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How to Root HTC One A9: Full Guide

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How to Root HTC One A9: Full Guide

Rooting your HTC One A9 gives you full administrative control over the Android operating system, allowing you to remove bloatware, install custom kernels, use root-only apps, and even flash custom ROMs. This guide walks you through the entire process—from unlocking the bootloader to installing Magisk—using reliable, step-by-step methods. Before you begin, understand that rooting voids your warranty and carries a small risk of bricking your device if you skip a step. Back up all important data first.

What You’ll Need

  • HTC One A9 (any variant, but check your model number: A9, A9u, A9pw, etc.)
  • A Windows PC (Mac/Linux can work but this guide focuses on Windows)
  • USB cable (preferably the original HTC cable)
  • HTC Sync Manager or HTC USB drivers installed on your PC
  • ADB and Fastboot tools (download platform-tools from Google)
  • HTC Unlock Code (free from HTC’s developer site, requires an account)
  • Magisk ZIP (latest stable) and Magisk Manager APK
  • TWRP recovery image for the HTC One A9 (download from official TWRP site)
  • No-verity-opt-encrypt ZIP (optional, to avoid forced encryption)
  • Patience and a fully charged battery (at least 70%)

Step-by-Step

  1. Enable Developer Options and OEM Unlock: Go to Settings > About > Software Information > More, and tap “Build number” seven times until you see “You are now a developer.” Then go to Settings > Developer options and enable “OEM unlocking” and “USB debugging.”
  2. Install ADB and Fastboot: Download the platform-tools ZIP from Google’s developer site and extract it to a folder like C:\adb. Add this folder to your system PATH or just open a command prompt in that folder (Shift+Right-click > Open command window here).
  3. Install HTC USB Drivers: Install HTC Sync Manager (which includes drivers) or download the standalone HTC USB driver. Connect your phone and ensure it shows as “Android ADB Interface” in Device Manager.
  4. Backup Your Data: Rooting will wipe your phone. Use HTC Backup, Google backup, or manually copy photos and files to your PC.
  5. Unlock the Bootloader: Go to HTC’s developer website (htcdev.com), register an account, and follow their bootloader unlock process. You’ll need to submit your device’s token ID. After receiving the unlock code, reboot your phone into bootloader mode (power off, then hold Volume Down + Power). In bootloader, select “Fastboot” and connect to PC. Run fastboot oem get_identifier_token, copy the token, paste it on the HTC site, and download the Unlock_code.bin file. Then run fastboot flash unlocktoken Unlock_code.bin. Confirm the unlock on your phone’s screen. This will factory reset your device.
  6. Flash TWRP Recovery: After the reset, re-enable USB debugging in Developer options. Reboot to bootloader again and select Fastboot. Run fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-htc_a9.img (replace with the actual filename). Do not reboot normally yet; instead, use volume keys to select “Recovery” and press Power to boot into TWRP.
  7. Install Magisk: In TWRP, tap “Install” and select the Magisk ZIP you copied to your phone’s storage earlier. Swipe to confirm the flash. If you want to avoid forced encryption, also flash the no-verity-opt-encrypt ZIP right after Magisk. Then tap “Reboot System.”
  8. Install Magisk Manager: After booting, install the Magisk Manager APK (or it may already be bundled). Open the app—it should show “Magisk installed” and “SafetyNet” status. If not, reboot and try again.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong TWRP image: The HTC One A9 has several variants (A9, A9u, A9pw). Always download the image specifically for your model from the official TWRP site.
  • Skipping the OEM unlock toggle: If you don’t enable “OEM unlocking” in Developer options, the bootloader unlock command will fail.
  • Not waiting for the driver to install: Windows often shows a notification when drivers are installing. Wait until it says “Your device is ready.”
  • Rebooting after flashing recovery: If you let the phone boot normally after flashing TWRP, the stock recovery will overwrite TWRP. Always boot directly into recovery from fastboot.
  • Forgetting to back up: The bootloader unlock wipes all data. If you skip backup, you lose everything.

Tips

  • Use a short, high-quality USB cable and plug directly into a USB port on your PC, not a hub.
  • Keep your phone charged above 70% to avoid power loss during flashing.
  • After rooting, use Titanium Backup or Swift Backup to restore apps and data.
  • If you plan to flash custom ROMs, consider making a full TWRP backup of your stock ROM first.
  • Disable automatic system updates in Settings to prevent the stock recovery from replacing TWRP.
  • Join XDA forums for the HTC One A9—they have specific guides and files for your variant.

Troubleshooting

  • Fastboot command not recognized: Ensure you’re in the correct folder or have added ADB to PATH. Try running fastboot devices to see if your phone is listed.
  • Phone not detected in fastboot: Install the HTC USB driver manually via Device Manager (update driver > browse my computer > let me pick > Android Device > ADB Interface).
  • Bootloop after rooting: Boot into TWRP (hold Volume Down + Power, select Recovery) and wipe cache/dalvik. If that fails, reflash Magisk and the no-verity zip.
  • Magisk Manager shows “Not installed”: Reboot to TWRP and flash Magisk again. Ensure you downloaded the correct ZIP for your architecture (arm64).
  • SafetyNet fails: Enable “Magisk Hide” in Magisk Manager settings and select Google Play Services and Google Play Store.
  • Bootloader unlock token rejected: Double-check that you copied the entire token without extra spaces. Also ensure you selected the correct device model on HTC’s site.
  • Phone stuck on HTC logo: This is usually a bootloop. Perform a factory reset from TWRP (wipe > format data) and reflash Magisk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rooting void my warranty?

Yes, unlocking the bootloader and rooting typically voids your warranty. However, you can often relock the bootloader and restore stock firmware to regain warranty, but it’s not guaranteed.

Can I still receive OTA updates after rooting?

No, OTA updates will likely fail because the system partition is modified. You’ll need to manually flash updates or wait for custom ROM updates.

Is it safe to root my HTC One A9?

If you follow the steps carefully, the risk is low. The main dangers are using wrong files or interrupting the process. Always use official TWRP and Magisk.

Will rooting improve battery life?

Not automatically. Rooting itself doesn’t change battery life, but you can install apps like Greenify or custom kernels that may improve it.

Can I unroot later?

Yes. You can flash a stock ROM and relock the bootloader using fastboot oem lock. This will wipe your data, so back up first.

What is the difference between rooting and unlocking the bootloader?

Unlocking the bootloader allows you to flash custom recoveries and kernels. Rooting gives you superuser access within Android. You need to unlock the bootloader first to root.

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