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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:

       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!

      48 comments:

      1. the entire rom is getting installed in the phone memory,not the sdcard and as a consequence the low internal memory wizard repeatedly opens.Please correct asap

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. do you have ext3/4 partition on your sd card? coz by default the rom installs and runs the script(s) to optimize ext partition of sdcard.

          Other possibility may be of burning your NAND!!

          Delete
        2. Yes i have a ext3 partition and also tried ext4,but the same

          Delete
      2. This comment has been removed by the author.

        ReplyDelete
      3. btw i tried changing the rom to some other rom but now when i start up another rom none of the system files work .. as in meesages constantly come say.. not working .. even the keyboard doesnt come up . please provide the solution

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. @GrAve Diguur flash a GApps of Android 4.0.4...!! then every thing will work.

          Delete
        2. Nope Now I Cant Flash any other rom from recovery
          except this Htc sense 5 one. Please come up with a solution

          Delete
      4. One More Question why dont live wallpapers work ?

        ReplyDelete
      5. I think the processor is overclocked to 800Mhz which is normally 600Mhz and in consequence the battery is draining like anything.I can't even withstand 45Min of normal browsing.Please correct it.I have manually made it to 600Mhz by setcpu.

        ReplyDelete
      6. In my phone its showing only bootanimation and doest start the phone.
        please provide a solution for it.

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. @Shahid Deraiya, i think you wiped your all data. So you may not have any rom in your phone. You must flash your phone with official firmware.

          Delete
        2. no i am having cm9 rom installed on my phone..

          Delete
        3. @Shahid Deraiya Is it Official cm9 ? if not then it may have some bugs. So now just try a official CM9 from http://get.cm and flash it again.

          Delete
      7. urgh!! i am stuck on htc logo..
        please tell me what to do

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. I don't know what's wrong with your phone, but if you just want to revert back to your backed up ROM, try flash boot from your backup first, and then restore backup. Or try reinstall RUU, maybe...

          Delete
      8. it is working for me that is good every thing is working.

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. @Patel Ujas
          I think you have did every steps correctly in the tutorial. That is good to know every thing is working. :)

          Delete
      9. not working after 1 day reoot the phone in every 5 minit not downlaod'

        ReplyDelete
      10. i am stuck on htc logo..
        plezzzz tell me what to do

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. I don't know what's wrong with your phone, but if you just want to revert back to your backed up ROM, try flash boot from your backup first, and then restore backup. Or try reinstall RUU.

          Delete
      11. i am stuck on htc logo..
        plezzzz tell me what to do

        ReplyDelete
      12. WIFI does not work on my Explorer..it says error...!!!

        ReplyDelete
      13. do we need to use the Command Prompt for this installation ?

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. Ya @Santosh Bajjuri

          That is highly Recommended

          Delete
      14. stuck on the htc logo.... help!!!!

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. @Lipokmeren Jamir

          Oke, so now the bootloader is unlocked ?

          Re-copy the boot.img file from the nandroid folder to the fastboot folder...just to be sure

          Flash it with fastboot command and enter the recovery

          Then

          Wipe data/factory reset
          Wipe cache partition
          Advanced - wipe dalvik cache
          Mounts & storage - format cache, data, system

          Then restore the nandroid again !

          Delete
      15. cant download the rom from the link....help

        ReplyDelete
      16. i have completed all d steps but my phone still not starting but 1 thing changed its showing beatsaudio but nothing happening :(

        ReplyDelete
      17. i have completed all d steps but my phone still not starting but 1 thing changed its showing beatsaudio but nothing happening palese sir reply

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. after occouring this problen on my mobile I loaded original htc pico rom then statrt my htc on gingerbread os does not match any rom I have downloaded 15 roms from internet
          htc is good works on its original rom

          Delete
      18. i have completed all d steps but my phone still not starting but 1 thing changed its showing beatsaudio but nothing happening :(
        bhai plz suggest me, waiting 4 ur rpy
        frm:ankit

        ReplyDelete
      19. i finished my unlock bootloader...and i installed my zip file to my mobile...now my moblie is not rebooting...wt i want 2 do nw

        ReplyDelete
      20. pls say the truth it will work r not

        ReplyDelete
      21. m also stuck on htc logo. what to do now!!!!!!!

        ReplyDelete
      22. Wifi not working and showing error. What to do now!!!!!!

        ReplyDelete
      23. When the htc logo is stucked. Press the power button multiple times. It worked in my case.:)

        ReplyDelete
      24. guys use TWRP recovery it will definitely work n dont forget to mount sd-ext ..
        frm : Ankit

        ReplyDelete
      25. This comment has been removed by the author.

        ReplyDelete
      26. rom has installed perfectly, everything is great.......problem is its damn slow, sometimes reboots automatically multiple times a day, n internet is really really really slow.......its really sucking, cyanogen rom was gr8, wid only one problom of usb tethering days i uninstalled dat n install this one, bt even having everything in this rom, this sucks..........evn extract 512sd-ext......bt its damn slow.........duh

        ReplyDelete
      27. rom has installed perfectly, everything is great.......problem is its damn slow

        ReplyDelete
      28. It works but my bluthooth getting problem. phone reboots


        ReplyDelete
      29. my update complite but mobile start stop htc logo pls help

        ReplyDelete
      30. Is it stable? I found no stable explorer custom rom version. I really want to stick with ics.

        ReplyDelete
      31. no entiendo el paso 4 ¿alguien me ayuda?

        ReplyDelete
      32. how to get back to the original rom...i didnt take the recovery...its also showing te logo only...plz help me...

        ReplyDelete