This tutorial is “How to root your HTC EVO 4G from sprint”, (and tips on rooting other cell phones too). We decided to post this since our favorite Android phones have become both the EVO and EVO Shift, and nearly every single friend and relative we know has wanted to know if we could root their cell phones as well. More people would probably do it – if they only knew how easy it was.

What is Cell Phone Rooting?

Rooting is to Android what Jailbreaking was to iOS (iPhone, iPod, iPad) devices. While they have different names, they are essential doing very similar things to your device, allow unsigned code to run. All of it sounds intimidating but really, its nothing at all!

What are the Advantages of Rooting a Cell Phone?

There are many, the first of which is that you are in TOTAL control of your phone and what’s on it! Did you ever notice that there are certain apps that you just can’t delete from your cell phone? That’s because companies PAID Sprint a fee to put them there. A rooted cell phone means that you can install custom themes, custom backgrounds, custom apps and widgets – it opens up a whole new WORLD of opportunities within your mobile phone and Android.

A rooted phone usually runs must faster than one with default software, because it’s optimized (and can be overclocked as well). They also usually have substantially loger battery life, because you obtain the ability to turn off all kinds of services when you don’t need them.

Many people root their phone to avoid paying for apps (which we do NOT recommend), because you can download nearly every app ever created for free online just by searching for the file name and saving it to your rooted phone.

What are the Disadvantages of Rooting a Cell Phone?

Rooting a cell phone is NOT illegal in any way, but mobile companies and cell phone manufacturers will tell you that there is danger in running “unsigned code”, because it could be unstable, unsafe, etc. 99% of the time it’s no more “unsafe” than installing Linux on a computer instead of Windoww. The cell companies want to stay in control of your phone, and what you can install (and what you can’t).

The real disadvantages are if you do intend to download and install illicit apps, they are “unsigned code” and you have no way to verify they are what they are without running them. In addition, if they have to interfact with a server in any way to get data, or save high scores, interact with other players – unsigned apps can’t do that. On the other hand, you can run BOTH signed and unsigned apps on a rooted phone, so the things that need interaction you could pay for. Just remember that downloading paid apps for free is the same as back in the days of Napster – it’s stealing.

DISCLAIMER: We are not responsible for broken, bricked or damaged devices, acts of God or anything else that might of caused your phone to break. This will void your warrantee but there are ways to reverse the process and restore your warrantee (just like restoring the operating system on a desktop computer). Our tutorial here is provided to you for entertainment and educational purpose only, and what you decide to do with the info is up to you – YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY!

Things you will need:

• Windows computer
• Small amount of technology knowledge
• HTC SYNC installed and working
• 1GB of free space on your SD Card
• A Full battery (this is crucial, if your battery dies will performing the root, your phone will be bricked and you just made yourself a very expensive paperweight.)
• USB Debugging enabled on your device. To achieve this Settings > Applications > Development > USB Debugging
• Your phone connect to your computer as charge only
• The AutoRoot.zip file found in this tutorial

Instructions to Root the EVO (Follow them carefully and thoroughly)

1. This will completely wipe your phone. If you want to back up your apps use Titanium Backup.
2. First extract auto root.zip into a folder that is easy to find. I tend to use the desktop or My Documents folder
3. Open the file named ‘AutoRoot.bat’ and let it run. If there is only a flashing line, close the window, right click the file and select ‘Run as Administrator’. Then open the file again. If you are still having a problem email me your question.
4. The file will continue to run. If there are any errors or it fails to complete then restart your phone and try again. Also make sure you are not actively use your phone while the process is working.
5. When it is ready it will reboot your phone into the boot loader and depending on your setup it will either enter RUU mode and automatically flash the debugging firmware or give you instructions on how to flash it from hBoot.
6. If it requires you to manually flash it, just push the power button to select “BOOTLOADER” and say yes when it asks to flash the PC36IMG.zip. It will give some errors halfway through but no worries, this is normal. Once its finished say no to rebooting and then use Vol Down to highlight recovery. Then press power to select it.
7. It will make a nand backup and then restart your phone. If it hangs on the white HTC EVO screen for more than a few minutes, do a battery pull and restart your phone. If it hangs again then you will need to run the RUU and start over.

