[Q] Newb questions about rooting/roms - EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So i have an HTC Evo with the latest OTA update 3.70.651.1. Completely stock, non rooted. I know very little about both rooting and roms other then what i quickly went over in a few Q&A's here.
Im not sure what to do, if anything, so i thought id ask here. Primarily id like to be able to delete unwanted stock apps/bloatware and backup the entire phone (like making a recovery image). Itd be nice to be able to wirelessly tether but this isnt necessary. Other then that id like to keep it the same.
Is it possible to root but use the stock rom? if so what does this accomplish?
Is there a risk free way to accomplish my goals?
Thanks

Im not sure what to do, if anything, so i thought id ask here. Primarily id like to be able to delete unwanted stock apps/bloatware and backup the entire phone (like making a recovery image). Itd be nice to be able to wirelessly tether but this isnt necessary. Other then that id like to keep it the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need to root to do this.
Is it possible to root but use the stock rom?
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Click to collapse
Absolutely. Thats what I do. The only reason I rooted was for wireless tether, and titanium backup. Other than that, I didnt want another rom, I love the stock one.
if so what does this accomplish?
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Click to collapse
Exactly what you just asked for in the previous paragraph.
Is there a risk free way to accomplish my goals?
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Click to collapse
Nope. There is ALWAYS a risk when doing anything in life, and rooting your phone in no different. However, it is actually quite difficult to completely brick your phone. Most of the time, if you follow the directions, you will be fine. But if you do screw up, you can usually just flash a stock ruu and redo it.

Thanks for the information. Is there anything the free version of titanium backup doesnt backup? What does a nandroid backup save?
Also will rooting alone allow me to delete any app on the phone?
Lastly what would be the recommended way for someone new like me to root my phone (or resources i can use to pick a method)? Is there a way to restore my phone back to stock if i need to?
Thanks again. As i ask these questions im also digging into the forums looking for specific answers

Hey welcome to XDA.
I don't know when you received your phone, but it seems very brand new to me, I would say your best luck is to try to look for the details of your main specs in your phone, when you start to root your phone, you look for instructions here to setup properly on How to do the root process with the same exact phone detail specs of it.
I was rooted with an older OTA at first, but I see these new OTAs are up on new EVOs but It's kinda fishy to think of how to root it with the latest OTA on the old leet legit methods that toastcfh had...you know...The Manual Professional way, without the risk of bricking your phone completely, if you had the chance to root successfully with idiot proof instructions, I say that was quite a day for me then.

Actually ive had my Evo since release, ive just been too scared to risk bricking it til now lol.
i currently have:
hboot 2.10
software 3.70.651.1
hardware 0002
i took down some other info but idk if it matters for rooting directions.
So far from my searches it appears the only option for hboot 2.10 + 3.70.651.1 is a pretty lengthy/difficult for beginners method. Is that accurate?
Also my primary concern is deleting bloatware/included apps, does rooting alone allow me to delete these?
Also none of the guides ive seen detail how to backup your phone before the root, is there an easy way to make like a backup image of the stock stuff + data,sms,phone log, etc?
Thanks again everyone, still digging but your help will make it go much more smoothly

So ive pretty much discovered that my 2 options are do it the "hard" way or wait for unrevoked to update their stuff for the newest evo software/hboot. Im probably going to wait.
In the meantime i want to make sure of a few things, deleteing apps, backup, wireless tether. How would i approach each of these; can i use the built in app manager to delete apps? the built in wireless tether to tether? what exactly does nandroid backup compared to titanium backup?
Does the stock rom support netfilter?
Is there any scenario in which ota updates wont break root?
Thanks again

ctbenk said:
In the meantime i want to make sure of a few things, deleteing apps, backup, wireless tether. How would i approach each of these; can i use the built in app manager to delete apps? the built in wireless tether to tether? what exactly does nandroid backup compared to titanium backup?
Is there any scenario in which ota updates wont break root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To delete apps, you will want to use Titanium Backup. After removing stock apps, some of them still stay indexed, so you will need to boot to recovery and wipe your cache and dalvik to clear them from the apps list.
You won't be able to use the built-in wireless tether to tether unless you flash a new rom that unlocked that feature. Once rooted, there is a an app on the market called Wireless Tether for Root Users that will accomplish what you are looking for.
Titanium Backup will also allow you to backup your apps and data so that in the event you do flash a new rom, you can restore them without losing anything.
Titanium Backup is designed to backup your apps and data, Nandroid(recovery) will backup your entire ROM, so if you do flash a new rom, you can always revert back to your stock setup exactly how you left it.
OTA updates will always break your root, but at the same time don't offer much in the terms of upgrading. Plus 90% of the time the dev's here release a rooted version of the OTA update very shortly after it goes live.

