How To Root Samsung Galaxy S3 [Tutorial]

While a lot of users are still waiting to get their hands on Samsung's latest flagship smartphone Galaxy S3, the device has already been rooted. The Android developer who goes by the name of Chainfire has managed to root the smartphone even before its release.

The reason why the innards of the Samsung Galaxy S3 could easily be accessed was that the device was shipped without a locked bootloader. This was also the case with earlier devices like Galaxy S, Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note, making the task of getting them rooted as easier as it could be, Redmond Pie reported.

Chainfire claimed that he had managed to root Galaxy S3 remotely as he didn't have any. But how did he do that? As noted by Android Authority, he did it remotely via a leaker who provided the source firmware of the Samsung Galaxy S3.

According to Chainfire, rooting the Samsung Galaxy S3 was just a matter of repacking the stock kernel with a modified adbd binary. This then gave him access to all db root commands and enabled him to install SuperSU manually, the report added.

Below are the steps to root the Samsung Galaxy S3, courtesy of Redmond Pie and XDA Developers.

Users must note that using the method is their own decision. IBTimes will not be held responsible for any consequence.

Step 1: Download the insecure kernel (based on the XX NEE ALE8 firmware) from Chainfire.

Step 2: Download ODIN 1.85, which will be used to flash the insecure kernel.

Step 3: After downloading both, extract them using the archiving tool of your choice.

Step 4: After extracting the kernel, you'll be left with a .tar file.

Step 5: Place your device into Download Mode by pressing and holding the Volume Down + Power / Lock buttons simultaneously, and pressing Volume Up when prompted.

Step 6: Run ODIN, connect your device to your PC via USB, and within ODIN, click on PDA and select the .tar file that was extracted from the insecure kernel.

Step 7: Click Start and the flashing process will begin.

Step 8: Now you will need to upgrade, as it were, from insecure to full root. To do this, you'll need to boot your Galaxy S3 and enable USB Debugging by browsing to Settings > Applications > Development.

Step 9: Your insecure root allows adb root commands, but won't enable your apps to get superuser access. Therefore, you'll need to install SuperSU.

Step 10: Download the sgs3-root-install.zip file [XDA Developers link], containing SuperSU v0.89 and then extract it.

Step 11: With adb running, double-click the install.bat, and after a reboot, the Samsung Galaxy S3 will be fully rooted.

[Source: Redmond Pie, XDA Developers]