IMPORTANT! READ THIS FIRST!

First off, the procedures listed on this page WILL VOID YOUR MYTOUCH 3G WARRANTY (although you may be able to reverse the process to get back to stock). Just wanted you to know.

The following process is designed only for use with the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G v.1.2 (including the Fender LE). It includes information for rooting both the original Android 1.6 OS (Donut) and the Over The Air (OTA) Android 2.2 (FroYo) update. If you have already rooted your phone, it may work for the original MyTouch 3G. IN ANY CASE, the process below may render your phone useless if done improperly, or properly. The steps below have been assembled through some web research, and in a large part through anecdote, using my own experience and that of some others on the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G community forums. In some cases, I refer you to other pages for information. When I do, GO TO THOSE PAGES AND READ EVERYTHING.

Read this guide thoroughly, including pages that I refer you to for more information, before starting on your own phone. Be familiar with the steps. If you have questions, research answers before starting. Head over to the T-Mobile developer forum, XDA-Developer forum, or the CyanogenMod website/forum. These sites may provide answers to your questions. It may also take additional research on your part.

You must have a certain level of technical ability to perform the processes below. If you are new to technology, I suggest that you do not continue. This isn't for you.

I am not an employee of T-Mobile, HTC, or Google, and they are not responsible, nor do they endorse, any processes listed on this page. Neither I, nor any of the companies listed, will assume ANY RESPONSIBILITY for phones that are rendered inoperable by this process. Bear in mind that the instructions below are for T-Mobile MyTouch 3G phones. HTC Sapphire/Magic/Dream phones offered by other providers may not function the same, and these procedures may not work for those phones. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!

NOTE: I've been informed by one of the folks at CyanogenMod that they recommend doing a Google search for topics on their forum site. Apparently the search on their forums doesn't always work as you might anticipate. They're aware of the issue, so please don't bother them about it...just use Google instead.

Menu

  1. Before Starting
  2. Rooting/Preparing for ROM Installation
  3. Installing a New ROM
  4. Installing a New Kernel
  5. CM6.1 Stable Colorized
  6. New Market App
  7. That Drained (Battery) Feeling
  8. Getting Out of Trouble (I hope!)
  9. Acknowledgements

Before Starting

Before starting, prepare your phone!

  1. Back up your SD card data. Connect your phone to a computer and copy any files that you want to keep, such as image, music, and video files, to your computer to back them up. The next step will delete ALL data, so if you want to keep it, back it up now!
  2. Format your SD card using your phone. This will perform two functions. First, it will give your phone a clean, properly formatted SD card to use when installing the ROM. Second, a successful format will confirm that your phone can communicate with the SD card. Failing to do this may cause some problems when you try to install a new ROM. To format, go to Menu > Settings > SD card & phone storage > Unmount SD card > Format SD card.

If your phone fails on either of the above steps, DO NOT CONTINUE. Diagnose the SD card issue first. It may require that you purchase a new SD card. If so, go for a class 4 or better card.

Rooting/Preparing for ROM Installation

Once you have properly formatted your SD card, you are ready to start installing and running the applications that will let you root and modify your phone. I've broken this down by Android version, because the two methods are quite different. The method used to root Android 1.6 (Donut) exploits an aspect of the Donut software that was blocked in the FroYo release.

NOTE: I do not have direct experience with the methods outlined under the FroYo rooting process. I only have direct experience with rooting Donut. However, others have used these methods to root FroYo with great success, so if you don't have success, then you probably did something wrong. As with the rest of this guide, careful attention to detail is essential!

 

Rooting Android 1.6 (Donut)

Install and run the applications listed below in the order that they are listed. If you do not, you may have difficulties later on:

  1. Root with Universal Androot.  There's a QR code on this link: http://phandroid.com/2010/10/07/universal-androot-hits-the-market-for-one-click-rooting-of-many-devi....It says that it's available on the Market, but I wasn't able to find it without using the QR code (for information on what a QR code is, see the Wikipedia page). Use this instead of Goldcard...it's truly one-click. It should also be noted that this rooting method is non-invasive, so it's really as simple as clicking the "unroot" button to unroot it. Even if you have to do a manual unroot, it hasn't changed any of the base files like the radio or .spl. Very safe root.
    Dropdown Image for Universal AndrootNOTE: Before you root, Universal Androot offers you a choice of Superuser versions to install (you MUST install Superuser as part of the rooting process. Superuser is what tracks which applications are allowed to have root access and which are forbidden). Select Superuser for Android 1.5/1.6. To change the selected version, click the "dropdown" arrow, and select the correct version in the popup window (see illustration at right). Once you've selected the correct Superuser, make sure that the Soft Root checkbox is UNchecked (you can generate a log if you want to), and click the "Go Root" button.
  2. Install Busybox (available on the Market. Adds some Linux command libraries).
  3. Install ROM Manager (available on the Market).