Related

Three questions before I root....

Ok guys I am coming from a Samsung Moment (of hell...) anyways, I really want to root this device and remove all the Sprint bloatware. My first question is on the moment loading the root and recovery onto the device for the first time would cause a complete data wipe, which meant a complete system rebuild. Is this the case here? In other words if I use toasts method of rooting will I lose all my data and programs and have to reinstall or will my data be fine?
Second question is if I downgrade to install Toasts root, after I remove the sprint garbage software will I be able to reinstall the HTC update? (as I believe it fixes some of the issues with the camera, etc).
Third there are so many threads its hard to nail down whats going on with rooting etc, is there any negatives to rooting right now? I.E. any features on the phone I will lose?
Thanks for the help...
Adanedhels said:
Ok guys I am coming from a Samsung Moment (of hell...) anyways, I really want to root this device and remove all the Sprint bloatware. My first question is on the moment loading the root and recovery onto the device for the first time would cause a complete data wipe, which meant a complete system rebuild. Is this the case here? In other words if I use toasts method of rooting will I lose all my data and programs and have to reinstall or will my data be fine?
Second question is if I downgrade to install Toasts root, after I remove the sprint garbage software will I be able to reinstall the HTC update? (as I believe it fixes some of the issues with the camera, etc).
Third there are so many threads its hard to nail down whats going on with rooting etc, is there any negatives to rooting right now? I.E. any features on the phone I will lose?
Thanks for the help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To my understanding, you would lose nothing in the process, functional wise. Prolly lose all apps installed.
The threads you need are:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=696961 (downgrade)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=690762 (toast root)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=697636 (flipz rom)
Again, as I understand it (with help from joey), you downgrade, root/gain recovery, flash rom. this new rom is supposedly the update (radio and system) just with root enabled.
I can't be any clearer really as I have yet to do this and am learning/searching as well.
Or you could use unrevoked to remove all of the bloatware. Unless you are concerned about needing a full time root.
Unrevoked will NOT allow you to remove bloatware! Only toast method will let you remove apps for good.
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Sent via my EVO using XDA Tapatalk
If you have full root access, can you not remote the system folder in RW?
If you have full root access, can you not remote the system folder in RW?
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Click to collapse
Umm you should probably read the sticky instead of me explaining what's already there.
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Sent via my EVO using XDA Tapatalk
What will happen if you accept the OTA update after the phone has already been rooted (to fix the camera)?
Also, let's say that someone comes out with a custom 2.2 version that works well on the Evo (rooted obviously). If I wanted to put that on my phone, would I have to wipe everything? Or is there a way to just upgrade from 2.1 to 2.2 without losing anything?
MrDSL said:
Umm you should probably read the sticky instead of me explaining what's already there.
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Sent via my EVO using XDA Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found what you are talking about in another thread. It deals with the NAND protection.

