Database Info

[Q] Sorry, I'm new...

OK...I've read the Wiki and the Glossary, I've searched the forums, I've been obsessively reading this forum for a week, and I still have some very basic questions that I'm hoping someone can either point me to a link or just drop some info for me. I know many of you have been at this since the Dawn of Android, but sometimes I feel like I'm walking into my first day of med-school when everyone else has been here for 5 years. Assume for a moment that I am a tabula rasa where the rest of you are now writing in the margins of a dense technical manual. Because that's what it feels like for me.
First, some background info: I want to learn how to do all this stuff, but this phone was expensive! I don't want to break it. So I'm cautious. I'm not a programmer but I'm not technically inept. I am good at following directions. I don't panic when things go wrong. So I think I can root, flash, and all the fun stuff that comes with having an Android device. But I have some questions that are still unanswered. I'll try to be as concise as possible (too late, I know):
1) I have the SPH-D720 model. I see rooting guides for the I9020 but not the SPH-D720. Will those other guides work for my device? I've seen other people ask this same question get sent to BuglessPete's guide so I'm assuming so, but I want to be sure.
2) I know that GRJ90 and 2.3.5 just came out. My phone is updated to both. It looks like most of the root guides are still referring to 2.3.4 or 2.3.3. Should I wait until someone releases an updated 2.3.5 guide, or is the method still the same?
3) Backups...these are different than saved settings, yes? So when I root my phone (which apparently requires unlocking the bootloader now) I'm going to lose all of my apps/themes/settings, right?
4) Do any of the developers offer tech support?
I now throw myself to the mercy of the masses, prepared for flames, but hoping for help.

NoobyMcNoob said:
1) I have the SPH-D720 model. I see rooting guides for the I9020 but not the SPH-D720. Will those other guides work for my device? I've seen other people ask this same question get sent to BuglessPete's guide so I'm assuming so, but I want to be sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the same.
- fastboot oem unlock
- flash a custom recovery for your device (crespo4g) using fastboot
- boot into CWM, mount system and flash the su binary
NoobyMcNoob said:
2) I know that GRJ90 and 2.3.5 just came out. My phone is updated to both. It looks like most of the root guides are still referring to 2.3.4 or 2.3.3. Should I wait until someone releases an updated 2.3.5 guide, or is the method still the same?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No change unless you are trying to flash a modified boot.img for adb remount (this is not necessary if you merely want root access)
NoobyMcNoob said:
3) Backups...these are different than saved settings, yes? So when I root my phone (which apparently requires unlocking the bootloader now) I'm going to lose all of my apps/themes/settings, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, fastboot oem unlock wipes everything, including the SD card.

Thanks. So a follow up question then:
Is it possible to back up all of my settings and whatnot, and then quickly put them back after rooting the phone? No biggie if not, and since all of my contact info is on Google that sync happens automatically.

Another question - when I'm installing the sdk, do I need all the other stuff that it automatically selects or can I dump all that and just download the USB driver package?

NoobyMcNoob said:
Another question - when I'm installing the sdk, do I need all the other stuff that it automatically selects or can I dump all that and just download the USB driver package?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need the usb driver and platform tools.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App

NoobyMcNoob said:
Thanks. So a follow up question then:
Is it possible to back up all of my settings and whatnot, and then quickly put them back after rooting the phone? No biggie if not, and since all of my contact info is on Google that sync happens automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could use something like titanium backup, but watch what you restore as some things cause issues.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App

Awesome. I'm taking the leap now! So far, nothing screwed up...

So...I can't get the correct driver installed. In all the guides it says I should have the Bootloader Interface listed as the driver. But that is not one of my options - Allgamer's guide says there should be 3 choices, but I only have 2:
Android ADB Interface
and
Android Composite ADB Interface
How do I choose the Bootloader Interface?

You need to be in the bootloader on the phone I believe. I am new to the nexus s so I am not 100 percent sure.

Didn't work from the bootloader either - still showing Android ADB Interface.
I guess I'll uninstall everything and start from scratch.

A Different "Root Jelly Bean" question

This might belong in the other "[Root] Jelly Bean" thread - I'll leave that to the moderators to figure out.
Can anyone vouch for the veracity of this method?
tutznet. com/ root-asus-transformer-tf700-android-41-jelly-bean. html (forgive the extra spaces - I'm too new to be able to post a URL.]
Honestly, I read all 39+ pages of that thread mentioned above, and I'm not confident I know what to do, and in what order, so I'm leery of trying it out. A noob like me can easily create an expensive brick if I screw it up. But this one seems sort of "plug-n-play" and is appealing for that reason. If you folks here validate it, I might try it out.

n4ogl said:
This might belong in the other "[Root] Jelly Bean" thread - I'll leave that to the moderators to figure out.
Can anyone vouch for the veracity of this method?
tutznet. com/ root-asus-transformer-tf700-android-41-jelly-bean. html (forgive the extra spaces - I'm too new to be able to post a URL.]
Honestly, I read all 39+ pages of that thread mentioned above, and I'm not confident I know what to do, and in what order, so I'm leery of trying it out. A noob like me can easily create an expensive brick if I screw it up. But this one seems sort of "plug-n-play" and is appealing for that reason. If you folks here validate it, I might try it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=32293050&postcount=1
That would be a portion of the method laid out in the above thread...

n4ogl said:
This might belong in the other "[Root] Jelly Bean" thread - I'll leave that to the moderators to figure out.
Can anyone vouch for the veracity of this method?
tutznet. com/ root-asus-transformer-tf700-android-41-jelly-bean. html (forgive the extra spaces - I'm too new to be able to post a URL.]
Honestly, I read all 39+ pages of that thread mentioned above, and I'm not confident I know what to do, and in what order, so I'm leery of trying it out. A noob like me can easily create an expensive brick if I screw it up. But this one seems sort of "plug-n-play" and is appealing for that reason. If you folks here validate it, I might try it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The instruction is assumed that you already unlocked and have custom recovery installed. If you provide your setup we can help.
1. Are you unlocked?
2. Do you have custom recovery installed like either twrp or cwm?
3. What os version you are running currently? I assumed you're on JB?

Thanks for the offer of assistance. I bought the TF700 on ICS, and immediately did the following (based on advice I hopefully gleaned correctly from this board):
- Factory Data Reset three times (by booting with the volume key held down, etc.), even wtih nothing personal done to it (like add my name as Owner, or install anything).
- Loaded the full update downloaded from the ASUS site and flashed (correct term?) accordingly. Those instructions, at least, I could figure out.
- Another FDR.
- Used as normal on the current version of JB. I believe it had a minor JB upgrade shortly after that, which I let it perform through the "You have an update" process.
As it sits, the TF700 works quite well for me, but I use Titanium Backup on my Droid Razr Maxx (for which I rooted using one of those "automated root" programs that worked well), and I'd like to use it here. And Root File Manager (also found on the Droid).
As a noob, the instructions for that other method (using CWM and SuperSU) look like they presume too much knowledge on my part of what to install and when, and I'm leery of creating an expensive brick. For example, there is something in there about "fastboot," but that is completely over my head.
buhohitr said:
The instruction is assumed that you already unlocked and have custom recovery installed. If you provide your setup we can help.
1. Are you unlocked?
2. Do you have custom recovery installed like either twrp or cwm?
3. What os version you are running currently? I assumed you're on JB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

