Detailed Guide to Root Galaxy S3 i9300

There’s nothing the amazing developers in the Android community cannot accomplish, and this is just one example of their greatness. The Samsung Galaxy S3 hasn’t even been released yet (except in some Gulf countries like Dubai), and a root method is already available for it, thanks to XDA Elite Recognized Developer Chainfire. What this means is that you won’t have to wait for a root method to show up after getting a Galaxy S3, as it is already available. And this guide will walk you through the necessary steps.

Important! Before we venture forward, keep in mind that this root method is not so simple, so if you want a simple method to root your Galaxy S3, you should wait for one instead of using the method described here.

Let’s take a look at how you can root your Galaxy S3.

Compatibility

This hack and the guide below are compatible only and only with Galaxy S3, model number I9300. It’s not compatible with other devices. Check your device’s model number in: Settings » About phone.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Root Galaxy S3 i9300

Part I: Flashing Required Kernel

First, download and install the software Kies on your computer, which will install the necessary drivers for the phone. Download Kies
Download the required kernel
Download Kernel | Filename: CF-Insecure-SGS3_XX_NEE_ALE8-v1.2.zip
Extract the CF-Insecure-SGS3_XX_NEE_ALE8-v1.2.zip file to obtain a file named CF-Insecure-SGS3_XX_NEE_ALE8-v1.2.tar.
Download the Odin software, which will be used to flash the kernel obtained in step 3.
Download Odin | Filename: Odin3-v1.85.zip
Extract the contents of the Odin3-v1.85.zip file to a folder.
Turn off your Galaxy S3. Then, boot into download mode. To do so, press and hold these keys together: Volume Down + Home + Power till the screen turns on. Then press Volume Up to enter download mode.
Run Odin — double-click the Odin3 v1.85.exe file obtained after extracting Odin3-v1.85.zip in step 5.
Click on the PDA button in Odin, then browse to and select the CF-Insecure-SGS3_XX_NEE_ALE8-v1.2.tar file obtained in step 3.
Important! Do not make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required files as given in step 10. Leave all other options as they are.
Connect your phone to PC now. You should get the message “Added!” under Odin’s message box in the bottom left.
If you don’t get this message, make sure you installed Kies as given in step 1. If it still doesn’t work, try changing to another USB port on the computer and also use the USB ports on the back if you have a desktop PC.
Click on Start to start flashing the kernel. When the flashing is complete, your phone will automatically reboot — and when you see the Samsung logo, you can safely unplug the cable. Plus, you’ll get a PASS (with green background) message in the left-most box at the very top of the Odin.
IMPORTANT Note: If ODIN gets stuck and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or you get a FAIL message (with red background) in ODIN, disconnect the phone from the PC, close ODIN, remove battery, re-insert it, turn phone on in Download mode again, and do the procedure again from Step 7.
Now, go to the next part of the guide.

Part II: Installing Root and Superuser:

Download and install ADB with Android SDK on your computer by following the guide → here.
Download the root package.
Download Root Package | Filename: sgs3-root-install.zip
Extract the contents of the sgs3-root-install.zip file to any folder on the computer.
Now, go to the location where you installed the Android SDK in step 1. By default, the location is C:Program Files(x86)Androidandroid-sdk (or Program Files on 32-bit computers).
Open the platform-tools folder in the android-sdk folder. Then, copy the 3 files obtained in step 3 (after extracting sgs3-root-install.zip) to the platform-tools folder.
Now, on the phone, go to Settings » Developer options, and enable USB Debugging. Then, connect the phone to the computer (if not already connected).
Go to the platform-tools folder, and double-click the install.bat file to start rooting the phone. The phone will reboot automatically during the procedure and after the rooting is complete.