Hey guys, I'm interested in buying an htc m8 but I DO NOT want to buy a locked phone with a locked bootloader. So quick simple question, if i provide this amazon link, will you guys tell me if this will have an unlocked bootloader? There's no mention of it on the site or description, so I figured you guys might know.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...de_a_smtd&showDetailTechData=1#technical-data
ATalkingRock said:
Hey guys, I'm interested in buying an htc m8 but I DO NOT want to buy a locked phone with a locked bootloader. So quick simple question, if i provide this amazon link, will you guys tell me if this will have an unlocked bootloader? There's no mention of it on the site or description, so I figured you guys might know.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...de_a_smtd&showDetailTechData=1#technical-data
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I don't see any information about bootloader there. It's probably locked if it has warranty
Saleen28 said:
I don't see any information about bootloader there. It's probably locked if it has warranty
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Darn the price was very tempting. =\ find it difficult to find one that has an unlocked boot loader except maybe the one from htc themselves. The T-Mobile ones can be unlocked can they?
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ATalkingRock said:
Darn the price was very tempting. =\ find it difficult to find one that has an unlocked boot loader except maybe the one from htc themselves. The T-Mobile ones can be unlocked can they?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Dev edition has it unlocked by default.
I think they should be unlockable as there is this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2725099
Some links are probably outdated, like twrp, since I remember few threads asking about bootloader unlock and they were directed to this one but with info that some things are outdated
Even the ones with locked bootloaders (excepting Verizon's) are easily unlockable through HTCdev. If you luck out and get one with KitKat, you can skip that step and use Sunshine to S-off as well as unlock the bootloader.
jshamlet said:
Even the ones with locked bootloaders (excepting Verizon's) are easily unlockable through HTCdev. If you luck out and get one with KitKat, you can skip that step and use Sunshine to S-off as well as unlock the bootloader.
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Sorry, I've never heard of this. Other carrier HTC m8's can be unlock the booloader on the htc site without any issues? I've also never heard of S-off is that something which is mandatory if i plan on rooting/flashing roms?
ATalkingRock said:
Sorry, I've never heard of this. Other carrier HTC m8's can be unlock the booloader on the htc site without any issues? I've also never heard of S-off is that something which is mandatory if i plan on rooting/flashing roms?
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For most people who just want to run alternate ROMs, unlocking the bootloader is sufficient. However, HTCdev does respect carrier wishes, and not all carriers permit their phones to be unlocked. If you get a phone directly from HTC, or really from anyone other than a carrier, it will definitely be unlockable, though.
S-off isn't a requirement to flash ROMs or root - it is only a requirement if you want to manually update firmware, change the CID/MID (change to a different carrier branded ROM), or revert to an older version of firmware/software. Depending on your carrier, and which ROM you want to run, it often becomes a practical requirement because the only way to update the firmware is typically through an OTA or RUU, both of which are carrier restricted unless you are S-off. Attempting to run a ROM designed for Lollipop firmware on a phone with KitKat firmware often results in problems like slow bootup, no WiFi, etc.
jshamlet said:
For most people who just want to run alternate ROMs, unlocking the bootloader is sufficient. However, HTCdev does respect carrier wishes, and not all carriers permit their phones to be unlocked. If you get a phone directly from HTC, or really from anyone other than a carrier, it will definitely be unlockable, though.
S-off isn't a requirement to flash ROMs or root - it is only a requirement if you want to manually update firmware, change the CID/MID (change to a different carrier branded ROM), or revert to an older version of firmware/software. Depending on your carrier, and which ROM you want to run, it often becomes a practical requirement because the only way to update the firmware is typically through an OTA or RUU, both of which are carrier restricted unless you are S-off. Attempting to run a ROM designed for Lollipop firmware on a phone with KitKat firmware often results in problems like slow bootup, no WiFi, etc.
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So i definitely want to run roms like on the original htc m8 android development threads which I would assume requires S-off because they aren't in respective carrier subforums. So assuming I buy a sprint/tmobile htc m8, the chances of being able to unlock bootlolader along with s-off are high?
