Root S-Off: now what?

CrimsonToker · Aug 26, 2015

I bought my HTC M8 on swappa.com and it came already rooted, unlocked and S-Off. This is my first HTC device, so let's see if I understand this right: all the stuff I was used to doing with my LG volt (rom flash, ui customization, etc.) does not stick unless security is off, correct?

So what can I mod now? Do I need a custom ROM to get the full benefit of s-off, and all the ui tweaking I desire? Or is there some equivalent for "G3 tweaks box" and the like, to change up the stock ROM? My favorite part of having a rooted phone is truly making it mine, so no other device will be/look/act quite the same. And this is also my first flagship, even if it is last year's model.

Thank you for any advice!

EarlyMon · Aug 26, 2015

OK, not sure if you saw my reply from a few days ago about your phone identity and so forth but anyway -

Unlike your G3, the M8 doesn't root via exploits. It roots using the Android standard for rooting, not surprising as the HTC made the first Nexus -

Unlock bootloader, install TWRP, flash SuperSU and mods, or rooted rom.

That's a fully rooted phone and there's nothing that you can't do with the rom or kernel.

However, just like a Nexus, some of the lower firmware partitions remain locked and can be only updated with a payload containing the proper encrypted signature for security protection. (If you follow the Nexus, this is why the owners are always flashing packages from Google and re-rooting their phones afterwards.)

HTC has named the encrypted signature security state as s-on and s-off, depending on, well, if it's on per usual or defeated.

With s-on, HTC rooters have to update radio firmware and the bootloader just like the Nexus crowd.

You don't.

You're going to be able to update your low level firmware independently of being rooted. (Ask before proceeding, with s-off comes the ability to really screw up.)

While that doesn't sound exciting, it really saves work.

What is exciting is that it means that you can get to the programmable DSP module and upgrade your firmware for HK audio - Sense rom required for the rest of the package with the updated libraries.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/development/mod-audio-hk-bs-aroma-switcher-4-1-0-t3035354

EarlyMon · Aug 26, 2015

For maximum customization -

http://venomroms.com/htc-one-m8/

Nandroid backup first of course.

Be sure that you're on the latest TWRP -

https://dl.twrp.me/m8/

CrimsonToker · Aug 27, 2015

Thank you EM, was hoping to get your input. I did read your reply, had forgotten about it lol. So I did try flashing hk recently but got stuck on boot three times in a row. Thankfully it was RIGHT after my backup, so no worries. also I installed multirom and flashed Leeroys kernel (or something like that, forget exact name). Iwas looking at venom but I haven't decided on a ROM yet. I don't suppose any of them still get nightlies? Lol always wanted to experience an official ROM...

EarlyMon · Aug 27, 2015

A year after intro, I'm not aware of any Sense roms with nightlies - and given that Sense is stable that's to be expected.

You really want to give ViperOneM8 a try, check out Venom Tweaks, the Venom Hub, and the Venom Sidebar. Plus you can jump ahead to the next Sense and Android 5.1.

CrimsonToker · Aug 27, 2015

EarlyMon said:
A year after intro, I'm not aware of any Sense roms with nightlies - and given that Sense is stable that's to be expected.

You really want to give ViperOneM8 a try, check out Venom Tweaks, the Venom Hub, and the Venom Sidebar. Plus you can jump ahead to the next Sense and Android 5.1.

Yeah to get the nightlies experience I'm sure I will have to get something brand new when it comes out lol my broke ass..

I will definitely try viper. Any idea why hk would not work for me? Or, for that matter, why viper4android does not affect my music? And any suggestions for my second multi ROM choice?

EarlyMon · Aug 27, 2015

It's great that you got it s-off and all but really no telling what that phone was really running.

As one of the authors for the HK installer I know that's reliable, so is ViPER4Android, I use it myself.

I'd say, start with everything working in ViperOneM8 (the latest HK mod package was built by one of the Viper team), verify it's all good, then look at other rom choices.

CrimsonToker · Aug 29, 2015

Just to make sure, having Multirom manager installed and planning on having two roms loaded, I still just wipe/flash ROM through recovery, right? Same as with my Volt? Thank you once again, EM, for the advice. Hooray for moderators, volunteer heroes lol

EarlyMon · Aug 29, 2015

Basically yes but with ViperOneM8, you don't wipe from TWRP, you wipe from within the ViperOneM8 Aroma installer that launches when you do a TWRP Install of it.

And you're entirely welcome but being a mod has nothing to do with the help I try to give. I actually quit being a mod last November but Phases still hasn't accepted my badge back lmao.

EarlyMon · Aug 31, 2015

Hey, about ViPER4Android, see -

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61242973&postcount=18854

CrimsonToker · Sep 5, 2015

EarlyMon said:
For maximum customization -

http://venomroms.com/htc-one-m8/

Nandroid backup first of course.

Be sure that you're on the latest TWRP -

https://dl.twrp.me/m8/

It didn't work, got my phone into a crazy loop. I downloaded and flashed in recovery. After the initial boot up, as soon as the phone was turned on, it gave me the "process com.Android.phone has stopped working" every two seconds. I managed to get through set up, couldn't turn off the phone because the error message kept interrupting me, finally rebooted to recovery through titanium backup and restored my nandroid

CrimsonToker · Sep 12, 2015

@EarlyMon any suggestions? Maybe try a previous version of the ROM?

EarlyMon · Sep 13, 2015

CrimsonToker said:
@EarlyMon any suggestions? Maybe try a previous version of the ROM?

Yep.

CrimsonToker · Sep 19, 2015

Well I've just downloaded half the ROMs on xda for this phone so I'm sure one or two will end up working lol.

CrimsonToker · Sep 25, 2015

I haven't been able to successfully install a single ROM. It's very disappointing. Either it hangs on the load screen, or on first boot, it immediately gives me "com.(random process).Android has failed". Over and over and over, leaving me with no choice but to restore nandroid. I've tried insertcoin, viper, leedroid and skydragon. I give up. I stay stock.

m6284505 · Nov 9, 2015

Now that I am S-off, I have changed my splash screen to a custom one using http://jobiwan.net:81/bootsplash-m8.
I was hoping that would get rid of the red text but it did not. So, I am confused now. I read the below post at XDA about flashing an HBOOT file but just wanted to be sure the HBOOT file for Sprint will work for (apparently) any Sprint M8? My HBOOT is 3.19.0.000.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2710503

consolenut · Apr 3, 2016

What version roms are you flashing. If there 6.0 based you probably need a firmware update first. Im guessing your nandroid backup is based on lollipop

Root S-Off: now what?

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