Develop Bugs

Does US Cellular Desire have Root

I know it was only released yesterday, but I know nothing about the current Desire models. I come from the realm of CDMA Hero's and am moving to the Samsung Epic. My brother just picked up a desire and wants to root it.
Is the current Desire a GSM or CDMA phone?
And has anyone who has gotten the new USC Desire, have you tried the current root method to see if it works. I have doubts that it will.

I am going to assume after looking through this forum a little bit that the current model being developed for here is GSM.

The US Cellular Desire is the first CDMA phone to be called "HTC Desire". Tread carefully. But please also report any positive/negative results so that others can learn from your win/fail.

cmstlist said:
The US Cellular Desire is the first CDMA phone to be called "HTC Desire". Tread carefully. But please also report any positive/negative results so that others can learn from your win/fail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankfully I am pretty Android savvy. I just wasn't sure if it was CDMA or GSM - No radio updates for this phone .
If the current root method does not work I will attempt the ones for other devices running 2.1 and might even try the new EVO/Epic root for 2.2.
I'll get this thing rooted if I have to find my own.

Kcarpenter said:
Thankfully I am pretty Android savvy. I just wasn't sure if it was CDMA or GSM - No radio updates for this phone .
If the current root method does not work I will attempt the ones for other devices running 2.1 and might even try the new EVO/Epic root for 2.2.
I'll get this thing rooted if I have to find my own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't wait to get my US Cellular Desire and I'm really hoping for root. Let us know if you have any luck.

So what are the actual chances that it will work on the uscc desire? I got mine so I guess ill just have to try it tonight.

The us desire has a bootloader 0.98.xxxx you will have to downgrade to a different hboot plus I'm pretty sure all the roms only support a gsm radio.

Odd_Sam said:
The us desire has a bootloader 0.98.xxxx you will have to downgrade to a different hboot plus I'm pretty sure all the roms only support a gsm radio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, tread with caution... if a different HBOOT bricks the phone... there's not much recourse!

From what I have read/observed, the USCC Desire is basically the same phone as the Nexus One. I would like to know what is different about this thing that would prevent me from rooting and/or upgrading to 2.2.
Anyone have any advice? I can't wait to upgrade this piece.

CreepingDeath said:
From what I have read/observed, the USCC Desire is basically the same phone as the Nexus One. I would like to know what is different about this thing that would prevent me from rooting and/or upgrading to 2.2.
Anyone have any advice? I can't wait to upgrade this piece.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, Desire is CDMA. Nexus one is not. completely different cellular radio HARDWARE. and that pesky slcd is also a problem.
Gonna have better luck adapting a cdma android root. (incredible, evo, etc..) at least they use the same radio technology.
i thought the incredible was supposed to get the slcd also...... that would help alot.

I know this doesn't provide any technical information, but just as an FYI I did ask HTC what their policy on rooting is. They said:
"Of course the Desire is your phone. If you would like to root the phone or install 3rd party software to it, you are more than welcome to. It's just that with any 3rd party software, HTC did not create it so we do not have information on how it works therefore, we can not support it. As far as voiding any warranties, I do not have that information. You may contact our Warranty Deparment at 1-800-229-1235 (8:30 AM - 5 PM EST M-F). They will be able to verify that information with you. HTC has repaired some phones that had the incorrect ROM on them. There may have been a fee for this, I am not certain."
I hadn't gotten around to calling about the warranty. I had read elsewhere that as long as the damage wasn't a result of the rooting that they would still repair a rooted phone under warranty, but I don't know if there's any truth to that.
Anyway, I don't know if this helps alleviate any concerns about experimenting with it or not. I had gotten as far as making a gold card for it yesterday, but I'm kind of afraid to go any further until I can get some more information on this specific phone. I feel like there may be a chance with this method since it takes information from your actual device. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

psychache said:
I know this doesn't provide any technical information, but just as an FYI I did ask HTC what their policy on rooting is. They said:
"Of course the Desire is your phone. If you would like to root the phone or install 3rd party software to it, you are more than welcome to. It's just that with any 3rd party software, HTC did not create it so we do not have information on how it works therefore, we can not support it. As far as voiding any warranties, I do not have that information. You may contact our Warranty Deparment at 1-800-229-1235 (8:30 AM - 5 PM EST M-F). They will be able to verify that information with you. HTC has repaired some phones that had the incorrect ROM on them. There may have been a fee for this, I am not certain."
I hadn't gotten around to calling about the warranty. I had read elsewhere that as long as the damage wasn't a result of the rooting that they would still repair a rooted phone under warranty, but I don't know if there's any truth to that.
Anyway, I don't know if this helps alleviate any concerns about experimenting with it or not. I had gotten as far as making a gold card for it yesterday, but I'm kind of afraid to go any further until I can get some more information on this specific phone. I feel like there may be a chance with this method since it takes information from your actual device. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you make a gold card, which rooting technique are you going try? Unrevoked is the simplest overall but I think HBOOT 0.98 fixed the exploit that Unrevoked uses.

