How To: Root the HTC Legend (Updated 12.13.10)

Posted by

You are here: Rooting and Jailbreaking » Android Rooting How To's » How To: Root the HTC Legend (Updated 12.13.10)

UPDATE: This procedure is now obsolete. Please try this post here on XDA and follow those instructions instead. Please also contact us and let us know if it works for you so we can update this procedure for others.

I. Before You Begin

1. YOU MUST BE ON VERSION 1.31 IN ORDER TO ROOT THE LEGEND, IF YOU ARE NOT YOU CAN DOWNGRADE USING THIS PROCEDURE.

2. This will erase all the data on your phone so please at least sync your contacts with Google before continuing.

3. You must have HTC Sync version 2.0.33, not a newer version. Uninstall HTC Sync and install this version instead.

II. Create a Goldcard

1. Do our How To Create a Goldcard procedure and create a goldcard for your phone. Once you have it created, put the goldcard into the phone and come back to this procedure and continue.

III. Flash the Rooted ROM

1. Download the Rooting Tools

Legend Rooting Tools

2. Unzip them to the C: drive on your computer (so the file path is C:\r4-legend-root\)

3. Turn off your phone and turn it back on by holding down Back and Power until you see Fastboot come up on the screen. Push the Power button while highlighting Fastboot on the phone and Fastboot should show up in red now on the phone (if it doesn’t push Power again until it does).

4. Plug the phone in via USB cable to the computer.

5. Open the folder you extracted to the C drive and double click “step1-windows.bat” and wait for it to finish.

6. Once you see the menu on the phone come back up, navigate to BOOTLOADER and push power, then navigate to RECOVERY using the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select and the phone should boot to the ! screen.

7. Now on the computer double click the “step2-windows.bat” file and wait for it to finish. (UPDATE 12.13.10 – You MUST have HTC Sync version 2.0.33 not a newer version for step2 to work. Please uninstall HTC Sync and download and install this version instead, unplug then plug your phone back in, then rerun step2-windows.bat).

8. Now you should see a custom recovery screen, using the optical trackpad navigate to Wipe and push on the trackpad to select it. Then navigate to Wipe data/factory reset and select that.

9. Once that is done, push volume down to go back to the main menu and select Flash zip from sdcard and select the rootedupdate.zip file and wait for it to flash. All done, you have root access and can use any root required app! Enjoy!

IV. Load a Custom ROM etc (Optional)

1. Head over to our How To Load a Custom ROM on the HTC Legend procedure and continue with that to load custom ROMs and other fun stuff!

Thanks to Paul at Modaco for his awesome scripts!

Join 90k others & subscribe to my weekly, not annoying newsletter for more tech!

* indicates required

  • Pingback: Tweets that mention How To: Root the HTC Legend | The Unlockr -- Topsy.com()

  • Pingback: How To: Load a Custom ROM on the HTC Legend | The Unlockr()

  • Pingback: Root and then unroot your HTC Legend | DroidDog Android Blog()

  • Pingback: HTC Legend Mobile Phone - News, Information, Deals & Offers()

  • DrewL

    After step 6, I double click the “step2-windows.bat” file and it finishes within a couple of seconds, however my phone is still on the ! screen and doesn’t show me step 8. It just sticks on the ! screen. What did I do wrong?

    • Drewl,

      Either it can’t see your phone or you didn’t right click it and run as administrator.

      • Kietua

        Please can someone answer this question. How can we get passed the second bat file.

        • Can you please be more specific? 🙂

          • I got win XP and the exact same problem… I run the step2-windows.bat, and the first 2 times I got a: update through the testimage.zip or something like that, and after that the .bat finishes in fragments of a second and I can’t see anything… the ! is still on….

  • Brian

    So is there a fix for that? It’s not working for me either, running as admin or otherwise.

    How can I make my computer see the phone, when it’s stuck on the ! screen?

  • Fede

    Hi, thank you for this great guide. I rooted my Legend and than i have to unroot for the new upgrade 1.31.405.5. So After the upgrade i made a new root but after that my Legend back to 1.31.405.4. Can you explain why please? i’d like have root with 1.31.405.5 firmware.
    thank you

  • Pingback: Kein root mit bootloader version 0.430001? - HTC Legend Root und ROM - Android Forum()

  • stesu

    hey i have a problem whit step7 then i start the bat fil “step2-windows.bat” say the command

    error: device not found
    error: device not found
    pushing update file to device sdcard – this may take a few minutes…
    error: device not found
    error: device not found

    and after that it close and there doing nothing. please help me =).

    • ingo

      i got the same problem

  • LouDog

    Same problem as above! How did you guys fix it?

    Email me at merlocked90@hotmail.com..

    Any help is appreciated!!

  • Daniel

    Helo unlockr just wanna ask if i can root my phone even after i update the official firmware? is there other boot image?

  • my phone is still on the ! screen and doesn’t show me step 8. It just sticks on the ! screen. Help! seans_sanctum@hitmail.com

  • Derek

    im getting the same problem as you guys stuck at step 6 with the ! screen did anyone get it fixed ?

    hemelbear@gmail.com

  • Ingo

    Hello,

    on step 5 my computer says after checking the data “FAILED” the second time every thing seems to work great but after step 8 i am not coming to the menu, i can just see the recovery screen eaven if i press step 2!

    please help me .

    ps : i tried out a sandisk 1 and 2 gb

    • dan

      did you use a gold card?

      • Ingo

        Yes i did but i dont know if you can use a sandisk 1 gb

  • Juha

    No problems for me, worked great!

  • danishh

    also getting “device not found” for step 2.

    I’ve tried about 10 times now, the whole procedure. Even uninstalled adb and all htc drivers a few times.
    step 1 always works
    step 2 never works.

    after it boots into the “!” screen, adb devices never returns the phone.

    anyone have a solution?