n4ogl said:
Thanks for the offer of assistance. I bought the TF700 on ICS, and immediately did the following (based on advice I hopefully gleaned correctly from this board):
- Factory Data Reset three times (by booting with the volume key held down, etc.), even wtih nothing personal done to it (like add my name as Owner, or install anything).
- Loaded the full update downloaded from the ASUS site and flashed (correct term?) accordingly. Those instructions, at least, I could figure out.
- Another FDR.
- Used as normal on the current version of JB. I believe it had a minor JB upgrade shortly after that, which I let it perform through the "You have an update" process.
As it sits, the TF700 works quite well for me, but I use Titanium Backup on my Droid Razr Maxx (for which I rooted using one of those "automated root" programs that worked well), and I'd like to use it here. And Root File Manager (also found on the Droid).
As a noob, the instructions for that other method (using CWM and SuperSU) look like they presume too much knowledge on my part of what to install and when, and I'm leery of creating an expensive brick. For example, there is something in there about "fastboot," but that is completely over my head.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that complicated, if you have someone leaded you. Again, I need you to answer the following question, so I can point you to the right direction; Do you plan to use custom rom/kernel? (if yes, you need to unlock your device, which void warantty) or you just want root?

buhohitr said:
It's not that complicated, if you have someone leaded you. Again, I need you to answer the following question, so I can point you to the right direction; Do you plan to use custom rom/kernel? (if yes, you need to unlock your device, which void warantty) or you just want root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All I want to do is root it. While I know there are some advantages to a custom ROM or Kernel, that's NOT what I forecast doing*. I plan to leave it on JB.
* = Caveat: Eventually ASUS will stop supporting this tablet, at which time I will probably look at custom ROMs if I still own it (and haven't EBay'd it).

n4ogl said:
All I want to do is root it. While I know there are some advantages to a custom ROM or Kernel, that's NOT what I forecast doing*. I plan to leave it on JB.
* = Caveat: Eventually ASUS will stop supporting this tablet, at which time I will probably look at custom ROMs if I still own it (and haven't EBay'd it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you already on JB, the only way you could root is to downgrade back to ICS (version .30). Here is general guide line:
1. Download full package firmware .30 from Asus site
2. Then use root tool to root,
3. Download and installed SuperSU to replace the old superuser
4. Download Voodoo OTA root keeper to preserve root (If you have a paid SuperSU version, you just have to click on "preserve root" and it automatically saved root for you).
5. Let the OTA upgrade to JB
6. Once done, use root keeper to restore root.
Here is the link to details:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1833212

buhohitr said:
Since you already on JB, the only way you could root is to downgrade back to ICS (version .30). Here is general guide line:
1. Download full package firmware .30 from Asus site
2. Then use root tool to root,
3. Download and installed SuperSU to replace the old superuser
4. Download Voodoo OTA root keeper to preserve root (If you have a paid SuperSU version, you just have to click on "preserve root" and it automatically saved root for you).
5. Let the OTA upgrade to JB
6. Once done, use root keeper to restore root.
Here is the link to details:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1833212
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not true my friend
you can unroot without downgrading to version .30
just take a look in the general section there is a HOWTO
sent from my cutting board

jokapo said:
not true my friend
you can unroot without downgrading to version .30
just take a look in the general section there is a HOWTO
sent from my cutting board
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he's looking to ROOT, but not to unlock!

I rooted and unlocked allready on JB
sent from my cutting board

Could you share the steps/sequence (in detail, not like the way they are described in that 40+ page thread, which is (IMHO) sparsely)?
jokapo said:
I rooted and unlocked allready on JB
sent from my cutting board
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Might wanna try out this thread then http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1969303

[Q] Can someone braindump me on M8 hacking?

Hoping some kind soul will take a few minutes to get me up to speed on what I need to know about hacking the M8.
I am not a total newb, and have lingered around XDA for a while. I've rooted many phones and tablets, even worked with cooking my own ROMS for android and older winmo 4+ years ago. I've just not been involved in the scene and am just about to get my new M8 and would like a crash course.
I really don't mind reading - so if someone has a great all-in-one guide they recommend, I'll certainly start with that...its just the endless searching for the up-to-date info I'm looking to avoid. I actually prefer to understand what I'm doing rather than just click "unlock"
Top most questions in my mind:
1) The biggest thing I would like to know to start is the best way to backup/up protect my device before I do anything to it.
I'd like to be able to return it to total stock (minus any impossibility in re-locking a bootloader) in case I mess things up or need to return, etc.
2) Current best methods for rooting, unlocking, etc. I just want to make sure I'm not doing something out of date that might be more effort than necessary/dangerous.
3) I see this new TWRP thing...which looks like an alternate to CWM. Which is better for me to use for M8?
4) Any M8 specific big dangers to watch out for to prevent bricking.
I always look to XDA for the best advice, but sometimes the site is difficult to navigate to find the most clear explanation.
TIA!

TraderJack said:
Hoping some kind soul will take a few minutes to get me up to speed on what I need to know about hacking the M8.
I am not a total newb, and have lingered around XDA for a while. I've rooted many phones and tablets, even worked with cooking my own ROMS for android and older winmo 4+ years ago. I've just not been involved in the scene and am just about to get my new M8 and would like a crash course.
I really don't mind reading - so if someone has a great all-in-one guide they recommend, I'll certainly start with that...its just the endless searching for the up-to-date info I'm looking to avoid. I actually prefer to understand what I'm doing rather than just click "unlock"
Top most questions in my mind:
1) The biggest thing I would like to know to start is the best way to backup/up protect my device before I do anything to it.
I'd like to be able to return it to total stock (minus any impossibility in re-locking a bootloader) in case I mess things up or need to return, etc.
2) Current best methods for rooting, unlocking, etc. I just want to make sure I'm not doing something out of date that might be more effort than necessary/dangerous.
3) I see this new TWRP thing...which looks like an alternate to CWM. Which is better for me to use for M8?
4) Any M8 specific big dangers to watch out for to prevent bricking.
I always look to XDA for the best advice, but sometimes the site is difficult to navigate to find the most clear explanation.
TIA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) The best most efficient way of backing up your device is to make a Nandroid backup with a recovery such as CWM or TWRP, but of course there will always be times where you could do something simpler to solve your problem such as disabling the Xposed framework but how? My phone is stuck in a bootloop, how would I disable it? The answer is when installing the framework make sure to first in the settings select to create flashable zips (manual) then once they are created go back and do the 'Classic' method. Now I'm sure if you're as new as you say you are you most likely don't know what Xposed is, it is a separate framework which allows you to customize your ROM to do things similar to what a 'Custom' ROM would normally always do. Most people don't think before installing these modules and end up soft-bricking their device and have to use their Nandroids to restore them but the way I mentioned is far simpler.
2) The utmost best method currently available (and only available) for rooting, unlocking, S-OFF & etc is currently Sunshine, you can read up about it here. Sadly and or not so sadly it costs $25 per device but it will do everything you will need to get started such as S-OFF (Security OFF, S-ON prevents writing to the /system partition and some other things I can't remember), Bootloader unlock & root.
3) Personally I prefer TWRP because it just feels like it has more ease of use towards it but thats just my opinion. There is an alternative to it which is CWM as you mentioned or 'PhilZ' CWM, Philz CWM is a touch-based version which to my experiences is a bit buggy but it works. I personally recommend TWRP but you might as well play around with them and see which one you like best.
4) Biggest danger of them all: To my knowledge that is, attempting to revert to S-ON. That is the most dangerous thing I am aware of at the moment but there may be something more dangerous but from what I know that is the most risky thing that is HTC based and or anything based.
This can be considered a good "All in one guide" for you to follow, it has pretty much everything I can think of at the moment.
An alternative to that one would be this one excluding all of the stuff involving Weaksauce and Firewater as Firewater does not work on newer devices and already rooted users don't have a use for Weaksauce. Still though it's a good tutorial for flashing a recovery and rooting.
Here is a solid tutorial on how to revert to stock if you ever decide to (once more do NOT attempt S-ON).
& if you're interested in using ROM's for other carrier variants of your phone then this one may be of interest to you.
Lastly, if you're concerned about any warranty things then as long as you do an RUU like the one mentioned in the 'Reverting to Stock' thread you will have no problems with it even if you're bootloader is unlocked and you're S-OFF. Why you may be wondering?? HTC sometimes ships phones already S-OFF/Bootloader unlocked and also I sort of think they just don't really care... you know as long as you didn't mess the phone up.
-----------------------------------------------------
If you have any further questions, I left something unclear or you just need me to elaborate further on something then feel free to ask further questions and I recommend doing your own research on these things before attempting them. Good luck and happy modding!