I tried unrevoked the other day and it said that it was unsupported. I don't know that I'll go as far as trying to root at this point. I was kind of hoping that someone else would try it first, ha . . . Initially I was doing the gold card just to see if I could at least unbrand it so I could install the OTA update. But then I run into the original issue of whether or not it supports CDMA and/or SLCD. Is there any way to tell aside from actually attempting to flash it? Maybe it would be safer to try one of the methods for the Incredible? Not sure what version of HBOOT that has on it. Honestly, I'm pretty far from being any kind of expert on this. So far I've only had experience with rooting the Moto Droid and that was pretty much cake since the phone is so old at this point.

psychache said:
I tried unrevoked the other day and it said that it was unsupported. I don't know that I'll go as far as trying to root at this point. I was kind of hoping that someone else would try it first, ha . . . Initially I was doing the gold card just to see if I could at least unbrand it so I could install the OTA update. But then I run into the original issue of whether or not it supports CDMA and/or SLCD. Is there any way to tell aside from actually attempting to flash it? Maybe it would be safer to try one of the methods for the Incredible? Not sure what version of HBOOT that has on it. Honestly, I'm pretty far from being any kind of expert on this. So far I've only had experience with rooting the Moto Droid and that was pretty much cake since the phone is so old at this point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's only one set of RUU that support CDMA at this point. Pretty much any other attempt will brick your desire. You could try one of those RUU's and see if it downgrades where you could root then.

Yeah, I think I'm going to wait until some sort of tested method is worked out. I'm not at any kind of skill level to be figuring this stuff out on my own. Overall I'm pretty pleased with how the phone worked right out of the box. My only major complaint is the lack of internal storage for apps and the fact that you can't remove any of the preinstalled crap. This is the only reason I was really even looking into rooting or unlocking at this point. I just hope that the fact that the EVO and Incredible got their updates means that one can't be far off for the Desire.

psychache - I feel ya there. I got mine and I love it. However, was kinda skiddish on testing on this new unit. Whether or not the insurance would cover it if I bricked it. Even then, would still be another $100 deductible.

I am willing to try something. I already tried the Universal Androot to no avail... no brick or anything, it just didnt take.

Well, if anyone else is up to the challenge you could always call the number I posted above to get a definite answer on whether you would still have coverage if you did brick. I had actually had several replies back and forth with them before I asked specifically about rooting and was very impressed by how responsive and open-minded they were. I'd say of any of the manufacturers they're probably the most likely to be "cool" about it. And you're right, primerorico, worst case scenario is you could do an insurance claim and pay the $100 (you know, because you "lost" it). I know that's not cheap but it's a heck of a lot less than paying the full retail for a new one. Just food for thought for anyone who actually knows what they're doing . . . (unlike myself)

Someone has made some progress in rooting. Not sure if he needs some help but here is the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7917553

heavymetalmage said:
Someone has made some progress in rooting. Not sure if he needs some help but here is the thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7917553
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link. I'll definitely keep an eye on it.

[Q] Root method for 2.3 Gingerbread and help please

OKay for weeks now i have been searching ways to Root my HTC EVO I have been looking and looking maybe i am confused so now i see great methods to root the files are no good such as ginger breaks and other ways such you tube videos but unable to find a video who do play by play how to do a easy successful root method now i am currently S-on my Hboot is 2.15 and build number is 4.24 now i know unrevoked is not working since the update make a long story short if anybody has some of a method please reply in a nice way and don't bash me because i may not know this phone stuffed by i am geek in computers so we all have good things what we do best.

Put simply, 2.3 hasn't been rooted yet, they're making progress but you're out of luck for the moment.

Still no method yet, waiting impatiently, check the forums multiple time daily. I'm sure there will be an announcement when it available, so just keep your eyes peeled. Just rooted my wifes evo because she never accepted the OTA, now I'm drooling in jealousy.

