My One is due to arrive next month (hopefully), and I have a question regarding bootloader unlocking and rooting it.
I've just read the warning by Paul at Modaco regarding bootloader unlocking, which removes 4 system apps (Calculator, Flashlight, Ringtone Trimmer and Sound Recorder), and while searching the forum for some answers all I could find was the same thing occurring with other devices unlocked via the HTCDev method.
Has anyone here, who's rooted his One encountered this phenomenon?
If so - is there any way to fix it other than flashing a custom rom? I want it to remain stock, only rooted.
I've also read that flashing an RUU is not an option when the bootloader is unlocked and, well, we don't have one yet.
Your help will be highly appreciated, thanks in advance!
Once its release you will be able to push those apps via adb if they get ahold of them
Sent from my One X using Tapatalk 2
I think you can back those up first before rooting. /data partition is a read only partition which means you can copy/get anything from there but not paste/put anything. Just download a root explorer even without root permissions you can navigate to /data/app/ then copy all the apks.
Thanks a lot, I do hope that this is all that's altered during unlocking.
Can confirm. Have lost Calculator, Flashlight, Teeter, Sound Recorder and Ringtone Trimmer. So if anyone else is able to upload those here, I would be grateful
Related
Since being interested in rooting my N1 I've been googling a lot but it's still somewhat confusing. One of the things that's making me hesitent is the idea of permanently (as of the date of this post) unlocking the phone and thus clearly/visibly voiding the warranty.
I've recently stumbled upon instructions for rooting without unlocking the bootloader? Am I correct in assuming this would make the phone appear (no unlock icon) to be unmodified? Also, does this mean one could fully reverse the rooting process and go back to fully stock google signed roms with OTA updates etc (essentially reverting it back as if it were never modified)?
It would seem this would be preferable to any method involving the unlocking of the bootloader. Are there any disadvantages of this? Any increased risks by NOT unlocking the bootloader? Is there a reason why most people have gone the rout of unlocking the bootloader?
My plan is simply to have root access to run setcpu on the stock FRF91 rom. As of now, I'm not interested in other ROMs (baby steps).
ellesshoo said:
Since being interested in rooting my N1 I've been googling a lot but it's still somewhat confusing. One of the things that's making me hesitent is the idea of permanently (as of the date of this post) unlocking the phone and thus clearly/visibly voiding the warranty.
I've recently stumbled upon instructions for rooting without unlocking the bootloader? Am I correct in assuming this would make the phone appear (no unlock icon) to be unmodified? Also, does this mean one could fully reverse the rooting process and go back to fully stock google signed roms with OTA updates etc (essentially reverting it back as if it were never modified)?
It would seem this would be preferable to any method involving the unlocking of the bootloader. Are there any disadvantages of this? Any increased risks by NOT unlocking the bootloader? Is there a reason why most people have gone the rout of unlocking the bootloader?
My plan is simply to have root access to run setcpu on the stock FRF91 rom. As of now, I'm not interested in other ROMs (baby steps).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there really is no measurable risk. the only difference is that you cant use fastboot but you can use alternatives to that (you dont need to worry about this)
most people unlocked the bootloader because the method to root without unlocking was just discovered recently.
I did the root without unlock a few days ago, as far as I can tell I can do it all and I do not get the unlocked icon. I have custom recovery, custom ROM, using root only apps like metamorph, titanium backup, etc. Best decision I have made. This phone is amazing.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Where are the instructions for doing so? I am an Android noob and just got the Nexus after the iPhone. I am kinda worried about bricking it if I root. Plus the only reason I want to root is because I hear that after that you are able to save all your apps to the SD card instead of the phone. If i was able to do that without rooting, I would be happy, but that's the only reason why i would like to do that.
phone_fanatic said:
Where are the instructions for doing so? I am an Android noob and just got the Nexus after the iPhone. I am kinda worried about bricking it if I root. Plus the only reason I want to root is because I hear that after that you are able to save all your apps to the SD card instead of the phone. If i was able to do that without rooting, I would be happy, but that's the only reason why i would like to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
froyo lets you do this....but it still takes up a lot of space on the phone (i was full after only 200 total apps)
the tutorial is stickied in the android development section of this forum
That's the thing though, I do have Froyo. However not all apps allow me to select that 'Move to SD card' setting for some reason. Some of the apps it's just greyed out and it isn't clickable. Out of say 10-11 apps, only 3 had that option available and I was able to move them to the SD card.