To root or not to root, that is the question

Please feel free to move this in another section if a mod feels like it's out of place.
I'm new to Android, but not new to HTC devices. I used to have a WM6.1 (later 6.5) HTC Fuze/Touch Pro. Part of the reason I preferred an HTC phone over a Samsung or other manufacturer is the XDA community.
That being said, I understand that rooting seems to be the equivalent of doing the hard SPL on WM which enables you to flash a custom ROM.
I also understand there was an OTA patch on the launch day that addressed the microSD card issue and the root vulnerability.
So I guess this is really a two part question - the only thing I'm interested in rooting for is free tethering (I don't really care if it's over wi-fi or USB cable, either is fine but I suppose I'd prefer wi-fi). As far as programs and all that, I'm happy with everything that is already on the phone.
I've also read that cooked ROMs "degrade" over time - is this true? And is it true for stock ROMs as well?
1. Is there a root that gets by the latest OTA update?
2. Other than wi-fi tethering and some other apps, what advantages does rooting have? I'd rather not totally **** my phone up... but if it's just as easy if not easier to root than it is to do a hard SPL, then PLEASE let me know. I feel dumb reading some of these "easy guides" for rooting and they don't answer all of my questions. For example, if any of the root methods bypasses the most recent OTA.
Perhaps there are more answers in the comments, but I don't want read that much while I'm at work. Yes, call me lazy if you want.
Many, many thanks in advance, and if someone wanted to write a pre-school level rooting guide with pics, that would be AWESOME and I'd be eternally indebted to you... that is if rooting gives me more hookups then just wi-fi tethering.
pekosROB said:
I've also read that cooked ROMs "degrade" over time - is this true? And is it true for stock ROMs as well?
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Click to collapse
I don't know what you mean by the "degrade"... but if you're talking about ROM's not being maintained for their entire life cycle, that happens rarely here. Alll the Dev's here seem to maintain there ROM's very well, users send feedback in a variety of ways so that the ROM's are always up to date and customized with each new version. Stock ROM's are just that, stock. They don't usually get much customization and aren't maintained, because of the newer more customized ROM's that are put out by the Dev's.
pekosROB said:
1. Is there a root that gets by the latest OTA update?
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Click to collapse
Yes, you can use either the UnRevoked method or Toast's method -- I recommend using Toast's method as it will give you full root access.
pekosROB said:
2. Other than wi-fi tethering and some other apps, what advantages does rooting have? I'd rather not totally **** my phone up... but if it's just as easy if not easier to root than it is to do a hard SPL, then PLEASE let me know. I feel dumb reading some of these "easy guides" for rooting and they don't answer all of my questions. For example, if any of the root methods bypasses the most recent OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're someone that likes to overclock your phone, you now have that ability; on top of the other things you mentioned (tethering, customizable ROM's, etc). Also, rooting isn't very hard at all, just follow the directions as stated and you'll be good to go. If you really want a seamlessly (but limited) root hack -- you can use the UnRevoked method, which is a simple application that basically toggles root access for you on your phone. Toast's method is a bit more in depth, but if you have experience with hacking your phone, you'll be fine.
And yes, these root methods BYPASS! the most recent OTA.
pekosROB said:
Perhaps there are more answers in the comments, but I don't want read that much while I'm at work. Yes, call me lazy if you want.
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Click to collapse
Indeed you are.
pekosROB said:
Many, many thanks in advance, and if someone wanted to write a pre-school level rooting guide with pics, that would be AWESOME and I'd be eternally indebted to you... that is if rooting gives me more hookups then just wi-fi tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a couple of threads already featuring "How-To" root with pictures. Please look in the Android Development thread.
I did a root. The only real positive thing is the free wifi tethering. But you can do that w/ the unrevoked root which is mind numbingly easy.
The different ROMs aren't dramatically shocking exactly. When 2.2 is final and error free I will flash to that. Otherwise my phone works just fine.
pseudoremora said:
Yes, you can use either the UnRevoked method or Toast's method -- I recommend using Toast's method as it will give you full root access.
rutter9 said:
I did a root. The only real positive thing is the free wifi tethering. But you can do that w/ the unrevoked root which is mind numbingly easy.
The different ROMs aren't dramatically shocking exactly. When 2.2 is final and error free I will flash to that. Otherwise my phone works just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it sounds like I just need to look for the UnRevoked method since all I really care about is wifi tethering.
Has this been working with full 4G access as well? Not that it matters right now since I'm not in a 4G market, but soon hope to be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pseudoremora said:
Yes, you can use either the UnRevoked method or Toast's method -- I recommend using Toast's method as it will give you full root access.
Oh yeah, and anything that backs up all the apps and settings and **** on my phone? Otherwise I'd have to write it all down the old fashion way... that's the main reason I don't wanna fully root, because I'm lazy and I doubt I'll use all the benefits... but then again... if i Could find something that backed everything up and my info, I'd be in heaven.
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pekosROB said:
Oh yeah, and anything that backs up all the apps and settings and **** on my phone? Otherwise I'd have to write it all down the old fashion way... that's the main reason I don't wanna fully root, because I'm lazy and I doubt I'll use all the benefits... but then again... if i Could find something that backed everything up and my info, I'd be in heaven.
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In order to have the ability to backup everything on your phone, you can use Titanium Backup (it's in the Market; and you mighr need root -- use UnRevoked) or use Toast's method and be able to do Nandroid back ups, which would image your phone and save it, so you can restore it at a later date.
pseudoremora said:
In order to have the ability to backup everything on your phone, you can use Titanium Backup (it's in the Market; and you mighr need root -- use UnRevoked) or use Toast's method and be able to do Nandroid back ups, which would image your phone and save it, so you can restore it at a later date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it sounds like my best option is to use unrevoked in order to use Titanium Backup and then after that save the backup on the SD card and use toast's method to get full access, use titanium backup to recall info, and then use nandroid from there on out? Sounds like a lot of work - but at least I don't have to redownload and enter all my info in everything again.