  • stuart

    ok dude im stuck on the same step as the rest of us, please give me a hand here im going to throw this f**king phone….it keeps saying device not found…and yes i have ran it as administrator….it brings up the same message…ive made a kingston 2gb goldcard so its not that

  • ex

    thing is, that this guide only works with 1.31.xxxx i think ….

  • Steve

    Hey, my HTC Legend is Unlocked, do i still need a goldcard? Also should the gold card be the sd card that im going to be using in my phone or a spare one?

  • Pingback: Root Thread - Seite 6 - Android-Hilfe.de()

  • Alex

    Has anyone managed to successfully root a Vodafone branded handset with a software number of 1.32.161.4?
    I don’t want to risk bricking my 2 month old phone!

  • howard

    i am stuck on the bit where you click step 2 it appears for a few seconds and then goes
    i have run it as administrator and the phone just stays on that one screen
    i print screened the command prompt just before it closed and it says device not found

    i am running software number 1.32.161.4

  • John

    hi, i have a 16gb sdcard that can’t be turned into a goldcard or it doesnt work. if i buy a 2bg kingston sdcard and turn it into a goldcard, can i use my other sdcard after i root it?

  • Hossein

    Hi Guys ,
    I have same problem whit step7 . I start the bat file “step2-windows.bat” and it say this command

    error: device not found
    error: device not found
    pushing update file to device sdcard – this may take a few minutes…
    error: device not found
    error: device not found

    and after that it close and nothing happened . please help me and let me know what shall I do ?
    Thanks

  • e1to

    same issue here!!

    error: device not found
    error: device not found
    pushing update file to device sdcard – this may take a few minutes…
    error: device not found
    error: device not found

    Help please!!

  • Privateer

    Hi guys,
    I wouldn’t normally write on things like this but I have spent enough time dicking around trying to get my phone rooted as well and I have found the solution as to why the steps above keep failing… I had the exact same problem – I THINK it is because we are all on software version 1.32xxx and this tutorial is on 1.31xxx.

    I found a way to solve it:
    follow the steps exactly on the first post of the page at this address…
    http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=725430
    to ‘downgrade’ your phone to 1.31xxx and then do everything as per the video above.
    It also can’t hurt to run those .bat files as administrator in the old right click menu if your on win7.

    I just downgraded my UK Vodafone Legend that was fully software’d up to date as of today (27/06/10) so I’m assuming that its on software 1.32xxx etc and using the instructions in that link downgraded it then followed the American chap’s instructions to the letter and all worked.

    Good luck!

    p.s. I’m afraid I can’t help with any other tech questions relating to this – this is just how I fixed my Legend problem and I thought I’d share the info in case it helps any one else!

    • Fernando – Brazil

      IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      I had ROM 2.05 (French phone from SFR) and was having the same problem with step 7, always getting a “device not found” message. I spent a whole day trying to redo the procedure with differents SD cards, on different computers with different OS (7 and XP) but nothing worked.

      When I was giving up I read this downgrade stuff and followed all the steps, did the root process again and it finally WORKED!!

      Thanks guys!

  • Pingback: HTC Legend Root Updated, now Working for Software Version 1.32.xxx | DroidDog Android Blog()

  • meltz

    Will i get to keep the default rom when i root my legend or once rooted i must install a custom rom ? thanks

    • Bob

      All those stuck on step 6th start up your phone with the power and volume down button Instead work for me!

      • Bob

        Melts you get to keep your current rom

  • Pingback: Rooting status / Recovery Images of Legend? - Android Forums()

  • Mark G

    IMPORTANT NOTE:

    You need to create a new goldcard (from the new CID) if you try a different SDCard.

    In otherwords, the goldcard is specific to the SDCARD, not the phone!!! (or perhaps the phone too…)

    • Mark G,

      That is correct! It is specific to the sdcard not the phone, so if you use a different SD card you need to create a new goldcard with the new cid of the sd card. Also that means that if you make one goldcard, you can keep using it on different devices in the future if you need to.

      • theunlockr,
        i’m still didn’t root my HTC Legend, but when try to open Recovery its open by going to recovery from Fastboot screen, qst thing its not working direct, its show screen with forbidden logo, but when holding volume up key with power its open recovery!!
        does the new Legend coming with Recovery version?? i’ve HTC Magic before and it dosen’t?
        anyway will do the above steps to root my Legend,
        but pls advice once i root it can i return it again to the curent recovery? and can i backup the curent room from HTC?

        thanks in advanced

  • Sean

    Hi, I already updated my legend firmware to 2.1-update 1, software number 2.05.707.1 which i downloaded from HTC support. does r4-legend-root.zip work on my phone?

  • Sam

    Hi, thanks for the guide.
    Just finished and it worked, but it took som time and a think i had every single issue that people talked about. This is how i fixed them on win7 32bit. First of all people should know that USB drivers in windows work very strange somethimes, it does help to change usb port or dissconnect everything “extra” from the PC for me that meant external harddrive and external writer and the i-pod. But sometimes not even this help, for flashing SE phones or x-box i HAVE to use a fresh xp install or they will hangup. So XP does help sometimes.

    For goldcard i hade to use 0 instead of 1, and its very important to choose Removable Disk and not logical took me sometime to understand this after a couple of tries=) For root i had to disconnect everything and choose another usb port and delete some old USB drivers. Other then that i used my htc legends sd card and used the phone as an drive.

  • limbusun

    Thank you so much.It was as smooth as was shown in the video tutorial.

  • mean122

    Guys if you have some problems with “device not found” or “failed to connect daemon” just reboot your PC then instal the latest Droid explorer with your Legend pluged in an go ahead from the start of rooting legend.

  • Arun

    Hi unlockr,
    Recently bought HTC legend and with the specifications mentioned below
    Firmware version
    2.1-update 1
    Baseband version
    47.39.35.09u_7.08.35.21
    Kernal version
    2.6.29-5f084974
    htc-kernal@and18-2 #1
    Build number
    2.05.720.1 CL191838 release keys
    Software number
    2.05.720.1
    Browser version
    Webkit 3.1
    i have been through the youtube link and downloaded r4-legend-root
    will this work for me.
    Please Help.

