Related
Although I rooted my own Desire back in May of last year, I have since moved on to a different phone and hence stopped following development etc for the Desire.
I have a work colleague who would like the benefits of a rooted, custom ROM but he has no experience in phone-modifying. He basically wants better battery life (so SetCPU would do the job for that) and more space for apps (Apps2SD the original, not Google's implementation). On top of that I'm sure he would probably enjoy the enhancements of the new Sense ROMs as well.
When I rooted my own Desire it was back in the days of fake-flash and I don't think my Desire was ever S-OFFed - I only had a moderate understanding of what I was doing, and there were a few brown trouser moments as I recall!
What I'm looking for is a complete guide start to finish of the easiest, least risky way to currently root a Desire and install custom recovery (presumably ClockworkMod & Rom Manager are standard for the Desire still?).
I've looked around the forums and found guides which explain some of it, however these threads run into 30, 40, 50+ pages which I think is a bit much reading if you don't really understand what you're reading about. Luckily I have an interest in it, but to my colleague it's just a means to an end, to get his phone working in a decent manner! Unsurprisingly, he is not interested in learning how a combustion engine works in order to drive his car either.
So, can someone write me a FOOLPROOF guide from start to finish:
1. Rooting and S-OFF (with a basic explanation of what this is),
2. Installing a custom recovery (again with an explanation of what this is, and how to use it, Nandroid backups etc)
3. Installing ROMs
I know I'm asking a bit much - I'm just trying to make it as easy as possible for my colleague without actually doing it myself, as I'm not really a good enough friend that if I did take his phone away for a couple of days, that he wouldn't mind if it came back bricked! It needs to be his decision to do it, and him doing it.
I am willing to donate if someone can put all this together for him.
This should have most of the things needed.
Don't worry about S-off since it is not needed and one of the only procedures that can really brick a phone.
Edit: Before starting with rooting, boot in to hboot and check the pvt version. If it's pvt4, the best thing to do is to use Amon_RA as a alternative recovery image. To do this just follow the guide but befoer clicking on root in Unrevoked go to "file" and select the alternative recovery.
You can use the unrevoked way which is too easy to do and if you want to S-Off, although not needed, you can visit AlphaRev
I would say for definite, forget about s-off. Not exactly sure what it is myself, but as it's completely unnecessary for the whole rooting/flashing procedure, why bother?
I rooted from a linux boot cd which sounds complicated but I think is actually easier as there's no faffing about with installing sync and then uninstalling it again.
S-Off disables NAND security on GSM phones. When you use unrevoked, it only disables it for CDMA. Also disabling the phones NAND security enables you to do further things like change the splash screen, install another Hboot, delete system apps and so on. If you think rooting gives you more freedom, S-Off gives you even more. It's there for those that need it though. It's not difficult if you do your research. But to be honest, it's an automated process with it working 99.9% of the time.
I did s off without hitch 100% safe.
Also new hboot new recovery with android flasher.
GoogleJelly said:
S-Off disables NAND security on GSM phones. When you use unrevoked, it only disables it for CDMA. Also disabling the phones NAND security enables you to do further things like change the splash screen, install another Hboot, delete system apps and so on. If you think rooting gives you more freedom, S-Off gives you even more. It's there for those that need it though. It's not difficult if you do your research. But to be honest, it's an automated process with it working 99.9% of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
S-OFF does nothing though bar mean you can delete apps without having to be in recovery. for someone who has no idea about modding it's just not worth doing. Rooting and using a custom Senes-based ROM will do the job just fine
It does way more than mean you can just delete apps. The methods for installing stuff these days are more or less 100% bug free and won't bugger up your device. Why not give it a go? Just make sure you read info and research it a little first before you start. Just don't do what I did and almost brick it
But if the OP doesn't know how to root then they're not going to need to S-OFF are they? Seems pointless
I did S-OFF for two reasons:
1) To install custom HBOOT so that I get more space in /data
2) For the hell of it.....
EDIT: I think some of the ROMs need S-OFF enabled (I'm not sure....) but, at the same time, I don't think S-OFF is absolutely necessary.
S-Off isn't necessary to have. No rom requires you to have it. It is just something that you may as well have if you root because it gives you way more freedom.
Totally disagree, it's not needed at all if you just want the phone to work. Custom ROM with A2SD+ is MORE than enough for a complete n00b
EddyOS said:
Totally disagree, it's not needed at all if you just want the phone to work. Custom ROM with A2SD+ is MORE than enough for a complete n00b
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree completely. If you want to explore custom ROM's, get A2SD etc then root. Once you're happy with the whole root/recovery/flashing thing THEN look at s-off if it is necessary to do what you want. For a lot of people it really isn't required at all, and it definitely shouldn't be the first thing you think of doing.
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)
My DHD is brand new - just a week. It was supplied by Orange in France - who by the way are the most incompetent company I have ever dealt with - and the software number is 1.40.61.2
Now I'm thinking of rooting the phone. Partly because I understand that it will help me improve battery life (True/false??)
