Do you want to take full control over your device? Meaning, you can do whatever you want on without any limitations, such as changing and customizing the features, keyboard, theme, install apps that are incompatible or not available on Google Play Store, or get any apps for free that are priced, and more!
Well, you have come to the right place. This post will make it possible for you to root Verizon’s Galaxy S3.
Here are the 13 very easy steps on how take over your Samsung device. Take note, everything’s for free. A good internet connection and a working PC is all you need to have.
Do this on your own risk!
Connect to your PC. Make sure it is discoverable.
Your USB Drivers should be updated to the latest version.
Enable USB debugging. Go to Settings > Developer Options and make sure to check the USB debugging option.
Turn off.
Enter Download Mode. To do it, you must press the Volume Down, Home Key and the Power Button at the same time. Wait for something to appear on the screen. There should be a Warning written on the top of your screen, and an instruction to cancel or continue the Download Mode. Press Volume Up to continue. It will lead you to the Download Mode. You will see the Android logo and texts appearing on the upper left part of your screen.
Now plug again to your PC.
Download and extract I535_ROOT_Kernel and I535_NC1_Kernel. These are needed for Odin3 flashing specifically for Verizon variant. You can also get the model’s latest firmware from here. In here are the same Kernel files mentioned above. Just search for your model number. Since it is Verizon, your model is SCH-I535. To make sure, you can look it up in Settings > About Device > Model number. Extract the both I535 Kernel zip files or the firmware on desktop.
Extract and run the free flashing tool for Android, Odin 3 on your PC. Take note that his application only runs on both 32-bt and 64-bit Windows. If you are not running Windows, you can use JOdin3 for Linux and MAC OS. Once the application is open, make sure that the first block under ‘ID:COMM’ is occupied. It should have a color, depending on which firmware you have. It indicates that your device is recognized and connected properly on your PC. Also, makes sure to check the ‘Auto Reboot’ and ‘F. Reset Time’ boxes under Option.
Now, look for the ‘PDA’ box, under ‘File [Download]’ and tick it to check. Then, locate the ‘PDA’ button beside the box. Press it then a window will pop up. Locate the extracted I535_ROOT_Kernel folder and open the I535_ROOT_Kernel.tar.md5 file inside. Press ‘Start’ in Odin3 to proceed to flashing. You will then see texts under the Message box in Odin3 and a loading bar under the Android logo on your screen. After that, more text will appear on your screen and a red Android logo. There is no need to worry, it’s just part of the process. You will automatically reboot after the flashing process.
Download this SafeRoot tool and extract. Select the ‘run.bat’ file inside the extracted folder and don’t forget to run it as administrator. Once a command window appears, plug on your PC. Then, follow the instructions that will appear on the command window. Wait to reboot.
After the reboot, shut down again and enter Download Mode again. Follow Step 5.
Again, look for the ‘PDA’ button in Odin3. Press it then a window will pop up. Locate this time the extracted I535_NC1_Kernel and select the I535_NC1_Kernel.tar.md5 file. Press ‘Start’ in Odin3. Once you see the Reboot countdown below your screen, you can now unplug from your PC and wait for another reboot.
Once started, look for the Root Checker app. This app is installed because of the flashing. Now open the app and click on ‘Verify Root’ to check if you are successfully. Expect a Superuser request pop up, then press ‘Grant’. Then congratulations!
Note that if you did not encounter the Superuser request pop up, and says you do not have proper access for rooting, it just means you do not have SuperSU app installed. To get it, simply go to Google Play Store. You can download and install SuperSU there for free. Now do Step 13 again. This time, the SuperSU request pop up will surely appear, and you now have your officially applied the Samsung Galaxy S3 Verizon root.
Make sure to check out my Galaxy S3 page for future updates.
There are also tutorials for T-Mobile, AT&T, Straight Talk, Sprint and Virgin Mobile.