HTC recently started rolling out the 2.31.401.5 firmware update to Android 4.0.4 – which brings stability and performance improvements – for the One S. Now, a rooted ROM based on the 2.31.401.5 firmware update has been made available by XDA Recognized Contributor torxx, which can be used to directly update to a rooted version of the new firmware. The ROM is completely stock except for being rooted, deodexed (deodexed ROMs allow you to flash custom themes), and zip-aligned which makes apps use less memory.

Keep in mind that if you update to Android 4.0.4 2.31.401.5 firmware using this ROM, you need an unlocked bootloader which voids warranty, so if you’re not okay with that you should wait for the official update to hit your device.

Now, let’s take a look at how the 2.31.401.5 ROM can be installed on the One S to update to Android 4.0.4.

Compatibility

This guide is applicable only for HTC One S. DO NOT try this on any other device.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Install Rooted Stock 2.31.401.5 ROM on HTC One S

  1. This procedure will wipe all your apps, data and settings (but it will NOT touch your SD cards, so don’t worry about those). Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
    NOTE: Don’t forget to at least note down your network’s APN settings, which are required to make mobile data work. Go into Settings » More » Mobile Networks, click on the APN that is in use, then note down the setting for each field. While APN settings should be automatically restored from network, you can enter them manually if needed to make mobile data work. You can also find your APN details → here.
  2. Unlock the bootloader on your One S by following the bootloader unlocking guide for the HTC One X → here. Procedures for both One S and One X are the same, so simply follow what the One X guide says to unlock the bootloader.
  3. Install ClockworkMod (CWM) recovery by following the guide → here.
  4. Download and install the HTC Sync software, which is needed to install the drivers for the phone. Skip this step if you already have HTC Sync installed on the computer.
    HTC Sync Manager
  5. Download the ROM from the source page.
  6. Copy the ROM’s file to the phone (don’t extract it).
  7. [Backup Current ROM] To be able to return to your current ROM from the new ROM, make a backup of it (this is different than the backup taken in step 1 as this backs up the whole ROM).
    1. Turn off your phone. Boot into the bootloader mode first by holding the Volume Down button and then pressing power key to turn on device. Then, select RECOVERY from there using the volume buttons to navigate and power button to select to boot into recovery.
      In recovery, use volume button to scroll up/down and the power button to select.
    2. Then, to perform a backup, select Backup and Restore –> On the next screen, select Backup again. Go back to main recovery menu after backup is complete, then select reboot system now to reboot the phone.
  8. Open the downloaded zip file of the ROM and extract the boot.img file from inside it (use a software like WinZip or 7-zip to extract).
  9. Download fastboot.
    Download Fastboot  |  Filename: Fastboot.zip
  10. Extract the Fastboot.zip file to the C: drive on your computer to get a folder named Fastboot with four files inside it.
  11. Copy the boot.img file extracted in step 8 to the Fastboot folder on C drive. You should have 5 files in the Fastboot folder now.
  12. Switch off the phone. Enter fastboot mode. For that, boot into the bootloader mode first by holding the Volume Down button and then pressing power key. Then, select fastboot mode from there using the volume buttons to navigate and power button to select. Then connect your phone to the computer once you are in fastboot mode.
  13. Open Command Prompt on your computer from Start » All Programs » Accessories.
  14. Now, type the following commands in command prompt to flash the kernel, pressing Enter after each command.
    1. cd c:Fastboot
    2. fastboot devices (this is to ensure the phone gets detected. A string of numbers and letters should appear if the phone is properly detected. Else, make sure you have the HTC Sync installed which installs the drivers for the phone)
    3. fastboot flash boot boot.img
    4. fastboot erase cache
  15. After the “fastboot erase cache” command finishes (you’ll be able to type again when it is done), type adb reboot bootloader in the command prompt to reboot into the bootloader mode.
  16. Disconnect your phone from the PC.
  17. Now, the phone will be in the bootloader. Here, select RECOVERY using the volume buttons to navigate and power button to select to boot into recovery.
    Use volume buttons to scroll up and down and the power button to select options in bootloader menu and recovery.
  18. Select wipe data/factory reset, then select Yes on next screen to confirm. Wait a while till the data wipe is complete.
  19. Select install zip from sdcard, then select choose zip from sdcard. Scroll to the ROM file on the SD card and select it. Confirm installation by selecting Yes on the next screen. The ROM will start installing.
  20. After the installation is complete, select go back then select reboot system now to reboot the phone and boot up into the ROM.
    NOTE: If you want to go back to your previous ROM, boot into recovery (as explained in step 7.1), select backup and restore, then select restore to restore your previous ROM.

The rooted stock 2.31.401.5 Android 4.0.4 ROM is now installed on your HTC One S. Do let us know how it works!