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Ok, so I have recently switched to a HTC One M8 and I am puzzled by a few things regarding unlocking the bootloader and flashing ROMs. Coming from a Samsung Galaxy s4 I have never really needed to worry about unlocking my bootloader. I have looked up on the subject and have found that with unlocking the bootloader using HTCdev you have to flash boot.img everytime after flasing a ROM on the HTC One. Does this also apply to the HTC One m8 ? If so does anybody have a better means of unlocking the bootloader without needing to do this after every ROM flash.
JJGLive said:
Ok, so I have recently switched to a HTC One M8 and I am puzzled by a few things regarding unlocking the bootloader and flashing ROMs. Coming from a Samsung Galaxy s4 I have never really needed to worry about unlocking my bootloader. I have looked up on the subject and have found that with unlocking the bootloader using HTCdev you have to flash boot.img everytime after flasing a ROM on the HTC One. Does this also apply to the HTC One m8 ? If so does anybody have a better means of unlocking the bootloader without needing to do this after every ROM flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to replace hboot unless you want to get rid of certain firmware messages, like the tampered flag. Unless you are sending your phone in for warranty work, you won't likely care about it, since you only see it in fastboot/hboot mode. The only thing the token does, besides unlock the boot loader, is remove certain preloaded apps, like the flashlight, which will screw up further OTA updates.
However, I would suggest you look into going S-off, as it makes locking/unlocking the boot loader possible without contacting HTC at all, and without messing up OTA updates. You also gain the freedom to change your CID (if you ever want to convert to stock Developer Edition), SIM unlock, and revert to older firmware if necessary (such as restoring an older RUU to go back to stock) However, S-off is "security off", so there is an increased chance of bricking the phone if you aren't careful.
Ok so what i understand is: To install a custom rom I first have to get s-off, then unlock bootloader, root and install custom recovery and I am good to go? Please help me if I have missed anything.
I am used to flashing a rom every week on my Samsung. This is why I am so worried that I might do something wrong.
Edit: I have also found this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265618 please tell me if it is the correct way to do it.
JJGLive said:
Ok so what i understand is: To install a custom rom I first have to get s-off, then unlock bootloader, root and install custom recovery and I am good to go? Please help me if I have missed anything.
I am used to flashing a rom every week on my Samsung. This is why I am so worried that I might do something wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suggest you use this guide.
Im going to use it this friday to root my phone.
Ok so if I understand correctly now...using that guide I will not need to use htcdev and it will not be neccesary for me to flash boot.img after every rom flash?
JJGLive said:
Ok so what i understand is: To install a custom rom I first have to get s-off, then unlock bootloader, root and install custom recovery and I am good to go? Please help me if I have missed anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not quite. To flash a custom ROM, all you need to do is unlock the bootloader, install custom recovery, and flash a ROM. In addition, I highly recommend you make a nandroid backup before flashing anything
S-off is only needed if you want to avoid the bootloader unlocking method via HTCDev.com (and HTC therefore having a record of you unlocking by IMEI); or to flash hboot, radio, firmware, or a few other things (such as SIM unlock). S-off is not needed to flash a ROM.
One caveat, if your phone presently has older firmware, you will experience some severe bugs on any Sense 2.x based ROM (long boot times, broken WiFi or Bluetooth) and having S-off is required to manually update the firmware. So, while in literal terms, S-off is not needed to flash a ROM. But if the above applies to you, you need s-off to manually update the firmware and get the ROM to work correctly. Alternately, you can OTA to the latest firmware before modding the phone. You will need to list your phone's hboot and present software version for us to tell you what firmware you are on.
Also, its not necessary to root before flashing a custom ROM. You will be rooted after you flash a custom ROM.
JJGLive said:
Edit: I have also found this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2265618 please tell me if it is the correct way to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely not correct. That guide is for the M7. Be careful what device forum section you are in, and stay in the M8 section.
Hell, I feel like a noob again. Ok so no boot.img flash after flashing a rom is needed.
