Root Root w/o wipe

[Wiskid]

First off, I do not have an Evo, I have a Galaxy S2. My uncle has an Evo and is looking to root. He doesn't really want to wipe prior to rooting, though. I don't think he's interested in a custom rom.

Is there a way to root without wiping the phone first? Does an app like Z4Root work for it?

Thanks.

 

[Rxpert83]

Use the gingerbread for dummies guide to root the EVO. It uses revolutionary. If you don't install a custom ROM he will not lose anything.

 

[ocnbrze]

well it will depend on what hboot the evo has, to determine what method needed to root your phone. power off then press and hold power+vol down. this will take you to the hboot (bootloader) screen and at the top will be the hboot version.

if the hboot is 2.10 or less the you will need:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/194918-rooting-dummies.html

if the hboot is 2.15 or 2.16 then use this:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all...ooting-dummies-guide-gingerbread-edition.html

and though it is recommended that you do a factory reset before rooting, it is not necessary that you do it. so rooting should not wipe the phone. but if you run into issues trying to root, i would suggest that you do a factory reset, but that is up to you.

 

[Wiskid]

well it will depend on what hboot the evo has, to determine what method needed to root your phone. power off then press and hold power+vol down. this will take you to the hboot (bootloader) screen and at the top will be the hboot version.

if the hboot is 2.10 or less the you will need:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/194918-rooting-dummies.html

if the hboot is 2.15 or 2.16 then use this:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all...ooting-dummies-guide-gingerbread-edition.html

and though it is recommended that you do a factory reset before rooting, it is not necessary that you do it. so rooting should not wipe the phone. but if you run into issues trying to root, i would suggest that you do a factory reset, but that is up to you.

Excellent! Thanks a lot!

 

[Rxpert83]

if the hboot is 2.10 or less the you will need:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all-things-root/194918-rooting-dummies.html

if the hboot is 2.15 or 2.16 then use this:
http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-all...ooting-dummies-guide-gingerbread-edition.html

Thanks, I always forget those of you that were here before gingerbread have to do it differently

 

[Granite1]

Ok, here's the junk drawer analogy again.

When you try to open the junk drawer everyone has at their respective home, it often gets stuck because of all the random "junk". If you clean said drawer out and organize everything, it opens smooth as silk. The same thought applies with rooting your phone. If there's a bunch of "junk" floating around it might get hung up.
Like Ocn said lost of folks have successfully rooted their phone without wiping it. Give it a try and see if it works.

 

[frenchy714]

I believe wiping your Evo prior to rooting is a formality at best...Just my opinion.

Now wiping prior to flashing new ROM's, a must.