Rooted and unlocked bootloader, what can and can't I do? - HTC Rezound

Hi guys. I'm still a complete newbie to all this development stuff. I'm just absolutely blown away by what work the developers do here and their specialized knowledge. I'm still having trouble differentiating between a rom, kernel and radio for instance, so I'm easily impressed, lol. Even though I read these threads and try to do my homework, I'm still coming up short on some answers.
Thankfully by following some detailed steps, I was somehow able to unlock the bootloader on my Rezound and get it rooted. Now I'm hearing exclusive to HTC phones are S-OFF and S-ON. Mine is S-ON. I'm hearing that there hasn't been a way to get S-OFF yet, right? I believe S-OFF is only on select Rezounds out of the box, maybe some special, developer units or whatnot?
I believe my phone now is pretty much to doing anything except for flashing custom radios thanks to S-ON right? Aside from that, is there anything else I should know? Is having S-ON really that much of a detriment?
Thanks a lot!

This what I have gathered. You can do same thing as everyone else just in a different way. We can still flash kernels and recoveries, but in a different way. You are correct, with S-off we can't flash radios or SPL. In reality we shouldn't be messing with that stuff in the first place. Really the only major difference between S-off guys and us is we use fastboot more often.

I have read that you can't flash radios with s-on.
This is turning into the blind leading the blind thread. lol. (including myself in this comment )

Can Flash:
System
Boot(Fastboot/HBOOT Only)
Recovery(Fastboot/HBOOT Only)
Data
Cache
Can't Flash
HBOOT
Radio

con247 said:
Can Flash:
System
Boot(Fastboot/HBOOT Only)
Recovery(Fastboot/HBOOT Only)
Data
Cache
Can't Flash
HBOOT
Radio
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Click to collapse
Con is absolutely right, but considering you're a newbie; You have complete freedom with everything you're capable of wanting/willing to do to your phone(Assuming you are actually a newbie!)

Related

Evo view 4g officially unlockable

Some great news.. the evo view 4g is now officially unlockable from HTC via htcdev.com. hope to see some magic happen now
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
This belongs in general.
Thx for info ThoughtHalo, the skilled dev above me (globatron) actually brought us to the dev game in HC before HTC.. That's the greatness of XDA, were always ahead of the game.
So what does this mean for us with stock GB looking to go to HC but want root?
It means now you should be able to flash a recovery and install a superuser zip
this still sucks compared to s-off. really wish HTC would stop shafting it's loyal customers so hard. It's like they want us to buy galaxy tabs :-(.
at least all of the updaters have a way to root now.
contradude said:
this still sucks compared to s-off. really wish HTC would stop shafting it's loyal customers so hard. It's like they want us to buy galaxy tabs :-(.
at least all of the updaters have a way to root now.
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Click to collapse
It means more than that, they've given us a way to roll back to GB, which in turn means that OTA updaters can get S-OFF after all.
It means now we can also just fastboot flash everything regardless of what firmware we are on which is even better.
Indirect said:
It means now we can also just fastboot flash everything regardless of what firmware we are on which is even better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you rollback to GB and S-OFF then yes, otherwise you are way off the mark, it doesn't even come close to allowing you to do that.
With an unlocked bootloader, you should be able to flash new recoveries and other things...unlocked from HTC is the same as S-off. It allows the flashing of unsigned firmware. Unless this device is unlike every other device I've had from HTC, I'm pretty sure I'm correct.
Although since I never had to use it on any of my devices (Never had something like Evo 3D) then I might be incorrect. However, based off my thoughts as an unlocked bootloader means you can flash new recovery, boot, and OTA updates that are unsigned / have broken signatures.
If you're happy with it fine, but you're misinformed. It's really not the same as S-OFF at all as many including myself have already explained. I can't be bothered with repeating the explanations again.
I apologize for being mistaken but provide information so I can be correct in the future
Sent by breaking the sound barrier
Indirect said:
I apologize for being mistaken but provide information so I can be correct in the future
Sent by breaking the sound barrier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well one difference I know about between soff and htc unlock is that you have to fastboot flash kernels and recoveries you cant flash them through cwm when the device is only htc unlocked, however you can get fastboot to flash them, at least thats how it is on the evo 3d.
mark920 said:
Well one difference I know about between soff and htc unlock is that you have to fastboot flash kernels and recoveries you cant flash them through cwm when the device is only htc unlocked, however you can get fastboot to flash them, at least thats how it is on the evo 3d.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
10 points for mark
flashing radios;custom(or stock) RUUs when unlocked; downgradability (not blocked on stock view hboot this time);but the s-off hboot protects itself from getting replaced so no nasty OTA surprises;bypassing CID restrictions, there are a few more but they are probably of no interest to most people.
EDIT: Yeah, also forgot HTC unlock erases your DRM keys.
That's good news... I'd assume I need to be back to the stock RUU S-ON to unlock it? As I already have the Rev. S-Off on my View now.
If it's not going to break it then I'll just go have it unlock it now.
globatron said:
10 points for mark
flashing radios;custom(or stock) RUUs when unlocked; downgradability (not blocked on stock view hboot this time);but the s-off hboot protects itself from getting replaced so no nasty OTA surprises;bypassing CID restrictions, there are a few more but they are probably of no interest to most people.
EDIT: Yeah, also forgot HTC unlock erases your DRM keys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But all root apps work right? And you can still flash radios and custom RUUs through the bootloader, correct? And taking OTA's isn't smart when rooted either way. So what are the consequences of losing the DRM keys?
GadgetMonger said:
But all root apps work right? And you can still flash radios and custom RUUs through the bootloader, correct? And taking OTA's isn't smart when rooted either way. So what are the consequences of losing the DRM keys?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, you can root and all apps will work, Wrong; go read, can't do radios or RUUS, Normally it's perfectly fine with a stock recovery and a protected hboot.
DRM keys are not really a problem unless you bought from watch or some other built-in thing like that.
Honestly, I couldn't care less which people do, but unlock is a pain for developers to deal with and frustrating when flashing roms. But I dislike incorrect statements like saying S-OFF and unlock are the same thing.
While its a "half assed s-off through fast boot, its still technically an s-off. Just not proper. So they aren't the same, just similar. They aren't however what people WANT on their devices.
Sent by breaking the sound barrier
Indirect said:
While its a "half assed s-off through fast boot, its still technically an s-off. Just not proper. So they aren't the same, just similar. They aren't however what people WANT on their devices.
Sent by breaking the sound barrier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do this. Unlock with the HTC method then boot to bootloader. You will notice that your device is telling you that it is unlocked but still s-on. As far as I know s-on means exactly that and not "half assed" s-off. I dont think you're understanding the difference.
No I understand the difference. S-off means the entire device is no longer secured at all. You can flash anything from the device. With unlock, you can only flash using fast boot and you can't flash certain things like radios etc. Only kernels, recovery, and downgrading RUU's
Therefore, its a "halfassed" s-off
Sent by breaking the sound barrier

