Samsung Galaxy S3 Root: Tools, Videos, Guides and Downloads

It’s safe to say that it’s actually pretty easy to root Samsung Galaxy S3. And if you thought otherwise, ask yourself this question in around 30 mins (or more depending on you; or less depending on you) once you have tried rooting using the guides below.

We’re talking about model no. GT-I9300 of Galaxy S3 here, and to help you root it very easily, we’ve selected three different root tools to do the job. Feel free to try any one of them to root your Galaxy S3. Uh, just be careful in following instructions to the line and first make sure that your device’s model no. in GT-I9300, or you might end up bricking your device otherwise!!

What is Root?

Root basically opens up the admin/root access of your android device, which can be either used by you with help of an app, or directly by an app — btw, you manage which apps have permission to access root powers.

Using root access to do stuff, whether manually or using apps, is the most delicious part of using an android phone actually. Makes you superuser, or super consumer, if not superman — just kidding!

Root requiring apps like Titanium Backup and ROM Toolbox and  many others would become your instant most favorite apps.

Now, before we see the Root tools, it’s a must you back up your data and install drivers!!

Back Up your device and data first!

Back up important data and stuff before you start playing around here as there are chances you might lose your apps and app-data (app settings, game progress, etc.), and in rare case, files on sd card, too.

Quickest way to create backup would be: back up sms and call logs with this beautiful app called SMS and Call Log Backup, sync contacts with Google under settings, export bookmarks, export data from the apps that allow you to backup/export under its settings, and lastly, copy and paste all files and folders from internal and/or external SD Card to computer by connecting phone to it using USB cable.

For additional help on Backup and Restore, check out our exclusive page on that linked right below.

► Android Backup and Restore Guide: Apps and Tips

Drivers!!

It can be easy, but it can turn out a tough nut to crack, too.

► Download Link for Drivers [Alternate Links: Mega and FileCloud]

Your PC needs drivers in order to recognize the Galaxy S3. To install these drivers, start by downloading the drivers file from above, named SAMSUNG_USB_Driver_for_Mobile_Phones_1.5.27.0.exe — it’s from Samsung and contains only drivers for Samsung Galaxy series of phones.

On PC, double click the drivers file and follow the directions to install it as usual. It should install fully working drivers now. Connect your Galaxy S3 to PC and it should show up in ‘My Computer’. And Odin should recognize the Galaxy S3 now, too, in step 4 and 5 below (of method 1 and 2 respectively), when you should get ‘Added!!’ message in Odin.

In case Galaxy S3 isn’t showing in My Computer after connecting, see next option to install drivers.

Next option – Kies.

To download Kies for Mac or PC, visit the official Samsung linked here. After download, install Kies software as usual, which would install drivers too on your computer.

Note: Kies usually disturbs Odin’s working and it is essential that Odin works without any hindrances of any sort. So,uninstall Kies from your computer after its installation. Since drivers are installed separately by Kies, uninstalling Kies won’t automatically uninstall drivers.

Btw, Odin is the software that lets you install Samsung firmware, and in our case, root packages in .tar or .tar.md5 format.

For more help, check out our cool guide on How to Install Drives on any Samsung Android Phone or Tablet.

The above guide is just awesome, do refer it if you need more help.

One more option to install drivers.. Toolkit.

As toolkit is a little bit of different preposition, I think it’s best to discuss the ‘drivers installation using toolkit’ with the root method itself that uses toolkit. Hence, check out Root Method 3 below, wherein we will see first how to install drivers using toolkit and then how to root the Galaxy S3 using the same tool.

Now, let’s see the installation of root, but before that…

Warning!

This page is only meant for the Samsung Galaxy S3, model no. GT-I9300. Do NOT use it for any other device.

If anything given on this page damages your device and its components — you only will be held liable for it. We take no liability nor guarantee safety of your device.

If you do this, the warranty of your device may be void!

That said. Let’s get to the purpose of this page.

How to Root Samsung Galaxy S3

We’d be discussing three tools, all very reliable and proven — with first one, CF Auto Root, actually the best — to root your precious Galaxy S3. These are:

1. CF-Auto-Root tool: Involves flashing a file using Odin, and that’s it.
2. CF Root and Recovery package: Same as CF-Auto Root tool, but also installs CWM recovery.
3. Galaxy S3 Toolkit: Has drivers, root, recovery and other useful options. Provides you choice in recovery and root manager app: either of SuperSU and Superuser.

Tool 1: Root a Samsung Galaxy S3 i9300 using CF-Auto-Root

Downloads:

► CF-Auto-Root for Galaxy S3 i9300

Installation Instructions:

To get familiar before trying the root process yourself, I would recommend you to watch this video on how to root your Galaxy S3 using the CF Auto Root package. Seeing it in action would definitely help a lot.

