Ask LH: Is It Safe To Root An Older Android Phone?

Dear Lifehacker, I’m looking to root my HTC Wildfire smartphone (2011 model) with Unrevoked3. However, it says my phone is not supported. Can you explain a workaround or other rooting method I can use? Thanks, Janos

Dear Janos,

I’m going to be brutally honest here. This is a really tough one. Without a phone to try this out on, I’m in the same position as you, resorting to a search engine.

My guess is you’ve found most of the same search results as I have such as this advice from The Unlockr and this from Wikihow.

It’s hard to offer you more advice without knowing what your reasons for rooting the device are. Is there a specific activity you wish to execute that requires rooting the device that you can’t achieve without a freely available app?

My other suggestion is to consider updating to a newer phone. There are plenty of more recent models that allow you to either root the device or install custom firmware. If rooting a device is the only way to meet your requirements then that may be the path of least resistance.

Cheers
Lifehacker

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