NOTE: I used version 1.6.1 of Universal Androot for my installation. The link above is for version 1.6.2 (beta). Others have used it without issue, but I have not. If you would prefer to use 1.6.1 as I did, see the blog.23corner.com link below.

For some more info on Universal Androot, see these pages:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=747598

http://androidspin.com/2010/08/10/universal-1-click-root-app-for-android-devices/

http://blog.23corner.com/tag/universalandroot/

IMPORTANT: The author has no direct experience using any method other than Universal Androot. As with anything else on this page, you will be proceeding at your own risk, so make sure you research first!

 

Rooting Android 2.2 (FroYo)

For this, I am going to refer you to another website, the XDA-Developers website forum, for instructions. DonJuan has an excellent set of instructions that he's put together, and he's much more knowledgeable than I am. Why reinvent the wheel, right?

So, here's the procedure. Visit the following forum pages IN THE ORDER LISTED, and READ THEM ALL THOROUGHLY before proceding. If you're too impatient to read them through, follow the links and read those pages, etc., then quit now, call T-Mobile, and get an upgrade to a Vibrant or a 4G or something like that. You're just not cut out for this type of thing.

  1. Go to this page and read it. It gives you some important information about your phone that you may not have known, and shows you how to verify that you've got the right phone for this process.
  2. Go to this page and read it. I'd suggest reading the whole thread (yeah, it's long...worth it though). The first post is the actual process, but the other posts talk about the differences between the standard 1.2 and the Fender (there's no hardware difference, but there are some differences in the system software). Once your system is rooted...
  3. Install Busybox (available on the Market. Adds some Linux command libraries).
  4. Install ROM Manager (available on the Market).

IMPORTANT: The pages linked above have links to other pages to download software, read up on stuff, etc. Follow those links before starting your rooting process, and make sure that you understand what they're talking about. The only time that I've heard about people having problems, those same people have come back saying something like, "Oh, I forgot to do this," or, "Oh, I missed reading that part". READ IT ALL!!

Installing a New ROM

IMPORTANT: Some of the steps to installing a new ROM on your phone may take some time to complete. If you're the impatient type, STOP NOW AND DON'T GO ANY FURTHER! EVER! Keep in mind that you may be waiting 10 or 15 minutes, or more, for things like the download, the install, and the initial boot-up after installation. DON'T PULL THE BATTERY unless it's been more than an hour. If it seems like it's taking too long, leave it plugged in to the AC adapter, and walk away. Watch TV. Play a video game. Whatever, just give it some time alone.

After installing ROM Manager, I used it to download and install CM6.1 RC1 (and later CM6.1 Stable). When you install ROM Manager, it requires you to install its own recovery software (Clockworkmod), which you should allow it to do. When you install Clockworkmod, you may be asked if you have an HTC Dream, an ION/MyTouch 3G, or an HTC Magic. Choose "ION/MyTouch 3G". You'll also be asked if you want to allow Superuser access. Make sure to check the checkbox that says "Always" or "Remember" or something like that, so that if ROM Manager and ClockworkMod need root privileges again, it'll have them automatically, and select "Allow".

Once installed, there are two ways to install a ROM with ROM Manager (really 3, if you count using ClockworkMod Recovery), downloading directly, and installing from the SD card.

To install directly:

  1. Plug your phone into the AC adapter and keep it plugged in for the entire process.
  2. Start ROM Manager on your phone.
  3. Select "Download ROM".
  4. Select the ROM that you want to download (6.1 RC1 and 6.1 Stable were both on the list last I checked).
  5. Follow the instructions.

Helpful Tip: For an illustrated, step by step guide to installing a ROM with ROM Manager, click here.

To install from the SD card, do the same as above, but select "Install ROM from SD Card" instead of "Download ROM" (see below for the colorized version of 6.1 Stable...you'll use the SD card method for that).

IMPORTANT: As part of the installation process, you will be asked at various times if you want to wipe the system, back up the system, and install the Google apps (gapps). You should answer "Yes" to all three, or at least answer "Yes" to wiping and backing up your system. Failing to do so may cause you some headaches later, including failure to boot. Backing up your system will help ensure that you have something to go back to if things go wrong! When backing up, note the name of the backup file (by default, it includes the time and date of the backup in the file name, so it should be easy to find). Note that this backup goes onto the SD card, so once you've backed up, do NOT format the SD card unless you've transferred the backup file to a computer.

