Rooting a htc Sensation

Graham_B18C

I've been hearing that I should root my sensation, what exactly does this mean and how do I do it? I've been told that htc Sence isn't very good and if I rooted it, I could install a different OS (Gingerbread). How do I do this too?

What new things will I be able to do with the new phone once it's been routed? And will I have to reinstall everything again when I do root it??

Sorry for all the questions but I've absolutely no idea about any of this stuff and I'd like to be able to get the most out of my phone

Thanks!

iknorr

Graham_B18C wrote: »

I've been hearing that I should root my sensation, what exactly does this mean and how do I do it? I've been told that htc Sence isn't very good and if I rooted it, I could install a different OS (Gingerbread). How do I do this too?

What new things will I be able to do with the new phone once it's been routed? And will I have to reinstall everything again when I do root it??

Sorry for all the questions but I've absolutely no idea about any of this stuff and I'd like to be able to get the most out of my phone

Thanks!

Sounds like the advice you were given is a bit incorrect.

For the average user, especially with the latest phone..theres no need to root.

However, like me, if you had an older phone such as my DHD and want the latest version of HTC Sense & Android, the the only way to get it is to root your phone and flash a new rom ( os) .

Sense on android 2.3.x is the best out there at the moment.

So if your unsure and not familure with techy stuff then i wouldnt risk it right now.

Graham_B18C

Cool thanks, that wasn't the exact advice I was given, what I said was snippits of info that I knew ad tried to piece together!

So there's no need to root it? I am techy enough tbh but I had an iPhone 4 until this so LLC the Android stuff is very new to me

Dr. Loon

I agree with iknorr here. HTC Sense is great anyway. If you're not very technical than I probably wouldn't bother with root, though I have to say, since rooting my sensation, it's a new phone really.

Rooting the phone will give you full root access to absolutely everything on the phone, allowing you to change anything you want, from the OS, down to individual files. You may root and install a new ROM, and that's it, or you might constantly tinker with customising your phone, it's up to you.

If you were to root, and wanted to install a new ROM, then yes, you would generally need to perform a full wipe for the -first anyway- install of a ROM. Each time you flash a new ROM, you would need to wipe.

If you were interested in rooting, I'd suggest heading over to the forums at XDA and start reading. There's a lot of information. Personally, the reason I buy Android phones is because, generally, they are so customisable. But, out of the box, they are perfectly fine.

[edit] Link to XDA Sensation Development forum - http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1112

iknorr

Dr. Loon wrote: »

I agree with iknorr here. HTC Sense is great anyway. If you're not very technical than I probably wouldn't bother with root, though I have to say, since rooting my sensation, it's a new phone really.

Rooting the phone will give you full root access to absolutely everything on the phone, allowing you to change anything you want, from the OS, down to individual files. You may root and install a new ROM, and that's it, or you might constantly tinker with customising your phone, it's up to you.

If you were to root, and wanted to install a new ROM, then yes, you would generally need to perform a full wipe for the -first anyway- install of a ROM. Each time you flash a new ROM, you would need to wipe.

If you were interested in rooting, I'd suggest heading over to the forums at XDA and start reading. There's a lot of information. Personally, the reason I buy Android phones is because, generally, they are so customisable. But, out of the box, they are perfectly fine.

[edit] Link to XDA Sensation Development forum - http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1112

Hmmmmm what has rooting done for you?
I honestly dont see much difference other than a few tweeks and & overclocking etc. Maybe iv been out of this game too long
( talking about root only now, not a rooting & new rom)

im not to up on the sensation but hasnt stock 2.3.4 just come out on it? ( thats what i flashed to my DHD last night, its blistering quick.)

Nolimits

Speaking as a HTC desire owner rooting the phone has allowed me to get rid of apps I had no use for but wasn't allowed to delete, and flashing a custom rom onto it has made my battery far better.

If your phone is new and your not sure about it don't do it, if it is something that appeals to the geek inside you then just keep it on the back burner, head over to xda, they will have a guide for rooting your phone and you will also be able to see what roms they are using and what advantages they have, in time if you think it's worth it read over the guide again and give it a shot.

Suffice is to say it's not like your missing out on loads by not rooting it straight away, for one thing, until you are used to your phone how it is, how are you supposed to know if you like the other roms better?

Graham_B18C

Nolimits wrote: »

for one thing, until you are used to your phone how it is, how are you supposed to know if you like the other roms better?

Very true. Someone did tell me that if I put a different ROM onto it I'd have a different keyboard sepending on the ROM which I was quite happy about as I think the htc one is awful! I got Smart Keyboard from the Market but it keeps popping up asking me to buy it but I don't wanna pay €2!

Does anyone know if there's any good free keyboard? I liked the iPhone one but when I tried to download the iPhone keyboard from the Market it warned me that the developers of the app may be able to see what passwords etc i typed in on the keyboard!

Nolimits

Graham_B18C wrote: »

Very true. Someone did tell me that if I put a different ROM onto it I'd have a different keyboard sepending on the ROM which I was quite happy about as I think the htc one is awful! I got Smart Keyboard from the Market but it keeps popping up asking me to buy it but I don't wanna pay €2!

Does anyone know if there's any good free keyboard? I liked the iPhone one but when I tried to download the iPhone keyboard from the Market it warned me that the developers of the app may be able to see what passwords etc i typed in on the keyboard!

I don't know about free, but swift key is almost unnerving in its ability to tell me what I am going to say and it's easily by far the best app I have paid for