TraderJack said:
Hoping some kind soul will take a few minutes to get me up to speed on what I need to know about hacking the M8.
I am not a total newb, and have lingered around XDA for a while. I've rooted many phones and tablets, even worked with cooking my own ROMS for android and older winmo 4+ years ago. I've just not been involved in the scene and am just about to get my new M8 and would like a crash course.
I really don't mind reading - so if someone has a great all-in-one guide they recommend, I'll certainly start with that...its just the endless searching for the up-to-date info I'm looking to avoid. I actually prefer to understand what I'm doing rather than just click "unlock"
Top most questions in my mind:
1) The biggest thing I would like to know to start is the best way to backup/up protect my device before I do anything to it.
I'd like to be able to return it to total stock (minus any impossibility in re-locking a bootloader) in case I mess things up or need to return, etc.
2) Current best methods for rooting, unlocking, etc. I just want to make sure I'm not doing something out of date that might be more effort than necessary/dangerous.
3) I see this new TWRP thing...which looks like an alternate to CWM. Which is better for me to use for M8?
4) Any M8 specific big dangers to watch out for to prevent bricking.
I always look to XDA for the best advice, but sometimes the site is difficult to navigate to find the most clear explanation.
TIA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The above post about covers it. Only thing I would like to add is I much prefer Phil's touch recovery based on CMW and try firewater method for soft and unlocking boot loader before paying for sunshine. It may or may not work. But could possibly save you the cash.

mdorrett said:
The above post about covers it. Only thing I would like to add is I much prefer Phil's touch recovery based on CMW and try firewater method for soft and unlocking boot loader before paying for sunshine. It may or may not work. But could possibly save you the cash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Philz recovery is amazing, have you used the M8 unified builds yet? Or are you still sticking to the last Verizon build?
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

Thanks all. I will certainly read up on what you've written and follow up with any questions I may have.

So I read a little bit on the posts above... Ick...when I was deciding on the M8 I checked to see if it was all hackable and apparently found the positive information for only the old methods and didn't realize a $25 price tag was the *only* way to really unlock the phone.
I mean...I don't totally begrudge the devs charging for it...but honestly I've never heard of this before in the 8-10 years I've been modding with smartphones of charging for this. While $25 may be nothing compared to a $700 unlocked phone, it sure is a heck of a lot more than $0, which was where the previous bar was set. You'd think $5 or $10 would be a better place to start.
Of course, it doesn't look like I have any other option though. I do have some more questions:
1) What are the pieces that sunshine does that can't be done elsewhere? It looks like there are several root methods - so is sunshine the only way to S-OFF or is it also the only way to unlock the bootloader?
2) If I don't do sunshine, and therefore can't S-OFF (and maybe can't unlock bootloader), can I still root? If so, is it only a temp unroot? And is there really a downside to that?
3) In all honesty, while I'd like to have everything unlocked, I think I will be happy with a root for now if that's enough to do some hacks (like maybe energy saving and wifi tether, etc.). Will I be able to do those with just root? I'm not really clear on the actual purpose of the S-OFF vs. the unlocked boot loader. Maybe in a few months I will be tired of the stock ROM and cough up the dough.
4) In order to do the backups to revert to stock, what steps must I first obtain and can I do those steps for free (aka no Sunshine) and are they reversible? IOW, what's the minimum I must "hack" the device in order to get a stock backup and/or to recover it.
Finally - when did the "firewater" method stop working? Is it newer hardware being shipped or a certain firmware/OS level update that blocked it? It sounds pretty unlikely that it will work for a new phone, but it won't hurt to try if it doesn't, right?
thanks again for the jump start....I think just jumping in and doing is the best way to learn, but I don't want to leap without protecting myself at the outset.

TraderJack said:
So I read a little bit on the posts above... Ick...when I was deciding on the M8 I checked to see if it was all hackable and apparently found the positive information for only the old methods and didn't realize a $25 price tag was the *only* way to really unlock the phone.
I mean...I don't totally begrudge the devs charging for it...but honestly I've never heard of this before in the 8-10 years I've been modding with smartphones of charging for this. While $25 may be nothing compared to a $700 unlocked phone, it sure is a heck of a lot more than $0, which was where the previous bar was set. You'd think $5 or $10 would be a better place to start.
Of course, it doesn't look like I have any other option though. I do have some more questions:
1) What are the pieces that sunshine does that can't be done elsewhere? It looks like there are several root methods - so is sunshine the only way to S-OFF or is it also the only way to unlock the bootloader?
2) If I don't do sunshine, and therefore can't S-OFF (and maybe can't unlock bootloader), can I still root? If so, is it only a temp unroot? And is there really a downside to that?
3) In all honesty, while I'd like to have everything unlocked, I think I will be happy with a root for now if that's enough to do some hacks (like maybe energy saving and wifi tether, etc.). Will I be able to do those with just root? I'm not really clear on the actual purpose of the S-OFF vs. the unlocked boot loader. Maybe in a few months I will be tired of the stock ROM and cough up the dough.
4) In order to do the backups to revert to stock, what steps must I first obtain and can I do those steps for free (aka no Sunshine) and are they reversible? IOW, what's the minimum I must "hack" the device in order to get a stock backup and/or to recover it.
Finally - when did the "firewater" method stop working? Is it newer hardware being shipped or a certain firmware/OS level update that blocked it? It sounds pretty unlikely that it will work for a new phone, but it won't hurt to try if it doesn't, right?
thanks again for the jump start....I think just jumping in and doing is the best way to learn, but I don't want to leap without protecting myself at the outset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) sunshine is the only way to s-off if firewater doesn't work. It pushes an exploit that turns the secure flag off so s-off is achieved, then it pushes a separate exploit to unlock the bootloader. You may be able to change your phone carrier ID so htc dev can s-off your phone, but it doesn't do everything sunshine does.
2) without using sunshine you can still have temporary root with weaksauce, but it's really limited. Since your phone is still s-on, it isn't able to write to the system partition. It means you lose root on every reboot, and you have to wait up to a minute for weaksauce to root again.
Also without an unlocked bootloader you are unable to flash a custom recovery, which means you can't make a nandroid. Not having a nandroid sucks because if you soft brick your phone you have no choice but to go completely back to stock. Not a great situation to be in.
Any root framework or application that requires modification of your system folder won't work.
There's no question paying $25 for sunshine is worth it.
3) here's the some definitions:
S-on = security flag on, system write protected
S-off = security flag off, system write enabled
Unlocked bootloader: ability to flash custom kernels and Recoveries.
Having access to a custom recovery is everything. Allows easy backup capabilities in case a rom modification goes bad. Allows super user permissions to be flashed directly into the system partition to allow permanent root. And gives you the ability to keep an unlocked bootloader without worry that Verizon will patch the current exploit.
Even on a stock rom it's worth it to have an unlocked bootloader. The modifications you're referring to require a custom recovery, and even if you could install them without it, it's still recommended to have a nandroid available in case your phone doesn't boot afterwards. I'm still running stock myself.
4) getting back to stock isn't easy. Verizon or HTC didn't release an official ruu. You'd have to flash the unofficial ruu, then turn your flags back to S-on, and hope it doesn't detect anything weird and flag your phone as tampered. The information was already linked to you in earlier posts, you just have to read up on it.
5) firewater stopped working on newer hardware versions, has nothing to do with firmware versions. There's no harm in trying it, but it most likely won't work on a new phone.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

