[HOWTO] Easy Root Instructions (Sprint or T-Mobile) [Updated 24 June 2012]

[yaniel06]

Im on stock LI3 update. I am unable to odin the twrp or cwm recovery. Any specific way to root the lstest LI3 update

Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

 

[Antonovios]

Hello and thank you for this guide!!

I have a question though, if I proceed with these steps and root my phone, will I lose the ability to OTA upgrade? I bought a galaxy s3 and would like to root it but I also want to get the jelly bean upgrade now in oct. Could you please let me know for sure?

Thank you

 

[Naddict]

Hello and thank you for this guide!!

I have a question though, if I proceed with these steps and root my phone, will I lose the ability to OTA upgrade? I bought a galaxy s3 and would like to root it but I also want to get the jelly bean upgrade now in oct. Could you please let me know for sure?

Thank you

if you root, you will not be able to OTA updgrade. there are plenty of custom roms that will be JB, some already are. At least, in experimental phases.

 

[Antonovios]

if you root, you will not be able to OTA updgrade. there are plenty of custom roms that will be JB, some already are. At least, in experimental phases.

I know I have been running custom roms on my SGS2 since day 2.. but I don't understand why rooting a phone breaks the OTA upgrades? Is there a way to create an image of my current rom kernel etc and reverse the root process in order to get OTA upgrades again? I know many questions but I am pretty sure others want to know as well

Thanks!

 

[dcharleyultra]

Why do you want to root, exactly?

Swyped from my SPH-L710

 

[Antonovios]

Why do you want to root, exactly?

Swyped from my SPH-L710

I want access to the whole system for various reasons.. I would also like to remove some apps that Samsung adds by default or my carrier etc. there are many reasons...

I also like to understand things.. not just do them.. I have the guide on how to root but I don't understand why it would affect the OTA upgrades and what is actually happening during the root process..

 

[dcharleyultra]

I want access to the whole system for various reasons.. I would also like to remove some apps that Samsung adds by default or my carrier etc. there are many reasons...

I also like to understand things.. not just do them.. I have the guide on how to root but I don't understand why it would affect the OTA upgrades and what is actually happening during the root process..

Ok, great. I only asked so that I could give you an "informed" opinion based on what you want to do at the moment.

I would recommend you root your phone and keep the stock ROM and stock recovery. You will also probably have to add BusyBox.

In this way, you will get the OTA update.

(If you flash a custom recovery, you will have to restore the stock recovery in order to be prompted for the OTA update.)

(If you stick with the stock ROM, you will have the least trouble re data and FCs when you update the stock ROM.)

 

[Antonovios]

Ok, great. I only asked so that I could give you an "informed" opinion based on what you want to do at the moment.

I would recommend you root your phone and keep the stock ROM and stock recovery. You will also probably have to add BusyBox.

In this way, you will get the OTA update.

(If you flash a custom recovery, you will have to restore the stock recovery in order to be prompted for the OTA update.)

(If you stick with the stock ROM, you will have the least trouble re data and FCs when you update the stock ROM.)

Okay I think I got it so far.. so if I follow this guide, what changes do I have to do in order to install with current stock rom and recovery? Or is it another procedure? What exactly do you mean by FCs and re data? How do I solve such problems after an OTA upgrade? Is it ok to just reroot (cause I will lose the root right?) or do I have to do more? I don't mind wiping everything used to it from my SGS2 and custom rom testing

Thank you very much btw!!

 

[dcharleyultra]

The easiest way is just to flash/Odin the stock recovery, no matter which root procedure you use.

Re the data and FCs, I was referring to custom ROMS modifying the infrastructure of system files, compared to the stock infrastructure. This is the reason that most custom ROMs advise to wipe data and to be careful when restoring data. A "dirty" install can lead to bad experiences.

If one sticks with the stock ROM (rooted or unrooted), this is less likely to happen, so data can persist from upgrade to upgrade.

The fix is normally just to wipe data and re-input data.

It is generally ok to just re-root. Sometimes you may have to restore superuser or BusyBox, if those apps are no longer in the App Drawer or do not work as expected.

 

[Antonovios]

The easiest way is just to flash/Odin the stock recovery, no matter which root procedure you use.

Re the data and FCs, I was referring to custom ROMS modifying the infrastructure of system files, compared to the stock infrastructure. This is the reason that most custom ROMs advise to wipe data and to be careful when restoring data. A "dirty" install can lead to bad experiences.

If one sticks with the stock ROM (rooted or unrooted), this is less likely to happen, so data can persist from upgrade to upgrade.

