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 ..
Related
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!
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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 $25 for sunshine (firewater wouldn't work for me either) and it was so easy I can't even put it in words. Takes like 2 minutes. I recommend it. S-off makes a huge difference. But only if you know what youre doing. Read up on the dangers of obtaining s-off before you do it. Entering the wrong command in a terminal session with s-off could lead to a very expensive paperweight.
Sent from my M8
Next weekend, I am going to get an HTC One M8 from T-Mobile. I would really like to change it to a GPE but I need to get a phone through T-Mobile so they will pay off my ETF from Verizon.
I would have liked to ask this question directly in the development thread, but I'm not allowed to so I will just include a link.
I have found a couple videos to help me with this online and it seems pretty simple. I've been running a rooted GNex with Shiny Custom Rom. Although I started using the Wugfresh toolkit, I've since learned fairly basic ways of using ADB. I say all this so you know I'm not really a green beginner. My question is this:
[RUU] M8 Google Edition Conversion. 4.4.4 - RUU Zip Non-Rooted & Pre-Rooted
If I use this thread and the directions here, along with a few videos, will this work on a T-Mobile version. I'm going to be new at this GSM thing and want to make sure that this RUU file will work. Thanks!
Hi and welcome to xda!
This guide you linked in your post will work on your T-Mobile device, as long as you S-Off it as a first step. To do this I would personally use SunShine. Even though it costs 25$, it's the best you could do, as it unlocks the bootloader without any data loss and without HTC knowing (as they would if you're going to use HTCDev to accomplish it). In addition you don't need to be rooted, as SunShine temproots to get the job done. Thus you could flash a custom recovery right after S-Off, backup your full stock ROM (just in case you got to go bak to stock Sense for warranty purposes) and head to the guide behind your link.
I wouldn't use any videos, as there is realy everything mentioned in the guide mentioned, that you need to convert. As long as you follow it step by step you'll also come to learn the most important things of what you do. This will make live easier if you got to go back. And if something goes wrong during the conversion process, you would be able to give a much more precise information about where and what. I'm just writing it, as many questions here seem to start with a "I followed a video guide and something went wrong", which realy doesn't help anybody to understand where the problem first occured, not to mentioned that we can't help anybody who starts a post in this way, without further questioning what he did and in which order. And as you're telling you're already familiar with adb/fastboot the job should be quiet easy for you to accomplish .
Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. I know my username has switched but I was originally having trouble with it.
So I'm curious about the sunshine thing. I pay $25 and then run the app. The app will unlock the bootloader and give me s-off which will enable me to convert to a gpe htc one m8?
dbroer91884 said:
Thanks for the response. I appreciate it. I know my username has switched but I was originally having trouble with it.
So I'm curious about the sunshine thing. I pay $25 and then run the app. The app will unlock the bootloader and give me s-off which will enable me to convert to a gpe htc one m8?
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Click to collapse
Yes that's right. It will accomplish both, bootloader unlock, as well as S-Off. After this you could goon and start the conversion by following the guide I linked in my last response.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
It's looking like I'm going to be getting the M8 from T-Mobile this weekend! I usually root my phones and would appreciate some clerification before I make the purchase.
I'd like to unlock the bootloader and install a custom rom, most likely Cyanogenmod. It sounds like it should be something that I could do without too much issues. Just looking for verification.
Also, I've had instances where I've broken or had other issues with my phones and have had to have them replaced. I usually get the insurance due to my increased chances of something happening to the phone. So, how easy is it to unroot to send back for replacement? I read that it might not be possible?
I'm coming from a S4 on Verizon and I know big red likes to lock things down. From what I understand, T-Mobile is more "root" friendly. Thanks in advance for the help!
TMOBILE HTC M8 have just one probleme at the moment is the S-OFF , the methode described by firewater doesn't work for him so you will pay 25$ to get the s-off (sunshine app) ; and for unrouting ,locking , and back to s-on it's verry easy when you are s-off for assistance reasons there is a lot of explanations in this forum :fingers-crossed:
spybit2008 said:
TMOBILE HTC M8 have just one probleme at the moment is the S-OFF , the methode described by firewater doesn't work for him so you will pay 25$ to get the s-off (sunshine app) ; and for unrouting ,locking , and back to s-on it's verry easy when you are s-off for assistance reasons there is a lot of explanations in this forum :fingers-crossed:
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Yeah, I did come across that post. I don't mind paying $25 if that goes me going.
ned4spd8874 said:
It's looking like I'm going to be getting the M8 from T-Mobile this weekend! I usually root my phones and would appreciate some clerification before I make the purchase.
I'd like to unlock the bootloader and install a custom rom, most likely Cyanogenmod. It sounds like it should be something that I could do without too much issues. Just looking for verification.
Also, I've had instances where I've broken or had other issues with my phones and have had to have them replaced. I usually get the insurance due to my increased chances of something happening to the phone. So, how easy is it to unroot to send back for replacement? I read that it might not be possible?
I'm coming from a S4 on Verizon and I know big red likes to lock things down. From what I understand, T-Mobile is more "root" friendly. Thanks in advance for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far on mine, I have unlocked the bootloader through HTCDEV (which is free), installed TWRP, achieved S-Off through Sunshine (didn't even try firewater) flashed the GPE RUU for full Google Play Edition conversion (pretty cool to be able to do this), decided to go back to sense (which took some work). I am no developer, but I can follow directions pretty well and I am pretty comfortable with Terminal on my Mac. The most challenging part was reverting back to sense as it had a lot of steps. I'd say all of it is pretty easily done. The only thing I haven't tried to do is set S-On and reset the factory lock on the bootloader so it doesn't advertise that its been relocked. I have no reason to do this yet.
