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Root [Virgin Mobile] Need help rooting

Navigate to Settings > About

You should see your ROM build in there. Its end with 1 of three types:

MD7 - This is the original with ICS bootloaders (You will need to upgrade to flash about anything)

MG2 - First update to ROM with JB Bootloaders.

MK5 - Current build that has the KNOX bootloader. (extra reading required)

My phone came with MG2 out of the box. This ment I have the JB bootloaders allowing me to flash just about any 3rd party ROM all the way to 4.4 Kitkat. I didnt allow my phone to upgrade to MK5 because I dont want KNOX.

So what build do you have?
 
MopedRyder said:
Navigate to Settings > About

You should see your ROM build in there. Its end with 1 of three types:

MD7 - This is the original with ICS bootloaders (You will need to upgrade to flash about anything)

MG2 - First update to ROM with JB Bootloaders.

MK5 - Current build that has the KNOX bootloader. (extra reading required)

My phone came with MG2 out of the box. This ment I have the JB bootloaders allowing me to flash just about any 3rd party ROM all the way to 4.4 Kitkat. I didnt allow my phone to upgrade to MK5 because I dont want KNOX.

So what build do you have?
Click to expand...

Seems to be an MK5...

Under build number & baseband version it ends with MK5.
 
WayneMC said:
Seems to be an MK5...

Under build number & baseband version it ends with MK5.
Click to expand...

Read Read Read

then Read some more!

You have the KNOX JB bootloaders. Doesn't mean anything is wrong or bad - but more precautions need to be made. The Root guide linked earlier is for your phone.
 
WayneMC said:
This is the part I want, correct?

d6424953fb4394f3ad51423a08275dd9.png

This is all the steps I need?
Click to expand...

Everything looks correct yes. When flashing via odin - it may take a long time to say "pass". Its taken about 10-15min for me at times. Its scary because its a brickable setup in the process but one of the worst things you can do is unplug during the process.

In a nutshell you cant get root without a custom recovery. So you use odin to get the Philz custom recovery written over the Samsung stock one - this is where Knox it tripped and your warranty void. No talking your way around it to Samsung support anymore. After the custom recovery is installed you boot to that recovery and flash the root file.

While you are in that recovery the first time - do a full backup (called a nandroid)
 
MopedRyder said:
Everything looks correct yes. When flashing via odin - it may take a long time to say "pass". Its taken about 10-15min for me at times. Its scary because its a brickable setup in the process but one of the worst things you can do is unplug during the process.

In a nutshell you cant get root without a custom recovery. So you use odin to get the Philz custom recovery written over the Samsung stock one - this is where Knox it tripped and your warranty void. No talking your way around it to Samsung support anymore. After the custom recovery is installed you boot to that recovery and flash the root file.

While you are in that recovery the first time - do a full backup (called a nandroid)
Click to expand...

Blah this is confusing, & scary, as I really do not want to brick my phone.

So I do ALL of those steps in that image I posted?
Then I do a nandroid?

What's the chance of me bricking? Anyway I could fix it?
 
WayneMC said:
So I want to root my phone.

My phone is from carrier Virgin Mobile & is Model #: SPH-L710.

My friend recommended me this thread to root my Galaxy S3: [Tutorial] Rooting the Sprint GalaxyS3 the Easy Way - xda-developers

But it seems old and outdated.

Looking for any and all help and guidance as I'd prefer not to brick my phone... Thanks.
Click to expand...

This is the link explain for you how you can root

http://androidforums.com/virgin-mob...n-mobile-galaxy-s3-all-things-root-guide.html

Read and follow every step. MAKE SURE YOU DO BACKUP AND NVBACKUP if something goes wrong you can restore your backup. Anyway read read read.
 
WayneMC said:
That's just a thread with common threads, which ends me back to the previous thread link someone gave me here.
Click to expand...

What do you specifically need help with? I have the MK5 setup and I have rooted. So I am willing to assist you if needed.
 
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