[GUIDE] UPDATED10/23/2013: How to Root Your Sprint Galaxy S3
[WARN]“This is for Sprint Galaxy s3 phones with Android software prior to version 4.3 only. This procedure will not work correctly with phones which have been updated to Android 4.3 or later.
Android Central and Skunkape60 are not responsible for your phone. This is for the SPRINT GS3 ONLY!! By Using this guide you are assuming all the risks.[/WARN]
[INFO][NOTE]Root kit updated with drivers for windows 8 and added a pdf formatted copy of the instructions found here.[/NOTE]I decided to make all the files for rooting, pictures and instructions.txt in a single zip file. So (if you prefer) you can download the single zip file, put it on your desktop, double click on "Sprint GS3 Root Kit.zip" and drag the "Sprint GS3 Root Kit" folder onto your desktop. Everything needed for root and recovery is in that folder. You can use the instructions in the kit or you can come back to this page. This page is easier to read than a non formatted txt file.
Galaxy S3 Root Kit for Sprint Phones
[/INFO]
[INFO]So why replace the current "How to Root The Galaxy S3" Threads? Because Samsung Changed the playing field. With the LG2 Update, Samsung added 2 files that made rooting just different enough to make us change the way we did things.
/system/ect/install-recovery.sh & /system/recovery-from-boot.p
What these 2 files did, caused the phone to look for stock recovery every time the phone was booted. If stock recovery was not found it was re-installed.
The TeamEpic-Root-from-Recovery -v5. file was created by TeamEpic to not only install superuser and busybox, it also removes those 2 files that Samsung gave us with the LG2 update. But because of the way those files wipe the custom recovery, The Root From Recovery file must be installed before the 1st boot up. This is why we now have to turn off auto reboot in Odin and pull the battery from the phone.
[/INFO]
Rooting the Sprint Galaxy S3 couldn't be easier. With just a half hour and a few steps, you could be rooted and on your way. All files required are included in this guide.
[NOTE]Your Samsung Drivers MUST be installed correctly on your computer prior to continuing.
Wait until the software installs completely before plugging your device into the computer. When you have completed driver installation, plug in your device. The computer should now tell you it is installing drivers, click on the details and wait until there is a green check by all the drivers. Unplugging your device before it's complete will cause you problems...
[NOTE]
Attention Windows 8 Users: The drivers below are updated to work on Windows 8. If you have upgraded to Windows 8, installed these drivers and they still won't work, you will have to install the drivers in compatibility mode. [/NOTE]
GS3 Drivers Download and install on your computer.[/NOTE]
[NOTE]Phone should be off prior to attempting to go into Download or Recovery Modes.[/NOTE]
[NOTE]
Download mode is achieved by pressing and holding "volume down, power button and the (physical) home button simultaneously. You will continue to hold all 3 buttons until you see a warning. Then press the volume up button and you will be in download mode.
[/NOTE]
[TIP] Recovery mode is a bit trickier. If you're a second too early or too late, your phone will skip going into recovery and boot normally. If this happens you will have to repeat the Odin process in it's entirety. So unless you are familiar with this, I would give it a few practice runs before starting Odin [/TIP]
[NOTE]Recovery mode is achieved pressing and holding "volume UP, power button and the (physical) home button simultaneously. Watching the screen closely, release all 3 buttons as soon as you see the word Samsung. If timed correctly it will boot into recovery in about 10-20 seconds (after releasing). Remember if you are too early or late the phone will boot normally and skip recovery.
[/NOTE]
[WARN] DO NOT LET THE PHONE BOOT AFTER FLASHING RECOVERY IN ODIN... IF YOUR PHONE BOOTS BEFORE FLASHING TEAM EPIC ROOT FROM RECOVERY IN CWM, CUSTOM RECOVERY WILL NOT STICK AND YOU WILL HAVE TO START OVER. [/WARN]
You Are now fully rooted with custom recovery installed.
[WARN]“This is for Sprint Galaxy s3 phones with Android software prior to version 4.3 only. This procedure will not work correctly with phones which have been updated to Android 4.3 or later.
Android Central and Skunkape60 are not responsible for your phone. This is for the SPRINT GS3 ONLY!! By Using this guide you are assuming all the risks.[/WARN]
[INFO][NOTE]Root kit updated with drivers for windows 8 and added a pdf formatted copy of the instructions found here.[/NOTE]I decided to make all the files for rooting, pictures and instructions.txt in a single zip file. So (if you prefer) you can download the single zip file, put it on your desktop, double click on "Sprint GS3 Root Kit.zip" and drag the "Sprint GS3 Root Kit" folder onto your desktop. Everything needed for root and recovery is in that folder. You can use the instructions in the kit or you can come back to this page. This page is easier to read than a non formatted txt file.
Galaxy S3 Root Kit for Sprint Phones
[/INFO]
[INFO]So why replace the current "How to Root The Galaxy S3" Threads? Because Samsung Changed the playing field. With the LG2 Update, Samsung added 2 files that made rooting just different enough to make us change the way we did things.
/system/ect/install-recovery.sh & /system/recovery-from-boot.p
What these 2 files did, caused the phone to look for stock recovery every time the phone was booted. If stock recovery was not found it was re-installed.
