Guide: How to S-Off HTC Incredible S using AlphaRev Tool/Hack [w/ Video]

Thanks to AlphaRev team, the HTC Incredible S — which came up with locked bootloaders and S-ON thing — can now be S-Off’ed and that too without much pains. I tried it on my Incredible S and it was obviously a success — which prompted me to make a guide for others who are not-so-experienced in all this stuff. BTW, this guide is equally helpful for other devices supported by this tool of AlphaRev — HTC Desire, HTC Desire CDMA, HTC Wildfire and HTC Aria, until support for more is added later, for example, HTC Sensation.

BTW, some handful of HTC phones came with their security already Off (S-Off). So I suggest you check out your phone’s bootloader menu to know whether it’s already S-Off or not. If you need help, this guide about “How to Check S-ON and S-Off on HTC phones” will help you.

Check your phone’s HBOOT version and note it somewhere you could easily find because you’ll need that when using the AlphaRev’s tool to S-Off your phone. Go to Bootloader Mode and check out the HBOOT version written on the second line from the top on Bootloader screen.

Well, the detailed neat guide is just below but in case you wanna see the process before trying it out, check out this video below which will take you through the whole process. Good if you can spare some time before roaring in to S-Off your HTC phone.

AlphaRev S-Off Hack Tool on HTC Incredible S Video

[youtube video_id=”XshvRmAcgm8″ width=”620″ height=”400″ /]

Step-by-Step Guide on How to S-Off incredible S using AlphaRev’s Tool:

  1. Disable the “Fast boot” mode first. Find it under settings -> Power, and un-tick the checkbox.
  2. Install latest Drivers on your Windows PC by installing the HTC Sync.
  3. Backup your phone using HTC Sync. uninstall the HTC Sync then
  4. If you’ve HTC Sync installed — whether due to driver’s installation purpose or for any other reason — uninstall the Sync now. If you want it back, install it again after you’ve got the S-Off.
  5. Reboot Phone. Disconnect the phone from PC if it’s connected.
  6. Enable USB Debugging mode. Go to Settings – Applications – Development, Tick the checkbox against “USB Debugging”. Press ‘OK’ on warning.
  7. Now, the interesting part begins. Download the AlphaRev’s tool which will help you S-Off your phone from the AlphaRev’s page. When you’ll click on the Download link, you’ll get a small pop-up in the window itself with white text and blue background, this will guide you to the rest of the process. So, leave this window/tab open for now — don’t close it since you’ll require this blue window later to progress with the process. We’ll come back to this window in step 12 but until then, let’s focus on the downloaded file. If you missed the blue window, click on the download link again to get a new blue window. [BTW, the tool is available for both Windows and Linux OS, download the One which is meant for your OS. I am a Windows user and the file I got was – alpharevx.exe.zip — of course, this tutorial is based on Windows tool only.]
  8. Extract the downloaded file — alpharevx.exe.zip — to a folder and you’ll get 2 files. Run the ‘alpharevx.exe’ file by double clicking on it. It will open a window with the text “Waiting for device…”.
  9. Connect your phone to PC now. Select ‘Charge Only’ on phone upon connecting it to PC. AlphaRev’s tool should recognize it and will ask you to enter beta key — while also showing your phone’s serial in the format HTXXETDXXXXX. Note it down.
  10. Go back to browser to the blue window you came across in step 7 and enter the details asked: your Operating System (OS), your phone, specify the HBOOT version and then enter the phone’s serial number you got just got in step 9 above. Now, all the 4 fields of the blue window are filled up.
  11. Click “Generate Key” button now to get your all important beta key that will unlock the phone quite magically — and amazingly!
  12. You’ll get a new screen on the page now with green background. On the very top of which lies “your beta key”. Note it down and enter in the AlphaRev’s tool’s Window on PC. Hit Enter then — and cross your fingers for a very successful flash (if you want).
  13. The process would begun. For me, it tool some 2 mins for this process to finish once I hit enter after putting in the beta key. if the process doesn’t start for you, wait for some 15 minutes, after which you can disconnect the phone by removing the USB cable. (For Example, on some Indian/Asian HTC Incredible S phones, this tool would get stuck here and the process won’t start. They need to install Optus RUU first in order to make this tool run — I’ve done the same, actually, on my Indian Incredible S. So, if it gets stuck, maybe, there is a problem with your phone then — better Google it. Good luck!).
  14. When the process is finished, your phone will be S-Off’ed. It’s unlocked and you can go on to install ClockWorkMod Recovery, Root it and do whatever you wanna do. Enjoy! (Leave your all-important feedback to AlphaRev team using the very feedback form just below the green screen with your beta key.)
  15. [Optional] If you think your life is better with S-Off, do consider donating the AlphaRev’s Team.
  16. Enjoy!