phone_fanatic said:
That's the thing though, I do have Froyo. However not all apps allow me to select that 'Move to SD card' setting for some reason. Some of the apps it's just greyed out and it isn't clickable. Out of say 10-11 apps, only 3 had that option available and I was able to move them to the SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its because app devs have to allow to install it that way. if you want to force it, use adb to do the following
adb shell
pm setInstallLocation 2
So if the developers will be implementing it soon enough then why rush it right? I mean I don't mind waiting....as long as all the app developers will be doing it sooner or later?
Newbie here. I've unlocked the bootloader, but had held off rooting until I could see a point. Now I can; I do not want Moto's incarnation of Jelly Bean, in fact the more I hear about it the more I absolutely hate the prospect. I once found a post on how to disable the ota download, but have now lost it. I gather the simplest is to forever postpone the installation on each hourly reminder, the alternative I seem to remember is to root/download a file explorer from the Android Market (which is easiest?) and modify some code in the firmware.
Sorry, but I can I get some detailed idiot-proof line by line instructions on how to ensure I don't get a Jelly Bean upgrade, ever. I'm one of the lucky ones not to receive a notification yet, so I'd like to get on with it.
UPDATE: I have rooted (seemingly successfully since Titanium Backup works) and also installed root explorer. I can't see an obvious way to freeze the update application in Titanium though. Help Please.
I also found an application Blur.Updater in root explorer, which I have renamed with an additional .bak, but I am not sure if this is right or on its own enough to stop the update? (It was the only result on a search for updater.apk). There are other Blur.Updater applications but root explorer informs me that they cannot be renamed as they are read only system files? I'm getting a bit desperate now.
Is it a fruitless quest?
To summarise: I've an unlocked bootloader, rooted phone; have file explorer, root explorer and Titanium Backup (full edition) all running successfully. With all that lot, is there anything I can do to prevent an automatic update from ICS to JellyBean?
UPDATE: touch wood I used the advice in this thread: T-Mobile, Wind, Mobilicity, Videotron Samsung Galaxy S III > T-Mobile Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting > [HOW TO] Disable OTA Update Notifications!!!!!!!!!!!!! to modify what seems to be the equivalent files on the Razr i files using root explorer.
Now, unless someone knows better please: to sit back, wait, and see what happens. At least on reboot I still had a working phone!
Hi, I know it may have been foolish of me to get the Dev edition and im not a dev but it's unlocked, more storage and i think it was the better choice.
With that being said, is there a way to root this device permanently? I see there's an HTC One toolkit but it seems to be only for the ones with the Bootloader locked. This bootloader is unlocked so is there a thread yall can direct me to in order to root and flash a custom rom?
I'd appreciate it Folks
stepinmyworld said:
Hi, I know it may have been foolish of me to get the Dev edition and im not a dev but it's unlocked, more storage and i think it was the better choice.
With that being said, is there a way to root this device permanently? I see there's an HTC One toolkit but it seems to be only for the ones with the Bootloader locked. This bootloader is unlocked so is there a thread yall can direct me to in order to root and flash a custom rom?
I'd appreciate it Folks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't need to root it, just flash a recovery and then a custom rom and then you'll have a rooted device cause custom roms are all rooted
matt95 said:
you don't need to root it, just flash a recovery and then a custom rom and then you'll have a rooted device cause custom roms are all rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! Awesome
matt95 said:
you don't need to root it, just flash a recovery and then a custom rom and then you'll have a rooted device cause custom roms are all rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more stupid question about Dev edition: will I be able to flash mods/apps from zip files using custom recovery, without rooting the phone/installing custom rooted ROM? There is a reason I don't want to root - my corporate mail will not work on rooted device, then I will need to use something like Voodoo OTA Root keeper and hide my root all the time, then restore it when I need, do what I need and after it I will need to re-install corporate email and re-enroll to company's server, in order to not get in trouble with company's Information Security, which I do not want.
I am not so interested in custom ROMs, but do interested in few mods and addons that will definitely come soon (e.g. separation of Ringtones sound level from Notification, battery charge percent on the battery icon in status bar, etc)
Thanks!
