Galaxy S5: How to Root

Gaining root access to your Galaxy S5 can open up a lot of options for you when it comes to installing mods and powerful applications. Today I’m going to show you the easy step by step process for the Galaxy S5 root access tutorial.

Root access and a custom recovery are the two main things that we need to do to the Galaxy S5 before we can truly start to modify it. Yesterday, I showed you exactly how to get the TWRP custom recovery installed on the Galaxy S5 and today we’re going to talk about how to gain root access.

It took a long time before the Galaxy S5 was able to be rooted. We’re going to be rooting with the CF-AutoRoot so we’re going to be using Odin again.

In order to download the proper CF-AutoRoot file, you’ll need to know the model number of your Galaxy S5. Here are a list of model numbers, but you should triple check your device(in the Settings) to make sure you’re downloading the right one. SM-G9006V (China), SM-G9008V (China), SM-G9009D (China), M-G900A (AT&T), SM-G900D (Japan), SM-G900F (Open Europe), SM-G900H (Open Europe), SM-G900I (Asia), SM-G900J (Japan), SM-G900K (Korea), SM-G900L (Korea), SM-G900M (Vodafone), SM-G900P (Sprint), SM-G900R4 (US Cellular), SM-G900S (Korea), SM-G900T (T-Mobile), SM-G900V (Verizon), SM-G900W8 (BMC).

Warning:
Modifying your Galaxy S5, like installing a custom recovery or rooting it, will trip the KNOX security setup on your device. Tripping KNOX will void the warranty on your device so please understand the risks involved.

Now that you know which variant of the Galaxy S5 you have, let’s gain root access.

Galaxy S5 Root

1. Download Chainfire’s CF-AutoRoot For Your Specific Galaxy S5
2. Download and Install the Samsung USB Drivers
3. Extract the Chainfire CF-AutoRoot Zip File
4. Right Click Odin v3.07’s exe File and Run As Administrator(Odin is included in this CF Auto Root zip)
5. Power Down the Galaxy S5
6. Boot the Galaxy S5 into Download Mode
7. Connect the Galaxy S5 to the PC via a Micro USB Cable
8. Click the PDA Button in Odin(on the right side)
9. Browse to and Select the tar.md5 File Extracted in Step 3
10. Make Sure the ‘F. Reset Time’ and ‘Auto Reboot’ Options are the Only Boxes on the Left that are Checked
11. Double Check and Make Sure the ‘Re-Partition’ Option is NOT Checked
12. When Ready, Press the Start Button
13. When the Galaxy S5 Boots Back into Android, Open the App Drawer and Launch SuperSU
14. Tap on Continue When Asked About Updating
15. Tap on Normal When Asked How it Should Update
16. Tap on the OK Option When Asked if You Want to Disable KNOX
17. After KNOX is Disabled, Tell the Galaxy S5 to Reboot

Explanation

Gaining root access to the Galaxy S5 and setting up SuperSU is a little more complicated than installing a custom recovery but this guide should walk you through the entire process with ease. You will need to have the Samsung USB drivers installed. Without this installed, Odin will not be able to communicate with the Galaxy S5. You will also need to download the proper CF-AutoRoot zip file for your device. When you click the Chainfire link above, do a CTRL+F and search for the model number for your Galaxy S5.

Also, some of these CF-AutoRoot zip files are only for one particular version of Android. If you see Android 5.0 listed, and you aren’t on 5.0 yet, then you’ll have to wait or update to that version. If you see CF-AutoRoot for the Galaxy S5 is only for 4.4.4 KitKat, and you are on Lollipop, you will need to downgrade before you can root your device. I will be writing up a tutorial for how to downgrade the Galaxy S5 tomorrow so hopefully that will help you if you need it.

Once you have every downloaded, installed or extracted, then you can launch Odin as an administrator. Once it is open, you’ll want to click on the PDA button the right side and then browse to the tar.md5 file that you extracted from the CF-AutoRoot zip file. Then you’ll need to go ahead and make sure the check boxes on the left side are setup properly. Make sure that ‘Re-Partition’ is NOT checked, while ‘Auto Reboot’ and ‘F. Reset Time’ are checked. When you have Odin setup, you can power down the Galaxy S5 and boot up into Download Mode. You’ll need to accept the warning by pressing the volume button if it tells you.

Once you have the Galaxy S5 in download mode, you can connect the device to your PC and Odin should recognize it. If Odin doesn’t recognize your Galaxy S5 then you don’t have the USB drivers installed properly and you will need to troubleshoot that step. If you’re having trouble with this, let me know in the comments section below and I will do my best to help. When you are ready, click on the Start button and let Odin root your Galaxy S5.

After the Galaxy S5 reboots back into Android, you should open the App Drawer and locate the SuperSU application. This is installed automatically when you root this way and it will allow you to authorize which applications get root access and which ones do not. When you launch SuperSU you’ll need to follow the prompts and let it install completely. The Galaxy S5 will need to be rebooted again once all of this is finished and then you will be done.