Yeah I have the sprint HTC One m8 and it was running lollipop and I successfully unlocked my bootloader using HTCDev, then rooted and s-offed using sunshine and I couldn't be happier! Keep in mine sunshine costs 25 dollars but it is well worth it
ATalkingRock said:
So i definitely want to run roms like on the original htc m8 android development threads which I would assume requires S-off because they aren't in respective carrier subforums. So assuming I buy a sprint/tmobile htc m8, the chances of being able to unlock bootlolader along with s-off are high?
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Sprint and T-mobile are two different ball games. Sprint is CDMA, which means you really have to run a ROM designed for their network. Not all ROMs will run on a Sprint (and similarly, Verizon) device because of it. Also, a CDMA phone may support LTE data on a GSM network, but it will not have voice support. Going the other way isn't even an option, as Sprint only allows approved devices on its network, period. Keep that in mind.
T-mobile runs a GSM network, so as long as your firmware/radio supports all of the right frequencies, it will work just fine.
I will say that if you intend to do much carrier hopping, or plan on taking a device between carriers, you will want to S-off. Yes, it's $25, but that will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. If you are S-off, you can alter the CID/MID of your phone, at which point you can update the firmware and radio to match the carrier you want to use. Then load a custom ROM on top of that.
Finally, S-off and bootloader unlock do not affect the SIM lock at all. That is controlled by the radio, so you will still need to deal with unlock codes. As far as I know, the T-mobile M8 still uses standard subsidy unlock codes, while the newer M9 uses their new "unlock app".
jshamlet said:
Sprint and T-mobile are two different ball games. Sprint is CDMA, which means you really have to run a ROM designed for their network. Not all ROMs will run on a Sprint (and similarly, Verizon) device because of it. Also, a CDMA phone may support LTE data on a GSM network, but it will not have voice support. Going the other way isn't even an option, as Sprint only allows approved devices on its network, period. Keep that in mind.
T-mobile runs a GSM network, so as long as your firmware/radio supports all of the right frequencies, it will work just fine.
I will say that if you intend to do much carrier hopping, or plan on taking a device between carriers, you will want to S-off. Yes, it's $25, but that will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. If you are S-off, you can alter the CID/MID of your phone, at which point you can update the firmware and radio to match the carrier you want to use. Then load a custom ROM on top of that.
Finally, S-off and bootloader unlock do not affect the SIM lock at all. That is controlled by the radio, so you will still need to deal with unlock codes. As far as I know, the T-mobile M8 still uses standard subsidy unlock codes, while the newer M9 uses their new "unlock app".
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So which do you feel would be wiser? Tmobile/sprint? I'm assuming the roms in the original android development subforum are compatible with these phones? For example blisspop.
ATalkingRock said:
So which do you feel would be wiser? Tmobile/sprint? I'm assuming the roms in the original android development subforum are compatible with these phones? For example blisspop.
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I would advise to stay far away from the Sprint version unless you happen to be using Sprint as your carrier.
The reason being, is that the M8 versions that support CDMA (Sprint, Verizon) actually have different hardware from all other versions. Aside from Sprint, Verizon the dual SIM version, all other M8 versions are the same in hardware, and enjoy much more ROM support, as well as the fact that radio firmware is cross-compatible (with s-off).
The same can't be said for the Sprint version, you can only flash ROMs and radio meant for this version (or maybe Verizon also, but that still doesn't give you many more choices compared to the "GSM" M8).
To my knowledge, the US Developer's Edition is the only version that comes from the factory with an unlocked bootloader (which is a direct from HTC version, as you mentioned). And that version is not too common, and probably comes at a hefty price.
Unlocking the bootloader is a simple matter (for all variants except Verizon, which shouldn't be on the list for the above discussed reasons). So I wouldn't make that much of a consideration when making the purchase choice. I would focus more on SIM unlock. But even that can usually be done by using a paid online service for less than $10 US.
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ATalkingRock said:
So i definitely want to run roms like on the original htc m8 android development threads which I would assume requires S-off because they aren't in respective carrier subforums.
