Hey guys, I'm interested in buying an htc m8 but I DO NOT want to buy a locked phone with a locked bootloader. So quick simple question, if i provide this amazon link, will you guys tell me if this will have an unlocked bootloader? There's no mention of it on the site or description, so I figured you guys might know.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...de_a_smtd&showDetailTechData=1#technical-data
ATalkingRock said:
Hey guys, I'm interested in buying an htc m8 but I DO NOT want to buy a locked phone with a locked bootloader. So quick simple question, if i provide this amazon link, will you guys tell me if this will have an unlocked bootloader? There's no mention of it on the site or description, so I figured you guys might know.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...de_a_smtd&showDetailTechData=1#technical-data
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I don't see any information about bootloader there. It's probably locked if it has warranty
Saleen28 said:
I don't see any information about bootloader there. It's probably locked if it has warranty
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Darn the price was very tempting. =\ find it difficult to find one that has an unlocked boot loader except maybe the one from htc themselves. The T-Mobile ones can be unlocked can they?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ATalkingRock said:
Darn the price was very tempting. =\ find it difficult to find one that has an unlocked boot loader except maybe the one from htc themselves. The T-Mobile ones can be unlocked can they?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Dev edition has it unlocked by default.
I think they should be unlockable as there is this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2725099
Some links are probably outdated, like twrp, since I remember few threads asking about bootloader unlock and they were directed to this one but with info that some things are outdated
Even the ones with locked bootloaders (excepting Verizon's) are easily unlockable through HTCdev. If you luck out and get one with KitKat, you can skip that step and use Sunshine to S-off as well as unlock the bootloader.
jshamlet said:
Even the ones with locked bootloaders (excepting Verizon's) are easily unlockable through HTCdev. If you luck out and get one with KitKat, you can skip that step and use Sunshine to S-off as well as unlock the bootloader.
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Sorry, I've never heard of this. Other carrier HTC m8's can be unlock the booloader on the htc site without any issues? I've also never heard of S-off is that something which is mandatory if i plan on rooting/flashing roms?
ATalkingRock said:
Sorry, I've never heard of this. Other carrier HTC m8's can be unlock the booloader on the htc site without any issues? I've also never heard of S-off is that something which is mandatory if i plan on rooting/flashing roms?
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For most people who just want to run alternate ROMs, unlocking the bootloader is sufficient. However, HTCdev does respect carrier wishes, and not all carriers permit their phones to be unlocked. If you get a phone directly from HTC, or really from anyone other than a carrier, it will definitely be unlockable, though.
S-off isn't a requirement to flash ROMs or root - it is only a requirement if you want to manually update firmware, change the CID/MID (change to a different carrier branded ROM), or revert to an older version of firmware/software. Depending on your carrier, and which ROM you want to run, it often becomes a practical requirement because the only way to update the firmware is typically through an OTA or RUU, both of which are carrier restricted unless you are S-off. Attempting to run a ROM designed for Lollipop firmware on a phone with KitKat firmware often results in problems like slow bootup, no WiFi, etc.
jshamlet said:
For most people who just want to run alternate ROMs, unlocking the bootloader is sufficient. However, HTCdev does respect carrier wishes, and not all carriers permit their phones to be unlocked. If you get a phone directly from HTC, or really from anyone other than a carrier, it will definitely be unlockable, though.
S-off isn't a requirement to flash ROMs or root - it is only a requirement if you want to manually update firmware, change the CID/MID (change to a different carrier branded ROM), or revert to an older version of firmware/software. Depending on your carrier, and which ROM you want to run, it often becomes a practical requirement because the only way to update the firmware is typically through an OTA or RUU, both of which are carrier restricted unless you are S-off. Attempting to run a ROM designed for Lollipop firmware on a phone with KitKat firmware often results in problems like slow bootup, no WiFi, etc.
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So i definitely want to run roms like on the original htc m8 android development threads which I would assume requires S-off because they aren't in respective carrier subforums. So assuming I buy a sprint/tmobile htc m8, the chances of being able to unlock bootlolader along with s-off are high?
