Hello,
I would like to root a friend's HTC Wildfire and custom Rom it, which in the old days required deactivating S-ON feature but now people say it is no longer needed.
For my personal knowledge, how is this possible. I mean as I understand it, s-on restricts us /system to write permissions only, so how can you install ROMs which need to modify the /system when installing, or how can you obtain root since the "su" binary also needs to be placed into the system partition.
Thanks.
goguvarra said:
Hello,
I would like to root a friend's HTC Wildfire and custom Rom it, which in the old days required deactivating S-ON feature but now people say it is no longer needed.
For my personal knowledge, how is this possible. I mean as I understand it, s-on restricts us /system to write permissions only, so how can you install ROMs which need to modify the /system when installing, or how can you obtain root since the "su" binary also needs to be placed into the system partition.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What happened was that under the gnu(?) License that android runs on is open source, and as such it is illegal to make copys of it that are locked down, as that breaks the license laws agreed by using the software. So by law htc were required to provide unlocked bootloader. This is true of every android manufacture. Htc were not very pleased when people started pulling them up on it so after much pressure they started to offer "htcdev". This is a bootloader unlock program that allows certain parts of the phone to be Accessed and edited. But this is not full s-off. The bootloader and radio still remain locked down, but the recovery, system, data and cache are "unlocked" so you can flash custom recovery, root, roms, all the stuff most people want to use. The problem starts when people want to start flashing kernels and boot.IMG edits. The boot partition with htcdev unlock does not play nice, so people have had to create ways around the issues. For example the "htc dumlock" and "smart flash for 4ext recovery"
These hacks Allow custom boot.imgs to be flashed with the htcdev unlocked bootloader.
As far as the buzz (wildfire) is concerned people have always just used s-off via revolutionary since it came out, and before that unrevoked. These came before htcdev and as such not many users here will ever use htcdev. For this device s-off is both preferable and attainable thanks to the hard work of others but for devices that don't have such luxurys htcdev will have to do
Tapped out from my sexy nexus 7
Related
... found this setting while resetting my Desire. I was trying to work out why it won't update to Froyo. A lot of you seemed interested in learning something from a Desire like this on these forums in August...
- Is this still of interest/use to anyone?
- Does security off mean that it can be rooted more easily... or is it already rooted?
- What is my best bet for updating/improving it (either by root or OTA)?
Any help would be gratefully received
danlepub said:
... found this setting while resetting my Desire. I was trying to work out why it won't update to Froyo. A lot of you seemed interested in learning something from a Desire like this on these forums in August...
- Is this still of interest/use to anyone?
- Does security off mean that it can be rooted more easily... or is it already rooted?
- What is my best bet for updating/improving it (either by root or OTA)?
Any help would be gratefully received
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think if it is S-Off you are pretty much rooted anyway as you should have full access to the system anyway and can replace what you want?
Regarding if it would be useful to anyone, I will let the devs answer that one, a good place to ask would be the #alpharev channel on irc.freenode.net. Since IEF was the "father of S-Off" it might be of interest to him?
Thank you for the response... I will have a look at #alpharev
Been reading more, and I'm not sure it is rooted... there is no Super User icon.
It is also HBoot 0.75... I thought S-Off changes it to 0.93. Also been in touch with HTC who say it is unbranded, yet it is branded... network provider splash and everything!
Being S-OFF and being rooted are actually 2 completely different things which alot of people get confused thinking they are somewhat the same.
S-OFF basically means you have an unlocked bootloader (like a computers BIOS), which allows you to flash custom recoveries from fastboot, aswell as ROMs, have full r/w access to NAND and so-forth without the need to mess about with lengthy hacks or bodge methods to also flash a custom / updated ROM.
Being Rooted gives you elevated permissions within the android OS itself, so you can do things you can't normally do, such as access bits of the filesystem which are usually hidden via a permission mask, run applications which require elevated permissions to work, such as SETCPU and Titanium Backup. Think of the rooting process as using your computer with an admin account (rooted) allowing you full control over everything, and a Limited Account, where access to key systems isn't allowed and you can only do certain things.
Now combine the two, S-OFF and Rooting, and you basically get a rather large slice of awesome pie. Being rooted while S-OFF will now allow you to have full R/W access to the system partitions while android is running, so you can run even more apps such as AdFree (allowing you to update hosts list without flashing a whole new ROM) amongst other things.
Brilliant! Think I understand... thank you very much.
Hi,
I have no practise yet with custom ROMs but anyway I think the following points (my goal: increase the internal memory) could interest most of Wildfire S users as this one is extremly small (118 MB ONLY!)...
