[HTC 10] How to Install TWRP Recovery, Root and Achieve S-Off

The all new HTC 10 has been rooted, blessed with a TWRP recovery and S-Off has been achieved as well. Android power users looking forward to get their hands on the HTC 10 will not have to wait for the root access or TWRP recovery to come out. You can now unlock the bootloader of your HTC 10, install a TWRP recovery and then root it. You can S-Off your HTC 10 once you’re rooted.

After getting beyond the boundaries on your HTC 10, you can start flashing custom ROMs, custom zip files, install applications like Greenify and Titanium Backup to improve battery life and backup your device. S-Off will allow you to flash custom ROMs safely and ensure permanent root on your HTC 10. Before you start flashing any custom operating system, you have to achieve a safe S-Off state. By default the device is set to S-On which prevents making any changes to the NAND partition of your device, ensures a signature check of the files being flashed and keeps the radio of your device intact. Trying to flash a custom ROM without achieving S-Off can result in a damage. Assuming that you are well aware of what we are going to do, we can now have a look on the procedure.

Preparations

1. Charge your HTC 10 up to 75% to avoid power issues during this process.
2. Backup your important contacts, call logs and sms messages. Copy your media content to your PC. We will have to unlock the bootloader of HTC 10  which will result in wiping the data. Make sure that you’ve backed up all the data.
3. Enable OEM unlocking on your HTC 10. Also allow USB debugging mode. You can find both these options under the developer options in your HTC
4. Download and install Minimal Android ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer. Mac users can use this guide for Android ADB and Fastboot.
5. Download and install HTC USB drivers on your PC.
6. Unlock the bootloader of your HTC 10 now. Here’s a guide to do so.

Disclaimer: Unlocking bootloader, rooting and flashing custom recoveries are highly custom processes. Doing any of these will result in voiding the warranty of your device. Ensure that you’re doing everything at your own risk. In case of a mishap, TechBeasts or the device manufacturer may not be held liable. 

How to install TWRP recovery and Root HTC 10

1. Download the latest TWRP recovery.img file for your HTC 10. Rename the downloaded file to only “twrp.img“.
2. Copy the renamed twrp.img file to the ADB and Fastboot folder that you got in your Program files after installing ADB and Fastboot drivers using the link attached above.
3. Now open the Minimal ADB and Fastboot tool. You can launch it either using the desktop shortcut or by going to Program files > Minimal ADB & Fastboot > Right click on an empty area while keeping the shift key pressed and click on “Open Command Window Here”.
4. Connect your HTC 10 to your PC now using the OEM data cable.
5. Now in the opened command prompt, enter the following commands one by one.

   • adb reboot download

   • fastboot flash recovery twrp.img

   • fastboot reboot bootloader

6. Now your device will reboot into bootloader mode. You may insert an SD Card as we are going to backup the entire system.
7. In the bootloader, select the “recovery” option using Volume Up/Down and power key to make a selection.
8. Your device will now boot into TWRP recovery.
9. Now run TWRP recovery in read-only mode and backup all of your partitions except userdata. This is done in order to make a full backup of your stock system. Backup in the form of System Image.
10. Now once again in the command window, enter the following command

    • adb reboot bootloader

11. Once your device boots into bootloader, select “Boot into Recovery Mode”.
12. Now download the modified SuperSu.zip file which will not decrypt the user data to make sure your radio keeps working fine. Copy this SuperSu.zip file to the Minimal ADB and Fastboot folder where you copied the twrp.img file.
13. While you’re in the TWRP recovery, tap Advanced > Sideload option.
14. Get back to the command window now and enter the following command

    • adb sideload supersu.zip

15. This will root your device now.
16. Verify root acceess using Root Checker now.

How to S-Off the HTC 10 now

Note: You will have to wipe your data for complete S-Off.

1. Download and install SunShine app on your HTC 10.
2. Open SunShine app from your app drawer.
3. Accept the License agreement in SunShine app now.
4. SunShine will require you to run the compatibility tests. Run the tests and give it root permission.
5. Once it shows compatible message, tap the pay option in lower right corner of the screen. Now make the payment of USD 25 to generate the SunShine license and proceed. If you already have a code, you can use that to S-Off as well.
6. Once done, it will reboot your device.
7. Now we have to wipe the device since the S-Off has messed up the encryption of the device.
8. Turn off the device completely now.
9. Boot into bootloader mode now by pressing the Volume Up + Down + Power Key.
10. Boot to recovery mode in bootloader now.
11. As TWRP boots up, it will ask you to enter your encryption password. Tap Cancel and proceed to the TWRP.
12. Now in TWRP tap Wipe > Wipe Encryption > Swipe finger on the screen to wipe.
13. Once it has wiped encryption, reboot your device.
14. It has also deleted the SuperSu from your phone, but your phone is actually rooted. You can download and install the SuperSu from the Google Play Store now.
15. You won’t face the encryption lock anymore. That’s all.

• S-Off Credits: JCase
• SuperSU credits: topjohnwu