Among the mid-range devices in market, HTC Desire 601 is currently one of the best. It is now running latest Android version, Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware. It boasts a 4.5 inch display with qHD resolution. It sports 1 GB of RAM and a Dual Core processor clocked at 1.4 Ghz. HTC has mounted a 5 MP shooter at its back, which can take some pretty decent shots.
The phone looks really good overall. It has 8 GB of internal memory and sports 2100 mAh battery backup. This amount of battery backup is more than enough to get this phone through a day. With moderate usage, one can squeeze a usage of up to 3 days from this tiny beast.
This is a guide to root the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware on HTC Desire 601. It is for Single SIM variant only. Do not try it on Dual SIM variant.
The second part of this guide is associated with installing TWRP custom recovery on the phone. Both of these components go hand in hand. You can use TWRP custom recovery to flash various mods and make the phone more fun to use. Other than that, root access grants users some extra capabilities. Just go ahead and complete all the steps. Make sure that you follow each and every step. Just a reminder that you need unlocked bootloader for this method to work. Therefore, follow the guide given below to unlock the bootloader of Desire 601 Single SIM variant.
How to Unlock Bootloader of HTC Desire 601
Requirements
1. ADB and Fastboot Drivers:
ADB is basic tool for any Android related operation and fastboot is one of its applications. ADB installs all the necessary ADB drivers for Android powered devices and activate the developer mode on device. Various tools require ADB and other components to be installed on the PC for proper functioning. Fastboot is used to issue various commands like for flashing a recovery or a kernel. It is also used in commands related to bootloader unlocking. You can use any of the two tools listed below for ADB and Fastboot commands. First one is a full custom guide, and requires heavy installation while Minimal ADB and Fastboot Installer require a mere ~2MB install. However, the first one is more stable and long-lasting. Choose the one suitable for you.
How to Install ADB and Fastboot Drivers – TechGlen
Minimal ADB and Fastboot Installer – Download
2.HTC Desire 601 USB Drivers:
Sometimes, you might get the error, waiting for device or similar errors while issuing commands or using any tool. This is mainly due to faulty connection. If you have properly connected your phone with your pC, via a healthy cable and phone is being charged but not being recognized, then the problem is USB drivers. When a phone is connected, PC searched for drivers online and also on PC. You can install USB drivers beforehand and when you’ll connect PC with phone, it will install all the USB drivers automatically. In this case, the easy way is to install HTC Sync. It will install all the essential USB drivers on the device.
HTC Desire 601 USB Drivers – Download Here
3.Battery must be charged over 50%:
This is one pf the most important precautions and requirements. You must be aware of the fact that most OTA updates can be installed only if battery is charged more than 50%. This is for the safety of device. The device must not turn off during the whole process. Since these are custom methods, phone may enter a bootloop or may plunge into some other problem. Low battery can be a critical issue in these cases. Therefore, you must charge your phone above 50%.
4.Check your Phone Model:
Many times I have seen people bricking their devices because of their negligence. Note that there are several model numbers, with prominent changes for almost every device out there. Therefore, you must confirm that the given guide is for your device’s model number. As an additional precaution, you must also check that the guide is for your phone’s Android version. This is not necessary in all cases. You can check model number and Android version by navigating to Settings > About Phone.
5.Do not turn off Computer during Updating Process:
If either your phone or PC goes down in the mid of process, you might end up bricking up your precious device. Therefore, make sure that your PC will not turn off or restart during the process. If you are using Windows, make sure that there are no pending updates to be installed in, for example ten minutes. PC will restart automatically, disturbing everything. Therefore, make sure that your PC will remain turned on during the whole process.
Also note that devices are not bricked in every case. It is very rare indeed. however, we must always choose the safe path.
6.Backup all your important Data:
Most custom methods will wipe all dat stored on the device. Some methods might not do so but a custom method can make your phone end up in a bootloop and then a factory reset will be essential. Therefore, always make a backup of your device before anything custom. Here is a guide for non-rooted phones, which guides your through all steps to back up a non-rooted device.
BACKUP GUIDE For NON-ROOTED DEVICES
You must backup all media files stored in internal storage. As a safe precaution, you might remove SD Card while doing it, however it has never caused anyone any kind of issue. All deleted applications can be installed from Play Store My Apps tab.
If your device is rooted then you have better options for making a backup of your device. You can backup each and every settings along with all applications and all system files along with it. It is pretty useful for restoring your phone to previous state without much hustle. Here is the recommended guide for rooted users.
BACKUP DATA WITH TITANIUM BACKUP.
6.Use correct files for your smartphone:
There are various files included in the guide. Pay close attention and use correct file at each step.
7.Enable USB Debugging:
Developer Options are, as the name indicates, for development purposes. They are available in all Android devices. The most used and talked about option is USB Debugging. It allows your phone to be handled by PC. You can execute direct commands to your phone via PC. Here is the list of ADB commands, which can be used with USB Debugging enabled. You can also recover data using ADB commands. Here is complete guide.
To enable USB Debugging, navigate to Settings > Developer Options and enable USB Debugging. Note that in Android 4.2.x and higher, developers options are hidden by default. To unlock these, navigate to Settings > About Phone and locate the build number. Tap is 7 times and you will see a pop up message saying “You are now a developer”.
8.Get a HTCDev Account:
Open HTCDev.com and create an account. You will have to confirm your account from your Email, so use a valid Email address. It will take less than one minute.
Disclaimer:
Remember that all processes like rooting, flashing and manual updating are custom methods. They have no concern with Google or mobile manufacturer. Follow every step carefully to avoid any mishap. Owner of site will not be held responsible in case of any mishap. Do it at your own risk. Rooting and flashing custom ROMs will also void warranty.
Required Downloads:
TWRP 2.7.x.x for HTC Desire 601
SuperSU zip
How to Install TWRP 2.7 On HTC Desire 601 Android 4.4.2 KitKat Official Firmware:
Download the TWRP recovery and rename it to recovery.img for convenience
Copy it to the folder where Minimal ADB and Fastboot is installed
Open the Minimal ADB and Fastboot Tools folder
Now turn off your device
Press and hold Volume Down + Power Button
Once you are in a white screen, with text on it, leave the buttons. This is HBoot mode
Now select Fastboot with volume button and press power button to select it
Now connect your phone with PC using data cable
Open Minimal ADB and Fastboot Installer and type fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Wait for the installation to be complete
Once it is shows completion message, disconnect your phone and reboot it
How to Root HTC Desire 601 Android 4.4.2 KitKat Official Firmware:
Copy the downloaded SuperSU zip to internal or external memory of HTC M8
Now turn off your phone and reboot to HBoot mode
To do so, press and hold Volume Down + Power Button
In HBoot screen, select recovery from the list
Once in TWRP, tap Install
Now navigate to the folder where you have put SuperSU zip
Install this SuperSU zip on HTC Desire 601
Swipe the slider below to confirm installation
Once done, reboot your phone and find SuperSU app in app drawer
For complete root access, install Busybox using any installer from Play Store
You can try one cool root app Titanium Backup now!
Got any question? Ask me in the comments below