JJGLive said:
Hell, I feel like a noob again. Ok so no boot.img flash after flashing a rom is needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, not needed. Boot.img will flash automatically along with the ROM. Don't assume that anything on the M7 applies to the M8. These things change as the hardware changes, and every device has its own subtle differences.
redpoint73 said:
Nope, not needed. Boot.img will flash automatically along with the ROM. Don't assume that anything on the M7 applies to the M8. These things change as the hardware changes, and every device has its own subtle differences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much...this also applies if I use the htcdev unlock. Still no boot.img then?
JJGLive said:
Thank you so much...this also applies if I use the htcdev unlock. Still no boot.img then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, no need to flash boot.img separately when flashing ROMs, if you unlock the bootloader via HTCDev.com (or by the S-off way).
redpoint73 said:
Correct, no need to flash boot.img separately when flashing ROMs, if you unlock the bootloader via HTCDev.com (or by the S-off way).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much...I feel much more welcome in the htc one m8 thread than I did when I first started on the samsung s4 thread. You have made me feel very welcome!
Thankfully we have freegee for LG OG. Bootloader is really dangerous please keep in mind before you go for any tutorials
Hey gents , I've had a few phones and so far all have been rootable.
I have T-Mobile HTC M9 Android 6.0 Sense 7.0, software number 3.39.531.7, kernel [email protected] #1 , BUILD # 3.39.531.7 CL690290 release keys , Android security patch level 2016-01-01
My observations so far from most posts here and other places , it goes
unlock bootloader from htcdev.com DONE.
downloaded latest supersu and TWRC . followed directions, install TWRC , then I see the S = ON ,
most posts says you need ROOT to install SU and you need S=OFF to do it . and it seems to be a what came first the chicken or the egg situation to me.
tried the sunshine app to turn OFF the S , and it says I need ROOT for that . is rooting this phone still possible ?
EDIT: DID IT, LOOKS LIKE THE BOOTLOADER UNLOCK DID NOT TAKE OR I KILLED IT DURING A RESET ?
ANYWAYS FINALLY ROOTED THIS PHONE.
It sounds like you want:
- an unlocked bootloader
- a custom recovery
- root access
- S-OFF
In order to achieve all that, you basically start from the top of the list and work your way down. Unlock your bootloader from HTCdev, then install TWRP (use a 3.x.x.x version for Android 6 firmware), the flash SuperSU, then run Sunshine to achieve S-OFF.
If root is what you're looking for, skip the whole Sunshine/S-OFF piece. S-OFF is not necessary for custom ROMs or most common tweaking.
To unlock bootloader follow HTCdev website.
Then head to Twrp forum and read the FAQ, that will answer 99% of problems.
Good luck!
I would like to root my M8, it has the latest OTA update from HTC which is Android 6.0. I have the developer edition, from what I've heard, the bootloader is already unlocked right?
I've seen some guides but most of them are outdated or they are meant to be used with Android 4.4.4.
I must say I'm not an expert when talking about phones, so is there a step by step guide to root an M8 with marshmallow? I would really appreciate any help.
The bootloader screen will indicate the bootloader status (LOCKED, UNLOCKED or RELOCKED) near the top of the screen.
In general, the process is:
1) Unlock the bootloader by HTCDev.com (if its not already unlocked).
2) Fastboot flash TWRP 3.0 custom recovery: https://twrp.me/devices/htconem8gsm.html
3) Backup your stock ROM in TWRP - lots of folks have been running into bootloop or no boot after trying to root (but probably usually when trying to use an obsolete version TWRP and/or SuperSU - but it never hurts to be safe and have a backup).
4) In TWRP, flash SuperSU v2.76 to root: https://download.chainfire.eu/969/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.76-20160630161323.zip
redpoint73 said:
The bootloader screen will indicate the bootloader status (LOCKED, UNLOCKED or RELOCKED) near the top of the screen.
In general, the process is:
1) Unlock the bootloader by HTCDev.com (if its not already unlocked).
