Unlocked bootloader rom flashing/moonshine

[LilArmalite]

I bought what i think it's an international HTC one M8 from someone and it was sold to me with the bootloader already unlocked (if i enter fastboot it says [unlocked])
So i wanted to change my OS to lineage and root my phone just to find out that i need to pay 25$ to root it or S=off, fine whatever, that's like 500 MXN so i don't think i'll be able to afford that soon for personal reasons. so i had to look for alternatives and i found something called "moonshine" and some videos of people using it it on other HTC devices, so i wanted to know if anyone had done it on a M8 and if it worked.
Or in the worst scenario is there a way to flash a rom without a PC and without root?
because my other problem is with my laptop that won't install the adb drivers.
i recall with another phone i had i tried to do the same but someone said that it was probably a thing with the usb ports.

Thanks in advance.

 

[redpoint73]

First of all, and most importantly, you do NOT need s-off to root, flash custom recovery, flash custom ROMs, etc. Don't know why people keep thinking that, this was never mandatory for HTC devices (to need s-off to root, flash custom ROM). S-off is only needed for very specific things, such as changing the device CID/MID, flashing a modified hboot, manually flashing radios. Most mods do not need s-off. And fair to say that most users (even ones that want to do a lot of mods) do not need s-off.

Second, NO moonshine will not work. It is very old and predates the M8. Never worked on the M8, and never will. Understand, that such security measures and their corresponding exploits are time dependent. Meaning that once HTC realizes that a hack/exploit exists, they will plug that hole and a new exploit needs to be developed. Therefore, searching for old, outdated s-off methods is a waste of your time. For that matter, stop wasting your time and understand the simple fact: if you want s-off, you will need to pay for it and use sunshine.

But again, you don't need s-off for the things you describe.

---------- Post added at 09:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 AM ----------

Or in the worst scenario is there a way to flash a rom without a PC and without root?
because my other problem is with my laptop that won't install the adb drivers.
i recall with another phone i had i tried to do the same but someone said that it was probably a thing with the usb ports.

I would highly suggest working out the adb issue on your PC, rather than resorting to workarounds. Can you flash a ROM without a PC? Possibly (depends on some of the details). But having a PC, and not being able to use adb/fastboot in the case of an emergency, feels to me like a (needless) disaster waiting to happen.

Your description is short on details. Such as:
- Is custom recovery (TWRP) already installed on the device? From bootloader, pick the option to boot recovery, and tell us what happens. If TWRP is installed, tell us what version number.
- What adb package did you try to install? Is it the full Android SDK package? If so, there are much smaller/easier to install adb/fastboot installers available, if you simply use the xda seach function, and search "easy adb".
- What exactly is happening when you try to install adb drivers? Installing adb drivers (or inability to do so) has nothing to do with USB post issues. Connecting to the device is another matter, but that isn't what you posted.

 

[LilArmalite]

What exactly is happening when you try to install adb drivers? Installing adb drivers (or inability to do so) has nothing to do with USB post issues. Connecting to the device is another matter, but that isn't what you posted.

I think it is a problem with connecting to the device, i mean, i can open the cmd and use commands but they just won't recognize the phone, and whenever i try to install the phone drivers by connecting the phone (when windows says it's installing ADB) it fails and says the device was disconnected.

So i don't need S=Off to let's say use "lucky patcher" or "Link2SD" or any other app that requires root?

 

[redpoint73]

I think it is a problem with connecting to the device, i mean, i can open the cmd and use commands but they just won't recognize the phone, and whenever i try to install the phone drivers by connecting the phone (when windows says it's installing ADB) it fails and says the device was disconnected.

As long as you have a fastboot environment setup, you don't need to install any drivers from the phone. Just ignore those prompts.

Problems with fastboot/adb commands are often pilot error. Note there are two interfaces fastboot versus adb. They are related, but with difference requirements. If you aren't aware of the distinctions, this alone may be causing your connectivity issue.

1) Fastboot: This is the main interface that is needed for installing custom recovery and root; and therefore the interface you should be most concerned with. Fastboot will only work in bootloader-fastboot mode. Make sure the phone is in bootloader, with FASTBOOT highlighted in red near the top of the screen. If it isn't, select FASTBOOT using the volume buttons, and confirm by pressing power button.

2) adb: Device needs to be booted to OS or alternately in TWRP for adb commands to work. adb will not work in bootloader.

So with the above distinctions noted, it is common for instance for folks to try to run a fastboot command while the phone is booted to OS (which intentionally will not work) and think that something is "wrong" with fastboot.

So make sure your phone is in the proper mode for the command intended. Describing (or cut/paste from command prompt) the command intended, state of the phone, etc. will help us troubleshoot what you did wrong (if anything).

So i don't need S=Off to let's say use "lucky patcher" or "Link2SD" or any other app that requires root?

S-off has nothing to do with root. As already stated, you don't need s-off to root. You can root s-on. Those apps only require root, so s-on is fine to use apps that require root.

