Legendary HTC One M8, released in 2014, still evokes nostalgia among many lovers of high-quality Android smartphones. Its metal body, BoomSound stereo speakers and unique dual camera made it a bestseller of its time. However, many owners or buyers of used devices are interested in the question: which Android HTC One M8 is “native”, and whether it is possible to update the system in modern conditions.
Officially, the company HTC has stopped supporting this flagship on the version Android 6.0 Marshmallow with shell Sense 7.0. This means that out of the box or after an official update over the air (OTA) you will receive this version. However, the community of enthusiasts did not leave the device alone, creating many custom firmwares that allow you to run more recent versions of the operating system.
In this material, we will analyze in detail the evolution of the software for this model, consider the risks and benefits of installing unofficial assemblies, and also give step-by-step guide for preparing the device for flashing. You will find out whether it is worth chasing the latest versions of Android or whether it is better to stay on the stable “six”.
Official update history and latest version
Initially, the smartphone went on sale with the operating system Android 4.4 KitKat and a proprietary shell Sense 6.0. At that time, the interface was distinguished by smooth operation and minimalism, which was ideally combined with the powerful processor at that time Snapdragon 801. Users highly appreciated the stability of operation and optimization of power consumption.
Subsequently HTC released an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop, which brought a new visual style of Material Design, but also added some problems with performance on old hardware. The final official release was Android 6.0 Marshmallow. This version became the most balanced for the device, providing support for modern APIs at that time and improved management of application permissions.
⚠️ Attention: An attempt to install official firmware from another regional version (for example, flashing a European device with US firmware) may lead to loss of warranty (if it is still valid) and problems with communication (LTE bands). Always check the CID (Customer ID) of your device before updating the firmware.
Currently, searching for stock firmware (RUU) is difficult, since the official update servers for this model have not been fully functional for a long time. You can download images only on specialized forums or archives. It is important to understand that The latest official version of Android for HTC One M8 is 6.0.1and it is impossible to rise above it using standard means.
Why you should consider custom firmware
Many users wonder why change a stable system to something unofficial. The answer lies in application compatibility. Modern instant messengers, banking clients and social networks are gradually stopping support for older versions of Android. If you want to use without restrictions, you will need a system newer than version 6.0. Custom firmware, such as data-i="60">versions WhatsApp or Telegram without limitation, you will need a system newer than version 6.0.
Custom firmware such as LineageOS, Resurrection Remix or AOSP Extended, allow you to install on HTC One M8 versions Android 7.1 Nougat, Android 8.1 Oreo and even Android 9 Pie. This gives the device a second life, opening up access to new security features, a dark system theme and improved memory management.
However, switching to custom has its drawbacks. Firstly, the camera. Proprietary photo processing algorithms from HTC (especially the UltraPixel mode and background blur) are tightly integrated into the stock firmware. On custom builds, the quality of the photo may drop noticeably, although the installation Google Camera (GCam) partially solves this problem.
- 🚀 Performance: Pure Android (AOSP) works faster and smoother than the heavy Sense shell, which is critical for old hardware.
- 🔒 Security: Security patches in custom firmware is updated regularly, unlike stock, where they froze in 2016.
- 🎨 Customization: The ability to deeply customize the interface, change fonts, animations and system gestures.
Preparing the device for flashing
Before you begin installing a new system, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. This is a critical step, ignoring which can turn your smartphone into a brick. The first step is to unlock the bootloader.
To do this, you will need to register on the official website HTCDev, receive a unique unlock token and enter it through Fastboot mode. The process erases all data from the device, so be sure to back up your contacts, photos and important documents.
☑️ Checklist before flashing
After unlocking the bootloader, you need to install a custom recovery. The gold standard for HTC One M8 is considered to be TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project). It allows you to install unsigned firmware, make full system backups (Nandroid backup) and clear memory partitions.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x.x-m8.imgAfter flashing the recovery image, you cannot immediately boot into the system. You need to hold down the button combination Volume Down + Powerto get into the bootloader, and then select Recovery mode. In the TWRP menu, first of all, swipe to allow changes and create a full backup of the current system.
Instructions for installing custom firmware
The process of installing a new version of Android is as follows. First, download the firmware file (usually in .zip format) and the add-on package Google Apps (GApps)if they are not built into the firmware. Move these files to the internal memory of your smartphone or to an SD card.
Boot into mode TWRP Recovery. Go to section Wipe and clean up partitions Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data and Caches. Do not touch the partition Internal Storage, otherwise you will delete the firmware files themselves.
⚠️ Attention: When switching from Android 6 to Android 8 or 9, be sure to do the full data format (Format Data), and not just Wipe. This is necessary due to changes in file system encryption. This will delete all files, including internal memory.
