How to root Samsung Galaxy S4?

[John Connor]

I never wanted to do this, but I just found out how to edit the hosts file so that I can block Ads which would be AWESOME! I do block Ads in Firefox with uBlock, but Aps like Facebook are hell to use with all the pop ups.

So I saw some links to software and I'm a little sketchy to use their software. What's in it for them? One software says it can take as little as 30 seconds another says 2 freaking hours! Ain't no one got time for that!

What's the best way to do this? And after you root can you unroot? Thinking no.

 

[WelshBloke]

Third post in this thread.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2192841

 

[lxskllr]

Best bet is searching XDA forums. Use "galaxy s4 carrier(it matters)" as a search term. Generally you can unroot, but some phones have efuses that can potentially trip, and void the warranty, though I don't think the s4 is one of them.

Not sure why you'd want to unroot. That's like saying "I want to give ownership and control of the phone to the corporations". Ability to get root is the primary criteria I use for phone selection. Adaway works with the hosts file, and gives you a friendly interface.

 

[John Connor]

Okay, all that is waaay over my head looking at several threads at XDA. So I just created an account and asked since this is a Cricket phone and I don't want a brick.

Adaway looks promising. I see in Github their hosts file is only 14k. I was going to upload a 8 MB hosts file! After reading all that I could it seems that would have been a very bad idea. Now it says I should use the "client" for updates what is that and where is it?

The method I was going to use was using the Android SDK and push the host file to the phone then unroot. Reason being is that I read a rooted phone is more vulnarable to malware and crap.

 

[lxskllr]

Adaway looks promising. I see in Github their hosts file is only 14k. I was going to upload a 8 MB hosts file! After reading all that I could it seems that would have been a very bad idea. Now it says I should use the "client" for updates what is that and where is it?

I use the same list I use for uBlock, which is Fanboy's ultimate list. When you enter the list urls, it'll notify of list changes, and you download/apply/reboot. I do that once a week. Rebooting every so often is a good idea, and updating lists once a week is a good excuse to do it.

Reason being is that I read a rooted phone is more vulnarable to malware and crap.

That's true of course. You should treat Android as you would Windows, or really any other O/S. Don't download crap of uncertain provenance, and keep your browser/plugins in check. I'll take the increased chance of exploit in exchange for control of my computer.

 

[sbpromania]

Beside XDA forum you could also try this tutorial: http://gs4.wonderhowto.com/how-to/root-any-samsung-galaxy-s4-one-click-0155622/

 

[John Connor]

Beside XDA forum you could also try this tutorial: http://gs4.wonderhowto.com/how-to/root-any-samsung-galaxy-s4-one-click-0155622/

That was actually the second link I clicked in Google, but was a little leary about an App doing this.

 

[lxskllr]

Towelroot is legit as long as you trust the source. That's what I used for my S5 cause it wouldn't trip knox, and I could revert if I had a warranty issue. I think tripped knox is overblown by the community, and won't necessarily void the warranty, but there's no point in giving them ammo to deny.

 

[thesmokingman]

I never wanted to do this, but I just found out how to edit the hosts file so that I can block Ads which would be AWESOME! I do block Ads in Firefox with uBlock, but Aps like Facebook are hell to use with all the pop ups.

So I saw some links to software and I'm a little sketchy to use their software. What's in it for them? One software says it can take as little as 30 seconds another says 2 freaking hours! Ain't no one got time for that!

What's the best way to do this? And after you root can you unroot? Thinking no.

It depends on your carrier. For tmobile I used cf autoroot, easy peasy. Then download adaway for the win.

 

[Elixer]

That's true of course. You should treat Android as you would Windows, or really any other O/S. Don't download crap of uncertain provenance, and keep your browser/plugins in check. I'll take the increased chance of exploit in exchange for control of my computer.

This is also why Xprivacy should be installed, it can limit what a program/app has access to.
That way, when you download something, you tell Xprivacy to block internet access, storage access, or whatever else.

 

[John Connor]

So not one person responded to my post on XDA. Will Towelroot work with Cricket?

What is Knox?

 

[John Connor]

This is my Info. Can anyone tell me if Towelroot works here for the following?


Samsung-SGHI337Z
Android 4.4.2
Baseband I337ZTUUB0A3
KERNAL 3.4.0-3238692
SE for android is enforcing
security software MDF v1.0 release 2

This thread gives me a freaking HEADACHE! I have no idea what the hell they're talking about.


http://www.cricketusers.com/f221/sgh-i337z-boa1-kernel-root-178242/index3.html

I read on the XDA forums that you lose your data when you root? Is that correct? If so that's a deal breaker.

 

[sbpromania]

Hei John Connor,

From my past experiences with rooting, your data will not be erased however a backup is recommended.
Most of threads say that data will be lost because after rooting on the device will be installed a new firmware and a complete format of the device will be performed.

>>And after you root can you unroot?<<
I have rooted my Nexus 7 2012 and Nexus 5 and when I send them back to warranty I had unrooted them without problems.