Installation of a custom ROM for Data2SD is really useful...
May I summarize some facts first?...
Normally rooting of HTC works like that: unbranding (if necessary) by CID and GoldCard (whatever GC is) and clean Firmware, then rooting by “reflash_package.exe" (unrevoked3) and then inserting custom ROMs by ClockworkModeRecovery.
The device can stay in s-on mode here. (s. http://einsteinno1.de/htc-wildfire-custom-rom-tutorial/#custom)
Remark: There seems to be still another easier method to root a mobile phone instead of unrevoked3:
Team C-Skills: installation of a wrapper App around Gingerbreak exploit: 'Gingerbreak.apk'.
(s. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044765)
The problem e.g. with HTC's Gingerbread V.2.3 of S-models now is that the boot loader is locked (encrypted?). So here the boot loader cannot be modified by unrevoked3 (or Gingerbreak.apk) anymore. Now there must be done s.th. that the device does not boot with this boot loader anymore. This can only be done by setting it to s-off (disabling the HTC's security mechanisms), right?
And this can only be done by the xtc clip (~100€)! It is plugged to the SIM card contacts... What does it do in detail here? Does anybody know?...
However, after using it the device 'suddenly' is s-off and rooted.
After having used xtc clip custom ROMs can be installed like usual.
________________________
Now I read that HTC announced to offer a 'boot loader unlock' software for all those models with encr. bl soon. So then xtc clip is not needed anymore, right?
(hope 'soon' does not mean another half year of waiting...)
However, if that lasts too long, is there anybody in south-west Germany who would lend me his xtc clip then?...
Before doing A2SD+ (or even much better Data2SD) it is necessary to create a second SD card partition with e.g. 'ROM Manager'.
But is there already a reliable Data2SD custom ROM for Wildfire S? Does anybody has practise with 'Everything Data2SD.zip' already?...
And then, as the whole processing now always passes the device's SD card interface: Did anybody notice any disadvantages with this mobile during Data2SD usage? (lower speed, bad stability, etc.)
Please correct me now if there is anything wrong in my description!
Now I have some further little questions:
1.) Can I rollback A2SD+ or Data2SD?
2.) Can I rollback S-off to S-on ? (getting back guarantee) Remark: Gingerbreak seems to offer an option for this
3.) What happens at an OTA upgrade? S-off or Data2SD keeps as it is?...
4.) Is there a way to do S-off just once (no temproot)?
5.) Where can I find a collection of custom ROMs?
5b) Can I add Bluetooth profiles by custom ROMs?
6.) Can I copy system apps from a rooted mobile (to run on a simular model)
I know, this is a lot. Hope that does not overload anybody... ;-)
Thank you for all your comments to it!
Many greetings.
Yes you need a second partition which you can make in Rom manager to use the app2sd function.
At the moment there is zero roms available for the Wildfire S.
When I used the app2sd function on my original Wildfire I had no changes in stability etc. Just that when I restart the phone I had to wait a few minutes for the apps to be available
Now for you other questions:
1) I wouldn't know. I assume you can
2) No. You cannot make S-off back to S-on but I doubt anyone would check if you needed to send it off. And if they did just say it was S-off when it was bought and the warranty guidelines say nothing about it being voided if it was S-off
3) S-off Will stay and root etc will stay as the bootloader and security flag is unlocked.
4) No Need as S-off is permanent.
5) In this forum when they are made
5b) Wouldn't know until roms become available.
6) I think you can but it would depend if they would work and are compatible with the rom.
I hope I have helped you a bit
thank you very much for answering!!
There are just some points left now...
1.) is all of it correct what I wrote/summarized in the beginning (before the line) of my last message?
2.) What do you say to the mentioned second rooting method of Team C-skill instead of unrevoked3? Does it really work as well?...
3.) Is it correct that xtc clip is not necessary if bootloader is unlocked?
3b) Do you think from what you have heard of HTC and the past activities of them in general that HTC will release this announced software (soon)?...
4.) What does xtc clip do in detail?
5.) Do you know about the progress of custom ROM development? And which of them are currently under development?
6.) I have read that bootloader of model Wildfire (without S) is encrypted as well. So how is it possible that there are already easy solutions to root it (without xtc clip)?
7.) My question 5b was ment generally: is it generally possible to add Bluetooth profiles by custom ROMs?
8.) Have you heard that HTC intends to release a Wildfire S+ version with increased internal memory? Could we expect it maybe?...