2) Fastboot flash TWRP 3.0 custom recovery: https://twrp.me/devices/htconem8gsm.html
3) Backup your stock ROM in TWRP - lots of folks have been running into bootloop or no boot after trying to root (but probably usually when trying to use an obsolete version TWRP and/or SuperSU - but it never hurts to be safe and have a backup).
4) In TWRP, flash SuperSU v2.76 to root: https://download.chainfire.eu/969/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.76-20160630161323.zip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer. Just one more question. My bootloader is already unlocked, but it says "S-ON" under "UNLOCKED", will that be a problem?
Sporting123 said:
Thanks for the answer. Just one more question. My bootloader is already unlocked, but it says "S-ON" under "UNLOCKED", will that be a problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, that is just fine. S-on is perfectly okay for most mods, such as root, and flashing ROMs.
You only need s-off to do some very specific things, such as flashing modified hboots, manually flashing radio, changing CID&MID, downgrading by RUU, etc.
I have a simple doubt regarding flashing twrp. Does this means I can flash twrp through adb without getting root access to get root access.I usually root my devices using kingroot,works perfect for my old phone micromax.It also works for my htc one m8 when it was kitkat.But after I update to marshmallow Kingroot doesn't work for it,tried many times.If you could answer my question I would be very thankfull
hriatahriatpuia said:
I have a simple doubt regarding flashing twrp. Does this means I can flash twrp through adb without getting root access to get root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need root to install TWRP, if that is what you mean. You just need an unlocked bootloader.
Thanks a lot,have already unlocked the bootloader.
redpoint73 said:
You don't need root to install TWRP, if that is what you mean. You just need an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've unlocked the bootloader but apparently I need to know which ver of twrp to use for my carrier ....no idea what to do there so I can't just flash the latest SuperSU from here? and how do I back up my stuff in case I mess up? Please help me i'm lost here
Hmz27 said:
I've unlocked the bootloader but apparently I need to know which ver of twrp to use for my carrier ....no idea what to do there so I can't just flash the latest SuperSU from here? and how do I back up my stuff in case I mess up? Please help me i'm lost here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what carrier ? if you are on gsm just flash TWRP 3.0.2-0 from official website
https://twrp.me/devices/htconem8gsm.html
after you flash TWRP recovery you will find option to backup it's too easy to understand how it works ( just check the partitions you want to backup and confirm your choices by sweep to proceed the process )
after you make a backup flash the latest supersu.zip from here ( choose TWRP installable.zip )
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/stable-2016-09-01supersu-v2-78-release-t3452703
Hmz27 said:
I've unlocked the bootloader but apparently I need to know which ver of twrp to use for my carrier ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you're looking at some really outdated info or guide. TWRP hasn't been carrier specific for about 2 years; with Verizon and Sprint being the only ones you had to look out for. But TWRP was unified long ago (so Sprint/Verizon no longer requires a different TWRP version). You'll see from ahmed's link, that it specifies "All variants" of the M8. The exception would be if you have an M8s; and maybe another oddball variant or two (which are really different hardware). But as long as its a true "M8" the TWRP version linked by ahmed will work.
If you have any doubts or concerns about the M8 version, connect the phone to your computer, reboot to fastboot mode and do command fastboot getvar all and post the results so we can take a look (delete IMEI and serial number before posting).
Hmz27 said:
no idea what to do there so I can't just flash the latest SuperSU from here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't flash SuperSU without first flashing TWRP. Why would threads/guides tell you to do something that isn't necessary, if you can just skip it?
Simply put, you can only flash official "signed" files from the stock recovery. You need a custom recovery like TWRP to flash SuperSU.
Hmz27 said:
and how do I back up my stuff in case I mess up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you install TWRP, you can use it to create a backup of your stock unrooted ROM and user data. And its highly recommended to do so, before you flash SuperSU. Not only will this give you an easy way to revert/recover if something goes wrong with the root attempt; but you will also have a backup of your stock, unrooted ROM if you ever want it.