I personally think the relocked thing is a little ridiculous if you don't want us to unlock the boot loader why do they make it so easy hey at least there not as bad as Samsung
sent from my m8 gpe
So I got my M8 yesterday and am wondering how long I can hold off rooting it. I usually like to wait a little bit to make sure the phone is okay before going through the process. One thing the sales guy told me that I found interesting is that they unlock the phone once it's paid for. So, if I unlock it using the methods found here, that should still be okay, correct?
I have M8 through Verizon. Waiting for OTA Marshmallow. Can I just root the phone and turn it into a GPE running Android 6.0? And is this the right download?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/devdb/project/?id=11904#downloads
I read quite a bit here also: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2744194
I just don't want "unforseen consequences"
Any help is appreciated
Adroid version: 5.0.1
Software number: 4.17.605.9
Verizon Phone
Should be fine. Read the ROM thread for requirements, instructions etc.: http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/development/rom-vzw-stock-gpe-5-1-lmy47o-h9-t3212413
Although I think the VZN version is a bit funky, as they don't allow "official" bootloader unlock, and you will need to root (or temp root) and s-off by sunshine in order to unlock the bootloader.
Verizon specific forum section is here (if you didn't already know): [URL="http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/development"]http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-htc-one-m8/development[/URL]
I suggest reading up and making sure you fully understand, before starting the process.
So I have to pay 25 dollars to use sunshine then?
thecuddy said:
So I have to pay 25 dollars to use sunshine then?
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Click to collapse
Yes. It's the only way with Verizon phones. Well, that or a java card. You might be able to find someone who has one who'd be willing to S-OFF it for you. There are several people who frequent this forum who have one. If you're lucky, maybe one of them lives near you. Otherwise, it would involve sending the phone to him or her.
This is my first post in xda, sorry for the bad English.:silly:
As I tried the solution on the web of how to s-off HTC One M8, none of them worked . Can any one who successfully s-off M8 tell me how to do it?
Phone details:
Bootloader(Hboot) version:3.19.0.0000
Android version:6.0
NathanLee302 said:
As I tried the solution on the web of how to s-off HTC One M8, none of them worked . Can any one who successfully s-off M8 tell me how to do it?
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Click to collapse
It's difficult to answer that question, as you offer no information on what methods you tried to s-off. Or what the specific outcomes, error messages, etc.
If you tried firewater, you are wasting your time. Firewater requires an online server component, that the developers took offline over 3 years ago. Nothing you do can make firewater to work. Most folks try to use firewater, as they don't want to pay for sunshine. Sunshine is basically the only method that will work ($25 USD for a license to use sunshine). Sunshine requires a stock, or near-stock ROM to work.
There is also something called a javacard which can be used to s-off. But javacard costs something like $150, so not really a good alternative unless you can find a local repair shop or other person that has one (and charge you a fee to s-off with the javacard).
More importantly, why do you think you need/want to s-off this device? S-off is not needed for most modifications to the phone. You do not need s-off to unlock the bootloader (Verizon version excepted), custom recovery, root, custom ROMs, custom kernels.
You only need s-off for a few specific things, like changing the phone's CID/MID to change the version/region, manually flash hboot, radios, etc.
redpoint73 said:
It's difficult to answer that question, as you offer no information on what methods you tried to s-off. Or what the specific outcomes, error messages, etc.
If you tried firewater, you are wasting your time. Firewater requires an online server component, that the developers took offline over 3 years ago. Nothing you do can make firewater to work. Most folks try to use firewater, as they don't want to pay for sunshine. Sunshine is basically the only method that will work ($25 USD for a license to use sunshine). Sunshine requires a stock, or near-stock ROM to work.
There is also something called a javacard which can be used to s-off. But javacard costs something like $150, so not really a good alternative unless you can find a local repair shop or other person that has one (and charge you a fee to s-off with the javacard).
More importantly, why do you think you need/want to s-off this device? S-off is not needed for most modifications to the phone. You do not need s-off to unlock the bootloader (Verizon version excepted), custom recovery, root, custom ROMs, custom kernels.
You only need s-off for a few specific things, like changing the phone's CID/MID to change the version/region, manually flash hboot, radios, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wanted to s-off my HTC phone because I wanted to hide the red text of the "unlocked boot loader" text
Does anyone have some way else to hide it from the boot loader?
NathanLee302 said:
I wanted to s-off my HTC phone because I wanted to hide the red text of the "unlocked boot loader" text
Does anyone have some way else to hide it from the boot loader?
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Click to collapse
S-off is the only way, since hboot is a "protected" partition, and therefore can't be modified while s-on by definition.
And again, sunshine is really the only way to s-off. So your choice is either to just live with the red text, of spend the $25 for sunshine.
The other possibility is if you have any reason to believe the phone was made s-off by sunshine in the past (such as the phone is previously owned, and some evidence of modifications). If that is the case, you can install the sunshine app, and s-off it again (without paying again). The sunshine license is associated with the device, and does not expire. So you can use it again and again, if it was paid for previously. I don't know if you tried this, or any reason to believe a previous owner used sunshine. Since again, you give no details regarding the device, or what specific s-off methods you tried already.
Otherwise, just live with the red text. As most folks are not going to find it worthwhile to spend $25 just to remove the red text. To be honest, I have s-off, and never even bothered to remove the red text. Just a personal preference. But I don't see the big deal with having the red text.
Still not exist free method?