Samsung Galaxy E5 Android 5.1.1 Root and TWRP Recovery

If you have updated to Galaxy E5 Android 5.1.1 update, then you must be missing root access already as earlier root tricks won’t work anymore. Same for TWRP.

Luckily, Android 5.1.1 compatible root and TWRP recovery are now available. The main part is TWRP, which has been modified to be friends with 5.1.1 code. Once you have TWRP on Android 5.1.1, you can easily root by flashing a SuperSU root package, as given below.

→ Note that this is only for for Galaxy E5 with model no. E500M and E500H, that are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and are running Android 5.1.1 update.

Downloads

TWRP Recovery for Galaxy E5: — Link | File: recovery.tar.md5 (13.7 MB)
Odin PC software — Link | File: Odin3_v3.10.6.zip (1.6 MB)

→ Check the official downloads page here for the latest version of Galaxy E5 TWRP available at the moment.

Supported devices

Samsung Galaxy E5, model no. SM-E500M and SM-E500H (Snapdragon processor variants, running Android 5.1.1!)
Don’t try on any other device whatsoever whose model no. is different than the one provided above!

Important: Check your device’s model no. on its packaging box, or in Settings > About device.

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. Also, this trips KNOX, meaning KNOX would stop working on your device, and thus you won’t be able to Samsung Pay, or install enterprise Apps on your device at Office.

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. Sometimes, Odin installation may delete everything on your device!

Galaxy E5 TWRP Recovery

Step-by-step Guide

NOTE: Do not use this. Until a custom kernel becomes available, it’s best you don’t use the TWRP and root provided here. As the case is, TWRP will be installed, but it could soft-brick your device because stock kernel doesn’t support TWRP and root. After flashing SuperSU using TWRP, the device will get stuck, because of the stock kernel prohibiting it. You have to wait for a custom kernel wherein SELinux is set to permissive, and that’s when installing TWRP and root trick here is a go. Sadly, because custom kernel is not available not, it’s not worth installing the TWRP and then rooting the device, as it will only result in bootloop.

Step 1. Download Odin and TWRP recovery file from above.

Step 2. Install Galaxy E5 driver (method 1 there!) first of all. Double click the .exe file of drivers to begin installation. (Not required if you have already done this.)

Step 3. Extract the Odin file. You should get this file, Odin3 v3.10.6.exe (other files could be hidden, hence not visible).

Step 4. Disconnect your Galaxy E5 from PC if it is connected.

Step 5. Boot Galaxy E5 into download mode:

Power off your Galaxy E5. Wait 6-7 seconds after screen goes off.
Press and hold the three buttons Power + Home + Volume down together until you see warning screen.
Press Volume Up to continue to download mode.

Step 6. 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.

Step 7. Connect your Galaxy E5 to PC now using USB cable. Odin should recognize your Galaxy E5. 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.

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 the device. Mostly, drivers are the problem (look at step 2 above).
You can try different USB ports on your PC too, btw.

Step 8. Load the TWRP recovery file into Odin. For this, click the AP button on Odin and the select the TWRP file you downloaded above.

Step 9. Make sure Re-partition checkbox is NOT selected, under the Options tab. Don’t use PIT tab either. Go back to Log tab btw, it will show the progress when you hit start button in next step.

Step 10. Click the Start button on Odin now to start flashing the TWRP recovery on your Galaxy E5. Wait till installation is finished, after which your Galaxy E5 will reboot automatically. You’ll get PASS message as show below upon successful installation from Odin.

If Odin gets stuck at setup connection, then you need to do this all again. Disconnect your device, close Odin, boot device into download mode again, open Odin, and then select the file and flash it again as said above.
If you get FAIL in the top left box, then also you need to flash the file again as stated just above.