How to: Root the Verizon Galaxy S4

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Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4

A root method for the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon is already available, which isn’t all that surprising since launch day is today. This is a solid method as it doesn’t require you to fully wipe your device by flashing a pre-rooted factory image nor does it require any skills with adb, so in other words, it’s pretty simple. It does require ODIN, a few files, the flashing of a prerelease kernel, and Dan Rosenberg’s Motochopper. Ready to do this? 

*Note – This entire guide was pulled from this XDA thread. I highly recommend you head there for full support and to give thanks.

*Note 2 – This has nothing to do with the bootloader. We’re assuming that unlock will come at some point, however, this will simply root your device.

Step 1:

  1. Download and Install Samsung Official USB Drivers – Link
  2. Download and extract ODIN v3.07 – Link
  3. Download the VRUAMD2 Prerelease Kernel – Link
  4. Download the VRUAMDK Stock Kernel – Link
  5. Download and extract the Motochopper Root Exploit Tool – Link

Step 2:

  • Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to)
  • Flash the VRUAMD2 Prerelease Kernel using ODIN v3.07 ***in PDA section only*** (See here for guide on flashing)
  • Boot back to Android and verifying everything is still working and kernel has flashed successfully

Step 3:

  • Verify in Security setting on your device that you have “Unknown sources” checked
  • Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have “USB debugging” checked
  • Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have “Verify apps via USB” unchecked
  • Connect your phone to your computer and open “Run.bat” file from the location you have extracted motochopper to
  • If successful, after your phone reboots, check if SuperSU has any update in the Play Store
  • Open SuperSU app and let the binary update itself to the latest ***VERY IMPORTANT OR YOU WILL LOSE ROOT ON STEP 4***
  • Once complete, just open a root application and verify that is able to access root properly

Step 4:

  • Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to)
  • Flash the VRUAMDK Stock Kernel using ODIN v3.07 ***in PDA section only*** (See here for guide on flashing)
  • Boot back to Android and verifying everything is still working and kernel has flashed successfully
  • After your phone boots back to Android, you should now be fully rooted and on the fully original stock firmware as the device came

Via:  XDA

Cheers Open1Your1Eyes0!

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