Yeah I have the sprint HTC One m8 and it was running lollipop and I successfully unlocked my bootloader using HTCDev, then rooted and s-offed using sunshine and I couldn't be happier! Keep in mine sunshine costs 25 dollars but it is well worth it
ATalkingRock said:
So i definitely want to run roms like on the original htc m8 android development threads which I would assume requires S-off because they aren't in respective carrier subforums. So assuming I buy a sprint/tmobile htc m8, the chances of being able to unlock bootlolader along with s-off are high?
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Sprint and T-mobile are two different ball games. Sprint is CDMA, which means you really have to run a ROM designed for their network. Not all ROMs will run on a Sprint (and similarly, Verizon) device because of it. Also, a CDMA phone may support LTE data on a GSM network, but it will not have voice support. Going the other way isn't even an option, as Sprint only allows approved devices on its network, period. Keep that in mind.
T-mobile runs a GSM network, so as long as your firmware/radio supports all of the right frequencies, it will work just fine.
I will say that if you intend to do much carrier hopping, or plan on taking a device between carriers, you will want to S-off. Yes, it's $25, but that will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. If you are S-off, you can alter the CID/MID of your phone, at which point you can update the firmware and radio to match the carrier you want to use. Then load a custom ROM on top of that.
Finally, S-off and bootloader unlock do not affect the SIM lock at all. That is controlled by the radio, so you will still need to deal with unlock codes. As far as I know, the T-mobile M8 still uses standard subsidy unlock codes, while the newer M9 uses their new "unlock app".
jshamlet said:
Sprint and T-mobile are two different ball games. Sprint is CDMA, which means you really have to run a ROM designed for their network. Not all ROMs will run on a Sprint (and similarly, Verizon) device because of it. Also, a CDMA phone may support LTE data on a GSM network, but it will not have voice support. Going the other way isn't even an option, as Sprint only allows approved devices on its network, period. Keep that in mind.
T-mobile runs a GSM network, so as long as your firmware/radio supports all of the right frequencies, it will work just fine.
I will say that if you intend to do much carrier hopping, or plan on taking a device between carriers, you will want to S-off. Yes, it's $25, but that will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. If you are S-off, you can alter the CID/MID of your phone, at which point you can update the firmware and radio to match the carrier you want to use. Then load a custom ROM on top of that.
Finally, S-off and bootloader unlock do not affect the SIM lock at all. That is controlled by the radio, so you will still need to deal with unlock codes. As far as I know, the T-mobile M8 still uses standard subsidy unlock codes, while the newer M9 uses their new "unlock app".
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So which do you feel would be wiser? Tmobile/sprint? I'm assuming the roms in the original android development subforum are compatible with these phones? For example blisspop.
ATalkingRock said:
So which do you feel would be wiser? Tmobile/sprint? I'm assuming the roms in the original android development subforum are compatible with these phones? For example blisspop.
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I would advise to stay far away from the Sprint version unless you happen to be using Sprint as your carrier.
The reason being, is that the M8 versions that support CDMA (Sprint, Verizon) actually have different hardware from all other versions. Aside from Sprint, Verizon the dual SIM version, all other M8 versions are the same in hardware, and enjoy much more ROM support, as well as the fact that radio firmware is cross-compatible (with s-off).
The same can't be said for the Sprint version, you can only flash ROMs and radio meant for this version (or maybe Verizon also, but that still doesn't give you many more choices compared to the "GSM" M8).
To my knowledge, the US Developer's Edition is the only version that comes from the factory with an unlocked bootloader (which is a direct from HTC version, as you mentioned). And that version is not too common, and probably comes at a hefty price.
Unlocking the bootloader is a simple matter (for all variants except Verizon, which shouldn't be on the list for the above discussed reasons). So I wouldn't make that much of a consideration when making the purchase choice. I would focus more on SIM unlock. But even that can usually be done by using a paid online service for less than $10 US.
