Activating a webOS Device

The Palm/HP activation services have been down a long time, but that doesn't mean your beautiful phone or tablet are dead! With a little effort, you can use the tools HP left behind to activate your device...

Prepare Your Computer

This process works on Mac, Linux and Windows, but requires Java to be installed:

Install Java (JDK) for Windows: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html
Install Java for Mac: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204036
Install Java for Linux: https://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

Next you will need the Novacomm driver for your computer:

Windows 32-bit (Tested on Windows 7): Installer MSI
Windows 64-bit (Tested on Windows 10): Installer MSI
macOS 32-bit (Tested up to Mojave): Installer PKG
macOS 64-bit (For Catalina and Later): GitHub Release
Linux 32-bit (Tested on Ubunutu): DEB Package
Linux 64-bit (Tested on Ubunutu): DEB Package

Download the Tool

devicetool For webOS 1.x Devices (Pre, Pixi, Pre Plus)
devicetool2 For webOS 2.x and 3.x Devices (Pre 2, Pre3, Veer and TouchPad)
devicetool All-in-One Community created all-in-one, works all of the above, plus TouchPad Go

Prepare Your Device

Reboot your device into recovery mode...

Phones

Plug the USB cable into your computer. Do not connect the other end to your device yet.
Remove the battery from the device.
Hold down the device's volume up button.
Insert the USB cable into the device.
Re-insert the battery.
Release the volume up button.

TouchPad

Hold the Power and Volume Up buttons until the TouchPad restarts
Keep holding both buttons until you see the USB symbol

Run the Activation Tool

You'll need a command line in your operating system of choice. On a Mac or Ubuntu, this is called Terminal. On Windows, press the Windows key and type "command" and hit enter.

Using your command line, navigate to the directory where you downloaded the Doctor tool.
Run the command for the tool you downloaded:
- webOS 1.x: java -jar devicetool.jar
- webOS 2+: java -jar devicetool2.jar
- All-in-One: java -jar devicetoolAIO.jar
Wait while the device is updated and rebooted

Join WiFi

Once the device restarts, it will have bypassed activation, and you're ready to begin using it.
Use the built-in settings to join your WiFi -- webOS works with 2.4ghz WiFi networks and all common wireless security schemes, including WPA.

Video Tutorial

A video showing activation and app installation is available on YouTube...

Alternate Instructions

This documentation attempts to update and simplify information available from older, archived sources. You may find that material to be useful as reference: