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[Q] Unrooting back to stock

Hi. So this is what I have done so far..
1. Unlocked my bootloader using HTCDEV which unlocked my bootloader but kept S-On.
2. Then I flashed my recovery with 4Ext recovery.
3. Installed SU using that. Now I have super user privilages.
In the end, I have unlocked, rooted bootloader with HBOOT 2.00.0002 and S-On. I have taken back up of my current ROM.
From what I understand,
1. My phone is completely rooted.
2. To install a new ROM, I need to go to recovery in booloader and install from SD card.
3. I can revert to my old stock ROM using the back up I took earlier.
Please let me know whether I have got it right till here.
I went through beginner's guides and needed few things to clarify.
1. Will installing new ROM overwrite RUU ?
2. If yes, how do I back up RUU or Rom.zip before I flash with new ROM ?
3. Even though I restore back to my stock ROM. Will my super user privilages remain ?
4. If yes, how to remove them ? How to unroot ?
5. Can I restore to stock's recovery ?
In other words, can I COMPLETELY restore it back excluding unlocking? Please guide me with respect to Desire S.

Installing RUU will comletely restore your phone to stock, removing root as well. So basicly there is no point in backing it up.
Please note that when you unlocked with htcdev.com you will have to flash boot.img separately after installing any custom rom for the phone to boot.
Anyway, there are so many guides on this forum that unswers all your questions, don't see a point to start the new one here.
Sent from my HTC Desire S

dmatik said:
Installing RUU will comletely restore your phone to stock, removing root as well. So basicly there is no point in backing it up.
Please note that when you unlocked with htcdev.com you will have to flash boot.img separately after installing any custom rom for the phone to boot.
Anyway, there are so many guides on this forum that unswers all your questions, don't see a point to start the new one here.
Sent from my HTC Desire S
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Click to collapse
Thank you. And sorry for the new thread. I went through the guides. Just needed to confirm. These RUUs, are they fixed for a particular model and country? For example, this link provides some RUUs for Desire S for different countries. So RUUs for all the Desire S phones in that region are same, officially ?

Aah, this thread solved the problem that I've been thinking!
When I am going to sell my DS, only need to install correct RUU and it is fully stock again?

[Q] Can i root?

I've looked all over the forums, but i can't find an answer, could someone tell me if i can root my phone using SuperOneClick?
Here's what it says when i boot into bootloader:
*** LOCKED ***
SAGA PVT ENG S-OFF RL
HBOOT - 2.00.2002 (PG8810000)
RADIO - 3822.10.08.04_M
eMMC-boot
I would like to install cyanogen mod, and i'm on t-mobile uk if that helps

How did you S-OFF without downgrading the hboot?

oddoneout said:
How did you S-OFF without downgrading the hboot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was originally like that, haven't done anything to it

Your HBOOT says that your phone is S-OFF, which means you have full access to it.
On the other hand, not knowing your OS version, I'm not sure you can root using SuperOneClick - since it only works for Gingerbread.
Since you have S-OFF, just go and find "root for S-OFF users" thread in Development and do what is written there.

Download a rooted custom rom (usually a custom rom is rooted) then flash via recovery. You'll have your DS rooted.
Sent from my Desire S

Since your DS is already S-OFF you don't need SuperOneClick. You can root by flashing SuperSu from a custom recovery. You may already have a custom recovery installed by the person who S-OFFed your phone. If not it won't be too difficult to install a custom recovery. I recommend you 4EXT touch. You should also make a nandroid backup from the recovery of your current ROM before attempting to flash an alternate one. Titanium backup is also very useful in order to be able to restore your apps and their data after flashing a ROM. The pro version in worth the money.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda app-developers app

yaonos said:
Since your DS is already S-OFF you don't need SuperOneClick. You can root by flashing SuperSu from a custom recovery. You may already have a custom recovery installed by the person who S-OFFed your phone. If not it won't be too difficult to install a custom recovery. I recommend you 4EXT touch. You should also make a nandroid backup from the recovery of your current ROM before attempting to flash an alternate one. Titanium backup is also very useful in order to be able to restore your apps and their data after flashing a ROM. The pro version in worth the money.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Doesn't SuperSu require a rooted device? and i think 4ext also requires root access.