EugeneR said:
One more stupid question about Dev edition: will I be able to flash mods/apps from zip files using custom recovery, without rooting the phone/installing custom rooted ROM? There is a reason I don't want to root - my corporate mail will not work on rooted device, then I will need to use something like Voodoo OTA Root keeper and hide my root all the time, then restore it when I need, do what I need and after it I will need to re-install corporate email and re-enroll to company's server, in order to not get in trouble with company's Information Security, which I do not want.
I am not so interested in custom ROMs, but do interested in few mods and addons that will definitely come soon (e.g. separation of Ringtones sound level from Notification, battery charge percent on the battery icon in status bar, etc)
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i don't think so... if you do not want to be rooted you have to remain with the stock rom and i don't know if every mod is compatible with that
Root issues
matt95 said:
you don't need to root it, just flash a recovery and then a custom rom and then you'll have a rooted device cause custom roms are all rooted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same. I just flashed CWM Touch Recovery and Superuser, but AdAway disables every time I reboot and I can't get rid of the Google Bloatware and FB/Twitter - which I don't use. I tried deleting them using ES File Explorer, but they come back every time I reboot. Please help. I hate having the bloatware and knowing that it takes up almost 150 MB makes me mad!!!
/system has kernel protection and you need to flash either a kernel or rom that disables it.
Ah!
gunnyman said:
/system has kernel protection and you need to flash either a kernel or rom that disables it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah! I see. Do you know of any kernel that I can safely flash and not break my phone? It's only a week old and I don't want to end up bricking it or something. Also, do you know if I can still receive OTA updates from HTC? Whenever they do come out, that is. Sorry to be asking such a noob-ish question..
Also, is that the same reason AdAway gets auto-disabled at every boot?
Faux123 has a great kernel, and yes the hosts file gets reset for the same reason.
gunnyman said:
Faux123 has a great kernel, and yes the hosts file gets reset for the same reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please tell me what the potential issues are, if I flash the kernel? Also, please let me know about the OTA updates and if it'll work after rooting and/or flashing a new kernel. Thank you!
Flash the kernel known as elemental X. It seems to have zero issues, I've been running it for a while now and the only difference is I am fully rooted with this kernel.AS far as OTA updates..
well whenever you unlock the bootloader at HTC's website it will definitely reset a non developer edition phone to factory defaults and from there it will remove calculator and a couple of other apps so that HTC knows you're no longer boot loader locked and yes this will prevent OTA updates.
since yours came with an unlocked bootloader in theory you could just flash the kernel and from there when you install SuperSU you will be able to do anything you need to do. With SuperSU you can temporarily turn off root so that you can do things that would normally be prevented/notice that you are rooted.
The Redbox streaming video service app is an example, it will not work on rooted devices but if you go in the SuperSU app and turn on temporary un-root. Then you are able to load the app, watch a show then close the app and restore root all without rebooting..
IIHomieII said:
Flash the kernel known as elemental X. It seems to have zero issues, I've been running it for a while now and the only difference is I am fully rooted with this kernel.AS far as OTA updates..
well whenever you unlock the bootloader at HTC's website it will definitely reset a non developer edition phone to factory defaults and from there it will remove calculator and a couple of other apps so that HTC knows you're no longer boot loader locked and yes this will prevent OTA updates.
since yours came with an unlocked bootloader in theory you could just flash the kernel and from there when you install SuperSU you will be able to do anything you need to do. With SuperSU you can temporarily turn off root so that you can do things that would normally be prevented/notice that you are rooted.
The Redbox streaming video service app is an example, it will not work on rooted devices but if you go in the SuperSU app and turn on temporary un-root. Then you are able to load the app, watch a show then close the app and restore root all without rebooting..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for allaying my fears. I flashed the faux123 kernel because it was suggested "first!" Working fine now. I rebooted and the apps haven't come back after uninstalling them. Thank you so so much for educating me!
PS: How do I Thank you officially? Is there some thank button on here?