    • Arun

      H-BOOT version is 0.43
      will this work for me.please help

  • Pingback: [ آموزش ] روت کردن hTC Legend()

  • Andy

    well i have finally rooted my legend, as much as this tut has helped, i really think it should be up-dated to include things like having to downgrade the phone, which was easy enough, but took a while to find the information out, but cheers

  • Valveless

    On’ce I’ve done this will I need to keep the goldcard in my phone all the time?

    • Valveless,

      Nope, you can take it out or you can just use it as a normal SD card.

  • Ttheunlockr,
    i’m try many time to root my legened by above ways and by Legend root tols but alwyes failed??
    pls help how to root it and what i’ve to do? somebody informed that i’ve to downgrade Radio?? i don’t like this way and don’t want to downgrade my Radio?
    my Legend details as below
    HBoot-0.43.0003
    Radio07.08.35.05

    thanks in advanced
    my mail add m.shehatah@gmail.com

  • Modi

    I’d like to thank the owners of this subject, really a great efforts.
    but this S/W doesn’t support Arabic language.

    • Don’t know what you’re meaning of Supporting Arabic??
      till now i can’t Root my Legend and failed to do it? could you help or any one advice and help me?

      Shehata

  • dp10

    Hey guys,

    I’m hanging at step 5. “step1-windows.bat”

    sending zip ….. OKAY
    writing zip …… –> I wait now since 2 hours ?!?

    how long did this take on your legends ???

    • guasto

      I have the same problem….waiting….wainting…. nothing happens

    • I also have this BIG problem! How to get root on my Legend????

    • I also have this BIG problem! How to get root on my Legend????

    • I also have this BIG problem! How to get root on my Legend????

    • Raushan9666

      same problem here wht did u do then…

  • branden

    hi there so i get through all the proper steps with gold card and everything goes well till i get to step 2 of rooting and the cmd prompt doesn’t finish like yours does it says a couple things really quilky then closes and my phone is still in recovery mode ???? i just want 2.2 on my unlocked bell htc legend

  • adam

    i have this problam on step 1 in cmd its tel me that its fail when its abut to start flash
    after this
    sanding zip (121756) okay
    writing zip
    info signatur checking ….
    info zip header checking
    info zip info parsing
    info checking model id
    info checking custom id
    infochecking main version
    failed (remote:42 main version check fail)
    what i do now

  • Pingback: How To: Root the HTC Legend (Unrevoked Method) | TheUnlockr()

  • Bryan

    After creating a goldcard with a spare 2Gb SD card, can I root using this procedure, and then replace the SD card with my normal 8Gb one?

    Will the rooting stay in place?

  • Bryan

    Also – does this method clear out all my apps and data to factory settings?

    Will I have to install everything again?

    • Bryan

      Sorry – scratch that! Re-read the whole article again, and saw the disclaimer at the top…

      Still have the question about replacing the SD card post-root though…?

      • Bryan,

        Yes, after you root you can change the sd.

        • Bryan

          Perfect – worked like a charm (after I had to downgrade!) – some scary moments for a first-timer! 😉

          Just the “giant leap” of pushing a new ROM now (Azure)…

  • Randy

    I’m stuck at step 5…
    everything else is good.
    At step 5, It says: Failed
    I tried it twice, once with an updated legend.
    Second time, i data factory reset it but it still pops the same message.

    If i ignore this, Step 6, it says daemon failed as well.

  • Greg

    I’ve got the same problem here during step 1

    FAILED (remote 43: main version check fail)

    • Arun

      hi greg,
      i have got the same error and got it rectified, now i have rooted my legend with a caynogenROM

      http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=725430

      use this method to know if your legend is root able by downloading the hack4legend.
      then again formated my microSD and again converted my microSD to GC.

      you will may succeed.

  • Jonny

    I tried this and created a goldcard with a kingston 2gb card yet in the terminal (on mac) it says sudo: unable to execute ./adb-mac: Bad CPU type in executable
    over and over again before saying step compleated. Then when I try and boot into recovery mode the red warning screen comes up instead of a menu with wipe option !!:S what am i doing wrong!! any thoughts? 😀

  • Arun

    unlockr plz help i am stuck at
    Legend Root Step 1

    Erasing cache and rebooting in RUU mode…

    erasing ‘cache’… OKAY
    … OKAY

    About to start flash…
    sending ‘zip’ (121756 KB)… OKAY
    writing ‘zip’…

    plz help

    • I also have this problem. Somebody help plz!

      • Arunursluv

        you need to install adb drivers in your system

    • Raushan9666

      what did u do i too have the same problem …
      plzzz help thanks

  • arun

    i have followed the procidure of gold card but am still getting struckup at

    writing ‘zip’…

    • arun

      my radio version is 7.05.35.21
      Hboot is 0.430001

      when running step1-windows.Bat file its geting stuck up at
      writing ‘zip’…

  • Vasilis

    What happens if I don’t remove the goldcard?

  • Arun

    Hi unlockr,
    thanks for your hack. i have rooted my legend temporarily by downgrading the radio.
    but every time i try to put up a new custom ROM. i am getting my old recovery screen, as if i have not rooted my phone. do i need to run the step2 procedure again and again and thn i get the SU recovery mode.

    plz help……

  • plz help with the recovery mode as i am unable to take a backup using ROM MANAGER also.

  • sharko

    i’ve got it right till step 7. booted into recovery screen and ran step 2. it finishes yet remains on the original recovery screen. tried all the methods – XDA, unlockr. Have successfully downgraded to 1.31, made gold card. all of that. have tried this over and over with the same result.

    Can someone help?

