Hello
I recently bought the One X on Three and unlocked it so I could use my Giffgaff sim. However I just read lots of angry posts from people saying that phones that are branded to Three won't get the latest software update.
I only bought this from Three a few days ago as it was the cheapest on PAYG around and I'm not keen on sending it back just on the off chance that I'll be lucky enough to get a debranded version. I also don't really want to root my phone as I'm not really into that; I just want a simple life with a phone that doesn't have many issues.
So is there a way to just remove the Three branding? Or as I'm on the Giffgaff network which runs off O2, will I update when that updates? Or am I doomed to no network update as I bought the phone from Three?
If it's the latter, though I understand Three may have their own firmware, how does it work that I can be on another network to tied to the Three network upgrade pattern?
I hope someone can help.
Thanks
I think what you need is SuperCID. That may require S-off. I wouldn't hold your breath.
I'm sorry but what is super Cid and S-off? I had glanced around the forums at similar topics before making this and saw that people were talking about these but I couldn't find a guide for dummies which explained the jargon.
But I'm guessing if I shouldn't hold my breath then both of these are something I'm not likely to be able to get.
Is anyone able to answer my other question as well? Whether despite being unlocked my phone will still only get its updates from Three or whether because it's using a sim that's on the O2 network, it will get updates from them?
Thanks.
What is S-OFF?
"In a nutshell, S-OFF means that the NAND portion of the device is unlocked and can be written to. The default setting for HTC’s devices is S-ON, which means that neither can you access certain areas of the system nor can you guarantee a permanent root. Furthermore, signature check for firmware images is also ensured by the S-ON flag.
How Do I Know If My Device Is S-ON Or S-OFF?
That is easy to verify. Simply boot into HBOOT on your device, and the text on top will show the flag status as either S-OFF or S-ON. A full root generally means S-OFF.
S-OFF – What And Why?
In their devices, HTC have installed a sort of security check whose level is determined by S-OFF/S-ON. Essentially, this security level is a flag stored on the device’s radio that checks signature images for any firmware before it is allowed to be written to system memory. This hinders using any custom ROMs, splash images, recovery etc., and also restricts access to the NAND flash memory. However, when security level is set to S-OFF, the signature check is bypassed, allowing a user to upload custom firmware images, unsigned boot, recovery, splash and HBOOT images, as well as official firmware that has been modified, this enabling maximum customization of your HTC Android device.
Furthermore, S-OFF also reduces restrictions on accessing the NAND flash memory on the device, allowing all partitions (including /system) to be mounted in write mode while the operating system is booted."
CID is the carrier-specific code used to indicate the origin of the phone. HTC__001 is the unbranded CID, VODAP001 is Vodafone UK, etc...If you want to debrand the phone you need to set your phone to SuperCID (11111111) but to do this you need S-OFF (which we don't have - yet)
As for updates, you won't get them from o2 as your phone is running the 3 UK software build. x.xx.771.x is 3, x.xx.401.x is the unbranded handset
I took my payg handset back to three as 'faulty' as wasnt getting signal where I used too.
Then went to carphonewarehouse bought a sim free for 479 and it updated soon as I switched it on.
Now much better signal.
Steve
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
EddyOS said:
What is S-OFF?
[...]
As for updates, you won't get them from o2 as your phone is running the 3 UK software build. x.xx.771.x is 3, x.xx.401.x is the unbranded handset
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was really helpful. Thank you.
So I guess either: I live with no patch for now, wait and see what Three dish out or try and return it (not sure if they'll accept it as it's been used and unlocked) and go elsewhere. Such as shame as Three is the cheapest (only £449).
Thanks again.
But now if you unlock bootloader you can flash custom ROMs. I reckon it's better than the updates because chefs always update their ROMs to the latest base release.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I've heard from Three re the 1.28 patch: We're not rolling out 1.28, we're rolling out another update in May which will fix battery issues amongst other things.
Personally I would rather that they kept to the official HTC fixes...
Guess I'll wait and see what bone they give out, fingers crossed I won't expect to wait to Three to make their own version for each patch.
Related
Apologies if this is a simple question - but there are so many conflicting posts here it's not entirely clear.
I have a Vodafone UK branded One X and I'd like to debrand it to run completely standard stock firmware from HTC, with OTA updates if at all possible (but RUU wouldn't be the end of the world).
From what I've read - you need to change the CID to a generic HTC_xxx code in order to receive the OTA updates. All good this far.