Next go to menu Install, select the archive with the firmware and confirm the installation by swiping. After the process is completed, flash the package GApps in the same way. If you are using firmware without built-in Google services, this step is required, otherwise you will get a “bare” Android without the Play Market.
What to do if the firmware does not load (Bootloop)?
If after installation the smartphone gets stuck on the logo, go to TWRP, do Wipe Dalvik/Cache and try to flash the firmware again. Also try a different size version of GApps (for example, Pico instead of Nano).
After successful installation, click the button Reboot System. The first launch may take from 5 to 15 minutes as the system optimizes applications. Do not interrupt this process and do not remove the battery (if it is non-removable) to avoid damage to system files.
Hardware compatibility and possible problems
Despite the enthusiasm of the developers, hardware HTC One M8 has its limitations. The processor Snapdragon 801 although it was top-end, did not support some instructions necessary for the latest versions of Android to work correctly. This may manifest itself in periodic slowdowns of the interface.
Particular attention should be paid to the modem and radio module. Some custom firmware may experience problems with network search, Wi-Fi failure, or incorrect Bluetooth operation. This is often solved by flashing the radio module (Radio/Firmware) to the version recommended by the author of the specific firmware.
| Component | Status on Android 6.0 (Stock) | Status on Android 9.0 (Custom) |
|---|---|---|
| Camera (UltraPixel) | ✅ Full support | ⚠️ Limited / Requires GCam |
| Duo Camera (effects) | ✅ Working | ❌ Not working |
| BoomSound | ✅ Working | ✅ Working |
| Fingerprint scanner | ✅ Working | ⚠️ Depends on the firmware |
| NFC | ✅ Works | ✅ Works |
It is also worth noting the problem with autonomy. Newer versions of Android are more resource-hungry, and the battery in a 2014 device is probably already worn out. The combination of an old battery and a new system can lead to the fact that the smartphone will be discharged after half a day of active use.
To extend the battery life on custom firmware, install the Greenify application or an analogue to aggressively freeze background processes that are not constantly used.
Restoring and returning to stock firmware
If experiments with custom firmware do not satisfy you, you can always return to the factory software. To do this, use the utility RUU (ROM Update Utility). This is an official tool from HTCthat completely overpowers phone partitions, returning it to its factory state.
Before starting RUU, you need to lock the bootloader again. This is done through the command in Fastboot mode: fastboot oem lock. Please note that locking the bootloader is only possible on a completely stock system, so if you changed partitions, additional recovery may be required.
The recovery process looks like this:
- 📥 Download the RUU file corresponding to your model and region (for example,
RUU_M8_UL_L50_SENSE70_MR_HTC_Eurasia2_6.12.401.3_Radio_...). - 💻 Connect your phone to the PC in Download mode Mode (press
Volume Down + Powerwith the phone turned off, then select Download). - ▶️ Run the RUU executable file on your computer and follow the instructions of the installation wizard.
⚠️ Attention: Use only the RUU file whose version is higher than or equal to the current version of the radio module (Baseband) on your device. Trying to roll back the radio version via RUU may result in a broken IMEI and no connection.
After the process is completed, the phone will reboot and you will get a clean HTC One M8 with factory settings and the latest official version of Android. This is an ideal option for selling a device or transferring it to less experienced users.
Returning to stock via RUU is the only way to completely remove traces of custom modifications and restore the warranty (theoretically), since it reflashes all partitions, including the bootloader.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update the HTC One M8 to Android 10 or 11 officially?
No, HTC has officially stopped supporting the model on Android 6.0. All versions above are installed only by enthusiasts through custom firmware and are not official HTC products.
Is it safe to use banking applications on Android? custom firmware?
No by default, since an unlocked bootloader violates the integrity of the system (SafetyNet). However, using Magisk modules (Hide, Zygisk) you can hide root access and unlocking, which will allow most banking applications to work correctly.
Where to download drivers for HTC One M8 on Windows 10/11?
Drivers are usually installed automatically when you connect a phone with USB debugging enabled. If this does not happen, you can download HTC Sync Manager from the official website (archived version) or use the universal Google USB Driver.
What is S-OFF and is it needed to change it? firmware?
S-OFF (Security Off) is a state in which partition signature protection is removed. For normal installation of custom firmware via TWRP, an unlocked bootloader is sufficient (S-OFF) is only needed for advanced modifications, changing the region (CID) or updating the radio module to incompatible versions.
Why does the camera not work after the firmware?
The stock camera application depends on proprietary HTC libraries that are not available in custom firmware. Solution: install the Google Camera port (GCam), adapted for the Snapdragon 801 processor, which often takes pictures even better than the stock application.