Update HTC Explorer Sense 5 EX to Android 4.0.4 ICS Custom ROM

HTC Explorer has finally received a proper Android 4.0.4 ICS custom ROM, Sense 5 EX. This is a HTC Sense 5.0 themed firmware, but a very stable one with full of new features and optimizations. HTC discarded HTC Explorer with new Android updates after Gingerbread, and the phone never got to see official ICS or Jelly Bean updates. Instead, HTC is now out with new low-end Android phones. You can update Explorer to Sense 5 EX Android 4.0.4 ICS custom firmware using the tutorial below. Make sure your HTC Explorer bootloader is unlocked or you won’t be able to install custom ROMs.
As you continue reading, we will tell you how to install Sense 5 EX Android 4.0.4 ICS custom ROM on HTC Explorer. All the step-by-step instructions are given below, and we have also given a few extra tips that you have to keep in mind before proceeding. Make sure you backup all your existing data in the phone before proceeding as this tutorial will wipe out all your internal storage data. The following tips are important as they will help the installation procedure to go smooth without any issues. Let’s get to the tutorial now.

Disclaimer: All the custom ROMs and firmwares, official software updates, tools, mods or anything mentioned in the tutorial belong to their respective owners/developers. We (MyTrickSource) or the developers are not to be held responsible if you damage or brick your device. We don’t have you on gun point to try out this tutorial

Sense 5 EX Android 4.0.4 ICS ROM Details:

This amazing Sense 5 EX custom ROM comes with tons of new features and is based on Android 4.0.4 ICS. A quick list of the main features in Sense 5 EX is given below and we are sure you’d love to use this on your Explorer:

• Now based on build#6(derefas)
• All new lockscreen ring
• Added some more new icons
• More fast,smooth and responsive
• battery icons looks same but now ported from sense 5 viper rom
• Removed some bloats
• no tweaks in this build,feel more stock(fast and stable)
• one again changed clock dock
• Added show me apk
• Resized quick settings icons some smaller
• Fixed APM
• Tweaked for Faster UI
• New Cute prince kernal
• Removed 3d transition effects in tabs(it lags,so i removed it)
• Removed Fade effect in homescreens
• No overclock,no burnt nands
• Changed Default Wallpaper

Like this Sense 5 EX ROM based on the latest Android 4.0.4? We love it too and we know you are looking forward to install it on your phone now. Now please read below for important tips on how to make sure your installation goes smooth and you do not end up with any problems.

HTC Explorer USB Drivers

You will need to connect your Android phone with the computer. For that, please make sure you have installed the USB drivers for HTC Explorer properly. If not, you can download the latest official drivers from our Android USB Drivers section here:
Download HTC Explorer USB drivers!

Backup and Other Important Tips of HTC Explorer

Done with the USB drivers? Perfect. The tutorial is on the next page, but first, please take a look at the following tips and important points you need to take care of. These are important, as we don’t want anyone losing their personal data or apps:
Always backup your important data that you might need after you install a new custom ROM, an official software update or anything else. Make a backup for just in case, you never know when anything might go wrong. See below for some tips on how to backup data:

• Backup your Apps. How? –> How to Backup Android Apps.  
• Backup your SMS messages. How? –> How to Backup/Restore SMS Messages.
• Backup Call History. How? –> How to Backup Call History.   
• Backup APN Settings: GPRS, 3G, MMS Settings. How? Note down everything from: Settings > Wireless & Networks (More…) > Mobile networks > Access Point Names.   

 Samsung users can also back up data using Samsung KIES. If you backup data manually, you get more options what to choose from and it is very easy to move data across Android devices from different manufacturers, i.e moving Samsung Galaxy S3 backup data to HTC One X.
    If you already have a custom recovery (ClockworkMod, TWRP etc.) installed on your phone, we strongly recommend a backup using that as it creates a complete image of your existing phone set up.

A few more optional tips that you should remember:

1. Having problems connecting your Android phone to the computer? You need to enable USB debugging mode. See here: How to Enable USB Debugging — for Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean.