  • its working as 1 time root

  • anonymous

    I had problems with step2-windows.bat. So I followed the link to downgrade to 1.3 and now it works. Link again: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=725430

    Previously already made gold card at the following link using Kingston 4GB SDHC successfully.
    http://theunlockr.com/2010/03/10/how-to-create-a-goldcard/

    Legend 2.1 bought in summer 2010.

  • Kyaw

    Hi Unlocker,
    Me Legend phone can install Froyo after downgraded.
    But after installed froyo, all contact list lost and can’t download any apps.
    When I tried to copy my contacts from sim card, it always show ‘process com. android. settings has stopped and can’t go any further.
    Please give some idea.
    Thanks.

  • patz

    I am having problems between step1.bat and step2.bat. after step1windows.bat, when i go into recovery mode, it detects a new device called android 1.0 for which i do not have a driver. your video does not cover this. can you please throw some light on this?

    Also in step 1.bat though it does all as expected it throw an error FAILED (remote: 42 custom id check fail).
    . im using 32 bit vista and legend 2.1 with hboot ver 43.00001

    • patz

      Any update on this mod?

    • Bercko21

      Any update now please?

  • Jacko

    I have created the goldcard, but got stuck at step 1.

    sending ‘zip’ … OKAY
    writing ‘zip’…

    and then i waited and waited, nothing happened.

    What should I do? Please help. Thanks

    • Same problem! People plz help =)

    • Raushan9666

      what did u do ???
      i too have same problem …..help
      thanks

  • JD

    for ppl stuck up with step 2 not workin, uninstall htc sync from your pc and redo step1 n step2 that worked for me… cheers!!

  • till now can’t root my Legend!! 🙁
    could some one help me and advice how can I root it? i’m try all above
    m.shehatah@gmail.com

  • Unlockr, thank you kindly. I followed the steps exactly and it worked an absolute treat!! Thank you again!!

  • Pingback: China Desire, Really buggy. - Android Forums()

  • Omar

    I ve done all the steps but after I run step2, my htc does not show the wipe setting
    Plz help

  • Michael

    step1-windows.bat worked well, i take out the gc and power up in recovery, and nw i cant get adb to find any devices, i got a Android 1.0 unknown device error msg, so atm i have a nice alu brick :S

  • Pingback: Root - Forum Android Italiano()

  • Pingback: Anonymous()

  • Tobsenseless

    For all who don’t get step2 working.
    I had the same issue here on XP und Win 7. You could try to get usbdeview, uninstall all di Drivers with HTC in it and then plug the Legend back in with recovery mode. This worket for me after a reboot.

  • Andrew

    is this method work with HTC Legend 2.1 Hboot 0.43.0003 !???

    • Nick

      ya does it work for that HBOOT PLZ help I cant seem to downgrade using the RUU. It always gives me error code 170

  • Andrew

    stock on the step 5… i open step 1 for windows and just shows waiting for device…. nothing happening… WHY!?

    • Nils Toudal

      mine does the same… 🙁

  • Sandfeld

    Here is how I got step 7 (launching step2-windows.bat) to work:

    Uninstall every HTC corporation programs/driver/install drivers from your computer and relaunch the “step2-windows.bat”.

    I did not need to downgrade from 1.32 to 1.32 (or at least I think, because I didn’t do it myself)

    Good luck!

    • Ski Step

      How do you uninstall every HTC corporation program? can you elaborate?

  • Mats

    Okay I followed the steps, making a goldcard first. After step 6 my phone just displays a phone with a red warning triangle.(!!) I can’t do anything… What should I do?

    • Mats

      By the way I’m running the newest update from HTC, i don’t remember its name. I live in Northern Europe.

      • Mats

        Okay tried again and got it to work. I didn’t downgrade(tried but the couldn’t find my phone), or anything. Thanks a lot, I thought I had bricked my phone or something. Should learn to read instructions properly.

  • John P

    successfully rooted— first downgrade the software ((http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=725430))

    then follow this site
    ————-
    mine was hboot .430001
    soft 2.05

    downgrade it to 1.32 then root

  • Vinay

    did u find a solution for this???

  • Anonymous

    YEAH!!!!! HTC Legend ROOOOOOOOTED!!!!! Thx a lot!!!!

  • Hedlun_45

    my legends antenna doesn’t receive a signal after rooting ?

    • Hedlun_45

      Problem solved:
      Unroot and factory reset (a couple of times 😛 )

  • can i backup my ROM before doing a wipe? like between steps 6 (step1.bat) and 7 (step2.bat) instead of doing a wipe can i choose the backup/restore option to make a back up first? or is it not going to work because its not fully rooted yet?

    and once i follow all the steps will i still have the same stock ROM that came shipped with the device or will it be some random generic stock ROM?

  • Magnus!!

    If you fail while doing this will your phone get bricked?

  • Magnus!!

    If you fail while doing this will your phone get bricked?

  • Pingback: Vi prego di ordinarmi le idee su come rootare il telefono! - Pagina 3 - Forum Android Italiano()

  • Rez(A)

    Hi is there a device version limitation? (’cause I’ve seen other places and people talk about the version of Hboot and softwear)

    Mine:
    Hboot 0.43.0001
    softwear build 2.05.707.1

    I’m waiting for the rooting tool’s download to finish!

    is there a more recent method for legend?

    I need to install fonts will this let me do that as well?

  • Big W

    Hi, I have rooted my phone but its still version 2.1..

    • rooting your phone doesn’t change the version. it gives you the ability to change the version by loading a ROM.

  • Pingback: HTC Legend: Froyo per CyanogenMod 6.1 | androidnews.de()

  • Pingback: CyanogenMod now supports HTC Legend()

  • Jsx1

    HI, I had my phone rooted before. Last time it worked great but now when I try to run step2 I only get: adb sever out of date… ???
    Any idea what´s wrong? I’d like to get my phone rooted again.

