[Skunkape60]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

Download and install on your computer.

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.



Version 5.8.4.7 or the updated one below
Version 6.0.1.2

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.

Phone should be off prior to attempting to go into Download or Recovery Modes.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

8. Remove Battery and disconnect phone from computer.

Flashing Root in Recovery

1. Install battery
2. Place your phone into Recovery Mode. See above Recovery note.

The Recovery that you installed is a touch screen recovery. You will not need use the buttons to navigate through the recovery menus.

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.

You Are now fully rooted with custom recovery installed.

[Skunkape60]

Now that your phone is rooted you can reset your custom binary counts (if you would like) by following these simple directions.

Always check your current count state in download mode prior to using triangle away. If what Triangle Away and what is shown in download mode doesn't match, do not proceed.

You will be will be resetting your phone with an app called triangle away, which has just been updated to support all US versions of the GS3. Click on the link below to download triangle away.

Click here To download
Please thank

Installation instructions and how to use it are in QBKING77's Video Below.

[trunkmonkey1972]

You read my mind. I'm a procedure guy and need detail to feel comfortable since this is my phone, not just a PC or tablet laying around. Looking forward to sprouting roots!:thumbup:

S3 on Sprint - 16gb pebble blue + 64

[PookiePrancer]

I'm already rooted, but kept stock recovery. When I'm ready to install a custom one, I should be able to just go through this process, right? No need to unroot first?

[Skunkape60]

I'm already rooted, but kept stock recovery. When I'm ready to install a custom one, I should be able to just go through this process, right? No need to unroot first?

Since you are already rooted, you would have to delete these two files below.

/system/ect/install-recovery.sh & system/recovery-from-boot.p

Then you could just flash recovery.zip in Odin on your computer. And that would be it. Because if you were to delete those files, you wouldn't need to flash the Team Epic Root From recovery zip.

[Tkbredx]

what is this binary/flash count everyone is always speaking of?

[Skunkape60]

The binary Flash count is a counter that shows up in download mode. Every time you flash something (other than the stock image) in Desktop Odin, it adds to the counter. If it has anything more than zero "0", your phones warranty can be voided by Sprint and I think, will be voided by Samsung.

Look at the video....

[Tkbredx]

The binary Flash count is a counter that shows up in download mode. Every time you flash something (other than the stock image) in Desktop Odin, it adds to the counter. If it has anything more than zero "0", your phones warranty can be voided by Sprint and I think, will be voided by Samsung.

Look at the video....

Okay thanks

[kn1ghtus]

so I did Every Thing in the steps and everything LOOKS right-- (up to step 8) It says 1 succeed/0 fail I then go into recovery mode but the stock recovery is still there... I've tried it about 6 different times and can't figure out why clockwork won't install... :/ it SAYS it is... any ideas???

[Skunkape60]

so I did Every Thing in the steps and everything LOOKS right-- (up to step 8) It says 1 succeed/0 fail I then go into recovery mode but the stock recovery is still there... I've tried it about 6 different times and can't figure out why clockwork won't install... :/ it SAYS it is... any ideas???

Do you have auto restart UNCHECKED?
Are you pulling out the battery immediately after odin says passed?

[epic777]

Simple question; does rooting avoids the warranty?

[Skunkape60]

Simple question; does rooting avoids the warranty?

Not with Sprint...

[erok2424]

hi guys, I am not sure im doing wrong... i have verizon samsung s3 if that makes a difference.. i followed the steps properly and i am getting this message "<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1" with the big red fail above the com box... please advise ?

thanks

[Skunkape60]

hi guys, I am not sure im doing wrong... i have verizon samsung s3 if that makes a difference.. i followed the steps properly and i am getting this message " All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1" with the big red fail above the com box... please advise ?

thanks

This is a Sprint forum. Please DO NOT TRY TO FLASH ANYTHING IN THIS FORUM ON ANYTHING BUT A SPRINT GS3!

I really hope you didn't ruin your phone. Will your phone still boot and start? If so, I am very happy and you are very lucky.

[sanangelo]

I keep getting "signature verification failed". I tried an older method first, got the same error. It looks just to be like I'm accessing the stock android system recovery... I followed these directions, and its not touch screen, just using the menu keys to navigate. Any help? My friend says to disable signature verification, but there are no options to do so. I am not root yet, previously I was only able to install clockworkmod from the GalaxyS3RootSprint zip file. I tried these steps and am able to write to the phone with Odin, but its just the default android update recovery and wont install anything. Any help would be appreciated. I'm new

[Skunkape60]

Are you letting your phone restart after flashing with odin? If you are going to stock recovery. that's what you are doing. You are not timing it correctly. When booting into recovery, if you miss it by a second either way you lose custom recovery and enter stock. Check your pm's

[joshuapingley]

Anyone have a guide on how to root a Sprint Galaxy S3 using a Mac?

[Skunkape60]

I wish I did but I don't. I will look for something though....

[Skunkape60]

Anyone have a guide on how to root a Sprint Galaxy S3 using a Mac?

I haven't found a guide but there is a tool for the mac that replaces odin. So I am guessing that the same files will work but to program to install them has to run on a mac. Here is the mac version of odin, it is called Heimdall.

[itnet7]

Thanks so much, I was having a bunch of wierd issues trying to follow other guides, This one worked incredibly. I really like the polished CWM Version 6.0.1.2.

[Skunkape60]

Thanks so much, I was having a bunch of wierd issues trying to follow other guides, This one worked incredibly. I really like the polished CWM Version 6.0.1.2.

No problem. I enjoy helping out when I can and this subject happens to be an area of strength for me.

[garcia_jx]

Is this the only way to root?

[Skunkape60]

Is this the only way to root?

No, but in my opinion it's the easiest way and I've tried every method.

You're really only flashing 2 small files to your phone.

[EazilyAmuzed]

I'm looking to root my phone now that li3 is out and would like to know if i would use this procedure to root it with the stock rom??

[Dankest]

I completed all steps without any errors. Is there a way to verify the root was successful?