[Update: OG6] How to Root T-Mobile S5 5.1.1 OF6 build with TrapKernel

Update: TrapKernel for OG6 firmware added.

The T-Mobile Galaxy S5 is the only variant of S5 currently on market that has received the Android 5.1.1 update officially from Samsung. Not even the international variants have yet received the 5.1.1 update officially, so a US carrier already having it is pretty surprising. Anyway, the good news is that root has been achieved on the T-Mobile S5 running Android 5.1.1 build OF6. Cheers!

Like the Galaxy S6 5.1.1 root, the T-M0bile S5 5.1.1 root is also coming via a custom kernel named TrapKernel by developer ShinySide. The TrapKernel is basically the UniKernel root for S6 devices ported over to the T-Mobile S5. And it reportedly is doing its job of rooting the device on 5.1.1 OF6 build.

Also, general issues with custom kernels like wifi passwords being forgotten after reboot has already been addressed on the TrapKernel. Plus, the kernel has SElinux set to permissive for root to be achieved. Other than that, the TrapKernel is pretty much stock.

However, you might find installing the TrapKernel a bit troubling since the developer has only provided a recovery flashable .zip file for the kernel, no Odin flashable .tar file. And on the 5.1.1 Of6 build you can’t install TWRP yet, you’ll have to temporary boot your device with TWRP recovery and flash the kernel’s .zip file before rebooting the device, otherwise TWRP recovery won’t stay and you won’t be able to install the TrapKernel. Confused? Well, let us explain the whole process patiently in the step-by-step guide below:

Downloads

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download TWRP Recovery (.tar)

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download Odin 3.10.6

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download TrapKernel for OF6 Firmware (.zip)

[icon name=”download” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] Download TrapKernel for OG6 Firmware (.zip)

How to Root T-Mobile S5 on 5.1.1 OF6 or OG6 build

Note: Simply flashing the TWRP recovery via Odin with the “Auto reboot” option checked will automatically boot your Galaxy S5 into the system after flashing completes (as per Odin’s default function), but the TWRP recovery will be erased if your device boots into the system. So we’ll have to untick the “Auto reboot” option on Odin before flashing TWRP so that we can easily boot into TWRP after flashing, then install the TrapKernel and reboot phone. Let’s get started..

Download Odin 3.10.6, TWRP Recovery and the TrapKernel .zip file for your firmware version. And transfer the TrapKernel file to your Galaxy S5 while keeping the other files on PC. Do this the first thing before starting with the guide below.
Unzip the Odin 3.10.6 .zip file and run/open Odin3 v3.10.6.exe file from the extracted files on your PC.
Boot your T-Mobile S5 into Download mode:
1. Switch off your phone.
2. Press and hold “Home + Power + Volume down” buttons for a few seconds until you see a warning screen.
3. Press Volume Up on the warning screen to accept it and boot into Download mode.
Once your T-Mobile S5 is in download mode, connect it to the PC with a USB cable. The Odin window on PC should detect the phone and show an “Added!!” message.
[!important] On the Odin window, uncheck “Auto reboot” option. To do that, click the “Options” tab on the left side of screen and UNTICK the “Auto reboot” checkbox.
└ This will prevent your phone from automatically rebooting after flashing the TWRP recovery so that you can boot into it easily without.
(Make sure you did the 4th step) Now click on the PA tab on Odin window and select the TWRP recovery .tar file that you downloaded above.
Click the Start button on Odin and wait for it to finish the process. Once it has finished successfully, you’ll see a pass message on the Odin screen.
Disconnect your phone from PC. It’ll still stay in the Download mode. You’ve to boot into TWRP recovery now:
1. Remove/Re-insert your T-Mobile S5 battery to power it off.
2. Press and hold “Volume Up + Home + Power button” and as soon as you see the Galaxy S5 logo on screen, release the three buttons altogether. You’ll boot into TWRP recovery.
  Note: At any point if TWRP asks you to flash SuperUser (SU), then make sure you deny it.
Once booted into TWRP recovery, select install and flash the TrapKernel file that we transferred to your S5 in the Step 1 above.
Once TrapKernel is successfully installed, reboot your phone.