How to Install a Custom ROM on HTC Hero

Just today I did a tutorial on how you can root your HTC Hero and install the latest Amon Ra Recovery Image.

Now if you’re looking for installing and loading a new custom ROM i.e MoDaCO 2.9 or later, on your HTC Hero, I’d recommend you carefully follow the tutorial below.

How to Install a Custom ROM on HTC Hero

Things You Should Know:

1. I’m using an unlocked HTC Hero running on stock firmware 2.73.x.x and I rooted and installed a new recovery image using this tutorial.
2. Create a Nandroid backup of your phone before proceeding. This is just a precaution you should take in case anything goes wrong.
3. A wipe has to be done while loading a new ROM, so again, backup your phone i.e contacts, apps, settings, messages etc. [How to Backup SMS on Android]
4. This method also works with Sprint Hero.

The Tutorial

Before you proceed, I hope you read the above lines I wrote and have rooted your phone using this tutorial: How to Root HTC Hero and Install RA Recovery Image.

1. Download any custom ROM that you want to install/load on your HTC Hero. Download MoDaCo 2.9 from here – My favourtite ROM!

**In case of Sprint Hero, make sure the ROM you’re downloading is compatible with your phone.

2. Rename the ROM you just downloaded as update.zip

3. Now plug in your Hero to the computer and from the notifications, mount the SD card.

4. Copy the ROM file (update.zip) to your SD card. DON’T copy it into any folder.

5. Unplug the phone and turn it off.

6. Turn off the phone and turn it on into Recovery Mode by holding down Home and Power buttons to turn it on. Keep holding them until you see some text written in green.

7. In the Recovery Mode, select “Wipe” and then select Wipe data partition.

8. Once the wipe is completed, go to “Flash update image” and select Apply sdcard:update.zip

9. Confirm the installation and then sit back and watch while the ROM is being installed/loaded.

10. When completed, reboot the phone. Your new ROM should be up and running now!