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Root [Verizon] Need help for ROM install (first timer).

SFBayArea

Android Enthusiast
I have finally fixed my phone connection to PC and now want to install custom Jelly Bean ROM.
I have never installed custom ROMs before, so big confused what is needed. I've read the section on the ROM installation, but still not clear on number of things and hope some of you smart guys can help stupid one in need :-).

Basically from the new ROM I expect to have all the capability and familiarity of Jelly Bean, but remove those bulk Verizon and Google Softwares like music, play, etc. However, I like (at least used to) the TouchWhiz.

1. I want to completely wipe clean my S3 and install new ROM on a fresh device. Do I need to factory reset my phone?

2. I've read that I need ODIN app, but I can't figure out why?

3. Is there a complete guide from A-Z on how to install one or another ROM?

4. What is the most popular ROM on the forum? Meaning most stable with less issues reported?

Thank you.
 
I am running CleanRom and you can click on "show" of my signature to take you to that link.
It has the familiarity of JB touchwiz with alot of the bloat removed, and when you flash the rom, you will end up doing a factory reset in recovery before the rom flash.

Are you rooted already or do you need to do that yet?
Because you need to be rooted to flash (install) custom roms :)
And you need to be rooted to delete (not disable) bloat/system apps.
 
I am running CleanRom and you can click on "show" of my signature to take you to that link.
It has the familiarity of JB touchwiz with alot of the bloat removed, and when you flash the rom, you will end up doing a factory reset in recovery before the rom flash.

Are you rooted already or do you need to do that yet?
Because you need to be rooted to flash (install) custom roms :)
And you need to be rooted to delete (not disable) bloat/system apps.

Nope, not rooted yet.
So very first step is to be rooted?
 
Nope, not rooted yet.
So very first step is to be rooted?

Yes and I just want to make sure the reason you would like to root is to completely remove, (delete), and not just disable the bloatware from Verizon?
That is one of many benefits of rooting. But I also want to caution you, not scare you about rooting.

Rooting will give you the ability to access all paritions of your phone and if you are not clear, or careful about what you do, you could mess up your device. Like I said, I dont want to scare you or talk you out of it:)
And we will be very happy to help you if this is what you desire.

There is also a stripped down version of the Cleanrom you could flash too, after you are rooted.

What android version are you on now? JellyBean 4.1.1?
 
Yes and I just want to make sure the reason you would like to root is to completely remove, (delete), and not just disable the bloatware from Verizon?
That is one of many benefits of rooting. But I also want to caution you, not scare you about rooting.

Rooting will give you the ability to access all paritions of your phone and if you are not clear, or careful about what you do, you could mess up your device. Like I said, I dont want to scare you or talk you out of it:)
And we will be very happy to help you if this is what you desire.

There is also a stripped down version of the Cleanrom you could flash too, after you are rooted.

What android version are you on now? JellyBean 4.1.1?

Yes, still want to do it and yes, I am on JellyBean 4.1.1.

So, once I root. What are my next steps?
 
Yes, still want to do it and yes, I am on JellyBean 4.1.1.

So, once I root. What are my next steps?
okee dokee then:)

Read thru this guide a few times about rooting your device:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046439

Just familiarize your self with the steps involved. It may seem overwhelming at first but this video based on that guide may help too:


Verizon Galaxy S III ROOT OTA Official Jelly Bean 4.1.1 How to Root+ Unlock + Install Recovery - YouTube

After rooting, then you can choose the rom you desire:)

I would first recommend the CleanRom rom but that's just me. It's smooth and very stable for me:)


If you have any other questions about the guide procedures, just ask us here. We'd rather you ask too many questions and be clear about the steps, than not enough questions and be guessing at what something means:D

When all is said and done, you will think, "well, that wasn't so hard at all!"
Trust us. :)
 
OK, I never thought of myself as a genius, but man I think I am really dumb :-). I read and tried to follow post:"Read thru this guide a few times about rooting your device:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046439"

However, I am stock on a second step - booting phone in the Odin mode.

