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) last month.
For all the Galaxy S4 Google Edition device’s users who updated their device to latest official Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and now they are looking for a root method, during our step by step guide will teach them how to root Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition model number I9505G on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
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 for the moment;
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 meaning, so applying them on your device is only your risk, we Android Source Team we cannot be responsible or held liable for any data lost or in case you’ll brick your device during or after the root process.
Pre-requisites and guidelines required:
From: Menu> Settings>Applications> Development enable the USB Debugging Modeoption.
Create a full backup for your personal data and settings stored into device’s internal memory, as the step by step guide,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 then create a full Nandroid backup for your devices 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 (no locked to any particular mobile carrier).
Once the root rights are gaining the warranty of the device will be lost, the warranty can be restored only if the users will downgrade from stock or if the device will be un-rooted or flashed with an official Android Jelly Bean firmware.
This step by step root guide and the CF-Auto-Root file works only with Samsung Galaxy S4 model number GT-I9505G. So, knowing that do not apply this on any other incorrect device or model of S4 variant you can brick or damage it.
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 the
CF-Auto-Root file from here.
Now, extract the downloaded root zip file to get a .tar.md5 file.
Extract the downloaded ODIN file to get Odin3 v3.07.exe with a few other files.
Power off totally the Samsung Galaxy S4 device. Wait around 5 seconds for receive a vibration that confirms the device is complete 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 in the same time 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 the Odin3 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 the ODIN flash tool detects the Galaxy S4 device and an “Added” message together with the ID:COM with COM port colored in blue will be displayed.
Note: if in ODIN tool’s interface the ADDED message doesn’t appear then you need to try to connect the USB cable in other USB port from PC and reinstall once again the USB drivers to PC.
In ODIN flashing tool click the PDA button and select the CF-Auto-Root-jgedlte-jgedlteue-gti9505g.tar.md5 file.
Important: Make sure that in ODIN,the Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time checkboxes are selected and the Re-Partition option is unchecked.
Click the START 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.
That’s all the Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition should be now rooted.
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.