BadUsername said:
1) sunshine is the only way to s-off if firewater doesn't work. It pushes an exploit that turns the secure flag off so s-off is achieved, then it pushes a separate exploit to unlock the bootloader. You may be able to change your phone carrier ID so htc dev can s-off your phone, but it doesn't do everything sunshine does.
2) without using sunshine you can still have temporary root with weaksauce, but it's really limited. Since your phone is still s-on, it isn't able to write to the system partition. It means you lose root on every reboot, and you have to wait up to a minute for weaksauce to root again.
Also without an unlocked bootloader you are unable to flash a custom recovery, which means you can't make a nandroid. Not having a nandroid sucks because if you soft brick your phone you have no choice but to go completely back to stock. Not a great situation to be in.
Any root framework or application that requires modification of your system folder won't work.
There's no question paying $25 for sunshine is worth it.
3) here's the some definitions:
S-on = security flag on, system write protected
S-off = security flag off, system write enabled
Unlocked bootloader: ability to flash custom kernels and Recoveries.
Having access to a custom recovery is everything. Allows easy backup capabilities in case a rom modification goes bad. Allows super user permissions to be flashed directly into the system partition to allow permanent root. And gives you the ability to keep an unlocked bootloader without worry that Verizon will patch the current exploit.
Even on a stock rom it's worth it to have an unlocked bootloader. The modifications you're referring to require a custom recovery, and even if you could install them without it, it's still recommended to have a nandroid available in case your phone doesn't boot afterwards. I'm still running stock myself.
4) getting back to stock isn't easy. Verizon or HTC didn't release an official ruu. You'd have to flash the unofficial ruu, then turn your flags back to S-on, and hope it doesn't detect anything weird and flag your phone as tampered. The information was already linked to you in earlier posts, you just have to read up on it.
5) firewater stopped working on newer hardware versions, has nothing to do with firmware versions. There's no harm in trying it, but it most likely won't work on a new phone.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It also seems that firewater has nothing to do with hardware versions either. As I have a buddy with same hardware versions as me and FW worked perfectly. I am not exactly sure why FW works for some and not others.
---------- Post added at 08:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:06 AM ----------
Also as far as changing CID I have not found a way to do this with out having S-Off already. If there is one please point me in the right direction. Thank you!

mdorrett said:
It also seems that firewater has nothing to do with hardware versions either. As I have a buddy with same hardware versions as me and FW worked perfectly. I am not exactly sure why FW works for some and not others.
---------- Post added at 08:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:06 AM ----------
Also as far as changing CID I have not found a way to do this with out having S-Off already. If there is one please point me in the right direction. Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess I meant hardware variation, not version, it's not something you can simply check, but the internals of each phone is different. If htc used different manufacturers for the same internals it'll break firewater. The hardware version number would look the same.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

So I've read up on a good bit of what you've all posted - again thanks for that.
My M8 will be here tomorrow and I plan to use it for a few days without any tampering to ensure that I like the phone and that the reception in my home is adequate (problem had on my last upgrade attempt a year ago to a Razr M with Verizon). If all looks good, I will attempt the firewater method this weekend. If unsuccessful, I think my plan is probably to just play with the stock configuration for a month or two just to get used to working with a modern android version (I'm coming from a Droid 2 with large areas of pixel smear...so anything will be an improvement).
Hopefully, after a couple months if I am feeling like I want to tinker, sunshine will have come down in $$ or there is another working method. If not, I'll pay for it if I feel it's worth what I'll gain at that time. In all honesty, I like knowing I have the power to do whatever I want on my phone, but because I use my phone day in and out for business, I'm not often that adventurous in constant flashing ROMs as I want a very stable experience and don't want to take the time to constantly flash and restore.
I do have a few follow-up questions from some of my reading:
1) My understanding is that S-Off is also equivalent to a bootloader unlock. And that if you S-OFF, there is no need to also unlock the bootloader (it's either done as part of it, or simply not needed since S-Off overrides any boot lock). Is this correct?
2) Is CID unlock necessary to flash custom ROMs? Does doing a CID unlock also have the same benefit of a SIM unlock? Some pages I read indicate that setting to the superCID (11111111) is basically the same as a region unlock and therefore your SIM is also unlocked?
3) Since you can apparently gain temp root with weaksauce, is it possible to use this temproot with xposed framework? Or is S-off still required to apply the xposed framework modules?
thanks!

TraderJack said:
So I've read up on a good bit of what you've all posted - again thanks for that.
My M8 will be here tomorrow and I plan to use it for a few days without any tampering to ensure that I like the phone and that the reception in my home is adequate (problem had on my last upgrade attempt a year ago to a Razr M with Verizon). If all looks good, I will attempt the firewater method this weekend. If unsuccessful, I think my plan is probably to just play with the stock configuration for a month or two just to get used to working with a modern android version (I'm coming from a Droid 2 with large areas of pixel smear...so anything will be an improvement).
Hopefully, after a couple months if I am feeling like I want to tinker, sunshine will have come down in $$ or there is another working method. If not, I'll pay for it if I feel it's worth what I'll gain at that time. In all honesty, I like knowing I have the power to do whatever I want on my phone, but because I use my phone day in and out for business, I'm not often that adventurous in constant flashing ROMs as I want a very stable experience and don't want to take the time to constantly flash and restore.
I do have a few follow-up questions from some of my reading:
1) My understanding is that S-Off is also equivalent to a bootloader unlock. And that if you S-OFF, there is no need to also unlock the bootloader (it's either done as part of it, or simply not needed since S-Off overrides any boot lock). Is this correct?
2) Is CID unlock necessary to flash custom ROMs? Does doing a CID unlock also have the same benefit of a SIM unlock? Some pages I read indicate that setting to the superCID (11111111) is basically the same as a region unlock and therefore your SIM is also unlocked?
3) Since you can apparently gain temp root with weaksauce, is it possible to use this temproot with xposed framework? Or is S-off still required to apply the xposed framework modules?
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) s-off is not equivalent to bootloader unlock, they are different things. S-off is needed to unlock bootloader.
2) super cid is only needed if swapping carriers, it allows another rom specific to any carrier to be flashed. If you flash any rom on Verizon it won't work, so you have to use a compatible Verizon rom anyways.
3) maybe, I never use xposed anyway because it breaks some apps I use. My guess is that it would be hit or miss depending on what the module does.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