What I'm a little confused about is which action allows you to change the CID. Most posts point to S-OFF being set on the boot loader as a requirement - but I'm not clear on if unlocking via HTCdev.com will allow you to change the CID? There are some posts saying the HTCdev method is the official method of getting S-OFF, implying it will give you S-OFF (albeit with the warranty concerns). Other posts say that S-OFF is not possible until someone finds a vulnerability in the current bootloader.
If anyone could clarify I'd be very grateful (might even help a few duplicate threads being posted). Thanks.
The HTC Dev website does *not* allow S-Off (Security) because it allows access to radio and more risky things that increase likelihood of a bricked phone. There is no current S-Off method out, people are looking at it and trying to find a way to do it but nothing yet. To change CID, unlock your phone for free etc you need S-Off.
Hope that helps.
spot on, thanks very much.
I too have a One X branded by Vodafone UK.
I do want to root my phone which from what i can tell is still doable with s-on.
From what i am reading in this thread, it is currently NOT possible to replace the Vodafone branded ROM with the generic HTC Stock ROM for the One X?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24678690
Has all the answers. Going back to stock ruu is discussed throughout but mostly near end of thread. :thumbup:
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Demented-Idiot said:
I too have a One X branded by Vodafone UK.
I do want to root my phone which from what i can tell is still doable with s-on.
From what i am reading in this thread, it is currently NOT possible to replace the Vodafone branded ROM with the generic HTC Stock ROM for the One X?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you can replace it with a generic ROM but it has to be the same base-version as what your phone has
ie right now us vodafone users are on 1.26 so we can only use 1.26 ROM's
We can't use any 1.28 until vodafone updates that.
I have flashed the 1.26 RUU (no more branding \o/ and tbf it actually behaves better )
will mull over it - thanks
Stupid vodafone branding
---------- Post added at 10:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------
eeyrjmr said:
Well, you can replace it with a generic ROM but it has to be the same base-version as what your phone has
ie right now us vodafone users are on 1.26 so we can only use 1.26 ROM's
We can't use any 1.28 until vodafone updates that.
I have flashed the 1.26 RUU (no more branding \o/ and tbf it actually behaves better )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have managed to flash the standard HTC ROM for the One X as 1.26 then you should be able to apply the 1.28 patch that is available elsewhere on the forum (the official one, not the translated chinese one!)
hi all
after reading too much about this phone im really confused about some of things that i need to ask them from you guys
1-can s-off be blocked by htc?
2-what is hboot? is it down gradable ?
3-what are the most awful things about this phone ?
thank all of you guys
1) HTC could only block S-OFF by releasing a firmware update that patches the exploit used to gain S-OFF. Anyone who is not S-OFF already and updates, would not be able to use whatever method existed previously to S-OFF.
2) Hboot is technically just one file out of the firmware file package that makes up the bootloader screen and reports the firmware version number or hboot version number. This can get confusing because technically one could just flash or update an hboot, without updating the rest of the device firmware so, while the hboot version will show to be one version, the rest of the firmware files to match that hboot version may not actually be those pertaining to the hboot version projected. Hence, it is usually within best practice to update your hboot along with the rest of the firmware files that have been updated with that hboot version. It is common practice on XDA to refer to the entire group of firmware files from an hboot version as simply the hboot.
Typically updating one's hboot is done by flashing an HTC signed RUU or OTA. But can also be done by flashing the firmware.zip file contained within them respectively. It is important to note, if just flashing the firmware.zip files, they must be done sequentially or altered properly to contain all sequential updates otherwise one will brick and probably require JTAG.
3) After unlocking and modding my phone to my liking, I have not one complaint. This phone is everything I wanted in a phone when setting out to upgrade.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using xda app-developers app
i have 3 more quastions
1-what happens if i receive the phone after s-off is blocked. can devs make s-off again? can i downgrade and s-off my phone? (im going to buy a unlocked version)
2-can i s-off my phone again after flashing ruu and s-on?
3-will i lose s-off if htc fixes the bug and i update my phone?
pedyvirus said:
i have 3 more quastions
1-what happens if i receive the phone after s-off is blocked. can devs make s-off again? can i downgrade and s-off my phone? (im going to buy a unlocked version)
2-can i s-off my phone again after flashing ruu and s-on?
3-will i lose s-off if htc fixes the bug and i update my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) There is a good chance your phone will not come with any updated firmware if you order it in the near future. That being said, I am not a fortune teller..I have no idea if future updates will be able to achieve S-OFF should they be released.