pekosROB said:
So it sounds like my best option is to use unrevoked in order to use Titanium Backup and then after that save the backup on the SD card and
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Skip this ^ part, it's redundant with the next part.
use toast's method to get full access, use titanium backup to recall info, and then use nandroid from there on out? Sounds like a lot of work - but at least I don't have to redownload and enter all my info in everything again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit: nevermind, forgot you wanted to back it all up prior to full root.
pekosROB said:
So it sounds like my best option is to use unrevoked in order to use Titanium Backup and then after that save the backup on the SD card and use toast's method to get full access, use titanium backup to recall info, and then use nandroid from there on out? Sounds like a lot of work - but at least I don't have to redownload and enter all my info in everything again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No No No.
You don't even have to worry about backing up your phone before rooting; there is a stock RUU image that will allow you to bring your phone back to factory default settings if you happen to screw up anything during rooting your phone or if you just want to go back to Stock period.
I would just root your phone using Toast's method, its really not that hard. If you want to tether and be able to backup your phone; having a full root access hack is preferred, plus then you have the ability to customize your phone with new themes, kernels, etc... and you may say you don't want to do that; but believe me you will.
Also, in regards to "recalling info" -- what do you mean? Since you're new to Android, i'll tell you that Google manages all your information for you. Your contacts, you Email, your apps, etc. If you move to another phone, your contacts and your Email will come with you. When you first get your phone, you have to sign in with a Gmail account, that account houses all your information for the phone and as such also keeps tracks of all your contacts and what not. Titanium Backup isn't really needed, if you're worried about losing information or whatever initially before rooting, then sure -- use it. Otherwise, if you already have all your information associated with your Gmail account that's being used by the phone, then I'd just root and after you've rooted, then do a Nandroid backup.
Jye75 said:
Skip this ^ part, it's redundant with the next part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I thought doing a full root wipes your device clean? I'm trying to back it up before doing Toast's root in order to not have to configure everything again (Besides phone settings).
pekosROB said:
But I thought doing a full root wipes your device clean? I'm trying to back it up before doing Toast's root in order to not have to configure everything again (Besides phone settings).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I edited my post... forgot about that.
pseudoremora said:
Also, in regards to "recalling info" -- what do you mean? Since you're new to Android, i'll tell you that Google manages all your information for you. Your contacts, you Email, your apps, etc. If you move to another phone, your contacts and your Email will come with you. When you first get your phone, you have to sign in with a Gmail account, that account houses all your information for the phone and as such also keeps tracks of all your contacts and what not. Titanium Backup isn't really needed, if you're worried about losing information or whatever initially before rooting, then sure -- use it. Otherwise, if you already have all your information associated with your Gmail account that's being used by the phone, then I'd just root and after you've rooted, then do a Nandroid backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Recalling info" means website logins, eBuddy accounts, settings for particular programs, my checkbook program with all the info in it.
I understand a lot of programs put **** on the SDcard, but will the actual programs that I've downloaded to the phone still be there? Rooting doesn't require a hard reset unless you mess up the process?
I understand the contacts and email - I'm not worried about that. Since I'm such a dedicated Gmail user I wanted to get into Android.
pekosROB said:
"Recalling info" means website logins, eBuddy accounts, settings for particular programs, my checkbook program with all the info in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't do any of that, I wipe my cache and history, just because. But I would presume Titanium backup would take care of this, I've never needed to use Titanium, so I don't know.
pekosROB said:
I understand a lot of programs put **** on the SDcard, but will the actual programs that I've downloaded to the phone still be there? Rooting doesn't require a hard reset unless you mess up the process?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Currently the programs will not be there. Froyo 2.2 should allow for this to happen though. Our phones are currently running Android 2.1 and Toast's method will wipe everything on the phone when you begin the rooting process (so yes, its a "hard reset").
Here is an awesome question and answer blog to root or not to root. Good read for the noobs!
http://www.androidcentral.com/rooting-it-me-some-qa
I come from a similar background as you, WinMo to Android. I will say the current options after rooting are limited. I went ahead and did it, and honestly the only thing I feel happened was I spent hours reconfiguring my home screens and settings/apps. The phone doesn't feel any faster and it doesn't have any new capabilities.
I appreciate the time the people put into ROMs and rooting and I know its hard work, its just too early to get a lot of tangible benefits.
If I could I would go back, I would just use UnrEVOked (I did for a few days). It's your stock ROM with the ability to tether. That's all most people would really want right now anyways.
Breakthecycle2 said:
Here is an awesome question and answer blog to root or not to root. Good read for the noobs!
http://www.androidcentral.com/rooting-it-me-some-qa
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks!
Pops_G said:
I come from a similar background as you, WinMo to Android. I will say the current options after rooting are limited. I went ahead and did it, and honestly the only thing I feel happened was I spent hours reconfiguring my home screens and settings/apps. The phone doesn't feel any faster and it doesn't have any new capabilities.
I appreciate the time the people put into ROMs and rooting and I know its hard work, its just too early to get a lot of tangible benefits.
If I could I would go back, I would just use UnrEVOked (I did for a few days). It's your stock ROM with the ability to tether. That's all most people would really want right now anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I might just stick with UnrEVOked then. Do I just search for a tether app on the marketplace that says "root required"?
pseudoremora said:
I don't do any of that, I wipe my cache and history, just because. But I would presume Titanium backup would take care of this, I've never needed to use Titanium, so I don't know.