---------- Post added at 09:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:10 AM ----------

Also, I previously asked a number of questions, most of which you did not answer. If you want us to help, please be sure to fully read and understand advice given to you; and answer all questions and requests for further information:

- Is custom recovery (TWRP) already installed on the device? From bootloader, pick the option to boot recovery, and tell us what happens. If TWRP is installed, tell us what version number.
- What adb package did you try to install? Is it the full Android SDK package? If so, there are much smaller/easier to install adb/fastboot installers available, if you simply use the xda seach function, and search "easy adb".

In particular, it would be a bit unusual (although possible) for a phone to have a unlocked bootloader, but not have TWRP installed. In other words, it is very possible you already have TWRP custom recovery installed. If you can look into this and verify; and what version (old versions can cause problems, so this is very important) then most of the work in rooting is already done. You would just need to get the SuperSU or Magisk root file on the phone, then flash it from TWRP in order to root.

 

[LilArmalite]

[/COLOR]Also, I previously asked a number of questions, most of which you did not answer. If you want us to help, please be sure to fully read and understand advice given to you; and answer all questions and requests for further information:



In particular, it would be a bit unusual (although possible) for a phone to have a unlocked bootloader, but not have TWRP installed. In other words, it is very possible you already have TWRP custom recovery installed. If you can look into this and verify; and what version (old versions can cause problems, so this is very important) then most of the work in rooting is already done. You would just need to get the SuperSU or Magisk root file on the phone, then flash it from TWRP in order to root.

Sorry i was out of internet for a few days,
Yes i think i do have HBOOT and when i get into recovery it reboots into a black screen with the picture of a phone that displays a warning sign (kinda like a: red triangular sign and a "!" on it) i recall having a similar mode back when i rooted a LGp350f but of course it's been a long time since that and i'm not really sure.
i think the package i installed was the one that i got from the installation instructions to install lineage.
it probably was the full sdk althought i don't know, i remember i had to set some path to "%USERPROFILE%\adb-fastboot\platform-tools" but i think all that did was allow me to enter those modes from the cmd.
sorry if i'm not really sure which one i used i did a bit of cleaning the other day and i erased it because it was not working.

 

[redpoint73]

Sorry i was out of internet for a few days,
Yes i think i do have HBOOT and when i get into recovery it reboots into a black screen with the picture of a phone that displays a warning sign (kinda like a: red triangular sign and a "!" on it)

That is the stock recovery, so it verifies that custom recovery (needed to root or flash custom ROMs) TWRP is not currently installed (and will need to be in order to root or flash custom ROMs).

So you have a situation where either:
1) Previous owner unlocked the bootloader, but never installed TWRP. Possibly with the intent of doing it someday, but never happened (somewhat unlikely, but possible).
2) Previous owner returned the phone to stock (at least stock recovery) but did not relock the bootloader (more likely).

i think the package i installed was the one that i got from the installation instructions to install lineage.
it probably was the full sdk althought i don't know, i remember i had to set some path to "%USERPROFILE%\adb-fastboot\platform-tools" but i think all that did was allow me to enter those modes from the cmd.
sorry if i'm not really sure which one i used i did a bit of cleaning the other day and i erased it because it was not working.

That looks like the full SDK was installed. But doesn't matter too much, if you deleted it.

I'm thinking your adb/fastboot issues are more a matter of pilot error, and/or unclear understanding. As your posts seem a little unsure about a number of things. Don't worry, I'm confident we can get adb/fastboot working, if you bear with me.

My suggestions would be:

1) Use xda seach function with the term "easy adb" and you will find a few lightweight and fast installers for adb/fastboot. I think there are 2-3 different ones. Just pick one, as they all seem to be pretty good.
2) Connect the phone to PC, boot to bootloader, and make sure FASTBOOT is highlighted in red near the top. Otherwise, use the volume buttons to select FASTBOOT, and confirm the choice with the power button.
3) Open a command prompt window. You will need to change directory to the one that contains the fastboot.exe file that was installed in step 1. Let me know if you need help with this.
4) Type command "fastboot devices" (without quotes) and the response should be your phone's serial number. Don't post the number, if you see it (it is personal info). Just tell us whether it works or not.

 

[LilArmalite]

That is the stock recovery, so it verifies that custom recovery (needed to root or flash custom ROMs) TWRP is not currently installed (and will need to be in order to root or flash custom ROMs).

So you have a situation where either:
1) Previous owner unlocked the bootloader, but never installed TWRP. Possibly with the intent of doing it someday, but never happened (somewhat unlikely, but possible).
2) Previous owner returned the phone to stock (at least stock recovery) but did not relock the bootloader (more likely).



That looks like the full SDK was installed. But doesn't matter too much, if you deleted it.

I'm thinking your adb/fastboot issues are more a matter of pilot error, and/or unclear understanding. As your posts seem a little unsure about a number of things. Don't worry, I'm confident we can get adb/fastboot working, if you bear with me.

