How to Root the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini (AT&T)
Gaining root on the AT&T variant of the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini involves flashing two kernels and then using saferoot to actually root the device. While that may seem like a lot of things to do, it actually isn’t. It’s darn simple to gain root on your Galaxy S3 Mini from AT&T and the following procedure should walk you through all the steps to do that.
It’s worth following this guide to root your device as you’ll then be introduced to some of the really great custom developments available for the Android OS. From root-only apps to customized version of the OS – aka custom ROMs – you’ll be able to enjoy all of these goodies on your device once you’re rooted. And rooting, as said earlier, isn’t too hard to get.
Here’s how to root the Galaxy S3 Mini:
I. Before You Begin
1. This could void the warranty of your device. We won’t be held responsible for anything that happens from doing this tutorial so please proceed at your own risk.
2. You must have a Windows based PC to do this procedure as the tool that you’re gonna use is Windows only.
3. Ensure that Samsung USB drivers are installed on your PC. Install them if they aren’t already.
4. This should also flash a custom recovery called CWM on your device.
5. You should only try this on the SM-G730A variant of the device. You can find out your variant name in Menu > Settings > About phone on your device.
How to Root the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini (AT&T)
To root the device, you’ll flash a modified boot file, gain root using saferoot, and restore the original boot file using the Odin tool. Here’s how to do that:
II. Downloading Required Files
1. Download Odin and save it to your desktop.
2. Download Root Kernel and save it to your desktop.
Root Kernel (It’s attached in the first post)
3. Download Restore Kernel and save it to your desktop.
Restore Kernel (It’s attached in the first post)
4. Download Saferoot and save it to your desktop.
Saferoot (It’s attached in the first post)
III. Flashing the Rootable Kernel on the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini (AT&T)
1. Extract files from all four archives you have downloaded by right-clicking on each of them and selecting Extract here.
2. Head to Menu > Settings > About phone on your device and tap on Build number for 7-8 times and it’ll say you’re a developer.
3. Head to Menu > Settings > Developer options on your device and turn on USB debugging.
4. Launch the Odin by double-clicking on its executable file available on your desktop.
5. When the Odin launches, click on PDA and choose Root Kernel .tar available on your desktop. It’s the .tar file that you’ve extracted from the Root Kernel archive.
6. Uncheck Repartition if it’s already checkmarked in the Odin.
7. You can checkmark both Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options in the Odin.
8. Turn off your device.
9. Turn your device back on in download mode by holding down Volume DOWN, Home, and Power buttons together for a few seconds.
10. Hit Volume UP and you should be in download mode.
11. Plug in your device to your PC using a USB cable.
12. Hit Start in the Odin and it’ll start flashing Root Kernel on your device. Wait for it to do that.
13. When the Odin’s done flashing Root Kernel, your device should automatically reboot.
Please do not panic if you don’t see anything on your device when it reboots as the kernel that you’ve flashed on your device has disabled the display. But you’ll fix that up in the following sections.
Now that you’ve a root-able kernel, here’s how you can root your device:
IV. Rooting the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini (AT&T)
1. Ensure your device is turned on and is connected to your PC.
2. Launch Saferoot by double-clicking on the install.bat file.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions for rooting your device.
4. When your device reboots, unplug it from your PC.
Your Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini from AT&T is now rooted but you need to flash the original kernel to enable the display. Here’s how to do that:
V. Flashing the Restore Kernel on the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini (AT&T)
1. Turn off your device.
2. Hold down Volume DOWN, Home, and Power buttons together for a few seconds.
3. Your device should reboot into download mode.
4. Plug in your device to your PC using a USB cable.
5. Double-click on the Odin executable and it should launch.
6. Click on PDA in the Odin and select Restore Kernel .tar available on your desktop. It’s the file that you’ve extracted from the Restore Kernel archive.
7. Ensure that Repartition isn’t checmarked in the Odin.
8. Checkmark both Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options in the Odin.
9. Click on Start in the Odin and it’ll start flashing Restore Kernel on your device.
10. When the Odin’s done flashing, your device should automatically reboot.
11. Head over to the Google Play store and download and install SuperSU on your device.
12. Open SuperSU from your app drawer and allow it to update the binaries.
13. Get back to the Saferoot window and let it proceed to disable KNOX on your device.
And there you go!
Your Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini (AT&T) is now rooted and has its display enabled for you to see the content on the screen.
If you’d like to flash a custom recovery on your device, here’s how you can do that:
VI. Flashing a Custom Recovery on the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini (AT&T)
1. Head over to the Google Play store and download and install ROM Manager on your device.
2. Launch ROM Manager from the app drawer on your device.
3. When ROM Manager opens, tap on Flash ClockworkMod Recovery.
4. Select your device on the screen that follows.
5. The app should start downloading and installing the recovery on your device.
6. When the app’s done installing recovery, reboot your device.
And you’ve now successfully flashed a custom recovery on your AT&T variant of the Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. You should now probably check out our custom ROMs section to find out the custom ROMs that you can flash and enjoy on your device.