Thank you so much again. Hope youknow about the answer to my further questions...
Best wishes
1) Yes it is
2) There is no other method. I used gingerbreak to root mine. Took about 2 mins maximum. Unrevoked is not needed or the other method you mentioned. Also AlphareX is now in public beta so you could make your S-off by using that software but you need to be running Linux.
3)Yes if your phone is already S-off the clip is not needed
3b) I expect it will be shortly after the sensation release as they are making software to unlock the bootloader
4) It unlocks the bootloader by turning off the security flag allowing you to have full control over the phone.
5) I don't know of any progress, as its a new phone not many devs will have had a chance to get it.
6)This is because the bootloader is lower. 2.1 was able to be rooted using unrevoked but if you updated OTA to 2.2 the bootloader became encrypted and you would need the xtc clip to root it.
7)I wouldn't know for sure unless I had access to custom roms.
8)No I have never heard of a Wildfire S+ I don't think there will be one.
Hallo,
so these are my final responses to you:
1.) Where can we get Data2SD custom ROMs? There is no extra place at XDA-developers...
1b) I suppose that a custom ROM can be - dependant from its function - dependant just from the Android version, even phone model specific or completely independant from both, right?
How is it with Data2SD?... (s. brutzelstube.de/2011/data2sd-installieren-die-losung-aller-speicherprobleme: no dependancy is specified!)
2.) To 2, repeated again to make it really clear: you can use either Gingerbreak (Win), AlphareX (Linux) or unrevoked3 (Win) up to HTC's Android 2.1. for rooting. There is no difference in result between them... For >= Vers. 2.2: if boot loader is unlocked you just cannot use unrevoked3, but AlphareX and Gingerbreak. If boot loader is locked here you can only us xtc clip instead. Correct?
3.) To 3: you misunderstood my question. I didn't talk about S-off but about locked boot loader. I supposed that xtc clip is necessary ONLY if the boot loader is locked. Otherwise rooting can also be done with S-on. Correct?
4.) To 4: that is what I knew already. No, I was just asking myself HOW xtc clip can unlock a boot loader. It seems to be plugged to the SIM contacts for that... If you know more about the meachnism it would be fine but this question is not so important anyway. Just interest.
5.) To 5: Means that it will last about half a year until Data2SD custom ROM will be available (for Gingerbread or Wildfire S)? I just would like to have an idea...
On the other hand aren't there already plenty of Data2SD custom ROMs as those seem to be independant from Android version or phone model (s. 1b)!?...
6.) To 7: so there really never was any custom ROM adding a Bluetooth profile yet??...
Sorry, that I still did not come to an end asking you... ;-)
Hope, this is the last time now.
Anyway I now decided to wait until the release of Sony-Ericsson Xperia Mini as it is available in July already. This model is even more compact and internal storage shall be 320 MB. So Data2SD might not be necessary here. But if I like this one as well, I will see...
Many greetings to you.
Reminder
Hallo community, hallo Imlgl,
is there really nobody being able to answer my last questions below?...
Would be really very nice.
Thank you so much!
My Desire has been rooted using unRevoked method, and now it is running Reflex S 2.1.7, which is a good rom.
The issue is that the Desire is still S-ON. I wonder what more benefits I would get if I managed to do the S-OFF procedures.
1) S-OFF procedures changes the hboot? providing more internal space?
2) Change recovery system?
3) Root again?
4) format sdcard again?
Just a few seconds for the search:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8796987&postcount=2
among other benefits, s-off is also required for flashing splash screens too!...
StuMcBill said:
It also allows you write access to system while android is booted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be more specific, this allows you to:
Remove crapware that came with your ROM (which is rare for custom ROMS but you can also replace bundled apps with their market versions to ensure you get updates as soon as they are released).
Conversely you may make a user app a system app for whatever reason.
Place custom ringtones on your internal memory so that they are not disabled when you mount the sdcard or restart.
Make init scripts (for advanced users).
And other things I have not thought of...
As per what I have understand .. . .with S-OFF.. you can use root previlage while you are fully booted... with only root and S-ON.. you need to be in fastboot .. to access system or root.. and some other things guys mentioned
Flash Hboot
Flash Radio
Flash Splash Screen .. . are the major benefits.
Why not read up on it and then asked questions based on what you don't understand?
