How to Root the Samsung Galaxy Alpha (International)
The Samsung Galaxy Alpha is a recently launched Android smartphone that boasts some of the great features one can expect from a premium smartphone. If you’ve got this device or are looking to get one, but are concerned as to whether this device can be rooted or not, you’d be glad to know that there’s already a method available to gain root on this stylish device.
It uses the Chainfire’s CF-Root method for rooting to help you easily gain root-access on your device. Here’s how:
Rooting is the process of gaining administrative rights on your Android device. Once we root our Android device, we can then make changes to it to customize it well beyond what it normally can do.
Once you have root access on your Samsung Galaxy Alpha, you’ll be able to:
- Remove apps that were preinstalled by your carrier/manufacturer from your device.
- Free up storage space (because of the above benefit).
- Increase battery life (apps that might have been running constantly can be removed).
- Increase performance (after removing apps that are always running, the device will be less bogged down and run smoother).
- Update to a new version of Android (by flashing a custom recovery/ROM, see the end of this procedure for more info on that).
- Tons of other customizations when you use your new found administrative rights to flash a custom ROM (again, see the end of this procedure for more info on that).
Interested? Here’s how to root your Samsung Galaxy Alpha:
I. Before You Begin
1. This’ll void the warranty of your device. We won’t be held responsible if you end-up bricking or damaging your device. Do it at your own risk.
2. This only works for the SM-G850F variant of the device.
3. This should only work on Windows based PCs.
4. You should’ve appropriate drivers installed on your PC. If you don’t, go ahead and get the latest drivers installed from here.
II. Downloading Required Files
1. Download Odin and save it to your desktop.
2. Download CF-Root and save it to your desktop.
III. Rooting the Samsung Galaxy Alpha
1. Extract files from both Odin and CF-Root to your desktop by right-clicking on each of them and selecting Extract here.
2. Double-click on Odin executable and it’ll open.
3. Click on PDA and choose the CF-Root file you just extracted to your desktop.
4. Make sure Repartition is unchecked in the Odin.
5. Checkmark the boxes that say Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time.
6. Turn OFF your device.
7. Turn it back on by holding down Volume DOWN, Home, and Power buttons together.
8. You should see a warning message on your screen. Hit Volume UP and you should go into Download mode.
9. Plug in your device to your PC using the USB cable.
10. Hit Start in the Odin and it should begin flashing the root file on your device.
11. When the file’s flashed, your device should automatically reboot.
12. You’re all set!
Congrats! Your Samsung Galaxy Alpha is now rooted. You can confirm the root-access by downloading the Root Checker app on your device.
You can click here to find all of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha How To’s.
You can also find all of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha ROMs we have here.