Currently the programs will not be there. Froyo 2.2 should allow for this to happen though. Our phones are currently running Android 2.1 and Toast's method will wipe everything on the phone when you begin the rooting process (so yes, its a "hard reset").
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so will the Sprint TV program and that kinda stuff be back? Because it sounds like it'll wipe it back to factory settings, allow for root access, but it'll still have the default programs when I'm done rooting that came with the phone out of the box?
Sorry, I am a total noob at Android Rooting. But I can hard SPL and flash cooked ROMs on WM all day long... haha pathetic.
XDA members ARE THE ****! :-D
pekosROB said:
OK, so will the Sprint TV program and that kinda stuff be back? Because it sounds like it'll wipe it back to factory settings, allow for root access, but it'll still have the default programs when I'm done rooting that came with the phone out of the box?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. That's exactly what will happen. You'll have a stock, rooted phone, which you can now install a custom recovery image onto (The recovery image is how you would make backups of your phone, install custom themes, ROM's, wipe your phone, etc).
pekosROB said:
Sorry, I am a total noob at Android Rooting. But I can hard SPL and flash cooked ROMs on WM all day long... haha pathetic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's understandable, everyone here at some point or another was a "noob", but that changes quickly!
pseudoremora said:
Yes. That's exactly what will happen. You'll have a stock, rooted phone, which you can now install a custom recovery image onto (The recovery image is how you would make backups of your phone, install custom themes, ROM's, wipe your phone, etc).
It's understandable, everyone here at some point or another was a "noob", but that changes quickly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm doing this at work and want to make it as stress free as possible...
I'm looking at the Rooting instructions by Toast, and I've noticed it says to not accept any OTAs once you root. So is there a chance my microSD card will not work? Or has this issue been resolved/updated?
Here is the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=690762
or this one? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=685835
Once I root with the PC36IMG, do I then immediately have to install a ROM like this to get it back to stock?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=693980
But only after doing the Recovery? I think I got this figured out about 75%... heh
pekosROB said:
I'm doing this at work and want to make it as stress free as possible...
I'm looking at the Rooting instructions by Toast, and I've noticed it says to not accept any OTAs once you root. So is there a chance my microSD card will not work? Or has this issue been resolved/updated?
Here is the link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=690762
or this one? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=685835
Once I root with the PC36IMG, do I then immediately have to install a ROM like this to get it back to stock?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=693980
But only after doing the Recovery? I think I got this figured out about 75%... heh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright,
You need to follow the steps in THIS thread first. This is the first part of rooting your Evo using Toast's method. The first part will allow you to gain only about 50% root access and you'll also be able to use Amon_RA's recovery to make a Nandroid backup and flash a custom ROM; but hold off on that until you've completed the next step, continue reading...
Then you need to follow Toast's SECOND part of the rooting process, this process will complete the root hack altogether. This second part will give you full root access on every partition on the phone (which was missing in part 1). After you complete this second part, you can NOW install a custom ROM, recovery, etc.
So, basically, do the first part -- after you've completed it, do the second part... the second part will look similar to the first, but download all the new files and follow the directions as written! You'll see that the last step in the second part will instruct you to install Amon_RA's recovery image, do that. After that's done, you now have:
1. Full root access
2. A Custom recovery image (Amon_RA's)
3. You can make a Nandroid back up
4. Can install/flash custom ROM's
5. Tether
6. Etc.
To boot into recovery mode, do as follows:
1. Turn of your phone -- hold the power button, choose power off.
2. Press Volume Down + Power, until you see a white bootloading screen, using your Volume rocker keys (up and down), choose recovery.. then to select "recovery", click the Power button. Your phone will reboot, and go into recovery. This is where you can make a Nandroid backup and flash custom ROM's. Follow the instructions in recovery to navigate around it.
Also, as far as flashing custom ROM's goes, please look at this link
This is the Wiki page for all the current ROM's that have been made for the Evo.
If you get stuck or need anymore help -- continue asking questions; but please also look at this before doing so.
pseudoremora said:
Alright,
You need to follow the steps in THIS thread first. This is the first part of rooting your Evo using Toast's method. The first part will allow you to gain only about 50% root access and you'll also be able to use Amon_RA's recovery to make a Nandroid backup and flash a custom ROM; but hold off on that until you've completed the next step, continue reading...
Then you need to follow Toast's SECOND part of the rooting process, this process will complete the root hack altogether. This second part will give you full root access on every partition on the phone (which was missing in part 1). After you complete this second part, you can NOW install a custom ROM, recovery, etc.
So, basically, do the first part -- after you've completed it, do the second part... the second part will look similar to the first, but download all the new files and follow the directions as written! You'll see that the last step in the second part will instruct you to install Amon_RA's recovery image, do that. After that's done, you now have:
1. Full root access
2. A Custom recovery image (Amon_RA's)
3. You can make a Nandroid back up
4. Can install/flash custom ROM's
5. Tether
6. Etc.
To boot into recovery mode, do as follows:
1. Turn of your phone -- hold the power button, choose power off.
2. Press Volume Down + Power, until you see a white bootloading screen, using your Volume rocker keys (up and down), choose recovery.. then to select "recovery", click the Power button. Your phone will reboot, and go into recovery. This is where you can make a Nandroid backup and flash custom ROM's. Follow the instructions in recovery to navigate around it.
Also, as far as flashing custom ROM's goes, please look at this link
This is the Wiki page for all the current ROM's that have been made for the Evo.
If you get stuck or need anymore help -- continue asking questions; but please also look at this before doing so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sweet, thanks. I've already gotten the first part of the root access done, I'm just on that part where I have rename the file on the card.

