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Root Brand new, unopened EVO 4G LTE - should I root it now?

J

jerrym100

Newbie
My new EVO 4G LTE came this afternoon to replace my EVO 4G. I never did root my old EVO and have been reading a lot about all the various techniques to root it. Gotta tell you it is pretty confusing for a first-timer - and I am not dumb about technology. All these step-by-step guides to do this and then that with little or no explanation to give you a sense of what the hell you are doing. Very frightening for a noob.

So I am ready to try it on my old EVO 4G. But my primary question is - should I root my new 4G LTEvo before I do anything else to it. Before I turn it on it has no user data so I don't need to worry about that. The image is virgin so no OTA updates yet. It is a new phone so I'm guessing Sprint will push some updates soon.

So from the experts - before I even turn it on - should I install My Backup Pro first, save everything, then go thru a root procedure? If there is anything wrong with the phone will it void my warranty if I need to return it? Or should I go ahead and initiate it, customize it, activate it, test it all out and break it in for a week or two before I consider rooting?

Please give me some recommendations. I am not in such a hurry that I can't wait a couple of days to hear from you guys.


Jerry in Houston
 
I was also a new to rooting when I got my EVOlte, honestly the root method with RegawMOD couldn't be easier IMO. It takes care of the bootloader as well.

[ROOT] RegawMOD EVO 4G LTE Rooter | Updated 06.13.12 - xda-developers

I pretty much read through the thread(s) for rooting both here and XDA, as well as the ones when it came to flashing a custom ROM (I don't consider myself well versed with these things) RegawMOD also puts on TWRP recovery which was pretty user friendly. I'd say be most careful on the first flash, when you need to back up your stuff for the first time.

The other members can definitely give you a more thorough run down, but I think it's worth it and not a huge deal to go back to stock if need be. You paid for it you should get the most out of the hardware and software. Good luck.

*There are also good YT videos for Root & Rom guides for the phone. That helped me the most.
 
I'd probably at least activate it first so it is keyed to your number and account. The rooting procedure is pretty straight forward but you need to do your homework to be ready for it if it soft bricks. I rooted mine within an hour and then s-off'd and unlocked it 2 days later. It was pretty easy but i did get bricked once and had to recover it before it gave it up.

The Regaw method mentioned above does flag your phone with htc and sprint as being rooted, so if that bothers you I'd suggest using the the zedomax method to get root and lazypanda to unlock it.

If you just want to play and keep a margin of safety there isn't anything wrong with the htcdev unlocking method as far as phone functionality is concerned if you don't mind voiding part of your warranty. I wanted the phone to be s-off without their knowledge so I held out for the lazypanda.

Welcome to the forum. You're going to love your new phone no matter which method you decide to use.
 
Thanks for the Youtube tip, I have been watching many, many vids.

Ovrrdrive, could you (or others) provide a little more background about my phone being "flagged" with HTC or Sprint. Is that a passive thing where I just won't get offered OTA updates, or will they hunt me down in the night with SWAT teams and helicopters??

More realistically, I get my account thru a friend's employee program ("Wireless Advantage"), I wouldn't want to do anything that might get him in trouble or embarrass him.

I see where the EasyPanda download has been suspended recently due to some bricking issues (sticky thread at the top of this forum). And you mentioned you had bricked a phone. That is kinda scary stuff for someone with a brand new phone and unfamiliar with all the concepts. I think I will just activate it and test all the functionality for a week or two. I have read other threads about GPS issues, Google Wallet issues, screen display issues, etc. I better make sure every radio and every feature works before I void any part of my warranty.

Jerry
 
I think I held out for 5 hours before I rooted mine. There are just too many benefits to being rooted to resist the temptation. I always vote for root asap.
 
I waited a week to make sure I didn't have lemon-scented hardware.

Five minutes after you root it doesn't matter.

Take your time, be sure, ask questions, know the path that's right for you.

Read, read read before acting has always been The First Rule of Rooting. ;)
 
The FeedPanda is safer than before (I hung that warning), Granite (one of our Guides) is working on a step by step guide.

Getting root is the same as getting Admin access on your PC. Just more confusing at first.

There are essentially only 2 paths to root your LTEvo now -

- one click to root, then optionally s-off, then add a custom recovery (fancy name for your number one admin tool)

- one click to root and add custom recovery at the same time, optionally add s-off access later.

S-off means to bypass encrypted signature security by HTC. Awfully helpful but not strictly necessary.

To add custom recovery, your bootloader (think like BIOS on a PC - it's not exactly that but like it) must be unlocked.

The one-click does-it-for-you unlocks using the HTC dev website anonymously.
The s-off first method bypasses the HTC dev website altogether.

Don't know if that's clear, but hope it helps. :)
 
EarlyMon, thanks for the tips, I am honored by your (thousands of thanks) presence!

If you would indulge me, I would ask a few basic questions in the interest of documenting a few things for new and future new rooters.

One of the things I have learned over the years in technology work and on PCs is always have a current, reliable backup or a fallback plan. I have backed up my phone using MyBackup Pro which does not require root. So it backs up all my apps and user data - but not my underlying OS or bootloader (or whatever!) I understand that Titanium does but it requires root to run it.