There are other ways to backup your data, but that depends on what "stuff" you are talking about (as that vague description doesn't tell us what you actually want to backup). For instance, for files, photos, etc. you can just copy and paste them to your computer as a backup.
Hello , I'm new to the whole thing guy and I want to unlock my bootloader in order to install custom rom , I looked in the fourm and I'v found an old method with all in one tool kit but I don't think it will work on my android version 6.0 would someone kindly guide me and tell me what do I need to do ? thanks .
Monzer_ said:
Hello , I'm new to the whole thing guy and I want to unlock my bootloader in order to install custom rom , I looked in the fourm and I'v found an old method with all in one tool kit but I don't think it will work on my android version 6.0 would someone kindly guide me and tell me what do I need to do ? thanks .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the method is firewater, it no longer works.
fireguy85 said:
If the method is firewater, it no longer works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what are you talking about since I'm new to the whole thing I believe that firewater has something to do with S-off which is something I couldn't do because all the guides says download firewater and the links takes me to sunshine which i believe cost me money to do ? sorry correct me if I'm wrong but I'm just a newbie beside I don't need s-off right ? what does that have to do with my problem ?
Monzer_ said:
I'm not sure what are you talking about since I'm new to the whole thing I believe that firewater has something to do with S-off which is something I couldn't do because all the guides says download firewater and the links takes me to sunshine which i believe cost me money to do ? sorry correct me if I'm wrong but I'm just a newbie beside I don't need s-off right ? what does that have to do with my problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firewater was an all-in-one kit used to unlock bootloader and achieve s-off. The guys that created this went on to create Sunshine, leaving firewater project behind, so any guides from 2014 are likely obsolete. Unlocking the bootloader is as simple as going to htcdev.com, making an account and following the instructions there-it's super easy. S-off isn't necessary for most.
fireguy85 said:
If the method is firewater, it no longer works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fireguy85 said:
Firewater was an all-in-one kit used to unlock bootloader and achieve s-off. The guys that created this went on to create Sunshine, leaving firewater project behind, so any guides from 2014 are likely obsolete. Unlocking the bootloader is as simple as going to htcdev.com, making an account and following the instructions there-it's super easy. S-off isn't necessary for most.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes that what I have done exactly I'v unlocked the bootloader this way then used the all in one kit to root but then couldn't s-off as the guide I was following said download firewater and the links take me to sunshine . I don't know much further have not tried sunshine yet and now my rom seems ok after I re-flashed it awesome rom btw still little curious about s-rom but this one will do just fine I'v been using stock for ages .
Monzer_ said:
yes that what I have done exactly I'v unlocked the bootloader this way then used the all in one kit to root but then couldn't s-off as the guide I was following said download firewater and the links take me to sunshine . I don't know much further have not tried sunshine yet and now my rom seems ok after I re-flashed it awesome rom btw still little curious about s-rom but this one will do just fine I'v been using stock for ages .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firewater and the AIO (all-in-one) toolkit are 2 different things. Firewater is an (obsolete) s-off method. May have also contained a temp root, and some other things (can't remember exactly, it's been 2 years - and doesn't matter anyway - see more below). But firewater is not typically referred to as a "toolkit" or "all-in-one" (never seen it referred to that way, actually).
All-in-one toolkit (there are a couple) is a PC for unlocking the bootloader, root, and several other things (may have had a link for firewater, don't remember - again it's irrelevant for reasons below).
The toolkits are not recommended. They haven't been updated in a long time, and therefore use very obsolete files for TWRP and SuperSU (when applicable). You will have issues flashing many ROMs with old TWRP (and I'm surprised you haven't yet). Plus, you will probably find in bootloader and fastboot getvar, that the OS number is now blank (known bug in old versions of TWRP). I would suggest flashing the current version TWRP 3.1.1 using fastboot, to prevent issues moving forward. Current TWRP is fully compatible with current ROMs - but will not fix the bug of OS number being blank (need to flash firmware or RUU to fix that - but it's just a minor thing).
