How to Root Galaxy S5 Mini on Android 5.1.1 build G800HXXU1BOI2 [SM-G800H]

Samsung recently released the Android 5.1.1 update for its Galaxy S5 mini, with build was G800HXXU1BOI2. Because achieving root on Android 5.1.1 isn’t as easy as it was earlier, it took time, but now root access is a go for Galaxy S5 Mini.

Now you can root G800HXXU1BOI2 firmware with the help of a custom kernel whose permission is set as permissive, and then flashing the SuperSU file using recovery.

So, let’s go ahead and check out how to root OI2 Android 5.1.1 update on Galaxy S5 Mini.

Downloads

Custom kernel — Link | File: s5-mini-5.1.1-Kernel.tar (8.39 MB)
SuperSU root package — Link | File: BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip (3.8 MB)

Supported devices

Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini, model no. SM-G800H
Don’t try on any other model, as this is only for Qualcomm processor equipped S5 mini sets. Find your processor using Droid info app below.
Don’t try this on any other device than the one having model no. specified above.

Use the Droid Info app, to determine the model no. of your Galaxy S5 Mini. If it is exactly the one specified above, then it should be compatible with the root method we have here.

Warning!

Warranty may be void of your device if you follow the procedures given on this page. You only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Backup!

Backup important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have backup of all your important files.

How to Install

Required: Make sure that you have updated your Galaxy S5 Mini to Android 5.1.1 already, as this is only for Android 5.1.1. Your device’s build no. under Settings > About device, must be ending with OI2.

Download the kernel and SuperSU file from above.

Install kernel using Odin PC software first.

Boot your Sprint S6 into download mode:

Power off your Sprint S6. Wait 6-7 seconds after screen goes off.
Press and hold the three buttons Volume Down + Power + Home together until you see warning screen.
Press Volume Up to continue to download mode of S6.

Extract the Odin file. You should get this file, Odin3 v3.10.6.exe (other files could be hidden, hence not visible).

Double click on extracted file of Odin, Odin3 v3.10.6.exe, to open the Odin window, as shown below. Be careful with Odin, and do just as said to prevent problems.

Connect your Sprint Galaxy S6 to PC now using USB cable. Odin should recognize your device. It’s a must. When it recognizes, you will see Added!! message appearing in the Log box in bottom left, and the first box under ID:COM will also show a no. and turn its background blue. Look at the pic below.

Odin 3.10.6 Added message

You cannot proceed until you get the Added!! message, which confirms that Odin has recognized your device.
If you don’t get Added!! message, you need to install/re-install drivers again, and use the original cable that came with device. Mostly, drivers are the problem (look at step 2 above).
You can try different USB ports on your PC too, btw.

Load the custom kernel file into Odin. Click the AP button on Odin and the select the custom kernel file: UniKernel-v5-920P-072715.tar (for S6) OR UniKernel-v5-925P-072715.tar (for S6 Edge).

Odin TWRP Root

Make sure Re-Partition checkbox is NOT selected under the Options tab. Don’t use PIT tab either. Go back to Log tab now, it will show the progress when you hit start button in next step.

Re-partition Remains Off

Click the Start button on Odin now to start flashing the custom kernel, which includes root, on your Sprint S6. Wait till installation is finished, after which your S6 will reboot automatically. You’ll get PASS message as show below upon successful installation from Odin.

Odin 3.10.6 Pass Message Appears

If Odin gets stuck at setup connection, then you need to do steps 5 to 11 again. For this, close Odin, disconnect your device, reboot it to download mode and then start again.
Or, if you get FAIL in the top left box, you need to try flashing again, as stated just above.

Connect your device to PC and transfer the SuperSU file to it. Disconnect the device then. Remember the location of the files.

You need TWRP Recovery now.

If you don’t have it, then download the recovery from here, and install it the same way you installed the kernel above, using Odin.

Boot your Galaxy S5 Mini into recovery mode. If you are rooted, you can use Quick Boot app from play store. To manually boot into recovery mode, do this:

Power off your device and wait for 5-10 seconds until the device is fully switched off.
Press and hold Volume up + Home + Power button together and release them only when you see Samsung’s logo.

You will enter recovery mode soon, and should see TWRP recovery. If you see 3e recovery, then you need to install TWRP recovery for this (linked above).

[Optional] Once in TWRP, create a backup of your device. Tap on Backup, and then select all the partitions for back. Now do the swipe action at bottom to start creating a backup for emergency cases. This backup is really a lifesaver!

Now, install the SuperSU file. On TWRP’s homescreen, tap on Install, and then locate the SuperSU file and tap on it. Then do the Swipe action at bottom to begin flashing the update.

When it’s done, tap on Reboot system button to restart the device.

That’s it.

Need help? Let us know if you need any help with this via comments below.

Via TURincorp & sasukesama