Ok, I have some questions regarding unlocking / rooting / flashing. - One (M8) Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Ok, I have a shiny new HTC One M8 from EE in the UK. I am currently considering unlocking and custom ROM-ming my phone. I am not new to the unlocking and rom world, however, it has been a while since I have done anything with an HTC phone, the only HTC I have had was the original HTC Desire. My last 2 phones have been Nexus's, so I have been spoiled by the simplicity of unlocking and rooting.
So I have a few questions:
1. If I unlock via HTCdev, my Data partition will be formatted - yes? Will the Internal SDCard be wiped or will my photo's etc be preserved?
2. Are there any stock RUU's available if I need to go back to stock software for warranty purposes? (I know warranty is a grey area if I have used HTCdev). I currently have:
Android Version: 4.4.2,
HTC Sense 6.0,
Software Number 1.12.61.17,
HTC SDK API Level 6.17,
Kernel Version 3.4.0-g278eae8 [email protected] #1 SMP PREEMPT,
Baseband version 1.14.2133156.UA13G_20.18f.4096.03L,
Build Number 1.1261.17 CL31414 release-keys
3. When an S-Off tool (inevitably) comes, will I be able to convert my device so it thinks that it is a standard non-carrier version? So I could stay stock and get the newest officially released software direct from HTC?
I hope these questions make sense?
Thanks
Stewart

StuMcBill said:
Ok, I have a shiny new HTC One M8 from EE in the UK. I am currently considering unlocking and custom ROM-ming my phone. I am not new to the unlocking and rom world, however, it has been a while since I have done anything with an HTC phone, the only HTC I have had was the original HTC Desire. My last 2 phones have been Nexus's, so I have been spoiled by the simplicity of unlocking and rooting.
So I have a few questions:
1. If I unlock via HTCdev, my Data partition will be formatted - yes? Will the Internal SDCard be wiped or will my photo's etc be preserved?
2. Are there any stock RUU's available if I need to go back to stock software for warranty purposes? (I know warranty is a grey area if I have used HTCdev). I currently have:
Android Version: 4.4.2,
HTC Sense 6.0,
Software Number 1.12.61.17,
HTC SDK API Level 6.17,
Kernel Version 3.4.0-g278eae8 [email protected] #1 SMP PREEMPT,
Baseband version 1.14.2133156.UA13G_20.18f.4096.03L,
Build Number 1.1261.17 CL31414 release-keys
3. When an S-Off tool (inevitably) comes, will I be able to convert my device so it thinks that it is a standard non-carrier version? So I could stay stock and get the newest officially released software direct from HTC?
I hope these questions make sense?
Thanks
Stewart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it wipes everything so backup photos once unlocked get rooted the do a backup of your stock rom put it on pc for safe keeping then flash any think you like

StuMcBill said:
Ok, I have a shiny new HTC One M8 from EE in the UK. I am currently considering unlocking and custom ROM-ming my phone. I am not new to the unlocking and rom world, however, it has been a while since I have done anything with an HTC phone, the only HTC I have had was the original HTC Desire. My last 2 phones have been Nexus's, so I have been spoiled by the simplicity of unlocking and rooting.
So I have a few questions:
1. If I unlock via HTCdev, my Data partition will be formatted - yes? Will the Internal SDCard be wiped or will my photo's etc be preserved?
2. Are there any stock RUU's available if I need to go back to stock software for warranty purposes? (I know warranty is a grey area if I have used HTCdev). I currently have:
Android Version: 4.4.2,
HTC Sense 6.0,
Software Number 1.12.61.17,
HTC SDK API Level 6.17,
Kernel Version 3.4.0-g278eae8 [email protected] #1 SMP PREEMPT,
Baseband version 1.14.2133156.UA13G_20.18f.4096.03L,
Build Number 1.1261.17 CL31414 release-keys
3. When an S-Off tool (inevitably) comes, will I be able to convert my device so it thinks that it is a standard non-carrier version? So I could stay stock and get the newest officially released software direct from HTC?
I hope these questions make sense?
Thanks
Stewart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes, so back anything up first
2. Not seen any yet so there's a risk regarding that bit - take a full Nandroid before flashing a new ROM
3. Yes

Thanks for the replies chaps!
So, next question, is there a easy way to back everything up without currently having root? I would normally use Titanium Backup, however, I don't currently have root on my M8!
I'm not actually 100% sure I am going to put a custom ROM on, I might just unlock, wait for S-Off then convert to standard WWE(?) and then get the official HTC Updates. Is it the CID that needs changed to make it stock?