[Q] Questions about the new Root method.

Let me apologize first to all the people who have perhaps answered these questions throughout the 2 threads already I've read through both of them and cannot quite get a handle on a few things.
Q#1 - Before I do this I need a back up to save all my contacts and apps ect... but most of the ones I'm finding say they require root in order to work. Is there an app for the PC that will do this for me or something I can download on or off the Market for the back up I've over looked?
Q#2 - Is Unrevoked 3 + Forever a true unlocked nand that is permanent? Or will I have to go through the steps for unlocking nand? Basically after I perform unrevoked forever will I be able to simply flash cm6 or baked snack by renaming them to recovery.img? Or should I go ahead and go through the simple root method if I'm trying to get full nand unlocked and flash over to another rom?
Q#3 - Now once this is complete will I loose my radio and PRL or PRI or whatever they are(it would be nice to see a quick answer for that as well)? If so and I've used urevoked 3 and forever can I just go through the OTA again and the PRL update to get these back and retain root + nand?
Q#4 - After all is said and done, not having ever rooted a phone before, I'm wondering at this point how exactly to flash over to CM6 or Baked Snack ect....?
and what backup would be best to use here? I think Titanium is a option. Once I have root but should I restore my contacts and apps ect... then run Titanium(or whatever it is I'm looking for) from the 2.1? After that flash over to what Rom I'm wanting and restore again using titanium this time to get all my stuff into the new rom?
1) Yes, you need to back stuff up, your phone will be wiped. Not sure what the best way to back up your apps is, but I think you can re-download paid apps for free using your Google account, since that's how you sign into market. Contacts can be exported to your SD card, but they also sync with your Gmail account. Beyond that, don't know.
2) Yes, it's a full root when they are combined. UF is an S-OFF and NAND unlock.
3) Yes, UF should protect you from losing root in the future.
4) Search the forums. Flashing is as easy as copying the ROM .zip to your SD card and rebooting into recovery. Wipe everything first (which means you'll lose data if you don't back up). Titanium works well, but you may run into problems if you try to back up all your settings and apps and then restore them all - they don't always work right between versions and/or ROMs. Best to re-download whatever you can. This goes along with your first question. Again, search. Lots of info on this.
But it's always recommended that you use the recovery to do a NANDROID backup, so you can go back to where you were before the flash. It's a full image of your current ROM.
I've heard there's issues with CM because it checks for the eng spl to determine if you have full NAND unlocked. Forever does unlock it, its just not the same method as using an engineering build. All other ROMs should work with no issue and there is probably a work around for CM.
I can add a little something to 1
Try downloading an app called mybackup from the market - free trial only works for 30 days, but thats ok. it can back up your apps (although I've never used it for that), but more importantly, it can also backup your call logs, sms, mms, bookmarks, and a bunch of other stuff. No root needed for this either.
as a rule, you should always back up and save your contacts as google contacts. Then you don't need to ever worry about losing them.
You know, as soon as you flash the new PC36IMG in that new rooting guide, you're at the same starting point as toastcfh's method. You can do a full manual root from there as well and not have to worry about Unrevoked at all. Probably a good idea to run UF at the end, though.
quick question how do I save my contacts to google contacts?
Also thank you all for the help. Did someone find a work around for CM6 using the urevoked methods? or can I just do them to ensure I have the root and nand then do the quick root or full root method afterward?
For new contacts, just choose Google under contact type. I think you may have to manually enter existing ones into Google though or import them somehow - and its much easier to do that from a computer.
Don't think there's a fix for cm yet, but I'm pretty sure you can use any of the older root methods when you get back down to 2.1, and those will let you flash cm.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah
Hmmm so there isn't anyway to ensure that I can keep root permanently and still flash the CM6? I'm thinking for some reason (not really sure why) that i want to do the OTA again and update my radio and PRL don't really know what they do (think PRL has something to do with data) then flash over the cm6 but this isn't a feasible option it seems. Well I'm back at 2.1 so do I not need to update the radio and PRL? or will baked snack or what ever come with these updates already? still a bit confused about this whole thing but its worked well so far.
crimeslunk said:
Hmmm so there isn't anyway to ensure that I can keep root permanently and still flash the CM6? I'm thinking for some reason (not really sure why) that i want to do the OTA again and update my radio and PRL don't really know what they do (think PRL has something to do with data) then flash over the cm6 but this isn't a feasible option it seems. Well I'm back at 2.1 so do I not need to update the radio and PRL? or will baked snack or what ever come with these updates already? still a bit confused about this whole thing but its worked well so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may have worked well so far, but it can go wrong quick. Once rooted, there is no reason to ota. Ever.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah
crimeslunk said:
Hmmm so there isn't anyway to ensure that I can keep root permanently and still flash the CM6? I'm thinking for some reason (not really sure why) that i want to do the OTA again and update my radio and PRL don't really know what they do (think PRL has something to do with data) then flash over the cm6 but this isn't a feasible option it seems. Well I'm back at 2.1 so do I not need to update the radio and PRL? or will baked snack or what ever come with these updates already? still a bit confused about this whole thing but its worked well so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that not what Unrevoked Forever does? Permanent root?
Huys, I keep getting stuck at the "Flashing recovery image. Do not touch your phone!" part in the unrevoked 3 prog. What the hell am I doing wrong. All usb drivers from their site are installed and I do what the prog tells me to. Thanks in advance.
crimeslunk said:
Q#1 - Before I do this I need a back up to save all my contacts and apps ect... but most of the ones I'm finding say they require root in order to work. Is there an app for the PC that will do this for me or something I can download on or off the Market for the back up I've over looked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to install unrevoked 3 first. That will give you super user permissions where you can then backup your device.
Easiest is to:
A. Install unrevoked 3
B. Install Rom Manager
C. Use Rom Manager to backup your device
D. Use listables to make a list of your contacts and apps
crimeslunk said:
Q#2 - Is Unrevoked 3 + Forever a true unlocked nand that is permanent? Or will I have to go through the steps for unlocking nand? Basically after I perform unrevoked forever will I be able to simply flash cm6 or baked snack by renaming them to recovery.img? Or should I go ahead and go through the simple root method if I'm trying to get full nand unlocked and flash over to another rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, unrevoked is full root, and permanent. It's the best way IMO.
crimeslunk said:
Q#3 - Now once this is complete will I loose my radio and PRL or PRI or whatever they are(it would be nice to see a quick answer for that as well)? If so and I've used urevoked 3 and forever can I just go through the OTA again and the PRL update to get these back and retain root + nand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Do unrevoked forever, and then do all the HTC updates for PRL and your radios, except don't update to Android 2.2 through HTC obviously.
This is a major difference between unrevoked and simple root. Simple root makes you jump through hoops to update PRL and radios.
crimeslunk said:
Q#4 - After all is said and done, not having ever rooted a phone before, I'm wondering at this point how exactly to flash over to CM6 or Baked Snack ect....?
and what backup would be best to use here? I think Titanium is a option. Once I have root but should I restore my contacts and apps ect... then run Titanium(or whatever it is I'm looking for) from the 2.1? After that flash over to what Rom I'm wanting and restore again using titanium this time to get all my stuff into the new rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Unrevoked 3
2. Unrevoked forever
3. HTC Radio and PRL updates
4. Rom Manager --> Install your Rom
Simple as it gets
Good walk through using unrevoked forever:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=760651
Another good walkthough using unrevoked:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all...voked-forever-stock-2-1-stock-2-2-rooted.html
So I've flashed over to Baked Snack or what ever it is and tried to restore all my contacts ect with My Backup but it has totally wiped my 7 "pages" now they are all empty is this something I should be worried about or should I just rebuild them?
Note: I forgot to do a nandroid back up between the 2.1 flash to the Baked Snack.
So have I lost my PRL and my Wimax and Radio? And if I have is this a big deal? Kinda worried about updating them manually seeming as how people are saying they've bricked their phones from it. Will I have to flash back to 2.1 and update again or is this pointless because when I do my factory wipe before flashing the rom does it delete the updated PRL Radio and Wimax?
And I greatly appreciate all of you help here. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
*For my next time through where is Rom Manager? Is this a market or pc app?
i have another question ones you are done with this can you install another rom for ex: omj?
nevermind, i fixed it by uninstalling htc sync and then running unrevoked 3
Well Baked Snack is good and all but it seems to be using up more of my mem then the official froyo. Why is that? I'm thinking I want to change over to Cyanogen (not for the memory use but I'm really not digging sense) but I'm hearing that its not possible with Unrevoked. Could someone give me some advice on how to set it up so I can flash CM6? Can I still go about using the simple root method over the unrevoked? Then flash to CM6? Or will I have to remove the root somehow and then flash the 2.1 then do something? Ohh its all so very confusing for now but I'll get the hang of this soon and stop asking questions.
Someone post a link as to where are the latest radios are please?

