I love my epic 4g but am concerned that if I switched to another device I would be wondering all day how to root and maintain it. I love Odin for Samsung but do alot of other companies like HTC or LG have similar programs or will I have to go to night school just to use my phone and flash new roms and kernels? I wouldn't consider myself a complete noob I have rooted my epic, HD2, And mytouch3gslide. Just wondering what to expect as I further my development experience and possibly start making my own roms
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA
With HTC devices, you generally use fastboot for flashing a custom recovery, after unlocking the bootloader via the official HTC bootloader unlocking website. Then you can use the custom recovery to install custom ROMs or a .zip that will root the stock ROM.
As I understand it, fastboot is sort of a "universal" tool for Android phones, most phones will have a fastboot mode where you can use fastboot to flash images to the phone (not just recovery, you can also flash boot.img, system.img etc.). It's a command line tool (i.e. you need to open a command prompt and type in commands to use it), but it's fairly easy to use. Generally you'll be able to find a tutorial to root or install custom ROMs, and they'll tell you exactly what to type, or even better provide a .bat which will run the commands for you.
For non-HTC devices, they can often be rooted using a tool like SuperOneClick or UnlockRoot. After they're rooted, provided the bootloader isn't locked, ROM Manager should be able to install a custom recovery and custom ROMs.
Related
Hi there
First, I know that it might be a stupid question, but I'm new to Android.
I've read about the official unlocking method HTC offers and yesterday I tried it out, worked all fine.
But what has changed? What can I do now which I couldn't before? I don't get it! Can I flash ROMs now? How?
I can only see that it now says "UNLOCKED" at the top of the bootloader. Also, I've read about Clockwork-Mod and TW and so on, so I tried to "install" Clockwork-Mod. Failed. Now it crashes when trying to open "Recovery" in bootloader.
But main question: What can I do now, with unlocked phone?
Thanks! And don't laugh about my English... I've tried my best
Install TWRP recovery, there is a sticky in the dev section. Then you can indeed flash ROMs however since you are s-on still you will have to flash a bit differently. Search the dev section for joeykrim's flash image gui. It has all the instructions you need to flash a custom rom.
A little further explaination, since you are still s-on the kernels don't flash correctly unless you flash using fastboot or joeys gui. If you don't flash this way you can end up in a bootloop or have broken wifi and 4g etc.
3VO Sent
luckyluke02 said:
Hi there
First, I know that it might be a stupid question, but I'm new to Android.
I've read about the official unlocking method HTC offers and yesterday I tried it out, worked all fine.
But what has changed? What can I do now which I couldn't before? I don't get it! Can I flash ROMs now? How?
I can only see that it now says "UNLOCKED" at the top of the bootloader. Also, I've read about Clockwork-Mod and TW and so on, so I tried to "install" Clockwork-Mod. Failed. Now it crashes when trying to open "Recovery" in bootloader.
But main question: What can I do now, with unlocked phone?
Thanks! And don't laugh about my English... I've tried my best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
New to Android ... One of these days I should put together a guide from start to finish.
Here are a few more details in addition to the great answer already provided in the above post. A link to my applciation, Flash Image GUI, which makes loading custom kernels a little bit simplier and possible without a computer attached to the device.
There are basically three partitions we look to commonly customize on the Android device, boot, recovery and system. Of course, there are times when we customize or upgrade other partitions but they aren't as common or as required.
Boot holds the booting kernel.
Recovery holds the recovery kernel and recovery binary.
System holds the android system.
On many HTC devices, some or all of these partitions are locked by the bootloader which is essentially a very low level write protection.
The s-off revolutionary method removes write protection on all partitions.
The HTC unlock method removes write protection on some partitions and also depends on the mode the device is booted into. This is the first time HTC has made an official unlock method through their stock bootloader. Who knows if they will improve it in the future by unlocking all partitions or if they still stick to their current model.
Hope that helps a bit more background/history to the context! Good luck!
I haven't exactly rooted 100 devices before. Most of the root utilities I've used were things like Z4Root where it's one click and done. I've recently become interested in flashing my Incredible 4G LTE. On top of that, I've already rooted my Nexus 7 using instructions like this here.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/ne...ide-factory-image-restore-your-nexus-7-a.html
I'm curious if this guide, being that it's more of a manual way to do it since it involves running several commands (I ran this from my Linux desktop to root my N7) is anything like what it would be to root the Incredible manually, or any device. I guess the only device that would be different would likely be the bootloader step (grouper?) since HTC likely did their's differently than Google with the Nexus 7, no?
