Google Play Edition of the new Samsung Galaxy S4 device with Android 4.2 pre-installed has received the latest official Android 4.3 by OTA (Over-The-Air). This has cheered-up the mood of millions of users of this device.
For all the Galaxy S4 Google Edition device’ users who updated their device to the latest official Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and now they are looking for a root method, our step-by-step guide will teach them how to root the device with the latest Android.
The guide will use the CF-Auto-Root tool developed and released by an XDA senior member named Chainfire. The CF-Auto-root is known as one of the safest root tool as of now. You can learn more about the CF-Auto-root release by the development thread.
The main features of the new CF-Auto-Root tool are that it supports the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, as well.
Disclaimer: All the instructions and files listed here, in this article are provided only for educational and instructional purpose, so apply them on your device only at your risk. We Android Source Team can’t be held responsible or liable for any data lose or any damage that may occur to your device during the rooting process.
Pre-requisites and Guidelines:
Download and install the suitable USB drivers for Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition on your PC.
From: Menu> Settings>Applications> Development enable the USB Debugging Mode option.
Create a full back-up of your personal data and settings stored into device’ internal memory, as the tutorial might wipe out all data from the internal storage.
If the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Edition device has installed any custom recovery tool such as CWM or TWRP, create a full Nandroid back-up for your device’ current ROM.
The Android device should have more than 80 % power left in its battery.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play edition device should be a factory unlocked device.
Once the rooting starts, the warranty of the device will be lost. The warranty can be restored only if the users downgrade from stock. The warranty can also be restored if the device will be un-rooted or flashed with an official Android Jelly Bean firmware.
This guide and the CF-Auto-Root file works only with Samsung Galaxy S4 model number GT-I9505G. Knowing that don’t apply this on any other incorrect device.
To make sure about the version of Galaxy S4 Play Edition Model, verify the model number by following this path: Settings>About phone>Model number.
Root the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition I9505G on Android 4.3
- Download theCF-Auto-Root file from here.
- Now, extract the downloaded root zip file to get a .tar.md5
- Next, downloadODIN3 V3.07 and save it in your PC.
- Extract the downloaded ODIN file to getOdin3 v3.07.exe with a few other files.
- Power off completely the Samsung Galaxy S4 device. Wait around 5 seconds for receiving a vibration that confirms the device is completely turned off.
- Boot the device into Download Mode. To enter into Download Mode for Galaxy S4 device press and keep holding the Volume Down, Home and Power buttons simultaneously until an icon with an Android robot and a warning triangle is displayed. After that, press the Volume Up buttons to enter into Download Mode menu.
- Launch theOdin3 v3.07.exe as Administrator.
- Now, connect the Android device to PC by using the USB cord while the S4 device is in Download Mode.
- Wait until theODIN flash tool detects the Galaxy S4 device and an “Added” message together with the ID:COM with COM port colored in blue is displayed.
Note: if in ODIN tool’s interface the ADDED message doesn’t appear, you need to try to connect the USB cable in other USB port from PC and reinstall once again the USB drivers to PC.
- InODIN flashing tool, click the PDA button and select the CF-Auto-Root-jgedlte-jgedlteue-gti9505g.tar.md5
Important: Make sure that in ODIN, the Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time checkboxes are selected and the Re-Partition option is unchecked.
- Click theSTART button in ODIN app.
- Now, the root process should start, and you must wait few minutes to complete.
- When the root process is done, the Galaxy S4 smartphone will reboot automatically and in ODIN app’s interface, a PASS message with green background will be displayed.
- Disconnect the smartphone from PC by removing the USB cable.
- The root status can be verified by installing the Root Checker app from here.
- Note: To run ODIN3 V3.07.exe as Administrator, right-click on ODIN.exe and click Run as Administrator from the displayed context menu.