alpha192 said:
Doesn't SuperSu require a rooted device? and i think 4ext also requires root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
4EXT is a Recovery - has nothing to do with being rooted or not rooted

alpha192 said:
Doesn't SuperSu require a rooted device? and i think 4ext also requires root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Judging by your answer, I strongly advise you to stay away from rooting your phone, and reading a lot instead.

alpha192 said:
Doesn't SuperSu require a rooted device? and i think 4ext also requires root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One you've comprehended and then followed the advice given in the two posts above
Install a recovery and then use it to install a custom pre-rooted ROM. You'll find links in the INDEX thread along with guides, which should be read, see the link in my signature.
Did you buy you're device new?
Sywepd form my DsereiS

alpha192 said:
Doesn't SuperSu require a rooted device? and i think 4ext also requires root access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since your phone is S-OFF, you can flash a recovery with fastboot from your PC. It may not be necessary if a custom recovery has already been flashed to your phone. Check your recovery before proceeding to flash a custom one.
Once you have a custom recovery installed, your can flash SuperSu from this recovery to your ROM. You'll then have rooted your current ROM and will be able to make backups before trying to flash alternate ROMs. At minimum you should make a nandroid backup from the recovery ; it will allow you to come back to your current ROM in case your not satisfied with the alternate ROMs.
But take your time and read the stickies in order to be sure you understand what you are doing before proceeding further.

ben_pyett said:
One you've comprehended and then followed the advice given in the two posts above
Install a recovery and then use it to install a custom pre-rooted ROM. You'll find links in the INDEX thread along with guides, which should be read, see the link in my signature.
Did you buy you're device new?
Sywepd form my DsereiS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i did buy my device new

alpha192 said:
Yes, i did buy my device new
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New device and already S-OFF?
Sent from my HTC Desire S

miwanr said:
New device and already S-OFF?
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Click to collapse
Rare, but I seem to remember over a year ago when we all had to use an XTC-Clip that some people got their phones already S-Off.

yaonos said:
Since your phone is S-OFF, you can flash a recovery with fastboot from your PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily at all. Regular bootloaders, even when S-OFF, don't allow fastboot commands. If you try executing it on phone that was S-OFF-ed with XTC-Clip, for example, it'll fail.
For that the bootloader has to be re-engineered (or engineering bootloader flashed).

why exactly do u want to root your phone? do u want to flash a custom rom or do u want root access for the heck of it?
if u want to flash a custom rom then i suggest you go through this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1850574
it has links to some other threads.. finally please do make a backup of your original rom in case u dont like the custom rom

SimonTS said:
Rare, but I seem to remember over a year ago when we all had to use an XTC-Clip that some people got their phones already S-Off.
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Click to collapse
In his case, he got his phone S-OFF with a re engineered bootloader (2.00.2002). I find it strange that a stock phone comes pre installed with a ENG bootloader...

yaonos said:
In his case, he got his phone S-OFF with a re engineered bootloader (2.00.2002). I find it strange that a stock phone comes pre installed with a ENG bootloader...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hadn't looked at the hBoot version. Maybe his idea of 'New' and the shop's idea of 'New' are somewhat different - possibly a returned product that they hadn't checked properly before reselling.