2) Once you achieve S-OFF, it remains so until you manually force S-ON. If you force S-ON after updating to a firmware that cannot be exploited, you will not be able to get S-OFF until an exploit is found if one is found, however there is never any real good reason to S-ON unless you're trying to trick HTC into honoring the warranty you knew you were forgoing upon unlocking your bootloader.
3) see answer to 2.
*****EDIT*****
I felt I should add that money and or money and knowledge can get your phone S-OFF in just about any state assuming your hardware is working fine. A riff box and some knowhow or a JTAGG service if you don't have the knowhow can always put your phone in an S-OFF state.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using xda app-developers app
HTC M9u .. CID 621 (Taiwan)
Software is currently 2.10.709.1
I recieved the OTA but I can't install it, it keeps coming back with an error
I just want to get rid of the root really and have the stock back so I can update to Android M smoothly. I have been searching all over XDA/Reddit and tried various methods but they all failed.
This post is my last call for help really before I give up.
I am not a developer but I am great at following steps and have been on these forums for quite a few years now. will appreciate any help I can get.
Get s-off?
Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
Is S-off required to flash 6.0 ROM.
There are so many different instructions out there. Very confusing even for me as someone who has flashed ROMs for years.
without OTA and official RUU, flashing firmware requires s-off
you can get it back to stock but trust me its not worth the hassle with s-on method... just fork out 25$ for sunshine and get s-off and problem solved... i know everyone wants the latest updates but trust me there is barely any difference in 5x and 6x it looks identical apart from a few new functions and incompatibility issues with some apps and xposed. if you dont want to go the s-off method than you need to find the ruu for your carrier.. unroot,, lock bootloader, and so on... its not worth the hassle...
AmAhmad said:
HTC M9u .. CID 621 (Taiwan)
Software is currently 2.10.709.1
I recieved the OTA but I can't install it, it keeps coming back with an error
I just want to get rid of the root really and have the stock back so I can update to Android M smoothly. I have been searching all over XDA/Reddit and tried various methods but they all failed.
This post is my last call for help really before I give up.
I am not a developer but I am great at following steps and have been on these forums for quite a few years now. will appreciate any help I can get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Start in this thread and read: http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/stock-nand-backup-ota-update-collection-t3132698
You have to be 100% stock to take an OTA now. This is because of past bricks that resulted from people trying to do what you did, which was take an OTA while rooted. It's a safety feature HTC implemented.
I am not sure if there is a .709 RUU file you can flash, but if so, that will take you back to full stock. If there isn't, you have little choice but to get s-off and update your firmware manually.
Thanks all. The thing is I live in Sudan and have absolutely no access to online payment, so using that 25 dollars app is nearly impossible really. no other way of getting s-off ?
iElvis said:
Start in this thread and read: http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/stock-nand-backup-ota-update-collection-t3132698
You have to be 100% stock to take an OTA now. This is because of past bricks that resulted from people trying to do what you did, which was take an OTA while rooted. It's a safety feature HTC implemented.
I am not sure if there is a .709 RUU file you can flash, but if so, that will take you back to full stock. If there isn't, you have little choice but to get s-off and update your firmware manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes there is no RUU for my version sadly.
AmAhmad said:
Thanks all. The thing is I live in Sudan and have absolutely no access to online payment, so using that 25 dollars app is nearly impossible really. no other way of getting s-off ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a couple of other methods, but they require expensive hardware you would also have to order online.
The sunshine guys are pretty flexible about payment methods, though I'm not sure they would be able to do anything for you. Worst you can do is reach out and ask: http://theroot.ninja
Why don't you just use one of my backups? There is no need for a RUU or S-OFF. Both, the backup and some instructions can be found in the google sheet that is linked in the thread @iElvis linked earlier. (You could simply use the link in my signature, too.) Or did I miss the fact that you're unable to boot to TWRP anymore?
@GODSPD : That's not really a good advice. Only because you can't see any changes doesn't mean that there are none. Fixes for security flaws like stagefright (just a random example) aren't visable at all. Not to mention that the battery life is much better on android M. Besides there is no need to relock. Only RUU.exe files require a locked or relocked bootloader if you're a S-ON user but most of M9 RUUs (except those for US carriers) are RUU.zip files which don't check the status of your bootloader. OTAs don't check that status, either, because if they would owners of the developer edition wouldn't be able to apply them.
