Install Android 4.0.4 ICS on HTC Explorer with CM9 Custom Firmware

HTC Explorer users has finally received a relatively better working build of Android 4.0.4 ICS (CyanogenMod 9 – CM9) for their phone. If Galaxy Y S5360 could get a taste of Jelly Bean on their phones, then why can’t HTC Explorer get ICS Android 4.0.4, all thanks to the XDA-Developers member sakindia123.

As you continue reading below, we will guide you through the entire process of how to install ICS Android 4.0.4 CM9 custom firmware on HTC Explorer with complete step-by-step instructions. Please make sure you backup your data as given below because you never know when something might go wrong with the phone. Let’s continue with the tutorial now.

Disclaimer: All the tools, mods or ROMs mentioned below belong to their respective owners/developers. We (TeamAndroid.com) or the developers are not to be held responsible if you damage or brick your device. We don’t have you on gun point to try out this tutorial 😉

What Works

• Audio
• FM Radio(Use Spirit FM from Play Store)
• Hardware Acceleration(man itz smooth)
• Phone
• Bluetooth
• Wifi
• GPS
• Video

What Doesnt Work

• Camera
• HQ Videos stutter a bit
• Some apps that require root access,refuse to function

Make sure you have installed all your USB drivers for the HTC Explorer to connect it with the computer. Download HTC Explorer USB drivers! Apart from just the USB drivers, there are a few more things that you need to take care of.

Now, let’s proceed with the tutorial on the next page and update your HTC Explorer to ICS Android 4.0.4 CyanogenMod 9 custom ROM.

How to Install ICS Android 4.0.4 CM9 on HTC Explorer

We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide on how to install ICS Android 4.0.4 CM9 on HTC Explorer. Please read every line carefully below. We suggest, read the tutorial once before actually performing it on your phone.

To Remember:

• This tutorial is only for HTC Explorer (Pico). Please don’t try this on any other variants of the phone.
• Make sure you backup all your data in your phone before proceeding.
• Bootloader should be unlocked. How? –> How to Unlock Bootloader of HTC Phones.
• Make sure ClockworkMod Recovery is installed and your Explorer is ROOTED.

If you have fulfilled all the requirements above, then proceed to the actual tutorial.

Complete Step-By-Step Instructions:

Step 1 – Download ICS Android 4.0.4 CM9 and Google Apps for HTC Explorer to your computer.

Step 2 – Connect and mount your HTC Explorer USB (mass) memory on your computer using the USB cable.

Step 3 – Now copy/paste the ICS ROM zip and Google Apps zip files to your SD card. Make sure the zip files are in the SD card root.

Step 4 – Then turn off your phone.

Step 5 – Now to get in the bootloader mode. Turn on the phone while pressing and holding the Volume Down + Power buttons.

Step 6 – Follow the navigation instructions on the screen. Select BOOTLOADER and then go to RECOVERY.

Step 7 – In ClockworkMod recovery, wipe data first. Then scroll down to “flash zip from SD card” and press the power button to select it.

Step 8 – Press the power button again and select “choose zip from sdcard”.

Step 9 –Now using your volume keys, navigate to ICS ROM zip file and select it using the power button. Confirm the installation on the next screen and the installation procedure should start now.

NOTE: Repeat this step for the Google Apps zip file as well.

Step 10 – After the installation completes, go to “+++++Go Back” and reboot the phone by selecting “reboot system now” from the recovery menu. The phone will boot now and it might take about 5 minutes to boot on your first time. So, please wait.

That’s it! Your HTC Explorer should now have ICS Android 4.0.4 CM9 installed on your phone! Go to Settings >About phone to verify.

Have fun playing with it! If you have any issues, please fire them up in the comments below!