[Q] 1.5 HBoot ?s

I am going to risk being told that I am an idiot here but I have to ask. I have had my 3D for almost a year now and I just can't take not rooting it yet! It is HBoot 1.5 and this the first smart phone I have ever had (the last 8) that I have not been flashing ROMs on. I just gave up that it will be possible but I have seen a bunch of forums on being able to do this.
My questions lie on the fact that I have a Mac and PC but no Linux system. I see the bootable CD options but not sure what is best. Either way it seems like a lot of work for a ROM but I just need to get a ROM on this damn phone! Is there any good videos? Where the hell do I even truly start. Way to many different options. I feel like a NOOB again even though I have flashed hundreds of ROMS and even cooked some back in my WinMob days!
Thanks guys for the help.
This is the General section. Refer to the Questions and Answers section. Just because you weren't rooting doesn't mean you can't post in the correct section.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA
Evo3d HBoot/S-off Differences/Rooting Background Info 8-5-12
Edit: I will no longer be maintaining this post. Instead I have started a full thread to help track the changes:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29844067#post29844067
I've had the Evo3D for a few months now and must say I really have come to like it.
If you want root, it's a bit quirky, You basically have 3 options:
(See the Hboot 1.50 HTC Unlock Guide in my signature for info & links)
1) HTCdev.com's "Bootloader Unlock":
Basically this leaves the bootloader's (Hboot 1.50) security flag on (S-On) but "unlocks the bootloader" (kinda like the phones Bios) so that you can manually flash everything except for Radios (Baseband) and Boot Logo's (Splash Screen). Kernels & roms can be flashed once a custom recovery is installed, but there are "extra" steps involved because the /boot partition (kernel/zImage) can only be set to write access from the Android OS or by initiating custom recovery from a pc's "Fastboot Command Prompt". There are workarounds, some work better than others. To flash Radio updates, you have to relock the bootloader and flash an OEM Full Stock Ruu (Rom Update Utility), kinda like Samsung's Sw Updater for the Transform. You also have to register your device with HTC and it "may void your warranty".
2) Downgrade Bootloader from Hboot 1.50 to 1.40 (to get S-Off):
This is a recent development by Unknownforce in the last few weeks. Basically involves corrupting the flashing process of the RUU by removing power in the middle of the flash and "bricking it" (more like mostly bricked). It forces the phone into a special eMMC Download mode that can only be fixed by pushing the older bootloader to the phone from a Linux pc. Good thing is that Closeone has a Linux LiveCD.iso that you copy to a USB Drive or CD and temporarily boot to a custom Linux Interface specifically set up for flashing the bootloader.
Once that's done, you rerun an earlier RUU (compatible with Hboot 1.40) to get the phone working fully, then root via "Revolutionary's site" (another fastboot/adb rooting tool) to get S-Off (Full root), load a recovery, update the radio, then you can flash roms & kernels like normal.
My current setup (keep coming back to MeanRom):
Hboot 1.40.1100 (Downgraded)
Firmware: 2.17.651.5 (Base)
Radio: 1.06.00.1216 (from 2.17 base)
Recovery: 4ext Recovery (Fully Compatible with CWM, which was a bit buggy except for v4.0.1.4)
Rom: MeanRom ICS
kernel: atx 1.9.1
Mods: LeeDroid Tweaks CDMA, ADW_Ex Launcher, Several Apps removed with SDX Stock App Remover (posted in SDX Evo3D General section).
3) Edit: Juopunutbear's S-OFF Wire Trick:
There is a similar third option now to brick (short out pins with a wire) & replace the bootloader on 1.50 with s-off but I haven't tried it. (Must HTC Unlock first & have a rooted "Stockish" rom installed)
dmdelgado said:
I wanted to share with everyone else suffering from HBoot 1.5 that if you have been using Chads ICS Firmware fix because of constant bootloops you dont need to downgrade your HBoot to 1.4. I know every time i would flash the firmware fix it would break many bugs that had already been fixed, I had to flash it to avoid getting constant boot-loops. But Juopunutbear's Wire trick to get S-Off was a miracle fix, and after it turns S-Off it asks if you would like to install a custom Juopunutbear Hboot. After this is done you are officially on HBoot 1.5 S-Off! And can flash any ICSense ROMS successfully without having bootloops! I really hope this helps someone enjoy their ROMs that much MORE because i know it feels good TO FINALLY BE FREED FROM THE CURSE OF S-ON!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HBoot S-Off Background Info:
mpgrimm2 said:
To be honest I have not considered anything about the bootloader since downgrading and getting s-Off. I will point out that us "downgraders" don't have hboot 1.40 but "Revolutionary Hboot 1.40.1100".
My understanding is that it has more functions than stock hboot 1.40/1.50 but less functions than the Engineering Hboot. Kinda like your Jbear Hboot 1.50.5050, but I could be wrong. I'm sure one of the devs like Mike, Chad, Joeykrim, xhausx, freeza, Unknownforce, Closeone, etc would know.
Hboots:____________________Differences:
1.04.xxxx ? (Eng Hboot) = Extended functions .... Appear to be incompatible with newer 2.89 based kernels
1.30 (Stock Hboot with 1.07.651.1 Gb) .......... Appear to be incompatible with newer 2.89 based kernels
1.40 (Stock Hboot with 1.13.651.7 Gb) ......... Appear to be incompatible with newer 2.89 based kernels
1.40.1100 (incl. w/Revolutionary S-Off) ................. Appear to be incompatible with newer 2.89 based kernels
1.50 (Stock Hboot with 2.17.651.5 Gb) ........ 2.89 based kernels status unknown
1.50.5050 (incl. w/Jbear for GB S-Off) .................. May be compatible with newer 2.89 based kernels & prior fw/kernels (some reports)