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That would be an incorrect assumption. Development sections that are not carrier specific will usually be compatible with any "GSM" version of the M8 (but may also support Sprint/Verizon if explicitly noted in the thread).
S-off or s-on is not a requirement for any ROM. Your phone often needs to have updated firmware and/or hboot. But that can be done without s-off.
However, if you need to change the frequency band support (to match what you carrier is using) than you need s-off.
redpoint73 said:
I would advise to stay far away from the Sprint version unless you happen to be using Sprint as your carrier.
The reason being, is that the M8 versions that support CDMA (Sprint, Verizon) actually have different hardware from all other versions. Aside from Sprint, Verizon the dual SIM version, all other M8 versions are the same in hardware, and enjoy much more ROM support, as well as the fact that radio firmware is cross-compatible (with s-off).
The same can't be said for the Sprint version, you can only flash ROMs and radio meant for this version (or maybe Verizon also, but that still doesn't give you many more choices compared to the "GSM" M8).
To my knowledge, the US Developer's Edition is the only version that comes from the factory with an unlocked bootloader (which is a direct from HTC version, as you mentioned). And that version is not too common, and probably comes at a hefty price.
Unlocking the bootloader is a simple matter (for all variants except Verizon, which shouldn't be on the list for the above discussed reasons). So I wouldn't make that much of a consideration when making the purchase choice. I would focus more on SIM unlock. But even that can usually be done by using a paid online service for less than $10 US.
---------- Post added at 11:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 AM ----------
That would be an incorrect assumption. Development sections that are not carrier specific will usually be compatible with any "GSM" version of the M8 (but may also support Sprint/Verizon if explicitly noted in the thread).
S-off or s-on is not a requirement for any ROM. Your phone often needs to have updated firmware and/or hboot. But that can be done without s-off.
However, if you need to change the frequency band support (to match what you carrier is using) than you need s-off.
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Hello there !
Just a question .
I'm planning to buy m8 from here : http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/htc-one-m8-16gb-htc-ultrapixel-camera-4g-lte-gunmetal-gray-6793327/i/
I think this one is the International version (I not sure, but in UAE almost all phones are international verions (like qualcomm based samsung etc..)
I think this phone will have bootloader locked and S-ON by default .
I'm aware that bootloader will be unlockable from htc-dev, but what about s-off ????
If I want to install cm12 or the GPE Rom, then can it be done while phone is s-on ????
ALso what's the buzz about phone coming pre-installed with kitkat or lollipop ??? what difference does it make on rooting/unlocking/s-ff process ???
My comment below in red font:
The "A" Factor said:
I'm planning to buy m8 from here : http://uae.souq.com/ae-en/htc-one-m8-16gb-htc-ultrapixel-camera-4g-lte-gunmetal-gray-6793327/i/
I think this one is the International version (I not sure, but in UAE almost all phones are international verions (like qualcomm based samsung etc..) There is virtually no information regarding the phone specs in this listing. At a minimum, I'd verify with the seller before buying: what variant (CID, MID), specific frequency support (GSM, HSPA and LTE) for this version, and if SIM-unlocked.
I think this phone will have bootloader locked and S-ON by default . Almost certainly bootloader locked and s-on. Factory s-off is rare, but it does happen.
I'm aware that bootloader will be unlockable from htc-dev, but what about s-off ???? If desired, s-off by sunshine ($25 US): http://theroot.ninja/
If I want to install cm12 or the GPE Rom, then can it be done while phone is s-on ???? Yes. At most you may need to update hboot and/or firmware by "official" means before modding the phone, and you can do that with s-on.
ALso what's the buzz about phone coming pre-installed with kitkat or lollipop ??? what difference does it make on rooting/unlocking/s-ff process ??? Doesn't matter much to unlocking bootloader, rooting, and s-off.
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redpoint73 said:
My comment below in red font:
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Thanks for the prompt reply !
You deserve that Recong. Contributor tag !!!!
BTW can the GPE version be installed on the GSM variant (not carrier specific) with S-ON ????
