Before starting please be aware that problems while rooting can brick your phone. While the process in this guide is relatively simple and easy, I can't be held responsible for whatever happens.
Enable USB debugging in your phone by going to Settings -> Applications -> Development. Plug in your phone to the computer.
Go to Revolutionary website http://revolutionary.io/ . From there download revolutionary software. Leave this browser tab opened. We need to generate Serial key later.
Extract the downloaded software on your computer and run the software with root permission.
$sudo ./revolutionaryIt will tell you your serial number and ask for the beta key. Copy the serial number and go to the browser tab we left open while downloading the software. Put the serial key there, select your phone, hboot version and generate the beta key.
Enter the beta key in the software. In few seconds the phone will reboot and your phone will have S-OFF.
The software will ask you if you want to install custom recovery software. Chose yes. We want to install custom recovery software to do full phone backup called nandroid backup.We can also install custom ROM and do some advance task from custom recovery image. After you chose Yes it will download the recovery software from Internet and install it in your phone. The program will exit. Restart the phone.
Now before we root the phone, let's make one full backup of the phone using nandroid.
Power on your phone by holding down the volume button. Use the Volume down button to choose recovery and press Power button to go inside it. Your phone will reboot in custom recovery. From there use volume button to go to backup and and press the trackball at backup & restore option. It will do the full phone backup i.e. nandroid backup and save it in your SD card. Now restart the phone.
Now to root the phone download this file and put it in your SD card.
Reboot into recovery again. From there chose install ZIP from SD card
Select su-2.3.6.3-efgh-signed.zip that you just kept in SD card and click trackpad to select Yes.
Once completed reboot your phone.
Your HTC Desire (bravo) running stock Android Gingerbread 2.3.3. is now permanently rooted.
What to do after root?
- Install BusyBox from market for advance control of the phone.
- Install Titanium Backup to backup apps and remove unwanted/stock/ROM/factory installed apps.
- Install Market Enabler to fake SIM provider to gain access to different apps not allowed for your country.
- Install ES File Explorer and enable root explorer option to read/write in root partition, install fonts.
Update:
- If you are on Windows and facing some problem relating with fastboot make sure that you have installed this fastboot driver and nothing else.
- To find the hboot version, start your phone holding the volume down button. You will see a white screen and on top of that you will see your hboot version.
To exit, select fast boot by using volume keys and power button and select reboot.
Works perfectly! Thank you very much for this clear and easy guide.
ReplyDeleteIt worked. Great help. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExactly what I was looking for. thnk u thank u thank u very mcuh
ReplyDeleteI stuck at "The software will ask you if you want to install custom recovery software"
ReplyDeletethis step...
anyone can help?
Press yes and enter
ReplyDeleteNo 'yes', the software remaining in "waiting for fastboot"
ReplyDeletedoes the sdcard require minimum space?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Nope
ReplyDeleteThank Techs Palace replied,
ReplyDeleteI tried it again just now, when my Desire rebooting,
it shown:
BRAVO PVT4 SHIP S-ON
HBOOT-1.02.0001
MICROP-051d
TOUCH PANEL-SYNT0101
RADIO-5.17.05.23
Jul 22 2011, 16:19:16
FASTBOOT USB
BOOTLOADER
REBOOT
REBOOT BOOTLOADER
POWER DOWN
If the program has exited from the computer remove the USB cable and restart the phone.
ReplyDeleteNo, the program still on the step "waiting for fastboot"
ReplyDeleteas shown as below printscreen
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/303041_2552190967390_1332360703_4191548_1382607143_n.jpg
OK so you are using Windows. Have you used the correct driver i.e. http://downloads.unrevoked.com/HTCDriver3.0.0.007.exe ?
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks to Techs Palace,
ReplyDeleteIt does solved my problem after install the HTCDriver.
why doesnt it find my phone (says waiting for phone pls help)
ReplyDeleteHave you enabled USB debugging?
ReplyDeletehi,
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to root my Desire HD..but couldn't see any device selection for my mobile while generating the key? thnx in advance..
SunJ
Support for Desire HD might come in future. In the mean time you may want to try some other method.
ReplyDeleteis there any..any other method for rooting..i'm really don't like htc sense..
ReplyDeleteSunJ
Of course there are many others for Desire HD. The reason I wrote this guide was I couldn't find one for Desire. Try googling once.
ReplyDeleteok anyway thnx mate..will try..