*This will only work on hBoot version .9x

You can download the AutoRoot v2.3 file here: http://www.multi upload.com/9S4BOSZITN

Congratulations! You have successfully rooted your HTC EVO! For more information on rooting other phones, help or information on how to install custom roms, checkout http://forum.xda-developers.com. They will have tons of info and a whole community of people ready to help you.

Here’s some great deals on EVO phones in auctions ending soon:

SPRINT HTC EVO 4G SHIFT SLIDER SMART PHONE CLEAN ESN!!
	USD 119.99 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-22 15:19:08
Sprint HTC Evo 4G CDMA Smart Phone GOOD ESN black color
	USD 71.00 (11 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-17 18:05:03
Sprint HTC Evo 4G CDMA Smart Phone GOOD ESN black color
	USD 100.50 (13 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-17 16:05:13
★ HTC EVO 3D ANDROID ☻ SPRINT ☻ 4G PHONE WORKS GREAT ★
	USD 144.90 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-20 04:46:39
Sprint HTC Evo 4G CDMA Smart Phone GOOD ESN black color
	USD 81.00 (11 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-17 20:05:15
HTC EVO SHIFT 4G - 2GB - BLUE (SPRINT) SMARTPHONE CELL PHONE cr
	USD 159.29 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-18 03:08:03
HTC EVO 4G white bad esn (Sprint) Smartphone cell phone
	USD 81.00 (16 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-17 15:18:43
Sprint HTC Evo 4G CDMA Smart Phone GOOD ESN black color
	USD 41.00 (10 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-17 22:05:55
★ HTC EVO 4G ANDROID ☻ SPRINT ☻ PHONE WORKS GREAT ★
	USD 103.90 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-19 21:13:32
Sprint HTC Evo 4G CDMA Smart Phone GOOD ESN black color
	USD 3.25 (8 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-05-18 00:05:55

I decided to list the “best free android games” because a lot of people have asked me “what are you playing” when I’m on my Evo phone. A few years back everyone was downloading apps on the iPhone, and they all thought that was the coolest thing. But Google Android powered phones are catching up so rapidly that in 2011 the number of Android powered phones will overtake the iPhone.

I love my Evo Android powered phone, and there are just tens of thousands of apps in the Android marketplace for download. I don’t mind paying for game apps, but usually most games I play for awhile, and then I get bored and move on. I like what they call “casual” games (games you can pick up or put down in an instant) – so if you’re into sports, role playing, or shooters – this list may not be for you. So, if I can find a quality game for free – why not!? I hope you like my list of Free Android Games – what do you have to lose, they’re free!

Angry Birds for Android

I guess Angry Birds has been around for iOS devices for some time, but since I didn’t own any Apple products – I wasn’t aware. I can tell you every person I know with an Android powered phone has Angry Birds installed. Angry Birds is a physics based game, and by catapulting the birds at enemy targets, you destroy them. The enemies are the pigs, and every level has pigs you need to destroy to clear that level. Some pigs are big, some small, some have protective helmets and are harder to destroy. The pigs build forts out of glass, ice, brick, and wood – all of which have different effects on the physics of the game. When you catapult the birds at the enemy, each bird has a different power. Some split into multiple birds, some are bombs, some drop bombs, and others have super speed powers. Each bird has a different use on each target, and if you’re good enough – nearly every level can be completely cleared with just one bird (if you know how to pinpoint exactly where to shoot it). Angry Birds is one of the most addictive, and most popular game apps for Android phones.

