To clip, or not to clip...have some questions

Hi all -

Had this HTC One M9 stock for about a month now. I've been reading and reading and reading, and have the big itch to root, but also have some questions I'm hoping folks can answer that I'm a bit confused about. So I'll just get right to my questions.

1. I've had android phones for years, and I get the general concept of this stuff, but is this clip method so different, in that if I haven't done it before I pose a significant risk of bricking my phone or struggling to figure out the process if I've never done this method?


2. Does the clip method just get me S Off, or can it unlock the bootloader too?


3. Should I just use clip to S Off and follow instructions in this thread to unlock bootloader (http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/how-to-lock-unlock-bootloader-htcdevs-t3092036)?


4. Can I return this phone to 100% stock if I need warranty service? From what I can gather from the unlock bootloader thread above, I can lock and unlock, and I assume with clip I can S on. Is there a way to flash image to OEM stock, and is there any other Knox-like things I need to worry about that I can't trip back?


5. I believe I read I can install TWRP recovery, but how do I do that once I have S Off and unlocked bootloader?


6. My goal is really just to flash a custom rom. I don't know I want to change all the in depth things that I think I'm reading I can do with S off. Is it possible, or does it make sense, to S off, unlock bootloader (which I think is all I need for TWRP and to load ROM), then S on again?

I know obv people are sending their phones to folks to S off, but there's a few reasons I'm thinking about the clip method (please correct any misunderstanding):

• I can get clip for just under 0. Comparatively if I send it off, I'd probably do a donation plus fast shipping both ways...I'm already over half the cost of the clip.


• If I need the clip to return phone to true stock, I'd like that have that ability myself.


• I know there's a few highly recommended people on here, but I'm still uneasy about sending a 0 phone to someone I don't know.


• If the process is easy enough, I could try and recoup the money by doing a few phones in my area.

I'm mysteriously not seeing many website recommendations for the clip. My sincere apologies to the mods in advance if I'm breaking a rule by posting this, but does something like this seem like the right clip at a decent price? - http://www.iboxstore.com/xtc-clip-2-htc-s-off-tool.html

Sorry for the 1001 questions, but thank you SO much in advance for anyone that can offer advice!!!