How to Root & Install CWM on Samsung Galaxy S4 GT-I9500/GT-I9505 [Guide]

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Root & Install CWM on Samsung Galaxy S4: Samsung’s new flagship phone Galaxy S4 is one of the awesome devices having so many exciting features. Having a smartphone like Galaxy S4 without root access is quite incomplete if you are looking to play with your device, So today we will learn how we can gain root access on the Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 & GT-I9505 and also how we can install the Clockwork Mod Recovery on these devices. You need to follow the simple steps explained below, but before we begin here are some precautionary measures you must take before beginning.

The method for both the devices is same, you just need to select the right file for your device, please see your device model number carefully.

samsung-galaxy-s4-black

Requirements:

Before we begin, make sure that you have the battery charged over 60 % and have backed up all your important Contacts, Call Logs & Messages. It is highly recommended in case of any mishap or data loss to backup all your important data.

  1. Download Odin PC – Get it here
  2. Download Samsung USB Drivers – Get here
  3. Download & Unzip Cf Auto Root Package file once on your desktop

Please keep in mind:

As soon as you root your device, you will void the warranty of your device, so everything you do, do it at your own risk.

Method:

  • Download and install Samsung USB drivers first of all
  • Download, unzip and run Odin PC.
  • Put your GS4 in download mode by pressing and holding Volume Down + Home + Power key at the same time, you should get a screen showing a warning and asking to continue, press Volume Up to continue.

download-mode-500x397

  • Now your phone should be in downloading mode. Connect your phone to your pc using original Samsung Data Cable.
  • As soon as Odin detects your phone the ID:COM box will turn light blue.
  • Click on the PDA tab and select the file you downloaded in step 3.
  • Your Odin screen should look like this now

TEchbeasts-rootS4

  • Make sure that the options selected in your Odin are same as shown above.
  • Click Start and the root process should start showing you a process bar in the first box above ID:COM.

The process is quite fast and will finish in a few seconds, as soon as it ends, your phone will restart and you’ll see the CF Auto root installing SuperSu on your phone.

Congratulations you have your Samsung Galaxy S4 rooted now!

Installing ClockworkMod Recovery [CWM]:

The method explained above is basically for beginners and does not install a custom recovery in your phone, it simply installs a stock recovery with having your phone rooted. Custom recovery allows you to modify in your phone in so many other ways like flashing custom ROMs, flashing mods etc.

In order to flash a custom recovery after rooting your SGS4 download the following file.

Now you need to follow the same procedure explained above to root your phone but this time instead of giving it CF Auto Root file in the PDA tab you need to give it the downloaded CWM Advanced Edition [Philz Touch] file for your phone, the recovery will be flashed within a few seconds. You can enter the custom recovery now pressing and holding Volume Up + Home + Power Key.

In Short, the method is explained here once again.

  1. Download the CWM Recovery according to your phone.
  2. You do not need to unzip this downloaded file as it is already in .tar.md5 format.
  3. Open Odin.
  4. Put your phone in download mode and connect it to your computer using the data cable, the ID:COM box should turn now as shown and explained above.
  5. Click on PDA tab and select the downloaded .tar.md5 file.
  6. Click Start, the process will start and give you a PASS indication above the ID:COM box if it installed the recovery successfully!

That’s all you got to do for installing a custom recovery on your GS4.

Now wondering what to do with your rooted phone? 

Here’s the answer for you!

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 custom ROMs.

How to keep Root after OTA Updates

The OTA updates rolled out by the manufacturers wipe the root access on your phone. In case you don’t know how you can restore the root access after OTA update, you’ll have to root your phone once again, but there is no need to do it as you can restore it using the OTA Rootkeeper App which is available in the Google Play Store. The app creates a backup of your root and simply restores it after an OTA update.

While rooting your phone, please keep it in mind that the Root Process isn’t official and has nothing to deal with Google Inc and the device manufacturer, which is Samsung in our case. Follow the guide carefully to prevent any damages to the device as the method is completely custom.

Root Credits: Chainfire – Recognized Developer XDA

Recovery Credits: Phil3759 – Recognized Developer XDA

Got any questions? Feel free to leave a comment below, we’ll try our best to help you out 😀 Good Luck

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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.

90 COMMENTS

    • @LucioDeRe:disqus I would like to know which model of the SGS 4 do you have ? Kindly check it out, goto your Settings > More > About Device, and then we can figure out your problem accordingly. If you have any of the models listed above, you may need to check the options selected in your odin. The options should be checked as same as shown in the odin picture in the post above.