Fruit Ninja Kaka for Android

I believe this is a copy of the Android game simply called “Fruit Ninja” but “Fruit Ninja Kaka” is free – so this is the version I play. The concept is simple. Fruit flies up in the air, and you use your finger as a knife and slice it in two! Slice multiple fruit with one swipe for a bonus! This game has “bomb mode” too, where you slice the food and avoid slicing the bombs (or you blow up!). Another highly addictive game…

Restaurant Story for Android

In the Restaurant Story Android app, you build a restaurant from the ground up. You choose the floors, walls, everything. Think of it like a “Sims” game – and you see how this addictive game can blow out your phone battery in no time! If you were every sucked in by Roller Coaster Tycoon or the Sims a decade ago – this game is for you!

Rope Cut for Android

I call the “Rope Cut” (or Cut the Rope) Android game the “sleeper”. You don’t really know how much fun this game is until you have played it. Basically you have a piece of candy dangling from a string, swinging like a pendulum back and forth slightly, and at the bottom of the screen is a snake (I know, it looks like a frog, lol). Your goal is to “cut the rope” so that the candy falls into the snake’s mouth. Sometimes you have to cut multiple ropes, dodge objects -and this game is a combination of physics and skill (and practice!). Very addictive game.

Gem Miner for Android

Gem Miner has both a lite (free) and pro version for Android – I play the free version. Basically you’re a miner, and you go down into the mine and dig tunnels looking for coal, gold, minerals, fossils, etc. You have to come back up to rest before your energy is gone or you die. And you can only carry so many things in your sack that you’ve dug from the mine. What you do bring back can be converted to cash at the general store, and then you can buy items. Like ladders to help you get back up when you’ve dug down, supports, to keep rocks from caving in your tunnels, and lanterns, so you can see more as you go. This is a little more of an adventure type game, but you can save your progress at any time and come back for more tunneling later!

These are my 5 Best Free Android Games – what are yours?

In todays phone market there is only a few ‘kings”. There is of course Apples Jesus Phone, but now it seems that we may have found the next big thing in the cell phone market the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G. This phone is the next phone to use the Google Android OS which I think is the industry leader (sorry Apple :) ). While I am still not a fan of the T-Mobile network, I can’t fault a phone because of his network exclusivity.

This phone boasts one the brightest, and most responsive touch screen I have ever put my fingers on. At 3.2 inches it also is not to bad to look at either. That doesn’t mean it is faultless as it does not support multi-touch gestures or zooming. Even though the it doesn’t support the multi-touch, it does have the landscape touch keyboard instead of a dedicated slide out QWERTY keyboard. On a lot of phones this is a limitation but on the MyTouch it only a positive.

In terms of size the phone’s design in worlds and world better than the original G1. With no slide out keyboard the phone weighs less than most comparable phones in the market. It is the same thickness as the G1 but is not nearly as awkward.

One of the big features people look at on a phone is the camera. I know I am always using the camera on my Samsung Instinct and it always leaves somethings to be desired. The same can be said on the MyTouch. Its 3.2 Mega Pixel camera lacks a flash and its video is, well, awful. That honestly doesn’t make me like this phone any less. Another big feature is using the phone to play mp3′s and videos. The large 4 Gigabyte SD card is nice and is also expandable up to 32 Gigabytes.

The Android interface is every improving and still, in my opinion, the best in the United States cell phone market. The Android Market (googles answer to Apple App Store) feature well over 6,500 applications to choose from and is expanding everyday.

This phone is by far the very best phone on T-Mobile but, also one of the best phones around today. With the Android OS, and great specs I fully recommend this phone to anyone who loves gadgets or just needs a new kick ass phone!

Rating 9.25/10

[nms:T-Mobile MyTouch 3G -charger -headphone -cable -case -screen -battery -adapter -converter -headphones -headset -clip -skin -memory -stereo -body -holder -protector -cover -cradle -sock,5,0,0,smorgas.tmobile-touch]