The fix is normally just to wipe data and re-input data.

It is generally ok to just re-root. Sometimes you may have to restore superuser or BusyBox, if those apps are no longer in the App Drawer or do not work as expected.

Would it be too much if I asked for a quick (not detailed at all) how-to?? I mean how do I get a zip file or tar file with current stock rom from my phone to flash it with odin in order to root my phone?

 

[dcharleyultra]

Would it be too much if I asked for a quick (not detailed at all) how-to?? I mean how do I get a zip file or tar file with current stock rom from my phone to flash it with odin in order to root my phone?

I think the easiest how-to for you is to use this toolkit. It makes the process all menu driven.

 

[madnarg24]

i just picked up my GS3 yesterday. did a lot of reading here, watched all the videos on rooting and was about to begin but just wanted to confirm something.

i have build number LG8. i also keep getting a "system update available" message. does this root method work with this build number? also, should i accept the update and then root, or root and then accept?

thanks for any help in advance.

side note: feels a little weird not knowing this info; been rooting and flashing for years, just always with HTC devices...gotta get up to speed with Samsung. thats enough rambling for now; thanks again!

 

[Callie_evo]

I'm rooted using jelly bomb and I keep getting a system update. If I update will I lose root?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

 

[mskip]

I'm rooted using jelly bomb and I keep getting a system update. If I update will I lose root?

Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Yes but you can reroot after.

Mark.

 

[esqueue]

Op, PLEASE update your guide and add this method as an alternate for those with newer phones. It appears that newer phones no longer work using the above. It keeps resetting to what others call the stock recovery. I followed the method below and it worked.

When I first rooted mine (several weeks ago) you had to uncheck the reboot box in odin and when the flash was done you had to pull the battery and immediately boot into recovery without allowing the phone to boot into stock because the stock includes files that automatically reflash the stock recovery image. If you odin, pull the battery before reboot, boot directly into recovery (volume up + home + power button), and you should be in CWM. I also had to have TeamEpic's Root from Recovery zip. Once in CWM you flash the root from recovery and you are good to go.
I'm not sure why it would be different for yours and your roommate's but try this.

Thank you for posting this.

 

[membrain]

Yup, still works...

Just spent 15 minutes this morning taking my time and following the instructions to root my new Sprint SGS3!:good:

 

[picheth]

Does not work with leak 4.1.1 T-Mobile T999

This method does not work for S3 T-mobile T999.
After flash success but still show "Android system recovery <3e> in recovery mod.
So i cannot flash Su.xxx.zip

Any one can help This.

Thanks.

First off, let me say that I did not develop this schtuff and all thanks should go to those that did. Special thanks to noobnl (his thread here), mskip and TeamEpic for all their work.

A note about these instructions:
They're long and may seem a little daunting to those that aren't experienced. Please don't let that deter you as they've been written to be as simple and easy to follow as is reasonably possible assuming you can work a Windows PC and extract a zip file.
==> If you encounter problems with these instructions, please check the FAQ in the post following this one. <==

For video instructions (courtesy of qbking77) scroll to the bottom of this post.



Non-ADB Root instructions (Windows Only):
First, the non-dangerous, standard user stuff:

1. Download and install the Samsung USB drivers from Samsung's website: http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/c...nt_L710_GSIII_Samsung_USB_Driver_v1_4_6_0.exe
   
2. Turn on Debugging on your Phone
   • Open Settings
   • Select "Developer options" in the System section
   • Check the box for "USB Debugging"
   • Press "OK" to confirm.
3. Plug you phone up to your computer using the USB cable and allow the drivers to install.
   
4. Download CMW_SuperUser_v3.07.zip from the bottom of this post
   • I recommend making yourself a nice little GS3 folder in your downloads folder for all this stuff so it's easy to find
   • DO NOT UNZIP!!
5. Copy CMW_SuperUser_v3.07.zip on to the Root of your GS3s INTERNAL storage (if you put it into a folder, you may have a hard time finding it later, but that's on you).
   • DO NOT UNZIP!!
6. Unplug your phone
   
7. Power off your phone

Now, this is the part that can BRICK your phone so follow ALL instructions CAREFULLY!!

1. Download Odin3-v3.04 from the bottom of this post
   
2. Extract Odin3-v3.04 into it's own folder somewhere where you can easily find it.
   
3. Download clockworkmod.tar from the bottom of this post to somewhere you can easily find it.
   
4. Reboot your phone into download mode
   • Hold down Volume Down, Home and then the Power button until the Warning!! message is displayed
   • Press Volume Up to continue.
5. Your phone should now be in download mode, displaying a green Android and say Downloading. If it is not, power off your phone by holding down the power button and then try to get into Download mode again. Do NOT progress until you have done so.
   