Flippy498 said:
Why don't you just use one of my backups? There is no need for a RUU or S-OFF. Both, the backup and some instructions can be found in the google sheet that is linked in the thread @iElvis linked earlier. (You could simply use the link in my signature, too.) Or did I miss the fact that you're unable to boot to TWRP anymore?
@GODSPD : That's not really a good advice. Only because you can't see any changes doesn't mean that there are none. Fixes for security flaws like stagefright (just a random example) aren't visable at all. Not to mention that the battery life is much better on android M. Besides there is no need to relock. Only RUU.exe files require a locked or relocked bootloader if you're a S-ON user but most of M9 RUUs (except those for US carriers) are RUU.zip files which don't check the status of your bootloader. OTAs don't check that status, either, because if they would owners of the developer edition wouldn't be able to apply them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
visually the UI and system looks identical to me, im sure the updates do actually fix security issues, battery drains and other bugs thats for sure, but going from 5 > 6 a basic user wont even know the difference.
Correct me if im wrong, but OTA does check if the system is modified? better question ---> what does OTA actually check for in order to allow the update to be downloaded and installed?
GODSPD said:
visually the UI and system looks identical to me, im sure the updates do actually fix security issues, battery drains and other bugs thats for sure, but going from 5 > 6 a basic user wont even know the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do look the same but that's no reason to recommend staying on android 5.
GODSPD said:
Correct me if im wrong, but OTA does check if the system is modified? better question ---> what does OTA actually check for in order to allow the update to be downloaded and installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they check whether the system is modified (e.g. mounted as read/write) but the state of the bootloader doesn't matter. Further information about block-based OTAs can be found here.
Hello fellow xda people!
I know,I know, the title isn't very accurate. Give me suggestions if you have something more accurate.
I'd like to buy that phone, but after reading some threads here, I still have some questions :
-If I want to send my phone back to htc, let's say for a battery problem, should I go back to full stock? Because apparently to go back to stock we need to use a RUU, which needs S-OFF. But S-Off is a hint for them to understand we rooted, installed custom roms no? So if I need to send them back, am I screwed?
-Then, speaking about the customer service, how did you find it if you had to deal with it? And especially in Europe and France...
-If I don't want to go back to stock, should I go S-Off? Saw somewhere we had to pay for it :/, so is it worth it? What are the advantages?
-if I order it now, will I receive a quickcharge 2.0 charger or will I have to order it apart?
-How do you think will be the development for this phone in a few years? I'm new to HTC, so will they push updates for android N or was MM the last official update pushed?
-Are there different versions of the phone, making it incompatible with some ROMs? And if yes, which one should I choose? What is the name of the international version?
-I think that's all, If I need something else, I'll post back here
Thank you everyone!
My responses below, in red font:
WoBble12 said:
I know,I know, the title isn't very accurate. Give me suggestions if you have something more accurate.
I think the title is great. It describes what you are trying to do, and what you are asking.
-If I want to send my phone back to htc, let's say for a battery problem, should I go back to full stock? Because apparently to go back to stock we need to use a RUU, which needs S-OFF. But S-Off is a hint for them to understand we rooted, installed custom roms no? So if I need to send them back, am I screwed? If returning to HTC for warranty, going back to full stock is recommended (stock software, LOCKED bootloader, and possibly s-on). You do not need s-off to RUU (as long as its the proper RUU for your M8 version and proper RUU number - no downgrading with s-on). But you do need s-off to make the bootloader say LOCKED (which after UNLOCKED, only RELOCKED is possible with s-on). If you have s-off, you can change it back to say s-on. Although it is possible (although uncommon) for devices to come from the factory with s-off, so requirement to make it s-on (for warranty) is debatable.
-Then, speaking about the customer service, how did you find it if you had to deal with it? And especially in Europe and France... I don't live in Europe, nor have I dealt with HTC very much. Honestly, I've owned 6 HTC devices, and almost zero problems with any of them.
-If I don't want to go back to stock, should I go S-Off? Saw somewhere we had to pay for it :/, so is it worth it? What are the advantages? You don't need s-off to root of flash custom ROMs. s-off is needed to flash modified hboots, manually flash radios, and a few other things. S-off is useful, but not mandatory for many people.
-if I order it now, will I receive a quickcharge 2.0 charger or will I have to order it apart? You will get a standard charger. If you want QC 2.0, you'll need to put it separately, but there are 3rd party versions that are good quality, and inexpensive.