SimonTS said:
I hadn't looked at the hBoot version. Maybe his idea of 'New' and the shop's idea of 'New' are somewhat different - possibly a returned product that they hadn't checked properly before reselling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got my phone new from T-mobile and the only thing i've done to my phone software wise would be upgrading sense to 3.0 which was via the ota.

i thing best for u is to unlock ur bootloader flash r ecovery and superuser , flash a custom rom and follow this guide here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318919 good luck

[S4] Completely stock phone: how to root and hide the "relocked"

Ok, I've seen many threads about my same questions but I haven't come up with a full answer.
I am completely stock and I want to simply gain root access (while keeping the official HTC rom), but hiding every proofs of unlocking ("RELOCKED", etc.),
From what I have understood, the procedure to take is the following:
1) unlock the bootloader, flash a recovery, install superSU: the guide is in Hasoon2000's AllinOne Toolkit thread.
2) gain SuperCID following this guide.
3) S-OFFing using Facepalm method.
4) getting back the "LOCKED" mark in bootloader following this guide.
My questions are:
a) am I forced to install a custom recovery in order to gain root access? I'd prefer not to install it, since I'd like to keep as closest as possible to stock.
b) is the linked guide for SuperCID still good? It's from May 2012 but I haven't found anything newer. Just to be sure...
c) do I need to relock before resetting the lock status flag as per number 4?
d) how can I get rid of the CID showing in the bootloader? If I set the CID back to what it was before SuperCID will it go away?
Thank you so much! If we can answer to these problems, this could become a good starting thread for other users too!

1) No, but it is the easiest method.
2) Yes, it's still valid.
3) Might work either way, but I'd recommend that you're unlocked.
4) S-OFF does that. If you S-ON again, it won't show.

Thanks usaff22!
About the recovery, is there a link to rooting without custom recovery? I haven't been able to found anything. If there is some documentation I'm willing to try.
Edit: did you mean the sideloading via "fastboot boot C:\recovery.img" method? As far as I have understood this allows me to boot into a temporary custom recovery without permanently changing the default one.
Do you think it's safe?

What are the chances of bricking your device?

eLiTeOneS said:
What are the chances of bricking your device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to understand this.
Usaff22, what were you referring to when you said that you could install superSU without a custom recovery?
Thanks.

[Q] A Little Assistance Please?

First off, I’d like to say thank you ahead of time to everyone here on this forum. You guys are very intelligent and generous and it is much appreciated. All the hard work and dedication that is put into this particular subject does not go without notice. :good:
My issue may not be too major or really an issue at all. It’s more of a ‘How-To’ per say and I’m just looking for a little guidance. I have used the resources available to me within XDA and am grateful that so many of you have spent so much time creating guides, code, etc. With that being said, I’d like to reach out to the User Forum in general and ask for your assistance.
I’m still in the mindset of the HTC HD2 days where it was a native Windows phone and all that took place was flashing. Flash this. Flash that. Once the concept was known, it was fairly simple and quite easy to comprehend.
Since then, I have upgraded to the T-Mo HTC Sensation 4G (About a year ago) and have kept it stock until just recently. This has been my first native Android phone so the ‘Rooting’ aspect is anew.
So on to the bulk of the posting. Please excuse my ‘Noobness’ in this matter.
I have followed ‘-AssKicker-’ guide to perfection which you can view below.
[GUIDE] Flashing roms with S-ON and 1.27+ HBOOT
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1631861
One of the most well written guides I’ve seen to date. Upon doing so, I currently have Unlocked my phone Via HTCDev. I have flashed a recovery (4EXT) and then flashed the ‘Android Revolution HD 1.2.2 Tmobile’ ROM. Everything went to perfection and works flawlessly. Now I’d like to take things a step further and obtain S-OFF and full root (If that’s the correct terminology?). This is where I’m at a standstill. From what I’ve read, I need to flash back to a “Stock” rom before I should perform the S-OFF procedure?
I guess I’m just confused at the process of achieving this. I’ve read several guides about achieving S-OFF such as the one by ‘auggie2k’ and other How To guides. I guess my question is what is my best option from where I’m currently at? The best process? Do I have a full root or just a Rooted ROM? Upon downloading a ‘Root Checker’ App within Play Store, it appears that I have root access. Is this just due to the Rooted ROM that I’ve flashed? How does the recovery come into play when I go about achieving S-OFF? Once I flash a “Stock” ROM, Do I need to rid of the recovery before gaining S-OFF?
If someone links an article to this thread, would you be so kind to explain the procedure more in depth from my viewpoint?
My best regards,
-Josh