6. Go into the folder you extracted Odin3 into and run Odin3 v3.04.exe (you may have to Right-Clik => Run as Administrator)
   
7. Connect your phone to your computer via USB. Drivers may install again; if this happens, allow them to finish before progressing.
   
8. In Odin, the COM box all the way to the left should turn blue and it should say Added!! in the Message area.
   
9. Click on PDA and in the Open window that pops up navigate to and open the clockworkmod.TAR file you downloaded earlier
   
10. Verify that Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time are checked
    
11. Click Start. Once the process is completed you device should automatically reboot and there will be a green PASS! box in the upper left of the window. You can then close Odin.
    
12. Power off your device and boot into Recovery mode
    • To boot into Recovery mode: Hold down Volume Up, Home and then the Power button until the device begins to power on then release all 3.
    • You'll know you're in recover mode when it says "CWM-based Recovery" at the top of the screen
13. Install CMW_SuperUser_v3.07.zip that you copied onto your internal memory
    • Navigating ClockWorkMod Recovery: Use the Volume Up and Down rocker to change the highlighted option and the Home button to select an option. The Back softkey works, but will not be lit and will take you back one screen.
    Installing a zip:
    • Select "Install zip from sdcard" (Yes, I know it's on the internal storage.)
    • Select "Choose zip from sdcard"
    • Select the zip you want to install; in this case CWM_SuperUser_v3.0.7.zip
    • Select "Yes" to begin installing
14. Once the process has completed use the Back arrow to get back to the main recovery screen (Remember: it works, but it's not lit) and select "reboot system now." Once your device boots up you should now be 'Rooted,' but there's still a few more things to be done
    
15. Install BusyBox. There are actually several ways to do this, but the BusyBox app in the Google Play Market is quick and easy.
    • Install BusyBox (this is a link to the online verison of the Google Play store. You can actually follow this link and install it from there and it will get pushed to your phone. Alternatively, just search for BusyBox in the Google Play store and it should be the first app in the search results from author Stephen (Stericson))
    • Open BusyBox Free from your App Drawer
    • Allow it Root access when it prompts you
    • Tap the red "X" to close the dialog window that pops up
    • Allow BusyBox to scan you phone
    • Tap "Install" to install BusyBox and make the necessary file changes.
16. Update your Binaries.
    • Open the Superuser App from the App Drawer
    • Get into settings (the wrench icon in the upper right of the screen)
    • Select Su binary under the General section towards the bottom of the list
    • Select Update
17. Your device is now rooted and all set.

How to video (YouTube): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Soapch0c5U
Thanks again to qbking77 for the instructions video!

P.S. If you are a developer or I have used some of your material and/or you feel you should be credited, please let me know and I will update this post.

 

[dcharleyultra]

This method does not work for S3 T-mobile T999.
After flash success but still show "Android system recovery <3e> in recovery mod.
So i cannot flash Su.xxx.zip

Any one can help This.

Thanks.

It sounds like the custom recovery wasn't installed.

Swyped from my SPH-L710

 

[Neil Fruit]

Follow the same procedure with the following changes:

Go here (http://www.epiccm.org/2012/06/team-epics-root-from-recovery.html) and download TeamEpic's Root from Recovery
Copy the Root from Recovery zip to your sd card
when you run odin, uncheck the reboot box
when the flash is successfully done
unplug the phone, pull the battery, reinsert the battery, boot directly into recovery (volume up + home + power)
in recovery, flash the Root from Recovery zip
reboot the phone as normal (into system)
you should be good to go with your CWM custom recovery intact.

 

[ramen44]

So I followed this, but I can't get Miui to flash correctly. I keep getting Status 7 (unable to assert scripts).
Also, when I boot after doing all of this, it says "updating android" and then updates 1 file. Is this the problem? I am unsure.

I have the T-mobile version of the SG3

Follow the same procedure with the following changes:

Go here (http://www.epiccm.org/2012/06/team-epics-root-from-recovery.html) and download TeamEpic's Root from Recovery
Copy the Root from Recovery zip to your sd card
when you run odin, uncheck the reboot box
when the flash is successfully done
unplug the phone, pull the battery, reinsert the battery, boot directly into recovery (volume up + home + power)
in recovery, flash the Root from Recovery zip
reboot the phone as normal (into system)
you should be good to go with your CWM custom recovery intact.