    Thanks/Greetings
    Jocke

  • Pingback: CyanogenMod now supports HTC Legend | WorldAndroid.com()

  • Combivanman

    after many hours of rooting around (*pun intended) i found that getting past step 7. on the list was difficult, the phone would never boot past the red “!” screen.
    to make it work i had to uninstall the htc sync software and any other sh*t that htc had installed, after replugging my phone, it had an error of a driver not installing properly but i went ahead and started the step2windows.bat anyway, and it went ahead.
    i think its a matter of adb trying to run too many instances in the back ground and it gets annoyed and creates errors…. one for htc sync… and one for what you’re trying to do. if you watch task manager you will see it starting and stopping a lot, (btw i tried to root my legend on Win7 x64 and it was hell… i think being on a 32bit OS would help a lot).
    hope this helps some folks 🙂

  • Pingback: HTC Legend – Soft Root and WiFi Tether - security.crudtastic.com()

  • Pingback: Guida Root Legend by metallaro - Pagina 7 - Forum Android Italiano()

  • legendry

    Hello ,
    I’ve original android 2.2(froyo) release on my legend ,
    Can I root this way ?
    Thnx..

    • Stefan Clarke11

      HTC Legend from bell or virgin? Was it released in canada?

    • good question!

    • This is what I want to know, too. This method doesn’t seem to work for me. It gets stuck on the ! screen at Step 2 batch file.

    • Power3d

      No! You can’t because you’ll have HBOOT 1.01, that won’t allow to downgrade.
      Maybe one day 🙁

    • Smide

      Yes but you have to downgrade first

    • Jin

      you can downgrade by downloading 
      SDK for dummies (google) 
      sync 2.0hack4legend-v5r4-legend-rootRUU_Legend_HTC_WWE_1.31.405.5_R_Radio_47.26.35.04_7.05.35.26L_release_126592_signed (shipped rom)and make a goldcard.

  • legendry

    Hello ,
    I’ve original android 2.2(froyo) release on my legend ,
    Can I root this way ?
    Thnx..

  • Stefan Clarke11

    I can’t get passed step seven…reasons?

  • Use our How To Root Using Unrevoked procedure first. If that doesn’t work then try this procedure.

    • I can’t access that link anymore from Google and it doesn’t find it in search. Is that page deleted?

      • Weird it isn’t there… Try this one and let me know if it works.

        http://theunlockr.com/2010/09/20/how-to-root-the-htc-desire-unrevoked-method/

        I know it says its for the desire but it should work on the Legend too. Please let me know if it does and I’ll add it to the Legend procedures.

        • Anonymous

          It seems to work until Unrevoked says “waiting for reboot…” and it just seems to freeze up. The only way to get out of it is plucking out my battery – the volume buttons and power button won’t do anything.

          • ConD

            same thing happens to me, if you stick it back in unrevoked3 will continue. for me it says “it was a triumph”  then goes on to say “Internal error: failed to unlock nand flash”. phone then reboots and nothing more will happen. ALSO if i try using this method i get stuck at the step1-windows.bat sending ‘zip’… okay

            writing ‘zip’… and then just hangs. help with either of these would be nice.

        • Anonymous

          It seems to work until Unrevoked says “waiting for reboot…” and it just seems to freeze up. The only way to get out of it is plucking out my battery – the volume buttons and power button won’t do anything.

        • Anonymous

          It seems to work until Unrevoked says “waiting for reboot…” and it just seems to freeze up. The only way to get out of it is plucking out my battery – the volume buttons and power button won’t do anything.

      • Weird it isn’t there… Try this one and let me know if it works.

        http://theunlockr.com/2010/09/20/how-to-root-the-htc-desire-unrevoked-method/

        I know it says its for the desire but it should work on the Legend too. Please let me know if it does and I’ll add it to the Legend procedures.

  • Use our How To Root Using Unrevoked procedure first. If that doesn’t work then try this procedure.

  • Try the Unrevoked method to root instead if you are having issues with this procedure. (Search for Unrevoked at the top of our site).

  • Kuikdown

    When I extract the SDK, my tools folder does not have the adb files, therefore I can’t do anything :/
    I tried both the zipped and the .exe SDK’s from Android’s site and neither have the adb files.
    Help please!

  • Kuikdown

    When I extract the SDK, my tools folder does not have the adb files, therefore I can’t do anything :/
    I tried both the zipped and the .exe SDK’s from Android’s site and neither have the adb files.
    Help please!

    • The new SDK has ADB in a different folder.

    • The new SDK has ADB in a different folder.

      • Patrick Rohregger

        same problem here. i reformatted and re-installed old htc sync, but he problem is not solved.
        I/O problem at the step2-windows-STEP he cant lload the zip file.

  • Mike_ironworker

    Hi, i just got to step 7 and executed step2-windows.bat and it just stays on the ! and no recovery screen comes up. i followed everything exactly. wondering why its not working

  • INFOchecking custom ID…
    FAILED (remote: 42 custom id check fail)

    After that, and entering Recovery, adb doesn’t find the phone any more.

    Ideas?

    .. what now?

  • Pingback: How To: Downgrade the HTC Legend to 1.31 So It Can Be Rooted | TheUnlockr()

  • will

    Hi, im trying to root my legend from virgin mobile in canada. Everything worked for me till the last step when step2-windows.bat tries to send rootedupdate.zip to the sd card. After pushing 31 files it always says: failed to copy ‘rootedupdate.zip’ to ‘/sdcard/rootedupdate.zip’ : I/O error. same error for win 32 and 64 .
    any help would be appreciated

  • Try and reformat your SD card and start over.

  • Sanoj

    Successfully rooted .. Thankz

  • Thanks for posting it worked!

  • Bluetigger68

    In fact he can with a small workaround, install visionary+ by modaco and grant temporary su rights before starting step 2, then you can downgrade and root with the given procedures!