For s-off, there isn't really a "best way". Since you have hboot version 1.2x, you need to use auggie's guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25202517
Recovery will not be affected in any way after you s-off your device. Recovery is a mode in which you can do multiple tasks including but not limited to (these are the most common tasks in recovery) 1. Flash zip files (ROMs, mods...) 2. Make nandroid backups/ restore nandroid backups 3. Format different partitions
There are numerous functions of recovery mode, and ones such add 4EXT and clockworkmod are custom ones.
After you s-off your device, "permanent root" is not necessary. S-off allows you to change your phone's firmware (includes phone radio [for carrier signal] and other things that allow you to flash different ROMs). By the way, you need a stock ROM to s-off. I'm pretty sure ARHD will work.
So... For you, i would:
1. S-off via juopunut bear method(auggie's thread)
2. Flash firmware 3.33 in kohr-ah's thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=21711154
3. Flash any ROM you want! Make sure you format all partitions before you flash any rom unless the ROM says that a full wipe is not required.
Sent from my Ouya

AndroidSupporter318 said:
For s-off, there isn't really a "best way". Since you have hboot version 1.2x, you need to use auggie's guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25202517
Recovery will not be affected in any way after you s-off your device. Recovery is a mode in which you can do multiple tasks including but not limited to (these are the most common tasks in recovery) 1. Flash zip files (ROMs, mods...) 2. Make nandroid backups/ restore nandroid backups 3. Format different partitions
There are numerous functions of recovery mode, and ones such add 4EXT and clockworkmod are custom ones.
After you s-off your device, "permanent root" is not necessary. S-off allows you to change your phone's firmware (includes phone radio [for carrier signal] and other things that allow you to flash different ROMs). By the way, you need a stock ROM to s-off. I'm pretty sure ARHD will work.
So... For you, i would:
1. S-off via juopunut bear method(auggie's thread)
2. Flash firmware 3.33 in kohr-ah's thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=21711154
3. Flash any ROM you want! Make sure you format all partitions before you flash any rom unless the ROM says that a full wipe is not required.
Sent from my Ouya
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So according to Auggie's guide, it requires a complete format/wipe of the device and Micro SD card. This will not affect the Recovery in any way? It will still be in it's current state as I see it now? The bootloader will also remain 'Unlocked' upon formatting everything? It also says on Auggies guide, it has the following pre-requisite:
* Be rooted (have superuser and/or an unsecured boot image installed)
Thank you for the clarifications. It is much appreciated.

freeridindirtbiker said:
So according to Auggie's guide, it requires a complete format/wipe of the device and Micro SD card. This will not affect the Recovery in any way? It will still be in it's current state as I see it now? The bootloader will also remain 'Unlocked' upon formatting everything? It also says on Auggies guide, it has the following pre-requisite:
* Be rooted (have superuser and/or an unsecured boot image installed)
Thank you for the clarifications. It is much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically, a full wipe of your SD card is not required, it is a precaution (I s-offed my device without wiping my SD card)
And yes, s-off will not affect recovery in any way. S-off is security off which means that you can change pretty much anything you want to your phone.
No. The bootloader will technically not be unlocked, but you have s-off so you won't have to worry. After you finish s-off, you have two choices: 1. Controlbear.exe (juopunut will ask if you want their custom bootloader). Their bootloader is unlocked so you can flash roms and stuff via adb/fastboot commands). 2. You can flash firmware 3.33 (recommended). Firmware 3.33 will also unlock your bootloader so that you can flash ROMs and stuff via adb/fastboot commands.
I'm guessing you are rooted because you have an unlocked bootloader via HTC Dev and root checker confirmed that you are rooted. So since you are rooted, go ahead and s-off your sensation.
Sent from my Ouya

