How to Root the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 (Build MF9)

Sprint has lately been busy rolling out its latest build to the Galaxy S4 smartphones and it looks like the methods that used to work on older builds don’t work on this newer build. But you shouldn’t be worried about root methods where the developers like Chainfire are around. He’s come up with a method to root this MF9 build and allow users to have root-access back on their devices. The whole procedure’s explained below so you shouldn’t have any issues rooting your device. Here you go:

I. Before You Begin:

1. This will void the warranty of your device. However, you can reinstate the warranty by unrooting your device if there’s any unrooting procedure available.

2. Make sure your device has at least 60% of battery life left.

3. You should have appropriate drivers installed on your PC. If you don’t, download the latest drivers from here.

II. Downloading Required Files:

1. Odin

2. CWM Recovery (Download the latest version from the list)

3. SuperSU (It’s first on the Downloads list)

III. Flashing a Custom Recovery on the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 (Build MF9):

1. Place all the files you’ve downloaded to your Desktop.

2. Extract files from the Odin archive over to your Desktop.

3. Double-click on the Odin executable file and it’ll launch.

4. Click on PDA and select the CWM Recovery file to be flashed on your device.

5. Make sure to uncheck the box labeled as Repartition.

6. Checkmark the boxes that say Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time.

7. Turn OFF your device.

8. Turn it back on by holding down Volume DOWN+Home+Power buttons together.

9. You’ll see a warning message on your screen, just hit the Volume UP button and you’ll be taken to the Download mode.

10. Plug in your device to your PC using the USB cable.

11. Hit Start in the Odin and it’ll begin flashing the recovery on your device, shouldn’t take too long to finish.

12. Once the recovery’s been flashed, your device will automatically reboot.

13. You’re done!

Great! You’ve successfully flashed CWM Recovery on your device, it’s time to root your device now!

IV. Rooting the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 (Build MF9):

1. Connect your device to your PC using the USB cable.

2. Copy the SuperSU zip over to the root of your SD card.

3. Once the zip has been copied, disconnect your device from your PC.

4. Turn OFF your device.

5. Turn it back on by holding down Volume UP+Home+Power buttons together.

6. Once in Recovery, select install zip from sdcard followed by choose zip from sdcard.

7. Choose the SuperSU zip to be flashed on your device.

8. It’ll begin flashing the zip on your device, just be patient.

9. Once the zip has been flashed, reboot your device.

10. You’re now rooted!

Excellent! Your Sprint Galaxy S4 has been successfully rooted and you have the SuperSU app up and running on your device. Enjoy!

V. Flash a Custom ROM (Optional):

1. If you are ready to flash custom ROMs on your device, head to the How To Flash a Custom ROM on the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 to learn how to do that.

If this procedure helped you please thank/donate to the original developers here.

8 thoughts on “How to Root the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S4 (Build MF9)”

  1. If you get the NO COMMAND error, remember that the flashing on some devices only lasts untill it powers off.
    Right after i flashed the recovery and rebooted i help volume up as it turned on and popped right in to the right recovery.
    successfully rooted now.

    1. Lameness - I feel like a nuebe

      I am only rooting my device to get USB access to the external share to begin with – how the F(*& do you copy to the root of the SD with this thing

  2. Hi my phone was working perfectly and It was working with the root access but then suddenly it stopped working . I tried to reinstall the zip filled from recovery mode but apparently the root access has gone and the SU app is prompting an update message and when I click ok then it appears an error message. I tried to fix it by installing a update fixer but it says that there is no SU app detected.

  3. I rooted it, I can access custom recovery, but SuperSU is not appearing in my app drawer. It’s listed in my downloaded apps, but I cannot access it through my app drawer. Any suggestions? Thanks!

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