Currently running a Verizon g3 and have till tomorrow to return it. While I like it the heat and bad battery life are just something I can't deal with. I need a phone I can root to use my tasker automation profiles with. I've done some light research but trying to find out if a new M8 that comes with 4.4.4 is rootable or unlockable. I've never had an HTC device but really liked the smoothness of the M8. The LG is nice but this thing is like an oven.
Many (most?) but not all vzw 4.4.4 devices can be unlocked & s-off'ed with the current sunshine which I think costs a measly $25. There's talk of a new sunshine that will work on everything but it's release is still pending. Chances are it will work just fine right away and if not, you can all but count on having root soon with the new sunshine. Take the plunge, the m8 is quite a phone.
Thank you. Going today to swap it out. The $25 isn't a big deal if it works. All else fails I'll just sell the brand new m8 get a nexus 6.
Made the swap. Love the M8 already, but Sunshine wont unlock it and Weaksauce2 only temp roots
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Hi guys,
My brother purchased the htc one m8 from verizon shortly after release and got to experience the wonders of an easily unlock-able bootloader. Knowing verizon, phones are occasionally patched months after release to revert/nullify this functionality. Did this ever happen to the HTC one m8? I want to buy one, but not if it's going to be curbstomped like my galaxy s4. As an Android dev this is a crucial aspect of any phone I purchase.
Thank you very much for your time and potential response(s), have a wonderful day.
Being an htc device, there are 2 levels of "unlocking" if you will. There's an unlocked bootloader and there's s-off. At least for this phone, the 2 current exploits (firewater and sunshine) perform both functions with s-off giving you the deeper access to your phone. While ota updates can relock the bootloader, I understand that they will never turn s-on which means you will always have the ability to re-unlock if you feel compelled to take an ota rather than flashing it's comments once prepared by the devs.
Evangelosg said:
Hi guys,
My brother purchased the htc one m8 from verizon shortly after release and got to experience the wonders of an easily unlock-able bootloader. Knowing verizon, phones are occasionally patched months after release to revert/nullify this functionality. Did this ever happen to the HTC one m8? I want to buy one, but not if it's going to be curbstomped like my galaxy s4. As an Android dev this is a crucial aspect of any phone I purchase.
Thank you very much for your time and potential response(s), have a wonderful day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once its unlocked and s off, leave it that way. While updates can sometimes patch exploits used to do this, they never lock your bootloader or s on the device. So just never s on or relock....
cntryby429 said:
Being an htc device, there are 2 levels of "unlocking" if you will. There's an unlocked bootloader and there's s-off. At least for this phone, the 2 current exploits (firewater and sunshine) perform both functions with s-off giving you the deeper access to your phone. While ota updates can relock the bootloader, I understand that they will never turn s-on which means you will always have the ability to re-unlock if you feel compelled to take an ota rather than flashing it's comments once prepared by the devs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it, thanks!
Also, new M8 devices have the original exploit fixed. So you'll need to spend $25 to get a new device S-Off'd (just a heads up).
And obviously if you ever need to get a new phone due to hardware issues it resets the process, so your point about Verizon is good. It's a constant game of cat and mouse.
Looking at it this way when I sell my M8, if ever, I will add 25$ to the price tag =] thanks @jcase and @beaups
I've currently got a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 which I bricked after trying to root it using old information. Long story short, it's a paper weight now, and I need a new phone.
I've got my eye on the HTC One M8, but by biggest concern is being able to root it, and unlock its bootloader. How easy is it to root or lock this device these days? There's so much information about bootloader locking, and roots not working, and security measures for different phones that make this stuff not work, that I just feel completely lost. Admittedly, I'm a bit gun-shy about rooting now that I've bricked my Note 2, because everything I was reading seemed fine, until I did it and had issues, and looked those issues up to find that the stuff I was doing hasn't been viable for a while.
