Interested in Rooting my SGS4

[JordanSK]

Hi all,
I'd really like some help with the rooting process on my Verizon Galaxy S4 (SCH-I545). My reason for rooting is the lack of customization with Samsung Touchwiz along with the bloatware that Verizon insists on plaguing us with. I'd like to flash ROMs on my device and eventually find a system that I'm comfortable with. I've never rooted a phone before (this is my first Android device) and I want to make sure that I know everything I need to know before I attempt this. My device:
Device: Samsung Galaxy S4
Carrier: Verizon (SCH-I545)
Android Version: 4.2.2
Baseband Version VRUDMI1
Kernel Version: 3.4.0-1392595
I've already spent a lot of time looking for a learning process to rooting, but haven't found anything that really lays it out. If someone could outline what I need to learn before I root my phone along with links (please) I would be extremely grateful. Please let me know of anything else you feel is worth knowing for the Pre/Post rooting process.
Best,
Jordan

 

[john6969]

I am also looking to root my phone and haven't seen a process for the new OTA. I am also kinda of holding out because when KitKat comes out.

I would like to root and put another rom to....Let me know fi you find a youtube video..

 

[john6969]

here is a video on it How to - Verizon Galaxy S4 I545VRUDMI1 Root from latest OTA - YouTube

let us know how you make out
Are you planing to install a custom ROM?

 

[JordanSK]

Thanks John. I'll probably give that video a go and get back to y'all. I do plan on flashing custom ROMs as the Touchwiz skin is awful.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[john6969]

I was able to successfully do this last night.

 

[JordanSK]

Good to know. I will do it sometime tomorrow and post my results.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

If you're on Verizon with VRUDMI1, you'll be able to root, but at this time there's no way to unlock the bootloader or install a custom recovery, so ROMs are kinda* out of the question at the moment.

If TW and bloat plagues you however, you can still remove unwanted apps as long as you have root. (One easy way to install Titanium Backup and "freeze" any apps you don't want running). Then just install a different launcher, such as the ever popular Nova to rid yourself of the touchwiz aesthetics.



*Note: There is the safestrap project being worked on to allow ROM installations on the locked down Verizon S4. I'm not even sure if this is compatible with VRUDMI1 (It was developed for the previous version, ME7) , and even if it is, I don't recommend this for anyone that considers themselves a "noob", but none the less it does exist.
[RECOVERY LOCKED/ME7] Safestrap Recovery v3.62 [2013-10-11] - xda-developers

 

[JordanSK]

Well that's unfortunate. Is there any way to go back to the ME7 build?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

Well that's unfortunate. Is there any way to go back to the ME7 build?

Posted via Android Central App

Well, optimally what you would really want to do is go back to the MDK build that the S4 originally shipped with back in the spring...but no, as far as I know there is no way revert back to the older software versions.