So if I attempt a root process and somehow it fails I have my user data but I don't have a good image to fall back to. It's a chicken and egg thing.

What is a poor noob to do?? Is there a way to get back to stock?

It is rooting without a safety net.
 
We have you basically covered.

In the event of catastrophic rooting failure, short of an actual hard brick (insanely rare), we have links to a tool called an RUU.

That's the as-shipped image from Sprint, gives you a do-over as if you just opened the box.

Do NOT take today's OTA update, it will bork everything.

Please keep those questions coming until you're clear and comfortable. :)
 
Jerry, just take the rsk and get rooted with a good recovery and then do your backup. You're only "vulnerable" for a short time and then after you're done you can backup until you run out of space to archive them on your computer. I do a lot of backups at first on a new phone until I get a bunch of solid backups then I get a lot more relaxed and only backup when I know I'm only going to try smething for a short time so I can jump back. At that point I usually don't do any backups if I'm pretty sure I'll be running a particular rom for a while. I've learned over time that for one I know enough about the phone to get it set back up in a few minutes and 2 I've never really ever gone back to a rom once I'm done playing with it anyway. I keep a bunch to fall back on in case I ever screw up and then don't worry about it. I do keep one solid backup on the phone at all times though. I can't tell you how many times I was playing around at work and borked something. As long as you keep a solid backup on the phone you just wipe and flash then set the phone down. You're down for like 5 minutes then right back up again.
 
EarlyMon said:
Do NOT take today's OTA update, it will bork everything.
Click to expand...

This bears repeating.

All of the known exploits only work on pre-OTA software, not the update. If you're thinking about rooting, don't take the update. I would suggest running your phone through its paces for a couple of days until you're comfortable that you don't have any hardware problems, then go for it.
And for the love of god don't take an OTA after you've rooted! :p
 
jerrym100 said:
Very encouraging from both of you. Good background info. I'm going for it!
Click to expand...

If you haven't done it yet I will second EM's recommendation to try things out for a week or so first. I was one of those unfortunate individuals who got a lemon which was promptly replaced by Sprint when I took it in.

You will get no such love if they see you are rooted.

Make sure the phone is a good one first then by all means root away!:D
 
Topgonzo said:
Root
Click to expand...

I'll assume you're asking what root is. :)

Root is the bottom most folder in a linux based operating system. This is where the actual operating system files are held, along with the kernel which tells the software how to interact with the hardware, and other folders and files.

To gain root on a phone is to gain access to these folders and files. When you get your phone the carrier locks these partitions down so you can't change these files. Gaining root will unlock these partition securities and allow you to change anything you want in the phone. :)

If you have any questions please let us know, we can explain anything that's unclear, or help you on a root quest. :)
 
I think questions like this are awesome for us old timers to review every now and then. Me I had my LTE rooted in the first hour with s-off and a custom recovery and splash screen already going. Like the days of my EVO endeavours I keep just a few nand's and most importantly a very good ROM on the phone (This phone has plenty of space) I can run a ROM and have a phone back in less than five minutes. I may have to do other work later but if I really just need my phone then that is good enough for the time being. I also like to make sure that its really a ROM issue and not app compatibility issues. (Not all problems are the ROM's fault) I'm also a Futzer (Interested in seeing how many remember what that is)
 
I appreciate your thoughtful comment about old-timers watching threads like this. I am also an old-timer -- just not in this space. I have been involved to varying degrees with computers for over 35 years. I have a hosting account and have installed, moderate, and administer 2 different web sites with discussion forums for about 5 years. [Never been a developer - that is a black art!]

But in this business I am as new as a spanked baby's ass. It is a weird feeling to feel so helpless in a technical area. I understand root in a Unix sense, I understand bootloaders (like a bios, right?), but the terminology of cell phone OS's is unique and almost a slang with you guys. Trying to learn about this stuff is like trying to learn how to program in C++ from a steady stream of instant messages!

I understand that many threads here are to help people with problems, to fix issues, and explore new ones. But I wish the 'senior' members, and certainly the mods, would every once in a while summarize a thread by spelling out some acronyms, presenting the issue and solution in layman's english for others.

The thing I think many forget is that every comment, every thread, every issue is captured by Google and stored forever. So when people like me who know how to search with Google effectively search in here we still have to read through hundreds of instant messaging-like comments to find the essence, the nugget that we need.

Just a quick and hopefully positive observation here, please don't take offense. I have been a software design engineer in a past life and know how to facilitate between users and developers. Just trying to stimulate some thought for y'all.

I will pick up my original issue in the next post...
 
Actually I followed the several comments above and waited to use the phone for a while to make sure everything worked before I started to hack it. That and I had to take an 8 day motorcycle trip for about 2400 miles - but that is a different story.

So now I am rooted and have used Titanium to back up and tried to use wifi tether (will connect but not transfer data). I am pleased but now I'm afraid I am addicted! This is really cool. I want more.

So I think the next step is to unlock my bootloader. I know there are a few packages out there that will give me a whole new ROM and everything but how will I learn the step-by-step if I do that?