The TeamEpic-Root-from-Recovery -v5. file was created by TeamEpic to not only install superuser and busybox, it also removes those 2 files that Samsung gave us with the LG2 update. But because of the way those files wipe the custom recovery, The Root From Recovery file must be installed before the 1st boot up. This is why we now have to turn off auto reboot in Odin and pull the battery from the phone.
[/INFO]
Rooting the Sprint Galaxy S3 couldn't be easier. With just a half hour and a few steps, you could be rooted and on your way. All files required are included in this guide.
[NOTE]Your Samsung Drivers MUST be installed correctly on your computer prior to continuing.
Wait until the software installs completely before plugging your device into the computer. When you have completed driver installation, plug in your device. The computer should now tell you it is installing drivers, click on the details and wait until there is a green check by all the drivers. Unplugging your device before it's complete will cause you problems...
[NOTE]
Attention Windows 8 Users: The drivers below are updated to work on Windows 8. If you have upgraded to Windows 8, installed these drivers and they still won't work, you will have to install the drivers in compatibility mode. [/NOTE]
GS3 Drivers Download and install on your computer.[/NOTE]
Preparing your computer
You will need to download the following files to your desktop or notebook computer. Just click on the file names and that should download the file required. I would suggest you make a folder on your desktop and name it something like Root GS3. I have updated this and added the newest CWM touch version. You can use either one as they are both installed the same way.
Odin3.07.zip
ClockWorkMod Recovery.tar Version 6.0.1.2
TWRP Recovery.tar Version 2.3.1.0
After downloading the above files to your computer:
1. double click on the "Odin 3.07 zip". Copy the "Odin307" folder (That is inside the zip file) into your "Root GS3" folder.
2. Move "recovery.tar" into the Root GS3 Folder
Preparing your Phone
Download the following file and place it on the root of either the internal or external SdCard. I prefer the external as that is where cwm defaults to.
Team Epic Root From Recovery
[NOTE]Phone should be off prior to attempting to go into Download or Recovery Modes.[/NOTE]
[NOTE]
Download mode is achieved by pressing and holding "volume down, power button and the (physical) home button simultaneously. You will continue to hold all 3 buttons until you see a warning. Then press the volume up button and you will be in download mode.
[/NOTE]
[TIP] Recovery mode is a bit trickier. If you're a second too early or too late, your phone will skip going into recovery and boot normally. If this happens you will have to repeat the Odin process in it's entirety. So unless you are familiar with this, I would give it a few practice runs before starting Odin [/TIP]
[NOTE]Recovery mode is achieved pressing and holding "volume UP, power button and the (physical) home button simultaneously. Watching the screen closely, release all 3 buttons as soon as you see the word Samsung. If timed correctly it will boot into recovery in about 10-20 seconds (after releasing). Remember if you are too early or late the phone will boot normally and skip recovery.
[/NOTE]
[WARN] DO NOT LET THE PHONE BOOT AFTER FLASHING RECOVERY IN ODIN... IF YOUR PHONE BOOTS BEFORE FLASHING TEAM EPIC ROOT FROM RECOVERY IN CWM, CUSTOM RECOVERY WILL NOT STICK AND YOU WILL HAVE TO START OVER. [/WARN]
Using Odin
1. Open the "Odin307" folder and right click on "Odin3 v3.07.exe" and choose run as administrator. Odin will open.
2. Remove battery cover from phone for future access
3. Place your phone into download mode. See above Download note.
4. Plug your usb cord to your phone and computer and wait until you see any number and com in the com block
5. Click on the PDA button and browse to "recovery.tar.md5" in your Root GS3 Folder.
6. Verify that both Auto Reboot and F. Rest Time are UNCHECKED.
When all this is done Odin should look like this:
7. If everything is like the picture above click on the start button. It should move very quickly as recovery is a small file. It is normally completed within 10-20 seconds (depending on the speed of your computer and usb port).
This is what Odin should look like when complete.
[NOTE]Sometimes Odin will not show "PASS!" in the top left corner. So observe the message window as well. If it shows "All Threads completed (Succeed 1 / Failed 0) you should be fine.[/NOTE]
8. Remove Battery and disconnect phone from computer.
Flashing Root in CWM Recovery
1. Install battery
2. Place your phone into Recovery Mode. See above Recovery note.
[INFO]The Recovery that you installed is a touch screen recovery. You will not need use the buttons to navigate through the recovery menus.[/INFO]
3. Once in recovery tap on "install zip from sdcard".
4. Now you will tap either "choose zip from sdcard" or "choose zip from internal sdcard"
5. Scroll by swyping up and down on screen. Tap on "TeamEpic-Root-from-Recovery-v5.zip.
6. Tap on "- Yes - Install TeamEpic-Root-from-Recovery -v5.
Once complete, tap the "go back" button once and then the "reboot system now" button.
Flashing Root in TWRP Recovery
1. Install battery
2. Place your phone into Recovery Mode. See above Recovery note.
[INFO]The Recovery that you installed is a touch screen recovery. You will not need use the buttons to navigate through the recovery menus.[/INFO]
3. Once in recovery tap on "install".
4. Choose either "Use external SD" or "Use internal storage" button.
5. browse to "TeamEpic-Root-from-Recovery-v5.zip and tap it.
6. Swipe the "Confirm to flash" button to the right.
Once complete, tap the "reboot system" button.
You Are now fully rooted with custom recovery installed.
Last edited by a moderator:
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