That hurt my head
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

AZ1412 said:
That hurt my head
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup.....Mine hurts too now...

Boltons75 said:
Still no method yet, waiting impatiently, check the forums multiple time daily. I'm sure there will be an announcement when it available, so just keep your eyes peeled. Just rooted my wifes evo because she never accepted the OTA, now I'm drooling in jealousy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ALRIGHT WELL I STILL HAVE MY htc HD 2 PHONE AND THAT PROCESS IS SO EASY THE 3.0 SENSE IS CRAZY ON THAT PHONE I WISH SOME 1 WOULD MAKE IT AS SIMPLE TO JAILBREAK ON THE HTC HD 2 PHONE BUT I WILL STILL LOOK OUT OR TRICK MY BROTHER AND CHANGE PHONES HE NEVER UPDATED EITHER LOL

he has hboot 2.15?
didnt even know that existed, but afaik, anything BELOW 2.16 is rootable

dgotgame816 said:
OKay for weeks now i have been searching ways to Root my HTC EVO I have been looking and looking maybe i am confused so now i see great methods to root the files are no good such as ginger breaks and other ways such you tube videos but unable to find a video who do play by play how to do a easy successful root method now i am currently S-on my Hboot is 2.15 and build number is 4.24 now i know unrevoked is not working since the update make a long story short if anybody has some of a method please reply in a nice way and don't bash me because i may not know this phone stuffed by i am geek in computers so we all have good things what we do best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I have my HTC evo 4g fully rooted with unrevoked. What I did is I broke my phone and I'm under the black tie program with sprint. I called asurion to get my NEW AND UNUSED PHONE. They asked if I would rather it come fully activated. Or would I rather activate it myself. I told them I'd rather activate it myself. I paid the 100 dollar deposit and while Isaac activating my phone I stopped the firmware and software update. It only comes on the phone as an ota if you activate yourself. If they activation it you will be stuck where you are. After stopping the firmware update I was sitting at stock android 2.2 aka froyobwith hboot 2.10. If you're willing to spend 100 bucks to do this, it will come a lot faster than the HTC bootloader update or the developers hacking methods. No offense to the development team. You Guy do an amazing job. But yea, that's the way I did it. Then I rooted with unrevoked and am currently running cm7 and am extremely happy with improved battery life along many other things. Maybe this will help you

hawke591 said:
Well I have my HTC evo 4g fully rooted with unrevoked. What I did is I broke my phone and I'm under the black tie program with sprint. I called asurion to get my NEW AND UNUSED PHONE. They asked if I would rather it come fully activated. Or would I rather activate it myself. I told them I'd rather activate it myself. I paid the 100 dollar deposit and while Isaac activating my phone I stopped the firmware and software update. It only comes on the phone as an ota if you activate yourself. If they activation it you will be stuck where you are. After stopping the firmware update I was sitting at stock android 2.2 aka froyobwith hboot 2.10. If you're willing to spend 100 bucks to do this, it will come a lot faster than the HTC bootloader update or the developers hacking methods. No offense to the development team. You Guy do an amazing job. But yea, that's the way I did it. Then I rooted with unrevoked and am currently running cm7 and am extremely happy with improved battery life along many other things. Maybe this will help you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this. NEVER EVER EVER EVER LET SPRINT activate a phone. DON'T EVEN LET THOSE ASSHOLES TOUCH IT! Biggest mistake you can EVER EVER make! spread this around. :-D However!, I find it hard to believe on the "I called asurion to get my NEW AND UNUSED PHONE."

It might not be unused but it definitely came in mint condition with the froyo firmware on it so that's all I needed lol as of right now if you're willing to spend the 100 bucks its well worth it in my opinion. Good luck getting root guys ill see if I can't find a way to help the devs and the others working in the collaboration in the development section.