Newbie here (go easy) lol OK basically I rooted via the HTC Bootloader website and other tools. Now What can I do with it basically? It is still got the S-ON Lock (which I guess is bad) I know it's unlocked to any sim but I understand my phone needs to be S-OFF to achieve real benefits?
when your phones rooted, it just means you have superuser access.
so your able to install custom roms (as you can see the list of diffrent roms) meaning you can install the latest build of android os. then you can install overclocked kernals (making your phone run faster or smoother). with other phones such as my nexus one iv install ubuntu (a linux operating system)
theirs so many diffrent things you can do on a rooted phone
S-ON S-OFF thing what does that mean? As I said My phone is still at S-ON Which I guess is not good
Your phone stay S-off like all people who unlock their phone on htcdev. But you can root and flash rom and kernel... There's always few thinks you can't do, but so usefully or necessary... AFAIK.
EDIT: sorry, would mean S-on
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S using XDA App
I still know that I having some memory issues (internal) so that I need to look at but slowly getting there. Done the main thing which is vital
john_semple said:
S-ON S-OFF thing what does that mean? As I said My phone is still at S-ON Which I guess is not good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
S-ON means that the "Security is ON" aka that your phone is "locked",
from htcdev.com:
Your device is shipped with Security on (S-ON) to protect your system
software configuration (such as the bootloader, radio, boot, recovery, system and others). After you have unlocked the bootloader, however, you will have lifted the restrictions on boot, recovery and system. This means you can customize boot, recovery and system images on your phone as you desire. You can easily see that you have successfully unlocked the bootloader by looking at the top of the screen when entering the bootloader screen. Security is left on to protect things like the radio, and SIM lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can set your phone to S-OFF by using Bootloader or some other methods
EDIT: I didnt see Shywim's post, i needed few min to post this. xD
S-ON = Security On
S-OFF = Security Off
When S-OFF you have access to the /system partition
You can do a sdcard partition for your internal memory... There is a howto in the cm7 troubleshooting topic in the dev section
( i use it and I'm s on like you)
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S using XDA App
KillAHead said:
S-ON means that the "Security is ON" aka that your phone is "locked",
from htcdev.com:
You can set your phone to S-OFF by using Bootloader or some other methods
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, you make me confused, if mob is s-on , you can make it s-off only trough xclip.
However you can unlock bootloader and root. as said in the link you gave.
If iam misstaken, please say so.
Start browsing:
[INDEX] roms/recovery/guides/kernel/root/...
But be careful if you're a noob. The Wildfire S makes a great, inexpensive Android but an awfully expensive brick.
CafeKampuchia said:
Start browsing:
[INDEX] roms/recovery/guides/kernel/root/...
But be careful if you're a noob. The Wildfire S makes a great, inexpensive Android but an awfully expensive brick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Took me a while to get this replacement Wildfire back as it was due to a major hassle with HTC in the first place I just need to get my memory issues sorted and I sure i'm good
Went out and bought a 16GB Micro SDHD Memory card from ebay with an adapter included. When that comes i'll have fun (as I think I got a rough idea what rom I putting on to the phone) Prey to god it actually works!
There's lots of conflicting info on this thread..
Rooted means superuser access, think of it as administration rights on your mobile. You can install more powerful apps to your phone linked link2sd. You also gain write access to the system directories of the phone, and can delete system apps.
S-off means your bootloader is unlocked. This is required to flash custom rom's onto the device.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App
jwchips said:
There's lots of conflicting info on this thread..
Rooted means superuser access, think of it as administration rights on your mobile. You can install more powerful apps to your phone linked link2sd. You also gain write access to the system directories of the phone, and can delete system apps.
S-off means your bootloader is unlocked. This is required to flash custom rom's onto the device.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not correct, S-OFF does not stand for unlocked bootloader.
And you don't need S-OFF for flashing custom ROMs.
jwchips said:
There's lots of conflicting info on this thread..
Rooted means superuser access, think of it as administration rights on your mobile. You can install more powerful apps to your phone linked link2sd. You also gain write access to the system directories of the phone, and can delete system apps.
S-off means your bootloader is unlocked. This is required to flash custom rom's onto the device.
Sent from my HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a lot of conflicting info on this thread.
S-OFF means EVERYTHING is unlocked including your bootloader. It is complete access to all areas of the phone, also allowing you to flash any RUU ROM you want and many other things.
HTCDev Unlock - Unlocks your bootloader only allowing you to flash custom recoveries, ROMs, and root your phone. It has limitations though.
Hello all,
I have some questions about rooting my phone, the HTC One M8. If someone gets a new phone like this one, backs it up after initial setup, roots and does s-off, and then does a second backup (optional).......... is there any reason why that person should need to worry about anything going wrong? I'm replacing my phone and want to know that as long as I back it up before rooting and s-off, I should never have to worry, right?
