One great thing about Android is its customizability. We have been seeing different manufacturers tuning user interface by introducing their own skins built on the top of the stock Android. That’s not it, the users themselves also have the ability to manipulate their Android experience to a great extent.
Users can become superusers of their Android and access the hidden features, by rooting their smartphones. We have already discussed in detail what Android rooting essentially means. For now, I would mostly be talking about how you can actually root your Samsung Galaxy J5.
There are many ways to root a smartphone. You can root your device using a PC, while you can also do so without ever needing it. Likewise, Samsung Galaxy J5 can be rooted using PC applications like CF Auto-Root, or by using applications which provide one-click rooting on smartphones. Although using one-click root application is a bit easier, it provides temporary roots. We would be using CF Auto-Root because it is older and also a very trusted name when it comes to Samsung Galaxy devices.
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Disclaimer: Rooting your Samsung smartphone will void its manufacturer’s warranty and you may damage your device. In case of any damage in any form, TJ is not to be held responsible in any way. Proceed at your own risk.
Process:
1. Back-Up
Although the chances are less that you would loose your data or damage the device in totality, it is always recommended that you do a back-up of the data stored on your smartphone. Copy all the data from you mobile to your SD card and remove it. You can also use your PC to back-up the data. Although Samsung also has the functionality of Samsung Kies to back up the data, doing it manually however can give better control over the content to be backed up.
2. Download Samsung Galaxy J5 USB driver
Download the drivers and install it in your computer, so that you can connect your smartphone with your PC successfully. You can use this link to download the software.
3. Enable USB debugging mode on your J5
In order to enable the USB debugging mode follow these steps.
- Go to Settings on your smartphone
- Scroll down and find ‘Developer Options’ and tap there
- Enable USB debugging and OEM Unlocking
By default the Developer Options isn’t visible in settings. If you don’t see the Developer Options in your smartphone, make it visible by following these steps.
- Go to Settings on your smartphone
- Scroll down till you see “About Device” or “About Phone” and tap there
- Tap on Build Number for 5-7 times to make the Developer Options visible
- Now follow the standard steps to enable USB debugging and OEM Unlocking
4. Download the root package for your J5
You will be required to download the root package for your J5. The root packages are different for every variant of the Samsung Galaxy J5, depending on your region of purchase. In Pakistan, the model mostly is J500. But do follow the quick easy steps given below to check what model you really are on.
- Go to Settings on your smartphone
- Scroll down till you see “About Device” or “About Phone” and tap there
- Note down the model number
Now using the links below download the root package for your respective model. All the links lead to the website of Chainfire, the CF behind CF Auto-Root. Extract the Galaxy J5 CF Auto Root package and save the files in a folder in your computer.
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J5008
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500F
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500F/DS
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500FN
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500G
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500H
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500H/DS
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500M
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500N0
- Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500Y
Before you finally go on to the next step, make sure that your device has sufficient battery backup in it. Also, make sure that you have deactivated anti-virus program in your computer so that it does not disturb the process.
5. Open your smartphone in Fastboot mode
You can boot your smartphone into the Fastboot mode by following these steps.
- Switch off your smartphone.
- Press and hold the Volume Down, Home and Power Button simultaneously.
Once your device boots into the download mode, connect it to your computer using the original USB data cable.
6. Process on your PC
After connecting your device, open the folder where you have extracted the CF Auto-Root.
- Find the Odin3.exe and open it. If you have proper USB drivers of your device in your PC, you will be able to see ‘Added’ in Odin dialogue box.
- Click on ‘AP’/’PDA‘ button and select the ‘.tar.md5’ file by navigating to the folder where you have extracted the CF Auto-Root package.
- Click on the ‘Start’ button.
As soon as you would click the Start button, the flashing process will start. Just let it finish. After the process is finished, your device will reboot automatically.
After the reboot, you can disconnect the device from your PC and use it. If you would like to confirm, if your device has correctly been rooted or not. Download any root checker application from Google Play and check for root privileges. You will see a confirmation message, if you have correctly proceeded with the steps.
Want such a how-to rooting guide of any other phone? Just mention name of the smartphone in the comments section below and we will be more than happy to look into it.