hawke591 said:
Well I have my HTC evo 4g fully rooted with unrevoked. What I did is I broke my phone and I'm under the black tie program with sprint. I called asurion to get my NEW AND UNUSED PHONE. They asked if I would rather it come fully activated. Or would I rather activate it myself. I told them I'd rather activate it myself. I paid the 100 dollar deposit and while Isaac activating my phone I stopped the firmware and software update. It only comes on the phone as an ota if you activate yourself. If they activation it you will be stuck where you are. After stopping the firmware update I was sitting at stock android 2.2 aka froyobwith hboot 2.10. If you're willing to spend 100 bucks to do this, it will come a lot faster than the HTC bootloader update or the developers hacking methods. No offense to the development team. You Guy do an amazing job. But yea, that's the way I did it. Then I rooted with unrevoked and am currently running cm7 and am extremely happy with improved battery life along many other things. Maybe this will help you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not necessarily true. My evo was destroyed in a car accident. Asurion sent me my replacement. I was hoping it would be 2.2 and denied their request to activate my phone. When the new phone arrived, it had already been loaded with 2.3.3. I didn’t even bother to activate it and ended up going back to my rooted hero for the time being. Getting a replacement phone is a crapshoot. There are multiple posts on XDA giving anecdotal reports of replacement phones. Most are shipping with gingerbread. Some still will have froyo. Some (very few) will come with S-off. Don’t assume that by breaking your phone and dropping $100 you will automatically be shipped a phone capable of being unlocked at present time.

hydroxylicacid said:
That is not necessarily true. My evo was destroyed in a car accident. Asurion sent me my replacement. I was hoping it would be 2.2 and denied their request to activate my phone. When the new phone arrived, it had already been loaded with 2.3.3. I didn’t even bother to activate it and ended up going back to my rooted hero for the time being. Getting a replacement phone is a crapshoot. There are multiple posts on XDA giving anecdotal reports of replacement phones. Most are shipping with gingerbread. Some still will have froyo. Some (very few) will come with S-off. Don’t assume that by breaking your phone and dropping $100 you will automatically be shipped a phone capable of being unlocked at present time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends on if the phone was made before the ota release date and whatnot. You cn request that it come with 2.2 instead of gb. This method may not work for everyone but I know that it has worked for the friends I have around my area. They saw what happened and wanted to try it and its worked for them. If you feel that its a longshot at getting the right phone
Then by all means stick with what you've got. I just was willing to try anything to get rid of gb. But now I'm running cm7 with a tiamat kernel and am very happy. Little side note: I actually didn't break my phone on purpose.

hawke591 said:
Well I have my HTC evo 4g fully rooted with unrevoked. What I did is I broke my phone and I'm under the black tie program with sprint. I called asurion to get my NEW AND UNUSED PHONE. They asked if I would rather it come fully activated. Or would I rather activate it myself. I told them I'd rather activate it myself. I paid the 100 dollar deposit and while Isaac activating my phone I stopped the firmware and software update. It only comes on the phone as an ota if you activate yourself. If they activation it you will be stuck where you are. After stopping the firmware update I was sitting at stock android 2.2 aka froyobwith hboot 2.10. If you're willing to spend 100 bucks to do this, it will come a lot faster than the HTC bootloader update or the developers hacking methods. No offense to the development team. You Guy do an amazing job. But yea, that's the way I did it. Then I rooted with unrevoked and am currently running cm7 and am extremely happy with improved battery life along many other things. Maybe this will help you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see your method and point so I am in KCMO AKA Kansas City MO doing some research online and from Best Buy they have an HTC EVO for 99.99 in white Android 2.2 and even called them to confirmed but doing some thinking and playing around on the Android Market SPB 3D its Awesome since I cant root my phone but I pay the 14.95 that way my phone is not harm and I have my warranty still but i am sticking with SPB 3D

They just came out with the revolutionary root for gingerbread. Look in the android dev section and you'll find it. It works too. I rooted a friends phone using that method and he had absolutely no issues with his phone. Even though my usb cord had a short in it there was no problem with it that made it brick even though it disconnected multiple times. Id have to say that it is a very safe root method. So check it out if you're still interested in root
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