Just trying to get more insight on it, as I certainly don't want to brick anything but I'd like to get them done. :good:
It seems to me that we would first need a modified bootloader or /system to attempt to flash, but I doubt "fastboot erase ..." is allowed without dev unlock on the bootloader, and "fastboot flash ..." most likely needs a signed image.
Does anyone with more expertise on this topic have any input?
JaSauders said:
I haven't exactly rooted 100 devices before. Most of the root utilities I've used were things like Z4Root where it's one click and done. I've recently become interested in flashing my Incredible 4G LTE. On top of that, I've already rooted my Nexus 7 using instructions like this here.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/ne...ide-factory-image-restore-your-nexus-7-a.html
I'm curious if this guide, being that it's more of a manual way to do it since it involves running several commands (I ran this from my Linux desktop to root my N7) is anything like what it would be to root the Incredible manually, or any device. I guess the only device that would be different would likely be the bootloader step (grouper?) since HTC likely did their's differently than Google with the Nexus 7, no?
Just trying to get more insight on it, as I certainly don't want to brick anything but I'd like to get them done. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What those tools do is use an exploit to write the su and superuser.apk to /system and/or a modified recovery for flashing ROMS and kernels on unlocked bootloader devices.
google has properly patched those exploits as they should as we don't want a malicious app installing Root and hacking data on just anyone's phone.
Some phones with locked bootloaders have had exploits to install custom recovery and/or hacked/leaked bootloaders in order to allow us to use the phone like it was unlocked. HTC fixed this issue with their latest phones.
Their bootloaders now do not run all of the adb commands until unlocked by HTC dev, which limits us a lot. They also made it so that even if we DID manage to find a software exploit and start flashing stuff, the locked bootloader would know, via a signature check, that something was modified... and refuse to boot (Bricked Phone).
HTC Dev unlock is not true unlock either. We still can't modify the HBOOT w/o triggering it to brick the phone. An unlocked HTC bootloader limits changing the kernel to HBOOT mode only, which means u need a PC and extra steps to finish flashing any ROM.
Some brilliant Dev's managed to use RUU files to update the kernel only, but that also causes issues. If one Dev uses a newer RUU, you can't use the another Dev's older RUU to flash a kernel because the unlocked HTC Bootloader doesn't allow you to "Downgrade" firmware. This leads to headaches with people ignoring the kernel step and screaming because their phone won't boot.
The ultimate Holy grail for is is what is known as "S-OFF"
This allows full access to the HBOOT Recovery and system for all of our awesome devs to work their magic. This was obtained (long after HTCDev unlock) with the Rezound only through a HARDWARE exploit. We needed root exploit (which we had on the GB stock ROM), and to physically short out a pin on the mainboard to ground at precise times while the SOFF program ran on your PC.
We have to wait for the less popular HTCDev unlock (which HTC Did give us on the rezound with a middle finger to verizon), or for some1 to find another Exploit that would bypass the signature check of the HBOOT and give us "S-OFF".
Either will give us Root, custom recoveries, and ROMs.
I am no dev, but this is my understanding of what's happening with these devices. This is my 9th android device, 5th HTC, but I am always learning more. Dev's feel free to correct me, or expand on anything I have written here ^^
My Google-fu fails me, I've managed to root my xperia t with the adb backup timing exploit(?) which I'm pleased about, however I want to explore custom roms (specifically cyanogen-mod, which I've been comfortable with since my HTC Desire bravo), however my bootloader is locked, and is not "unlockable" apparently.
Since I have root anyway, isn't there something I could flash directly from terminal that would allow me to use cwm or similar, or am I going about this entirely the wrong way.
Ideas?
I have an upgrade available on ATT, looking at the One M8 or the S5. I like to flash stock ROM's that have been tweaked to remove bloatware, and add better battery life. Been using Android phones for years, had the first four Nexus phones ( N1, N-S, G Nex, N4 ), a couple of HTC ( EVO 4G and One X ), and a few Samsung Galaxy phones ( S2, Note 2, S4 ).
My last HTC was an international One X, and man did that phone piss me off flashing ROM's, had to go through all this fast boot crap, and command prompt stuff, and all these extra steps just to flash a new ROM or kernel, and then always had to make sure I was up to date on my bootloader update or something ? Bottom line it was a big pain in the balls, and frustrating.