  1. Let me try, I’m not aware of any way to capture the screen, so I’ll enter the details by hand:

    Software update

    Status
    Show status of battery, network, and other
    information

    Legal information

    Device name
    Galaxy S4

    Model number
    GT-I9500

    Android version
    4.2.2

    Baseband version
    I9500XXUAMDK

    Kernel version
    3.4.5-526212
    se.infra@SEP-111 #1
    Tue Apr 23 23:00 57 KST 2013

    Build number
    JDQ39.I9500XXUAMDK

    SELinux status
    Permissive

    Is this what you’re looking for?

    Thanks very much for getting back to me.

    Lucio.

    • @LucioDeRe:disqus Yes Exactly. This method will likely work for you. You need to download the Cf Auto Root Package file for GT-I9500 (1st link in step 3)
      Make sure that you enter the download mode and get the screen as shown in pic no. 2 and make sure that in your odin only Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time are checked while all others should be unchecked. Then attach your phone, and unzip the downloaed file once, select the PDA tab and give it the extracted file.

      I guess you have selected the PIT tab while you have nothing to do with anything else which is not explained or mentioned above. The method should work for you now. If it still doesn’t work, i would like to know what problem are you facing in a bit detailed form.

      • @LucioDeRe:disqus Something is being done wrong, perhaps
        i may be able to resolve this issue be hosting a remote session on team viewer. You may add me up on Facebook and we can resolve this.

      • @LucioDeRe:disqus one more thing you may try to do. Check that your samsung usb drivers are installed or not properly. In order to do so, connect your phone and goto device manager and check if there are any errors.
        2nd things is try disabling your firewall and antivirus then flash the cf auto root package file.
        If it still doesn’t work, we might get it done on teamviewer than.

  2. @LucioDeRe:disqus I’ve checked each and everything and verified it. The conclusion is that something is wrong with your connection. Try using a genuine USB cable, Try using a different USB port. Or try a different computer then. There’s nothing wrong with any of the files and method as it is working perfectly for so many people.

  3. I can report success with my Telstra (Australia) GT-I9505, running Android 4.2.2, Baseband version I9505DVUAMD8, Build number JDQ39.I9505XXUAMDE

  4. I’ve heard that some rooting methods damage the camera function, how safe is this method for my phone ?, these are my specifications:

    I have an I9500 with android 4.2.2 and baseband I9500UBUBMF3.

    THX !

  5. Hi Usama,

    I bought S4 GT-i9500 very recently,

    I am facing the following problems:

    1) Producing heat at most 40c even its in Idle
    2) Getting Touchwiz is not responding 6 times with in a week
    3) 1.5 GB of RAM is in usage even if there is no app running in the background

    I tried with Samsung service center to reset the device and still the problem persist.

    Can you please suggest me will the above probles will resolve if i take a risk of void the warranty & Install CWM ??

    i am waiting for your reply 😉
    Here with attached details:

    Model Number
    GT-I9500

    Android version
    4.2.2

    BASEBAND VERSION
    I9500DDUAMDK

    KERNAL VERSION :
    3.4.5-859177
    dpi@dell322#1
    Tus jan 11 23:13:28 KST 2013

    Build Number:
    JDQ39.I9500XXUBMF5

    SELinux status
    Permissive

    • @disqus_6EUo8nsksk:disqus Since you got an Octa version GS4 the overheating problem is normal and can’t be resolved. The only solution is having the latest firmware updated but that doesn’t really do anything since it only divides the number of cores used on your device at one time. Running camera, watching videos or playing games will over heat your device within a few minutes. This problem persists all over the world and has not got any solution yet, we may try to understand that this problem is not something uncommon – 8 cores in just a small 5-inches device.

      I do own a Galaxy S4 and the memory used by device all the time is around 1.42 Gb and after clearing it comes to 1.22 Gb. If you are facing any lag on your device you may try to an app like System Tuner from the Play store and check all the process running on your device, you can clear the caches, dalvik caches, you can also turn off the un necessary apps running at the back end.
      If you wish to use a custom rom, you can follow the guide above to root and install cwm on your device. You’ll have to find a custom rom which is the best package available. I recommend using Xda Developers forum to find a good rom. If you can mess up a little with your device you can under clock your device’s cpu and get rid of the heating issues as well.
      Perhaps if you are not willing to dig deep you can simply install System Tuner from the play store and make the necessary changes. Since this app also requires root, you can follow the guide as mentioned earlier.