1.57.5757 (incl. w/Jbear for ICS S-Off) ................. May be compatible with newer 2.89 based kernels & prior fw/kernels (some reports)
1.58 (Stock Hboot with 2.89.651.2 ICS) ............. Compatible with newer 2.89 based kernels (& Vm ICS Leak), not GB based (some reports)
...............................................................................edit: Some boot issues with AOSP/AOKP roms & kernels reported (ie CM9)
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Click to collapse
Unknownforce said:
First, keep in mind, that there are technically two S-OFF's, the hboot and the radio. This is somewhat misleading. When you're phone displays S-OFF on the hboot screen, this is actually the Radio S-OFF, not hboot S-OFF. Gaining hboot S-OFF is actually just as simple as flashing a new modified hboot. (which is why there are revo hboot and now jbear hboot, they have been modified to now have hboot S-OFF)
hboot S-OFF is almost the same as unlocking your bootloader via HTC's method. Just that HTC's method doesn't get you S-OFF and is more limited than revo/jbear S-OFF.
So a few of the the differences here are:
1.) ENG Hboot is S-OFF and offers more fastboot commands and a few more unlocked features. This is an advanced hboot that you can do serious damage to the partitions in your phone if you don't know what you're doing. It's kind of like an all access pass.
2.) The stock hboots are S-ON, they don't allow very many of the fastboot commands. These are limited to very basic fastboot commands.
3.) revo/jbear are S-OFF, they allow for many of the "standard" fastboot commands, like flashing to partitions and whatnot, but not nearly as "feature packed" as the eng hboot, these are typically enough for normal users.
As to it providing any benefit to using a newer version of hboot, the only one that provides more features is the eng hboot for more fastboot access. What this means is that there's no major feature/performance difference between 1.30 and 1.57 aside from some appearance and some security adjustments (to allow HTC Unlock and also attempt to counter the S-OFF/exploits)
As I understand it, the differences between radio S-OFF and hboot S-OFF are basically as follows:
Radio S-OFF has signature verification off, what this means is that you can flash any PG86IMG.zip and it doesn't have to be signed by HTC. This will allow it to flash just about anything from there. This is why you can revert to a lower hboot without having to do anything special when you accidentally (or purposefully) flash a new hboot over your revo or any other hboot. Radio S-OFF also doesn't check the signature of most of the current partitions (so you don't get "security warning")
hboot S-OFF allows many more of the fastboot commands to be accepted and opens up the ability to flash some of the restricted partitions from it as well.
Hope this helps clear up some confusion.
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Click to collapse
fergdogg23 said:
I am going to risk being told that I am an idiot here but I have to ask. I have had my 3D for almost a year now and I just can't take not rooting it yet! It is HBoot 1.5 and this the first smart phone I have ever had (the last 8) that I have not been flashing ROMs on. I just gave up that it will be possible but I have seen a bunch of forums on being able to do this.
My questions lie on the fact that I have a Mac and PC but no Linux system. I see the bootable CD options but not sure what is best. Either way it seems like a lot of work for a ROM but I just need to get a ROM on this damn phone! Is there any good videos? Where the hell do I even truly start. Way to many different options. I feel like a NOOB again even though I have flashed hundreds of ROMS and even cooked some back in my WinMob days!
Thanks guys for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1585846
mnomaanw said:
Try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1585846
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Click to collapse
I wouldnt try this.
I would first try to downgrade hboot or just unlock your hboot 1.50 and use 4ext to flash roms and flash GUI to flash kernels..
I ended up bricking my evo by using the Juopunutbear S-OFF wire trick.
fergdogg23 said:
I am going to risk being told that I am an idiot here but I have to ask. I have had my 3D for almost a year now and I just can't take not rooting it yet! It is HBoot 1.5 and this the first smart phone I have ever had (the last 8) that I have not been flashing ROMs on. I just gave up that it will be possible but I have seen a bunch of forums on being able to do this.
My questions lie on the fact that I have a Mac and PC but no Linux system. I see the bootable CD options but not sure what is best. Either way it seems like a lot of work for a ROM but I just need to get a ROM on this damn phone! Is there any good videos? Where the hell do I even truly start. Way to many different options. I feel like a NOOB again even though I have flashed hundreds of ROMS and even cooked some back in my WinMob days!
Thanks guys for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know exactly how you feel. I used to flash my HTC Wing all the time with Windows Mobile. Even tried my hand at cooking some roms. Coming over to Android many years later -- yeah makes you feel like a noob again.
Its not that hard really. You are already familiar with what is involved with flashing. All you have to do is take it one step at a time. Just like you did years ago with Windows Mobile. Lots of tutorials walk you right through it. After you do it, you'll look back and see how easy it really was.
You'll need to unlock your bootloader and root the phone. Once you've done that you can flash almost any rom on here. I would not go S-Off just yet. I have read that downgrading your H-Boot slows the phone way down. There really is no good way to do it with 1.5 yet. There may not ever be as Sprint stopped selling the Evo 3D and lots of people are moving on to other phones.