My Nexus 4 was easy as pie to flash ROM's and stuff, but the battery life sucked. And I currently have the ATT S4, and this phone is locked down tight, no flashing custom ROM's or kernels on this, only root that's it. So I think I am done with Samsung on U.S. carriers for now.
So lets say I get the ATT One M8, I see it can be rooted pretty easily, and a custom Recovery installed ? What about flashing new ROM's ? Is it as simple as just rebooting the phone to Recovery, and wiping data, etc... then flash the ROM zip and reboot and all good ? Or do we have to go through the bootloader and command prompt stuff on this phone ?
Thank you
Depending on how good you are with ADB and your computer Command Prompt, the hardest part to rooting and flashing custom roms would be unlocking the bootloader as you need to take additional steps to unlock it unlike the Nexus line of devices.
But it's a AIO(All In One Toolkit) in the international threads that haven you just click, copy and paste pretty much.
After that all you need to do is install a recovery and flash away. No more need of a computer every time you want to flash a rom like the One X did
Sent from my HTC0P3P7 using Tapatalk
YoungAceAtlanta said:
Depending on how good you are with ADB and your computer Command Prompt, the hardest part to rooting and flashing custom roms would be unlocking the bootloader as you need to take additional steps to unlock it unlike the Nexus line of devices.
But it's a AIO(All In One Toolkit) in the international threads that haven you just click, copy and paste pretty much.
After that all you need to do is install a recovery and flash away. No more need of a computer every time you want to flash a rom like the One X did
Sent from my HTC0P3P7 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I understand that rooting and unlocking the One M8 is more in depth and longer process than a Nexus phone, but once that's completed, and a Recovery installed on the phone I just want to be able to download ROM zips to the sd/card, and quickly reboot and flash a ROM and be done. I was really turned off by that international One X crap, flashing a ROM became a major ordeal.
Yup you can just download the rom to your SD card and flash from there
Are the international roms compatible like with the m7
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
its not hard at all and shouldnt take you more than 20-30 mins. its relatively simple actually.
i just got the att m8 , it has hboot 3.16. i was able to unlock with htc dev, s-off was easy on firewater, but i have not been ablle to successfully flash other roms. the phone will finish successfully but upon rebooting into the new rom, the phone will get to the screen when u chose language then reboot itself every min or so from booting up. i havent tryied to flash any aosp roms yet, i have a feeling that aosp roms would work fine, but i dont want an aosp rom yet. i feel like its a sense thing. i have tryed to change my phone to a developer edition, changed cid to supercid, flash developer nandroid, same problem, i sim unlocked and using tmobile sim card no issues there, but the stock rom my phone came with is the only one that works.
I would go with the M8 I had the note 3 as my last At&t phone and no one was ever able to unlock the bootloader.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Looking to permanently root my HTC Gratia running stock Froyo 2.2 and HBoot 1.02 but can't figure out what I need to do. I don't want to install any custom recoveries or ROM's just yet so does that mean I don't need to S-Off?
Should I root using http://unrevoked.com/recovery/ in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=788737
Or should I root using revolutionary in this thread which also does S-Off:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-aria/help/root-gratia-aria-2014-confused-t2863923
Do the two links work for the HTC Gratia as well as the Aria as there is a difference in the baseband and I don't want to lose 3G on my Gratia (the Aria has a different frequency for 3G and some have lost their 3G after flashing/rooting).
Also, it seems the CWM custom recovery installed in the two links above may have a bug that causes the display to show the recovery screen when charging (see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2474662 and
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1159237). Does anyone know which version of CWM is installed by unrevoked and revolutionary and is there a version that doesn't have this bug so you can charge properly off-line?
One last thing, on the HTCDev website, it says the bootloader can be unlocked which also roots the phone. However, if I restart the phone, I think root is lost so this is not permanent. See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24831976&postcount=8 and also taken from the HTCDev.com site with relevant section highlighted in red:
"You do not need to turn security off to accomplish the basic installation of a custom rom which even includes providing root access and remounting your system to be writable. Note: you shouldn’t really need to keep the system files writable across reboots as this is primarily useful only while developing.".
If I do unlock the bootloader, does this root the phone or do I have to do something else?
All very confusing so if anyone could advise, that would be great. All I want is root for my stock Gratia Froyo 2.2 without custom recovery (if possible) or firmware or any charging bugs when the mobile is switched off! Thanks in advance.
Anyone able to help with rooting queries in the first post?
