How to Root HTC One M8 Eye

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Rooting your HTC One M8 Eye gives you full administrative control over the Android operating system, allowing you to remove bloatware, install custom ROMs, use root-only apps, and tweak system settings that are otherwise locked. This guide walks you through the entire process safely, from unlocking the bootloader to flashing SuperSU. Before you begin, back up all important data, as the process will wipe your phone.

What You’ll Need

HTC One M8 Eye (model M8E, not the standard M8)
A Windows PC (or Mac with some adjustments)
USB data cable
HTC Sync Manager installed (for drivers) or proper USB drivers
Unlocked bootloader (required before rooting)
Custom recovery (TWRP) installed
SuperSU or Magisk ZIP file downloaded to your phone’s storage
Battery charged above 70%

Step-by-Step

Back up your phone. Rooting wipes all data, so copy photos, contacts, and files to your PC or cloud.
Enable Developer Options. Go to Settings > About > Software Information > More, then tap “Build number” seven times until you see “You are now a developer.”
Enable USB debugging and OEM unlock. In Settings > Developer options, turn on “USB debugging” and “OEM unlocking” (if available).
Install HTC Sync Manager on your PC. This installs the necessary USB drivers. Connect your phone and let it detect.
Unlock the bootloader. Go to HTC’s official bootloader unlock page (htcdev.com), create an account, and follow their instructions. You’ll need to reboot into bootloader (power off, then hold Volume Down + Power), select “Fastboot”, and run fastboot oem get_identifier_token in a command prompt. Copy the token, submit it on the website, and you’ll receive an unlock code. Then run fastboot oem unlock <code>.
Install TWRP custom recovery. Download the TWRP image for the HTC One M8 Eye (usually named “twrp-3.x.x-x-m8e.img”). Put it in your fastboot folder. Reboot to bootloader, select “Fastboot”, then run fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-m8e.img. After flashing, use volume keys to select “Recovery” and press Power to boot into TWRP.
Backup your current ROM (optional but recommended). In TWRP, tap “Backup”, select Boot, System, Data, and swipe to back up. This creates a restore point.
Download SuperSU or Magisk. Download the latest SuperSU ZIP (e.g., BETA-SuperSU-v2.82-20170526223451.zip) or Magisk ZIP (e.g., Magisk-v26.1.zip) from trusted sources like XDA Developers. Transfer the ZIP to your phone’s internal storage or SD card.
Flash the root ZIP. In TWRP, tap “Install”, navigate to the ZIP file, select it, and swipe to flash. Do not reboot yet.
Wipe cache and Dalvik. In TWRP, go to “Wipe”, select “Advanced”, check “Dalvik Cache” and “Cache”, and swipe to wipe. This prevents boot loops.
Reboot system. Tap “Reboot” > “System”. The first boot may take a few minutes.
Verify root. Install a root checker app from the Play Store (like “Root Checker”) and confirm root access. You should see a SuperSU or Magisk app in your app drawer.

Common Mistakes

Using the wrong TWRP image. The M8 Eye is different from the regular M8. Downloading the wrong recovery can brick your phone.
Skipping the bootloader unlock. Without unlocking, flashing recovery will fail or cause boot loops.
Not backing up. Forgetting to back up before unlocking wipes your data permanently.
Flashing incompatible root ZIPs. Some older SuperSU versions may not work on newer Android versions. Use a recent Magisk if your Android is 6.0 or later.
Not wiping cache after flashing. This can cause apps to crash or boot loops.

Tips

Use a reliable USB cable and a USB port directly on your PC (not a hub) to avoid disconnections during fastboot.
Keep your phone charged above 70% to prevent shutdown during flashing.
If you plan to install custom ROMs later, Magisk is more compatible than SuperSU.
After rooting, consider installing a firewall app to manage root permissions for apps.
Write down your unlock token and keep it safe; you’ll need it if you ever relock the bootloader.

Troubleshooting

Boot loop after flashing. Reboot to TWRP (hold Volume Down + Power, select Recovery), go to Wipe > Advanced, wipe Dalvik Cache and Cache, then reboot. If still stuck, restore your TWRP backup.
Fastboot device not recognized. Ensure HTC Sync Manager is installed and drivers are up to date. Try a different USB port or cable. In Device Manager, update the driver manually to “Android Bootloader Interface”.
Unlock token rejected. Make sure you copied the entire token without extra spaces. Try using the command prompt as administrator.
Root checker says no root. Reflash the root ZIP. If using SuperSU, try Magisk instead. Some apps need to be updated.
Phone won’t boot after unlocking bootloader. This is normal on first boot after unlock; it may take up to 10 minutes. If it never boots, enter recovery and wipe data (factory reset).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does rooting void my warranty?

Yes, unlocking the bootloader and rooting typically voids the manufacturer warranty. Some carriers may still honor it, but it’s not guaranteed.

Will rooting delete my data?

Unlocking the bootloader will erase all data. The rooting process itself (flashing SuperSU) does not wipe data, but it’s always safe to back up.

Can I unroot later?

Yes. You can unroot by flashing a stock ROM or using the “Unroot” option in SuperSU. You’ll also need to relock the bootloader via fastboot to fully restore warranty.

Is it safe to root my HTC One M8 Eye?

If you follow the steps carefully, the risk is low. However, there’s always a small chance of bricking if you flash the wrong files or interrupt the process.

What is the difference between SuperSU and Magisk?

SuperSU is the classic root manager, while Magisk offers systemless root, which lets you hide root from apps like banking apps and supports modules. Magisk is more modern and recommended for Android 6.0+.

Will OTA updates work after rooting?

No. Once rooted, you won’t receive OTA updates. You’ll need to manually flash updates or revert to stock to get them.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.