Just got 3 HTC One M8 phones (2 AT&T and 1 Sprint)

[The5thSurvivor]

Just recently got a bunch of HTC phones. Three of them are HTC One M8. Two are from AT&T and the other is from Sprint. Two already had Android 6.0 on them. One of the AT&T phones had Android 4.4.2 on it. I followed this guide here by ckpv5 (thanks bro ) and now have Android 6.0 on all 3 phones.

I just finished unlocking the boot loader through HTCDev for all 3. I'd like to make a back up of the stock recovery. How can I do this? Here's the results of fastboot getvar all for each phone.

First AT&T HTC One M8 (Came with Android 6)

version: 0.5
version-bootloader: 3.19.0.0000
version-baseband: [email protected]
version-cpld: None
version-microp: None
version-main: 6.20.502.5
version-misc: PVT SHIP S-ON
product: m8_ul_ca
platform: hTCBmsm8974
modelid: 0P6B12000
cidnum: CWS__001
battery-status: good
battery-voltage: 0mV
partition-layout: Generic
security: on
build-mode: SHIP
boot-mode: FASTBOOT
commitno-bootloader: 205bdca3
hbootpreupdate: 11
gencheckpt: 0

Second AT&T HTC One M8 (Came with Android 4.4.2 now updated to 6.0, unlocked, relocked then unlocked bootloader again)

version: 0.5
version-bootloader: 3.19.0.0000
version-baseband: [email protected]
version-cpld: None
version-microp: None
version-main: 6.20.502.5
version-misc: PVT SHIP S-ON
product: m8_ul_ca
platform: hTCBmsm8974
modelid: 0P6B12000
cidnum: CWS__001
battery-status: good
battery-voltage: 0mV
partition-layout: Generic
security: on
build-mode: SHIP
boot-mode: FASTBOOT
commitno-bootloader: 205bdca3
hbootpreupdate: 11
gencheckpt: 0

Sprint HTC One M8 (Came with Android 6)

version: 0.5
version-bootloader: 3.19.0.0000
version-baseband: 1.09.20.1112
version-cpld: None
version-microp: None
version-main: 6.20.651.3
version-misc: PVT SHIP S-ON
product: m8_whl
platform: hTCBmsm8974
modelid: 0P6B70000
cidnum: SPCS_001
battery-status: good
battery-voltage: 0mV
partition-layout: Generic
security: on
build-mode: SHIP
boot-mode: FASTBOOT
commitno-bootloader: 205bdca3
hbootpreupdate: 11
gencheckpt: 0

What are the appropriate versions of TWRP and Root that can be installed on each phone? Will any of the TWRP from here work on both the AT&T and Sprint variants? Or do I need a specific version for AT&T and another for Sprint? And, same question for Root, can I use this root listed in the FAQ on all 3 phones or do I need a different one for each carrier?

Is the Sunshine method the only way of obtaining s-off for all variants of the M8? Would I need to s-off if I wanted to replace icons for built it apps, change the color of the dialer, and change bootup & shutdown animations? Or can all that be done with s-on?

Also, is it possible to use the Sprint variant on the AT&T or T-Mobile network with LTE?

 

[ttocs99]

Just recently got a bunch of HTC phones. Three of them are HTC One M8. Two are from AT&T and the other is from Sprint. Two already had Android 6.0 on them. One of the AT&T phones had Android 4.4.2 on it. I followed this guide here by ckpv5 (thanks bro ) and now have Android 6.0 on all 3 phones.

I just finished unlocking the boot loader through HTCDev for all 3. I'd like to make a back up of the stock recovery. How can I do this? Here's the results of fastboot getvar all for each phone.