I have a few same kind of questions... How Htc has been acting if you use Htcdev to unlock? Do they take your imei and void warranty automatically or is it safe to root M8 with htcdev? Or is it just better to wait and get the unlock and root some other way?
As I'm coming from S4 with Knox tripped I would like that this kind of thing not to reproduce itself.

Pyrres said:
I have a few same kind of questions... How Htc has been acting if you use Htcdev to unlock? Do they take your imei and void warranty automatically or is it safe to root M8 with htcdev? Or is it just better to wait and get the unlock and root some other way?
As I'm coming from S4 with Knox tripped I would like that this kind of thing not to reproduce itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Pyrres said:
I have a few same kind of questions... How Htc has been acting if you use Htcdev to unlock? Do they take your imei and void warranty automatically or is it safe to root M8 with htcdev? Or is it just better to wait and get the unlock and root some other way?
As I'm coming from S4 with Knox tripped I would like that this kind of thing not to reproduce itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends a little, but there are no horror stories of unlocked phones being automatically voided. If you stuffing around with custom software had CLEARLY destroyed the phone, and they could prove it,,, then maybe you would have an issue. Other than that, no problems. Many people have normal warranty claims with unlocked bootloaders.
M.

Thanks a lot. What about this S-off thing? Sorry for noob questions but my last Htc was stock Desire Z and Samsungs rooting has always been quite easy and simple.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Pyrres said:
Thanks a lot. What about this S-off thing? Sorry for noob questions but my last Htc was stock Desire Z and Samsungs rooting has always been quite easy and simple.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that when (if) S-Off comes, we will be able to get rid of the Red text on the boot screen and get rid of the "tampered" message on the HBOOT Screen. So it will be a lot easier to make your phone look like it has not been touched!
I could be wrong though!

I should have unlocked my loader before I configured my phone the way I like it....

StuMcBill said:
I believe that when (if) S-Off comes, we will be able to get rid of the Red text on the boot screen and get rid of the "tampered" message on the HBOOT Screen. So it will be a lot easier to make your phone look like it has not been touched!
I could be wrong though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to make sure... So at this point I cannot make the phone look full stock (possible warranty claims etc.), not until we have S-off? Just trying to be absolutely sure that I wont run into problems if I root the phone before I even try to get all my stuff moved to it and some defect appears before S-off possibility.