TraderJack said:
So I've read up on a good bit of what you've all posted - again thanks for that.
My M8 will be here tomorrow and I plan to use it for a few days without any tampering to ensure that I like the phone and that the reception in my home is adequate (problem had on my last upgrade attempt a year ago to a Razr M with Verizon). If all looks good, I will attempt the firewater method this weekend. If unsuccessful, I think my plan is probably to just play with the stock configuration for a month or two just to get used to working with a modern android version (I'm coming from a Droid 2 with large areas of pixel smear...so anything will be an improvement).
Hopefully, after a couple months if I am feeling like I want to tinker, sunshine will have come down in $$ or there is another working method. If not, I'll pay for it if I feel it's worth what I'll gain at that time. In all honesty, I like knowing I have the power to do whatever I want on my phone, but because I use my phone day in and out for business, I'm not often that adventurous in constant flashing ROMs as I want a very stable experience and don't want to take the time to constantly flash and restore.
I do have a few follow-up questions from some of my reading:
1) My understanding is that S-Off is also equivalent to a bootloader unlock. And that if you S-OFF, there is no need to also unlock the bootloader (it's either done as part of it, or simply not needed since S-Off overrides any boot lock). Is this correct?
2) Is CID unlock necessary to flash custom ROMs? Does doing a CID unlock also have the same benefit of a SIM unlock? Some pages I read indicate that setting to the superCID (11111111) is basically the same as a region unlock and therefore your SIM is also unlocked?
3) Since you can apparently gain temp root with weaksauce, is it possible to use this temproot with xposed framework? Or is S-off still required to apply the xposed framework modules?
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) No, s-off simply allows you to write to the /system partition and do some other stuff like RUU's and etc that i cant think of at the moment but no it is not equivalent to bootloader unlock. Bootloader unlocking allows you to flash recoveries, roms, scripts, kernels, etc. S-OFF allows the more advanced stuff like firmware flashing in fastboot. (at least I think that's what s-off does)
2) Super CID allows you to flash ROM's made for other carriers. So if you set your CID to super CID or another carriers CID then you could flash their ROMS and receive OTA Updates from them. It does not allow Sim unlock and or is not a Sim unlock.
3) I'm quite sure that weak sauce only allows access to /system/xbin but I may be wrong BUT in the case I'm right then no you cannot use xposed without S-OFF because without S-OFF you can't flash a system write enabled kernel to allow it.

Ok... so two more questions:
1) Verizon M8 is already SIM unlocked, correct?
2) I can see that firewater/sunshine do both an S-off and bootloader unlock. However, they don't seem to differentiate between these two things, simply stating they do both. Is there another stand-alone method to unlock the bootloader and if so, do you gain anything having an unlocked boot loader but not s-off? I know you can unlock the bootloader on all the other M8 variants via HTCdev, but they have blocked Verizon.

TraderJack said:
Ok... so two more questions:
1) Verizon M8 is already SIM unlocked, correct?
2) I can see that firewater/sunshine do both an S-off and bootloader unlock. However, they don't seem to differentiate between these two things, simply stating they do both. Is there another stand-alone method to unlock the bootloader and if so, do you gain anything having an unlocked boot loader but not s-off? I know you can unlock the bootloader on all the other M8 variants via HTCdev, but they have blocked Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) No, you have to manually unlock it.
2) HTCDev is the only way that I've heard about for unlocking the bootloader alone & the only thing different is you wouldn't be able to flash firmware I believe.

S1L3nTShaDoWz said:
1) No, you have to manually unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://htcsource.com/2014/06/how-to-sim-unlock-the-htc-one-m8-for-free/
"Verizon: the HTC One (M8) from Verizon is SIM unlocked right out of the box."
Also found this on Verizon's Global Ready policy FAQ:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/faqs/InternationalServicesandRoaming/faq_global_phone.html
"We do not lock our 4G LTE devices, and no code is needed to program them for use with another carrier."
Some info on this thread people seem to indicate it is already unlocked:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2730159
So are those sources above incorrect? I can't find any guide on how to SIM unlock the M8 on verizon... this is why I'm thinking it was already unlocked?

TraderJack said:
http://htcsource.com/2014/06/how-to-sim-unlock-the-htc-one-m8-for-free/
"Verizon: the HTC One (M8) from Verizon is SIM unlocked right out of the box."
Also found this on Verizon's Global Ready policy FAQ:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/faqs/InternationalServicesandRoaming/faq_global_phone.html
"We do not lock our 4G LTE devices, and no code is needed to program them for use with another carrier."
Some info on this thread people seem to indicate it is already unlocked:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2730159
So are those sources above incorrect? I can't find any guide on how to SIM unlock the M8 on verizon... this is why I'm thinking it was already unlocked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is sim unlocked, you can take it into any carrier and it'll work. The only reason it wouldn't work is if you don't have the correct bands to get LTE or GSM data.
Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

So i got my M8 yesterday and could already tell that reception wise it was much better than my previous upgrade attempt with the RAZR M.
Since there aren't a lot of options for customizable phones anymore with VZW, I've decided to keep it and am happy to report that firewater worked for me to S-OFF!
I had some issues with weaksauce and superSU...the latter not seeming to want to run, but eventually I determined that it wasn't necessary to actually run and update the app to get firewater to work (even though I never got any toast pop-ups from weaksauce after boot).
Firewater ran find and unlocke me after 4 bottle chugs.
I then had some problems loading on CWM. The reason is that on the CWM site the list the M8 down at the very bottom away from all the other HTC devices (including the HTC One - which they don't qualify as the M7 or M8). I accidentally flashed the recovery for the M7 since that is what was listed. After that I couldn't get into any recovery, although the phone still booted. When I realized what happened, I was a little peeved that they so carelessly listed these on their site that I chose not to continue using the stock CWM even though I prefer it's streamlined approach.
I went ahead an installed this version of PhilZ CWM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2725348
It sounded like you guys were praising this one, and I do prefer CWM. Even though it sounds like TWRP is more popular now, I saw several threads where it seemed like there were issues with TWRP doing funky stuff that CWM users didn't have issues with.
So, after I got that on I removed weaksauce and SuperSU.
What I would like to do now is probably reset to factory defaults and do a nandroid backup. Then, I would like to perma-root.
Some questions on this:
1) Do i need an SD card to nandroid backup? It appeared to work when I started a backup without an SD card...I didn't let it finish, but I'm not sure this method will work. I want to make sure I have a backup that I can use to revert to stock. I do have an sd card coming, but if I can do a successful backup without one I will go ahead.
2) Do I use all the default settings in Philz/CWM for the backup, or do I need to tweak anything in the advanced to ensure that I get *everything* that would be stock on the phone?
3) I saw some method that involved flashing a supersu update to get perma-root? Is this the best method?
Thanks again for all the help.