[Q] Clarifications on R800x Rooting Status

I know all of this has been covered but when searching all the threads I found were from last year at some point so I figured I would see if there was any new news that I just wasn't finding with my search terms. I apologize in advance if I put this thread in the wrong place or didn't follow the forum format in some way.
Basically, is the Verizon version of the Xperia Play, R800x with 2.3.3 still locked and there is no way to root this phone now? Maybe I misunderstood, but I thought the Supreme Court or something had ruled that we were legally able to do what we wanted with devices we owned? Does that not apply here or am I crazy? Let me guess, I inadvertently signed all my rights away by clicking something that automatically means I agree with whatever restrictions they wish to put on me, am I getting warm? Lol.
I knew I should have done this earlier but I honestly wanted to give my phone a good run stock before tinkering with it. Now that I am having to delete just about every app I have downloaded on my phone, including games I paid good money for, just so I don't get continuous memory warnings mostly due to updates for the preinstalled software that I never use that Verizon saw fit to saddle me with, I decided to look into rooting it only to find that this is no longer an option. Honestly, I am fed up with this phone, Verizon, the whole nine yards. Excuse me while I rant a bit but I wish I have never upgraded to a "smart" phone and I am seriously considering dropping back to a normal plan without all the data and use my old, reliable Samsung Flipshot. It was a phone and a camera and it did both very well. My Play is supposed to do all sorts of things but it does nothing well and even when I am inclined to surf the 'Net or play a typical game or even txt I am constantly bombarded with the popup that the app has stopped responding and do I want to Wait or Force Close. It honestly smacks of the Windows 95 and 98 days when nothing seemed to work right and the BSOD was a common, everyday thing. Ok, rant over, I apologize.
Seriously though, is there anything I can do to stop the slow, inevitable death of my phone? I have uninstalled the largest of the updates for most of the programs I don't use like the Kindle app, some sort of "office" app and a few other updates that were over the 10mb mark but is this a viable solution? Are these apps just going to update again later or harass me with notifications to update? What the hell happened to the 250mb of extra space I had before and why can't I get it back by deleting the apps I downloaded myself? When my phone was new I had all kinds of room to do stuff and had many apps installed that I rarely used but were very handy when I needed them, now I find that I have to delete anything non-essential just to get my phone to operate on a somewhat normal level. Is there anything I can do to fight this and get back enough memory to make my phone fun and somewhat useful again? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I guess I am just very disappointed with my first foray into the "smartphone" world. I honestly feel they are pushing the technology too far to fast since it seems almost like your phone is only something cool when it's new sitting on a shelf, then when you get it home and use it, it turns to crap in you hand. I suppose I am just angry over the whole situation and I feel sort of cheated. Maybe I misunderstood something somewhere but I thought these cool little gadgets were supposed to make life better and actually be useful. Then again, maybe I am just getting old.
So is there any hope or am I stuck with this for the time being or as long as I am stuck with Verizon in my rather remote area?

Read my sticky thread on "R800x Users: You've got Custom ROM questions? I've got answers." It still applies, at least until May 1st when you get an update.
In short: you can root your phone. There is something else called a bootloader that remains locked that controls whether you can use certain custom ROMs and kernels. There is a paid way to unlock it which gives you more access. There are quite a few custom ROMs you can use with a locked bootloader that will improve your phone's performance, and even more if you unlock the bootloader.
About the locked bootloader thing, Verizon can do that because they subsidize the cost of the phone in your contract. So, technically, they "own" the phone for the contract period and can dictate what you can do to said hardware.
You need to do a bit more digging. You can do a LOT more than stock.
Sent from my R800x using xda premium

Thanks for the info. I skimmed through the thread but I wondered if it still applied, good to know that it does so I'll go back and read it in detail. I guess I understand the Verizon thing. This is the real cost of buying my phone for a penny off Amazon, lol. Again, thanks for the info and I will definitely check out the info on rooting my phone, even if it's not totally unlocked. As long as I can get rid of most of the bloatware, I will be satisfied with that. Not really looking to make my phone do anything more than it does now, but improving it's performance and storage is definitely my motivation so hopefully something along those lines is still possible. Thanks again!

netizenmt said:
About the locked bootloader thing, Verizon can do that because they subsidize the cost of the phone in your contract. So, technically, they "own" the phone for the contract period and can dictate what you can do to said hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I paid the unsubsidized price for my Play (~$500 if I recall) so I wouldn't have to sign a contract, and they still won't let me unlock it, not that that stopped me...

Mogul345 said:
Well, I paid the unsubsidized price for my Play (~$500 if I recall) so I wouldn't have to sign a contract, and they still won't let me unlock it, not that that stopped me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically you pay for the device but Sony holds the rights to what is contained within. You don't own EVERYTHING in the phone. Just the right to use it. Sure its in the Terms and Conditions
Sent from my R800i using xda premium

Well even with Verizon's meddling I was able to root my phone even without unlocking the boot loader. I got Titanium Backup installed and was able to remove a lot of the bloatware on my phone and free up a lot of memory. I wasn't able to delete all that I wanted but I was able to get back about 100mb of phone memory with just the things I did delete and that is good enough for me. The phone is acting normal so I guess I did everything right and didn't do any damage and I got the space I needed so I am pleased. Maybe down the road I will want to do more to the phone and workarounds will exist then but for now I am happy with what I have achieved.
Thanks again to Netizenmt and all the people who posted the information listed in your sticky. It was a great help once I calmed down, dug below the surface and did some more research.