Related

[Q] Rooting Desire HD

Good evening.
I'm new to the forum, so I hope it's ok that I ask a question as the first thing?
(Oh and bear over with my english as it is not my main language)
I'm quite sure you guys get this question quite alot, but it is a bit hard for me to collect the necessary information needed for me to start working on my "problem".
My plan is too root my newly aqquired HTC Desire HD.
As an added information: I already temporary rooted it using the VISIONary+ application and that seems to work as it should. I can get root rights and everything. So far so good - I havn't tried using the permanent root option that this program allows as I want to know exactly what I am doing before doing anything (I heard all the scary stories of bricking and stuff)
So let's start out with the questions:
- How do I check what firmware, kernel, ect ect ect I've got so that I can get the necessary information?
- How do I know if it is branded or not? (Not sure what that even means... I live in Denmark and bought it at the shop, and it is not simlocked. Phone company is Telmore)
- Where the hell should I start?
I looked up this guide: wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=HTC_Desire_HD:_Full_Update_Guide#Flashing_Radio
Would that help me?
Also looked at this: androidpolice.com/2010/04/16/complete-guide-how-to-fully-back-up-and-restore-your-android-phone-using-nandroid-backup-and-clockworkmod-rom-manager/
Could I just perma root with VISIONary+ without worrying and then using rom manager to get the recovery image on and stuff or is it better doing a manual root somehow?
Oh and by the way, I already got adb access to my phone through the pc!
(And please tell me if this is the wrong section of the forum.)
Thanks in advance!
I guess the first question is, did you purchase the telus desire hd in canada per chance?
The firmware /kernel info can be found in the about phone section of the settings menu.
As for rooting I personally favour the manual root specified by the good folks over at CyanogenMod here if you find that a bit daunting there are some automated one click tools over in the Development forums here on XDA, although most require that you have access to a computer running windows.
equlizer said:
I guess the first question is, did you purchase the telus desire hd in canada per chance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. It was bought in denmark.
Dunno if it's a telus model or anything (As I have no idea what a telus is lol)
Some Information about my device: (Btw I'm trying to translate from danish. So ask if something sounds wrong)
- Android Version
2.2
- Basebandversion
12.28b.60.140eU_26.03.02.26_M
- Kernelsystem
2.6.32.21-gf3f553d
[email protected] #1
Thu Oct 28 13:24:11 CST 2010
- VersionNumber
1.32.405.6 CL278359 release-keys
- SoftwareNumber
1.32.405.6
- Browser version
WebKit3.1
As far as I can see my VersionNumber (I guess that is my firmware??) matches the one that the cyanogenmod guide (As In I dont need to downgrade yay!):
wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=HTC_Desire_HD:_Full_Update_Guide
Asks for.
Is there anything else I should check for before I begin, or would that be the guide I should follow?
Plus I forgot to say:
I'm pretty good with computers in general. So I don't care using an "advance" manual method as long as it is descriped well so I don't end up saying "Wait what? Where the hell should I go now?"
So no need to doing some noobish way (Not saying One click methods are noobish) I just need to know what to do and how it should be done.
ok for starters, dont worry about bricking, it's impossible to brick your device trying to root, infact there are only 2 ways you can brick your device, and thats flashing a radio or hboot you have the 1.32 software version and that can be easly permrooted using visionary, after you root, you may want to s-off aswell
AndroHero said:
ok for starters, dont worry about bricking, it's impossible to brick your device trying to root, infact there are only 2 ways you can brick your device, and thats flashing a radio or hboot you have the 1.32 software version and that can be easly permrooted using visionary, after you root, you may want to s-off aswell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, thanks for the quick help! *thumps up*
So I don't have to use the CyanogenMod guide? (would it be better if I did it that way?)
Or is it enough with a perm root with VISIONary?
Then after that I'm thinking of doing a backup (It's called Nandroid as far as I've read?)
Doing a perm root with VISIONary, followed up by flashing the recovery image using the one click option that ClockWork ROM manager allows.
Would I have to worry about doing that, or does my information say that my model should work perfectly fine with that?
I think it's quite important to say that I'm thinking of doing a Custom Rom later, but my first job is to get it rooted and backed up incase anything happens.
Oh and, how would I manage to do a s-off after I've got it rooted? Would that have to be done BEFORE doing the flashing of the recovery image and doing a backup?
you can use the Cyanogen method, thats just a manual way, i used visionary, and have had no problems at all, just click the permroot option and wait after you root, before you flash a custom recovery you need to s-off, this is because the nand chip has write protection, check out this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=855403 jkoljo tool is awsome and although flashing a hboot is dangerous, no1 has bricked there device using his tool yet, thats how safe it is once you are s-off, you can download rom manager and flash a custom recovery
