Manually Update HTC Explorer to Android 4.4.2 KitKat with Omni ROM (Beta Edition)

   Known Issues/bugs

[As of December 30, 2013]

• No known issues yet.

  WARNING!

Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page.

You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

  HTC EXPLORER ANDROID 4.4 KITKAT UPDATE BASED OMNI ROM INSTALLATION

Before you begin with guide instructions below, make sure your android device is adequately charged — at least 50% battery of the device.

   STEP 0: CHECK DEVICE MODEL NO.

To make sure your device is eligible with this, you must first confirm its model no. or name(incase of HTC) in ‘About device’ option under Settings. Another way to confirm the device name is by looking for it on the packaging box of your device. It must be HTC EXPLORER (PICO)!

DO NOT use the procedures discussed here on any other HTC EXPLORER variants (like O2, T-Mobile) or any other device of HTC or any other company. You have been warned!

  STEP 1: BACKUP YOUR DEVICE:

Back up important data and stuff before you start playing around here as there are chances you might lose your apps and app-data (app settings, game progress, etc.), and in rare case, files on the internal memory, too.

For help on Backup and Restore, check out our exclusive page on that linked right below.

► ANDROID BACK UP AND RESTORE GUIDE: APPS AND TIPS

  STEP 2: INSTALL LATEST DRIVER

You must have proper and working driver installed on your windows in order to go to bootloader mode using fastboot. You have to be in latest CWM Recovery to install 4.4.2 ROMs.

► HTC DRIVERS

  STEP 3: UNLOCK BOOTLOADER

  Skip this step if your device is already bootloader unlocked.

Use must first unlock the bootloader on your Droid DNA before proceeding with the guide below. Without unlocking the bootloader you won’t be able to use fastboot commands to flash the firmware on your device. Check the link below for help on unlocking the bootloader.

► HTC ONE X BOOTLOADER UNLOCKING GUIDE

Yes the above guide is for HTC One X, the process for unlocking your HTC Explorer is same as the above guide. So it can be of great help to you if your device is not unlocked.

   STEP 4: INSTALL THE LATEST CWM/TWRP RECOVERY

 Skip this step if you you already have latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery installed on your device.

Make sure that you’ve latest version of the recovery of your choice installed on your device.

  STEP 5: INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

  DOWNLOADS

Download the file given below and transfer it to a separate folder on your phone and remember the location.

  ROM FILE

DOWNLOAD LINK | File name: omni-4.4.2-20131229-pico-HOMEMADE_BETA2.zip (174.2 MB)

  PATCH FILE

DOWNLOAD LINK | File name: patch_omni_beta2.zip (4.54 MB)

  GAPPS FILE

DOWNLOAD LINK | File name: 12-14_GApps_Core_4.4.2_signed.zip (17.4 MB)

For latest version of the ROM, check the original page →

Be sure to transfer the ROM, Gapps and patch files you downloaded above to your phone and remember the location of the files. You will need to flash them now on your device using CWM or TWRP recovery, whichever you got.

  GUIDE FOR CWM RECOVERY

  Example video: If you haven’t used CWM recovery before to install a .zip file of a ROM or anything else, then we suggest you first watch a video of that to get familiar with the process. Click here to watch the video

1. Boot into recovery mode. If you’re rooted, the easiest way to boot into recovery mode would be using the QuickBoot app. If not rooted, then follow the instructions below:
   • Power off your device and wait for 5-10 seconds until the device is fully switched off.
   • Press and hold Volume Down + Power buttons together and don’t release them until you boot into bootloader mode (screenshot)
   • Once in bootloader mode, use Volume Down button to navigate to/highlight RECOVERY and select it by pressing the Power button. You’ll boot into recovery mode.
     └ In Recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
     
2. Create a Nandroid Backup from recovery. It’s optional but very important to do, so that in case something goes wrong you can restore to current status easily. For making a Nandroid Backup, go to Backup And Restore » Backup.
3. Perform a Factory Reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:
   • Select Wipe data/Factory reset, then select Yes on the next screen to confirm factory reset (screenshot)
4. First Install the ROM file:
   • Select Install zip » Choose zip from sdcard (or external sdcard, you know where your files are) » browse to the location where you saved the file and select the ROM file
     
5. Now flash the PATCH FILE and Gapps just like the way you flashed the ROM file.
6. Reboot your device. For this, go back to the main menu of recovery and select reboot system now.

That’s all. Your phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android 4.4, be extremely excited for this!

Note: In case your device gets bootloop (stuck at logo while rebooting), just do a factory reset (step 3) and you will be fine.

 GUIDE FOR TWRP RECOVERY USERS

1. Boot into recovery mode. If you’re rooted, the easiest way to boot into recovery mode would be using the QuickBoot app. If not rooted, then follow the instructions below:
   • Power off your device and wait for 5-10 seconds until the device is fully switched off.
   • Press and hold Volume Down + Power buttons together and don’t release them until you boot into bootloader mode (screenshot)
   • Once in bootloader mode, use Volume Down button to navigate to/highlight RECOVERY and select it by pressing the Power button. You’ll boot into recovery mode.
     └ In Recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate Up and Down between options and use Power button to select an option.
2. Create a Nandroid Backup from recovery. It’s optional but very important to do, so that in case something goes wrong you can restore to current status easily. For making a Nandroid Backup, go to Backup » and select all check boxes and swipe on the Swipe to confirm option at the bottom of the screen to confirm backup.
   
3. Perform a Factory Reset (this will delete all apps and their settings and game progress). For this:
   • Tap on Wipe » then at the bottom of the screen do a Swipe on the ‘Swipe to factory reset‘ option (screenshot)
4. First Install the ROM file:
   • Tap on Install » browse to the location where you saved the files and tap on the ROM file. Now at the bottom of the screen, do a swipe on the Swipe to confirm flash option to begin flashing.
     
5. Now flash the PATCH FILE  and Gapps  just like the way you flashed the ROM file.
6. Reboot your device. Go back to the main menu of recovery and tap on Reboot » then, tap on System to reboot your phone.

That’s all. Your phone will now reboot and it will take some time as it’ll be phone’s first boot after installing Android 4.4, be extremely excited for this!

FEEDBACK US!

It was easy to install OMNI ROM, based on Android 4.4 KitKat, right? Let us know how it is to your liking in comments below.

Your suggestions and queries, if any, are most welcomed!