The HTC Sensation is a multimedia smartphone that’s undeniably one of
the hottest Android devices out there. For some enthusiasts and
‘superusers,’ the HTC Sensation isn’t that “sensational” until they have
rooted it.
Now, if you want to become a ‘superuser,’ follow this quick and easy guide to permanently root your HTC Sensation.
Disclaimer:
ROOTING THE HTC SENSATION WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY. Android Authority
disclaims all liability for any harm that may befall your device,
including, but not limited to, bricked phones, voided manufacturer
warranties, exploding batteries, etc.
Required Files
Download the following files and save them to your computer:
Gaining S-OFF Using Revolutionary: S-OFF & Recovery Tool
Revolutionary:
S-OFF & Recovery Tool is your best friend when it comes to
unlocking the bootloader (S-OFF) and recovery of your device. Once
installed on your phone, it will allow you to root it easily, explore
various ROMs, and freely install custom kernels. Follow the steps below
to enable S-OFF on your HTC Sensation.
- You may need to
temporarily deactivate your antivirus and/or firewall software, as some
security programs (e.g., Norton Antivirus) flag the Revolutionary: S-OFF
& Recovery Tool as malware, even if it actually isn’t.
- Take
note of your device’s serial number. Pull out your phone’s battery and
take a look at the label inside the battery compartment. Your
handset’s serial number should be printed there, usually beside the
label “S/N”.
- Find out the HBOOT version on your handset. With
your phone turned off, press the Volume Down and Power buttons
simultaneously for a few seconds. The device will boot to a white
screen showing device information, including the HBOOT version. Take
note of the HBOOT version number and reboot your phone after doing so.
- Go
to the Revolutionary: S-OFF & Recovery Tool website and download
the appropriate package for your platform (i.e., Linux or Windows). As
soon as the package starts downloading, you will be redirected to a
“Beta Key” form. Fill in the form with your device’s serial number and
HBOOT version number. Press the “Generate Key” button to get your beta
key. Take note of this beta key. You will be needing it when you run
the Revolutionary tool.
- By
this time, the package file for the Revolutionary tool should have
finished downloading. Extract the files into one folder on your
computer’s hard drive.
- Enable “USB Debugging” from the Settings » Applications » Development screen on your handset.
- Connect
the HTC Sensation to your computer via USB cable. When asked for a
connection type, choose “HTC Sync” and just ignore warning messages
saying your phone could not find HTC Sync.
- Launch the Revolutionary tool (revolutionary.exe). A command prompt window will open and will ask you for the beta key.
- Type
or copy-and-paste the beta key for Revolutionary into the command
prompt window. The beta key is case-sensitive. Press Enter to allow
the tool to proceed.
- Wait a little bit for Revolutionary to enable S-OFF and unlock the rewritable NAND on your handset.
After
the process is complete, you will also have ClockworkMod Recovery
installed on your phone. However, in some instances, the recovery image
does not get installed. If this is the case, manually install
ClockworkMod Recovery as described in the next section. Otherwise, skip
to the next section on rooting your HTC Sensation permanently.
Installing ClockworkMod Recovery 4 on Your HTC Sensation
Before
you can permanently root your HTC Sensation, you need first to install
ClockworkMod Recovery 4 on it. Usually, ClockworkMod Recovery also gets
installed after you have successfully activated S-OFF on your device.
But in some cases, it doesn’t.
ClockworkMod Recovery is a custom
recovery for Android devices that enables you to execute several
advanced recovery, restoration, installation, and maintenance operations
that you can’t do using the stock recovery. It also allows you to flash
unsigned files based on .zip packages and flash custom ROMs very
easily.
To install ClockworkMod Recovery 4 on your HTC Sensation, follow these steps:
- Download ClockworkMod Recovery from the link provided above.
- Copy the PG58IMG file to the root of your SD card (i.e., the main folder of your SD card).
- Turn off the phone and reboot into the bootloader/HBOOT screen. To do that, disable the fast boot option first in Settings > Applications > Fast boot, then press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time.
- Once
in bootloader mode, the phone will automatically detect the new file
and will ask you if you wish to start the update. Press the Volume Up
button to accept.
- Once the file is flashed, simply reboot your phone.
- As
soon as the device has rebooted, delete the file from the SD card or
rename it to something else, otherwise each time you attempt to go into
bootloader, the phone will prompt you to install that file.
You should now have ClockworkMod Recovery 4 on your HTC Sensation. Now, you’re ready to permanently root your HTC Sensation.
Rooting HTC Sensation Permanently
- Turn off your device and reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery. (Disable
the fast boot option first in settings then press and hold Volume down
button while pressing Power at the same time. You will be in the
bootloader mode where you can select Recovery to enter ClockworkMod Recovery.)
- While in Recovery, create a Nandroid backup by navigating to Backup & Restore > backup.
- If you have created a backup already, select “Install zip from sdcard” option, then select “Choose zip from sdcard”.
- Select su-2.3.6.3-ef-signed.zip from the list. Then choose “Yes – install su-2.3.6.3-efgh-signed.zip” to install it.
- Once installation is complete, reboot your handset.
You
have now fully rooted your HTC Sensation. Your next possible step is to
install a custom ROM and get rid of the stock ROM. There are various
ROMs from many developers – one of the popular and trusted ones is no
other than the CyanogenMod 7. Go ahead and take your HTC Sensation for a
spin. You are now in full control of it.