      Now about voiding the warranty. Basically voiding the warranty isn’t a big thing as you can simply gain it back by using Triangle Away app. Android is all about development, you can go ahead without any fears and play with your device the way you want. Have a Nice Day, Good Luck!

      • As you have mentioned, over heating is a normal problem in this model. by any chance the below firmware will help me a little on this issue?

        India INS (July 2013)
        PDA: I9500XWUBMG5
        CSC: I9500ODDBMG5
        Version 4.2.2

        • @disqus_6EUo8nsksk:disqus Yup. This is the latest Indian Build. I’m using the same at the moment. It’s good to go with.
          If you don’t know how you can flash it Here’s a quick method
          Download this Rom, and Download Odin from my site, the link is attached above with complete odin tutorial.
          Put your phone in download mode by pressing Volume Down + Home + Power key simultaneously.
          Click on the PDA tab in odin, and select the downloaded file (uznip it once first) it should be .tar.md5* file.
          Connect your phone to your PC, the ID:COM box turns blue now, Hit start and let the flash process begin.
          As soon as your phone is restarted after installation process, pull the battery out and wait for 30 seconds then put it back and boot into recovery by pressing Volume Up + Home + Power Key and wipe all factory data, and cache partition here.
          That’s all you got to do.

    • You may use some back cover to prevent your hands from getting this heat. Just use your device flawlessly, this is a normal issue and will not put you in any trouble. Galaxy S4, besides heating up is no doubt an awesome device ever made by Samsung.

    • & Flash a stock latest Stock ROM, and perform a full wipe to get rid of the Touchwiz issue, If you don’t know how you can do so let me know i’ll prepare a full guide on the site.

      • Sir I have Flash 3 time advance Philz recovery on s4 i9500 on lollipop but it show androind recovery and tell device status custom so plz help how to install

  6. hi,sir
    please advise me to root my samsung galaxy s4 its save for me or not my model is,
    GT-I9500.
    base band: I9500XXUBMG9

    • @xahedkhan:disqus Choose the file for GT-I9500 from above, and Go with the guide explained above and you should attain the root access on your phone 🙂 Good Luck.

  7. Hi Usama,
    I have a GT-I9500
    I dont want to root my device now, but I want to have a CWM Recovery on it. Does installing CWM Recovery makes the device rooted/make it status become custom?

    • @luqman_nurhakim:disqus Flashing CWM will make the status custom. Although Flashing the CWM recovery attached above does not make your phone rooted, but raises the binary flash counter and thus results in custom status, you can skip the root part and only install CWM recovery if you still wish.

  8. Hi Usama,

    I have a problem with activating hidden languages in my Galaxy S4 Gt-i9505. It seems that there is only one app (Language Enabler) that can do this and it requires a rooted device so I did rooting using Odin and Cf-Auto-root file and I checked it using RootCheker app and also having seen SuperSu app. But when I ran the Language enabler app it did nothing, I mean it could not even remove some unwanted languages rather than adding some. I contacted the developer and he guided me through using CWM recovery (I thank him though) since he said the Knox services should be bypassed, otherwise Odin rooting won’t give proper root access to the app. So I found your post and I followed rooting using CWM recovery but again nothing happened at all when I ran the language enabler app.

    I appreciate it if you can help me out about this issue to see that either why that app cannot properly get root access or my device didn’t get rooted correctly.

    Cheers,
    Arash

  9. Hi Usama,

    I have a problem with activating hidden languages in my Galaxy S4 Gt-i9505. It seems that there is only one app (Language Enabler) that can do this and it requires a rooted device so I did rooting using Odin and Cf-Auto-root file and I checked it using RootCheker app and also having seen SuperSu app. But when I ran the Language enabler app it did nothing, I mean it could not even remove some unwanted languages rather than adding some. I contacted the developer and he guided me through using CWM recovery (I thank him though) since he said the Knox services should be bypassed, otherwise Odin rooting won’t give proper root access to the app. So I found your post and I followed rooting using CWM recovery but again nothing happened at all when I ran the language enabler app.

    I appreciate it if you can help me out about this issue to see that either why that app cannot properly get root access or my device didn’t get rooted correctly.

