If there is http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader, doesn't that mean every device after 2011 has an unlockable bootloader?
I know something is wrong because devs in this forum are working for a 4.4.4 bootloader unlock solution. What's the situation then? Does the htcdev tool only work for certain devices/models?
Just a sidenote, I own a s4, so forgive me if this is a dumb question.
I think you are referring to s-off?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
badboy47 said:
I think you are referring to s-off?
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, sorry, I read a bit more and I really mean s-off. What are the advantages of this? I'm just confused why developers are hacking htc to gain access to s-off or whatever if the bootloader can already be unlocked via the htc dev website. In the s4 forums, only a unlocked bootloader is necessary for a custom recovery and roms.
Raymondlikesroot said:
yes, sorry, I read a bit more and I really mean s-off. What are the advantages of this? I'm just confused why developers are hacking htc to gain access to s-off or whatever if the bootloader can already be unlocked via the htc dev website. In the s4 forums, only a unlocked bootloader is necessary for a custom recovery and roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many advantages of being s-off; depends on what you want to do with your phone. For starter there is a great blog detailing what is s-off and what it does.
First you must know that this concept is applied especially on HTC’s Android featured smartphones, being like a carrier restriction over your phone’s internal system. This restriction is keeping you away from changing the main settings, or from customizing, optimizing and improving the operating system that runs on your device. That’s why if you have a phone which has S turned On you will not be able to root it, or to do other stuffs with its system. The main problem is that most of the smartphones are being delivered with S-On, so you will have to change this aspect afterwards Continue reading...
That guide you linked to is a bit misleading, at least as far as current HTC devices are concerned. You may want to consider reading the first post of the link below, instead. You can obviously root & flash a custom ROM to a device that's S-on, but there are obvious limitations that don't exist once a device is S-off. I've had 4 different HTC devices over the years and I was able to root and flash a custom ROM to all of them while still S-on.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1680928
OP, I also suggest reading my bootloader guide for the M8. It's specific for Sprint as far as software and firmware information goes, but the general info is universal at least as far as the M8 is concerned. That guide can be found in the second link in my sig.
Related
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.
...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.
With the G2 now officially on the list of devices for this, is this basically the same as root. If not are there roms with root built in? Thanks in advance.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using xda premium
Nope, unlocked bootloader and root are not the same. Unlocking the bootloader does not automatically give you root. But its easy to root after you unlock the bootloader. Please not that you also void your warranty by using HTC Unlock.
Every ROM in the Development subforum is pre-rooted. But you must be rooted to install them.
It seems its more complicated to gain root after HTC Unlock then I thought: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1453066
Can't vouch for this process, or HTC Unlock in general. But there are so many steps even with HTC Unlock, and you still need ADB, so I don't see the point. Just use the Wiki method and keep your warranty.
Also Nipqer states in the thread linked above:
The drawbacks to using htcdev is that htc have a record that you have voided your warranty, and the device is still quite locked down.
The downgrade/gfree method will give you a completely unlocked phone, which is a lot easier to fix if anything goes wrong, and you can restore your phone to stock, so that htc cannot see you voided your warranty.
Also, gfree provides sim-unlock, which htcdev does not.
Another thing, I don't think that HTC is going to support you if you try to use HTC Unlock, and something goes wrong. Where if you go the Wiki/gfree method and have issues, people on XDA will help you.
Moral of the story, I don't see why anyone would go the HTC Unlock method. And that goes for any HTC device, where other root/S-Off methods already exist. The main usage or HTC Unlock (for us folks on here anyway) is for newer phones where S-Off and root have not yet been achieved.
Browsed the stickies for this stuff, but the closest I found was a pretty old post from before Verizon shut down S-Off.
I have a new HTC One w/ build 1.10.605.8 (Android 4.2.2/Sense 5.0). How far behind is this? Does it mean I have a better chance for exploits to work? I'm making a point of not putting the phone into a position where it might take an OTA. Presumably hacking the phone gets harder with the latest builds.