Would this phone be well-suited for that? HTC seems like a company that's trying to make this stuff easy, but I can't tell how much of what they say is actually real when Verizon and the like are the ones in charge of locking stuff.
tl;dr: I'm considering an M8. I wanna root, and unlock it. Can I do that on a new M8? Is it easy, or at least easier than a new Samsung device with all its Knox nonsense?
There is only one way to s-off the M8 (which includes unlocking the bootloader and both is a pre-requisite for permanent root) and that is Sunshine which costs $25.
Sunshine 2 works on most M8 running 4.4.4 but not all of them (seems to be due to small variances in hardware). sunshine will run a check on your phone and only charge you if it can s-off it. You may be able to run Sunshine and get temp root with Weaksauce (which is part of Sunshine) even if the program cannot unlock your device. Temp root means the app has to root your device each time you boot it.
Sunshine 3 works on M8 running Lollipop - except the VZW M8. At least for now. No idea if jcase and beaups will figure out a way to get it working....
So if Sunshine works on your phone it's easy as can be: run the program, pay 25 bucks - done.
If Sunshine does not work you're out of luck...
berndblb said:
There is only one way to s-off the M8 (which includes unlocking the bootloader and both is a pre-requisite for permanent root) and that is Sunshine which costs $25.
Sunshine 2 works on most M8 running 4.4.4 but not all of them (seems to be due to small variances in hardware). sunshine will run a check on your phone and only charge you if it can s-off it. You may be able to run Sunshine and get temp root with Weaksauce (which is part of Sunshine) even if the program cannot unlock your device. Temp root means the app has to root your device each time you boot it.
Sunshine 3 works on M8 running Lollipop - except the VZW M8. At least for now. No idea if jcase and beaups will figure out a way to get it working....
So if Sunshine works on your phone it's easy as can be: run the program, pay 25 bucks - done.
If Sunshine does not work you're out of luck...
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Click to collapse
Update: Gave Sunshine a go, and it worked flawlessly. Jumped on the IRC with a few questions, and the Sunshine crew was super helpful. Had my phone for all of 10 minutes, and was setup and ready to go. Best $25 I've spent in a while.
Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. My M8 is set to arrive today, so I guess we'll find out if Sunshine does the trick. I'm glad to hear that it only charges after checking compatibility, as I was thinking I'd have to gamble the $25 on the off-chance that it worked, and be out the money if it didn't. Thanks again, wish me luck!
So I currently use a Galaxy S5. It's rooted and I still run a KitKat ROM right now and everything works great. I have someone who will give me an iPhone 6 for my S5 + $25. I am in no way a fan of iPhones or iOS but I am kind of getting bored with my S5. There are a few people developing for it still but I just want something new to play with. I want to try out the iPhone 6 mainly for the camera. Looking on craigslist I see plenty of people with excellent condition Galaxy S6's willing to trade for an iPhone 6. So my thinking is to get the iPhone tomorrow and within a few weeks trade it for an S6.
The S5 really is the perfect phone but like I mentioned I want something new. I have unlimited data on verizon and if I ever need to have hotspot I can use that with no issues. Battery life is great and it also has the power saving modes. Also the removable memory card slot lets me put in my friends GoPro memory card and copy clips right to my phone. I will be giving up a lot so I hope the S6 is worth it.
Before I get rid of my S5 I wanted to double check a few things. I know on the S5 the latest update can't be rooted. I also saw a thread here mentioning the same thing for the S6. So I just wanted to confirm. If I get one from someone on craigslist it's likely gonna be on the newest software. Can it be rooted or can it be downgraded and then rooted? If not are there enough people still working on this phone that there's a pretty good chance it will have root again eventually?