My suggestions would be:

1) Use xda seach function with the term "easy adb" and you will find a few lightweight and fast installers for adb/fastboot. I think there are 2-3 different ones. Just pick one, as they all seem to be pretty good.
2) Connect the phone to PC, boot to bootloader, and make sure FASTBOOT is highlighted in red near the top. Otherwise, use the volume buttons to select FASTBOOT, and confirm the choice with the power button.
3) Open a command prompt window. You will need to change directory to the one that contains the fastboot.exe file that was installed in step 1. Let me know if you need help with this.
4) Type command "fastboot devices" (without quotes) and the response should be your phone's serial number. Don't post the number, if you see it (it is personal info). Just tell us whether it works or not.

Oh yeah, i went ahead and tried again, i still had the one i dumped in system32
for some reason sometimes when i put "fastboot devices" it just goes ahead and doesn't show nothing like it just skips into the next line for me to input something again, but then i closed and opened it again and after i put on "fastboot help" i put on "fastboot devices again" and now it gives me a 12 digit code and it says fastboot.
so i can just flash a rom in there?

 

[redpoint73]

for some reason sometimes when i put "fastboot devices" it just goes ahead and doesn't show nothing like it just skips into the next line for me to input something again, but then i closed and opened it again and after i put on "fastboot help" i put on "fastboot devices again" and now it gives me a 12 digit code and it says fastboot.
so i can just flash a rom in there?

That is a little strange, but it seems like fastboot is working.

No, you don't flash ROMs using fastboot. What you need fastboot for, is to flash custom recovery TWRP. But before doing so, I want to see more info about your specific device and it's current condition. Do the command: fastboot getvar all

Then copy/paste the result. Delete IMEI and serial number before posting (personal info). If you don't know how to copy in cmd prompt, it is a little tricky (assuming Windows):
1) In cmd prompt window, right mouse click, and select "Mark"
2) Highlight the desired text you want to copy
3) Press CTRL+C to copy
4) In a forum post, paste with CTRL+V
5) Again, delete IMEI and serial number before posting

 

[LilArmalite]

That is a little strange, but it seems like fastboot is working.

No, you don't flash ROMs using fastboot. What you need fastboot for, is to flash custom recovery TWRP. But before doing so, I want to see more info about your specific device and it's current condition. Do the command: fastboot getvar all

Then copy/paste the result. Delete IMEI and serial number before posting (personal info). If you don't know how to copy in cmd prompt, it is a little tricky (assuming Windows):
1) In cmd prompt window, right mouse click, and select "Mark"
2) Highlight the desired text you want to copy
3) Press CTRL+C to copy
4) In a forum post, paste with CTRL+V
5) Again, delete IMEI and serial number before posting

Here:

(bootloader) version: 0.5
(bootloader) version-bootloader: 3.19.0.0000
(bootloader) version-baseband: 1.29.214500021.11G
(bootloader) version-cpld: None
(bootloader) version-microp: None
(bootloader) version-main: 6.13.631.7
(bootloader) version-misc: PVT SHIP S-ON
(bootloader) serialno: *
(bootloader) imei: *
(bootloader) imei2: Not Support
(bootloader) meid: 00000000000000
(bootloader) product: m8_ul
(bootloader) platform: hTCBmsm8974
(bootloader) modelid: 0P6B16000
(bootloader) cidnum: ROGER001
(bootloader) battery-status: good
(bootloader) battery-voltage: 0mV
(bootloader) partition-layout: Generic
(bootloader) security: on
(bootloader) build-mode: SHIP
(bootloader) boot-mode: FASTBOOT
(bootloader) commitno-bootloader: 76df2b54
(bootloader) hbootpreupdate: 11
(bootloader) gencheckpt: 0
all: Done!
Finished. Total time: 0.390s

 

[redpoint73]

Okay, good. So we know fastboot is working. I can also verify your firmware is up to date (as it can be - final Marshmallow firmware), as well as see your device version (Rogers).

1) Download TWRP version 3.2.3-1 from here: https://dl.twrp.me/m8/
2) Put the TWRP file in the computer folder that contains fastboot.exe. Then flash TWRP to the phone with command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
Where "twrp.img" above (but no quotes) should match whatever the actual downloaded TWRP file is named. Verify in fastboot that the file flashed properly.
3) Put the desired custom ROM zip on the phone's internal storage (or alternately, SD card). Various ways to do this. One is boot to TWRP, then you should be able to browse to the phone's internal storage using your computer, and copy/paste the ROM file.
4) Boot to recovery, pick "Backup" and backup the current (stock?) ROM.
5) Backup whatever personal data you want to keep. Various methods. But you will need to wipe data to install a custom ROM properly.
6) In TWRP, select "Wipe". Do the default wipe (data, cache, Dalvik).
7) In TWRP, go back "Home" and select "Install". Browse to the desire custom ROM file. Then flash it. This may take a couple minutes. Some custom ROMs maybe require an additional Google apps file to be flashed (gapps), check the desired ROM thread. When done, reboot phone to system.
8) Will probably take a few minutes to boot up, than a few more once OS is booted to build app cache. But should be more than 10 minutes or so, or you may have done something wrong.
9) Enjoy