First AT&T HTC One M8 (Came with Android 6)


Second AT&T HTC One M8 (Came with Android 4.4.2 now updated to 6.0, unlocked, relocked then unlocked bootloader again)


Sprint HTC One M8 (Came with Android 6)



What are the appropriate versions of TWRP and Root that can be installed on each phone? Will any of the TWRP from here work on both the AT&T and Sprint variants? Or do I need a specific version for AT&T and another for Sprint? And, same question for Root, can I use this root listed in the FAQ on all 3 phones or do I need a different one for each carrier?

Is the Sunshine method the only way of obtaining s-off for all variants of the M8? Would I need to s-off if I wanted to replace icons for built it apps, change the color of the dialer, and change bootup & shutdown animations? Or can all that be done with s-on?

Also, is it possible to use the Sprint variant on the AT&T or T-Mobile network with LTE?

I think twrp in universal and for root use majisk and to my understanding you need s-off to gain system access to all partions on the device and super cid to flash any rom from any region. I myself haven't rooted or anything yet I'm just getting everything I need then doing it all in one go hopefully soon I'll be fully custom with my m8.

 

[redpoint73]

What are the appropriate versions of TWRP and Root that can be installed on each phone? Will any of the TWRP from here work on both the AT&T and Sprint variants? Or do I need a specific version for AT&T and another for Sprint?

I would recommend using the latest TWRP 3.2.3-1 from here: https://dl.twrp.me/m8/

TWRP for the GSM version M8 (such as AT&T) was merged with CDMA versions (such as Sprint) some time ago. But it is worth mentioning that prior to that marge (pretty old, somewhere around TWRP 2.7-something) flashing the wrong TWRP to the CDMA M8 will brick the phone (if I remember properly).

But again, stick to the latest TWRP, and you will be fine.

And, same question for Root, can I use this root listed in the FAQ on all 3 phones or do I need a different one for each carrier?

I would suggest latest Magisk, or alternately SuperSU.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/stable-2016-09-01supersu-v2-78-release-t3452703

SU (versus SuperSU) is not commonly used on this device, and the version you linked is very old (2013) and probably will cause problems.

Is the Sunshine method the only way of obtaining s-off for all variants of the M8? Would I need to s-off if I wanted to replace icons for built it apps, change the color of the dialer, and change bootup & shutdown animations? Or can all that be done with s-on?

Also, is it possible to use the Sprint variant on the AT&T or T-Mobile network with LTE?

Sunshine is essentially the only way to s-off. Okay technically, you can use javacard, which is much more expensive, so that is not really a "solution".

But you do NOT need s-off to do any of the things you mentioned. They can all be done s-on. S-off only protects certain partitions (hboot, radio, etc.). What you describe all reside on the system partition, and can therefore be changed while s-on (with root).

Also, is it possible to use the Sprint variant on the AT&T or T-Mobile network with LTE?

From what I can recall, the Sprint version will work on foreign networks, but can be problematic trying to use it on ATT or TMOB. You can search around the forums, as I'm sure it's been discussed in the past (may need to look in the Sprint M8 forum section).

Whatever you do, do NOT try to flash an AT&T RUU or firmware to the Sprint device. This will result in a radio brick (possibly permanent)! There are some safeguards to prevent this (you need s-off, change CID, etc.) but don't even go there!!!

---------- Post added at 10:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 AM ----------

There is a good deal of misinformation here (my comments in red font).

I think twrp in universal Mostly true (TWRP is unified for most versions of M8 . . .now), but reference my comment above regarding older versions of TWRP.

and to my understanding you need s-off to gain system access to all partions on the device
You need s-off to gain access to all partitions yes. But I'm not sure why you say "system access". This is confusing, since "system" is the name of an actual partition (the ROM or OS) which in fact does not need s-off to access. As mentioned above, the aspects of the device that the OP wants to mod, only require access to the system partition, and you only need an unlocked bootloader and root for that (s-off not needed).

and super cid to flash any rom from any region. To be clear, you only need to change CID if you want to flash a stock RUU or stock firmware (official HTC files). By doing so, you can "convert" the region of some versions of the M8 by changing CID/MID and flashing the corresponding RUU. But as mentioned, above, this is also dangerous for some versions of the M8 (Sprint, Verizon). So when you say "any ROM for any region" you need to be careful. Also, custom ROMs don't require s-off or changing CID/MID.