The "A" Factor said:
BTW can the GPE version be installed on the GSM variant (not carrier specific) with S-ON ????
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Yes, with s-on you can flash GPE based custom ROMs that support the GSM M8.
Some folks like to "fully convert" to GPE by RUU, which does require s-off. But the only reasons to do this are to get official GPE updates; and to get the GPE partition scheme (smaller system or "ROM" partition means you get more user-accessible storage). But aside from those aspects, just flashing a GPE ROM will get you the full GPE experience.
The "A" Factor said:
Thanks for the prompt reply !
You deserve that Recong. Contributor tag !!!!
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You are quite welcome. Please click the "Thanks" button for any posts you found helpful.
redpoint73 said:
Yes, with s-on you can flash GPE based custom ROMs that support the GSM M8.
Some folks like to "fully convert" to GPE by RUU, which does require s-off. But the only reasons to do this are to get official GPE updates; and to get the GPE partition scheme (smaller system or "ROM" partition means you get more user-accessible storage). But aside from those aspects, just flashing a GPE ROM will get you the full GPE experience.
.
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That's awesome ... Many posts on this forum were misleading, I almost came to conclusion that s-Off is required to flash custom rom ... with s-on only the stock based custom roms can be flashed ...
Does the IR Blaster work with cm or other aosp roms ?????
Also what's your opinion on M8 vs G3 (3gb ram) , apart from cosmetic differences .
The "A" Factor said:
Does the IR Blaster work with cm or other aosp roms ?????
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I'm not a user of AOSP ROMs on this phone; so I don't know. You'll have to check the ROM threads for more info; unless another user chimes in on this here.
The "A" Factor said:
Also what's your opinion on M8 vs G3 (3gb ram) , apart from cosmetic differences .
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I've never been a big fan of LG devices. The plastic back is still a turnoff to me.
I've seen some folks post on here of switching from the G3 to the M8, and much preferring the M8. While I haven't seen any folks that have claimed the opposite; but maybe you'd need to go to the G3 forum section to read something like that!
redpoint73 said:
I'm not a user of AOSP ROMs on this phone; so I don't know. You'll have to check the ROM threads for more info; unless another user chimes in on this here.
I've never been a big fan of LG devices. The plastic back is still a turnoff to me.
I've seen some folks post on here of switching from the G3 to the M8, and much preferring the M8. While I haven't seen any folks that have claimed the opposite; but maybe you'd need to go to the G3 forum section to read something like that!
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Cool ... Thanks for your input !
I was just planning to buy a 801 based device for a long run ... I'm currently on Moto G (first Gen.) and this experience is pretty awesome .... It has lot's of development (all the rom are available) and also official Rom updates are regular . I some times wonder why m8 has so many problems in lollipop cm/aosp rom's ... Moto g had stable Rom's since January and M8 is still struggling to get a perfect stable Rom (battery,wifi/blutooth,speaker sound problems,no ambient display) .
jshamlet said:
Sprint and T-mobile are two different ball games. Sprint is CDMA, which means you really have to run a ROM designed for their network. Not all ROMs will run on a Sprint (and similarly, Verizon) device because of it. Also, a CDMA phone may support LTE data on a GSM network, but it will not have voice support. Going the other way isn't even an option, as Sprint only allows approved devices on its network, period. Keep that in mind.
T-mobile runs a GSM network, so as long as your firmware/radio supports all of the right frequencies, it will work just fine.
I will say that if you intend to do much carrier hopping, or plan on taking a device between carriers, you will want to S-off. Yes, it's $25, but that will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. If you are S-off, you can alter the CID/MID of your phone, at which point you can update the firmware and radio to match the carrier you want to use. Then load a custom ROM on top of that.
Finally, S-off and bootloader unlock do not affect the SIM lock at all. That is controlled by the radio, so you will still need to deal with unlock codes. As far as I know, the T-mobile M8 still uses standard subsidy unlock codes, while the newer M9 uses their new "unlock app".