    • Dmakun

      Hello Bluetrigger68,
      I’ve been trying to root my legend and I’ve followed this procedure faithfully but i’m stuck at downgrading my phone before properly rooting. I NEED HELP!! I have successfully made a gold card but downgrading with RUU gives me [error 140] and i just can’t progress past this stage of the procedure. I’ve tried installing visionary+ and temporary root (on my phone) but it still wont grant me shell access! Actually gave up on this after numerous tries but my phone hasn’t been working normally since and call function force closes and crashes so often. I hope my phone isn’t bricked!? What must I do now?

      • Kaver79

        I had a more or less bricked legend and I was also getting Bootloader error 140 when using RUU.
        I tried different RUU’s from shipped-roms, WWE’s without luck, however I managed to upgrade to RUU_Legend_Vodafone_AU_2.10.178.1 and when it started up, I made sure that USB debugging was enabled on my phone and that adb was working (checking “adb devices”). Downgrading still did not work, so I used “hack4legend-v5” (a lot of error messages, but that’s ok) and afterwards I managed to downgrade to WWE 1.31 without problems at all. After this, I just followed the rooting guide.
        Thanks!

        • Altix31

          Hi Kaver79,
          You need to put your phone in bootloader mode manually. I used this for my Legend with “adb-windows.exe
          reboot-loader” from “r4-legend-root” tool and when the phone was in bootloader mode I ran the RUU.Hopes this help’s.

    • DesperateDos

      That means it was not necessary to run step2-windows.bat from recovery itself? Can I run it when the phone is up and running after granting su rights?

  • Bluetigger68

    In fact he can with a small workaround, install visionary+ by modaco and grant temporary su rights before starting step 2, then you can downgrade and root with the given procedures!

  • Mozart Ni Memel

    hi! i had froyo and downgraded to 1.31 eclair… but i still have hboot 1.01… will this work? i’ve been trying this guide but i get stuck at step2.. the cmd window just opens and closes very quickly, and my phone is stuck at the exclamation screen… i hope you can tell me what i’m doing wrong…

    -i have the old ver of htc sync btw..

  • Thomas

    I spent the day wrestling with this and only managed to root it after downgrading the software. I would highly recommend you do the same to avoid the frustration that I experienced.

    To everyone who can’t find the device in step2.bat, it’s because step1.bat isn’t working properly to load the files.

    Just follow these steps and you’ll be fine:
    1. Create goldcard (make sure its working).
    2. Downgrade software.
    3. Follow this tute.

    Once it’s done it seems easy, and you’ll never have to do it again. Thanks to everyone who put this tutorial together!

  • Thomas

    I spent the day wrestling with this and only managed to root it after downgrading the software. I would highly recommend you do the same to avoid the frustration that I experienced.

    To everyone who can’t find the device in step2.bat, it’s because step1.bat isn’t working properly to load the files.

    Just follow these steps and you’ll be fine:
    1. Create goldcard (make sure its working).
    2. Downgrade software.
    3. Follow this tute.

    Once it’s done it seems easy, and you’ll never have to do it again. Thanks to everyone who put this tutorial together!

  • ilc

    I had many of the errors discussed below with my Legend. Failings at step 2 happened as per other users below as well as other errors including “remote: 42 custom id check fail” “Remote: 43 main version check fail”

    I downgraded and also instead of using a card reader used the phone. Not sure which one of these made it work but eventually had some luck after literally being at it all day! Thanks for the good tutorial

    • Raushan9666

      in step 1 while writing ‘zip’ it is not responding
      what should i do?????
      plz help thanks

  • ilc

    I had many of the errors discussed below with my Legend. Failings at step 2 happened as per other users below as well as other errors including “remote: 42 custom id check fail” “Remote: 43 main version check fail”

    I downgraded and also instead of using a card reader used the phone. Not sure which one of these made it work but eventually had some luck after literally being at it all day! Thanks for the good tutorial

  • Pingback: Root o nuova ROM... come? - Forum Android Italiano()

  • Pingback: Anonymous()

  • same problem here, new formated goldcard and older htc sync version didnt helped me.everytime I/O error he cant load the zip file. got 64bit win7

  • Marvilouz

    hi can i root my htc legend 2.1 ver, 1.27 rom, thanks

  • Marvilouz

    hi can i root my htc legend 2.1 ver, 1.27 rom, thanks

  • buffyfan

    Step I can be replaced by the following procedure keeping HBOOT 1.01 intact.

    Procedure when running HBOOT 1.01

    Connect your phone to your PC. Second you have to install VISIONary r13 into your phone and do the “temproot” procedure. After a successful “temproot” you should be able to adb shell and then su. Fire up command prompt and issue:
    Code:
    adb shell
    su
    …you should have root privileges now (showing #). Next thing is backing up misc partition and replacing it with one from hack4legend-v5.zip. Extract this zip somewhere and fire another command promt there. Now you should upload flash_image binary and misc1-2.img:
    Code:
    adb push flash_image /data/local/
    adb push misc1-2.img /data/local/
    …switch back to 1st command prompt and change permission of flash_image_binary:
    Code:
    chmod 755 /data/local/flash_image
    …and backup your current misc partition:
    Code:
    cat /dev/mtd/mtd0 > /sdcard/misc_backup.img
    Now flash misc1-2.img:
    Code:
    /data/local/flash_image misc /data/local/misc1-2.img
    exit

    Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845512

  • Pingback: Hulp nodig met rooten()

  • Wodraq

    rooted android 2.2 with HBOOT 1.01, follwing http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=845512 till “exit” before section III.
    Do I have to worry if I find this more thrilling than a roller coaster ride?
    Thanks to everyone for their efforts

  • Oscarschenk

    Can you also do this with HBOOT 1.01…? Because I can’t upgrade to 1.31.

  • Kevbeckyhk

    I have already upgrade my Legend to 2.2. How can I root my Legend now? Do you have other way to help me as some application need the device been rooted otherwise can’t be used. Please help! Thanks

  • jt

    Successfully rooted! Thanks David!

