HTC Evo 3D Rooting Essentials [official thread]
The information in this post was last updated: September 11, 2011.
Full-root now available for Evo 3D!
Two methods of rooting your E3D are now available:
1) Revolutionary
2) HTC's official bootloader unlock
If your HBOOT version is 1.3 or 1.4, the preferred root method is Revolutionary, since you can completely revert your root if you choose. The HTC method watermarks your HBOOT, and even though you can relock the bootloader, it will always show that you previously unlocked it. If your HBOOT version is 1.5, you cannot use Revolutionary; this HBOOT version is not supported. Your only option to root is with HTC's method.
Instructions on how to access HBOOT can be found here:
http://androidforums.com/evo-3d-all-things-root/362270-how-boot-into-bootloader-hboot.html
Revolutionary method
It is now possible to fully root the Evo 3D, courtesy of the new 'Revolutionary' tool. While this tool is still considered a developer preview, which means that it may not be polished enough for the general public, many regular folk have already tried the tool and have managed to fully root their phones with ease. For those of you ready to give it a shot, here is the official site of Revolutionary. Only works if your HBOOT is version 1.3 or 1.4.
HTC's method
To unlock your bootloader via HTC's official method, visit their bootloader unlock page:
HTCdev - Unlock Bootloader
Note that this method only works if you have the official software version 2.08.651.2 or higher (or HBOOT v1.5 or higher). This version permanently watermarks your phone, indicating that it has been unlocked. While you can manually relock the phone, the watermark remains. But in terms of enabling typical rooting functionality, such as installing a custom recovery and flashing custom ROMs, this method will allow you to do so. Once the unlock process is complete, take a look at this thread for specific instructions on how to get a custom recovery and flash ROMs:
[GUIDE] HTC Unlock Hboot 1.50 + TWRP Recovery 1.0.3 + Root + Flash Anything!
New to rooting?
If you're new to the Android rooting world, or you want to get a better grasp about rooting concepts and why people do it, start here:
http://androidforums.com/evo-3d-all-things-root/389787-beginners-guide-rooting-android-devices.html
Problems with Revolutionary?
Many people are finding that Revolutionary is not successfully flashing a custom recovery program after obtaining S-OFF. You can now run the program again to retry the recovery flash. Or, you can flash it manually. Take a look here for detailed instructions on how to manually flash a custom recovery:
http://androidforums.com/evo-3d-all...lash-recovery-image-via-fastboot-sd-card.html
Error 16
Many people report being unable to make calls after fully rooting their phone via Revolutionary and getting an Error 16 message instead. Stay on the line if you get this error, and a Sprint representative will fix the problem; no questions asked. See also:
http://androidforums.com/evo-3d-all-things-root/385959-error-16-sprint.html
What about Fre3vo?
Fre3vo is the name of a tool that gives you temporary root status on your phone. It was created before a full-root solution was available and is now obsolete for the Evo 3D.
The information in this post was last updated: September 11, 2011.
Full-root now available for Evo 3D!
Two methods of rooting your E3D are now available:
1) Revolutionary
2) HTC's official bootloader unlock
If your HBOOT version is 1.3 or 1.4, the preferred root method is Revolutionary, since you can completely revert your root if you choose. The HTC method watermarks your HBOOT, and even though you can relock the bootloader, it will always show that you previously unlocked it. If your HBOOT version is 1.5, you cannot use Revolutionary; this HBOOT version is not supported. Your only option to root is with HTC's method.
Instructions on how to access HBOOT can be found here:
http://androidforums.com/evo-3d-all-things-root/362270-how-boot-into-bootloader-hboot.html
Revolutionary method
It is now possible to fully root the Evo 3D, courtesy of the new 'Revolutionary' tool. While this tool is still considered a developer preview, which means that it may not be polished enough for the general public, many regular folk have already tried the tool and have managed to fully root their phones with ease. For those of you ready to give it a shot, here is the official site of Revolutionary. Only works if your HBOOT is version 1.3 or 1.4.
HTC's method
To unlock your bootloader via HTC's official method, visit their bootloader unlock page:
HTCdev - Unlock Bootloader
Note that this method only works if you have the official software version 2.08.651.2 or higher (or HBOOT v1.5 or higher). This version permanently watermarks your phone, indicating that it has been unlocked. While you can manually relock the phone, the watermark remains. But in terms of enabling typical rooting functionality, such as installing a custom recovery and flashing custom ROMs, this method will allow you to do so. Once the unlock process is complete, take a look at this thread for specific instructions on how to get a custom recovery and flash ROMs:
[GUIDE] HTC Unlock Hboot 1.50 + TWRP Recovery 1.0.3 + Root + Flash Anything!
New to rooting?
If you're new to the Android rooting world, or you want to get a better grasp about rooting concepts and why people do it, start here:
http://androidforums.com/evo-3d-all-things-root/389787-beginners-guide-rooting-android-devices.html
Problems with Revolutionary?
Many people are finding that Revolutionary is not successfully flashing a custom recovery program after obtaining S-OFF. You can now run the program again to retry the recovery flash. Or, you can flash it manually. Take a look here for detailed instructions on how to manually flash a custom recovery:
http://androidforums.com/evo-3d-all...lash-recovery-image-via-fastboot-sd-card.html
Error 16
Many people report being unable to make calls after fully rooting their phone via Revolutionary and getting an Error 16 message instead. Stay on the line if you get this error, and a Sprint representative will fix the problem; no questions asked. See also:
http://androidforums.com/evo-3d-all-things-root/385959-error-16-sprint.html
What about Fre3vo?
Fre3vo is the name of a tool that gives you temporary root status on your phone. It was created before a full-root solution was available and is now obsolete for the Evo 3D.