AndroidSupporter318 said:
Technically, a full wipe of your SD card is not required, it is a precaution (I s-offed my device without wiping my SD card)
And yes, s-off will not affect recovery in any way. S-off is security off which means that you can change pretty much anything you want to your phone.
No. The bootloader will technically not be unlocked, but you have s-off so you won't have to worry. After you finish s-off, you have two choices: 1. Controlbear.exe (juopunut will ask if you want their custom bootloader). Their bootloader is unlocked so you can flash roms and stuff via adb/fastboot commands). 2. You can flash firmware 3.33 (recommended). Firmware 3.33 will also unlock your bootloader so that you can flash ROMs and stuff via adb/fastboot commands.
I'm guessing you are rooted because you have an unlocked bootloader via HTC Dev and root checker confirmed that you are rooted. So since you are rooted, go ahead and s-off your sensation.
Sent from my Ouya
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much for the information.
What I meant was that by formatting the phone and/or SD card (If I did), would the recovery still be on the phone itself? Just to be clear, the Bootloader is completely separate from the Recovery? Or is the recovery an aspect associated with the bootloader. Upon doing the HTCDev method, I believe its my bootloader that says **UNLOCKED** at the very top of the screen but of course still says S-ON since I haven't done S-OFF yet. I have 4EXT flashed onto the phone.I guess now I'm confused because the S-OFF guide states to unlock the phone via HTCDev before S-OFF which I've done. Is this like a partial root since you can't change the firmware or radios due to it being restricted? I haven't done anything but follow the directions within the guide I posted above.
HTCDev unlock Method>Flashed 4EXT>Flashed Custom ROM.
Thanks again.

freeridindirtbiker said:
Thank you so much for the information.
What I meant was that by formatting the phone and/or SD card (If I did), would the recovery still be on the phone itself? Just to be clear, the Bootloader is completely separate from the Recovery? Or is the recovery an aspect associated with the bootloader. Upon doing the HTCDev method, I believe its my bootloader that says **UNLOCKED** at the very top of the screen but of course still says S-ON since I haven't done S-OFF yet. I have 4EXT flashed onto the phone.I guess now I'm confused because the S-OFF guide states to unlock the phone via HTCDev before S-OFF which I've done. Is this like a partial root since you can't change the firmware or radios due to it being restricted? I haven't done anything but follow the directions within the guide I posted above.
HTCDev unlock Method>Flashed 4EXT>Flashed Custom ROM.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try to answer your questions in a list to prevent confusion:
1. Formatting all partitions of the phone and formatting SD card will not erase the recovery. Formatting the SD card WILL remove all your backups from recovery though.
2. Bootloader is completely separate from recovery. 4EXT and clockworkmod are custom recoveries used to restore your phone (and wipe your data/perform other functions)
3. You can say unlocking bootloader is a partial root. It gives you access to flash some things, but not other things. You can flash a custom recovery, ROMs, and mods(tweaks/themes to ROMs).
However, s-off allows you to change other parts of your phone (firmware, radio...)
Sent from my Ouya

Verizon HTC One M8 - Stock to GPE ROM

Can anyone refer me to a how to for how to go about flashing this rom on a 100% stock phone? Every guide I look at says before starting this you must s-off first, must root first, must unlock bootloader first which is confusing. Is there an all in one guide available for doing this?
With my GS3 it was much simpler, just unlock bootloader, flash recovery/root/ROM and go.

RyanS2000 said:
Can anyone refer me to a how to for how to go about flashing this rom on a 100% stock phone? Every guide I look at says before starting this you must s-off first, must root first, must unlock bootloader first which is confusing. Is there an all in one guide available for doing this?
With my GS3 it was much simpler, just unlock bootloader, flash recovery/root/ROM and go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need s-off because on Vzw HTC you can't unlock bootloader with s-on via htcdev cause Vzw blacklist it. So their for you need s-off to unlock thru there. If you use sunshine which is a app you run very simple that will s-off an unlock your bootloader then you can just flash a recovery an flash SuperSU for root an then flash any ROM you want.