Be with us, more great stuff — ROMs (including CM7), themes, etc. are on their way. Keep watching this space.

Posted by
Kapil Malani

A die-hard Liverpool FC fan, Kapil is a big fan of Batman, Android and street Cricket. In that order, probably. Email: [email protected]

43 Comments

  1. Really coooooolllll!!!! It work very well!:) It’s a really good step by step;)

  2. Really coooooolllll!!!! It work very well!:) It’s a really good step by step;)

  3. I´ve problems with installing ABD Drivers. Can some1 help me?

    1. Install HTC Sync to install your HTC hone’s drivers. This would help you:
      https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-install-drivers-on-htc-android-phones/

      Installing ADB is easy, though. Download the Android SDK and install. You’ll
      need Java Development Kit, so download and install that too.

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  4. I´ve problems with installing ABD Drivers. Can some1 help me?

    1. Install HTC Sync to install your HTC hone’s drivers. This would help you:
      https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-install-drivers-on-htc-android-phones/

      Installing ADB is easy, though. Download the Android SDK and install. You’ll
      need Java Development Kit, so download and install that too.

    2. You received this message because Kapil Malani shared it with

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      Google+ Invites from me and are ready to make a leap from the Mark
      Zuckerburg’s no-respect-for-privacy Facebook to privacy-respecting suddenly
      there social networking attempt — a mind-blowing one, mind you — the
      Google+ (by Google, of course). It’s new, and it’s rad — you’ll soon find
      out.

      Click the “Learn More about Google+” (with orange background) in the email
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      list, :)) chance to try the Google+ social wave that has literally taken the
      Internet for the past few days — and I’m sure will continue to do so.

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      out.

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      So, see you soon in Google+ Keep in touch. Ta Ta!

      P.S. Those of you who are curious about it, hear it directly from the Google
      in the link I’ve attached — Google+ Project’s official announcement from
      googleblog itself!”

      Accept the invitation to view the full post:
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  5. I´ve problems with installing ABD Drivers. Can some1 help me?

  6. can we use unrevoked to root after getting the s-off?

  7. can we use unrevoked to root after getting the s-off?

  8. i do all
    but i see waiting for device 
    .
    .
    and it doesn’t solve 

    thanks 

    1. I think you don’t have appropriate drivers.

    2. You received this message because Kapil Malani shared it with

      “I hope all of you are getting the much-wanted much-of-a-teaser precious
      Google+ Invites from me and are ready to make a leap from the Mark
      Zuckerburg’s no-respect-for-privacy Facebook to privacy-respecting suddenly
      there social networking attempt — a mind-blowing one, mind you — the
      Google+ (by Google, of course). It’s new, and it’s rad — you’ll soon find
      out.

      Click the “Learn More about Google+” (with orange background) in the email
      you are receiving from me to get your much-deserved (since you’re in my
      list, :)) chance to try the Google+ social wave that has literally taken the
      Internet for the past few days — and I’m sure will continue to do so.

      So, see you soon in Google+ Keep in touch. Ta Ta!

      P.S. Those of you who are curious about it, hear it directly from the Google
      in the link I’ve attached — Google+ Project’s official announcement from
      googleblog itself!”

      Accept the invitation to view the full post:
      https://plus.google.com/_/notifications/ngemlink?&emid=CLDe3sq_36kCFaxn7Aodu7BnGA&path=%2F108100504619519002104%2Fposts%2Fi8Rh5MJd6mC%3Fgpinv%3DAGXbFGwA6InWgRWVCsnviAKYrm-pe4jIyoTw8zw6CoLvtBQU8h4OooN2SJiVpVl-lcfJVq9XNOyEc1DBLYV5_qvK64O0fEzrWUdt8MuQ34xvv5mYQAd0cvo%26hl%3Den

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  9. i do all
    but i see waiting for device 
    .
    .
    and it doesn’t solve 

    thanks 

    1. I think you don’t have appropriate drivers.

    2. You received this message because Kapil Malani shared it with

      “I hope all of you are getting the much-wanted much-of-a-teaser precious
      Google+ Invites from me and are ready to make a leap from the Mark
      Zuckerburg’s no-respect-for-privacy Facebook to privacy-respecting suddenly
      there social networking attempt — a mind-blowing one, mind you — the
      Google+ (by Google, of course). It’s new, and it’s rad — you’ll soon find
      out.