I am following the post and booting phone into the download/odin mode. However, once it is getting into the dowload mode it just stays there, that is it. I tried using up and down keys as well as home button and power button to make "odin mode" selection, which is right at the top. However, nothing happening.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks.
 
OK, I never thought of myself as a genius, but man I think I am really dumb :-). I read and tried to follow post:"Read thru this guide a few times about rooting your device:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046439"

However, I am stock on a second step - booting phone in the Odin mode.

I am following the post and booting phone into the download/odin mode. However, once it is getting into the dowload mode it just stays there, that is it. I tried using up and down keys as well as home button and power button to make "odin mode" selection, which is right at the top. However, nothing happening.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks.
The screen says something like "downloading mode do not disconnect" or something like that right?
You are not doing anything wrong....it will stay like that for the entire time you are in Odin.....it's fine :)
 
The screen says something like "downloading mode do not disconnect" or something like that right?
You are not doing anything wrong....it will stay like that for the entire time you are in Odin.....it's fine :)

Yes, that is exactly what it is says "downloading mode do not disconnect". If I am doing everything right, then I don't understand what to do next, because the phone just sits in the same "download mode" screen and that is it. When I watched video Verizon Galaxy S III ROOT OTA Official Jelly Bean 4.1.1 How to Root+ Unlock + Install Recovery - YouTube

The guy went from the "dowload mode" into odin app and changed some of the parameters there. I think he was doing this "Flash the VRALEC Bootchain using ODIN v3.07"
 
o.k...so I see you are on step 2?
When your phone is in download mode, open ODIN on your computer and plug the phone in.
Then flash the VRALEC bootchain...no need to extract anything (except the ODIN zip)
There was/is a link on that site on how to flash the VRALEC boot chain but basically, click on the PDA and find the VRALEC bootchain you downloaded and double click on that file. I think you have to hit start in Odin too.
Odin will do its thing and will show a "Pass" message when done.
 
First thank you for the explanation, I have not seen any indications of these detailed steps that I have to use my PC to do the flash from Odin. I really appreciate it.

I only hope that some other newby to rooting can use my steps so you wiz guys don't waste your time on me alone :-).

With that I have another step question.
So I have completed second step with the flashing the VRALEC bootchain on odin.

However, I am once again confused in the mid of the 3rd step - "Installing custom recovery". The guide says: "Flash the recovery of your choice using ODIN v3.07". I have downloaded EZ Recovery for Verizon from the market. It is on my phone now. However, I can't figure out what is next.
Once again the instructions saying "Flash the recovery of your choice using ODIN v3.07" I am in the Dowload mode and Odin is open on my PC, but I am missing a step because EZ recovery is on my phone and I cannot get to it from Odin windows on laptop, or can I?
 
You will not need that EZ recovery at all.
In step 1 of the guide, it gives you 2 different recoveries to choose from.
I chose TWRP. But you can choose CWM if you desire...it matters not. I just find TWRP easier to use.
Download that to your computer and use that file to flash in ODIN in step 3. :)
And no worries, you are not wasting my time :)

And make sure you uncheck the "Auto Reboot" in ODIN in step 3....I know it says that in the guide, but just re-iterating it:)
 
You will not need that EZ recovery at all.
In step 1 of the guide, it gives you 2 different recoveries to choose from.
I chose TWRP. But you can choose CWM if you desire...it matters not. I just find TWRP easier to use.
Download that to your computer and use that file to flash in ODIN in step 3. :)
And no worries, you are not wasting my time :)

And make sure you uncheck the "Auto Reboot" in ODIN in step 3....I know it says that in the guide, but just re-iterating it:)

Thank you!!!!

I have past the step number 3 :-). I've done the recovery and now on to step number 4.
It required to download "Download SuperSU + Unlocked Bootloader", which I did. However, I don't have SD card so I downloaded on the phone internal memory and installed the file from the internal memory. It seems that app installed, but what is next?