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ATalkingRock said:
So i definitely want to run roms like on the original htc m8 android development threads which I would assume requires S-off because they aren't in respective carrier subforums.
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That would be an incorrect assumption. Development sections that are not carrier specific will usually be compatible with any "GSM" version of the M8 (but may also support Sprint/Verizon if explicitly noted in the thread).
S-off or s-on is not a requirement for any ROM. Your phone often needs to have updated firmware and/or hboot. But that can be done without s-off.
However, if you need to change the frequency band support (to match what you carrier is using) than you need s-off.
redpoint73 said:
I would advise to stay far away from the Sprint version unless you happen to be using Sprint as your carrier.
The reason being, is that the M8 versions that support CDMA (Sprint, Verizon) actually have different hardware from all other versions. Aside from Sprint, Verizon the dual SIM version, all other M8 versions are the same in hardware, and enjoy much more ROM support, as well as the fact that radio firmware is cross-compatible (with s-off).
The same can't be said for the Sprint version, you can only flash ROMs and radio meant for this version (or maybe Verizon also, but that still doesn't give you many more choices compared to the "GSM" M8).
To my knowledge, the US Developer's Edition is the only version that comes from the factory with an unlocked bootloader (which is a direct from HTC version, as you mentioned). And that version is not too common, and probably comes at a hefty price.
Unlocking the bootloader is a simple matter (for all variants except Verizon, which shouldn't be on the list for the above discussed reasons). So I wouldn't make that much of a consideration when making the purchase choice. I would focus more on SIM unlock. But even that can usually be done by using a paid online service for less than $10 US.
---------- Post added at 11:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 AM ----------
That would be an incorrect assumption. Development sections that are not carrier specific will usually be compatible with any "GSM" version of the M8 (but may also support Sprint/Verizon if explicitly noted in the thread).
S-off or s-on is not a requirement for any ROM. Your phone often needs to have updated firmware and/or hboot. But that can be done without s-off.
However, if you need to change the frequency band support (to match what you carrier is using) than you need s-off.
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Hello there !
Just a question .
I'm planning to buy m8 from here : http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/htc-one-m8-16gb-htc-ultrapixel-camera-4g-lte-gunmetal-gray-6793327/i/
I think this one is the International version (I not sure, but in UAE almost all phones are international verions (like qualcomm based samsung etc..)
I think this phone will have bootloader locked and S-ON by default .
I'm aware that bootloader will be unlockable from htc-dev, but what about s-off ????
If I want to install cm12 or the GPE Rom, then can it be done while phone is s-on ????
ALso what's the buzz about phone coming pre-installed with kitkat or lollipop ??? what difference does it make on rooting/unlocking/s-ff process ???
My comment below in red font:
The "A" Factor said:
I'm planning to buy m8 from here : http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/htc-one-m8-16gb-htc-ultrapixel-camera-4g-lte-gunmetal-gray-6793327/i/
I think this one is the International version (I not sure, but in UAE almost all phones are international verions (like qualcomm based samsung etc..) There is virtually no information regarding the phone specs in this listing. At a minimum, I'd verify with the seller before buying: what variant (CID, MID), specific frequency support (GSM, HSPA and LTE) for this version, and if SIM-unlocked.
I think this phone will have bootloader locked and S-ON by default . Almost certainly bootloader locked and s-on. Factory s-off is rare, but it does happen.
I'm aware that bootloader will be unlockable from htc-dev, but what about s-off ???? If desired, s-off by sunshine ($25 US): http://theroot.ninja/
If I want to install cm12 or the GPE Rom, then can it be done while phone is s-on ???? Yes. At most you may need to update hboot and/or firmware by "official" means before modding the phone, and you can do that with s-on.
ALso what's the buzz about phone coming pre-installed with kitkat or lollipop ??? what difference does it make on rooting/unlocking/s-ff process ??? Doesn't matter much to unlocking bootloader, rooting, and s-off.
