:

Download (63.18.55.06JU_6.35.08.29 at time of writing is the latest) the file using the above link.

As always, do a Nandroid backup before you do anything... just in case! (Instructions on how to do this are here:-

Download the Radio file (it is Zip format)

Rename the file (Right click) to

 

[jUsT2eXy]

To be able to do the following Backup/Restore you must have completed at least steps 1-5 from the following POST

Perform A Nandroid Backup:-

Switch off your phone.

Hold the HOME + POWER Button down together to boot into recovery mode.

Click Backup/Restore.

Select Nand Backup or Nand + ext (If you have apps on your SD Card)

When process is finished, reboot the phone.

Mount your SD card to your PC.

Explore your SD card and look for the nandroid folder. Click on the file inside. This file is the recovery file. It will be an 8 digit number which is the date it was created and the last 4 is the time. YYYYMMDD.

Copy the entire folder to your PC for safe keeping but also keep the file on the SD in case you need to restore it for any reason.

Perform A Nandroid Restore:-

Switch off your phone.

Hold the HOME + POWER Button down together to boot into recovery mode.

Click Backup/Restore.

Click Nand Restore. Wait for it to finish doing its thing.

Reboot.

Your phone will be in the state it was previously. Working!

Please note the following:

The very first time you make a nandroid backup would normally be before you install a custom rom & radio just in case things go wrong. I.e. You have taken a snapshot of the Hero just like it came from the factory. (you should keep this safe somewhere).

You would then normally make a backup after you have successfully installed your new custom rom and new radio. This is because if anything goes wrong you would want to restore your phone back to when the custom rom was working.

Now, depending on which backup you restore the radio version / rom may go back to the version that came with the Hero from the factory.

Thus be aware of what backup you are using to restore your phone.

If you restore your phone using the very first backup you made (which in some cases might be the one you made before installing the custom rom and radio) you will need to reflash your custom ROM and reflash the updated radio.

However most people will put the very first backup somwhere safe and say that there first backup would be the one after installing there new rom and radio.

Thus you will not have the problem of having to reflash your rom/radio.

 

[jUsT2eXy]

How To Back Up Your Applications:-

When sometime goes wrong people want to know how to back up there collection of applications. We all know how annoying it is to install all those applications you have. I have well over 150+ and I know how frustrating it can be to reinstall everything.

Have no fear! Titanium Backup is here!

What you need:-

To be able to do the following you must have completed at least steps 1-5 from the following POST

From the market, Install Titanium Backup. There should be a free one and a paid for one.

The main difference between the paid and free is 'Manual installation of your apps' and 'Auto installation of your apps'.

For example if I had 100 apps and had the free version I would have to click on the app I want to restore, then click install.. repeating the process 99 times. (It makes my fingers sore lol)

The paid for version will do it all automatically.

================================================== ===================

Install it and open it.

Click Backup/Restore.

Click menu, Batch, Then select the option best for you. I select Backup all user apps. However you can select backup all user apps + data (but this may cause problems with your new ROM...but it works fine for me). Let the app do its thing.

The backed up apps will be stored in the Titanium backup folder on your SD card.

Move this to your PC for safe keeping.

Restoring Your Apps:-

Go to the market. Install Titanium Backup (If it is no longer on your phone after restoring phone to factory settings / reinstalling a custom ROM etc)

Plug phone into pc. Copy the titanium backup folder onto the SD card.

Open Titanium backup. Click Backup/Restore, Menu, Batch, Then select one of the 3 options at the bottom of the screen (the word RUN is highlighted in blue). If you are using the free version you will have to click install for every app you have.

Done! All your apps (and or data from the apps etc) will have been restored.

 

[jUsT2eXy]

I am on T-Mobile or 3UK or An Asian Carrier and I can't Root my phone...Help!11!11!!1

As you have found out those phones that have network specific ROMS, namely from the carriers named above will find it difficult or impossible to Root using the methods those with non-branded Hero's have.

The only way to install a custom ROM and or root the phone is the following method. As I have had no experiance with this method I am not going to be able to write out any instrcutions of my own, nor am I going to copy and paste someone else's work and take credit for it. Therefore I am providing you with the following link.

[HOWTO] Create a GoldCard - Bypassing the RUU/SPL CID check to Root/Downgrade
(If you are stuck on a ROM you don't like (t-mobile/asian carrier etc.) you can use this how to to create a goldcard to bypass the CID checks so you can downgrade and root your Hero.)

Thanks to Jesterz over @ XDA Developers for the method.