First off, ignore anything about unrevoked - it's an exploit for the old bootloader, and doesn't work on the newer one (1.02).
Revolutionary is probably the best way to go... I don't know of a way to get permanent root with the S-ON system protection.
This guide you already linked is the best IMO, and I think should be stickied...
Newer Revolutionary automatically installs its own recovery, so you can skip that part of the guide.
Just unlocking the bootloader doesn't add the required stuff for root (unless it's a script or something that does both).. So you'll need to install the SU zip linked at the bottom of that guide, then you should have root
Off-mode charging doesn't work with some recoveries because it's a part of the same recovery image, just telling it to boot differently - so if a recovery doesn't support off-mode charging, it just boots normally
I dug back a few pages and found this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1025704
I think I used it a long time ago, but I don't really remember much about it
Should be able to just install the zip from your current recovery. If not, extract recovery.img from it and boot the phone into fastboot, then run "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img" from your PC.
Sorry if I'm too late, there's hardly any activity here anymore so I don't check threads I'm not subscribed to very often
WinSuk said:
First off, ignore anything about unrevoked - it's an exploit for the old bootloader, and doesn't work on the newer one (1.02).
Revolutionary is probably the best way to go... I don't know of a way to get permanent root with the S-ON system protection.
This guide you already linked is the best IMO, and I think should be stickied...
Newer Revolutionary automatically installs its own recovery, so you can skip that part of the guide.
Just unlocking the bootloader doesn't add the required stuff for root (unless it's a script or something that does both).. So you'll need to install the SU zip linked at the bottom of that guide, then you should have root
Off-mode charging doesn't work with some recoveries because it's a part of the same recovery image, just telling it to boot differently - so if a recovery doesn't support off-mode charging, it just boots normally
I dug back a few pages and found this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1025704
I think I used it a long time ago, but I don't really remember much about it
Should be able to just install the zip from your current recovery. If not, extract recovery.img from it and boot the phone into fastboot, then run "fastboot flash recovery recovery.img" from your PC.
Sorry if I'm too late, there's hardly any activity here anymore so I don't check threads I'm not subscribed to very often
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much Winsuk for taking the time to reply.
You mentioned that unlocking the bootloader doesn't add anything for rooting but is it possible to install the SU zip using the stock recovery? I've read this guide and that guide for other HTC phones that seems to suggest that you can only do this by temporary flashing a custom recovery to install the SU zip. Is it not possible to install a zip using the stock recovery? I really want to do as little as possible and not touch the stock ROM or recovery if at all.
Also, I dont mind if the root is temp and is lost when restarting as I guess I would be able to install Titanium Backup and remove the factory apps I don't want (like FaceBook, Twitter,). Also, if I need to update the hosts file, once updated, if it is re locked by losing root after a restart then that's ok too.
Sorry if all these are too many questions, I'm not really a noob when it comes to rooting but for this little Gratia, there's not much info available and everything seems to be for the Aria which has a different baseband so very wary of flashing anything.
No, the stock recovery only accepts packages signed by HTC.
You can flash it back on after if you extract it from the RUU though. RUU downloads here if you don't already have one: http://www.androidruu.com/?developer=Liberty
Leave the phone unplugged (just in case) and run the RUU.. Once it appears, open task manager and go to processes/details (depending on what Windows you have), right click ARUWizard.exe, and click open file location (or something similar).
In that folder will be rom.zip (copy it out for later use if you want) - open it and inside will be recovery.img (and everything else that could ever be on the phone pretty much)
If you don't have access to a Windows PC, let me know which RUU matches your phone and I can extract it for you. If there isn't one exactly matching your phone, any of them will probably work - I don't think the recovery image differs much, if at all...
Thanks again Winsuk, much appreciated.
My current stock build is 47.54.35.20U_7.13.35.13 and the build is 2.37.405.10 so those RUU's you linked are very old. I've found a slightly newer Gratia Froyo RUU at 2.37.405.11 so that should work and it;s the WWE version rather than Asia WWE.
I'm thinking the best way to do this might be to unlock the bootloader and temporarily install a custom recovery to flash SU.zip. On reboot, the temporary custom recovery is lost but I think the root is also lost too. Seems that S-Off is the only way to achieve permanent root but even that doesn't seem to work cleanly. Revolutionary says that if Titanium doesn't recognise a rooted device then install Busy Box.
Might just leave it unrooted as is
My Lenovo P780 was a piece of cake to root compared to HTC.