TraderJack said:
So i got my M8 yesterday and could already tell that reception wise it was much better than my previous upgrade attempt with the RAZR M.
Since there aren't a lot of options for customizable phones anymore with VZW, I've decided to keep it and am happy to report that firewater worked for me to S-OFF!
I had some issues with weaksauce and superSU...the latter not seeming to want to run, but eventually I determined that it wasn't necessary to actually run and update the app to get firewater to work (even though I never got any toast pop-ups from weaksauce after boot).
Firewater ran find and unlocke me after 4 bottle chugs.
I then had some problems loading on CWM. The reason is that on the CWM site the list the M8 down at the very bottom away from all the other HTC devices (including the HTC One - which they don't qualify as the M7 or M8). I accidentally flashed the recovery for the M7 since that is what was listed. After that I couldn't get into any recovery, although the phone still booted. When I realized what happened, I was a little peeved that they so carelessly listed these on their site that I chose not to continue using the stock CWM even though I prefer it's streamlined approach.
I went ahead an installed this version of PhilZ CWM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2725348
It sounded like you guys were praising this one, and I do prefer CWM. Even though it sounds like TWRP is more popular now, I saw several threads where it seemed like there were issues with TWRP doing funky stuff that CWM users didn't have issues with.
So, after I got that on I removed weaksauce and SuperSU.
What I would like to do now is probably reset to factory defaults and do a nandroid backup. Then, I would like to perma-root.
Some questions on this:
1) Do i need an SD card to nandroid backup? It appeared to work when I started a backup without an SD card...I didn't let it finish, but I'm not sure this method will work. I want to make sure I have a backup that I can use to revert to stock. I do have an sd card coming, but if I can do a successful backup without one I will go ahead.
2) Do I use all the default settings in Philz/CWM for the backup, or do I need to tweak anything in the advanced to ensure that I get *everything* that would be stock on the phone?
3) I saw some method that involved flashing a supersu update to get perma-root? Is this the best method?
Thanks again for all the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) You don't need an SD card but I recommend it because if you ever encounter the dreaded "encryption" glitch that some AOSP ROM's have then you'll lose everything on your internal storage. I also recommend you back your Nandroid backups to your computer or some other sort of storage too so that if you ever encounter it or somehow manage to lose it then you can get it back.
2) It doesn't really matter what settings you choose or at least it never has for me but it should backup everything (ROM & apps)
3) Yes, that is the best method for getting perma-root is to flash the SuperSU zip in your recovery. You can find the latest version of the flashable zip at Chainfire's thread over here or the direct download link to the flashable zip here on his official website
Also I'd like to apologize for the invalid information I gave you yesterday on the SIM unlocking, my bad on that. I've had a cold for the past few days and it's been making me lazy lol.

S1L3nTShaDoWz said:
1) You don't need an SD card but I recommend it because if you ever encounter the dreaded "encryption" glitch that some AOSP ROM's have then you'll lose everything on your internal storage. I also recommend you back your Nandroid backups to your computer or some other sort of storage too so that if you ever encounter it or somehow manage to lose it then you can get it back.
2) It doesn't really matter what settings you choose or at least it never has for me but it should backup everything (ROM & apps)
3) Yes, that is the best method for getting perma-root is to flash the SuperSU zip in your recovery. You can find the latest version of the flashable zip at Chainfire's thread over here or the direct download link to the flashable zip here on his official website
Also I'd like to apologize for the invalid information I gave you yesterday on the SIM unlocking, my bad on that. I've had a cold for the past few days and it's been making me lazy lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Ok...but to get my first stock backup so I can proceed with everything else, it's safe to nandroid to internal memory? Where exactly will it place a nandroid backup if I don't have an SD card?
2) I was looking at the Misc Nandroid Settings like "include /preload" "use TWRP mode" etc. No reason to use anything but the defaults?
3) Cool...as soon as I have my nandroid I will go that route.
No worries about the SIM data...you guys have helped accelerate me pretty fast, and I'm thrilled that firewater worked. I'd now just like to get my full backup so I can begin fully migrating to the new phone and having fun

TraderJack said:
1) Ok...but to get my first stock backup so I can proceed with everything else, it's safe to nandroid to internal memory? Where exactly will it place a nandroid backup if I don't have an SD card?
2) I was looking at the Misc Nandroid Settings like "include /preload" "use TWRP mode" etc. No reason to use anything but the defaults?
3) Cool...as soon as I have my nandroid I will go that route.
No worries about the SIM data...you guys have helped accelerate me pretty fast, and I'm thrilled that firewater worked. I'd now just like to get my full backup so I can begin fully migrating to the new phone and having fun
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it's safe, it will be stored in a folder called TWRP/Backups/Phone_Id_Here/ in the storage/emulated/0 folder (in root Explorer).
Also you can change them around to what you like, it doesn't matter.
& glad we could help!

Just bought one!

I bought a MyTouch on Amazon for 43 dollars.
Can someone provide a simple guide for me so I can update it to the latest CWM? I've never done any mods with an HTC like this and when I did it was the Hero and I hard bricked it. I had a few G1's, too...
Anyway, can someone PM me or reply to this? I need something quick and easy.
Starting from Rooting and finishishing at CM install.
My current device is an LG Phoenix, so... Big Upgrade!

AndrMatr said:
I bought a MyTouch on Amazon for 43 dollars.
Can someone provide a simple guide for me so I can update it to the latest CWM? I've never done any mods with an HTC like this and when I did it was the Hero and I hard bricked it. I had a few G1's, too...
Anyway, can someone PM me or reply to this? I need something quick and easy.
Starting from Rooting and finishishing at CM install.
My current device is an LG Phoenix, so... Big Upgrade!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would start with this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801106
It will unlock your bootloader, add CWM, and root your (arriving) phone (in that order). If there are any dead links, I should be able to help out (except for the drivers - you can either try ADBSetup or use Linux to unlock the bootloader).
I would skip Juopunutbear unless you are planning to flash every other week . I did it, it's no big deal, but the best I got out of S-OFF was to change the start-up logo (before the bootanimation).
Hope this gives an idea.

joel.maxuel said:
I would start with this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1801106
It will unlock your bootloader, add CWM, and root your (arriving) phone (in that order). If there are any dead links, I should be able to help out (except for the drivers - you can either try ADBSetup or use Linux to unlock the bootloader).
I would skip Juopunutbear unless you are planning to flash every other week . I did it, it's no big deal, but the best I got out of S-OFF was to change the start-up logo (before the bootanimation).
Hope this gives an idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what if I don't have Admin privileges on a computer? Will Fastboot and ADB still work? I don't know about the drivers...
And I had the original myTouch 3G and I installed the Visionary (the one with the yellow triangle with the lightning bolt hitting a guy) APK file. I was able to flash CWM Recovery after Visionary rooted the device. Is it possible to flash ROMS using CWM instead of unlocking the bootloader?

AndrMatr said:
So what if I don't have Admin privileges on a computer? Will Fastboot and ADB still work? I don't know about the drivers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably not. I haven't seen a situation where drivers can install without admin priv.
AndrMatr said:
And I had the original myTouch 3G and I installed the Visionary (the one with the yellow triangle with the lightning bolt hitting a guy) APK file. I was able to flash CWM Recovery after Visionary rooted the device. Is it possible to flash ROMS using CWM instead of unlocking the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be gaining root through an exploit. If I recall correctly, all of those have been sealed in future OTA's. The only way that makes sense (that is, not trying every rooting package out there) is to unlock the bootloader first. It's really not that bad.