I would like to root this, if possible. If I can unlock the bootloader that's even better. S-Off not as important, but I'll do it if it's the pathway to an unlocked boot. I'm guessing there are still ways to unlock this (or equivalent) since Big Red shut down our HTC Dev?
Is there a current thread discussing this? Maybe somebody can show me where the latest info is. Or at least tell me what the general strategy is for customizing this device, if it's possible.
I'm pretty comfortable with this stuff; I once had to use a wire to S-Off an HTC Rezound. I just need to know where to go to find the current tools.
I saw references to weaksauce, rumrunner and firewater. Are these current? Can someone steer me toward the latest and greatest???
cpurick said:
Browsed the stickies for this stuff, but the closest I found was a pretty old post from before Verizon shut down S-Off.
I have a new HTC One w/ build 1.10.605.8 (Android 4.2.2/Sense 5.0). How far behind is this? Does it mean I have a better chance for exploits to work? I'm making a point of not putting the phone into a position where it might take an OTA. Presumably hacking the phone gets harder with the latest builds.
I would like to root this, if possible. If I can unlock the bootloader that's even better. S-Off not as important, but I'll do it if it's the pathway to an unlocked boot. I'm guessing there are still ways to unlock this (or equivalent) since Big Red shut down our HTC Dev?
Is there a current thread discussing this? Maybe somebody can show me where the latest info is. Or at least tell me what the general strategy is for customizing this device, if it's possible.
I'm pretty comfortable with this stuff; I once had to use a wire to S-Off an HTC Rezound. I just need to know where to go to find the current tools.
I saw references to weaksauce, rumrunner and firewater. Are these current? Can someone steer me toward the latest and greatest???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you're on 4.2.2 and 5.0 you should be able to use rumrunner.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2473644
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
brholt6 said:
Since you're on 4.2.2 and 5.0 you should be able to use rumrunner.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2473644
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much.
Looks like this tool sets S-Off? Does that disable/bypass the signature checks in the bootloader, or does it allow install of an alternate bootloader? How do I get from S-Off to a custom ROM?
cpurick said:
Thank you very much.
Looks like this tool sets S-Off? Does that disable/bypass the signature checks in the bootloader, or does it allow install of an alternate bootloader? How do I get from S-Off to a custom ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure exactly, but once you're s-off you can just flash a recovery via fastboot and then flash a custom Rom through recovery.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
brholt6 said:
Not sure exactly, but once you're s-off you can just flash a recovery via fastboot and then flash a custom Rom through recovery.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I can do that even though I can't technically unlock the bootloader?
cpurick said:
And I can do that even though I can't technically unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will unlock your boot loader.
http://rumrunner.us
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
cpurick said:
And I can do that even though I can't technically unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any luck? In case anyone else has the same question in the future.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
cpurick said:
And I can do that even though I can't technically unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S-Off trumps all. With S-Off you can do anything with your phone, including unlocking the boot loader and custom recoveries.
I used rumrunner because my older build was identified as being vulnerable to that exploit. I'm not sure about the interactions between S-Off and Bootloader because the device+build-specific rumrunner did both S-Off and unlocked BL in addition to rooting it. It says "unlock" but the experience looked like an engineering bootloader had been installed. The phone acquired a proprietary HTC disclaimer at startup.
If you have an early enough build, I would definitely recommend rumrunner for unlocking it. That program totally pwned the phone.
cpurick said:
I used rumrunner because my older build was identified as being vulnerable to that exploit. I'm not sure about the interactions between S-Off and Bootloader because the device+build-specific rumrunner did both S-Off and unlocked BL in addition to rooting it. It says "unlock" but the experience looked like an engineering bootloader had been installed. The phone acquired a proprietary HTC disclaimer at startup.
If you have an early enough build, I would definitely recommend rumrunner for unlocking it. That program totally pwned the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The warning comes when you go S-Off. Every HTC One with S-Off does that. Rumrunner did its job.
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.