    Cheers,

    Arash

  10. Hi Usama, thank you for your post, I tried this after I have done few damages on my GT-i9500 (other stupid useless rooting sites). I followed your instruction, but now my phone is stuck frozen on the starting screen “Samsung GALAXY S4 GT-I9500”. It doesn’t matter what I do, it won’t go on the main screen. When I turn it off, it will show the battery sign but it won’t even indicate that it is charging. Something is seriously wrong with my phone and it would be great if you can help…..
    Thanks in advance!
    Sam

    • @disqus_An9XpFsUq1:disqus Can you boot into recovery mode? If so, then clear cache and dalvik cache from the recovery. + if the issue still persists, you may wipe data and give a try, and flash a stock rom to completely fix it. This may have happened due to some other junk on your phone, perhaps give it a try and let me know so that we can sort it out for your phone.

      • Yes after playing around with it for awhile I think I need to flash a stock rom to fix it…but I am having trouble to find that software. Do you know a link where I can get it?

        • That was definitely a life saver, now that my phone can actually go into the system. However it went back to its earlier problem – which restart unexpectedly whenever I try to install apps. Would you please give me some idea of what could cause that? (I suspect it has something to do with the supersu stuff).

        • Still not good man….I think I should repartition the phone. Could you point me to the right direction (where to find the file)? Thank you very much for your help again.

  11. @disqus_An9XpFsUq1:disqus Tell me your phone model, and also open settings>about device and tell me your baseband version and build number.

    • Hi, its Samsung galaxy S4 baseband 19500XXUEMJ8

      Yes I can boot into recovery and it has been acting weird since I flash the firmware. I am guessing my phone wasn’t compatible with the new firmware?
      Anyhow, right now there are tons of stuff still not working (Unfortunately, blah blah blah has stop working). This include keyboard, messenger, play store…etc.

      Man I really appreciate your time.

      Samuel

  12. I’ve gone through the first step which seems to be successful, but now ODIN won’t open the .tar.md5 file which I saved to my desktop. Any help would be great as i’m not the best when it comes to this kind of thing.

    • @disqus_QG0MI577zb:disqus Knox won’t work with root nor it will let root apps work. Install Titanium Backup and use Freeze option and freeze all knox apps.

  13. hi for some reason when i run odin and connect my phone when in download mode, it doesnt allow me to tick the “f.reset time” option. I rooted my phone but just didnt install cwm. would it be fine to go through with the process without that box checked?

  14. MY phone first is rooted but I have uninstall update for SuperSu from phone becauase some application is not ,when I rerooting the phone again by the odin method,the process is not successful
    and I do not Know what can I do?

    • @disqus_bfru08N6fp:disqus just install it from the play store and check if supersu comes back. Otherwise you will have to flash a new firmware and root it again.

      • thank you Usama for your replying,I want to intall SuperSU from play store but I do not find the version 1.94 for SuperSU ,can I install any version of SuperSU from play store

          • Thank you Usama very much,finally I am successfull for rooting My phone and install SuperSu from play store and it work fine,But I ask you What benefited from the work of [CWM] for phone rooted?

  15. @disqus_bfru08N6fp:disqus CWM is just optional. It can become handy if you want to flash .zip files or you want to create a Nandroid backup. It’s always good to have a custom recovery installed.

    • Hello Usama ,How are you,I am in a Problem ,because my phone (galaxy s4 GT-I9500) is lost the root ,Why I do not Know?and Iam tried to rerooting it by odin methode and SuperSU is installed,but when I check the root access by (ROOT CHECKER BAISC) IS telling to me that your phone is not rooted.
      and I would like to tell you that I am uninstall these app from my phone by (TITANIUME BACKE UP)when the rooting is working because these app limit the root and after that afew days the root is stop in my phone.
      these app is :(klms agent-knox1.0-knox notification manager 1.0-live wallpaper picker 4.3 – knox store)
      Please Usama help me and tell me to resolve this Problem

  16. hi usama,

    iam using GT-i9505 ilost all my contacts and notes and to recover the data i installed dr fone which asked to root my phone to be able to recover.
    i followed ur steps and rooted my phone but still cant recover any of my contact!! dr fone cant access this data. any suggestion.
    plz help!!thanks

    • @mennaabaza:disqus Rooting has nothing to do with the contacts. I wonder what has happened with that. Did you create a contact backup as well before doing this? If so then use the same guide to restore the contacts.

  17. My 3g not working because i purchased s4 gt-I9505 from uk. Now in india 3g not working pls help how to make it compatible with india.

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