I can see that the tool is called "One click ENG s-off" as in ENGLISH.
Does it matter that my phone is bought in denmark and is in danish?? (Does the language matter at all? :O)
virtual-aidz said:
I can see that the tool is called "One click ENG s-off" as in ENGLISH.
Does it matter that my phone is bought in denmark and is in danish?? (Does the language matter at all? :O)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the ENG means engineering, there are two types of s-off, engineering s-off and Radio s-off, the engineering one allows you to issue fasboot commands though and the radio one dosent, either one will security unlock your bootloader though
Ah I see
I just noticed in the s-off guide: "tick "I have Radio S-OFF" in the tool"
Why do I have to tick that? I don't have Radio S-OFF? :O
And right now I can't even test out what we are talking about *sadface* I just noticed a dead pixel right in the center of the screen, so before I start messing around, I'm gonna take it to the shop and see what they say (God I hate dead pixels)
I know it's a bit (well alot) besides the subject, but I was just crossing my fingers that you were a dead pixel specialist and could answer a simple question: Would a dead pixel on a 1 month old phone (I think the pixel is red, but it could be black as in completly dead) have any chance of spreading or something?
Cause I could live with a single dot.. but if it has a chance of spreading, I would really wanna get it fixed before it's too late (And sorry for the off-topic in my own thread xD)
Notice the big OR in the requirements part? As you are not using a custom ROM, and you do not have Radio S-OFF, you should not tick it.
Dead pixels do not spread, and there are apps in market to revive dead pixels, you should try one of them.
jkoljo said:
Notice the big OR in the requirements part? As you are not using a custom ROM, and you do not have Radio S-OFF, you should not tick it.
Dead pixels do not spread, and there are apps in market to revive dead pixels, you should try one of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha... My bad.
As I mentioned in my first post, my main language is not english. So I misunderstood what it said
I think I'm ready now.
Just need to talk with the shop before I void the warranty for good.
Thanks for the help guys, and I will return when I get it working (or **** it all up.. who knows)
By the way, root, S-OFF and custom ROMs do not void warranty. It says nothing about software in the warranty terms, check it out yourself if you want to
Odd. There has been multiple cases where they did not fix phones that were just rooted.
jkoljo said:
By the way, root, S-OFF and custom ROMs do not void warranty. It says nothing about software in the warranty terms, check it out yourself if you want to
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh and by the way. I see you're the creator of the s-off and radio s-off tools?
Is it true that you recommend Radio S-off (forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=857537)?
And how do I check if I meet all the requirements?
jkoljo said:
By the way, root, S-OFF and custom ROMs do not void warranty. It says nothing about software in the warranty terms, check it out yourself if you want to
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually it does............. "use of products, equipment, systems, utilities, services, parts supplies, accessories, applications, installations, repairs, external wiring or connectors not supplied or authorized by HTC" ........ custom bootloader, and software can come under the systems, applications and installations
Ah yay. I thought so
As far as I can see on the Radio S-Off (Again, is it recommended over s-off?)
System requirements:
Windows XP SP2 or higher
.NET Framework 4.0
HTC Sync (or ADB drivers)
Desire HD with stock kernel (or Apache14's 1.0.7 / 1.1.4 Sense)
It will not work on 1.72.405.3 or higher build, or new radio. Downgrade first!!
I got the 3 first ones covered.
But I'm not sure about the two last.
My Phone has HTC sense, but I dunno what version to be honest.
And I guess I got the last one covered too as I got the 1.32.405.6
You meet all the requirements
AndroHero said:
actually it does............. "use of products, equipment, systems, utilities, services, parts supplies, accessories, applications, installations, repairs, external wiring or connectors not supplied or authorized by HTC"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please take a picture for me, that is not included in the warranty statement that came with my phone. I rang HTC about it, and they said that unless the hardware is modified, software does not matter. Also mike1986 sent his phone to be repaired with ENG S-OFF and everything, and nobody complained.
jkoljo said:
You meet all the requirements
Please take a picture for me, that is not included in the warranty statement that came with my phone. I rang HTC about it, and they said that unless the hardware is modified, software does not matter. Also mike1986 sent his phone to be repaired with ENG S-OFF and everything, and nobody complained.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you know I met the requirements with the HTC sense?
(I need to learn too)