NOTE: The CM6.1 Stable build that was released a few weeks before this writing had an issue with causing a green tint on the screen of the MyTouch 3G phones. I'd stay away from it unless you want to start playing with kernel switches. More info here: http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/10892-green-tint/. 

At this point, you should be rooted and running CM6.1 RC1 or Stable. If you selected CM6.1 Stable and have a green tinted screen, you'll have to update the system kernel. See below for some tips on performing a kernel update.

Installing a New Kernel

If you DO want to go for it and do the Stable build, you can get several different kernels that work. I initially used ezterry's kernel. Here's a link to the XDA page that talks about it:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8797419&postcount=442

For all T-Mobile MyTouch 3G customers, get the kernel for the EBI0 (32B)...yes, that's right, FOR THE 32B. I know that MyTouch 3G 1.2/Fender owners have the 32A board, but we're really running a hybrid of the two, so use the 32B kernel or you'll be sooorreeee!! Direct link for the ezterry kernel is: ezBiffTestKernel20101024-ebi0_S.zip 

UPDATE: If you choose to use pershoot's kernel, it appears that the 2.6.35.7 works best for the MyTouch 1.2. Some other pershoot kernels may disable some of the headphone jack functionality. Click here and read jrumph's post on the CyanogenMod forums.

UPDATE 2: I had some freezing problems with the ezterry kernel, and poor battery life (I since learned that it was designed for the original MyTouch 3G, not the newer Fender/1.2). I changed to Pershoot's 2.6.35.7 kernel, and like it better. NOTHING against ezterry's work...just didn't work out best for me. You can download the Pershoot kernel that I used here:

http://www.mytwistedbrain.com/files/boot-cm_2635.7_ds_32b-oc-uv-xtra-ram-fp-101810.zip

Okay, flashing a kernel: 

  1. Plug your phone into the AC adapter and keep it plugged in for the entire process.
  2. Back up your ROM! Before continuing, make sure that you have a viable backup to go back to if you run into problems.
  3. Flash CM6.1 Stable FIRST.  You'll get a green tinted screen. Dun worry 'bout it. When you flash a ROM, it includes its own kernel, so flashing the kernel first and then flashing the ROM only means that you'll have to flash the kernel again.
  4. Download the kernel that you want (ezBiff/ezterry, pershoot, etc.) and put it on your SD card. For best results, put the kernel .zip file in the root directory of the SD card (don't put it into a subfolder). In case you're not clear on what the "root directory" is, it's the "top" of the folder structure. It's the folder that all other folders sit inside. It's what you see when you first open the card, before digging into one of the subfolders on the card. For example, on most Windows computers, the "root directory" of the hard disk drive would be C:\.
  5. Shut your phone off if it's not already, and put it into Recovery mode by:
  6. Using the trackball, scroll to "install zip from SD card". Press the trackball to select.
  7. Scroll to "choose zip from SD card" and press the trackball.
  8. Navigate to the file, select, and press the trackball.
  9. Select the "Yes" from the list (it's kinda funny, there are about 12 "No's" and one "Yes", with a warning that it can't be undone. Plenty of options to back out :smileyvery-happy:).
  10. Once the installation has finished (it'll give you a little ascii smilie!), press the back arrow button a couple of times until you get back to the first Recovery menu, and select Reboot.
  11. Done! Enjoy your green-tint-free phone!

CM6.1 Stable Colorized

One more note about 6.1 Stable. There's a really cool version out where the author took CM6.1 Stable and changed all of the system and menu icons (including the status bar icons), made them 3D, and colorized them. VERY cool ROM (I'm running it). Here's a link to the CM forum page that talks about it. You'll need to register with the forum to see the screenshots, but it's free:

http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/11545-cm-61-tnp-colorized-mod-now-for-all-cm-devices/

If you go with this ROM, use the one called "Colorized" on the page linked above. DON'T USE THE OTHERS. They won't work with the radio installed on the 1.2 phones (23.02), and will send you into bootloops and black screens (unless, of course, you've installed a different radio, in which case you probably won't be reading this). Won't ruin your phone, but it's a PITA to fix. If you go with 6.1 Stable (instead of the safer 6.1 RC1), I highly recommend this ROM. For help installing a ROM, see Installing a New ROM above. For help with kernel installation, see Installing a New Kernel. If you do end up in a bootloop or some other nasty issue, see Getting Out of Trouble (I Hope!) below.

HINT: To find out which radio version you have, navigate on your phone to Menu > Settings > About phone and scroll down to "Baseband version". Your radio version is the last 4 digits of the baseband version. For example, on my Fender LE, the baseband version is 62.50SC.20.17U_2.22.23.02. The last 4 digits, 23.02, is the version number for the radio installed on my phone.

NOTE: This ROM suffers from the same "green tint" issue that the basic CM6.1 Stable ROM does, so you'll have to update the kernel after updating to this ROM, even if you've already updated the kernel on your phone.

ANOTHER NOTE: I've heard reports that installing this ROM directly from 1.6 (Donut), rather than installing the regular CM6.1 (RC1 or Stable), may cause some issues. This has not been verified, but just to be safe, I'd recommend installing either CM6.1 RC1 or Stable before installing the colorized version.

New Market App

Another little fun addon is the new Market app with the carousel app list. It's pretty cool.  Link is here:

http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/2697-nightlies-discussion-of-nightlies/page__st__5246

IMPORTANT: Before installing this app, download and install Titanium Backup from the Market (this app needs root access). Back up your apps with Titanium before proceeding. If you do not, you will not be able to go back to the old Market app if something screws up on the install (and you may not be able to access the Market at all if the old Market app no longer functions!)

You should be able to install the new Market app from ROM Manager, under "Install ROM from SD Card". From there, navigate to the file on your SD. File name is "update-vending.zip".

That Drained (Battery) Feeling

Some folks who have updated their MyTouch 3G to FroYo have complained about the battery draining faster than it did under Donut. I found an interesting little thread on the CyanogenMod forums that discusses a way to condition your battery correctly, hopefully adding daily life to your phone.  Here's the procedure that Transmission3k lays out, in a nutshell (follow it EXACTLY):

  1. Charge phone completely, leave plugged into power
  2. Boot into recovery
  3. Wipe battery stats
  4. Reboot to normal
  5. Remove power cable
  6. Drain that sucker all the way
  7. Recharge fully
  8. Rejoice!

and here's the direct link to the forum page:

http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/9044-61rc1-battery-drain/

Getting Out of Trouble (I hope!)

If you run into a problem, there are a couple of steps to take to get you up and running. First, wipe the system data and reset to factory defaults (this will NOT remove the ROM or wipe the SD card):

  1. Plug your phone into the AC adapter and keep it plugged in for the entire process.
  2. Shut your phone off if it's not already, and put it into Recovery mode by:
  3. Using the trackball, scroll to "wipe data/factory reset" and press the trackball to select.
  4. Select "Yes".

If this doesn't work, try wiping the cache:

  1. Plug your phone into the AC adapter and keep it plugged in for the entire process.
  2. Shut your phone off if it's not already, and put it into Recovery mode by:
  3. Using the trackball, scroll to "wipe cache partition" and press the trackball to select.
  4. Select "Yes".

As a last resort, you'll almost always be able to get out of trouble by reverting back to your old ROM using the Recovery software (for ROM Manager, ClockworkMod). To recover your ROM:

  1. Plug your phone into the AC adapter and keep it plugged in for the entire process.
  2. Shut your phone off if it's not already, and put it into Recovery mode by:
  3. Using the trackball, scroll to "nandroid" and press the trackball to select.
  4. Select "Restore".
  5. Select the backup that you want to restore to.

As a LAST last resort, you can revert your phone to Cupcake (Android 1.5) by following the procedure on this page:

http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/22/how-to-unroot-your-mytouch-3g/

Thank to NinjaChef for passing this along. Once you've gotten yourself back to 1.5, you can start over from scratch.

Acknowledgements

I'd like to thank jrumph, babygrass, dolcebella, jbourn27, darklordzim, jeenius_KC, and the rest of the fun folks on the MyTouch 3G forum of the T-Mobile community for their contributions to this guide. If bad things happen to you, it's all their fault.

I'd also like to thank tza88 and squaredTouch3G for being guinea pigs and passing on some notes about their installation issues. Your sacrifices will save others!

Additional kudos to Cyanogen and his team who made all of the really cool ROMs I talk about in this guide, ezTerry the kernel master, the maker of Universal Androot, DonJuan for his awesome FroYo rooting process, and the other coders who have given their time to developing these cool ROMs and apps that have given our old phone new life. Excellent work ladies and gentlemen!

For suggestions or comments, please send a private message to damobius on the T-Mobile community forums.