How to Root Galaxy S4 (GT-i9500) on Android 4.4.2 KitKat

We recently posted on how to update Galaxy S4 gt-i950o to Android 4.4.2 using the official firmware update. Now when you have updated your phone, now its time to get root access. In this section, we’ll guide you using the step by step instructions on how to easily, safely gain root access on Galaxy S4 running on Android 4.4.2 using CF-package rooted kernel. This method is 100% safe and is also the easiest way to root galaxy s4.

root-samsung-galaxy-s4-gt-i9500

Guidelines and Requirements:

  • Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-i9500 running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat
  • CF-Root package (Download Link)
  • Odin3 v3.07 (Download Here)
  • You’ll have to install USB Drivers, if Samsung Kies is installed that is ok otherwise download USB drivers Here.
  • Enable USB Debugging from phone Settings>Developers Options.
  • At least charge your phone to 50%.
  • Root at your own risk

Root Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-i9500 Running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Step 1: First download the required files (links are given above) and unzip the files to a new folder on your desktop.

Step 3: Next, Turn Off your phone and reboot it into ‘Download Mode’ by Pressing and Holding the Volume Down + Home + Power buttons at the same time for a few seconds and release it when you see a warning message on your screen. You’ll be asked to hit the Volume Up to continue.

Step 4: Once successfully booted into Download Mode, Double click on the Odin3-v3.07 and connect your Galaxy S4 to PC via the USB cable.

Step 5: At this point just make sure that Odin3 has recognized your device and the ID:COM port will either turn blue. You will also notice Added!! in the message section of Odin, which verifies that your device is recognized and has made connection with Odin3.

Step 6: Finally, Hit the ‘PDA’ button and browse the rooted kernaltar.md5, file and click on the ‘Start’ button to initiate rooting process for Galaxy S4.

Step 7: The process will take about 40 to 50 seconds and once it is completely flushed, Odin will prompt you via the PASS!! message and your phone will automatically reboots.

Congratulations! Your Samsung Galaxy S4 has successfully been rooted on Android 4.4.2 KitKat. To make sure your phone is rooted, Open Google Play Store App on your device and look for ‘Root Checker’, install it and run to verify root access. You can now install Apps which requires root access, flash custom recovery to install Custom ROMs and much more you can do using Root. Go on and explore the world of android.

That’s it folks, it was all you needed to know and learn in order to safely gain root access on your phone. Do let us know how the rooting process went for you, share your feedback and if in case you need further support feel free to post. For more updates and tutorials keep visiting android central.

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41 Comments

  1. What is the exact warning message I’m supposed to see? All I ever see is a “recovery mode” in wee little font in the upper corner, but I never get asked to hit volume up. If I continue to hold the keys past that, it just sort of stalls until I release them. (smsung s4, sprint, on kitkat)

  2. Worked great on my s4 octa core.! I needed to root it to change SD card writing privileges to non-system apps…
    Now that the change is made, how can I un-root it?
    thanks!

  3. Imran, I followed the steps in the tutorial, however I never got the PASS!! message, so the phone does not automatically reboot as you mention. This is what I get in the message window in Odin 3.07:
    Added!!
    Enter CS for MD5..
    Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
    Please wait..
    CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500.tar.md5 is valid.
    Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
    Leave CS..
    Can you please tell me how to continue? Thanks.

  4. Imran, I followed your instructions above and have the following error on my phone.
    SECURE MAGICCODE CHECK FAIL : recovery

    Here is the log from Odin.
    Odin v.3 engine (ID:6)..
    File analysis..
    SetupConnection..
    Initialzation..
    Get PIT for mapping..
    Firmware update start..
    SingleDownload.
    recovery.img
    NAND Write Start!!
    FAIL! (Auth)

    Complete(Write) operation failed.
    All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

    I have used Odin 3.07 and 3.09 with the same result. What does this mean? Thanks!

  5. where would I find “kernaltar.md5” file? You didn’t explain where it would be. Is it in the zip file “CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500”? I didn’t find one. The only md5 file I found was “CF-Auto-Root-ja3g-ja3gxx-gti9500.tar.” Is that what you mean?

  6. I have rooted my s4 using this method and i need do factory reset now. what should i do ? can i just factory reset it on recovery mode ?

    • You’ve 2 ways to do it, Either use the option Backup and Restore which is available within the Settings or Use boot into stock recovery by pressing and holding the Volume Up+Home+Power button.

  7. HI
    I used to Use Apple before and i am really good in Jail-breaking there.
    Recently i moved to android ,using Samsung galaxy s4.
    I wanted to try Root .
    So i have followed the above procedure.(I don’t remember the site but its similar steps)
    It got stuck while processing .I waited almost for 1 hr.
    I disconnected my mobile and i restarted with recovery using odin(I did a lot of research to get this file.My phone didnt get started till i use that file).
    Knox warranty void is changed to 1 now .so i thought may be root was done and to verify i downloaded root checker ,but it says not rooted.

    So i tried the above procedure again but still it was stuck in processing.
    Once i got message saying failed.

    I got samsung update 2 before but i clicked on update it saus os is modified .Now i am not able to samung update or use custom ROMS.

    Current download mode Status is:
    ODIN MODE
    Current Binary :Samsng Official
    System Status :Official
    AP swrev :A3

    I am not sure how to root now.Please help on this

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