(Q) HTC unlock bootloader... but my phone's already ENG-HBOOTed... =_=

...hope this isnt a pointless thread, but I felt these are a valid set of questions... might be wrong though... >_<
In any case, I've just been informed that the HTC now officially unlocks the DHD bootloader through their website.
Now, my questions...
Does anyone know the difference between the Official HTC bootloader unlock procedure versus the Radio and ENG-HBOOT procedure posted by jkoljo?
Also, note that the HTC way looks like its just one procedure... whilst jkoljo's are distinctly two (one for Radio and one for HBOOT)... if the HTC procedure is initially used, would you still need to do either of jkoljo's? ie the Radio S-Off one... assuming the HTC way gives you only Eng-HBOOT S-OFF?
Hell, do you still need to downgrade with the HTC bootloader unlock?
Lastly, I've already used jkoljo's procedure and now fully Radio & HBOOT S-Off'ed... is there any point of doing the HTC unlock bootloader procedure? Would it actually give me a negative result if I actually go through the HTC procedure now with the current state of my phone?
Anyways, thanks for reading through my musings... and here's hoping someone with the knowhow answers well... ^_^
/Peace
I would like to no this to, but do we really need to worry now we are rooted ?
Yes me 2. What are the pros and cons of them?
...from reading the FAQ on the HTCdev about it.
...according to its FAQ
It seems you're still S-ON after their procedure. This is to apparently secure the radio as well as the SIM-Lock...
So me thinks we might still need jkoljo's ENG-S-OFF procedure afterwards...
...Although, with HTC leaving that lock... I'm a bit dubious about advocating their procedure now as opposed to jkoljo's as well as the Advanced Ace Hack kit. The latter of which is actually the most effective imho, though it still needs jkoljo's ENG-S-OFF procedure...
Do not try to unlock the bootloader of your phone.
it's not locked.
If someone can clarify this: for me the DHD bootloader has never been locked!?!
I was planing to go for sensation when HTC launched it but kept my DHD as sensation was locked and it was not possible to put custom ROM.
From my first HTC, the first thing I always do was removing Sense... (HD, HD2 then DHD). As far as I know Sensation was the first with locked bootloader.
if someone can explain... i'll be more than happy
truc007 said:
Do not try to unlock the bootloader of your phone.
it's not locked.
If someone can clarify this: for me the DHD bootloader has never been locked!?!
I was planing to go for sensation when HTC launched it but kept my DHD as sensation was locked and it was not possible to put custom ROM.
From my first HTC, the first thing I always do was removing Sense... (HD, HD2 then DHD). As far as I know Sensation was the first with locked bootloader.
if someone can explain... i'll be more than happy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root is different from unlocking bootloader eg the Motorola Milestone has root but the bootloader is still locked. This still allows you to load partially customized ROMs but prevents loading custom kernels for one thing.
My question though would be:
What exactly is the point in HTC's bootloader unlocker? Say you go from a stock phone, upgraded froyo to GB all the way. You dont have s-off or eng-off or anything, what would the benefit be to now unlock the bootloader "officially"?
Does it supply a recovery with nandroid backup or allow GB to be rooted or anything like that?
The benefit would be that you lose your warranty because HTC saves your serial, which wouldn't happen if you do it yourself.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using Tapatalk
Exactly...and thanks to AAHK it's not really difficult to get Root, S-Off and CWM on our phones
DN41
Wonder why HTC went through "all the trouble" to do a bootloader unlocker for Desire HD now anyway? its like p#ssing on the ashes AFTER the house burnt down, surely they know there's a dozen ways to get there that are far less involved than their convoluted scheme. *shrugs*
I did this just because there's no major action on ICS and no action on rcmix runny, so i needed to do something to my phone.
Its a real convoluted process.
you need to restore to stock and update to the latest ruu before you can then install the new hboot to then unlock.
The only difference is now i have locked, then unlocked at the top of the bootloader screen.
still needed to re root the stock rom to install 4ext to nandroid the stock and restore ICS.
Really not worth the effort trying ifyou already have a custom recovery and s-off.
Unless you want the latest possible date to show off...
But if you unlocked the bootloader, what is the best way to get root access?
I want to use eg Titanium backup
Pibroens said:
But if you unlocked the bootloader, what is the best way to get root access?
I want to use eg Titanium backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the stickies in the dev forum like this one.
If you have S-OFF, obviously you can skip to the next steps, which is to root.
Make sure you read, read, read so you don't miss anything important.