  • Raushan9666

    while flashing my htc legend it shows:-
    Legend Root Step 1

    Erasing cache and rebooting in RUU mode…

    erasing ‘cache’… OKAY
    … OKAY

    About to start flash…

    sending ‘zip’ (121756 KB)… OKAY
    writing ‘zip’…

    what should i do????
    plz help me 🙁
    Flag

  • Raushan9666

    how much time it takes for writing ‘zip’………
    plz tell i urgently need your help unlockr…

  • Raushan9666

    plzzz help me

  • thanksunlockr

    i had problem with the steps because i didnt but the tools in c: o.o so i sat here troubleshotting for 2 hours by that mistake…

  • Wolfie

    I can’t seem to get this to work on my Legend. I have HTC Sync 2.0.33 and when I run the .bat files, this is what happens:

    C:>cd r4-legend-root
    C:r4-legend-root>step1-windows.bat
    Legend Root Step 1
    Erasing cache and rebooting in RUU mode…
    erasing ‘cache’… OKAY
    … OKAY
    About to start flash…

    sending ‘zip’ (121756 KB)… OKAY
    writing ‘zip’… INFOadopting the signature contained in this image…
    INFOsignature checking…
    INFOzip header checking…
    INFOzip info parsing…
    INFOchecking model ID…
    FAILED (remote: 41 model id check fail)
    sending ‘zip’ (121756 KB)… OKAY
    writing ‘zip’… INFOadopting the signature contained in this image…
    INFOsignature checking…
    INFOzip header checking…
    INFOzip info parsing…
    INFOchecking model ID…
    FAILED (remote: 41 model id check fail)
    Rebooting to bootloader…
    rebooting into bootloader… OKAY
    Step 1 complete – now use the bootloader menu to enter recovery mode.
    To do this, press the power button, wait a few seconds, then use the volume keys
    and power button to select the RECOVERY option.

    C:r4-legend-root>step2-windows.bat
    Legend Root Step 2
    Pushing required files to device…
    * daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
    * daemon started successfully *
    error: device not found
    error: device not found
    Pushing update file to device sdcard – this may take a few minutes…
    error: device not found
    error: device not found
    Now wipe and apply rootedupdate.zip from the recovery image menu.
    error: device not found
    C:r4-legend-root>

    Anyone help me with where I’ve gone wrong here? Thanks.

    • Kayce

      I’m having the same problem. Can some1 help me? Thanks!

      • Same problem.
        I was abble to downgrade to 1.31
        HBOOT v1.00
        having problem with the model ID..
        Tried it on windows 7 and OS x..

    • andrufka

      put out side and in side usb divice

    • Jin

      uninstall sync and re install it. when sync still installing go to recovery (dont touch anything when its in recovery) and open a command promp/cmd
      and put cdr4-legend-root to the command promp/cmd.
      and run step2-windows.bat and just wait for it to finish and you should see a green writing when it finish

      • Jin

        green wrinting on your phone*

    • Zepid

      Hi, It seems you get stuck with the “remote: 41 model id check fail” error. This indicates a bad goldcard, try recreating it with http://android.modaco.com/topic/308798-pc-application-goldcardtool/, makes it real easy

    • Arie

      When you get the message “FAILED (remote: 41 model id check fail)” on step 1, your goldcard is probably incorrect. This is probably caused by an incorrect instruction in the goldcard how-to. Instead of manually reversing the cid code in step 6 of the goldcard how-to, reverse it using the online goldcard hex reverser: http://hexrev.soaa.me/

  • guest

    Thanks it work!!!

  • Thank your! Finally rooted my Legend! 🙂 It just happened after a day of trial and error…

  • muppen

    Do i have to make a goldcard for rooting my phone or can i root it anyway? I have done a jailbreak on a ipod touch once but this looks more complicated.

  • Almedin_max

     hello, I have a vodafone htc legend and I have a problem with the Step2 windovs,showing me the message that the unit is ofline and stops the … is there a solution?

  • Smide

    Pls If you wanna by succesfull use WIN XP. I try it for many hours on win 7. On win XP i have it for 15 minutes. I am talking about downgrading

  • Smide

    Hello I Rooted my android 2.2 by this tutorial to 2.1 with root. Then i want to go back to 2.2 but OTA updates doesnt work so I put there original HTC ROM.But I lost ROOT :|. Pls advise me if i want to have root and original HTC 2.2 ROM on my Legeng how to do it ? I know how to root but dont know how to upgrade to 2.2 without loosing root.

    Thanks you

  • Arunursluv

    i have rooted my htc legend and currently running CM7 but when i reboot my mobile to recovery screen i get the same old (like unrooted htc legend) options. Is there a way to gain complete root? with out the necessary of running recovery.bat every time i want to flash my legend with a new version.

  • Ryttge

    The sync version you linked misses vcredist.msi thus rendering this guide useless.

    • As with all of the how to’s on this site, it generally helps everyone more for you to contribute to the community instead of pointing out faults. This procedure is rather old, do you have a link to a new sync version to help others out?

      • Ryttge

        I think that the vscredit.msi is supposed to be downloaded by the installer and that they simply closed the download link. Rendering all the installers useless and thus making this procedure impossible,

        It was pretty annoying to find out after creating a goldcard and having alot of problem with downgrading to finaly come here and it all fails on a download link.

        • Ryttge

          A clean format and reinstall of w7 solved the problem. The problem microsoft visual c++ 2005 redistributable KB2467175 being bugged upp and the program not recognised an already installed product. Uninstall/install did not work.

          Might be a bit drastic but i was gonna format it this week anyway.

  • Mike

    Hi.  I have decided to root my legend. 

    I just have some questions before I push through:1. upon installing a rom, do we still need to install launchers or is it ready to use?