2. Make sure your Android device is charged up to 80-85% battery level. Why? Because, if your phone goes off suddenly while installing a custom ROM, flashing an official firmware update or installing mods etc. — your phone might get bricked or go dead permanently. No one wants that, right?

3. Most of the tutorials and how-to guides on MyTrickSource are for factory unlocked Android phones and tablets. We recommend NOT to try our guides if your phone is locked to a carrier, unless we have specified the carrier name or device model.

If you find the above tips useful and they were helpful to you, please consider giving us a +1 or LIKE to thank us!

All set and ready? Good. Now, let’s proceed with the tutorial on the next page and update Explorer to Sense 5 EX Android 4.0.4 ICS custom firmware.

How to Install Sense 5 EX Android 4.0.4 ICS on HTC Explorer

We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide on how to install Sense 5 EX Android 4.0.4 ICS custom firmware on Explorer. If you are used to installing custom ROMs on your Explorer, then this should not be any different for you.
However, for beginners, you need to root your HTC Explorer and install a custom recovery. Please Google that up if you are unsure and make sure you read the tutorial once before actually performing it on your device.

To Remember:
This Android 4.2.2 tutorial is only for HTC Explorer. Please don’t try this on any other variants of the phone.

1. Make sure you backup all your data in your phone before proceeding.
2. This is not an official HTC software update. This is a custom third-party ROM.
3. Bootloader should be unlocked. 
4. Make sure ClockworkMod Recovery is installed on your phone.

Complete Step-By-Step Instructions:

NOTE: Make sure ADB and Fastboot is configured on your PC.

Step 1 - Download Sense 5 EX Android 4.0.4 ROM  for HTC Explorer to your computer and extract boot.img from the zip file separately.

Step 2 - Connect and mount your HTC Explorer USB (mass) memory on your computer using the USB cable.

Step 3 - Now copy/paste the downloaded Android 4.0.4 ROM zip file to your SD card. Make sure the file is in the SD card root.

Step 4 - Copy/paste the boot.img file to android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory.

Step 5 - Then turn OFF your phone.

Step 6 - Now to get in the Bootloader/Fastboot Mode. Turn ON the phone while pressing and holding the Volume Down + Power buttons.

Step 7 - Once in the Fastboot mode (on your phone), navigate to android-sdk-windowsplatform-tools directory (on your computer) and open Command Prompt (Shift + Right-click > Open Command Prompt).

Step 8 - Type the following command and press Enter.
fastboot flash boot boot.img

Step 9 - Then, type the following command and press Enter.
fastboot reboot

Step 10 - Follow the navigation instructions on the screen. Select BOOTLOADER and then go to RECOVERY. Alternatively, read this: How to Enter Recovery Mode on Any Android Phone.

Step 11 - Once you are in ClockworkMod Recovery, select perform a full data wipe by selecting “wipe data/factory reset” as shown below. Use the Power button to select everything while in the Recovery Mode.

Step 12 - Then, perform a cache wipe by selecting “wipe cache partition” as you can see in the image below.

Step 13 - Now this is optional, but it is recommended to perform a wipe of your dalvik cache as well. You will not get into boot loops or any other errors. From CWM recovery, go to ‘advanced’ and then select “wipe dalvik cache”.

Step 14 - Then go back to the main recovery screen and select “install zip from SD card”.

Step 15 - Now select “choose zip from sdcard”. Using your volume keys, navigate to the Android 4.0.4 ROM zip file that you copied to your SD card and select it using the Power button. Confirm the installation on the next screen and the installation procedure should start now.

Step 16 - After the installation completes, go to “+++++Go Back+++++” and reboot the phone by selecting “reboot system now” from the recovery menu as show below.

Your Explorer will boot now and it might take about 5 minutes to boot on your first time. So, please wait.
That’s it! Your Explorer should now have Sense 5 EX Android 4.0.4 ICS custom ROM installed on your phone! Go to Settings > About phone to verify.

Hit +1 or LIKE to thank us!
Have fun playing with it! If you have any issues, please fire them up in the comments below!