The rooting of the M8

Hello all,
I have some questions about rooting my phone, the HTC One M8. If someone gets a new phone like this one, backs it up after initial setup, roots and does s-off, and then does a second backup (optional).......... is there any reason why that person should need to worry about anything going wrong? I'm replacing my phone and want to know that as long as I back it up before rooting and s-off, I should never have to worry, right?
Also, once you root a phone, you can still get new OTAs right? The rooting doesn't stop that, right? Just a simple yes or no is fine.
Kindly please answer both. I appreciate all those who can shed some light! It seems that rooting is ok as long as you do it (and S-OFF) BEFORE receiving any OTAs, or that's what I think.
Thank You,
RockStar2005
RockStar2005 said:
Hello all,
I have some questions about rooting my phone, the HTC One M8. If someone gets a new phone like this one, backs it up after initial setup, roots and does s-off, and then does a second backup (optional).......... is there any reason why that person should need to worry about anything going wrong? I'm replacing my phone and want to know that as long as I back it up before rooting and s-off, I should never have to worry, right?
Also, once you root a phone, you can still get new OTAs right? The rooting doesn't stop that, right? Just a simple yes or no is fine.
Kindly please answer both. I appreciate all those who can shed some light! It seems that rooting is ok as long as you do it (and S-OFF) BEFORE receiving any OTAs, or that's what I think.
Thank You,
RockStar2005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
part of rooting is a custom recovery which can block ota's from installing. sometimes the updates can manually be flashed or you can just revert to a stock recovery temporarily but changes to your system can also block the install. as far as the backups it's what ever your comfortable with - I never bother with backups of the stock software and I've never needed one.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
lampel said:
part of rooting is a custom recovery which can block ota's from installing. sometimes the updates can manually be flashed or you can just revert to a stock recovery temporarily but changes to your system can also block the install. as far as the backups it's what ever your comfortable with - I never bother with backups of the stock software and I've never needed one.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thank Lampel!
RockStar2005
I have questions pertaining to Rooting the HTC One M8 aswell.
I moved from Samsung's Galaxy line of phones and have always Rooted without hesitation. Reasons being, I have become comfortable with the way they work and am confident I can return it to Stock (no modded counters on it or whatever), if I need to bring it back to my carrier for some reason.
Now I just got my M8, and definitely want to Root it, but all the new terms for HTC phones confuse me a little. Things I need to know before going forward with Rooting are:
1) What is "S-Off"/'S-On"? And what does it mean?
2) If I Root, can I bring it back to Stock where it will look like I did nothing to it so I can return to the store if I need to?
3) I know there are risks when Rooting, but are there things that become "broken" or don't work because of Rooting? Examples would be like Sony's Xperia devices, the Bravia Engine stops working, and so does the Camera (for some models). Those things become "broken" as a security feature for Sony. Did HTC do anything similar?
4) Anything else you might think I need to know before Rooting?
Thanks in advance!
leo9891 said:
1) What is "S-Off"/'S-On"? And what does it mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not 100% certain on the other questions but maybe I can help with your first question.
Security-ON / Security-OFF. These settings seem specific to HTC. When you purchase a new phone, it will be S-On. This basically means that there are specific areas of your phone that you won't be able to touch, even with root access. However, you can alter the system, boot, and recovery partitions with root access and S-On. S-Off will allow access to the radio and other partitions that you won't be able to access with S-On. S-Off also allows you to change the splash screen. You can check your S-on/S-off status by booting into fastboot (power off phone, press volume down and power until you see the white fastboot screen).
It is my understanding that in order to get S-Off on newer HTC One M8's, Sunshine (http://theroot.ninja/) can be used but it does cost $25. The htcdev.com site has more information on S-On/S-Off along with warnings of why you may not want to go with S-Off here: http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader/about_unlock_process.
janderia said:
I'm not 100% certain on the other questions but maybe I can help with your first question.
Security-ON / Security-OFF. These settings seem specific to HTC. When you purchase a new phone, it will be S-On. This basically means that there are specific areas of your phone that you won't be able to touch, even with root access. However, you can alter the system, boot, and recovery partitions with root access and S-On. S-Off will allow access to the radio and other partitions that you won't be able to access with S-On. S-Off also allows you to change the splash screen. You can check your S-on/S-off status by booting into fastboot (power off phone, press volume down and power until you see the white fastboot screen).
It is my understanding that in order to get S-Off on newer HTC One M8's, Sunshine (http://theroot.ninja/) can be used but it does cost $25. The htcdev.com site has more information on S-On/S-Off along with warnings of why you may not want to go with S-Off here: http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader/about_unlock_process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for your reply, took a day or two after i posted to grab the concept of S-Off/S-On. I'm used to Samsung devices where all you needed was root, and you can do anything.