 

[The5thSurvivor]

I would recommend using the latest TWRP 3.2.3-1 from here: https://dl.twrp.me/m8/

TWRP for the GSM version M8 (such as AT&T) was merged with CDMA versions (such as Sprint) some time ago. But it is worth mentioning that prior to that marge (pretty old, somewhere around TWRP 2.7-something) flashing the wrong TWRP to the CDMA M8 will brick the phone (if I remember properly).

But again, stick to the latest TWRP, and you will be fine.

Thank you. I'm glad you mention the merge. As I had a hunch it was carrier specific, but glad now it's not.

I would suggest latest Magisk, or alternately SuperSU.

https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/stable-2016-09-01supersu-v2-78-release-t3452703

SU (versus SuperSU) is not commonly used on this device, and the version you linked is very old (2013) and probably will cause problems.

Wow, glad I didn't end up going with that older version then. Thanks

Sunshine is essentially the only way to s-off. Okay technically, you can use javacard, which is much more expensive, so that is not really a "solution".

How come there are no ways for a a user to do this themselves?

But you do NOT need s-off to do any of the things you mentioned. They can all be done s-on. S-off only protects certain partitions (hboot, radio, etc.). What you describe all reside on the system partition, and can therefore be changed while s-on (with root).

That's awesome. I won't bother with s-off then.

From what I can recall, the Sprint version will work on foreign networks, but can be problematic trying to use it on ATT or TMOB. You can search around the forums, as I'm sure it's been discussed in the past (may need to look in the Sprint M8 forum section).

WIll do. Thanks again :good:

Whatever you do, do NOT try to flash an AT&T RUU or firmware to the Sprint device. This will result in a radio brick (possibly permanent)! There are some safeguards to prevent this (you need s-off, change CID, etc.) but don't even go there!!!

Interesting. That kinda sucks. In my opinion things like that make the GSM/unlocked variants better than the CDMA variants. I will get more of these phones, but I don't think I'll bother with Sprint or Verizon.

---------- Post added at 10:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 AM ----------

There is a good deal of misinformation here (my comments in red font).

And thanks yet again for the clarification. :highfive:

 

[redpoint73]

How come there are no ways for a a user to do this themselves?

I believe you are talking about previous "free" methods to s-off like firewater. You aren't "doing it yourself". You are simply installing a hack that was created by talented developers; whether you are talking about a "free" method like firewater, or a paid app like sunshine. Of which the two methods (firewater vs. sunshine) were in fact developed by the same team.

Where that development team was previously satisfied with voluntary donations, and otherwise free contribution to the community; they went a different way with sunshine. There are pages and pages discussing this on other forum threads, so no real need to discuss it in depth here (just use xda search, and you will find long threads on the topic). But in short, the team spent hundreds of hours, and bricked multiple devices in order to develop sunshine. So they decided to recoup some of those losses by making sunshine a paid app.

Since they went the paid route with sunshine, they took the firewater server offline (the firewater hack required an online server component to work). Since obviously, a lot of folks aren't going to pay for something they can get for free. All those resources belonged to the firewater/sunshine team; so they are within their rights to make that decision.

Not everyone is happy about that. But essentially, if you really "need" s-off, then pay for sunshine. And as we already discussed, most folks that think they "need" s-off, in fact do not really need it at all.

If you truly want to "do it yourself", then you are more than welcome to spend the hundreds (thousands?) of hours and brick some devices to try to create your own s-off method. But I don't think that is what you are talking about.

Interesting. That kinda sucks. In my opinion things like that make the GSM/unlocked variants better than the CDMA variants. I will get more of these phones, but I don't think I'll bother with Sprint or Verizon.

