Develop Bugs

Ok, I have some questions regarding unlocking / rooting / flashing.

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.

[Q] Dumb question about firmware & S-OFF

I've been rooting and flashing ROMs on Android devices for years, but I'm new to HTC (coming from the Galaxy Nexus/toro). On all my other devices, I've merely unlocked the bootloader, rooted, installed custom recovery, and flashed ROMs (e.g. CM11) to stay "current." I'm getting the sense that the M8 doesn't quite work like that (but I'm not sure).
I'm currently rooted, have TWRP, and S-ON (more on that in a minute). I've been using Venom's Viper One ROM since I got the phone in early July. Venom just released a new version of the ROM, but that has led to my realization that HTC and/or the M8 is a different animal that my other Android devices.
I've combed through countless threads trying to figure this out but to no avail--so I figured I'd ask it here. Do I have to be S-OFF to keep my firmware up to date? If so, is there any other way besides Sunshine to obtain S-OFF on the T-mobile M8? I tried Firewater and for whatever reason it reports it can't and never will work on my device.
It's not that I mind paying the $25 for Sunshine, but I'm not 100% clear why I need S-OFF since none of my other (non-HTC) devices required such a thing. I'd be willing to purchase it if I for sure needed it, but I'm confused if it is required to keep my rooted M8 "current" so I can keep on flashing ROMs without incident (the new version of Viper One supposedly doesn't work as well on the non-current firmware which I have).
If anyone here can ELI5 (Explain Like I'm 5) about S-OFF and whether or not I need it I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

zerozed99 said:
I've been rooting and flashing ROMs on Android devices for years, but I'm new to HTC (coming from the Galaxy Nexus/toro). On all my other devices, I've merely unlocked the bootloader, rooted, installed custom recovery, and flashed ROMs (e.g. CM11) to stay "current." I'm getting the sense that the M8 doesn't quite work like that (but I'm not sure).
I'm currently rooted, have TWRP, and S-ON (more on that in a minute). I've been using Venom's Viper One ROM since I got the phone in early July. Venom just released a new version of the ROM, but that has led to my realization that HTC and/or the M8 is a different animal that my other Android devices.
I've combed through countless threads trying to figure this out but to no avail--so I figured I'd ask it here. Do I have to be S-OFF to keep my firmware up to date? If so, is there any other way besides Sunshine to obtain S-OFF on the T-mobile M8? I tried Firewater and for whatever reason it reports it can't and never will work on my device.
It's not that I mind paying the $25 for Sunshine, but I'm not 100% clear why I need S-OFF since none of my other (non-HTC) devices required such a thing. I'd be willing to purchase it if I for sure needed it, but I'm confused if it is required to keep my rooted M8 "current" so I can keep on flashing ROMs without incident (the new version of Viper One supposedly doesn't work as well on the non-current firmware which I have).
If anyone here can ELI5 (Explain Like I'm 5) about S-OFF and whether or not I need it I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With HTC devices like our m8, s-off is needed in order to change firmwares and radios manually. It is very different than with nexus devices, that are definitely the easiest to tinker with. I paid the $25 for sunshine (firewater wouldn't work for me either) and it was so easy I can't even put it in words. Takes like 2 minutes. I recommend it. S-off makes a huge difference. But only if you know what youre doing. Read up on the dangers of obtaining s-off before you do it. Entering the wrong command in a terminal session with s-off could lead to a very expensive paperweight.
Sent from my M8

[Q] So, this HTC One from Verizon... the actual latest official firmware would be ?

Alright, I haven't owned an HTC device in a few years now - the last one being the ultra-awesome still-to-this-day HTC HD2 (which I miss dearly) and yesterday I acquired an HTC One, the Verizon model. I've spent the better part of a few hours scouring threads, forums, posts, the usual rigmarole and there's one big question that I haven't been able to answer for myself just yet. That question is this:
What is the most current actual build of firmware for the Verizon HTC One?
The reason I ask is two-fold in some respects:
1) I'd like to make sure it's at the most current build obviously, and...
2) I don't use Verizon so it's not going to get an OTA if one is available so I need to consider other methods (RUU, perhaps, I'm really not sure since I haven't dealt with HTC hardware in some time).
It's not a bad device so far, I am somewhat irritated by the very thin display and all that "wasted space" considering I just sold my LG G2 which isn't all that much different in terms of overall size but it's literally edge to edge with that 5.2" display.
Anyway, here's some relevant info from this particular One that I acquired. From booting into the fastboot screen:
Code:
***LOCKED ***
M7_WLV PVT SHIP S-ON RH
HBOOT-1.57.0000
RADIO-1.13.41.0421
OpenDSP-v32.120.274.0909
OS-4.10.605.3
eMMC-boot 2048MB
Apr 22 2014, 18:03:29.0
Now, going by that it's obvious it's S-ON and until I cough up $25 for Sunshine I'm not going to be able to alter that status, I understand that much from all the reading I've been doing. Not sure what some of the other variables are but I suppose they're not relevant.
I'm guessing that date there was the build date of the device, or perhaps the build date of the firmware. I keep seeing mention of 4.10.605.2, 4.10.605.8, 4.10.605.10, and 4.10.605.15 but whenever I do a search for the *.3 firmware I currently show on mine, it's like it doesn't exist for some reason, I don't know.
Code:
Android version
4.4.2
HTC Sense version
6.0
Software number
4.10.605.3
I've wasted time trying to root it (and failed, as expected as I've learned) with Towelroot (think it did a temp once when I was testing Sunshine but Sunshine still said it had to do its own temp root, go figure) and rumrunner (there's no version match for my firmware build so I tried the *.2 release and had no success).
So for the moment I'm just in pause mode doing more research. The obvious end-goal would be to get this thing S-Off and bootloader unlocked to do some proper experimentation with various ROMs just like most any of us want to do.
But again going back to the main question: is the firmware build I have at the moment (4.10.605.3) the actual latest version available (I don't think it is) and if it's not can anyone give me a nod where I can locate it or figure out how to get this thing as fully updated as possible ?
I appreciate any responses or suggestions. I may just turn around and sell this M7 because I'm not really satisfied with it at the moment - that's not just because of the difficulty of getting it loaded up with different ROMs, it's various things that I don't find so appealing about the One at all compared to other devices I've owned.
Excuse my babbling at times, folks... Happy New Year to one and all and have fun, always...
EDIT:
Ok, not 5 mins after posting all this I found info about using HTC Sync to check for and install an upgrade and, sure enough, that's in process at this moment as I'm typing this sentence. My mistake there, no worries. Now the fun begins I suppose...