Thanks for any answers!
aholeinthewor1d said:
So I currently use a Galaxy S5. It's rooted and I still run a KitKat ROM right now and everything works great. I have someone who will give me an iPhone 6 for my S5 + $25. I am in no way a fan of iPhones or iOS but I am kind of getting bored with my S5. There are a few people developing for it still but I just want something new to play with. I want to try out the iPhone 6 mainly for the camera. Looking on craigslist I see plenty of people with excellent condition Galaxy S6's willing to trade for an iPhone 6. So my thinking is to get the iPhone tomorrow and within a few weeks trade it for an S6.
The S5 really is the perfect phone but like I mentioned I want something new. I have unlimited data on verizon and if I ever need to have hotspot I can use that with no issues. Battery life is great and it also has the power saving modes. Also the removable memory card slot lets me put in my friends GoPro memory card and copy clips right to my phone. I will be giving up a lot so I hope the S6 is worth it.
Before I get rid of my S5 I wanted to double check a few things. I know on the S5 the latest update can't be rooted. I also saw a thread here mentioning the same thing for the S6. So I just wanted to confirm. If I get one from someone on craigslist it's likely gonna be on the newest software. Can it be rooted or can it be downgraded and then rooted? If not are there enough people still working on this phone that there's a pretty good chance it will have root again eventually?
Thanks for any answers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it is on the latest software no chance of root and no downgrade. If you want root, find one that either has build number G920VVRU1AOC3 or G920VVRU1AOE2. Both can be rooted. Any other build number can not be rooted and cannot be downgraded. Make sure you ask these seller what the build number is. I personally believe that sometime in the future a new root exploit will be found, but not likely any time soon.
aholeinthewor1d said:
So I currently use a Galaxy S5. It's rooted and I still run a KitKat ROM right now and everything works great. I have someone who will give me an iPhone 6 for my S5 + $25. I am in no way a fan of iPhones or iOS but I am kind of getting bored with my S5. There are a few people developing for it still but I just want something new to play with. I want to try out the iPhone 6 mainly for the camera. Looking on craigslist I see plenty of people with excellent condition Galaxy S6's willing to trade for an iPhone 6. So my thinking is to get the iPhone tomorrow and within a few weeks trade it for an S6.
The S5 really is the perfect phone but like I mentioned I want something new. I have unlimited data on verizon and if I ever need to have hotspot I can use that with no issues. Battery life is great and it also has the power saving modes. Also the removable memory card slot lets me put in my friends GoPro memory card and copy clips right to my phone. I will be giving up a lot so I hope the S6 is worth it.
Before I get rid of my S5 I wanted to double check a few things. I know on the S5 the latest update can't be rooted. I also saw a thread here mentioning the same thing for the S6. So I just wanted to confirm. If I get one from someone on craigslist it's likely gonna be on the newest software. Can it be rooted or can it be downgraded and then rooted? If not are there enough people still working on this phone that there's a pretty good chance it will have root again eventually?
Thanks for any answers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like was mentioned by snowby123, only OC3 and OE2 can be rooted. My only added comment is I would use swappa over Craigslist. Safe place to buy a phone and you can confirm firmware before purchase. I've bought and sold several on there.
Snowby123 said:
If it is on the latest software no chance of root and no downgrade. If you want root, find one that either has build number G920VVRU1AOC3 or G920VVRU1AOE2. Both can be rooted. Any other build number can not be rooted and cannot be downgraded. Make sure you ask these seller what the build number is. I personally believe that sometime in the future a new root exploit will be found, but not likely any time soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tulsadiver said:
Like was mentioned by snowby123, only OC3 and OE2 can be rooted. My only added comment is I would use swappa over Craigslist. Safe place to buy a phone and you can confirm firmware before purchase. I've bought and sold several on there.
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Click to collapse
Thank you both! Exactly what I was looking for. Just checked the S5 forum and there is two people currently testing some ideas for rooting the new build and bypassing the bootloader so I won't what will happen with that.