Questions about rooting an EVO

Let me first say I'm a noob to this whole rooting thing and I would like to get some more info on. I tried searching the forums for the answers, but I failed to find what I was looking for.
1) What is this nand people are talking about? RUU? ROM (what's the difference between sense and no sense)?
2) How do I backup my apps, etc before trying to root?
3) Which guide do I use? My Evo came with 2.1, but I did the stock update to Froyo.- I don't wanna end up with a 500 paperweight.
4) If I need to bring my phone in for service how do I return it to stock?
5) I know you can turn your phone into a free wifi hotspot after rooting, what are some other advantages to rooting?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
ok now let me remind you im not far ahead of you so let me tell you i would wait for a few more posts before taking what i have to say to heart, but i cant leave someone i may be able to help (even a little in need)....
1. the phrase "NAND" refers to the term nandroid backup, which is when you create a backup file. like a system restore point for windows, so when u start doing some different customizations or just try flashing some different roms assuming something goes wrong you will always be just one click away from doing a restore back to a fully functioning rom that you backedup previously. i believe the 2 main programs associated with this is amon_ra and clockwork.....
2. as far as backing up apps i just save the .apks on my pc and reinstall them once i reflash a new rom, but from what im reading you can use a program like titatnium backup, app brain...etc. but then again as far as personal experience goes...none here just what ive gathered from reading.
3. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=765496
(personally ive rooted with this method and it was very simple just read through the steps before starting and follow them accordingly, dont be discouraged general computer knowledge is needed though) or atleast the ability to move about the computer)
4. returning your phone from the method discribed below is simple as it seems...but again have not done personally only from what ive read: you are rooted (assuming you've used the thread above) with unrevoked3 meaning you have s-off(in laymen terms: the position of the bootloader {ON or OFF} which checks images being flashed to make sure they are signed with the htc security signature),,,you just need to download the unrevoked s-ON file and use that to return the phones security settings and re-download an RUU(RomUpdateUtility) thats official from the htc site and ull be back to unrooted good old-fashion stock evo.
5. and as far as the wifi tethering goes just go to the market place and download a wifi tethering .apk, once rooted of course ....and run it from your evo to connect to your pc wirelessly
*this should help*
http://handheld.softpedia.com/progDownload/Wifi-tether-download-76020.html
and as far as why root, well because when you buy a phone i assume you wanted it to be YOUR phone and with rooting its all about flashing opensource/custom roms to your phone and other things such as kernels to customize the phone to your liking and you cant flash unsigned data to your phone without having su permission, meaning you need ROOT access....
-now again let me disclaimer myself i am also very very new to the whole android community and may be spewing lots of wrong info and am probably quite confused my self but i figure id risk making a fool of my self to help u in the off chance that what im saying makes any sense at all....but yea
If I can root a phone trippin on 28 triple cs you can do it
Boss dextromethorphan.....is no fun, and I dunt suggest rooting ur phone or opperating heavy machinery under the influence of triple c's....
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Bump
Victory for L---S---U

[Q] Root Time!

Well my G2 is still very fast but now I think its time for it to follow my G1s "root"s. I am going to root this phone after I find out whether or not if:
My G2's current apps and info will still be on my phone after I root?
What app is a good enough to back up my phone completely?
What information will I lose if I do root?
Seems a little bit different rooting than the G1, I see many parts where some may get confused...
Blackman778g said:
Well my G2 is still very fast but now I think its time for it to follow my G1s "root"s. I am going to root this phone after I find out whether or not if:
My G2's current apps and info will still be on my phone after I root?
What app is a good enough to back up my phone completely?
What information will I lose if I do root?
Seems a little bit different rooting than the G1, I see many parts where some may get confused...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're going to simply root, all you're doing is adding the Superuser Whitelist and modifying the /system folder a bit. No wipe required unless you flash a custom ROM, in which case you can use Titanium Backup.
blackknightavalon said:
If you're going to simply root, all you're doing is adding the Superuser Whitelist and modifying the /system folder a bit. No wipe required unless you flash a custom ROM, in which case you can use Titanium Backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright now it sounds clear to me, thanks for the help.

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