[Q] Cant get s-off ??

Did the firewater method for S-off and it keeps saying " device has been patched by HTC, your out of luck!!!." is there any way to get by this? im new to HTC devices so im a little thrown off

elvisp0129 said:
Did the firewater method for S-off and it keeps saying " device has been patched by HTC, your out of luck!!!." is there any way to get by this? im new to HTC devices so im a little thrown off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe htc patched the last update, so would need to downgrade but not sure how you can downgrade when s-on.

There is a Bounty thread for a fix. Check my signature.

Someone correct me, cause I'm sure I'm wrong, my idea can't be right because it seems too easy/logical...
If HTC is the one who patched out firewater, wouldn't the next stop on the logic train be to assume that they want you to s-off on the HTCdev site so they can note the warranty voided??
I've been s-off since before this device even hit the market locally, so firewater worked fine...I'm just throwing darts to try and help.
Thoughts?

Exactly, it's not that easy. HTCDev will only let you unlock the bootloader, which is enough for many things, but is not the same as S-OFF. HTC doesn't provide any official way to the public for setting the device to S-OFF.

AGKdrOId said:
Someone correct me, cause I'm sure I'm wrong, my idea can't be right because it seems too easy/logical...
If HTC is the one who patched out firewater, wouldn't the next stop on the logic train be to assume that they want you to s-off on the HTCdev site so they can note the warranty voided??
I've been s-off since before this device even hit the market locally, so firewater worked fine...I'm just throwing darts to try and help.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems that way, but I don't use logic when it comes to large corporations.

Black Antitoon said:
HTC doesn't provide any official way to the public for setting the device to S-OFF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They should though... Why deny it just so that people go with "questionable" means to exploit a system in order to do the things they want to do with the device they paid a crap load of money for.
One would think by now that companies would realise that they'll never be "fully" in front when it comes to "battles" like these, whenever they implement a new security measure, there's already someone out there with the skills to exploit it! If they exploited it by "unofficial" means, then logically they would want to cover their tracks as well leading to a form of fraud i.e hiding flags/banners that show that you did S-OFF and Unlocked, it causes problems for other users if they were to buy a device like that(2nd hand for example) or even if you handed it in as such to HTC and they refurb and resell a device that says it's one thing where in fact it's something entirely different.
Why not grant unlocked bootloader, S-OFF AND Root access on all devices and sell it as is? You can put plenty of security warnings up to warn someone about the potential danger and/or damage they can cause if they don't use it properly.
Software related issues and/or bricks can be covered seperately with warranty(perhaps a small increase in price to cover it, if it's software related, HTC can fix it easy), hardware problems on the other hand won't necessarily come about because some wanna be couldn't read a ROM installation thread properly.
It's silly if you ask me. You should be able to buy the device with the ability to have an unlocked bootloader, root access and S-OFF, out of the box! You should then be well aware that IF something happens as a result of your own negligence that you'll have to pay a bit more to get it fixed, period. There should be a warning and agreement, if you agree to those terms then you can't cry to anyone if you mess up.
But that's my opinion though.
End of rant.

BerndM14 said:
It's silly if you ask me. You should be able to buy the device with the ability to have an unlocked bootloader, root access and S-OFF, out of the box! You should then be well aware that IF something happens as a result of your own negligence that you'll have to pay a bit more to get it fixed, period. There should be a warning and agreement, if you agree to those terms then you can't cry to anyone if you mess up.
But that's my opinion though.
End of rant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you - in principle. The problem is that you expect users who click that "I agree" button to actually accept responsibility for their actions if they sc*** up. And often they don't.
I have seen it again and again in the Asus Transformer forums. You can download an apk from Asus to unlock the bootloader but that app also phones home and voids your warranty (which is clearly explained in the agreement). Quite a few users who mostly didn't bother to do enough research blamed Asus for providing a tool to unlock the BL, but then refused to support them if they bricked their device. Some sent it in for warranty repair and some actually succeeded - probably because the tech did not pay attention to the unlocked bootloader - basically making Asus pay for a mistake they made. These things happen and people just tend to try to find someone to blame for their own shortcomings.
So I do understand that they make it difficult - and I do agree: They can't win this game... Someone will find a way