That I will be able to run some apps which I wouldn't otherwise be able to do
And also because I love gadgetery and fiddling around with things.
On the other hand I rely hugely on the phone. I don't want to lose it and I'm not hugely techie.
Looking around, I read that if a phone is 1.72 then it must be downgraded to 1.32
So my phone is 1.40. Where does that leave me? I have never seen any mention of this version number anywhere. I have to ask myslef also, why have I been supplied a new phone with an old version of the software.
Anyway, that's just my first question. I expect that there will be others to follow.
have a look to the Desire DHD Forum
good luck
Thanks, in fact I have temprooted with Viionary and it works OK.
I haven't done a perm-root bevause I'm very anxious.
What I don't understand is how I would then be able to return it to its original state.
lejars1 said:
Thanks, in fact I have temprooted with Viionary and it works OK.
I haven't done a perm-root bevause I'm very anxious.
What I don't understand is how I would then be able to return it to its original state.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Visionary+ can unroot your device with just one click
Yes, I saw that - but I'm still worrried. Terrible eh? Is there some way to back up my phone completely and then restore it completely if it all goes to worms?
I'm expect that it would unroot quite satisfactorily - but I found it a bit disconcerting simply to see that it says that Visionary will try to unroot.
I don't know if it is my age - over 60 but I'm really feeling my way on all of this and I look to be very sure before I do things.
Although there are lots of guides on this forum as to what to do, there aren't any guides which tell you why you have to do each step.
I'd like to know what I am achieving at each step of the rooting, flashing, s-off eng-off blah blah. Then I'll feel that I'm in control and that will give me a comfort factor.
My main objective is to improve battery life - and after that, to see if I can have some fun. (Actually, that's my objective in life too!!)
lejars1 said:
Yes, I saw that - but I'm still worrried. Terrible eh? Is there some way to back up my phone completely and then restore it completely if it all goes to worms?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to completely revert your phone to stock, you can simply do a factory restore (In Settings->SD-Card & phone storage)
A Backup of your contacts, settings etc. can be done with MyBackup (I believe you can't backup everything, but almost everything). The apps can be restored from the Android Market.
lejars1 said:
I'm expect that it would unroot quite satisfactorily - but I found it a bit disconcerting simply to see that it says that Visionary will try to unroot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To say the truth, there have been little to none problems with Visionary+ I know of. The "try" is there to indicate that it might, under unknown circumstances, not work. The same can be said about some stock functions though and they don't bother to mention it.
lejars1 said:
I'd like to know what I am achieving at each step of the rooting, flashing, s-off eng-off blah blah. Then I'll feel that I'm in control and that will give me a comfort factor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay let's see:
Rooting:
Root superuser in UNIX-based systems. The equivalent of the "administrator" in Windows. He can do basically everything in the system. The account is disabled in Android though.
When you root your phone, you activate this account and thus gain (almost) complete access to your system.
A TempRoot will not survive a reboot and needs to be applied every time you reboot your phone, while a Permanent Root will not be lost.
S-OFF:
S-OFF stands for Security Off. It means that you (or rather the programs you choose to use) will be able to replace the bootloader, write persistent changes to the system (like removing stock apps).
You will also be able to flash a custom Recovery (most likely ClockworkMod Recovery). Recoveries are independent of the regular operating system and allow you to flash custom ROMs, make (and more importantly restore) backups of your system, etc.
There are two types of S-OFF: Eng S-OFF and Radio S-OFF
Eng S-OFF stands for Engineered S-OFF and modifies the bootloader so it will allow you to access all the functions. It is needed if you want to flash a new radio.
Radio S-OFF on the other hand really sets the Security flag to OFF. It can easily be reversed and is the "cleaner" option.
Flashing:
Flashing is the process of overwriting some part of the system (or the whole system) with a custom replacement. It is done while in Recovery by selecting a zip file from the SD-Card and telling ClockworkMod Recovery to flash it. Really it is quite simple if you follow the developer's instructions.
It is so decent of you to take the time to do this. It is very helpful indeed.
I hope that you know now, that I am going to keep on asking you more questions. Is that OK?
I didn't realise that a factory reset will undo the permanent rotting. That is very reassuring to know. So that's a worry out of the way.
So, you do a permanent root.
When you have the superadmin rights, you can then make fundamental changes to the system.
The next thing is to turn off the security which I suppose is a bit like a firewall and allows certain programs to install at a system level. Right?
You can either do this using Eng or Radio - and what I gather from you is that it is better to use Radio. - Right? but Eng and radio are alternatives. I had gathered that you had to do both. - wrong.
Then if you are going further, you have to flash various radios - but now I'm lost. What is a radio?
(I hope that you don't regret getting into this.)
Also, at what point does it become risky - and what point can you no longer restore merely by doing a factory reset?
