Root Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 SCH-I545 and Install TWRP

The Galaxy S4 came to Verizon pretty later than other network providers in the USA but it was rooted on the very first day it hit the stores. Our intrepid developers are always ready with their skills to dig into the layers of security imposed by OEMs against root access and custom development activities.

As you know, Samsung has set Kernel UID restrictions in its latest flagship the Galaxy S4. Due to these restrictions, rooting a Samsung device is no easier as it used to be. The rooting method for all Galaxy S4 variants requires a modified  Kernel to be installed first which replaces the stock kernel and thus makes the device open to rooting.

The new root method for the Verizon Galaxy S4 SCH-I545 is said to be very easy as it does not require any ADB (Android Debug Bridge) skills on the part of the users. What you need to do is to download a couple of files and install them to the device in a few simple steps. However, we would like to warn the users that the procedure given below, despite its being tested successfully, is considered risky and if you are not careful while going through it, it might soft-brick your Verizon Galaxy S4 SCH-I545. Read the guide several times before making the attempt!

Root Verizon Galaxy S4 the Easiest Way!

Root Verizon Galaxy S4 SCH-I545 Using Towel Root

Preparations and Downloads

So, without much ado, let’s proceed to the rooting drill but before that, you will have to download a few tools and make some preparatory steps to do the rooting job successfully.

• Download Odin flasher tool for Samsung Galaxy devices (extract the zip): Odin3-v3.07.zip
• Download the VRUAMD2 pre-release Kernel file: SCH-I545_MD2_423399_Kernel.tar.md5
• Also download the VRUAMDK Stock Kernel file: SCH-I545_MDK_562219_Kernel.tar.md5
• Install either Samsung USB Drivers or Kies on your computer. If you have installed Kies, make sure it’s not running while doing the rooting steps.

After you have downloaded the required files and installed the drivers, you need to do the following things:

• Charge your device so that it has at least 70% battery power left.
• Rooting does not wipe any data from the device but we’ll still advise you to back up your apps, contacts, messages, call logs, etc.
• Do not forget to turn on USB Debugging on your Verizon Galaxy S4 SCH-I545 by going to Settings> More> Developer Options.
• Then go to Settings> More> Security and turn on Unknown Sources option by checking the box.
• Again, turn off  Verify apps option found under Security settings.
• Go to Developer options again and uncheck Verify apps via USB option.

Install Rooted, Deodexed and Debloated Firmware on Verizon Galaxy S4:

In case you are having problem with rooting your Galaxy S4 using the method given below, you can install a pre-rooted version of stock firmware which can save a lot of time and is less risky. Just download the firmware from the link below and install it using Odin by following the Steps 1 to 7 from the Odin method given below.

Download Firmware:  factoryrom_vzw_stock_debloat_v1.zip

Root Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 SCH-I545

Having made sure that you have gathered all required tools and made necessary preparations as instructed above, you can now move on to root your Verizon Galaxy S4. Just follow the steps below and you are good to go:

1. Put your S4 SCH-I545 into Download/Odin mode: hold Volume Down+Home+Power buttons together for 2-3 seconds until you see a warning screen with a yellow triangle. Press Volume Up key to enter Download mode.
2. Go to Odin folder and launch the program. Now connect the device to computer via USB cable.
3. Wait till your device is detected by Odin. A good connection is indicated by the ID:COM port turning to Blue and “Added!!” message at Odin.
4. Now click on PDA button, navigate to  “SCH-I545_MD2_423399_Kernel.tar.md5″  file that you downloaded earlier and select it.
5. Do not touch anything else on Odin and directly click the Start button to initiate installation.
6. The pre-release Kernel will be flashed to the device in a few seconds with PASS! message on Odin and when it is done, the phone will reboot automatically.
7. When the phone boots up, open Settings> More> About and verify that the VRUAMD2 kernel was installed successfully.

Your device now has an insecure kernel that will remove the root block and allow the Motochopper tool to inject the SuperSU app to your device so that it has root access. Now do the following steps:

1. Connect your Verizon Galaxy S4 to PC again (no need to boot into Download mode).
2. Open the Motochopper folder and double click the “run.bat” file to launch the terminal window.
3. Now press any key on your PC’s keyboard to continue with rooting your phone. You will see a message on the phone asking you to accept the new computer connection. Mark “Always allow”  and then select OK.
4. Motochopper will run the script and push the SuperUser to your device.
5. Finally, your Galaxy S4 will reboot automatically. You can disconnect the USB cable now.
6. Wait till it boots up and then open the App Drawer. Find the SuperSU app and open it. The app will prompt you to update the SU binary to the latest. Allow it to do so. Please note that this step is very important and if you miss it, your phone will lose root access.