Are there non root hotspot apps that I will be able to get? I will try and get a rootable firmware but who knows if I'll find one. Gonna miss my S5! No going back after tonight
Sent from my SM-G900V using XDA Free mobile app
I love this phone, nothing coming out is exciting. But, I need lollipop now. I'd like to install a recovery, make a backup, flash lollipop based Moto x Rom. If this phone was new, I would pay for sunshine without thinking, but I don't know if I want to invest money in a phone towards the end of its useful life.
So is there any other way to get lollipop?
Sunshine is pretty much the only method as there was no Droid Ultra/MAXX/Mini "developer edition" so Motorola (because Verizon says so) won't allow for bootloader unlocking even on these now 2+ year old devices, sadly. Realistically they could, it's just a damned code that every phone is capable of working with but Motorola just won't do it.
Sunshine is your only hope if you wish to use custom ROMs without hassles. It's just $25, I mean really, the cost of a good case for some other device, and then it would be open and you could do pretty much anything you want with it.
Consider yourself lucky you have one that can be unlocked, they're pretty rare these days. I'd say go for it if a custom ROM is your thing, I gave up on that crap long ago - pure stock with some mods (to get it rooted and use Xposed) are all I care about anymore for my MAXX.
br0adband said:
Sunshine is pretty much the only method as there was no Droid Ultra/MAXX/Mini "developer edition" so Motorola (because Verizon says so) won't allow for bootloader unlocking even on these now 2+ year old devices, sadly. Realistically they could, it's just a damned code that every phone is capable of working with but Motorola just won't do it.
Sunshine is your only hope if you wish to use custom ROMs without hassles. It's just $25, I mean really, the cost of a good case for some other device, and then it would be open and you could do pretty much anything you want with it.
Consider yourself lucky you have one that can be unlocked, they're pretty rare these days. I'd say go for it if a custom ROM is your thing, I gave up on that crap long ago - pure stock with some mods (to get it rooted and use Xposed) are all I care about anymore for my MAXX.
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Click to collapse
Oh I've been doing really good with stock firmware sms xposed. Bought the phone new and still on jb, but phone runs flawlessly compared to what I've been hearing from those that took the updates.
However, I need lollipop now because I have android auto in my car. I'm debating between paying to unlock it out getting a new phone, maybe the nexus.
It would be an easier decision if there was a stock lollipop update for the maxx.
mistermojorizin said:
It would be an easier decision if there was a stock lollipop update for the maxx.
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Click to collapse
So, hang on to that MAXX and see what happens, the rumor mill is hopping about a potential release of Lollipop for the Ultra/MAXX/Mini at some point, you never know what Verizon will do I suppose.
It's $25 for Sunshine so either fork it over and have some fun trying out stuff on the unlocked device or sell it and get something you can make use of now as required I suppose.
br0adband said:
So, hang on to that MAXX and see what happens, the rumor mill is hopping about a potential release of Lollipop for the Ultra/MAXX/Mini at some point, you never know what Verizon will do I suppose.
It's $25 for Sunshine so either fork it over and have some fun trying out stuff on the unlocked device or sell it and get something you can make use of now as required I suppose.
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Click to collapse
i bought sunshine. thanks for the advice
I've had this phone for a couple months now and I absolutely hate not having root. I had a HTC one m9 before this and it never got root either. Are there any loopholes I can work to trade this thing in and get another phone? I'm on the 24 month payment plan.
Allow me to NOT brighten up your day, I might be wrong (and I hope I am!) but I believe the days of rooted phones and unlocked boot loaders are over.
The phone manufacturers have resources far beyond those of XDA developers or any other group of developers and they do NOT want their phones rooted nor their bootloaders unlocked.
I solved most of my problems with my LG by using Nova Launcher, you might give it a try?
If you get another phone it'll probably be either bootloader locked with no root or it'll be an older phone.
You can sell your phone, check Swappa to see what price you'll get, but you'll have to pay off your phone when you do. I think you'll come out behind financially so learn to love what you have, it's a pretty great phone once you add Nova Launcher and customize it to your taste.