Confusion
joel.maxuel said:
Probably not. I haven't seen a situation where drivers can install without admin priv.
That would be gaining root through an exploit. If I recall correctly, all of those have been sealed in future OTA's. The only way that makes sense (that is, not trying every rooting package out there) is to unlock the bootloader first. It's really not that bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The MT4GS I'm getting is running Gingerbread. If I use GingerBreak APK to root the phone and install CWM, can I still back up the stock OS? And for future reference, how would I keep the baseband once I'm ready to flash ROMs? Like the IMEI and stuff like that?
And the guide that you directed me towards is slightly complicated.
Is there an APK that can turn S-Off? if so, how reliable is it?
And for future reference (I like saying that) the ETA for device delivery is Wednesday on the East Coast of the United States.

AndrMatr said:
The MT4GS I'm getting is running Gingerbread. If I use GingerBreak APK to root the phone and install CWM, can I still back up the stock OS? And for future reference, how would I keep the baseband once I'm ready to flash ROMs? Like the IMEI and stuff like that?
And the guide that you directed me towards is slightly complicated.
Is there an APK that can turn S-Off? if so, how reliable is it?
And for future reference (I like saying that) the ETA for device delivery is Wednesday on the East Coast of the United States.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Getting out of my comfort zone here, but that should be possible. CWM will be able to back up system and boot, effectively the stock OS.
Haven't heard of people losing their IMEI's with this phone, nor of any backup to protect it, so that should be fine.
When I went through it, I found the guide a bit daunting as well, but you get used to it (alternatively there is below, which I never used).
There is no APK to S-Off (too complicated for a user app, and your phone would be upside down half the time thus making the screen unreadable), but there is this that can speed up the process:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2438884
This can root as well. It's no APK, but should get the job done.

joel.maxuel said:
Getting out of my comfort zone here, but that should be possible. CWM will be able to back up system and boot, effectively the stock OS.
Haven't heard of people losing their IMEI's with this phone, nor of any backup to protect it, so that should be fine.
When I went through it, I found the guide a bit daunting as well, but you get used to it (alternatively there is below, which I never used).
There is no APK to S-Off (too complicated for a user app, and your phone would be upside down half the time thus making the screen unreadable), but there is this that can speed up the process:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2438884
This can root as well. It's no APK, but should get the job done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*cringes* Windows admin priiivveellleges.....?
And can we just talk about this through PM? the XDA site is destroying my data. The app is better.

s-off has gotten easier. juopunutbear (or however you spell it) is no longer needed. rumrunner s-off is by far easier to use. this is what I used combined with the windroid program to root.

I bought one from a liquidator online. Brand new, out of the box, with the plastic still on the screen and stuff. Unmarked battery, though. Charges a bit too fast. Was labelled as "refurbished" but came in the original manufacturer box with original PC sync cable and chager. I found a way to root the stock ROM without S-OFF, just with CWM. All I had t do was flash a 2.3.6 ZIP that had the SU binary and the .apk file for the Samsung Galaxy Admire. It works on the really stupid Huawei model, too. Which, I installed the Raspberry Pi variation of SliTaz on it, and it works great! But as soon as I came back to my apartment from work I unlocked the bootloader(HTC model), installed CWM, flashed the ZIP fro 1.4 DS, and then did a backup of my old non-functional broken peice of shi...Yeah, and then then flashed the boot image through fastboot, and then restored my backup. My point is, though, my Minecraft PE and my Ravensword 2 installations diappeared after restoring the backup. Any ideas of why this happened?

mattlowry said:
s-off has gotten easier. juopunutbear (or however you spell it) is no longer needed. rumrunner s-off is by far easier to use. this is what I used combined with the windroid program to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks this is good info, i recently just got my slide to have cm9 without s-off and lets say that was a process trying to shift about all these dead links on this forum. but i plan on getting another mytouch cause i wanna switch back to a keyboard phone and well the keyboard died some how from sitting for so long but now that i have cm9 on this phone holly poo it runs fast and smooth.
anyway thanks for the info
i looked up the rumrunner and does it matter that its not completely made for the doubleshot? or does it just do it to any htc phone?

g-fetus6 said:
thanks this is good info, i recently just got my slide to have cm9 without s-off and lets say that was a process trying to shift about all these dead links on this forum. But i plan on getting another mytouch cause i wanna switch back to a keyboard phone and well the keyboard died some how from sitting for so long but now that i have cm9 on this phone holly poo it runs fast and smooth.
Anyway thanks for the info
i looked up the rumrunner and does it matter that its not completely made for the doubleshot? Or does it just do it to any htc phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they have a universal version that works fine

Htc one m8 - im 70 and rooting this phone on my bucket list

Ok my friends, my name is ska, im 70 yrs old and if i dont type in caps, i cant see what i am typing. I would like to correctly root my phone and unroot it later if need be, before i die and so i have come here for assistance. Although i have worked in multiple engineering fields, i no longer have the mental capability to comprehend or follow any rooting instructions unless they were written for a 6 yr old. Getting old is no fun so dont do it.
Can anyone slow it down a few gears and help me with this bucket list item?
Here is what i have:
Htc one m8(metal)
originally verizon now has straight talk sim
model number: Htc6525lvw
imei: 990 004 998 964 591
android version 5.0.1
htc sense version 6.0
software number 4.17.605.9
htc sdk api level 6.55
it took me 21 minutes to type out this information. Which i will never get back. I just want to have a outta sight phone to show off at bingo and use it as an ice breaker on dance nights.

I love this thread and really hope you can figure it out!
You'll need a few things to accomplish this. First you'll need to get s-off (which I explain below), then you get root access, and finally you install a custom recovery. Once that's done, you're good to go, and can install whatever custom ROM or flashy modifications you want without worry that you'll permanently ruin your phone. Here's a list of things you'll need to do it: KingRoot app, Sunshine app ($25! No way around this...), working Android Device Bridge (ADB) connection to a PC.
Note, rooting your phone (up to the custom recovery) will not erase any of your user data, however further changes (such as flashing a new ROM) likely will, so you'll want to back up everything.
s-on/off: This refers to the security setting of the phone. By default, the phone comes s-on, which protects access to reserved memory and prevents you from rooting your phone. You'll need to change this to s-off first. Once done though, it'll be s-off for good. There are ways to "return to stock" and set it back to s-on, or at least appear as such to a level 1 tech.
First thing you're going to want to do is get ADB working on your computer and ensure you can communicate with and control your phone from the ADB command line. This is arguably the hardest step for a lay person. Detailed instructions on how to get that working can be found here.
Once you can see your phone in ADB and have ensured that's working, you'll want to download the KingRoot app and Sunshine app to your phone using the sites I've linked. KingRoot will be used to get temporary root access to your phone. Once you get tempRoot, if you reboot your phone, you'll have to do it again. Temporary root access is required for Sunshine to do it's thing and set your phone to s-off. Once you have s-off you're essentially done, and the last bit of work is to install the custom recovery and then any custom ROMs or modifications you'll want.
So you have ADB working and downloaded the two apps above. Lets get started.
First, launch KingRoot on your phone, and let it do it's magic trying to get you temporary root access. It'll likely fail a few times, but just keep doing it again until it works.
Once KingRoot says you have root, run Sunshine. It'll evaluate your phone and check if it has root access. If all is well, it'll prompt you to go pay $25 for the app, and will reboot your phone.
Once the phone has rebooted, launch KingRoot again and check to see if you still have tempRoot. You'll likely need to re-run KingRoot a few times until it gets root again.
Now that you have tempRoot again, and have paid the $25, go ahead and run Sunshine again. This time, it'll know you're ready to go, so let it run and it'll set your phone to s-off and reboot when it's done.
At this point, you've broken the man's lock over your phone! Go you!
The last step is to install a custom recovery, I suggest TWRP, which will allow you to backup and restore your phone, and also install things like a custom ROM. Details of how to install TWRP can be found here. You'll be using the ADB to push the code to your phone which is why we set it up and tested it first.
Once TWRP is installed, I recommend making a backup of your phone so you don't lose any information. You can do this in TWRP.
As a final step, and a way to show off your technological prowess, you can install a custom ROM. a whole forum of options and detailed explanations on how to install them can be found here. Some retain the same look and feel you're used to, while others use different user interfaces to offer a modified experience. Review the options and feel free to ask questions!
Good luck!