---------- Post added at 01:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 AM ----------
IIHomieII said:
Flash the kernel known as elemental X. It seems to have zero issues, I've been running it for a while now and the only difference is I am fully rooted with this kernel.AS far as OTA updates..
well whenever you unlock the bootloader at HTC's website it will definitely reset a non developer edition phone to factory defaults and from there it will remove calculator and a couple of other apps so that HTC knows you're no longer boot loader locked and yes this will prevent OTA updates.
since yours came with an unlocked bootloader in theory you could just flash the kernel and from there when you install SuperSU you will be able to do anything you need to do. With SuperSU you can temporarily turn off root so that you can do things that would normally be prevented/notice that you are rooted.
The Redbox streaming video service app is an example, it will not work on rooted devices but if you go in the SuperSU app and turn on temporary un-root. Then you are able to load the app, watch a show then close the app and restore root all without rebooting..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank button found and clicked!
Good day!
I am new here and I am interested with rooting my HTC ONE M7.
My purpose is to install a certain app which requires it. (XMOD games)
Before I do this I just want to ask a few questions and I hope you can help me.
1. Is it required to unlock the bootloader? or there is an option to not unlock it?
2. Granting that I have rooted my HTC ONE, can I still get updates on my OS if it prompts me to update it?
3. I watched some videos here and learned I need to unlock and then root, is that all I need to get the XMOD games app working?
For now I am only interested with using that app.
4. After unlocking the bootloader, it says it will be back to stock settings, can I restore my backup in my HTC SYNC manager and then proceed with rooting next? or I need to unlock + root and then restore?
I want to restore my back up using the HTC SYNC manager so that I wont have to install the apps and lose some other info.
TIA
jaypeeb0917 said:
Good day!
I am new here and I am interested with rooting my HTC ONE M7.
My purpose is to install a certain app which requires it. (XMOD games)
Before I do this I just want to ask a few questions and I hope you can help me.
1. Is it required to unlock the bootloader? or there is an option to not unlock it?
2. Granting that I have rooted my HTC ONE, can I still get updates on my OS if it prompts me to update it?
3. I watched some videos here and learned I need to unlock and then root, is that all I need to get the XMOD games app working?
For now I am only interested with using that app.
4. After unlocking the bootloader, it says it will be back to stock settings, can I restore my backup in my HTC SYNC manager and then proceed with rooting next? or I need to unlock + root and then restore?
I want to restore my back up using the HTC SYNC manager so that I wont have to install the apps and lose some other info.
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. yes you need to unlock
2. you must be full stock to update, but rooting requires flashing of a custom recovery first, recommended is the latest version of TWRP recovery: http://dl.twrp.me/m7/ then put this on your inernal storage and flash it to get root: http://download.chainfire.eu/696/SuperSU/ you will need stock recovery back to update, however, no one is sure if the M7 is going to get anymore updates yet, its pretty EOL
3. see answer 2
4. yes unlocking wipes the phone / factory reset, so backup everything first, unlock, flash recovery, root, reboot and restore.
I need more reading to pull this off without any problem. I've been reading some nasty stuff and I need to be careful.
I was under the impression that rooting is easy breezy. lol
Thanks a lot for answering my questions mate.
Hey guys,
So before I go ahead an attempt to unlock my bootloader and root my phone, just wanted to clear a couple of things up first.
This is my first Huawei device, previous one was a Sony, so I'm a little unfamiliar with a few things.
1. Is unlocking the bootloader required for root? If not, could someone point me in the direction of a guide to root only?
On the Sony, as long as I had a compatible firmware, I could root without unlocking the bootloader.
2. Will I lose any DRM Keys, proprietary features (Force Touch, Themes etc) through unlocking the bootloader and/or rooting? If so, can these be restored afterwards, while retaining root?
Again, with the Sony, unlocking the bootloader would result in losing DRM Keys related to visual enhancements, and were required to be backed up (via TABackup) prior to unlocking the bootloader. These could then be restored after root, and function as normal.
3. If you do lose features, and they can't be restored while keeping root. If I flash a stock ROM back on, losing root in the process, will these features also be restored?
Thanks
djyoshii said:
Hey guys,
So before I go ahead an attempt to unlock my bootloader and root my phone, just wanted to clear a couple of things up first.
This is my first Huawei device, previous one was a Sony, so I'm a little unfamiliar with a few things.
1. Is unlocking the bootloader required for root? If not, could someone point me in the direction of a guide to root only?