So here is my next question. I think the most basic way to unlock my bootloader is to use the HTC web site method. I registered an account there and have read their stuff. Kinda scary to be honest.

I know unlocking will wipe the phone, so I will need my Titanium backup (TB). But I'm not sure I understand what the difference is between TB and nandroid backups. I think a nandroid backup is more of an imaging process. Is it like the old Ghost image backups?

And I think the nandroid backup is a function of a new ROM. So how can I have the security of a good nandroid backup if I can't do a nandroid until I install a new ROM?? What am I missing?
 
Nandroid is indeed a full image backup of the /boot, /system and /data partitions.

If the HTCdev unlock completely borks your phone (hasn't happened yet so far as I know, but hey, valid point) then we will point you at a tool called an RUU that will write a factory-stock image of your phone, making it as if you just took it out of the box, solving the chicken and the egg problem.

You can also bypass HTCdev unlock and instead unlock and remove encrypted signature security for your bootloader, called s-off. We have a sticky thread for that, but you need to check your bootloader version - we have a sticky thread for how to boot into your bootloader, too.

BTW, what's your unix experience level?
 
Thought I covered this here, apparently not.

Root is the name of the unix admin account. Rooting an Android is the same exact thing as getting Admin access on a PC.

Your primary admin tool is called a custom recovery - here, you will use the one called TWRP. Use it to manage nandroid backups, install system software (up to and including full roms) and maintain operating system caches.

To install a custom recovery, your bootloader must be unlocked.

A bootloader isn't a BIOS, but it's analogous to one for purposes of this discussion.

From the outside, in, that's the food chain here.
 
EarlyMon said:
You can also bypass HTCdev unlock and instead unlock and remove encrypted signature security for your bootloader, called s-off.
Click to expand...

Well, I should go research that some more but if it is useful to discuss this here for others... I have read about s-off (security off) but I'm not sure what it does for me. It sounds like 2 separate operations - unlock bootloader and remove signature security. I understand unlocking the loader but what are the ramifications of removing the signature security.

EarlyMon said:
BTW, what's your unix experience level?
Click to expand...

Mixed. I was a Unix user in a job a loooong time ago. That got me interested so then about 10 years ago I had an opportunity to learn VMWare and began to load and play with different versions of Linux over the years just to explore and learn. Nothing ever serious. Compiling damn libraries to get things to work right always frustrated me to death. Haven't played with Ubuntu recently but I understand it is really useful, friendly, and rock solid.

Makes me want to go dust off some old VMWare images I have like DOS 3.2, Windows 3.1, Win95. Amazing what we used to have to do on a computer!
 
I began programming statistics routines on punched cards in 72. You can't scare me with DOS. LoL

There are two advantages to s-off. First, the process won't wipe out what you have, and if you go directly to s-off, that also unlocks the bootloader.

Second, you'll be free to flash a few firmware partitions that you can't get to otherwise. That may or may not prove useful over the life of your phone. I go for it every chance I get, fwiw.
 
EarlyMon said:
I began programming statistics routines on punched cards in 72. You can't scare me with DOS. LoL
Click to expand...

I spent some time punching cards in college a few years after you. Is there a Youtube video about that? Do younger people even know what that means?? Hey, I found one!

EarlyMon said:
There are two advantages to s-off. First, the process won't wipe out what you have, and if you go directly to s-off, that also unlocks the bootloader. Second, you'll be free to flash a few firmware partitions that you can't get to otherwise. That may or may not prove useful over the life of your phone. I go for it every chance I get, fwiw.
Click to expand...

I read the discussion thread that is a sticky at the top of this forum titled [S-OFF] LazyPanda S-OFF for LTEvo[Locked or Unlocked devices].

There are several comments in there that you don't really need s-off. At this point I don't know what the advantages are other than not wiping the phone if I unlock and s-off at the same time (is that really true??).

In that thread you made a post that said (post #25):

EarlyMon said:
Get unlocked (with s-off) - use the old 1-click method, HTCdev unlock, get TWRP --> or use Regaw's 1-click ---> then do this s-off.

Root is a finite space:

** Unlocked bootloader (s-off optional) -> so you can install custom recovery
** Custom Recovery -> so you can make backups and flash the goods
** SuperSU and Busybox installed to /system file partition -> gives root privilege and basic tools

^^ Can't get any more rooted than that, and the actual path or tools used are all secondary.
Click to expand...

This is where I would like to be. What is the method you mentioned to unlock and s-off at the same time?? And will that wipe the phone or not?
 
The s-off being discussed in the sticky thread will unlock your bootloader and give you s-off in one move - and it won't erase anything (but we advise a full sd card backup because sometimes confusion happens).

The caveats are - 1) must be at the right bootloader level to start, 2) through no fault of your own or the devs it might place your phone into a state we're calling bricked (for convenience only - it's not bricked, it's locked into a Qualcomm (maker of the processor in the phone) download mode), 3) and that's 100% recoverable provided you can boot an Ubuntu live CD and be comfortable copying and pasting a few instructions into a unix terminal.
 
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