Firewater doesn't work, no matter what you do. It required an online server component, which the devs took offline over 2 years ago. Sunshine ($25 US) is the only current s-off method. But be aware, that most folks don't need s-off. S-off isn't needed to root, flash custom ROMs, and most other mods. s-off is only needed for very specific things, such as manually flashing radios, changing CID/MID, and some other things.
redpoint73 thank you so much for such a help truly gentleman much appreciate it .
It appears you can no longer use the usual method to unlock the bootloader. I just got this phone the other day in fantastic condition as a gift.
HTCDev told me there was an error or try again later. I'll upload screenshots later.
Not true... I used www.htcdev.com to unlock the bootloader of my HTC One M8 today.
I have this phone, with Android 6.0 and bootloader locked. However it has become practically unusable as it regularly powers off by itself, most likely due to lack of storage (there's only 0.6 GB left...). I've already uninstalled all of my few (useful) apps, I have no media on it whatsoever, but it is just filled up with bloatware that is pre-installed and gets re-installed automatically and that I thus cannot get rid of. I don't want to buy a new phone (it's in good condition) but from reading on the internet I understand that the only option is to unlock and root it, and put an oem on it exempt of all of these useless apps.
So my questions are, is this really the only option and if so is it still possible on this old machine to unlock the bootloader, and to get the right - clean - software for it somewhere?
I registered at HtC dev. There's a page that walks you through the unlocking process. So I should be able to do that part, if what FlexMcMurphy said in July last year still is true... For the rest, I'm quite new to this process but there are pages here on XDA that describe rooting and flashing. I'm ready to give it a try, but could use help if stuck.
Any reply/help would be wonderful !
Thank you in advance.
Judith
Hi!
I've bought used HTC10 on ebay. Seller says that it was S-OFFed, unlocked via Sunshine and has TWRP 3.0.2-6 installed.
The phone is not rooted.
At the moment:
OTA is returning "Can't update software" message.
Android PAY says "unable to verify that your device or the software is compatible"
My understanding is that in order to fix these, I would need to replace TWRP with stock recovery, relock and s-on. Am I right? Could you please point me to the right guides?
Thanks in advance!
hniu said:
Hi!
I've bought used HTC10 on ebay. Seller says that it was S-OFFed, unlocked via Sunshine and has TWRP 3.0.2-6 installed.
The phone is not rooted.
At the moment:
OTA is returning "Can't update software" message.
Android PAY says "unable to verify that your device or the software is compatible"
My understanding is that in order to fix these, I would need to replace TWRP with stock recovery, relock and s-on. Am I right? Could you please point me to the right guides?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the best you can do is check the cid, then flash the ruu, after that use sunshine to lock it/s-on
may be you can also change the cid and flash whatever firmware you want (except jap ver, and cross flash for us/international)
there are a lot of guides, but most of them give you the same result
DummyPLUG said:
I think the best you can do is check the cid, then flash the ruu, after that use sunshine to lock it/s-on
may be you can also change the cid and flash whatever firmware you want (except jap ver, and cross flash for us/international)
there are a lot of guides, but most of them give you the same result
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
The CID is "HTC__01 WWE".
Do I need to flash RUU or TWRP Backup / Stock recovery or all of them? The phone is running stock ROM and is unrooted.
Also do I need to buy Sunshine for unlock/s-off or is there a cheaper way?
I will suggest do a TWRP backup first, then flash RUU, in case of anything goes wrong
may be you will want to change cid and flash your regional firmware because volte and language setting are carries/region specific
sunshine can be reuse on the same phone, just go to download the latest version then you are good to go.
http://theroot.ninja/download.html
hniu said:
Hi!
I've bought used HTC10 on ebay. Seller says that it was S-OFFed, unlocked via Sunshine and has TWRP 3.0.2-6 installed.
The phone is not rooted.
At the moment:
OTA is returning "Can't update software" message.