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redpoint73 said:
My comment below in red font:
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Thanks for the prompt reply !
You deserve that Recong. Contributor tag !!!!
BTW can the GPE version be installed on the GSM variant (not carrier specific) with S-ON ????
The "A" Factor said:
BTW can the GPE version be installed on the GSM variant (not carrier specific) with S-ON ????
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Yes, with s-on you can flash GPE based custom ROMs that support the GSM M8.
Some folks like to "fully convert" to GPE by RUU, which does require s-off. But the only reasons to do this are to get official GPE updates; and to get the GPE partition scheme (smaller system or "ROM" partition means you get more user-accessible storage). But aside from those aspects, just flashing a GPE ROM will get you the full GPE experience.
The "A" Factor said:
Thanks for the prompt reply !
You deserve that Recong. Contributor tag !!!!
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You are quite welcome. Please click the "Thanks" button for any posts you found helpful.
redpoint73 said:
Yes, with s-on you can flash GPE based custom ROMs that support the GSM M8.
Some folks like to "fully convert" to GPE by RUU, which does require s-off. But the only reasons to do this are to get official GPE updates; and to get the GPE partition scheme (smaller system or "ROM" partition means you get more user-accessible storage). But aside from those aspects, just flashing a GPE ROM will get you the full GPE experience.
.
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That's awesome ... Many posts on this forum were misleading, I almost came to conclusion that s-Off is required to flash custom rom ... with s-on only the stock based custom roms can be flashed ...
Does the IR Blaster work with cm or other aosp roms ?????
Also what's your opinion on M8 vs G3 (3gb ram) , apart from cosmetic differences .
The "A" Factor said:
Does the IR Blaster work with cm or other aosp roms ?????
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I'm not a user of AOSP ROMs on this phone; so I don't know. You'll have to check the ROM threads for more info; unless another user chimes in on this here.
The "A" Factor said:
Also what's your opinion on M8 vs G3 (3gb ram) , apart from cosmetic differences .
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I've never been a big fan of LG devices. The plastic back is still a turnoff to me.
I've seen some folks post on here of switching from the G3 to the M8, and much preferring the M8. While I haven't seen any folks that have claimed the opposite; but maybe you'd need to go to the G3 forum section to read something like that!
redpoint73 said:
I'm not a user of AOSP ROMs on this phone; so I don't know. You'll have to check the ROM threads for more info; unless another user chimes in on this here.
I've never been a big fan of LG devices. The plastic back is still a turnoff to me.
I've seen some folks post on here of switching from the G3 to the M8, and much preferring the M8. While I haven't seen any folks that have claimed the opposite; but maybe you'd need to go to the G3 forum section to read something like that!
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Cool ... Thanks for your input !
I was just planning to buy a 801 based device for a long run ... I'm currently on Moto G (first Gen.) and this experience is pretty awesome .... It has lot's of development (all the rom are available) and also official Rom updates are regular . I some times wonder why m8 has so many problems in lollipop cm/aosp rom's ... Moto g had stable Rom's since January and M8 is still struggling to get a perfect stable Rom (battery,wifi/blutooth,speaker sound problems,no ambient display) .
jshamlet said:
Sprint and T-mobile are two different ball games. Sprint is CDMA, which means you really have to run a ROM designed for their network. Not all ROMs will run on a Sprint (and similarly, Verizon) device because of it. Also, a CDMA phone may support LTE data on a GSM network, but it will not have voice support. Going the other way isn't even an option, as Sprint only allows approved devices on its network, period. Keep that in mind.
T-mobile runs a GSM network, so as long as your firmware/radio supports all of the right frequencies, it will work just fine.
I will say that if you intend to do much carrier hopping, or plan on taking a device between carriers, you will want to S-off. Yes, it's $25, but that will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. If you are S-off, you can alter the CID/MID of your phone, at which point you can update the firmware and radio to match the carrier you want to use. Then load a custom ROM on top of that.