Instructions call for the following steps:

Upon exiting your custom recovery to reboot first time, you will be asked if you want to "Disable recovery flash", you MUST select Yes
After reboot, your ROM will now be fully rooted, have a custom recovery, and/or your bootloader unlocked as well

I rebooted my phone, but was never asked to Disable anything.
 
If you choose TWRP, you will not get that option....I am leaving work now but will be home in about an hour if you need more help unless someone else chimes in:)
 
If you choose TWRP, you will not get that option....I am leaving work now but will be home in about an hour if you need more help unless someone else chimes in:)

Yes, I choose the TWRP. So should I simply skip to the last step number 5?

This step is optional but recommended to return your original partitions after you see everything is working properly
Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to)
Flash the VRBLK3 Bootchain using ODIN v3.07 (See here for guide on flashing)
After a final reboot, you are all set to use your device as needed
 
Yes, I choose the TWRP. So should I simply skip to the last step number 5?

This step is optional but recommended to return your original partitions after you see everything is working properly
Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to)
Flash the VRBLK3 Bootchain using ODIN v3.07 (See here for guide on flashing)
After a final reboot, you are all set to use your device as needed

You say "skip" to step 5, as if you missed a step somewhere.
From what I have read in your posts, you have done all the steps?
If you have done all the steps and everything looks fine and you have your custom recovery installed and have no issues booting into your new recovery, then yes, proceed with step 5:)

Just don't "skip" any steps.
 
Actually, I did not do, or at least I think I did not complete step 4. In step four I opened up Super SU and installed it. That is it. I did not get any reboot or "Disable recovery flash" as it is stated in the instructions.

Using your custom recovery flash the download you chose above from Step 1 (#3)
Upon exiting your custom recovery to reboot first time, you will be asked if you want to "Disable recovery flash", you MUST select Yes
After reboot, your ROM will now be fully rooted, have a custom recovery, and/or your bootloader unlocked as well

I too used TDWP.
 
o.k...let me ask you this....In step 1, #3...which file did you download to your sd card.?

I dowloaded this one:
For Both Root and Unlocked Bootloader ***RECOMMENDED*** - Download SuperSU + Unlocked Bootloader to your SD Card

However, I don't have an SD card in the phone so I downloaded it on the phone memory. I ran this app. Looks like it got installed, but when I go to application and click on "Super SU" app it give me a message "There is no SU binary installed, and SuperSu cannot install it. This is a problem!"
 
I dowloaded this one:
For Both Root and Unlocked Bootloader ***RECOMMENDED*** - Download SuperSU + Unlocked Bootloader to your SD Card

However, I don't have an SD card in the phone so I downloaded it on the phone memory. I ran this app. Looks like it got installed, but when I go to application and click on "Super SU" app it give me a message "There is no SU binary installed, and SuperSu cannot install it. This is a problem!"

Here is a video, watch this then I would reread the thread.

How To Root Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 4.1.1 & Install CWM Recovery! SCH-I535 - YouTube
 
Thank you guys for all your help. Especial thanks to Mikestony!

I finally had time to review the video and flashed my S3 today and loaded clean ROM. So far like it.
 
Hi everyone. Newbie here! I am not super tech savy, but i would love to root my Galaxy S3 from Verizon. I followed this link from previous posts http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2046439 . I just want to make sure this is still a good link, and i see the step by step instructions. I want to make sure i just follow each step (following each link it gives me) I'm really worried about bricking my phone! Do i need to take my SD card out before rooting? and for Step 1, #3, it says "Root Only", "unlocked bootloader only" or both (recommended) i'm assuming i choose the third one? i'm really nervous about this!

Also if any of this helps...
model number is SGH-I535, Android version 4.1.2, (Kernal Version 3.0.31-861013), Build number JZO54K
.I535VRBMB1
 
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