Android PAY says "unable to verify that your device or the software is compatible"
My understanding is that in order to fix these, I would need to replace TWRP with stock recovery, relock and s-on. Am I right? Could you please point me to the right guides?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If TWRP is installed, then you can root it w/SuperSU.
If it is S-off, you can flash the firmware updates easily yourself; there are guides and an automated tool.
Android Pay doesn't like unlocked bootloaders and root; there may be workarounds for this but be prepared for endless cat-and-mouse if you really want that app (personally, I'll just keep my phone the way I want it and since they don't trust their app to run on a rooted phone, then I don't trust it either.)
Having said all that, any device I get, I completely wipe/reinstall (run RUU in this case) since it really is in an unknown state...especially an S-off phone from eBay.
Rolo42 said:
If TWRP is installed, then you can root it w/SuperSU.
If it is S-off, you can flash the firmware updates easily yourself; there are guides and an automated tool.
Android Pay doesn't like unlocked bootloaders and root; there may be workarounds for this but be prepared for endless cat-and-mouse if you really want that app (personally, I'll just keep my phone the way I want it and since they don't trust their app to run on a rooted phone, then I don't trust it either.)
Having said all that, any device I get, I completely wipe/reinstall (run RUU in this case) since it really is in an unknown state...especially an S-off phone from eBay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
I've flashed RUU zip using the guide from theunlockr.com. Everything worked as it should. Bootloader is still unlocked (with S-off), but that's shouldn't be a problem, as OTA and android pay are now working fine. I might use it in the future to install CM14 when it comes out.
I try to unlock my device many times and everytime i failed
I bought it used
And shows "relocked"
And I don't know what i do
Someone says i need to s-off !!
I need someone to help me from start to the end please :crying:
zeuskrap said:
I try to unlock my device many times and everytime i failed
I bought it used
And shows "relocked"
And I don't know what i do
Someone says i need to s-off !!
I need someone to help me from start to the end please :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You want to unlock your bootloader or sim unlock ? Be more specific please. S-OFF I needed to flash firmware,radio and some audio mods. Maybe u can do it here http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader/ or to ask the owner to send you unlock_token file.
mefistoreyon said:
You want to unlock your bootloader or sim unlock ? Be more specific please. S-OFF I needed to flash firmware,radio and some audio mods. Maybe u can do it here http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader/ or to ask the owner to send you unlock_token file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i need to unlock my bootloader but it show
s-on
and relocked
zeuskrap said:
I try to unlock my device many times and everytime i failed
Someone says i need to s-off !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're a bit confused. Based on your other posts, I don't think anyone really told you that you "need s-off to unlock the bootloader" ( as that statement is not completely true - so hold on and I'll explain why). Rather, you are incorrectly trying the following method to unlock the bootloader, and this particular method requires s-off:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2708571
The method above clearly requires s-off. This is an absolute truism, and no amount of trying it over and over is going to work. However, this is not the only method to unlock the bootloader.
You've already been advised, that you can unlock the bootloader s-on using the HTCDev.com unlock process. Again, this works perfectly fine when s-on. If you need further guidance, the following thread includes very good instructions.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/general/vomerguides-m8-bootldr-unlock-s-off-t2800727
But note that the guide is quite a bit outdated. The portion about unlocking the bootloader is still relevant, and therefore still a really good guide. But once you get past that point, you will need to note the following:
a) When you go to install TWRP custom recovery, you should install the current version 3.1 from here (don't use the TWRP version linked in the guide - it's outdated and will cause problems.
b) If you intend to root the current ROM, you will want to use the current stable version 2.79 (link in the guide automatically goes to the latest stable SuperSU version, so you are okay there.\
c) The remainder of the guide (S-off, SuperCID) isn't necessary for most purposes, such as root, custom ROMs, etc. But it should be noted that the s-off method referenced (firewater) not longer works, and not amount of trying will make it work (sunshine is the only valid s-off method, and costs $25 US).
If you have any other issues or questions about the process, post the specific questions to this thread, and folks will be happy to try to help.