The HTC Desire continues to amaze us. It’s been around for quite some time, but has successfully gone through multiple iterations of the Android OS. And it is still going strong, as far as developer attention is concerned, with a new MIUI 4 port being released for it. MIUI 4 is the latest version of the famous MIUI custom ROM, which is based on CM9 source powered by Android 4.0 – Ice Cream Sandwich.

MIUI, as many of you already know, is one of the favorite UIs/ROMs in the world of Android ROMs. It features a unique, and heavily themed interface, that does away with the traditional Android app  drawer and functions more like iOS, wherein you slide through homescreens to access apps. It also includes additional functionality not found in stock Android, including toggles on the notification pull-down, unique music app, gallery, and camera apps.

MIUI NMR4 is ported from MIUI_AU v4, which is also under development. Naturally, bugs that exist in the base ROM will carry forward to this one as well. In addition to the features of the Base ROM, it includes additional apps, tweaks, scripts and settings added by the developer to enhance performance and functionality. The ROM is currently a Beta 3, so, as stated above, bugs are to be expected.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know exactly what you are doing. If any damage occurs to you or your device, including a bricked, non-functional device, we won’t be held liable. You have been forewarned!!!

Compatibility

This ROM and the guide below is compatible only and only with the HTC Desire. It’s not compatible with any other device and may render an incompatible device unusable. Check your device model in Settings » About phone.

ROM Info

Important NOTE:

  • There are some specific Pre-Installation requirements for this ROM. Be sure to go through them below, to ensure that your device is ready to install this ROM successfully. 

  • Default Language is Russian. You can change it during setup post installation.

Features of Base ROM

Enhancements

  • 4-Way Reboot MOD (thanks to roenano)
  • Spare Parts MOD (including nowhere near as much as previously, for now)
  • Mms user-agent and profile modified for better multimedia messaging

System Mods

  • Using Sandvold’s ICS 4.0.3 Beta 0.3.10 as a base (thanks to Sandvold)
  • Camera working (thanks to rapmv78)
  • Hardware Acceleration hack (thanks to rapmv78, rmcc)
  • Full Hardware Acceleration (thanks to Drewis)
  • RAM Optimisation script (thanks to Juwe11)
  • Security modified so that superuser and permissions management works properly
  • Custom hosts file for blocking ad servers
  • CM7 APN’s for better network connectivity
  • LED & Flashlight permissions reverted for compatibility with more apps
  • Your choice of PC-A2SD, A2SD, or Data2Ext (options are in the installer). Requires 1 ext3/4 partition as the second partition on your SD Card.
  • Better GPS settings for Australian users.
  • OTA updates, be sure to set your recovery type during installation (Thanks to XJ & MIUI.us)
  • Automatically removes components for installation on CM7-r2 HBOOT
  • Modified ramdisk to support native USB mounting as well as other small fixes
  • Modified framework to support USB mounting, network connection, signal display, and various other minor fixes
  • Torch from gingerbread build included
  • Included Trackpad2Wake (thanks to samuaz)

Applications

  • AppWidgetPicker for non-MIUI launchers (thanks to Boombuler)
  • Calendar Sync fixed
  • DeskClock mod (thanks to Andrew Neal)
  • Exchange Sync fixed (requires data wipe to work correctly)
  • Gmail with 3rd party app notification support

NOT WORKING

  • Camera can be unstable
  • FM Radio not included
  • Contact numbers sometimes not matched properly
  • USB Tethering
  • Probably more

Pre-Installation Requirements

  • Rooted HTC desire with CWM installed
  • Battery charge of at least 50%
  • Installing/Flashing this ROM will erase your apps and data. So, it’s very important you back them up, before proceeding further. To backup your apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. Restore APN settings if Internet isn’t working for you. You can refer to this excellent Android Backup Guide to back up all your data and settings.

VERY IMPORTANT!!

  • Requires an ext3/4 partition on your SD Card. You can use this guide to set up an Ext 3/4 partition
  • Requires CM7-R2 HBOOT. To install CM7-R2 HBOOT, follow the steps below:
  1. Download CM7-R2 HBOOT from here, to your desktop
  2. Rename the downloaded file to PB99IMG.zip and transfer it to the root of your microSD card on the Desire
  3. Power off phone and reboot to HBOOT (Vol Down + Power). This should automatically detect and flash the CM7-R2 HBOOT

How To Install MIUI NMR4 on HTC Desire

  1. Download the MIUI NMR4 Rom file from the official development page.
    Filename: NMR4_alpha3.zip | Size: 155 MB
  2. Transfer the downloaded zip file to the root of your external microSD card on the HTC Desire
  3. Switch off your phone, and reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery (Hold Volume Down and the Power button, then use Volume Down to highlight “bootloader” and press the Power button to select it. Once in the bootloader, use Volume Down to select “recovery” and press the Power button to select)
  4. Perform a Backup of your existing ROM, so that you can always restore it from recovery if something does not work out with this ROM. To perform a backup, select Backup and Restore → On the next screen, Select Backup again.
  5. Perform a full Wipe.
    • Wipe data / factory reset → Confirm Wipe data/Factory reset on the next screen
    • Wipe Cache Partition → Confirm Wipe cache partition on the next screen
    • From the main menu, select Advanced, and then Wipe Dalvik Cache → Confirm Wipe Dalvik on the next screen
  6. Now scroll to “Install zip from sdcard” and select it.
  7. Select “Choose zip from sdcard”. Scroll to the NMR4_alpha3.zip file you transferred in Step 2 and select it.
  8. Now confirm installation by selecting “Yes — Install NMR4_alpha3.zip“. The ROM will start installing.
  9. After the installation is complete, select “Go back” and then select “Reboot system now” to reboot your phone.
  10. Congratulations!! You now have MIUI NMR4 Ice Cream Sandwich on your HTC Desire

You can visit the original development thread to check for updates and improvements to this ROM. Go ahead and give it a go, and should you run into any roadblocks, give us a shout in comments below, and we’ll try and help out.