First of all is your device bought from a carrier ?

I've performed a search on Google with our device code and I've found that is AT&T Galaxy S4. Is this correct?

Also I've found this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2680868

You could give a try and see if works for you.

 

[John Connor]

Yes, it's AT&T.

That looks complicated as hell and it says to format. :\

 

[WelshBloke]

Okay, all that is waaay over my head looking at several threads at XDA.

This thread gives me a freaking HEADACHE! I have no idea what the hell they're talking about.

That looks complicated as hell and it says to format. :\

I dont want to come over as rude but maybe dicking around with the way your phone works is not for you. If you think the ways of rooting it are too complicated just wait until something goes wrong and you have to fix it.

If youre worried about ads in facebook just use tinfoil for facebook (Its in the play store), I'm not sure that Tinfoil strictly blocks ads but I know I've never been served pop overs by it.

 

[lxskllr]

If youre worried about ads in facebook just use tinfoil for facebook (Its in the play store), I'm not sure that Tinfoil strictly blocks ads but I know I've never been served pop overs by it.

On that note, he could also use firefox. The android version has many of the same privacy/security addons. In general I avoid "apps" that are merely a captive web browser. If I wanted to facebook, I'd use firefox, and not an app. Easier lock down, and keep it from misbehaving.

 

[John Connor]

Trouble with just using FF is that you can't just hit the share button for photos/video.


I just don't understand all the crap they have you do. Bootloader this, format, recovery, Knox, WTF!

I suppose I could take 4 hours ot of my life and learn the basics of rooting, but FFS! All I want to do is edit the damn hosts file. That Towelroot sure looked easy. I'm going to ask on the Cricket forum.

 

[thesmokingman]

Trouble with just using FF is that you can't just hit the share button for photos/video.


I just don't understand all the crap they have you do. Bootloader this, format, recovery, Knox, WTF!

I suppose I could take 4 hours ot of my life and learn the basics of rooting, but FFS! All I want to do is edit the damn hosts file. That Towelroot sure looked easy. I'm going to ask on the Cricket forum.

??

You don't need to edit the host file to block junk. Go google block-this. It gets around the root privilege by creating a local vpn and routing all traffic thru that and then blocks the junk. It even bypasses/cuts through the sites that block ad blockers which hosts file blocking would not be able to stop.

 

[sbpromania]

Have you tried Facebook Lite? They say that it uses less data so maybe there are less ads?

If you are not 100% confident that you can root your device then you shouldn't start this process.

However if you stick to those tutorials you can't go wrong... only if your pc shutdown or there is a power failure

Based on the extra details that you have provided here is another url that can help you:

http://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-root/how-to-root-att-or-verizon-galaxy-s4-on-android-4-4-2/


P.s: If you don't try various methods you won't find out what is the one for your device

 

[sweenish]

I have a hard time believing facebook has pop up ads.

Granted I haven't used the app in months, but it didn't have pop up ads then.

Likely a malware pirate app or some other piece of adware that was loaded onto the phone.

 

[John Connor]

I have a hard time believing facebook has pop up ads.

Granted I haven't used the app in months, but it didn't have pop up ads then.

Likely a malware pirate app or some other piece of adware that was loaded onto the phone.

Facebook its self doesn't, but when you click a link then you are having to click close on all the Ads.

 

[John Connor]

That Cricket website has given me Info. that Towelroot works. But then he started to confuse me with terms like recovery and other crap. I haven't checked for the follow up on my post asking to explain all this.

 

[John Connor]

??

You don't need to edit the host file to block junk. Go google block-this. It gets around the root privilege by creating a local vpn and routing all traffic thru that and then blocks the junk. It even bypasses/cuts through the sites that block ad blockers which hosts file blocking would not be able to stop.

This looks promising, but I'm some what a little skeptical. On the website, https://block-this.com/ it says that the App is banned from the Google Play Store. Yet at the Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.savageorgiev.blockthis&hl=en it's right there!

*Making weighing hands motion* What am I missing here?

 

[thesmokingman]

This looks promising, but I'm some what a little skeptical. On the website, https://block-this.com/ it says that the App is banned from th eGoogle Play Store. Yet at the Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.savageorgiev.blockthis&hl=en it's right there!

*Making weighing hands motion* What am I missing here?

Anything that truly blocks ads is fundamentally opposed to Googles world domination. Lots of blockers get banned, some get back on the store some don't like adaway. Missing? Read the reviews maybe?

 

[John Connor]

Based on the extra details that you have provided here is another url that can help you:

http://galaxys4root.com/galaxy-s4-root/how-to-root-att-or-verizon-galaxy-s4-on-android-4-4-2/

What is Superuser? Why do I need it?

P.s: If you don't try various methods you won't find out what is the one for your device

I'm afraid that if I just tried any root method I would obvesloy brick my phone. That's why I'm asking those that have done it so I don't have a paper weight.