HTC EVO 4G fully rooted, freedom loving people everywhere rejoice
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted June 14th 2010 7:46PM
posted June 14th 2010 7:46PM
You've undoubtedly been following the story -- hell, maybe you've even partaking in some serious WiFi tethering. Well, the Android Police (not an actual police force) are reporting that the EVO 4G has finally been rooted, fully and completely. What's this mean? Well, for starters, enterprising individuals will soon be writing to /system from within the OS, removing Sprint's apps and flashing from custom ROMs. Pretty sweet, right? Hit up the source link to get started! But please, don't brick your phone. For real.
@Mecha2142
Does this root have 4g enable?
SWEET! I'm a root mine right now!
@Juggernaut408 You're a root mine? *sorry, couldn't resist, plus feeling cranky since he has an exam tomorrow*
Meh. Nothing to get excited about. Waiting for iOS 4 release version to be jaibroken once the iPhone comes out.
Sent from my iPhone.
What's all this about jailbreaking???
I thought Google and Android were all about "openess"?
If it's so "open" why does it have to be jailbroken?
Can't you do anything you want out of the box?
Does it come in some sort of "walled garden"?
@hill60, Blame the carriers.
@hill60
carriers are mostly to blame.
@hill60
Yeah, but the walled garden is much bigger than Apple's.
@ounkeo
Why blame the carriers, I thought Android's main appeal was freedom due to openness?
Like iPhones are supposed to be bad but they have zero from carriers on them.
So the iPhone represents freedom from carriers and Android represents lock in from carriers.
@ounkeo Paul?
@hill60
First to make it clear, jailbreaking != rooting.
Jailbreaking is there mainly to circumvent the restrictions by Apple's store (to escape from Apple's software "jail"). In Android, you can install apps that are not in the Market via USB or directly from the browser (and even then there is not screening process in the Market, although apps can be flagged), so there isn't this "jail" in the first place.
Openness refers to open source (although commentators always add their own meanings), meaning anyone can take the base Android OS and use it anywhere. This is the main reason why there are so many custom ROMs and hardware devices for Android.
Rooting is admin rights on your phone, which allows for even deeper customization of Android (under the system). Rooting can even be done using the developer software provided by Google and no other tools. The main use currently is enabling custom ROMs and altering/adding deeper functionality like tethering (which only Android 2.2 recently added). The reason admin rights are not available by default is it is a security problem (you can brick your phone, so not recommended except for advanced users).
Also there is no legal gray area with Android rooting/custom ROMs since the OS is open source. With jailbreaking you are altering closed source proprietary software, so Apple will always be working hard to stop you (unsuccessfully so far though).
@hill60
How open do you want it to be? So open that any idiot can screw up the functionality of the phone because they don't know what they are doing? The carriers face enough customer service issues without giving every customer free reign to create more issues. Those of us who are tech savvy enough to root our phones are also tech savvy enough to take precautions to ensure we can recover from something disastrous. Your grandmother doesn't need all of the functionality that rooting a phone affords. Those of us who do need that functionality know how to get it. I don't see the issue.
@jakey
Eh not really. Lots of apps require root. So yeah -- they're listed in the market but they won't work unless you root the device. You're overcoming restrictions imposed by Google, handset makers and carriers.
@jakey So being "open" means you can just delete Sprint's software via USB and install whatever you want without jailbreaking = gaining root access to overwrite the installed ROM.
So there's really no difference to iOS, all this "openness" stuff is just a furphy.
Okay, so for an ignorant ignorant iPhone owner and EVO fan, what added features can you get with rooting, or at least what are people's favorites? Can it unlock mobile hotspot without the added cost?
@Lono13 Nope. Never happen.
@Lono13
Wifi Teethering is a big bonus with a rooted HTC
@Lono13 Yes, though the easy-peasy Unrevoked root also did that.
This is more for full recovery and ROM flashing. I'm satisfied with my current Evo ROM but if Froyo gets out the door on the Evo with stuff 100% working then I'll just have to upgrade :-)
Does this allow fixing of the wi fi issue?
See, and here I thought all Android phones were totally "open". I've seen people list custom ROM's as a distinct benefit of the openness of Android OS. Come to find out you have to follow more complex steps than using a one-button jailbreak app for the iPhone for basically the same end. And then you're still stuck with Android.
AWESOME??
Rooting and Android OS shouldn't be a surprise anymore. What I'm sure most people want to know is whether 2.2 is going to be released and when.
Doesn't rooting the phone void the warranty?
@cpd5c45 Since the EVO is and always be perfect, having no warranty shouldn't be an issue.
/s
@pika2000 Ah. Of course. What was I thinking?
@cpd5c45
No it doesn't. I asked Sprint customer service.
@genesis Wow. Guess they changed that policy. Rooting the phone has always voided the warranty and Android phones.
@cpd5c45
To be safe, always find a way to backup if possible, so you can revert back.
You can brick your phone when rooting, so I can see why it can possibly void your warranty, since manufacturers in general try to limit their own liability.
@jakey You can also brick a device during officially sanctioned system updates as well if you don't follow all instructions or loose power. This applies to about any device with a flashable firmware or bios.
So who's to say that the manufacturer would go through the hassle to figure out if an accident during an official or unofficial update caused the problem.
Now gimme Froyo's v8 Javascript browsing on that 4.3" edge-to-edge screen real estate pronto.
If it's so good, why do you need to root it? The fact that you need to do such advanced tinkering shows it's missing some features in the first place.
@AaronX Most root to remove stuff, not add. Examples being the Sprint junkware, and make adjustments to some code within the phone that improves battery life and speed.
@Dandmcd
I don't think I want a phone loaded with junkware, sign me up for an iPhone 4.
@hill60
AMEN
@Dandmcd I thought people rooted for multitasking (iPhone) or tethering (Android). Either way, I think it represents poor software in the first place. Also, how do you know people don't put malicious code in the new OS?
@AaronX Tethering doesn't need root.
Root is not freedom...
I'm not sure what it is, but Gina Tripani won't shut up about it so its either a D*LD* or something incredibly geeky
@Wesscoast
I just downranked myself for the disgusting image.
To be honest, all phones should come with the vanilla OS. I think its bullshit that they lock them down this much. manufactures shouldn't the hint. we don't want your bloated OS.
@shoman24v
That's kinda funny, since HTC pays people ALOT of money to make 'Sense'... They're trying to not be commoditized... :S
@shoman24v That's why the iPhone was such a refreshing change.
No carrier junk.
Sprint Sucks
You want to get rooted?
Just look into the 4 iPhone screen.
may i use HTC EVO on AT&T or Verizon if i unlock it?
@ildarado The EVO is CMDA whereas ATT is GSM and Verizon won't activate a Sprint phone.
You want to get rooted?
Look into the next iPhone screen.
Can someone tell me where is the link and can I do it from my EVO?
Wifi from the phone could be useful but I prefer usb tethering to keep the battery topped off. And because I have no friends I'll never need to share the connection!
It's kind of ridiculous you have to go through more work than jailbreaking an iPhone to root and Android device. Why isn't it just a toggle switch in the settings? Android is supposed to be free and open right?
Great, root is here, but until they fix that godawful 30fps cap I won't care. Who's with me?
I think Sprint dropped the ball on this phone. Still "sold out" (to create artificial demand) at all corporate store in my area. And I think they are really holding inventory back for new customers. Now that all these problems with the EVO is appearing i'm reconsidering getting this phone. *sigh*