To verify working root access on your Verizon Galaxy S4 SCH-I545, install the Root Checker app from the Google Play and run it.

[googleplay url=”https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joeykrim.rootcheck”]

Note:

In case you notice any problem with root access on your phone, install the  Go to Google Play and download the SuperSU app by Chainfire:

[googleplay url=”https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.supersu”]

After installing the app, do not forget to update the SU binary. The app will ask “The SU binary needs to be updated. Continue?” Select “Continue”. On the next screen select “Normal”, then “Allow” and finally “OK”.

Flashing the Original Stock Kernel Back

Thus, you have already rooted your device but it still has the pre-release Kernel (that might have a few bugs) on it. To go back to original Kernel your device came with, you can install the VRUAMDK stock Kernel back. Don’t worry, you will not lose the root access! To restore the original kernel, install the  “SCH-I545_MDK_562219_Kernel.tar.md5”  file and follow the same steps as you did while installing the pre-release kernel via Odin above.

Installing TWRP Recovery on Galaxy S4 SCH-I545

To install TWRP Recovery on your S3 SCH-I545, you can download the GooManager app from the Google Play and flash TWRP image with root on stock kernel.

You can also download the GooManager app directly from the official site. Open GooManager, grant root permissions, hit Menu (or the button with the 3 dots on your screen) and then Install OpenRecovery.

Installing CWM Recovery on Galaxy S4 SCH-I545

UPDATE:

Since the Loki method of installing CWM Recovery on Verizon S4 SCG-I545 is a little rounded and complex, here is an easier procedure that is easier. Install the ROM Manager app from the Google Play Store. This app requires root access on your phone, so make sure that it is already rooted. You must also have a working data connection as the app downloads online data.

[googleplay url=”https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.koushikdutta.rommanager”]

When the app is installed, open it and grant SuperUser permissions when prompted. Then tap “Flash ClockworkMod Recovery”. You will see a list of devices, select your phone model and confirm. The app will download and install ClockworkMod Recovery on your Verizon Galaxy S4.

ClockworkMod is the oldest and most popular custom recovery for Android devices. Since it’s very early to have a fully functional CWM recovery on the Verizon Galaxy S4, the method of installation is a little more complicated than it usually happens. If you wish to install the CWM on your device, you can do it by using Loki method which bypasses the unlocked bootloader on SCH-I545 and installs the custom recovery. To know more about what Loki does, read Rosenberg’s blog post.

Downloads:

• Download Loki Flash file: loki_flash
• Download Loki Recovery with OUDHS CWM: recovery.lok
• Download and install a Root File Manager app from the Play Store: Download
• Download the Android Terminal Emulator app from Google Play:

[googleplay url=”https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androidterm”]

Installation Steps:

1. Copy the Loki Flash and Recovery files to your device. In case you downloaded the file using phone browser, you can find them in Download folder on the SD Card. Then open the root file explorer app (grant it SuperUser permission when prompted) and copy these 2 files to the following directory: data/local/tmp. 
2. Now open the Android Terminal Emulator app (do not forget to grant root access when prompted).
3. Now type the following command in the Terminal app window:

   su

4. Issuing the above command will evoke SuperSU and you will be prompted to grant permission. Choose “Grant” and then type in the following command lines:

   cd /data/local/tmp
   chmod 755 *
   ./lok_flash recovery recovery.lok

5. Doing this will lash the CWM recovery to your Verizon Galaxy S4 SCH-I545. When the installation is complete, reboot the device into recovery mode using the following command:

   reboot recovery

6. Your device will now reboot into the CWM based OUDHS Recovery. This confirms that your device has ClockworkMod recovery installed on it. You can now reboot the device using the “reboot system now” option in recovery.
7. In case you see the following message in CWM recovery, select “Yes”:”ROM may flash stock recovery on boot. Fix? THIS CAN NOT BE UNDONE.- NO – YES – Disable recovery flash”

Done! Your Verizon Galaxy S4 now has root access with CWM/TWRP recovery installed on it.