      Click the “Learn More about Google+” (with orange background) in the email
      you are receiving from me to get your much-deserved (since you’re in my
      list, :)) chance to try the Google+ social wave that has literally taken the
      Internet for the past few days — and I’m sure will continue to do so.

      So, see you soon in Google+ Keep in touch. Ta Ta!

      P.S. Those of you who are curious about it, hear it directly from the Google
      in the link I’ve attached — Google+ Project’s official announcement from
      googleblog itself!”

      Accept the invitation to view the full post:
      https://plus.google.com/_/notifications/ngemlink?&emid=CLDe3sq_36kCFaxn7Aodu7BnGA&path=%2F108100504619519002104%2Fposts%2Fi8Rh5MJd6mC%3Fgpinv%3DAGXbFGwA6InWgRWVCsnviAKYrm-pe4jIyoTw8zw6CoLvtBQU8h4OooN2SJiVpVl-lcfJVq9XNOyEc1DBLYV5_qvK64O0fEzrWUdt8MuQ34xvv5mYQAd0cvo%26hl%3Den

      The Google+ project is currently working out all the kinks with a small
      group of testers. If you’re not able to access Google+, please check back
      again soon. Learn more:
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  10. Hi Guys, i thought i’d give this a try but it failed to get root. I connected the phone and the program recognized it. But after the sentence that it is searching a rooting method it says “Failed to get root.”

    Any ideas, had fastboot off and usb debugging checked.

    Grtz

    1. Root is a one additional process after this. I’ll upload a guide for that
      soon, check back tomorrow.

    2. hi there, did you upload a rooting guide anywhere? i have S-OFF now but have no clue where to start to gain SU access. Thank you!

    3. I’ll post it today…. wait for 4-5 hrs….

    4. Hey, it seems it would take me more time, you better get the root from the link below. This will guide you to install clockworkmod recovery first and then root by flashing a file using recovery. Pretty easy, you will be able to do that easily.

      http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14693680

  11. Hi Guys, i thought i’d give this a try but it failed to get root. I connected the phone and the program recognized it. But after the sentence that it is searching a rooting method it says “Failed to get root.”

    Any ideas, had fastboot off and usb debugging checked.

    Grtz

    1. Root is a one additional process after this. I’ll upload a guide for that
      soon, check back tomorrow.

      1. hi there, did you upload a rooting guide anywhere? i have S-OFF now but have no clue where to start to gain SU access. Thank you!

      2. hi there, did you upload a rooting guide anywhere? i have S-OFF now but have no clue where to start to gain SU access. Thank you!

        1. I’ll post it today…. wait for 4-5 hrs….

        2. Hey, it seems it would take me more time, you better get the root from the link below. This will guide you to install clockworkmod recovery first and then root by flashing a file using recovery. Pretty easy, you will be able to do that easily.

          http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=14693680

  12. Hey Kapil,
    I have done all like Yannick but I also got the same error “Failed to Root”
    What to do?

  13. Hey Kapil,
    I have done all like Yannick but I also got the same error “Failed to Root”
    What to do?

  14. I too got the problem “Failed to Root”, Please help

    1. You’ll need to install Optus ROM first. Search on Google for that. It’s on XDA forums too.

  15. I too got the problem “Failed to Root”, Please help

    1. You’ll need to install Optus ROM first. Search on Google for that. It’s on XDA forums too.

  16. Failed to get root using method 2

  17. Failed to get root using method 2

  18. Now ís the question how to put it back into S-on if one needs to send it in under warranty.
    Does anybody know that?

  19. Now ís the question how to put it back into S-on if one needs to send it in under warranty.
    Does anybody know that?

  20. please help me,i have this error.

    what i am must to do?

  21. please help me,i have this error.

    what i am must to do?

  22. hey how can do s-on for htc incredble s ???

  23. hey how can do s-on for htc incredble s ???

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