Verizon Galaxy S5 Bounty for Root Tops $3,000 in One Night

Every time a new device is released and then rooted or unlocked, it’s probably safe to assume that the carriers and manufacturers are simply learning from those exploits, patching them, and then making it even harder the next time around for developers to get busy. Thus is more than likely the case with the new Samsung Galaxy S5. We have seen some international units receive root, but a couple of the carrier variants, including the model from Verizon, hasn’t been as lucky. So what happens when a phone hasn’t been rooted and the tinkering community gets antsy? A bounty is born, of course. 

After going live last night, the bounty on root for the Galaxy S5 on Verizon has already eclipsed the $3,000 mark and is showing no signs of slowing. In fact, since I first learned about the bounty, it has almost jumped to $3,500.

Why create a bounty? Well, because those who are good enough to find security holes in devices locked up this tight like to get paid or at least can be tempted to take a look with a giant wad of cash. Bounties are born with most new devices these days because there are few skilled enough to root newer phones. So in order to get them out of hiding, this is one of the ways that has worked in the past and will continue to work.

Here are the requirements for accepting the bounty:

  • Be the first person to create or find a method to achieve the following:
    • Exploiting a fully stock VRU1ANCG build to gain root access
  • Make a post in this thread with the following:
    • Proving it works with appropriate photos and/or screenshots
    • Providing full step-by-step instructions for which anyone else can follow
  • Wait for at least one member to follow the same method and confirm it works the same on their fully stock device with VRU1ANCG build
  • Claim your bounty via PM from pledger(s)

There is no guarantee that someone will root the Verizon Galaxy S5, by the way. I wouldn’t call it “impossible,” but like I mentioned above, these things are getting tougher by the phone. If you want a phone that is easily rooted, buy a Nexus or a phone from a manufacturer or carrier that doesn’t hate freedom.

Via: XDA

This post was last modified on April 23, 2014 1:17 pm