One small correction
2 Types of S-Off are S-Off & ENG S-Off.
Radio S-Off is a different beast.
andyharney said:
One small correction
2 Types of S-Off are S-Off & ENG S-Off.
Radio S-Off is a different beast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - but arrgh!
A bit more confused now!
lejars1 said:
Thanks - but arrgh!
A bit more confused now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC phones come nand locked. Its an extra form of security against root, so even a rooted phone cannot write to the protected parts of the nand chip (/system, /recovery /radio /misc ect) thats what s-off is for. It removes the write protection on thoes partitions
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
Newbie here (go easy) lol OK basically I rooted via the HTC Bootloader website and other tools. Now What can I do with it basically? It is still got the S-ON Lock (which I guess is bad) I know it's unlocked to any sim but I understand my phone needs to be S-OFF to achieve real benefits?
when your phones rooted, it just means you have superuser access.
so your able to install custom roms (as you can see the list of diffrent roms) meaning you can install the latest build of android os. then you can install overclocked kernals (making your phone run faster or smoother). with other phones such as my nexus one iv install ubuntu (a linux operating system)
theirs so many diffrent things you can do on a rooted phone
S-ON S-OFF thing what does that mean? As I said My phone is still at S-ON Which I guess is not good
Your phone stay S-off like all people who unlock their phone on htcdev. But you can root and flash rom and kernel... There's always few thinks you can't do, but so usefully or necessary... AFAIK.
EDIT: sorry, would mean S-on
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S using XDA App
I still know that I having some memory issues (internal) so that I need to look at but slowly getting there. Done the main thing which is vital
john_semple said:
S-ON S-OFF thing what does that mean? As I said My phone is still at S-ON Which I guess is not good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S-ON means that the "Security is ON" aka that your phone is "locked",
from htcdev.com:
Your device is shipped with Security on (S-ON) to protect your system
software configuration (such as the bootloader, radio, boot, recovery, system and others). After you have unlocked the bootloader, however, you will have lifted the restrictions on boot, recovery and system. This means you can customize boot, recovery and system images on your phone as you desire. You can easily see that you have successfully unlocked the bootloader by looking at the top of the screen when entering the bootloader screen. Security is left on to protect things like the radio, and SIM lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can set your phone to S-OFF by using Bootloader or some other methods
EDIT: I didnt see Shywim's post, i needed few min to post this. xD
S-ON = Security On
S-OFF = Security Off
When S-OFF you have access to the /system partition
You can do a sdcard partition for your internal memory... There is a howto in the cm7 troubleshooting topic in the dev section
( i use it and I'm s on like you)
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S using XDA App
KillAHead said:
S-ON means that the "Security is ON" aka that your phone is "locked",
from htcdev.com:
You can set your phone to S-OFF by using Bootloader or some other methods
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, you make me confused, if mob is s-on , you can make it s-off only trough xclip.
However you can unlock bootloader and root. as said in the link you gave.
If iam misstaken, please say so.
Start browsing:
[INDEX] roms/recovery/guides/kernel/root/...
But be careful if you're a noob. The Wildfire S makes a great, inexpensive Android but an awfully expensive brick.
CafeKampuchia said:
Start browsing:
[INDEX] roms/recovery/guides/kernel/root/...
But be careful if you're a noob. The Wildfire S makes a great, inexpensive Android but an awfully expensive brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Took me a while to get this replacement Wildfire back as it was due to a major hassle with HTC in the first place I just need to get my memory issues sorted and I sure i'm good
Went out and bought a 16GB Micro SDHD Memory card from ebay with an adapter included. When that comes i'll have fun (as I think I got a rough idea what rom I putting on to the phone) Prey to god it actually works!
There's lots of conflicting info on this thread..
Rooted means superuser access, think of it as administration rights on your mobile. You can install more powerful apps to your phone linked link2sd. You also gain write access to the system directories of the phone, and can delete system apps.
S-off means your bootloader is unlocked. This is required to flash custom rom's onto the device.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App
jwchips said:
There's lots of conflicting info on this thread..
Rooted means superuser access, think of it as administration rights on your mobile. You can install more powerful apps to your phone linked link2sd. You also gain write access to the system directories of the phone, and can delete system apps.
S-off means your bootloader is unlocked. This is required to flash custom rom's onto the device.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not correct, S-OFF does not stand for unlocked bootloader.
And you don't need S-OFF for flashing custom ROMs.
jwchips said:
There's lots of conflicting info on this thread..
Rooted means superuser access, think of it as administration rights on your mobile. You can install more powerful apps to your phone linked link2sd. You also gain write access to the system directories of the phone, and can delete system apps.
S-off means your bootloader is unlocked. This is required to flash custom rom's onto the device.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a lot of conflicting info on this thread.
S-OFF means EVERYTHING is unlocked including your bootloader. It is complete access to all areas of the phone, also allowing you to flash any RUU ROM you want and many other things.
HTCDev Unlock - Unlocks your bootloader only allowing you to flash custom recoveries, ROMs, and root your phone. It has limitations though.
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
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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
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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?
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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.
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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.