Finally, S-off and bootloader unlock do not affect the SIM lock at all. That is controlled by the radio, so you will still need to deal with unlock codes. As far as I know, the T-mobile M8 still uses standard subsidy unlock codes, while the newer M9 uses their new "unlock app".
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Alright so a little bit of an update. I've got my phone on a carrier which I'll use as a daily driver, however I'd like to purchase the htc one m8 as somewhat of a wifi device only rather than one used on carrier LTE data. With this being said, you'd still recommend tmobile? Also if i look on ebay for unlocked tmobile phones alot of them say bad ESN or bad IMEI is this necessarily bad?
Hello guys, my father bought used M9, was rooted and ****s, he gave him to some local "expert" to make it back to stock, but the idiot ****ed it up. He flashed something and the SIM CARD and the WIFI wasn't working, also had no IMEI. I used adb and checked the device IMEI, checked it online and found out it was SPRINT phone. Managed to flash some rooted Sprint RUUs, got the latest OTA updates but the problem is the SIM Card is not working - SIMLOCK enabled for european SIM Carrier, also there is something called Hands Free activation ?! So my question is how to make the device working again with EU Carrier (bulgarian sim cards). I managed to change the CID to SUPERCID, have boot loader unlocked, latest version of sprint installed. I need your ideas and probably a lot of your help to do this, thanks in advance (my father prefers some stock eu version, but he will use it with any ROM with working sim card)
CDMA (Sprint) devices and GSM firmware (European unbranded one) or vice versa are not compatible with each other due to the differences in the partition layout. Therefore, cross-flashing can lead to unrecoverable damages. Fortunately the M9 is still able to boot after a cross-flash so that it can be undone. Other devices would become a paperweight during the flash.
There should be a sim unlock guide in the Sprint M9 forum (which is linked in the ReadMe thread). However, you should check whether you really own a Sprint M9, beforehand. Those IMEI checks aren't very reliable. Use the engraving on the back side of the phone for finding out which version you own (c.f. the FAQ of the ReadMe thread). If it isn't a Sprint one then you should use the conversion guide in the ReadMe thread and flash a RUU that belongs to the phone's real MID.
Flippy498 said:
CDMA (Sprint) devices and GSM firmware (European unbranded one) or vice versa are not compatible with each other due to the differences in the partition layout. Therefore, cross-flashing can lead to unrecoverable damages. Fortunately the M9 is still able to boot after a cross-flash so that it can be undone. Other devices would become a paperweight during the flash.
There should be a sim unlock guide in the Sprint M9 forum (which is linked in the ReadMe thread). However, you should check whether you really own a Sprint M9, beforehand. Those IMEI checks aren't very reliable. Use the engraving on the back side of the phone for finding out which version you own (c.f. the FAQ of the ReadMe thread). If it isn't a Sprint one then you should use the conversion guide in the ReadMe thread and flash a RUU that belongs to the phone's real MID.
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hey, thanks for the answer, just checked the back of the phone it says Model:0PJA200 i guess it really is a SPRINT one. The problem is when we got the phone it was rooted with some custom rom and the SIM was working, after the flash i need to unlock the SIM again or its just the RUU ?
rubara said:
hey, thanks for the answer, just checked the back of the phone it says Model:0PJA200 i guess it really is a SPRINT one. The problem is when we got the phone it was rooted with some custom rom and the SIM was working, after the flash i need to unlock the SIM again or its just the RUU ?
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You probably need to unlock it again. But there's a guide in the sprint M9 forum with all needed information.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Labs
Flippy498 said:
You probably need to unlock it again. But there's a guide in the sprint M9 forum with all needed information.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Labs
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checked the guide... its not working for me, i am using MAC also can't get the MSL code from the first steps, the phone is unlocked and i managed to install Bad boyz ROM already, but still need activation and SIM UNLOCK, any ideas?