The night I did mine, I started at 7:00 pm and finally figured it all out and got it done it was 4:30 am.
Just have to do alot of reading. No way around that.
How does soff slow the phone?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
patrao_n said:
How does soff slow the phone?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just read on here, its not S-Off that slows down the phone, its the downgrade of H-Boot.
Here is the link to what I read:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1661709
Here is what the guy says:
frexe said:
I recently downgraded to 1.4 hboot with revolutionary s off. I then updated with Freezas AIO. And running meanrom ics 1.0 now.
The problem is that my 3g speed is at slug speeds. Ping is up at 900ish download and upload is below 100.
Before I was on hboot 1.5 2.17.651.5_Radio_1.06.00.1216 and had decent speeds.
Just wondering if someone can shed some light to this problem. Or maybe I have to go back to 1.5hboot and live without a true root.
My Phone is flashed to boost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iTzLOLtrain said:
I wouldnt try this.
I would first try to downgrade hboot or just unlock your hboot 1.50 and use 4ext to flash roms and flash GUI to flash kernels..
I ended up bricking my evo by using the Juopunutbear S-OFF wire trick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This^
Unlock and try 4ext first it will allow you to flash roms and kernels without the need to downgrade. I downgraded to hboot 1.4 because I was getting boot loops but I read that a lot of unlocked hboot 1.5 S-On people are fine so try first before going through what can be a tricky and somewhat risky process to get S-Off.
I have experienced no slowdown from downgrading and I can't see how that would have an effect but I'll let someone more knowledgeable chime in if that is a factor or not.
I haven't seen any speed slow downs with Hboot 1.50 downgraded to 1.40 either. I have seen slow downs when sprint was working on tower upgrades that went away after a week or two (drove me nuts). I would point out that the person that reported downgrade "related" slow downs had flashed the phone to Boost mobile, so there's another factor to consider. Edit: Reading thru the rest of that thread proves it wasn't related to Hboot/S-off.
I'm a bit leary on the Juno method, but I've seen references to people shorting out the pin before in lieu of a Jtag setup, so it's pretty much as sound/risky as Unknownforce's Downgrade method. Although, the hboot downgrade has a huge number of successful attempts and the handful of permabricks where because someone got in a hurry and skipped a step/didn't pay attention to what they were doing.
mpgrimm2 said:
I'm a bit leary on the Juno method, but I've seen references to people shorting out the pin before in lieu of a Jtag setup, so it's pretty much as sound/risky as Unknownforce's Downgrade method. Although, the hboot downgrade has a huge number of successful attempts and the handful of permabricks where because someone got in a hurry and skipped a step/didn't pay attention to what they were doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.
I'll admit that the JuopunutBear (wire trick) method may look a little more risky than the HBoot 1.4 downgrade process, but I've done two Evo 3D's using a paperclip wrapped in scotch tape (not the preferred equipment) and haven't had a problem with either phone. Several of the "bricked" users have reported a USB status in Windows of "QHSUSB_DLOAD" in the HTC Unbricking Project thread and I added this post from the HTC Amaze forum to the thread which claims that status is not a real brick (if it was there wouldn't be any indication the phone was even connected in Windows) and it can be recovered using the ControlBear utility. I got no feedback from the people that were reporting that status, and the OP also indicated that the phones were probably not hard bricked.
I haven't seen any feedback from anyone with a "bricked" phone about contacting the developers via the IRC channel they advertise on their website (#juopunutbear on freenode) or PM'ing them as I suggested in the jb thread. I have only been able to identify a few users that claim to have bricked their phones via the jb method, but they seem to be posting about their negative experience with that process in many different threads.
I don't really care which method people choose to get to S-Off as they all have risks involved and it's up to each person to determine what level of risk they are willing to take. The JuopunutBear method was a lot simpler for me and I'm not convinced the risk is that high if you use the right type of wire (insulated copper wire is recommended) and follow the instructions as documented (which a lot of people don't), but that method is fairly new and I wouldn't blame people that are HBoot 1.5 S-On for waiting a little while longer to see how many more users claim to have bricked their phones with that method.
Most people can get by with HBoot 1.5 S-On using tools like 4EXT SmartFlash and Flash Image GUI, but for those that have problems with the stock ICS kernel or want to get to S-Off for other reasons, at least there are alternatives now.
ramjet73
just stay with 1.5 s-on
ive been on 1.5 for awhile with s on and it hasnt been that big of a deal. My old evo was soff and there were some nice rom switching with cwm but I uaes to use cwm to flash roms on my evo and it worked like a charm but it does not let you flash the kernal, I was having to flash kernal seperatly with flash gui which is a free download but 4xt works fine and dont have to flash kernal seperatly but eitherway is fine as I usually use specific kernals anyway. I found a routin that I am happy with and wont switch until I brick my phone or get a new one lol.
Good luck