ReplyDeleteTANKS it worked for me!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteafter several hours of googling and trying different things i found one tutorial which helped me root by HTC Desire HD(Android 2.3.3)
ReplyDeleteCheck this website>>http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1152233
SunJ
sunjcarkey@yahoo.com
nice 1 works a treat
ReplyDeletenice tuut works great htc disire users 2.3 this is the way to do it thanks
ReplyDeleteWorked well for me. Where does the nandroid backup go (want to tidy my SD card!)
ReplyDeleteIt goes in /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup/,
ReplyDeletehi..i'm trying to root my htc desire gingerbread..but i can't get the revolutionary.exe to work..please help..
ReplyDeleteupdate for "can't get revolutionary.exe to work" - i'm using windows 7 ultimate..my hboot is 6.93.1002..also, i can see "~Revolutionary~" in the recovery mode..and the phone already has "S-OFF"..what do i do now??thanks..
ReplyDeleteCan you try the second part of the tutorial, from "Now to root the phone download this file http://goo-inside.me/superuser/su-2.3.6.3-efgh-signed.zip and put it in your SD card ... .... ....
ReplyDeleteHi. When I connect my phone to the PC do I set it in USB Mass Storage or HTC Sync mode? Thanks for the guide btw
ReplyDeleteSet it in charge only mode. But don't forget the important step of turning on the USB debugging mode.
ReplyDeletei don't understand the sudo??
ReplyDeleteThat means you don't use Linux. Its only used in Linux so nevermind.
ReplyDeleteI have been following the steps and managed to get to the point where it asked me if I wanted to install a custom recovery. I selected yes and hit enter. A moment later I got a Windows error message stating that the program had stopped running. On checking my recovery it seems that I have the stock recovery not the custom one. Is there any way of getting the custom recovery onto the phone at this stage?
ReplyDeleteI managed to answer my own question by re-running the program. It skipped to where it left off and gace me the option to install custom recovery, which worked this time. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteHelp! I'm stuck halfway through this. My phone is stable, but I haven't been able to "install ZIP from SD card" to get SU on it.
ReplyDeleteI completed the revolutionary successfully, but when I wanted to go into recovery to get install the ZIP and get SU, it didn't work and I just get a pic of my phone with a red triangle exclamation!
I redid revolutionary and it says I'm S-OFF, but since I can't get into recovery I can't complete the process as instructed above. Is there an alternative way?
How can I recover from this to complete the process?
The red triangle is the HTC's stock recovery. This means that the custom recover ins't installed yet. Try installing the recovery software again.
ReplyDeleteI tejer running revolutionary again, and it offered to "reinstall" the custom recovery (aledgedly it had done it the first time) so I accepted, continued the process, but I'm still getting to the same red triangle no matter what.
ReplyDeleteBTW the white DOS revolutionary menu says I theoricaly have the clockwork custom recovery.
How else can I flash the necesary custom recovery?
I managed to get it fixed. Turns out it was the windows USB drivers that weren't working
ReplyDeleteWeird since I could "adb reboot bootloader" fine, but when I tried "fastboot devices" to really check whether the fastboot conection was working it stayed at "waiting for device"... I read in some XDA thread someone had a similar problem and they pointed to the USB driver; I re-downloaded and re-tried and still didn't work. So I went the linux route... (turns out in linux you don't need HTC USB drivers since android's native duh :P)
Downloaded a fresh ubuntu, booted up in trial cd mode, re-downloaded all necesary packages for linux from this thread and THIS TIME IT WORKED! :)
Since I was already S-OFF, I was able to flash the clockwork recovery successfully, then boot into it, then apply the SU from ZIP, and now I'm rooted.
Thnx man!
That is great. Thank you too for providing the solution. Its been common people getting stuck with USB driver on Windows. I'll point out this in the guide and keep the link for downloading the drivers.
ReplyDeleteHi I go into back up and restore (doing the nandroid i guess), it appears a screen with the Blue word REVOLUTIONARY in the center and nothing happens next. What should I do?
ReplyDeleteInstead of pressing the power button press the trackball.
ReplyDeleteOh I figure it out. I should use the trackball instead of the power button :D Tks a lot for the guide!
ReplyDeleteguys thankx a lot :))))
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks so much...I just spent 2 days going through every way I could find to root my Android (Gingerbreak, ROM manager, etc) and this finally worked. Now to figure out my next step of partitioning my SD card and mounting it as internal storage...thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Reuben, why don't you try this for partitioning your SD card and using it as internal storage, http://techspalace.blogspot.com/2011/10/increase-free-space-on-htc-desire.html
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm a windows user. The message appear "The software will ask you if you want to install custom recovery software" and I choose YES and then an error comes that say internet connetion error. Then I reboot HTC and i have not any recovery software but the htc is s-off. what can i do to put signed zip?