On the Sony, as long as I had a compatible firmware, I could root without unlocking the bootloader.
2. Will I lose any DRM Keys, proprietary features (Force Touch, Themes etc) through unlocking the bootloader and/or rooting? If so, can these be restored afterwards, while retaining root?
Again, with the Sony, unlocking the bootloader would result in losing DRM Keys related to visual enhancements, and were required to be backed up (via TABackup) prior to unlocking the bootloader. These could then be restored after root, and function as normal.
3. If you do lose features, and they can't be restored while keeping root. If I flash a stock ROM back on, losing root in the process, will these features also be restored?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I used the SRK Tool (http://forum.xda-developers.com/p9-plus/development/tool-srk-tool-huawei-bootloader-root-t3405999) and it showed step by step on rooting. Unlocking bootloader seems to be one of the steps before rooting. Maybe you can ask somboons about it.
2) For me, unlocking the bootloader basically resets my phone. And added a warning just before the phone bootup to android (from cold state or off state) that the bootloader has been unlocked and the phone is not trusted now. Just need to restore the apps and other data through the HiSuite backups after unlocking and rooting seems to be fine. Not sure about DRM keys, and others as didn't try those out before doing bootloader unlock. But I did lost my remote set up as it was not part of the HiSuite's data backup.
3) Do a backup with HiSuite should be able to help you. Just need to identify in the HiSuite that the apps and their data is being backed up.
prismfire said:
1) I used the SRK Tool (http://forum.xda-developers.com/p9-plus/development/tool-srk-tool-huawei-bootloader-root-t3405999) and it showed step by step on rooting. Unlocking bootloader seems to be one of the steps before rooting. Maybe you can ask somboons about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mate, I did have a look at that thread as well, and another (less detailed) post. Was just wanting to confirm if there was any other method without need for bootloader unlocking. Figure the less things to modify, the less chance of something going wrong, which has worked well for me so far.
prismfire said:
2) For me, unlocking the bootloader basically resets my phone. And added a warning just before the phone bootup to android (from cold state or off state) that the bootloader has been unlocked and the phone is not trusted now. Just need to restore the apps and other data through the HiSuite backups after unlocking and rooting seems to be fine. Not sure about DRM keys, and others as didn't try those out before doing bootloader unlock. But I did lost my remote set up as it was not part of the HiSuite's data backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any way to remove that message while retaining root? Sounds similar to the 'yellow triangle' back when I had an S2, but that was able to be removed, is this the same?
Not too worried about backing up apps & data at the moment, I haven't fully set up my phone as I realised it would most likely be lost upon rooting. But thanks for the heads up!
prismfire said:
3) Do a backup with HiSuite should be able to help you. Just need to identify in the HiSuite that the apps and their data is being backed up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I was more thinking along the lines of, if any P9+ exclusive features were to be lost during root, could they easily be restored simply by flashing a stock ROM again? Apps & app data seem to be easy enough to restore via HiSuite/Titanium etc
djyoshii said:
Thanks mate, I did have a look at that thread as well, and another (less detailed) post. Was just wanting to confirm if there was any other method without need for bootloader unlocking. Figure the less things to modify, the less chance of something going wrong, which has worked well for me so far.
Any way to remove that message while retaining root? Sounds similar to the 'yellow triangle' back when I had an S2, but that was able to be removed, is this the same?
Not too worried about backing up apps & data at the moment, I haven't fully set up my phone as I realised it would most likely be lost upon rooting. But thanks for the heads up!
Sorry I was more thinking along the lines of, if any P9+ exclusive features were to be lost during root, could they easily be restored simply by flashing a stock ROM again? Apps & app data seem to be easy enough to restore via HiSuite/Titanium etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The orange colored message i read from somewhere that it's Android security implementation standard or something. There's red message also which renders the whole phone can not boot in unless being reset.
In terms of the exclusive apps, not that I know of. Checked with my friend who kept her device as it is, without all the unlock and rooting, and compare with my device which went through and upgrade, unlock and a rooting process - no missing apps noticed.
Thanks guys
prismfire said:
The orange colored message i read from somewhere that it's Android security implementation standard or something. There's red message also which renders the whole phone can not boot in unless being reset.