S-OFF explained - by a Developer

Lately I have read many posts with wrong assumptions about S-OFF. I am writing this post in General to clear up to many of you what S-OFF is and isn't.
To start off, S-OFF has nothing to do with your phone being rooted. I've seen people post that S-OFF means a "full" root, or "permanent" root. Those terms aren't even correct, root is just another user on the linux system, and you either have access to it or you don't. Rooting your phone and what that entails is out of the scope of this writeup.
When your device is shipped, your bootloader will show the flag S-ON. This stands for Security-On. What this security does is protect the NAND partitions (ie: the boot partition, the recovery partition, the radio, the system partition...) from being permanently modified at all. Basically, all changes made to these partitions while the phone is running is not permanent, and will be reset upon a reboot. Also, while your phone is S-ON, all firmware zips (ie: PJ75IMG.zip) must be digitally signed by HTC in order to be flashed through the bootloader.
When your device is set to S-OFF, the security is turned off. This allows you to modify any partition on the device, and changes will not be reset upon a reboot. Also, the signature checking of the firmware zips (ie: PJ75IMG.zip) is disabled, allowing users to flash unsigned firmware zips containing the separate images of the partitions. S-OFF gives the user great power over the device, but also comes with much responsibility to be careful.
I have seen many posts stating the term "S-OFF root". As I stated earlier, S-OFF and root are completely different things. When you have S-OFF in the bootloader, you then can flash a package containing Superuser.apk and the su binary, which in turn will give you root in the file system when the device is booted. Again, S-OFF does not mean you have root. You can have S-OFF set (if there was an S-OFF exploit released) on the stock phone running the stock unchanged ROM, and not have root in the file system because you haven't pushed/flashed the Superuser.apk and su binaries on your phone yet.
I have also seen many posts about people not "trusting" the bootloader unlock at HTCdev. Yes, we all know that it does not set the bootloader to S-OFF, but it does unlock the partitions that are needed to flash a custom recovery, and through that flash a custom ROM. This is probably the most trustworthy way to "unlock" the bootloader. Any S-OFF method released here in the future will most likely be a hack to make it work. Imagine if HTC gave out the radio S-OFF unlock. That would mean ANYONE (specifically people who are very flash happy) could find a random radio firmware zip which.. oops.. isn't for the correct device, flash it through the S-OFF bootloader, and brick their device. Releasing the limited unlocking was very smart by HTC, and will definitely save many phones from ending up in the graveyard.
Now I am not saying I do not want S-OFF haha. As a developer, S-OFF is well needed and is extremely useful. It's definitely being worked on. But for the average flasher, (of ROMs, not human parts ) radio S-OFF is not needed.
Hope this clears up confusion about what S-ON and S-OFF is. I will add to this as I feel necessary, and to clear up some of my sentences (Sometimes I start typing before I finish thinking of what I'm going to type).
Thank you.
Thank you soooo much haha so many people were confused about it...
A good example is my moms phone. She has an evo 3d and I made it s-off with eng hboot in case I sell it at a later time. Currently it's not rooted at all, but if I want to considering my bootloader's unlocked I could easily flash a recovery and then flash superuser which in turn gives me root
make the subject a bit more clearer
cuz when i saw it i thought that you had s-off for us lol
please sticky this!
If I may add to this discussion ...
If you do not already know these terms and what they mean you should probably not be attempting to root your phone yet
You should instead invest some time reading and learning first.
Unreasnbl said:
If I may add to this discussion ...
If you do not already know these terms and what they mean you should probably not be attempting to root your phone yet
You should instead invest some time reading and learning first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or, rather, you should not be attempting to gain access to the root user / superuser account and privileges on your phone.
Updated the title just for clarity. If there's anything someone disagrees with or would like to add to the OP, let me know here and I'll see what I can do. And I definitely agree with Unreasnbl. It may be a pain in the a$$ to read before jumping into things, but seriously, it will help so much when it comes understanding.
Unreasnbl said:
If I may add to this discussion ...
If you do not already know these terms and what they mean you should probably not be attempting to root your phone yet
You should instead invest some time reading and learning first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I rooted, with S-off, and flashed my phone before I understood any of these terms lol. Just by following instructions clearly.
But then later I learned all of these things.
But yes, you are absolutely correct.
edit: this is a good, valuable post op. Thank you.
arozer said:
I rooted, with S-off, and flashed my phone before I understood any of these terms lol. Just by following instructions clearly.
But then later I learned all of these things.
But yes, you are absolutely correct.
edit: this is a good, valuable post op. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you just prooved the OP correct, you shouldn't have S-OFF, because it doesn't exist yet and you don't need it and that's probably good for person that thinks they rooted with S-off.
Thank you
Thank you for the great info! While not a noob(have had rooted, s-off OG 4G, and 3D, just rooted EVO LTE), I don't understand, nor want to, at an advanced level, Linux, ADB,FASTBOOT, etc. I like making my phone my own, and like flashing ROM's. I tried to use the HTC method of unlocking, but am just not comfortable with my skills to try and use SDK/ADB/FASTBOOT. Perhaps I can find someone in San Antonio to show me, but unless/until, I'll wait for someone such as yourself to provide a "dumbed-down" method. Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
Update: Couldn't stand it..went ahead, carefully reading and following instructions, and did HTC unlock. Had a few issues with TWRP, and flashing ViperROM, due to internal/sd configuration, but moved things to their proper place with ROM toolbox. Everything in it's place, and my phone running like I like it for almost 24 hours with no issues, other than the hilarious HTC warning at boot screen.
Thanks regaw for taking your time with this. If you don't end up with 500 thanks ill be shocked lol
I personally want S-Off.
Mainly because I prefer not notify HTC that I'm unlocked.
Occasionally it's fun to dabble in trying newer radios and is sometimes required for later releases of the OS. Radio firmware can add or take away some functionality as well (like VPN).
Yes, we know it's dangerous, it's pretty rare folks dork their phones because they had s-off. But one of the worst examples is the flash happy folks on the EVO 3D that flashed Virgin Mobile firmware and should not have (myself included).
---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 PM ----------
dongarritas said:
Thank you for the great info! While not a noob(have had rooted, s-off OG 4G, and 3D, just rooted EVO LTE), I don't understand, nor want to, at an advanced level, Linux, ADB,FASTBOOT, etc. I like making my phone my own, and like flashing ROM's. I tried to use the HTC method of unlocking, but am just not comfortable with my skills to try and use SDK/ADB/FASTBOOT. Perhaps I can find someone in San Antonio to show me, but unless/until, I'll wait for someone such as yourself to provide a "dumbed-down" method. Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's really not that hard. No harder than figuring out how to use recovery, bootloader etc.. The current root procedure you just did on the LTE used ADB !! Just follow procedures.
Unreasnbl said:
If I may add to this discussion ...
If you do not already know these terms and what they mean you should probably not be attempting to root your phone yet
You should instead invest some time reading and learning first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you could direct them to some good reading material -- like the first post.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
Great thread, Daniel.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2
mswlogo said:
I think you just prooved the OP correct, you shouldn't have S-OFF, because it doesn't exist yet and you don't need it and that's probably good for person that thinks they rooted with S-off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice try at being a smart ass bro, but I was talking about when I first started, on the htc Evo 4G.
Before that I had the incredible and droid 1 and I just used the one click roots.
Great post. I don't like it when people use the incorrect terms either, and have made similar posts on other forums, specifically relating to the OG. I usually recommend that noobs that "want to root" use the HTC unlocker because, as you pointed out, it's a safer solution for those that don't really know what they're doing.
Unfortunately, because that process is somewhat involved, many users new to Android or just not technically inclined prefer to use what this community has to offer. That's good, I suppose, as that's one of the reasons this community exists, but I strongly feel like it takes away some user responsibility to get to know their device. If people would take the time to learn about adb and fastboot and find out what an RUU is and what the /misc partition is, I feel like there would a lot more contributors on this forum than whining leechers.
I've personally never been one to follow instructions without first at least trying to understand what I'm doing, but I guess not everyone is like that.
At any rate, thanks for the post, and I'm sure I'll see everyone around a bit more once Amazon finally delivers my phone.
Very informational.But just to clarify:
If I were to have S-OFF, I can repartition the onboard storage so that instead of having 2gb of app storage, I can have say 6 or 10gb? That's what I really want to do.
Thanks for clarifying this OP. I personally knew what S-OFF meant but alot of folks on this phone are obviously new to roooting and had no idea about any of this.
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Thank you for the clarification

