On your Verizon Galaxy S5, you have to very wary of updates if you are a pro who loves to have root access. That’s the way it is, because Verizon has locked bootloader of the device, and thus you can’t simply accept an OTA update without losing root, or flash a firmware in TAR format in Odin. With Android 5.0 Lollipop update already available, you would tempt to update, without losing root, and thus here is a way to do just to upgrade your Verizon Galaxy S5 to latest build, G900VVRU1BOD5. Credit for this goes to developer muniz_ri, thanks!

About Root access. You need to be already rooted for this. That’s a must. If you are not rooted already, try towelroot. Download the APK, and install it. Then open the app, and root your device by tapping on the button. If towelroot doesn’t works on your Verizon Galaxy S5 — maybe because you have a newer build than it supports — then install the Verizon’s own G900VVRU1ANCG firmware first, and then try towelroot on this. It should work. To install G900VVRU1ANCG firmware, download it form here, and then install it using the guide here (it’s for S4, but process remains exactly same, so just follow that). Once you have root access on your device, on any build no., continue below.

Verizon Galaxy S5 Android 5.0 Lollipop Update build G900VVRU1BOD5 with Root

Downloads

Optional: If you want to enable the tethering feature, to be able to share data with other devices, download this file and flash it using Flashfire app after completing the Lollipop update process given below first.

Supported devices

  • VERIZON SAMSUNG GALAXY S5, model no. SM-G900V
  • Don’t try on Galaxy S5 sets at Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, US Cellular or the Canadian, Korean and International variants.
  • Don’t try on any other device whatsoever

Instructions

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 necessary stuff. Installing this ROM will wipe your device, so create a have backup of contacts, photos, videos and other files. Okay!!!!

  1. Make sure you have root access on your Verizon Galaxy S5. If not, read the second para above from the beginning to see how to get root access. It doesn’t matter what build/ROM you have currently installed if you have root access.
  2. It’s good to set the ‘Screen timeout’ to 10 minutes under Settings > Display.
  3. Download the ROM file (G900V_OD5_Stock_Rooted_ROM.zip), and transfer it to phone’s storage. Remember the location where you put it.
  4. Download the Flashfire android app that we will use to flash the ROM:
    1. Login into Google using the same Gmail ID that you are using on phone. Go to Google+ page and join the community.
    2. Next, sign up here to be able to install the app from play store and receive updates.
    3. Use the play store link provided thereafter to get to pay store page of the app and install it. It may take hours before it shows up for you in play store. You can only wait.
  5. Open the Flashfire app on your Galaxy S5. Provide it root permissions by tapping on Grant button on the pop-up that shows up. Tap on Agree on the disclaimer pop-up that comes for only one time. (Do read the Instructions section, it’s helpful.)
  6. Tap on + sign, select ‘Flash ZIP or OTA’ and then select the ROM file (G900V_OD5_Stock_Rooted_ROM.zip) from step 3 here.flashfire app
  7. On next screen, leave Auto-mount option unchecked, and just tap on checkmark sign at top right corner to continue.
  8. You will be back on main screen, tap on EverRoot.
    flashfire disable everrot
  9. Make sure every option is unchecked. Then tap on the checkmark sign at right top corner to continue.
  10. Scroll down and tap on FLASH button. Tap on OK to confirm. That’s it. When done, device will reboot automatically. (Uh, don’t worry when Screen turns black and Flashfire does its things and pauses for around 1 minute in between. When rebooting, device will seem stuck at Verizon’s logo, for like 2 minutes, but will reboot all fine soon enough, don’t worry!)

Need more help with flashing the ROM using Flashfire app (steps 5 to 10 above)? Well, check this video. Works for every ROM on every Samsung phone when using Flashfire app.

Once Flashfire is done flashing the pre-rooted OD5 firmware based 100% stock ROM without any other customization than root, your Verizon Galaxy S5 will reboot automatically.

That’s it. Let us know if you know any help with this via comments section below. We’ll be sure to help you.