berndblb said:
I agree with you - in principle. The problem is that you expect users who click that "I agree" button to actually accept responsibility for their actions if they sc*** up. And often they don't.
I have seen it again and again in the Asus Transformer forums. You can download an apk from Asus to unlock the bootloader but that app also phones home and voids your warranty (which is clearly explained in the agreement). Quite a few users who mostly didn't bother to do enough research blamed Asus for providing a tool to unlock the BL, but then refused to support them if they bricked their device. Some sent it in for warranty repair and some actually succeeded - probably because the tech did not pay attention to the unlocked bootloader - basically making Asus pay for a mistake they made. These things happen and people just tend to try to find someone to blame for the own shortcomings.
So I do understand that they make it difficult - and I do agree: They can't win this game... Someone will find a way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. The main issue is the common person not doing research on these things and even IF they do some reading they don't even read properly. Most of the problems they encounter are self-made problems.
Perhaps giving an option in store for those things would be better then, like I said they could even "increase" the price a bit for the warranty/insurance IF you choose to go with an unlocked, rooted and S-OFF'd device...Oh well, pure speculation though, it's not like it'll ever happen.
Oh and you have an awesome name Bernd :good:

BerndM14 said:
Oh and you have an awesome name Bernd :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree! So do you! Also German immigrant? :victory:

berndblb said:
I agree! So do you! Also German immigrant? :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no... Parents are Germans and came to South Africa, I was born here.

S-Off as of January 2015

Would someone please point me in the right direction of a post / guide for performing S-OFF given current available resources? I just picked up a refurbished M8 ($1 !!!) and have already unlocked the bootloader and flashed TWRP. However all of the videos and guides I have seen involve obtaining S-OFF through using firewater (ran into an error due to an unrecognized character - the open parenthesis character to be exact - and I couldn't get to the part where you have to type "Yes" in the command window) and I really don't want to pay 25 bucks for the sunshine S-Off method. Any advice? Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere already, I couldn't find anything when I looked......

Firewater is no longer supported. Sunshine is the only S-off method for the M8.

frankp124 said:
Would someone please point me in the right direction of a post / guide for performing S-OFF given current available resources? I just picked up a refurbished M8 ($1 !!!) and have already unlocked the bootloader and flashed TWRP. However all of the videos and guides I have seen involve obtaining S-OFF through using firewater (ran into an error due to an unrecognized character - the open parenthesis character to be exact - and I couldn't get to the part where you have to type "Yes" in the command window) and I really don't want to pay 25 bucks for the sunshine S-Off method. Any advice? Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere already, I couldn't find anything when I looked......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only advice I have is to cough up the $25. It is worth it for the freedom it gives you.

Would anyone tell me if I flash latest 4.4.4 though .zip via recovery or run HTC RUU then I will loose S OFF? I want to flash ViperOne but needs 4.4.4 firmware cause of WiFi issues. Thanks

Once you get S-Off you will not lose it using RUU 's or custom ROM's no matter how many time's you flash
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

@scoot0073
Thanks, Yeah I just found out that S OFF and Unlocked Bootloader stays the same even if I run HTC RUU or flash stock firmware.zip :good:
Edit; I will only loose root. And, I will need stock recovery to run HTC RUU or custom recovery to flash .zip firmware

maheshpatel said:
@scoot0073
Thanks, Yeah I just found out that S OFF and Unlocked Bootloader stays the same even if I run HTC RUU or flash stock firmware.zip :good:
Edit; I will only loose root. And, I will need stock recovery to run HTC RUU or custom recovery to flash .zip firmware
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to install the stock recovery to run a RUU. Also, firmware is flashed through the bootloader, not recovery.

xunholyx said:
The only advice I have is to cough up the $25. It is worth it for the freedom it gives you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Magnum_Enforcer said:
Firewater is no longer supported. Sunshine is the only S-off method for the M8.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Drat. Well thanks for the input guys, I guess I'll "spring" for sunshine..... It's just so disappointing to see things come to this. I see countless posts and threads on this site where dedicated devs/advanced users just want to lend a helping hand or make someone else's mobile phone experience a little better, asking for nothing but an optional donation in return. You are the people that make this world a better place!!!! I had the LG Optimus as my previous device and I remember paying a dollar for the FreeGee app, which did a similar thing. Now, $1 is essentially a small donation, I can deal with that and am happy to support my devs. But $25 ? come on now, that's just embarrassing. If I were 2-3 years older I would have the requisite comp sci experience to figure out how to S-OFF myself! Oh well. Can't blame the guy for just trying to make a quick buck.....or 25..................
Cheers.