ReplyDeleteIs your Internet working OK? Or maybe the remote site was experiencing some problem.
ReplyDeleteyes, internet ok. can i do the process again or is dangerous because htc is already s-off?
ReplyDeleteSure, you can try again.
ReplyDeleteOk. I´m gona do it and then tell you what happened.
ReplyDeleteIt happens again. Message error about internet connection and then the program error close. shoul i try in windows 32 bits?
ReplyDeleteCan tyo try this then, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14693680
ReplyDeleteOk. After a few tries HTC comes rooted. Thanks a lot. You are the best...
ReplyDeleteIt does not seem to work for me. When I start the program, I enter the beta key, and then it just stops at this,
ReplyDeleteZerging Root - This mig take a minute or so!
Then nothing happens.
I cannot get it to connect to the phone unless I have HTC Sync started.
What am I doing wrong?
Don't install HTC sync or any other software or driver. Install this one, http://downloads.unrevoked.com/HTCDriver3.0.0.007.exe
ReplyDeleteYeah found that out, finished that part now, so now it's rooting time later today...
ReplyDeleteBy the way, does the rooting work when I only have android 2.2.2 Froyo on mine?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it works on Android 2.2.2 Froyo. For Froyo I had used this, http://techspalace.blogspot.com/2011/07/temp-root-htc-desire-to-enable-market.html . You can get either temporary root or permanent root with this.
ReplyDeleteThere we go, it seems to be working, it's not a brick and all installs worked after adding 2.3.3 to the system... Now on to sense 3.0 :D
ReplyDeletei keep getting the message invalid beta key
ReplyDelete@Anonymous1, On which phone are you trying to install sense 3.0?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous2, Have you filled the correct entries in the website?
Can you please show a step by step process for windows user? Need your help by this way.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Windows user so can't help you much. But many Windows user have successfully rooted the phone by following the above guide. Make sure that you install correct driver as noted above and run the revolutionary executable file.
ReplyDeleteMany many thanks, just root my HTC desire from my windows 7 laptop by this instruction. upto now it just running perfectly.
ReplyDeletehow to know the HBOOT version of my HTC desire? by the way do you know how to update my OS(froyo) to Gingerbread?
ReplyDeleteTo know the HBOOT version boot into recovery (Power on your phone by holding down the volume button).
ReplyDeleteYou can easily upgrade to Gingerbread by going to http://developer.htc.com/ and downloading the updater program that works on Windows.(All installed apps will be lost)
it gets stuck when i run revolitionary.. i installed the driver you mentioned but the same result.. any other method other than linux..??
ReplyDeleteMaybe some other drivers have already been installed. If you are so against Linux can you at least try by install Ubuntu in USB drive?
ReplyDeleteWhat does it mean: ...and run the software with sudo.
ReplyDeleteThe sudo works only on Linux, is it?
Yes sudo is only for Linux.
ReplyDeleteIs there any chance to root my desire on windows7?
ReplyDeleteYes you can download the same software for Windows as well. Just make sure you install the correct driver by reading the updated section of the post above.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou have to hold down the power key for a few seconds until the phone boots. This is where I was going wrong. Don't release the power button until the phone boots.
ReplyDeleteFollowed the steps but when I get to the point where I should start in recovery mode to backup I just can't get into recovery mode. The phone just starts normally regardless if I hold the volume button down wile pressing power on. I've tired to hold volume donw and then hold power button down for a long time and still it boots normally.
ReplyDeleteNever mind, I found it after some googling. I hade to hold volume down, them press power button briefly and immediately release the volume button.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have "Fast Boot" turned on. Go to Menu -> Settings -> Applications and turn off "Fast Boot" there. Alternately you can pull the battery out, put it back and try starting the recovery.
ReplyDeleteIf it still fails to boot in to recovery, try from "adb" but chances are less as the other method has filed. The command to boot into recover from "adb" would be "adb reboot recovery".
Lastly if all of these fails, you may need to re write the recovery image.
My phone is now rooted (how do I know for sure?), thnx for a great guide.
ReplyDeleteRun any app that requires root permission :)
ReplyDeleteSeems like I could enable ES file explorer in root explorer mode so I think I'm rooted now. I tried to install busybox but either I don't understand how to use it or it didn't work since everytime I start it it wants to install again. I can't go higher in the tree than /sdcard though which I thought I would be able to after having gained root.
ReplyDeleteDo you have super user installed?
ReplyDeleteYes, superuser is installed, saw that now so that means I'm rooted right?
ReplyDeleteCan you install terminal emulator and run "su"
ReplyDeleteYes it's working, removed some bloatware so I know it's rooted now. Sorry for the noob questions, first time I rooted a device :)
ReplyDeleteAgain, great guide!