The only other method that comes to my mind is contacting sprint and asking for an official unlock code. However, you'll need the stock rom for being able to use that code.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Labs
I have been trying to check imei status online it showed another model of Htc one m9 which is Hima-UHL which dev edition instead of showing Hima-Whl which is Sprint, I dont know but i have already tried checking imei at Sprint website but it says It seems this device does not belong to US sprint carrier, although Once I've flashed Att firmware then ruu it was succesfully flashed except one thing the baseband and wifi wasnt working, then i've tried to flash the sprint radio image and the result was that it fixed only wifi issue, still sim wasnt detected, when i reverted back to sprint, its gone sim locked then i've used nv method to unlock it and back to everything the way it was, and then i checked imei on att website it said device is compatible but we are not able to find correct sim card
Still I'm confused so much what the **** im not understanding
Please help attachments included
Helps would be appreciated
P.S when on att rom it did not said phone is sim locked
If you want details from the phone boot to download mode, plug it into a pc and run fastboot getvar /all.
You identify the phone from its sku, cid and mid. Just because you flashed a sprint firmware and WiFi started working doesn't mean it used to be a sprint phone.. You also have to remember that it is very easy to change the region etc on htc phones.
The main concern is finding out if its a cdma or a gsm device.
Cid is super one
Mid is 0PJA2000
How to find skuid??
Flashing GSM firmware on a CDMA device or vice versa can result in unrecoverable hardware damages if you're unlucky. The partition layouts of CDMA devices are completely different and not compatible with the GSM ones. Even the layouts of the different CDMA versions (Sprint vs. Verizon) aren't compatible with each other.
Looking at CID, MID and SKU after the phone got converted won't help at all. Each time you convert the phone those values get changed. You won't be able to find out the original values by using fastboot getvar, at this point.
If you're lucky and no one ever tinkered with the hardware of the M9* then you should be able to find out the original MID by looking at the engraving on the backside of the phone. Be aware that the engraving lacks two zeros in comparison to the MID that you get from fastboot getvar. We would still need to guess the original CID and the original SKU but if you really own a CDMA phone that shouldn't be too hard.
* In other words: If no one replaced the back-plate at some point.
Btw, checking your IMEI online is everything else than fale safe. I wouldn't rely on the results. As long as the original hardware is unmodified, looking at the engraving is the best method for finding out which version of the M9 you own.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Labs
ModelID on back plate is 0PJA200
Saying if it results in unrecoverable faults, how can i still flash gsm firmware on sprint??
And i bought this phone second hand, thing is My imei is not detected on official sprint website
And when i got that phone the CiD was SPCS_001
MID was same as 0PJA20000
Assuming that the back-plate didn't get changed, the engraving means that you own a Sprint M9.
As said in my last post, those online IMEI checks are [email protected] You get plenty of false results if you use them. You aren't the first M9 user here on xda that thought they own a GSM phone after checking its IMEI although in reality it's a CDMA device.
You or the previous owner set the phone S-OFF. That's how the ability to flash GSM RUUs got unlocked. S-OFF means in simple words that (almost) all of the phone's write-protection gets removed. Normally it would deny a GSM RUU due to the mismatching MID&CID. With S-OFF you can change them manually, though. Therefore, the phone more or less accepts everything you try to flash on it. No matter whether the file is compatible with the phone or not.
The emphasis in my warning lies on "can". It's a known fact that the partitions differ. The thing is that sometimes people that flash a wrong firmware are lucky and their phone doesn't get damaged and sometimes the broken sim detection and the lost Wi-Fi signal aren't recoverable even after flashing the original firmware of the phone.
Edit: Owners of an M9 are actually lucky, that HTC changed the partitions layout enough for making the phone still able to boot after flashing the wrong firmware. The M8 or any other model that is older than the M9 wouldn't boot, anymore, in that case and would become a fancy paperweight.
Sent from my HTC One M9 using XDA Labs
Ok thanks man <3
Definitely my fault should've got brand new model
@Saad Saleem
My choice of words for the explanation of S-OFF wasn't the best. If you didn't do so already, I'd like you to re-read my last post since it's overhauled, now.