1. Extract CF-Auto-Root file, CF-Auto-Root-m0-m0xx-gti9300.zip, that you downloaded above, to get these files:
   1. CF-Auto-Root-m0-m0xx-gti9300.tar.md5
   2. Odin3-v1.85.exe
2. Double click on Odin3-v1.85.exe to run Odin
3. Now, boot your Galaxy S3 into Download Mode. For this:
   1. Power Off your Galaxy S3. Wait for 6-7 seconds after display is off.
   2. Now, press these 3 keys together until you see warning screen: Volume DOWN + Power + Home.
   3. Press Volume Up to continue to Download Mode.
4. Connect Galaxy S3 to PC. You should get this message “Added!!” message in Odin’s bottom left box. It is a MUST you get the ‘Added!!’ message in order to proceed further. Some points to be noted:
   • If you don’t get the Added!! message, then first of all, make sure you installed drivers alright. If you did already, try installing drivers again, using different method as dicsussed above in Drivers section.
   • Plus, try these tricks: reboot your PC, and/or un-install/re-install drivers, and/or change the USB port (preferably use one at the backside on computer) until you get “Added!!” message in Odin.
   • Odin’s screen would look like this:
     
5. Once you get ‘Added!!’ message in Odin, click on PDA tab in Odin and select the CF-Auto-Root file → CF-Auto-Root-m0-m0xx-gti9300.tar.md5
   • Your Odin’s screen would now look like this:
     
6. Hit the Start button to start flashing the CF-Auto-Root file on your Galaxy S3, and wait until you see PASS on Odin’s top left box.
   • You can disconnect phone when you see PASS on Odin. Your device will reboot and will be rooted when it has restarted. See the SuperSU app, which would be managing root access permissions for all apps on your Galaxy S3.
   • If you see FAIL instead of PASS in Odin’s top left box, disconnect Galaxy S3 from PC, close Odin, remove battery and put it back in 3-4 seconds, and then repeat step 3 to step 7.

Done.

It was easy, right? Let us know what you plan to do now, with root access gained.

To check whether you got root or not, use this simple made-for-this-purpose app, Root Checker.

Tool 2: Root Galaxy S3 using CF Root and Recovery package

Downloads:

► CF Root and Recovery package v6.4 for Galaxy S3

► Odin software for PC v3.09 (latest!) [Alternate Download Links: Filecloud |  Mega]

Installation Instructions:

To get a good idea of the procedure to root Galaxy S3 using this method, it’s best to check out it in action in the video below.

1. Extract CF Root and Recovery package file, CF-Root-SGS3-v6.4.zip, that you download right above to get this file: CF-Root-SGS3-v6.4.tar
2. Extract Odin’s file, Odin3_v3.09.zip, to get this file: Odin3 v3.09.exe
3. Double click on Odin3-v1.85.exe to run Odin
4. Now, boot your Galaxy S3 into Download Mode:
   1. Power Off your Galaxy S3. Wait for 6-7 seconds after display is off.
   2. Now, press these 3 keys together until you see warning screen: Power + Home + Volume DOWN.
   3. Press Volume Up to continue to Download Mode.
5. Connect Galaxy S3 to PC. You should get an ‘Added!!’ message in Odin’s bottom left box. It is a MUST you get the ‘Added!!’ message in order to proceed further. Some points to be noted:
   • If you don’t get the Added!! message, then first of all, make sure you installed drivers alright. If you did already, try installing drivers again, using different method as dicsussed above in Drivers section.
   • Plus, try these tricks: reboot your PC, and/or un-install/re-install drivers, and/or change the USB port (preferably use one at the backside on computer) until you get “Added!!” message in Odin.
   • Your Odin’s screen would look like this:
     
6. Once you get ‘Added!!’ message in Odin, click on AP tab in Odin and select the CF-Auto-Root file → CF-Root-SGS3-v6.4.tar
7. Keep ‘Auto Reboot’ and ‘F.Reset Time’ boxes checked while make sure Re-Partition box is unchecked. Leave everything else untouched.
   Odin should look like this:
   
8. Hit the Start button on Odin now to start flashing the CF Root and Recovery package on your Galaxy S3 now, and wait until you see PASS on Odin’s top left box.
   • You can disconnect phone when you see PASS on Odin. Your device will reboot and will be rooted when it has restarted. See the SuperSU app, which would be managing root access permissions for all apps on your Galaxy S3.
   • If you see FAIL instead of PASS in Odin’s top left box, disconnect Galaxy S3 from PC, close Odin, remove battery and put it back in 3-4 seconds, and then repeat step 3 to step 7.

Done.

Easy, right?

About the Recovery:

And along with Root, you also got Clockworkmod Recovery (non-touch version!). To boot into recovery mode and checkout your the CWM recovery, power off your device and then press these 3 keys together until you see Samsung logo: Power + Home + Volume UP. (Yes, Volume UP for recovery and Volume Down for Download Mode in the 3-button combo.)