I'm on windows, I installed the 3.0.0.007 HTC Drivers but i'm still stucked at the first step "Waiting for device...". Any ideas (except using Linux as i'm really not familiar with it) ?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Have you enabled USB Debugging?
ReplyDelete> Enable USB debugging in your phone by going to Settings -> Applications -> Development.
I'm having this problem
ReplyDeleteZerging Root... this might take a minute or so.. Root acquired!
Sending in Caroline...
Retrieving Caroline from certain doom...
Retrying Caroline...
Caroline failed, but had this to say: An error occurred while writing the partit
ion.
Errors (if any):-
mtd: not writing bad block at 0x00080000
mtd: not writing bad block at 0x00080000
mtd: not writing bad block at 0x00080000
mtd: not writing bad block at 0x00080000
mtd: not writing bad block at 0x00080000
mtd: not writing bad block at 0x00080000
Press (almost) any key to exit.
Looks like your SD card has problem. :)
ReplyDeleteSo should i remove the SD Card and run it again?
ReplyDeleteNo, try with different SD Card :).
ReplyDeleteI'm still getting the error even tho i have replaced the card.
ReplyDeleteI've found the answer but sadly its not good.
ReplyDeleteAs from revolutionary irc channel:
"<@Revolutionary`> badblock is If you get "Not writing bad block at 0xXXXXXXX" errors while running Revolutionary, you have a hardware error on your NAND. We have no workaround for that at the moment, sorry."
The phone is working perfectly but i want s-off
ReplyDeleteSorry I can't help you. That's what the software is saying. How about trying some other unlocking methods?
DeletePlease help, I have ran the software about 5 times and keep getting to the 'waiting for fastboot...' message. My phone is on the Hboot screen with bootloader, reboot, reboot bootloader and power down options (s-on still) and I have no idea what to do. I only have the windows HTC drivers on 3.0.0.7 and am running windows 7 64bit. Has anyone managed to run the software with 64bit windows. BTW I assume you run it through the command prompt. Please help!!!
ReplyDeleteFixed!!! I can only put this down to 64bit windows. I have tried on my 32bit laptop at home and my Desire is now rooted!! ICS here we come!! Top work Techs Palace, cheers!!
ReplyDeletedownload link is not working. it says,
ReplyDeleteNot Found
Error 404
Fixed thanks :)
DeleteI rooted my HTC Desire Gingerbread successfully using the above guide, install Titanium Backup, etc.
ReplyDeleteConsidering to sell it, I try to unroot.
First I copy my SD Card to PC incl Clockwork Mod.
Using, Recovery, partition (format) SD, but Superuser, Titanium, Link2sd still there.
Copy again back up from PC to SD Card.
Again using Recovery, I Restore it to the condition before rooting
It's unrooted coz no Superuser, but still S off.
Is it ok, if I root it again ? Thank you
Why don't you just restore the nandroid backup?
DeleteWorked 4 mi! Thx
ReplyDeletewhy the beta key can't accept at the Revolutionary ??
ReplyDeleteplease help me....
What is the error you are getting?
ReplyDeleteTechs Palace, I need to know why my phone, when connect via usb on debuging mode is not detected by the revo software? It says waiting for device but nuthin happens.. I am using a htc desire ( model A8181) android 2.3.3. Do I need to have HTC Sync installed 1st? I am using Win 7. Thank you
ReplyDeleteHave you installed the correct driver?
DeleteSorry, I am still new to this, what driver are you talking about here? I dont think I have it installed.
DeletePlease read the post carefully as wrong doing might hamper your phone. Anyways, the link to driver is http://downloads.unrevoked.com/HTCDriver3.0.0.007.exe . Make sure that you haven't installed any other driver.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteZerging Root ... this might take a min or so.. nuthing happens ? Please help Thanks!
DeleteAre you using the correct driver? Uninstalled all HTC software(HTC Sync) and river? Is your USB Debugging mode on?
Deleteyea I had sync installed gona remove it now.
DeleteMate it worked! Thank you for your support!!! :D now I can clear up some space on my internal storage! Thanks!!
ReplyDeletedoes this tutorial applicable for "HTC Desire Z 2.3.3(gingerbread)"?this new update dont let me play gameboy emmulator..T.T pls anyone?
ReplyDeleteYes should work
DeleteThis is an excellent article written in an easy to understand format without stressing too much on the negativities which most of the other guides do. However you may want to mention a couple of things.
ReplyDelete1. Rooting voids warranty
2. Without proper drivers for your phone installed on your PC, this may not work.