Just Got Rezound w. ICS - Rooting Questions

Forgive me for starting a new thread; I've utilized the search here and some Google-fu, but still have questions for the community.
I recently upgraded to an HTC Rezound from a Thunderbolt, and have accepted the stock OTA ICS update last weekend.
This has not stopped me from Rooting the device, however. Using an All-In-One Toolkit downloaded here, I was able to Unlock the Bootloader, Install custom Recovery (ClockWorkMod Touch), and have SU flashed. All signs point to root, but I would like to know a few things.
- Is there currently any method of acquiring S-OFF, other than the juopunutBear "Wire Trick"? It sounds incredibly risky, and I feel a bit hesitant to try it connecting pins on the back of my phone with insulated wire... I would like to have S-OFF, in case I want to roll back using a PH98IMG.zip
After rooting, I noticed that the text ****TAMPERED**** appears above the UNLOCKED line when I power on into HBOOT. Is this normal? Or have I messed things up? The best answer I have gleaned so far is from another device's forum, and that this simply indicates that I have root.
Would love to hear some feedback. This is my 5th Smartphone starting with the G1, and I have rooted every single one within days. Only the Rezound seems to be the trickiest for me.
Let me know your thoughts, thanks.
The hboot says tampered after you install a custom recovery so that's normal. I was the same way about s-off it seemed to risky and complicated but in all honesty it is very simple. It's our only way to get s-off and the main thing is getting the timing right for the wire trick. I got it on my second try. I would say just read up on it and gain as much info until you feel comfortable to do it.
Sent From My HTC Rezound
big_mike_2k6 said:
The hboot says tampered after you install a custom recovery so that's normal. I was the same way about s-off it seemed to risky and complicated but in all honesty it is very simple. It's our only way to get s-off and the main thing is getting the timing right for the wire trick. I got it on my second try. I would say just read up on it and gain as much info until you feel comfortable to do it.
Sent From My HTC Rezound
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that confirms a number of suspicions. & As I understand it, I need to be S-OFF in order to flash a custom ROM, correct?
And this is due to the fact that I not only have to flash the ROM in recovery, but also flash a Kernel through HBOOT?
I want to start flashing custom ROMs, but in the meantime, I'm fairly happy with rooted ICS. Got Google Now working, removed 'App Associations' menu, and removed the VZW crapware, so root is working out rather well
deadsoulboy said:
Thanks, that confirms a number of suspicions. & As I understand it, I need to be S-OFF in order to flash a custom ROM, correct?
And this is due to the fact that I not only have to flash the ROM in recovery, but also flash a Kernel through HBOOT?
I want to start flashing custom ROMs, but in the meantime, I'm fairly happy with rooted ICS. Got Google Now working, removed 'App Associations' menu, and removed the VZW crapware, so root is working out rather well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to be s-off to flash a Rom but you do need to flash the kernel separate in hboot when you're s-on. When you're s-off you don't have to. I myself usually stay fairly close to stock with a few tweaks here and there and of course Verizons crap long gone.
Sent From My HTC Rezound
One more thing... Given my software version, etc, if I S-OFF now, would I bork my device?
Also, it looks like at the unlimited.io site, there is only a Windows version of juopunutbear for Gingerbread, and early ICS versions. My phone's software is on version is 3.14.605.12; does this mean I should abandon attempting to S-OFF ?
deadsoulboy said:
One more thing... Given my software version, etc, if I S-OFF now, would I bork my device?
Also, it looks like at the unlimited.io site, there is only a Windows version of juopunutbear for Gingerbread, and early ICS versions. My phone's software is on version is 3.14.605.12; does this mean I should abandon attempting to S-OFF ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you'll be fine doing it on your current version. You can use the file from the unlimited.io site for the 3.14.605.05 ics leak it works with the official ics update.
Sent From My HTC Rezound
i know clockwork will bork your device im not sure if the touch version does the same thing.
I recommend installing Amon Ra recovery or TWRP.
If i helped thanks me

