Early this week, Samsung released the official Android 5.0 Lollipop OS to its flagship smartphone, Galaxy S5, in select regions as a part of routine software update to their flagship devices.
However, tech-savvy users who are interested in rooting can unlock their Samsung Galaxy S5 LTE (SM-G900F) model using root application tools available in the Internet.
Rooting enables users to install custom ROMs, third party applications of their choice and also perform tweaks in the settings to enhance the device's performance and add more customisation options. For easy rooting experience, we will be using the Chain Fire's CF-Auto-Root application tool in this tutorial.
We like to remind our readers that installing custom ROM devices is like a using double-edged sword. Though firmware give users more control over the smartphone, the company warranty will stand void and will no longer be liable for future updates.
[Note: Warranty can be restored by flashing the device with stock-ROM]
So we advise users to first go through the whole tutorial thoroughly and then go ahead with rooting procedure.
Prerequisites (things to remember before installing Custom ROM)
- Rooting of devices sometimes (if procedure is not followed properly) leads to complete data wipe out, so make sure to back all the data. [Install Clockwork Mod (CWM) Recovery/ TWRP in the smartphone to save the data].
- This Rooting procedure has to be carried Samsung Galaxy S5 (SM-G900F) LTE model running official Android 5.0 Lollipop (build number: XXU1BNL2) firmware only; if tried on other devices, it might get bricked [To check your device model: Go to Settings >> About phone >> model number]
- Users make sure they have installed USB drivers on the PC, or else your phone (Samsung Galaxy S5) smartphone will not be recognised by the computer.
- Make sure your device has more than 80% battery, or else there is chance of smartphone getting temporarily bricked if the installation process is interrupted midway.
[Disclaimer: This procedure is very technical and should be performed by a person with sound knowledge of rooting (or manual software installation) Android devices. If the step-by-step installation process is not followed properly, there are chances of the smartphone getting bricked or being permanently irreparable. International Business Times, India Edition cannot be held responsible for any damage or claims from readers if the procedure does not yield the required results or if the smartphone is bricked. Hence, users are advised to proceed with caution.]
Tutorial: Step-by-step installation procedure guide on Samsung Galaxy S5 (SM-G900F) LTE via CF-Auto-Root tool -
Step 1: Download CF-Auto-Root application (HERE) in to your PC, and pull the .zip file to be later installed in to the Samsung Galaxy S5 (SM- G900F) LTE.
Step 2: Download ODIN v3.09 (HERE) [Note: This piece of software will help you through the rooting process].
Step 3: Now, turn-off of the phone, then enter download mode, by press holding volume (down) + home button+ power button, once you see animated Android bot, press power key to enter to download mode.
[Note: Before plugging the phone to the computer, be sure you have installed USB driver software, if not, click HERE to download firmware.]
Step 4: Now, open ODIN on your PC, and then connect the smartphone (under download mode) to the PC.
[Note: If the connection between smartphone and the PC is successfully established, then one of the ID: COM turns to yellow color with the COM port number.]
Step 5: Then, choose the file to be installed, in this case, select PDA/AP and click the file – 'CF-Auto-Root-klte-kltexx-smg900f.tar.md5'.
Step 6: In Odin, don't forget to check options- Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time.
Step 7: Now, initiate the rooting process by tapping – 'Start' - button in ODIN.
Step 8: Once the installation is completed, the phone will re-boot automatically in recovery mode to place the root package in the smartphone [hint: ID: COM turns to green if everything done in the procedure is going in the right direction].
Step 9: Once you see the home screen on the Galaxy S5, disband the connection between the phone and the PC.
Now, your device (Samsung Galaxy S5) will take a minimum of five minutes to complete the booting process. To confirm whether your device is rooted or not, install Rootchecker app [HERE].
Note: despite following this step-by-step procedure, sometimes the device may not get rooted. So users are advised to repeat the procedure again, but this time, make sure that in 'ODIN', the "Auto Reboot" option is not checked. Then after installation (Step 8), follow the instruction below:
- Take the battery out to turn-off the phone.
- Now re-boot (turn ON your phone) by press holding Volume (Up) + Home + Power buttons to enter into the Recovery Mode manually. This will start the process of rooting your phone.
[Credits: Team Android]