4.10 is the main version. 605 is carrier, Verizon. And the last digit is minor version. 3, 5, 10, 15, they all will have similar OS, only difference is security and minor fixes. Once you get s-off, you don't have to update through ruu or the sync software. You can actually just flash the firmware and radio for the update and then flash the accompanying Rom. They are all in Santod's thread. Will edit with a link for you.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2485319
As his thread states, 5.28 is the latest for the Verizon variant.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using XDA Free mobile app

2) I don't use Verizon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, uh, you're gonna have a bad time using a Verizon variant if you don't actually have Verizon service. There are so many frequency bands missing from this phone that all you'll get is 2G on AT&T and T-Mobile and all the MVNOs that borrow their networks.

this may work..
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95855108297851204

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.

Why are there no free s-off solutions on the m9?

Hi, I currently own an m7 and used rumrunner to s-off, though there were other alternatives. Anyhow, I was looking into getting an m9 since I have the purple camera defect and HTC won't fix it because I unlocked bootloader(i know, irrelevant but they're being dicks) . I was looking to check if s-off has been achieved and only found sunshine which would cost like 30 bucks cad and a post on these forums saying to report any free s-offs so they can be deleted. I just want to understand what's going on.
Also, if I am forced to buy it, does it at least let me unlock bootloader without going on htcdev?
Thank you

I don't know what kind of methods existed/exist on the M7 but some of the free methods on the One S were able to hardbrick you phone if you made a mistake during the process. I think the "report free s-off methods" thread is only made for preventing the average user of bricking his/her phone since most of those methods aren't very safe.
I noticed that many new M9 users are coming from samsung devices and many of them never had an htc device before. Some are already overburden with getting back to stock. (I do not want to insult anybody. I know that the beginning of the learning curve with htc devices is steep since I had to learn all that stuff some years ago, too.) Imagine what would happen if a s-off method like facepalm would exist for the M9: hardbricks everywhere. That wouldn't help anybody.
beaups and jcase have created several s-off methods during the last years. Sunshine (their latest method) is so well programmed that there is actually no risk of bricking since the app verifies whether your device could get bricked during the process before it starts flashing. The "price" is actually just a "donation" or a "refinancing". Explanations can befound here, here and here.
Nevertheless you should not forget that s-off is nothing you need to use your phone. It works perfectly without s-off. So there is actually no one forcing you to pay anything. Besides you can always use a java card like people with verizon M9s do since verizon blocks the htcdev unlock. But buying a java card is much more expensive than "donating" to team sunshine. Or you send your phone to someone who owns a java card and let him/her s-off your phone. But be honest, would you send a new phone that costs around 700 € to someone you do not know?
And no, using sunshine without htcdev unlock is not possible. You need a rooted phone for using sunshine and getting root can only be achieved on the M9 with an unlocked bootloader.
I hope that clarifies most of your questions.

Thanks for your comment. Hehe, I do come from Samsung phones (S1, S4, S4 Zoom, S5), though I've had the LG G2 and G3, HTC Magic, HTC One M7, Oppo Find 7a, among others, and the M7 and M9 are the most confusing for me. I was wondering also if there's a free way to do it but it looks like there isn't. The only reason why I need S-Off is to go back to full stock from a custom rom (I bought the phone like that) to get OTA, or at least make it dev edition.

Actually there is no need to S-OFF for getting back to stock. If available you just need to flash a RUU with your current or a newer firmware version. If there is no correct RUU available you need to look for a stock, read-only TWRP backup. What is your current firmware version? It's stated in the line beginning with "OS" when you boot to download mode.

Nothing here prohibits free s-off, we dont stop it. We as XDA mods, and we as sunshines developers.
The warning exists because of some jerk posting fake s-off solutions recently, that were fake, and dangerous, they would soft brick your device.

The better way to have S-OFF , sim unlock or another things is the XTC 2 Clip.. Works perfectly and very simple.
but for free is unfortunately no longer available ..