Your opinion on this is correct. In fact, the CDMA versions are terrible for most folks, for reasons you are now seeing. My opinion, they are only suitable for those using the specific US networks (Sprint, Verizon). Otherwise, I strongly recommend anyone else against getting CDMA version M8 phones.

 

[The5thSurvivor]

I believe you are talking about previous "free" methods to s-off like firewater. You aren't "doing it yourself". You are simply installing a hack that was created by talented developers; whether you are talking about a "free" method like firewater, or a paid app like sunshine. Of which the two methods (firewater vs. sunshine) were in fact developed by the same team.

What I meant by doing it ourselves was because I thought there would have been a similar method of obtaining s-off like there is for the HTC Sensation. I used a method that required precise timing using a paperclip, don't remember the exact details as it's been over a year since I did that. I initially thought I'd have to do something similar with the newer HTC phones. I wasn't aware of any s-off method for this phone until just recently.

Where that development team was previously satisfied with voluntary donations, and otherwise free contribution to the community; they went a different way with sunshine. There are pages and pages discussing this on other forum threads, so no real need to discuss it in depth here (just use xda search, and you will find long threads on the topic). But in short, the team spent hundreds of hours, and bricked multiple devices in order to develop sunshine. So they decided to recoup some of those losses by making sunshine a paid app.

Since they went the paid route with sunshine, they took the firewater server offline (the firewater hack required an online server component to work). Since obviously, a lot of folks aren't going to pay for something they can get for free. All those resources belonged to the firewater/sunshine team; so they are within their rights to make that decision.

That makes sense. Especially if they purchased all the devices that they bricked brand new and of course not to mention the time they spent on their work.

Not everyone is happy about that. But essentially, if you really "need" s-off, then pay for sunshine. And as we already discussed, most folks that think they "need" s-off, in fact do not really need it at all.

For me, the funds is not an issue. If there's something I need/want, I will pay it if there is no free alternative. The reason I thought that I needed s-off is because there is a thread that mentions if you need access to the system partition (which is where you mention that everything I'd like to mod is located) you must be s-off on the phone. But if I don't need it to do that, then more than likely I won't bother with s-off. Though I would like to change the splash screen image as well, but it's not a huge deal.

If you truly want to "do it yourself", then you are more than welcome to spend the hundreds (thousands?) of hours and brick some devices to try to create your own s-off method. But I don't think that is what you are talking about.

Nah, that wouldn't be worth it in my opinion in terms of time spent versus spending $25.

Your opinion on this is correct. In fact, the CDMA versions are terrible for most folks, for reasons you are now seeing. My opinion, they are only suitable for those using the specific US networks (Sprint, Verizon). Otherwise, I strongly recommend anyone else against getting CDMA version M8 phones.

For this reason you mention, I will avoid getting anymore CDMA phones at all.I curretly have two M7 and one M8 by Sprint. I bought them because I was able to get them for a good price. I may just install a custom recovery and root them just to sell them and buy more GSM versions instead. I was planning on getting more M7s and M8s. Thank you.

 

[redpoint73]

For me, the funds is not an issue. If there's something I need/want, I will pay it if there is no free alternative. The reason I thought that I needed s-off is because there is a thread that mentions if you need access to the system partition (which is where you mention that everything I'd like to mod is located) you must be s-off on the phone. But if I don't need it to do that, then more than likely I won't bother with s-off. Though I would like to change the splash screen image as well, but it's not a huge deal.

Definitely do not need s-off to gain access to system partition. Wherever you read that, it us simply incorrect. You can also change the boot splash with s-on. All you need to access the desired/mentioned partitions is unlocked bootloader, custom recovery (TWRP) and at most insecure kernel mod (or custom kernel).

It is possible you may be looking at threads for the Verizon CDMA variant M8. Verizon blocked the bootloader unlock process for that variant. Therefore, s-off is needed to install custom recovery, root, etc. But that is the exception, and only applies to the Verizon M8.