Also, once you root a phone, you can still get new OTAs right? The rooting doesn't stop that, right? Just a simple yes or no is fine.
Kindly please answer both. I appreciate all those who can shed some light! It seems that rooting is ok as long as you do it (and S-OFF) BEFORE receiving any OTAs, or that's what I think.
Thank You,
RockStar2005
RockStar2005 said:
Hello all,
I have some questions about rooting my phone, the HTC One M8. If someone gets a new phone like this one, backs it up after initial setup, roots and does s-off, and then does a second backup (optional).......... is there any reason why that person should need to worry about anything going wrong? I'm replacing my phone and want to know that as long as I back it up before rooting and s-off, I should never have to worry, right?
Also, once you root a phone, you can still get new OTAs right? The rooting doesn't stop that, right? Just a simple yes or no is fine.
Kindly please answer both. I appreciate all those who can shed some light! It seems that rooting is ok as long as you do it (and S-OFF) BEFORE receiving any OTAs, or that's what I think.
Thank You,
RockStar2005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
part of rooting is a custom recovery which can block ota's from installing. sometimes the updates can manually be flashed or you can just revert to a stock recovery temporarily but changes to your system can also block the install. as far as the backups it's what ever your comfortable with - I never bother with backups of the stock software and I've never needed one.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
lampel said:
part of rooting is a custom recovery which can block ota's from installing. sometimes the updates can manually be flashed or you can just revert to a stock recovery temporarily but changes to your system can also block the install. as far as the backups it's what ever your comfortable with - I never bother with backups of the stock software and I've never needed one.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thank Lampel!
RockStar2005
I have questions pertaining to Rooting the HTC One M8 aswell.
I moved from Samsung's Galaxy line of phones and have always Rooted without hesitation. Reasons being, I have become comfortable with the way they work and am confident I can return it to Stock (no modded counters on it or whatever), if I need to bring it back to my carrier for some reason.
Now I just got my M8, and definitely want to Root it, but all the new terms for HTC phones confuse me a little. Things I need to know before going forward with Rooting are:
1) What is "S-Off"/'S-On"? And what does it mean?
2) If I Root, can I bring it back to Stock where it will look like I did nothing to it so I can return to the store if I need to?
3) I know there are risks when Rooting, but are there things that become "broken" or don't work because of Rooting? Examples would be like Sony's Xperia devices, the Bravia Engine stops working, and so does the Camera (for some models). Those things become "broken" as a security feature for Sony. Did HTC do anything similar?
4) Anything else you might think I need to know before Rooting?
Thanks in advance!
leo9891 said:
1) What is "S-Off"/'S-On"? And what does it mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not 100% certain on the other questions but maybe I can help with your first question.
Security-ON / Security-OFF. These settings seem specific to HTC. When you purchase a new phone, it will be S-On. This basically means that there are specific areas of your phone that you won't be able to touch, even with root access. However, you can alter the system, boot, and recovery partitions with root access and S-On. S-Off will allow access to the radio and other partitions that you won't be able to access with S-On. S-Off also allows you to change the splash screen. You can check your S-on/S-off status by booting into fastboot (power off phone, press volume down and power until you see the white fastboot screen).
It is my understanding that in order to get S-Off on newer HTC One M8's, Sunshine (http://theroot.ninja/) can be used but it does cost $25. The htcdev.com site has more information on S-On/S-Off along with warnings of why you may not want to go with S-Off here: http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader/about_unlock_process.
janderia said:
I'm not 100% certain on the other questions but maybe I can help with your first question.
Security-ON / Security-OFF. These settings seem specific to HTC. When you purchase a new phone, it will be S-On. This basically means that there are specific areas of your phone that you won't be able to touch, even with root access. However, you can alter the system, boot, and recovery partitions with root access and S-On. S-Off will allow access to the radio and other partitions that you won't be able to access with S-On. S-Off also allows you to change the splash screen. You can check your S-on/S-off status by booting into fastboot (power off phone, press volume down and power until you see the white fastboot screen).
It is my understanding that in order to get S-Off on newer HTC One M8's, Sunshine (http://theroot.ninja/) can be used but it does cost $25. The htcdev.com site has more information on S-On/S-Off along with warnings of why you may not want to go with S-Off here: http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader/about_unlock_process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for your reply, took a day or two after i posted to grab the concept of S-Off/S-On. I'm used to Samsung devices where all you needed was root, and you can do anything.