[Q] Unlocking Questions from new VZW HTC One owner

Hi,
I just got a new Verizon HTC One off contract from Best Buy when they were clearing them out for $200 off contract. I'm coming from a Droid 4 running CM 11, so this will be a major speed update for me.
The device is in the original factory state (with the version 10.1.605.8 software) and I have a few questions. I've done some browsing of the forums, but I'm not sure entirely of the current state of things (since a lot of the posts are quite dated at this point).
1. Are there any working method to unlock the bootloader and get S-OFF other than sunshine? This keeping in mine that I'm on the original firmware the phone shipped with and I can basically go up to whatever version I need to. (When I set my wife's phone up, it did every update pushed by Verizon/HTC in order of release until it was current.) I figured I needed to find this out before I did any updates just in case.
2. Are there any potential downsides to obtaining unlocked bootloader and S-OFF other than warranty issues with Verizon (which I won't have any way)?
3. If I do achieve an unlocked bootloader, would I be able to install/run the "HTC One Developer/Unlocked Edition" rom from the HTC website?
4. And would all the component firmwares (HBOOT, radio, etc) be updated auto-magically by running a newer rom? Or would I have to manually update all those myself?
5. Is there any other currently working method of gaining root other than unlocking the bootloader and flashing?
Also, any other suggestions you have would be welcome.
Thanks!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2875695
Rumrunner will work for you. There is more common questions answered there.
You can ruu and "lock" the bootloader and turn s-on for warranty purposes.
Your warranty is valid for one year with HTC as you bought it brand new. HTC advantage also covers one broken screen for the first 6 months of owning the device.
After you s-off, run the exe ruu for the latest update and you will be on the latest firmware and radio.
Edit: our phone has different mount points so you cannot flash an ruu for a different device (dev edition as well).
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using XDA Free mobile app

