How To Root Samsung Galaxy Alpha SM-G850F/K/L/M/S/FQ

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Galaxy Alpha was Samsung’s perfect answer to the Apple iPhone 6. Samsung packed up very nice specification under a premium body and a great design. Galaxy Alpha helped Samsung to gain some respect as it was greatly criticize over coming up with the same design and cheap build quality again and again. Galaxy Alpha happens to be Samsung’s very first metallic device. On the front, there’s a 4.7 inch Super AMOLED screen with 720 x 1280 pixels resolution and 326 ppi. RAM of 2 GB can be found on board, internal storage begins at 32 GB. Samsung has powered up this device with its very own Exynos 5 Octa 5430 CPU. A 13 MP camera shooter is fixed at the back whereas a 2 MP is fixed on the front. Samsung has used an 1860 mAh battery to add life to this device. Out of the box, Galaxy Alpha runs on Android 4.4.4 KitKat. At the time of writing this post, the Galaxy Alpha is already out in almost all regions, the device comes as modeled under different variants.

Galaxy Alpha is a great choice to go with. If you’re planning to spend your valued bucks on this device, you might be willing to check out the capabilities of your device by unleashing its true potential. That’s only possible by having root access and then tweaking it to get the maximum performance outputs. A number of variants of Galaxy Alpha has already been rooted by XDA recognized developer Chainfire, who happens to be a root master for various Android devices. Chainfire has rooted this device using his famous CF-Auto-Root exploit. While you’re wondering how you can use the CF-Auto-Root to root your Galaxy Alpha, we’ve the comprehensive method already up here in the on-going post.

As you move forward, you will come across a method that will help you to root your Samsung Galaxy Alpha SM-G850F, SM-G850K, SM-G850L, SM-G850M, SM-G850S & SM-G850FQ. But wait, are you a newbie? Well, if so, you may want to learn what is root access and why you should root your Galaxy Alpha. Let’s have a look on the answer and then head towards the guide then.galaxy-alpha-official-6

Rooting your phone gives you complete access over all the data which is apparently locked by the manufacturers. This includes removal of the factory restrictions and making changes to the internal system and the operating system. Gaining the root access gives you the privileges to install various applications to enhance the performance of your device, allows you to remove the built-in applications/programs, helps you to upgrade the battery life of your device & install the apps which require the root access for the proper functionality and modify your device in so many other ways e.g using mods and flashing custom recoveries and custom ROMs. Here’s our collection of 10 Best Root Apps.

Early Preps:

1. This guide is only for Samsung Alpha – Variants mentioned above.

Make sure that your device is exactly as mentioned above. To check out what device you have, go to Settings > More/General > About Device or Settings > About Device and match the model number. Be careful about the device model number, flashing a file on a device not listed here might result in bricking it up.

2. Battery should be charged at least 60%!

Your device’s battery shouldn’t be weak. In case your device goes dead during the flashing process, your device may get soft bricked and you might be in need of flashing stock firmware and that will ultimately result in wiping up your data as well. So, make sure that you charge your device before you start the flashing process.

3. Use the OEM datacable to establish connection!

Always use the original data cable to establish connection between your Android device and your computer / laptop. Using ordinary data cables might interrupt the flashing process, so to avoid any mishap, you need to meet this requirement as well.

4. Backup everything!

Just to be on the safe side, you may consider backing up each and everything from your Android device. This is highly recommended so that in case anything goes wrong, you still have the access to all of your data and you can restore it immediately. You may backup everything as listed below.

5. Turn off Samsung Kies and other softwares while using Odin3!

Make sure that you turn off Samsung Kies while using Odin3 flashtool. Samsung Kies will interrupt Odin3 and will result in causing errors and may not let you flash your desired recovery or root file. Also, make sure that you turn off any antivirus software you’ve installed and also disable firewall to avoid any connection and flashing issues.

6. Disclaimer

The methods involved in flashing custom recoveries, roms and rooting your phone are highly custom and may result in bricking your device, and has nothing to do with Google or the device manufacturer that is SAMSUNG in our case. Also rooting your device will void its warranty and you will be no longer eligible for any kind of free device services by the manufacturers/warranty providers. If your device comes with a Knox counter on the bootloader, it will be tripped and you won’t be able to reset it again. In case of any mishap we may not be held responsible. Follow these instructions to the letter to avoid any mishap or bricking. Make sure that whatever you do, you are doing it at your own responsibility.

How To Root Samsung Galaxy Alpha

Downloads Required:

Download and extract Odin3 v3.09.
Download and Install Samsung USB drivers
Download and extract CF-Auto-Root file.

 

How to root now:

  1. Extract the downloaded CF-Auto-Root  file once only to get the .tar.md5 file.
  2. Open Odin3.exe.
  3. Put your Galaxy Alpha in download mode. To do so, turn it off and wait for 10 seconds. Turn it on by pressing and
    holding Volume Down + Home Button + Power Key simultaneously, You should see a warning, press Volume Up to continue. In case this method doesn’t work for you, try one from this guide.
  4. Connect your device to your PC.
  5. As soon as Odin detects your phone, the ID:COM box should turn blue.  Make sure that you’ve installed Samsung USB drivers before connecting.
  6. For Odin 3.09 hit the AP tab. Select the CF-Auto-Root.tar.md5, that you downloaded and extracted above.
  7. If you’re using Odin 3.07, you will select “PDA” tab instead of the AP tab, rest of the options remain untouched.
  8. Make sure that the options selected in your Odin are exactly as shown in the pic.Odin-3.09-explained.-2
  9. Hit start and wait till the rooting process is complete, as soon as your device restarts, remove it from PC.
  10. Find SuperSu in app drawer now.
  11. That’s all with the rooting, let’s verify the root access now.

How To Verify Root Access:

  1. To do so, go to Google Play Store on your Galaxy Alpha.
  2. FindRoot Checker and install it.
  3. Open Root Checker.
  4. Tap “Verify Root”.
  5. It will ask you for SuperSu rights, tap “Grant”.
  6. It should show you Root Access Verified Now!
  7. That’s All!

If you’re stuck with anything regarding this guide, feel free to utilize the comment box below and reach us. We will get back to you immediately. Thank you all.

Credits: Chainfire XDA

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Usama is a software engineer by profession and at TechBeasts.com he uses his expertise to solve everyday consumer tech problems with his main areas of interest being Android, iOS and Windows.

8 COMMENTS

  1. Hello Usama,

    I haven’t started to root my phone yet because of the end of step 4 of the “Early Preps”.

    You say that we all shoud Backup EFS on our phone but the link you gave us is not really helpful because in order to backup EFS, we have to have our phone already rooted which is what we are trying to do here.

    Then i tryed the Root it from HERE link, and i have started the “EFS Professional” software with administrator priviledge but my device is not connected (as seen in attachment).

    So please, tell me how to backup EFS with my unrooted phone in order to root my phone securely.

    Cheers

    • @cortoromagny:disqus I forgot to mention that you can backup EFS once you’re rooted, You can just go ahead and follow the guide to root your phone. I’ll update this guide with the EFS instructions as well. Generally, only flashing CF Auto Root won’t harm your device. Good Luck.

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