frankp124 said:
Drat. Well thanks for the input guys, I guess I'll "spring" for sunshine..... It's just so disappointing to see things come to this. I see countless posts and threads on this site where dedicated devs/advanced users just want to lend a helping hand or make someone else's mobile phone experience a little better, asking for nothing but an optional donation in return. You are the people that make this world a better place!!!! I had the LG Optimus as my previous device and I remember paying a dollar for the FreeGee app, which did a similar thing. Now, $1 is essentially a small donation, I can deal with that and am happy to support my devs. But $25 ? come on now, that's just embarrassing. If I were 2-3 years older I would have the requisite comp sci experience to figure out how to S-OFF myself! Oh well. Can't blame the guy for just trying to make a quick buck.....or 25..................
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How many devices do you think they bricked before they cracked that exploit? Should they just write off thousands of dollars in lost devices so that you can have a "better" experience?
$1 Donation from 100 people out of the 50,000 that used it means nothing to them. That's then not even enough to replace one device that they bricked beyond repair. Then we're not even talking about the hours that they have to put in to actually do this and to write the codes etc to get the exploit...
Entitlement generation

frankp124 said:
Drat. Well thanks for the input guys, I guess I'll "spring" for sunshine..... It's just so disappointing to see things come to this. I see countless posts and threads on this site where dedicated devs/advanced users just want to lend a helping hand or make someone else's mobile phone experience a little better, asking for nothing but an optional donation in return. You are the people that make this world a better place!!!! I had the LG Optimus as my previous device and I remember paying a dollar for the FreeGee app, which did a similar thing. Now, $1 is essentially a small donation, I can deal with that and am happy to support my devs. But $25 ? come on now, that's just embarrassing. If I were 2-3 years older I would have the requisite comp sci experience to figure out how to S-OFF myself! Oh well. Can't blame the guy for just trying to make a quick buck.....or 25..................
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, to tell the truth you don't have to pay. All you have to do is try to find the exploits to gain S-Off on your own. I figure after less than a day (after your first brick), $25 will seem like a bargain.

BerndM14 said:
How many devices do you think they bricked before they cracked that exploit? Should they just write off thousands of dollars in lost devices so that you can have a "better" experience?
$1 Donation from 100 people out of the 50,000 that used it means nothing to them. That's then not even enough to replace one device that they bricked beyond repair. Then we're not even talking about the hours that they have to put in to actually do this and to write the codes etc to get the exploit...
Entitlement generation
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not trying to start a fight dude, just pointing out that in the past all the development software I've used was absolutely free. And I'm sure that over the last 7 years there have been millions of dollars of devices that have been bricked by devs trying to work on new ROMs, exploits, hacks, and the like. Times have changed I guess.... more challenging software to exploit and such.

It has already been discussed several times in several threads!!! the Sunshine developer team has the right to charge as much money as they want. they have selected an amount that they needed. its not about you and me or some other person who cant or wont pay that for S-off. i myself have not yet gotten S-off. so please refrain from posting such absurd logic about previous things being free and others points just to justify this.
If you cant afford $25 then just be practical and flash stuffs with caution like me. Sunshine is not something illegal that posting against it will eventually make it free!!!!! Happy Flashing!!!!

Not to mention, sunshine is actually pretty revolutionary.. Think about how hard it is to gain s-off now days, and then think about the fact that with Sunshine,they not only cracked it, BUT ALSO made it a 1-click method. Best $25 I ever spent, no question

Rantrave07 said:
It has already been discussed several times in several threads!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that horse has been beaten to death 10 times over, in pages and pages of threads!
If the OP got the phone for $1, than they get a s-off phone with "full freedom" for $26. Still a pretty awesome deal.
---------- Post added at 10:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:42 AM ----------
frankp124 said:
However all of the videos and guides I have seen involve obtaining S-OFF through using firewater
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be aware that s-off is only needed for a few isolated things. Unfortunately, updating firmware manually to run the more recent ROMs is one of those things. And the most common reason for wanting s-off.
I gather from your device history that you are on AT&T. If the goal is to update firmware, your alternative is to stay with ROMs that match your firmware and wait for AT&T to roll out the 4.4.4 update (which will update the firmware). Since unfortunately, AT&T is one of the few versions that haven't had 4.4.4 rolled out. Hopefully that will happen soon. One source has reported the rollout was delayed twice in December due to issues incorporating VoLTE (voice over LTE).