Here are 2 more guides to using the Goldcard method. Pick which ever one looks easier / which has the easiest instructions that you understand.

Goldcard instructions (Alternative 2)

Thanks to btdag over @ XDA Developers for the method.

Goldcard instructions (Alternative 3)

Thanks to theUnlockr over @ TheUnlockr.com for the method.

 

[jUsT2eXy]

I Am On Orange [2.73.61.66 Firmware] & I Cant Use Any Instant Rooting Methods

With the 2.73.61.66 ROM you can't use instant Root. The solution is very simple. You must downgrade to the 2.73.61.5 Orange ROM. Then you can use the instant root method.

Here is what you have to do:-

1) Download the ROM from the this link from HTC.
2) Run the download. Follow the instructions.
3) Read this thread and follow the instructions depending on what you want to do. e.g. Root or install a Custom ROM.

To sum up what you are going to do / have done.

You have downgraded your Orange ROM from 2.73.61.66 (latest) to 2.73.61.5 (old) in order to Root / install a custom ROM onto your phone.

 

[jUsT2eXy]

ROM Look Up

This guide will enable you to search for your firmware and you will instantly be able to see which guide applies to you. Only use the instructions associated with your firmware. Using other instructions which are meant for different fimware versions may brick your phone.

There are a lot of people posting recently who are confused over which method to use as their firmware isn't on the list (people on the Telus network in particular).

If your firmware is not on the list, this is what to do: Try flashrec and downgrade if it doesn't work.



Press Ctrl + F on your keyboard. Type in your Firmware and see if it is on my list. If it is not, make a new post here and ask what to do stating your firmware version.
WWE: (World Wide English Generic)

2.73.405.5 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

2.73.405.38 = To Root & Install Custom ROM first use the METHOD BELOW then this Method
[Need to downgrade to 2.73.405.5]

2.73.405.66 = To Root & Install Custom ROM first use the METHOD BELOW then this Method
[Need to downgrade to 2.73.405.5]

=======================================================================
How To Downgrade To 2.73.404.5 From Eitheir 2.73.405.38 or 2.73.405.66

What you need to do then is to downgrade your ROM. In order to do this do the following:-

1) Download the ROM from the this link from HTC.
2) Run the download. Follow the instructions.
3) Read this thread and follow the instructions depending on what you want to do. e.g. Root or install a Custom ROM.

To sum up what you are going to do / have done.

You have downgraded your ROM from 2.73.405.66 (latest) to 2.73.405.5 (old) in order to Root / install a custom ROM onto your phone.

Then you can flash a custom ROM because you don't want an outdated 1.5 ROM. We are only downgrading so you can get root access.

========================================================================
Please note if you want a specific language on a ROM, when the time comes to flashing a 'standard' ROM chose one that is language specific. Also please look @ region specific forums as the users will have a better idea of alternative methods for 'foreign' Roms.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RUS: (Russian)

2.73.411.5 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

2.73.411.17 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

SEA: (South East Asia)

2.73.728.5 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Providers:

Orange UK

2.73.61.5 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

2.73.61.66 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

T-Mobile UK

2.73.110.26 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

3 UK

2.73.771.73 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

Other Carriers:

Orange BE

2.73.66.5 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

T-Mobile DE

2.73.111.26 = To Root & Install Custom ROM use the following METHOD

 

[vjprakashbe]

That was an excellent & wonderful job!!!

 

[daveybaby]

Good job.

 

[aldaris]

I actually have a mt3g but... I have a silly question, isnt nand backup + sd ext
supposed to do what titanium does? i'm new to android rooting and stuff, but i would like to know what's the difference, i got super d 1.10.2 and i love it but i wanna start messing with 2.1 roms to see what they are like so i needed a little insight to see how to really nandroid backup... i would love a little help, please if you will gtalk me @ joseberrioramirez@gmail.com i'll be at work but will be able to text so let me know!! :] and another question, after i nand backup and apply another rom, do i need to partition my sd card again? do i need to wipe? or just restore the backupS? what if different roms need the sd card partitioned a diff way... help please

 

[daveybaby]

isnt nand backup + sd ext supposed to do what titanium does?

If you do a restore of a nandroid backup, that reverts the entire phone to a previous state - you cant restore parts of it piecemeal.

Titanium backup lets you back and restore individual apps etc (or it does batch processing too).

 

[The Fergmeister]

Hi there, first post here; although I have been reading these forums for quite a while now.