    2. is the “phone keypad” input type still available like the one in stock?
    3. after rooting, all those HTC widgets in settings (like airplane mode, wifi etc) will all be gone right?
    4. i dont use google contacts to synce.  i synchronize my contacts and calendar with my ms outlook via HTC sync.  is this still possible after rooting?  because before, even after i hard reset my legend, i just sync everything in my outlook and everything is back to were it was.
    hope to get some replies.  thank you very much.

  • Pingback: Fastnat i "fastboot" | Swedroid()

  • Jin

    THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD GET WHEN STEP 2 IS WORKING

    C:UsersCESAR>cdr4-legend-root

    C:r4-legend-root>step2-windows.bat
    Legend Root Step 2

    Pushing required files to device…

    * daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
    * daemon started successfully *
    push: files/etc/mtab -> /etc/mtab
    push: files/etc/fstab -> /etc/fstab
    push: files/sbin/wipe -> /sbin/wipe
    push: files/sbin/unyaffs -> /sbin/unyaffs
    push: files/sbin/ums_toggle -> /sbin/ums_toggle
    push: files/sbin/um -> /sbin/um
    push: files/sbin/tune2fs -> /sbin/tune2fs
    push: files/sbin/toolbox -> /sbin/toolbox
    push: files/sbin/sdparted -> /sbin/sdparted
    push: files/sbin/recovery -> /sbin/recovery
    push: files/sbin/reboot -> /sbin/reboot
    push: files/sbin/parted -> /sbin/parted
    push: files/sbin/nandroid-mobile.sh -> /sbin/nandroid-mobile.sh
    push: files/sbin/mkyaffs2image -> /sbin/mkyaffs2image
    push: files/sbin/mke2fs -> /sbin/mke2fs
    push: files/sbin/log2sd -> /sbin/log2sd
    push: files/sbin/fs -> /sbin/fs
    push: files/sbin/flash_image -> /sbin/flash_image
    push: files/sbin/fix_permissions -> /sbin/fix_permissions
    push: files/sbin/e2fsck -> /sbin/e2fsck
    push: files/sbin/dump_image -> /sbin/dump_image
    push: files/sbin/busybox -> /sbin/busybox
    push: files/sbin/backuptool.sh -> /sbin/backuptool.sh
    push: files/sbin/adbd – Copy (2) -> /sbin/adbd – Copy (2)
    push: files/sbin/adbd – Copy -> /sbin/adbd – Copy
    push: files/sbin/adbd -> /sbin/adbd
    push: files/system/bin/sh -> /system/bin/sh
    push: files/system/bin/linker -> /system/bin/linker
    push: files/system/lib/libstdc++.so -> /system/lib/libstdc++.so
    push: files/system/lib/libm.so -> /system/lib/libm.so
    push: files/system/lib/liblog.so -> /system/lib/liblog.so
    push: files/system/lib/libcutils.so -> /system/lib/libcutils.so
    push: files/system/lib/libc.so -> /system/lib/libc.so
    33 files pushed. 0 files skipped.
    1033 KB/s (4011221 bytes in 3.790s)

    Pushing update file to device sdcard – this may take a few minutes…

    1057 KB/s (110689022 bytes in 102.233s)

    Now wipe and apply rootedupdate.zip from the recovery image menu.

    nohup: appending output to nohup.out

  • Jin

    you can root HBOOT 1.01 because i did it to mine a couple of days ago

    • Gill Jay

      hi Jin i am trying to root my legend but struggling with step 2 can u please explain how u rooted urs. ta

  • The step 1-windows.bat look fail for me… i can wait over 1h, nothing happen…

    any idea ?

  • Robmoore808

    I’m having trouble creating a gold card.  I even went out and bought the Kingston 2 gig. After I edit with the hex editor it cannot be read and the comp asks for me to reformat it again. I’m 100% positive the CID code is right too. Please help

  • Gaem

    great!!!+++!! worked for me!

  • Charlie J

    Hi, I can’t get this to work for my HTC Legend, most of the step 1 batch file seems to work until it gets to the end with this message:

    FAILED (remote: 41 model id check fail)

    Then Step 2 gives this message:

    C:r4-legend-root>step2-windows.bat
    Legend Root Step 2
    Pushing required files to device…
    * daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
    * daemon started successfully *
    error: device offline
    error: device offline
    Pushing update file to device sdcard – this may take a few minutes…
    error: device offline
    error: device offline
    Now wipe and apply rootedupdate.zip from the recovery image menu.
    error: device not found
    C:r4-legend-root>

    Any ideas? I’ve tried it on windows xp and windows 7, I’ve got the correct older version of htc sync installed (2.0.33).

  • Charlie J

    Batch file 1 when run from cmd prompt shows this message when it completes:

    Failed: (remote: 43 main version check fail)

    When Batch file 2 is run it says error: device offline.

    Has anyone figured out how to get around this?

  • Sparklings

    It fails at step2 and the command prompt closes with the reason error : device offline
    Could you please help me?

  • Pingback: Rooting scheitert - Android-Hilfe.de()

  • IF YOU ARE STUCK ON THE Step2-windows.bat, it is very simple.

    Make your goldcard again, 
    place it into phone and do step 1, but when finished you must take out gold card and replace with another sd card. 
    Then plug back in, boot phone whilst holding back, and navigate to the recover ! screen. 

    They missed this step out of the instructions. 

    DO NOT LEAVE GOLDCARD IN FOR STEP2-WINDOWS.BAT

  • Itamar

    hey i’ve tried that before and failed, and so i don’t know if my device is rooted or not.. how do i check that?

  • Olek

    Could someone help me with rooting my Legend 2.2 hboot 1.0. I have made a goldcard. On the step1 I have an error 43 and on the step 2- error-device is offline. I run Windows 7 and latest HTC sync on my PC.
    Thanks a lot in advance.

    Olek

  • My step 1 doesnt progress past “” any ideas?

  • Pingback: Legend Fehler bei der Goldcard hilfe()

  • stev

    please help,
    on step 1 I’m getting remote: 43 main version check fail
    what am I doing wrong?