You can take full system backup, called Nandroid Backup, by booting into recovery and then using the Backup and Restore option. Also, you flash custom ROMs, modes or literally anything flashable and in .zip format from recovery. Like, boot animations, apps, themes, etc.

To check whether you got root or not, use this simple made-for-this-purpose app, Root Checker.

Tool 3: Using the Galaxy S3 Toolkit

Video of How to Root Galaxy S3 using Toolkit:

It would helpful for you in rooting your Galaxy S3 using the Toolkit if you have first watched the video below, in which we’ve shown doing just that. Then you can download and do it yourself with better idea of what you are going to do and how.

Downloads:

► Samsung Galaxy S3 Toolkit (Alternate Link)

Installation Instructions:

1. Run the Galaxy S3 toolkit’s file, Samsung_Galaxy_S3_ToolKit_v7.0.exe on PC by double clicking on it.
2. Hit Next, then Next again and now on ‘Select Components to Install’ screen, make sure Drivers box is also checked. Hit Next.
3. Now, you can specify the location of the installation of the toolkit but it’s best to keep default location mentioned therein. Or else, select any drive of your PC and try not to install the toolkit inside any folder on the drive.
4. Installation will be over soon. With ‘Execute the program now’ box checked, hit Close button. The program will run itself now. (You can run it manually from the the shortcut at desktop it just created or directly from its installation folder).
5. Select NO when it asks for update, and you will get a screen where you get to choose your Galaxy S3 device as per build no.
6. Yours is model no. GT-I9300 — International GSM. Right? So, go to Settings – About Phone, and note the build number, especially the last four letters. Now, select the appropriate option based on build no. in the toolkit, that matches your device’s build no.
   • if you can’t match/find exact build no., it’s okay, as nearby build no. of your device compared to that listed in the toolkit options would do just fine. In the video above, you can notice by Galaxy S3’s build no. is ALF2 while that I selected in toolkit is ALF6.
7. The toolkit might need to download the right files, as regards root, recovery, etc., for your device. Once that is done, you’ll get to Main Menu, with more than 25 options listed here to help you mod your phone.
8. Install DRIVERS NOW!! Unplug the Galaxy S3 if it is connected to PC and then Select Option 1, then option 1 again on next screen and then follow the direction to complete the drivers installation. After drivers installation is finished, you will be back on Main Menu.
9. Now, select option 2 for Root. Select any one of the six options to root the Galaxy S3 that toolkit provides you. Each one is explained there so that you can decide and choose.
   • As I think recovery is a must-have, I prefer having recovery all the time and would suggest you to simply select the option 3 ALLINONE, wherein everything required will be flashed and you will have both recovery and root installed on your device.
     
10. With Option 3, ALLINONE, you’ll get to select the choice of recovery and root under each of these options.
    • To keep things easy, I would just say, choose between any recovery and any root, and you’ll do just fine — it doesn’t matter much right now. That said, I would choose TWRP recovery and Super SU root.
11. Now, the toolkit would ask you to enable the USB Debugging, if it wasn’t enabled already. It’s easy:
    1. Disconnect phone from PC.
    2. Go to Settings → Developer Options and select the USB Debugging checkbox. Confirm your selection by pressing OK.
    3. Connect phone to PC using the cable now.
       
12. Type ‘Yes’ and hit enter on toolkit. The toolkit will proceed further once it finds USB Debugging is enabled.
13. Read what the toolkit’s screen is saying. Actually, and unfortunately, you gotta do stuff manually now. Toolkit will load Odin for you. Now, read what and what toolkit asked you to do with Odin and then select the file as it specified in odin:
    • Click on PDA tab on Odin and select the file mentioned in point no. 2 on toolkit’s screen.
    • You must be able to locate that file in: toolkit’s installation folder → root → GT-I9300.
    • Important! Once you’ve selected the file, make sure ‘Auto Reboot’ and “F. Reset Time” boxes are checked, while other boxes are unchecked.
    • Your Odin’s screen would look like this:
      
14. Hit Start button on Odin now to start the flashing process. The recovery will be flashed on your device, which will be then used to install Root on your device, which is all automated. Yeah, thankfully!
    • Once you see RESET/PASS on Odin’s left most box at top, you can close Odin. Toolkit will automatically know Odin’s task has been done and will do its business automatically. You just watch!
15. Once toolkit has done its job, your phone will be rooted already and will have the recovery you chose installed. Toolkit will return to Main Menu, and you close it now.

Done.

Thanks to mskip for the toolkit.

To check whether you got root or not, use this simple made-for-this-purpose app, Root Checker.

Done.

Feedback Us!

So, that was all about Rooting Galaxy S3. The three tools to root, with video and step-by-step guide for each, should be able to get it done easily. Let us know you views on it: the feedback, the recommendations, which method did you use and any problem you faced or are facing. Would love to hear back from you.

Thanks!