[Q] Stupid hboot questions

Hello all,
Just a quick question, I google'd around a bit with no solid answer. What's the deal with Hboots? Do you need a certain version to run a certain version of AOS? from what I could tell it sounds like toy need the 2.09 or above hboot to run JB. this true? I'm on 1.12 Hboot, stock rooted rom, S-on with TWRP recovery and going for s-off, but apparently need to update my hboot to do so. Is there an Hboot that is more desirable than another? are there still ENG bootloaders out there? Just dont wana bork my phone or myself with this last step.. sheesh, when did rooting get so complicated? Thanks in advance
9X
They have progressively become stricter. Each time a new hboot is released its due to changes made. Patching exploits, adding support for changes in hardware, little things like that. 1.12 was relatively open, 1.15 removed access to areas of the boot partition requiring kernels to be flashed differently, not too sure what 1.19 changed if anything, 2.09 removes r/w access to your system so any changes to system will revert upon reboot.
x9x0 said:
Hello all,
Just a quick question, I google'd around a bit with no solid answer. What's the deal with Hboots? Do you need a certain version to run a certain version of AOS? from what I could tell it sounds like toy need the 2.09 or above hboot to run JB. this true? I'm on 1.12 Hboot, stock rooted rom, S-on with TWRP recovery and going for s-off, but apparently need to update my hboot to do so. Is there an Hboot that is more desirable than another? are there still ENG bootloaders out there? Just dont wana bork my phone or myself with this last step.. sheesh, when did rooting get so complicated? Thanks in advance
9X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You only have to update your HBOOT to get S-OFF because the tool to S-OFF the 1.12 HBOOT is no longer supported. After that, there's no reason to touch your HBOOT.
is there a "best" hboot? as in enables the most hardware / most bug fixes / still exploitable?
x9x0 said:
is there a "best" hboot? as in enables the most hardware / most bug fixes / still exploitable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. They're all S-OFF-able at this point. Just stick with the DirtyRacun HBOOT you get after S-OFF is complete and you'll be fine.
And why is s-off for 1.12 no longer supported? If it's not detrimental anyone know how I can s-off it?
x9x0 said:
And why is s-off for 1.12 no longer supported? If it's not detrimental anyone know how I can s-off it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because Team Unlimited isn't supporting it anymore. Because it's a simple matter to RUU to a newer version and S-OFF it. There's no reason not to - I don't understand your hesitation.
Just dont want a newer more restrictive hboot period. but here goes 1.15
x9x0 said:
Just dont want a newer more restrictive hboot period. but here goes 1.15
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you're S-OFF, it doesn't matter. Restrictions are all removed.
x9x0 said:
Just dont want a newer more restrictive hboot period. but here goes 1.15
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The restrictions of Hboot are gone once you're S-off. It's just a number afterwards.
This is regardless of what Hboot you're on
Edit: Captain beat me to it. Hopefully you get the point now
The advice is free....the bandwidth, not so much
FinZ28 said:
The restrictions of Hboot are gone once you're S-off. It's just a number afterwards.
This is regardless of what Hboot you're on
Edit: Captain beat me to it. Hopefully you get the point now
The advice is free....the bandwidth, not so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly - the stock HBOOTs don't have fastboot commands enabled unless they're unlocked. So while you have the freedom to flash whatever HBOOT you want, it's still best to have one of the DirtyRacun modded HBOOTs to get the full benefit.
Captain_Throwback said:
Not exactly - the stock HBOOTs don't have fastboot commands enabled unless they're unlocked. So while you have the freedom to flash whatever HBOOT you want, it's still best to have one of the DirtyRacun modded HBOOTs to get the full benefit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true.
+1 for Captain Throwback.
The advice is free....the bandwidth, not so much
hboot 1.15 s-off completed, thanks guys... just didnt want to do something i was going to regret.
Who on earth would regret soff?
om4 said:
Who on earth would regret soff?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone who bricked their device because they flashed something they could, but shouldn't have . . . . I will say, there are probably some people that shouldn't S-OFF, just because they'll find a way to break stuff. But I would hope those people don't frequent this forum (though I'd probably be wrong . . . )
Captain_Throwback said:
Someone who bricked their device because they flashed something they could, but shouldn't have . . . . I will say, there are probably some people that shouldn't S-OFF, just because they'll find a way to break stuff. But I would hope those people don't frequent this forum (though I'd probably be wrong . . . )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know better than that
The advice is free....the bandwidth, not so much
Well it seems everybody has had that sort of day even with s-on, at least in this forum. Most of the time it's hardly ever been device wrecking. There was a time when my inbox would flood lol
om4 said:
Well it seems everybody has had that sort of day even with s-on, at least in this forum. Most of the time it's hardly ever been device wrecking. There was a time when my inbox would flood lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank God for devs
The advice is free....the bandwidth, not so much
Just didnt want to lockout or loose options. when I started doing this, it was easy to update to a version that sucked, in the process of trying to root or s-off and sometimes there was no way back, you were essentially stuck in limbo. That being said, I've rooted a LOT of phones for my self and other people, and never once bricked a phone. Not to say I havent been in no mans land where 90% of the people out there would call it bricked. Had more than a few looooong night undoing experiments gone bad. Although the victory of escaping brick-dom is super sweet, I Just dont have time right now to visit no mans land, reflow, jtag/reflash again. seems that now the devs have made this pretty much idiot proof, Incredible how far things have come.
x9x0 said:
Just didnt want to lockout or loose options. when I started doing this, it was easy to update to a version that sucked, in the process of trying to root or s-off and sometimes there was no way back, you were essentially stuck in limbo. That being said, I've rooted a LOT of phones for my self and other people, and never once bricked a phone. Not to say I havent been in no mans land where 90% of the people out there would call it bricked. Had more than a few looooong night undoing experiments gone bad. Although the victory of escaping brick-dom is super sweet, I Just dont have time right now to visit no mans land, reflow, jtag/reflash again. seems that now the devs have made this pretty much idiot proof, Incredible how far things have come.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell me about it. I took my son's OG EVO out last week and finally got S-off via Revolutionary. For $hits and giggles I even got my old Hero out and got it S-off, too. Probably the easiest phone I've done yet-just had to flash a zip file in recovery
The advice is free....the bandwidth, not so much

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