Hope you get this done, I will help in anyway I can.
You shouldn't need kingroot anymore, just download the sunshine app (http://theroot.ninja) to your device, install it and follow the steps.

I was 68 when I did mine. Just read here and follow the instructions.

Alllllrightttttty then !!!! When can you come over and do it>????
drumz0rz said:
I love this thread and really hope you can figure it out!
You'll need a few things to accomplish this. First you'll need to get s-off (which I explain below), then you get root access, and finally you install a custom recovery. Once that's done, you're good to go, and can install whatever custom ROM or flashy modifications you want without worry that you'll permanently ruin your phone. Here's a list of things you'll need to do it: KingRoot app, Sunshine app ($25! No way around this...), working Android Device Bridge (ADB) connection to a PC.
Note, rooting your phone (up to the custom recovery) will not erase any of your user data, however further changes (such as flashing a new ROM) likely will, so you'll want to back up everything.
s-on/off: This refers to the security setting of the phone. By default, the phone comes s-on, which protects access to reserved memory and prevents you from rooting your phone. You'll need to change this to s-off first. Once done though, it'll be s-off for good. There are ways to "return to stock" and set it back to s-on, or at least appear as such to a level 1 tech.
First thing you're going to want to do is get ADB working on your computer and ensure you can communicate with and control your phone from the ADB command line. This is arguably the hardest step for a lay person. Detailed instructions on how to get that working can be found here.
Once you can see your phone in ADB and have ensured that's working, you'll want to download the KingRoot app and Sunshine app to your phone using the sites I've linked. KingRoot will be used to get temporary root access to your phone. Once you get tempRoot, if you reboot your phone, you'll have to do it again. Temporary root access is required for Sunshine to do it's thing and set your phone to s-off. Once you have s-off you're essentially done, and the last bit of work is to install the custom recovery and then any custom ROMs or modifications you'll want.
So you have ADB working and downloaded the two apps above. Lets get started.
First, launch KingRoot on your phone, and let it do it's magic trying to get you temporary root access. It'll likely fail a few times, but just keep doing it again until it works.
Once KingRoot says you have root, run Sunshine. It'll evaluate your phone and check if it has root access. If all is well, it'll prompt you to go pay $25 for the app, and will reboot your phone.
Once the phone has rebooted, launch KingRoot again and check to see if you still have tempRoot. You'll likely need to re-run KingRoot a few times until it gets root again.
Now that you have tempRoot again, and have paid the $25, go ahead and run Sunshine again. This time, it'll know you're ready to go, so let it run and it'll set your phone to s-off and reboot when it's done.
At this point, you've broken the man's lock over your phone! Go you!
The last step is to install a custom recovery, I suggest TWRP, which will allow you to backup and restore your phone, and also install things like a custom ROM. Details of how to install TWRP can be found here. You'll be using the ADB to push the code to your phone which is why we set it up and tested it first.
Once TWRP is installed, I recommend making a backup of your phone so you don't lose any information. You can do this in TWRP.
As a final step, and a way to show off your technological prowess, you can install a custom ROM. a whole forum of options and detailed explanations on how to install them can be found here. Some retain the same look and feel you're used to, while others use different user interfaces to offer a modified experience. Review the options and feel free to ask questions!
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW THE LAST TIME I HAVE HAD MY MIND BLOWN LIKE THIS WAS BY A YOUNG LADY IN KOREA. I GUESS MY NEXT QUESTION IS WHAT IN SAM HILL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ? I'M GOING TO ATTEMPT TO FOLLOW YOUR INSTRUCTIONS BUT I THINK THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE I'M GONNA BREAK A HIP IF I TRY TWRPING.!!! AS SOON AS MY NIECE GETS HERE TO TAKE ME TO WALMART TO GET SOME PAPER FOR MY PRINTING UNIT. I WILL PRINT ALL THIS OUT AND START READING. I'M ONLY GOOD FOR ABOUT 5 PAGES OF EASY READING BEFORE I NOD OUT ONLY TO BE WOKEN UP BY THE IMPACT OF MY HEAD ON THE KEYBOARD. HAD TO WALK AROUND WITH GHBNM IMPRINTED ON MY HEAD FOR A WEEK LAST TIME. I'LL KEEP YOU ABREAST ON MY PROGRESS. THANK YOU FOR ALL THIS INFO AND YOUR QUICK RESPONSE ALTHOUGH I'M NOT TO SURE OF MY ABILITY TO COMPREHEND ANY OF IT.
THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE LIKE MY TOASTER. PUT BREAD IN CLICK ONE BUTTON WAIT AND DING ALL DONE AND NOW HAVE YUMMY TOAST. to be continued........

To make this super simple here are the steps:
1) http://theroot.ninja/download.html (Do the first link and after you finish that do the second.)
2) At this point you could potentially go to the app store, download TWRP which is a recovery program that is almost like a computer bios would be on a computer. Once you have that you could install it after selecting your phone and the TWRP version you want, I would select 2.8.0.0 as I had issues when I tried to flash higher the first time.
3) if that doesn't work you will need to install TWRP via Fastboot the directions for which are here:
https://twrp.me/devices/htconem8gsm.html
You can just put your phone in Fastboot mode and in a terminal on your computer that your phone is attached to type:
"fastboot devices" to make sure your phone is being seen.
"fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" to flash TWRP.
"fastboot reboot" to reboot the phone.
4) Here's the hardest step if you can't install TWRP from the app, installing ADB and Fastboot but just go to Youtube and look up some videos on that. There are some more details involved but you can ask when you get this done as this is all you'll need to install the custom ROMs.

Throttled to a halt in two ways is taking its tole on my project
********could not post with quote due to some error about posting 10 times.......something....yada...yada !!*******
Well gents, my carrier has throttled my speed so slow that it feels like I'm on dial-up in Bedrock. Looking at all those Utube videos and printing out instructions ate up 5 Gb in 3 days. So to make downloading the programs I need "time out" before they can be fully downloaded. But I'm still at. So bear with me. Did I mention that I got throttled? Not only by my carrier, but my doctor had to one up my carrier by informing me that I had a heart attack while shopping for print paper with my niece. I think I had a few more when she was driving me to the ER. So I'm a bit slower this week, but I still at it. Thanks for everyones help thus far. I better get to this before it gets to me.