I bought a 2nd hand Hero about 6 weeks ago and thought it was already rooted but I wasn't sure. Yesterday, out of curiosity, I held the 'Home' button whilst turning on and it took me to a cyanogen 1.5 (i think) recovery screen.

I wasn't actually going to root my phone, but apparently it already has been (and I'm guessing factory reset or something), so nothing much to lose I suppose.

Basically, I have tried quite a few times with different versions of flashrec, but none of them work, even with different recovery images.

I eventually managed to flash the amon ra 1.6.2 recovery image using the 'ROM Manager' app from the marketplace (I had to flash the ROM Manager one first and then it would let me flash the amon ra).
(Apparently this is a known issue if you are on build number 2.73.xx like me so hopefully someone else will be able to confirm this definately works without a goldcard)

I have just actually done this and I'm currently running modaco 3.2 so I can confirm that this method of flashing does work (and was a lot easier than the flashrec way).

Apologies for the novel-length first post and I hope this helps someone else.

 

[Hazman]

Hmm, the instant root didn't give me root access. Iv'e read elsewhere that root access comes with the instalation of a custom rom though? It's on orange so i don't see how it isn't working.

Could anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks

 

[daveybaby]

Iv'e read elsewhere that root access comes with the instalation of a custom rom though?

You need to get root access before you can install a custom ROM. Those custom ROM's all come with root access built in, but this is purely so that you will still have root access after youve installed them.

If you installed an official ROM after rooting, you'd lose root access.

As for the instantroot method, i dont think it works with orange firmware 2.73. Youre probably going to have to use the goldcard method to downgrade to an earlier version, then root from there.

 

[xenusean]

for newbie like me, this is a perfect information i can get all over the www

 

[aidan257]

Probably a REALLY stupid question.

I downloaded the Instantroot.apk file & ran that. First time i noticed NO difference. So tonight i've tried it again & got "Instant Root not required Root access is already available"

Also, Titanium Backup says its not been rooted.

So technically, my phone is now rooted. can i then download nandroid & use that to backup my current phone settings, then install a custom rom?

 

[Jaffa]

I might be wrong, nandroid is preinstalled, boot the phone holding the home key down, you should get a nandroid screen..as I understand it

 

[aidan257]

I don't get a Nandroid screen. i just get a ! & phone icon.
Just cooking some grub so i'll post phone info once i've "cooked".

 

[aidan257]

Phone Details

Model Number
HTC Hero

Firmware Version
1.5

Baseband Version
63.18.55.06EU_6.35.06.18

Build Number
2.73.405.5 146733 CL#61267 release-keys

Software Version
1.0.0.A6288

 

[jUsT2eXy]

Hi there. Can you confirm which steps you have so far tried?

To access the Nandroid backup / Recovery menu you need to flash the Amon RA image. To do this you need FlashRec (see above instructions).

So read this BUT please be aware to follow these instructions you need to have done the following steps. (ONLY STEPS 1-5).

When this is done hopefully you can access the recovery menu where you can backup your phone... If not see below..

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you attempt to do the above, if there is a problem ask yourself the following question(s)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does it let me flash the recovery in the Flashrec app? (Does it actually say successful, etc.?)
If not, try using a different version of Flashrec. 1.1.3 (the latest). If that fails, try 1.1.2

let me know what happens... thanks

 

[bluenova]

As always, do a Nandroid backup before you do anything... just in case! (Instructions on how to do this are here:-

I don't think Nandroid backs up the radio so you might want to remove this or at least put a disclaimer. As it stands it sounds like you can restore the original radio from Nandriod which I don't think you can.

Rename the file (Right click) to &#8216;update&#8217;. NOT update.zip like some people do as this means the file is called update.zip.zip

Could you add that this only effects MS Windows systems? Otherwise people using other systems will do this and end up with 'update' rather than 'update.zip'.

Otherwise great guide!

 

[stoney73]

I Am On Orange [2.73.61.66 Firmware] & I Cant Use Any Instant Rooting Methods

With the 2.73.61.66 ROM you can't use instant Root. The solution is very simple. You must downgrade to the 2.73.61.5 Orange ROM. Then you can use the instant root method.

Here is what you have to do:-

1) Download the ROM from the this link from HTC.
2) Run the download. Follow the instructions.
3) Read this thread and follow the instructions depending on what you want to do. e.g. Root or install a Custom ROM.

To sum up what you are going to do / have done.

You have downgraded your Orange ROM from 2.73.61.66 (latest) to 2.73.61.5 (old) in order to Root / install a custom ROM onto your phone.

sorry to be a pain, but the link to the thread doesnt work.