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Alright so a little bit of an update. I've got my phone on a carrier which I'll use as a daily driver, however I'd like to purchase the htc one m8 as somewhat of a wifi device only rather than one used on carrier LTE data. With this being said, you'd still recommend tmobile? Also if i look on ebay for unlocked tmobile phones alot of them say bad ESN or bad IMEI is this necessarily bad?
I have an s-offed att branded phone on t-mobile. It's running an old ruu t-mobile. I just downloaded an update to lollipop. I can just run the update?
Possibly...
you need to check a few things... what's your phone's cid set to? (you can see this in your boot loader screen).
As a general rule, I've found that if I run t-mobile radio's I have more problems than if I run either a native AT&T or the DEV edition radio and then t-mobile firmware on-top of that radio... my phone doesn't seem to do some of the hspa bands from t-mobile...
check your cid, before you do much of anything else...
If he's running a tmo ruu, i would assume he's running super cid.
I would also have to assume that he's changed the mid to tmo?
scifan, have you considered using DFS to set your bands?
avg2424 said:
.
changed the mid to tmo?
DFS to set your bands?
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What is the mid and DFS?
I have a Verizon branded m8 and am using a t-mobile mvno
(straight talk) SIM. I am considering changing RoMs from viper one to one off if the t-mobile thread in order to solve this problem of random service disconnections. Should I switch to a different Ruu? Should I have changed the RUU when I was on stock?
I apologize if the this should be on another or is own thread.
Thanks so much!
kyedmipy said:
What is the mid and DFS?
I have a Verizon branded m8 and am using a t-mobile mvno
(straight talk) SIM. I am considering changing RoMs from viper one to one off if the t-mobile thread in order to solve this problem of random service disconnections. Should I switch to a different Ruu? Should I have changed the RUU when I was on stock?
I apologize if the this should be on another or is own thread.
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DO NOT, repeat DO NOT try to "convert" your Verizon M8 to T-Mob (with T-Mob RUU). The partitioning (possibly hardware) is different. The T-Mob RUU won't work, and may result in a permanent radio brick.
I'm not sure what is causing the service disconnects. Does the issue occur if you only use 2G and 3G? You may consider looking at enabling the proper LTE bands used by T-Mobile. From what I see, the Verizon M8 supports the proper bands that T-Mob uses for 2G and 3G. However, the VZN version only supports one of the two LTE bands (Band 4) used by T-Mob (Bands 4 and 17). Enabling LTE band 17 may or may not help. The missing support for LTE Band 17 may be related to your disconnect issues, but that's just a theory.
The hitch here, is that trying to enable LTE Band 17 requires s-off, which costs $25 by sunshine app (if you are not already s-off). And its not a sure solution, so may be money wasted.
You can take a look at the following threads, on how to enable bands on the Verizon M8. But I don't personally vouch for these:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/general/how-to-convert-cdma-m8-sprint-vzw-gsm-t3303812
http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-m8/general/unlock-bands-qualcomm-device-phone-t2880239
Awesome thanks. I paid the 25 dollars for s-off already to root the phone. Sunshine works like a charm.
I'll check out the links you provided. I have a feeling your theory is correct. You described how I felt the problem was but lacked the knowledge to produce words to describe. Thanks again.
I don't know whether this is the right thread to ask this question but if you do know kindly advise me; i recently bought a T-mobile M8 which was imported from USA and had sim unlocked but i don't know other details except that its not rooted (that i checked with supersu). May be it was imported as scrap since it's an old model and may be it was unlocked from t-mobile, i just have no idea. Now the phone is asking me for a few updates which describe to tell me that these are intended to prepare phone for marshmallow update (currently it's on jellybean). Should i allow update to progress or not? i don't want to loose sim unlock.
I recently bought a T-mobile M8 which was imported from USA and had sim unlocked but i don't know other details except that its not rooted (that i checked with supersu). May be it was imported as scrap since it's an old model and may be it was unlocked from t-mobile, i just have no idea. Now the phone is asking me for a few updates which describe to tell me that these are intended to prepare phone for marshmallow update (currently it's on jellybean). Should i allow update to progress or not? i don't want to loose sim unlock.