So two pointless and ridiculously difficult exam is around the corner. This naturally leads to plenty of free time. What is one to do? Naturally I decided to root my phone and unlock my bootloader.
First, a quick explanation to the uninitiated.
root – Root, in terms of computing is a privileged access level to your computers base files. You could equate it to ULTIMATE POWA NINJAZ
bootloader – The bootloader does exactly as the portmanteau implies. It loads your boot software. Unlocking it means you can flash a new mod as opposed to the one that comes stock on your phone.
It’s quite different from jailbreaking and unlocking your phone. Unlock implies being able to use any simcard on your sim-locked phone. Jailbreaking allows you to install unsigned apps on your iphone. The android is an open system, so there is no jailbreaking required, you just press a button that says “install third party apps” and you’re done. Naturally if you’re stupid, you’ll get spyware and all sorts of malaware on it, but for the most part, nothing of the sort happens.
Step 1
BACKUP!
So the first step is to backup all applications, contacts and all that shit. Here’s the beauty of android, your phone is connected to the cloud! You don’t have to do shit. Everytime your phone is synced, you upload all this shit on the “Cloud”. The cloud being an online repository of your shit. This happens without any extra work from you. You can disable it, but I don’t see why anyone would want to.
Step 2
Rooting your device!
The steps are similar for most devices, but it all involves having the Android SDK (Software Development Kits) installed together with the associated drivers for your phone.
Once that’s installed, it gets easier.
There’s two ways here. The first, which is the manly way, is to download Superboot, and find the unlocker for your phone build number (which you can find from Settings –> About Phone) and unlock it via superboot.
The easier way for nooblets, is to just download the new easily available One-Click Rooting app and let it run.
CJ, if you’re reading this, this is the link you want: HTC Desire!
Step 3
Unlocking the Bootloader
Warning: Unlocking your bootloader will make a fresh wipe for your phone. If your phone is brand new, you aren’t going to miss much. In my case, I’ve a lot of crap in it, so It may affect me quite a bit. However, everything is backed up, so I’m good to go.
Unlocking the bootloader on the nexus one is fairly simple. You just load in recovery mode, and then, via the computer command prompt, type “fastboot oem unlock” You’ll need the Android SDK of course.
That simple. It may vary from phone to phone {on how to get into the recovery mode, but a quick google search will indicate how it’s done for your phone”
Step takes 5 minute, and we’re done.
Final step is to install a custom Rom.
There are hundreds of roms, just hit up xda developers and you’ll see thousands. My recommendation? Cyanogen Mod! Here’s a link : Choose your Phone on top of the page.
Enjoy your android kids. Maybe one day, I’ll write a post on all the apps you may want, and the benefits of root. However, if you’re already rooting, then there’s no need to elaborate is there?
best phone in the market??? really??
@CJ – Yes.
The best phones are vanilla android. Only two phones run android in vanilla form, and that’s Nexus One and Nexus S.
Don’t take my word for it, just google it. To experience android at the level it is to be enjoyed, you go vanilla, sir.
When the N1 was released, it was leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. Everything else strived to reach the specs of the nexus to compete. The NS, whilst pretty exciting with all the doodads it comes with (including NFC) it is still a Nexus One with a paintjob 😛
The Desire is awesome in its own right, and it is ALMOST a carbon copy of the N1, but the N1 was engineered and designed from the ground up by Google and later produced by HTC.
The fact that google engineered the phone, simply allows it to be the best phone in the market.
I do not see the N1 losing its dominance to the NS “just yet”. This will, however happen as soon as the Tegra chips are deployed! Exciting times kids, exciting times.