Root vs. unlocked bootloader vs. s-off

Apologies in advance for being dumb.....
I'm currently on an S4. Things are simple. I root. I install TWRP recovery. I flash whatever ROM I want. I flash back to full stock if I want to. Real easy.
I've been considering the HTC One M9, and reading up for a couple weeks now. I'm confused about some things....hoping someone can help clear things up.
First off, FYI - I'm Verizon.
I just read a page that explained the difference between root, unlocked bootloader, and s-off:
http://www.pocketables.com/2012/08/the-difference-between-root-s-offon-lockedunlocked-bootloader-in-the-htc-evo-series.html
I should clarify the *typical* reasons I don't stay stock with my S4 and previous phones:
Handful of apps I use that need root.
Benefiting from various things that custom ROMs give me - debloat, etc.
Hotspot
Now let's see if I can ask my questions correctly:
Can the HTC One M9 be rooted without unlocked bootloader and/or s-off? If for example I just wanted to be able to run apps that require root.
Unlocked bootloader - This is where I get confused with s-off. I know I can't use HTCDEV. And the folks that are shipping their phones to people with the special cards are looking to get s-off it seems. Can someone clarify if there will likely be a software method to unlock bootloader (without necessarily chasing after s-off)?
s-off: Given the reasons stated above that I typically don't stay stock, do I care about s-off? It sounds like with an unlocked bootloader I can do custom recovery and ROMs, and s-off just allows me to access additional stuff I wouldn't typically want to mess with...is this correct?
In all 3 scenarios above, is there the ability to return phone to full stock?
I'm due for an upgrade, and wanna get the phone, but worried I won't be able to do what I want with it, or be in a situation where I can't get a repair/replacement if something ever happens to it.
Thank you so much in advance for any insight someone can provide....
crackface said:
First off, FYI - I'm Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon does not allow the M9 to be unlocked. In order to do anything with that device, you will need to purchase a java card or find someone with one.
Go to the Verizon M9 forum for more information.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-one-m9
You might want to check other Verizon phones, but I highly doubt that the M9 is the only phone that verizon prevents from being unlocked. So you might be in the same boat no matter which device you choose.
jollywhitefoot said:
Verizon does not allow the M9 to be unlocked. In order to do anything with that device, you will need to purchase a java card or find someone with one.
Go to the Verizon M9 forum for more information.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-one-m9
You might want to check other Verizon phones, but I highly doubt that the M9 is the only phone that verizon prevents from being unlocked. So you might be in the same boat no matter which device you choose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops! Can a mod by chance move this to the Verizon specific forum? I thought that's where I was...
Bootloader boots the os.
Root gives special permissions to allow changes to root but certain parts of the device are locked (modem, radio etc).
S-off (secure off) gives full access to root and partitions. Allows permanent changes to modem, radio etc.
Non of these are needed by the average user and this point is made clear when said average user doesn't understand and cannot get their head around it.
Htc is not like samsung. Samsung openly support flashing devices by not locking the bootloader in the first place but on the flip side samsung roms are blatanly the fastest for their devices over custom roms.
Sent from a stolen HTC M9
shivadow said:
Bootloader boots the os.
Root gives special permissions to allow changes to root but certain parts of the device are locked (modem, radio etc).
S-off (secure off) gives full access to root and partitions. Allows permanent changes to modem, radio etc.
Non of these are needed by the average user and this point is made clear when said average user doesn't understand and cannot get their head around it.
Htc is not like samsung. Samsung openly support flashing devices by not locking the bootloader in the first place but on the flip side samsung roms are blatanly the fastest for their devices over custom roms.
Sent from a stolen HTC M9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So my apologies in advance if I'm sounding like an idiot here....as with Verizon's announcement I'm now rushed to possibly purchase this phone at discounted rate.
I know with s-off I need to send it off to a friend of these forums with a donation. But I don't think I need s-off (not sure I need to flash radio and whatnot)...as I just want root and ability to flash custom recovery and a custom ROM. Can I do those things without having s-off (my reading tells me no, but want to be sure)? Or can root be acquired and ability for custom recovery without s-off? Or is there somewhere I can read that answers these questions in details?
And is there an ability to return to stock if I run into problems?
Sorry if these questions are redundant to my previous questions or prevailing answers provided.
Thanks for any info.
crackface said:
So my apologies in advance if I'm sounding like an idiot here....as with Verizon's announcement I'm now rushed to possibly purchase this phone at discounted rate.
I know with s-off I need to send it off to a friend of these forums with a donation. But I don't think I need s-off (not sure I need to flash radio and whatnot)...as I just want root and ability to flash custom recovery and a custom ROM. Can I do those things without having s-off (my reading tells me no, but want to be sure)? Or can root be acquired and ability for custom recovery without s-off? Or is there somewhere I can read that answers these questions in details?
And is there an ability to return to stock if I run into problems?
Sorry if these questions are redundant to my previous questions or prevailing answers provided.
Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your only choice is s-off. You cannot unlock your bootloader via HTC dev as Verizon blocks us. So the only way to do what you want is s-off. When I s-off someone's phone I also unlock the bootloader manually and flash twrp and supersu.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk
dottat said:
Your only choice is s-off. You cannot unlock your bootloader via HTC dev as Verizon blocks us. So the only way to do what you want is s-off. When I s-off someone's phone I also unlock the bootloader manually and flash twrp and supersu.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Verizon M9 S-OFF, but I could not unlock bootloader. Plz tell me how could I unlock bootloader.

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