In terms of the exclusive apps, not that I know of. Checked with my friend who kept her device as it is, without all the unlock and rooting, and compare with my device which went through and upgrade, unlock and a rooting process - no missing apps noticed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read ur conversation and I have been wondering if it's safe so thank you. But I still have 1 question "if I change my oem can I still use my 2 sims"?
prismfire said:
The orange colored message i read from somewhere that it's Android security implementation standard or something. There's red message also which renders the whole phone can not boot in unless being reset.
In terms of the exclusive apps, not that I know of. Checked with my friend who kept her device as it is, without all the unlock and rooting, and compare with my device which went through and upgrade, unlock and a rooting process - no missing apps noticed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So i've successfully rooted the phone, and yeah I get that 'your device has been unlocked and isn't safe' message on boot. It's not too much of a bother, besides being unsightly, but I don't really reboot my phone too often anyway.
I haven't noticed anything missing either, a few minor bugs have started to appear, but that might have to do with Xposed (I would guess).
Thanks for the advice & help!
Abdo2 said:
I read ur conversation and I have been wondering if it's safe so thank you. But I still have 1 question "if I change my oem can I still use my 2 sims"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear Abdo2,
I'm not knowledgeable about the term oem here.
But if it is an issue of dual sim usage, I presume it's built into the ROM? What I know is all P9+ are hybrid dual sim, so it should be part of the ROM that you have.
I'm using VIE-L29C636B170. And it have the dual sim support in-built...although I've not used it yet.
See if anyone knowledgeable to your question passing by here can answer you. If not, maybe you can try the question & answer thread. Or post as another new thread if really no one got your question.
Regards.
---------- Post added at 02:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:29 PM ----------
djyoshii said:
So i've successfully rooted the phone, and yeah I get that 'your device has been unlocked and isn't safe' message on boot. It's not too much of a bother, besides being unsightly, but I don't really reboot my phone too often anyway.
I haven't noticed anything missing either, a few minor bugs have started to appear, but that might have to do with Xposed (I would guess).
Thanks for the advice & help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear djyoshii,
Good to know.
About the security message, one of it is mentioned here:
https://source.android.com/security/verifiedboot/verified-boot.html
For minor bugs, I'm not sure what you have. I've 3 games and 1 app that behaves not like when I used my previous phone (on Android 5.0). That's around 3-5% of all the apps that I used (meaning, majority works fine). Of those some of them related to Android 6.0 issue (actually the apps not updated for the Android version well). So, for me generally I would think it's marshmallow thing.
Regards.
Hi,
long time htc user (always totally unlocked) but looking to get a p9 plus for my wife (this is the important part).
can someone give me a simple answer...
if i only root the phone (for titanium backup mainly and maybe some cosmetic mods) will i be able to unroot it and return it under warranty?
phones here in Dubai are all unbranded so no problems there.
I have no need to unlock bootloader (yet )
gazzacbr said:
Hi,
long time htc user (always totally unlocked) but looking to get a p9 plus for my wife (this is the important part).
can someone give me a simple answer...
if i only root the phone (for titanium backup mainly and maybe some cosmetic mods) will i be able to unroot it and return it under warranty?
phones here in Dubai are all unbranded so no problems there.
I have no need to unlock bootloader (yet )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dear gazzacbr,
From what I tried (been a while since I last did this), one will have to unlock the bootloader first before rooting. Apparently rooting is the last step of the whole process (if you are using the SRK tools). Now, to go back to the status of unrooted, I just use the superSU's total unroot option to unroot. And to go further back to bootloader, there is an option within SRK tool but my last attempt failed to relock the bootloader back. Didn't spend so much time to play around with the unlocking the bootloader after that. So, I just use as is - unlocked bootloader with no root.
One thing you need to note, for titanium backup, I end up just using their own desktop application called HiSuite. It does backup app and app data for you. Not system apps' data though. For theme customisation, MIUI do have a friendly Themer app that you can use to change the look. The corresponding theme files (*.hwt) are zipped, so you can always use 7zip to open and edit the assets inside to the one that you want.
Ok, thanks for the good info @prismfire. As long as it could be rooted sometime later then thats fine. Will pick up one this weekend.
Am going to be jealous though as I guess it's a step up from my 'old' M8
Sent from my HTC One_M8 dual sim using XDA-Developers mobile app