-How do you think will be the development for this phone in a few years? I'm new to HTC, so will they push updates for android N or was MM the last official update pushed? I don't think HTC has stated it officially, but most of us are suspecting that MM is the last major update. So you may be relying to ports (from newer HTC devices), AOSP ROMs, etc. if you want Android N. ROM development is still decent; although certainly slowing. But I expect and hope some devs will keep supporting the M8 for some time to come.
-Are there different versions of the phone, making it incompatible with some ROMs? And if yes, which one should I choose? What is the name of the international version? CDMA version (Sprint and Verizon), the dual SIM M8, and M8 Eye all need specific ROMs (or at least specific kernels, in the case of the CDMA versions). Otherwise, the other M8 version are all virtually the same, and share ROMs. So for the purpose of custom ROMs, I would definitely recommend the "international" otherwise known as the "GSM" M8 (so any version except CDMA, dual SIM, or Eye).
You should also be careful where you buy from, and what version you are buying. I've seen some folks on here that thought they were buying a international/GSM M8, but it was a Sprint or Verizon that was debranded (software modified, back plate changed) to make it seem like a it was the international version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, Thank you very much @redpoint73 for this precise answer! So I was still browsing around for more info about that phone, and a guy said we have to extract the kernel of every ROM (except for stock based Roms) and flash it separately if we are s-on. It was a HTC forum, but the topic was very global, so is this specific phone part of them, or can I flash complete ROM packages directly without extracting the kernel?
And, another one, how can I be sure my phone is a GSM version? They have a different name under "about phone" section of the settings, but this can be faked I think. And I could also verify the MID in the boot loader?
WoBble12 said:
! So I was still browsing around for more info about that phone, and a guy said we have to extract the kernel of every ROM (except for stock based Roms) and flash it separately if we are s-on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is totally false. This was true on some older HTC devices (maybe they mean the One M7?) but was never the case on the M8. You just wipe and flash the desired ROM. Kernel flashes with the ROM automatically.
WoBble12 said:
And, another one, how can I be sure my phone is a GSM version? They have a different name under "about phone" section of the settings, but this can be faked I think. And I could also verify the MID in the boot loader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to look at not only the CID and MID in bootloader (getvar all) but also the product name (such as m8_ul, etc.). CID and MID can be easily hacked with s-off, but as far as I've seen, the product name is never modified.
Good list of MIDs and product names (column labelled "Variant" on the table) here: http://droider.eu/2014/09/20/htc-one-m8-models/
Until you have the phone in hard, I'm not sure how much of this you can tell for sure. So buy from a reputable source, with a guaranteed method of refund of exchange, in case the device is not as advertised (and we're seeing more and more of that lately).
Hi ,
I have HTC 10 Europe with rom version 1.95.401.4
I tring to flash on my HTC 10 another firmware ,stock U.S firmware from HTC sources,(just want to get most updates fast)
I have been noticed that i can not change firmware beetween regions .
There is way to flash U.S Unlocked/Developer firmware on my device?
if so how can i do that ?
Thanks
Search for the de-branding thread for instructions. Need to purchase s-off for 25$ to do it.
Basically you need to be S-OFF. That is the only way to do it, even then it can be a pain in the ass. If the reason you're doing it is to try and update to Nougat, you're better off just waiting for it tbh. The ROMS for US will be specific for the carriers and types of radios they use over there. Europe will have differences and it may create problems for you (unless you are already in the US and for some reason aquired a non-US phone). There may even be small hardware diffferences between model numbers (US is 2PS65000 I believe, Europe is 2PS620000). I am S-OFF, fully stock, de-branded, unlocked, and have HTC WWE CID (HTC__001) after changing it from my carrier previously (H3G__001).
It also goes without saying, US doesnt always get updates first.
silegeek said:
Basically you need to be S-OFF. That is the only way to do it, even then it can be a pain in the ass. If the reason you're doing it is to try and update to Nougat, you're better off just waiting for it tbh. The ROMS for US will be specific for the carriers and types of radios they use over there. Europe will have differences and it may create problems for you (unless you are already in the US and for some reason aquired a non-US phone). There may even be small hardware diffferences between model numbers (US is 2PS65000 I believe, Europe is 2PS620000). I am S-OFF, fully stock, de-branded, unlocked, and have HTC WWE CID (HTC__001) after changing it from my carrier previously (H3G__001).
It also goes without saying, US doesnt always get updates first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer.
Thoght it will be easy .
I will wait for the offical update ....