Android 2.1 for HTC Hero

Official Android 2.1 update for HTC Hero not yet available
Early December, a leak of screenshot shows that HTC Hero will get an official 2.1 ROM, and yes, it's later official that an update will be available in early 2010. Quite a wait, yes. For those who are impatient, we recommend a try on a custom ROM done by behnaam.


Unofficial tryout of an unofficial Hero Android 2.1 Rom
This thread on HTCPedia.com forums has the most stable Hero Android 2.1 build around. It's cool to update if you are impatient to try out all the new features, to use apps only availble to latest versions of Android (Namely Google Goggles).As of today (2 January 2010), the latest ROM, "HERO21 Community" v1.8 lacks the HTC Contact feature in the HTC Sense interface. The speed of the ROM is barely acceptable - and become unacceptable once we acquired the Motorola Milestone (aka Droid). You get some, you lose some. A review on the Motorola Milestone is on the way. (Around 388 euros for Motorola Milestone).

Alternate build for HTC Hero
After a couple of hours of experience last week, we reverted the Hero to the ROM by MoDaCo, which can be found here. (WaveSecure is a great app addition in the ROM)

How to install custom builds to HTC Hero
- Install a patched recovery image (Read how and download here in MoDaCo's forum)
- Download the ROM and copy in to the Micro SD card. Download the latest Radio ROM if necessary.
- Boot the HTC Hero in recovery mode: Start your phone with the home button pressed. Use the Recovery Image to run a "nandroid backup"
- After running a "nandroid backup", wipe the machine, and apply the zipped Radio ROM. If you apply the Radio ROM, after applying, reboot the device, and enter the recovery mode again.
- Apply the zipped custom ROM, reboot after done.
Warning, the above customization might void the warranty of phone. It might also has a chance to brick your phone if some steps were not followed. Use at your own risk.


Click on the respective links for the buying info for HTC Hero white / silver or Motorola Milestone (GSM only, they are not CDMA ones, sorry American friends)