Root [Virgin Mobile] [GUIDE][MK5][WIP]Rooting MK5 4.3 for Newbies!

[larysius]

Though I would have preferred to use the d2lte and Odin method to root my s3 with stock Rom, I went ahead and tried the Kingo one click root program, and aside from a couple of hiccups during the process, it ended up working fine, and I now have a 4.4.2 rooted gs3.

 

[kakapopo]

So does this work on android 4.4.2?

 

[larysius]

It did for me.

 

[JavamanJ]

Just an update, Rooting worked great with my 4.4.2 VM phone and these files...

Odin3 v3.04
philz_touch_6.41.6-d2lte.tar.md5
UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.99r4.zip

I originally downloaded odin v3.07 from odindownload.com but was a little suspicious that it wanted to install an exe (which had a misspelling in it to boot!) Malwarebytes confirmed that there was malware built in. Stay far away. Looks like an official site, but probably a scam site.

Thanks for all the info TheBritton and struckn!

oh, dumb question... Is there a way to boot straight to recovery from the stock VM rom? Turning the phone off and doing the vol up+home+power is a little annoying.

 

[larysius]

There's an app at the playstore called Quick Boot plus root, that has the option to boot to recovery and you don't have to do the button combination. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.siriusapplications.quickboot

 

[kakapopo]

So before I root this I just wat to make sure, it's safe to use this method even though Im on android 4.4.2?

 

[larysius]

Like I said, it worked for me. My brother also just recently used it, and it worked for him.

 

[vsanch24]

So before I root this I just wat to make sure, it's safe to use this method even though Im on android 4.4.2?

Yes it is safe as long as you follow the directions. Only ODIN the custom recovery. Everything else should be flashed from within the new recovery. I just did it two days ago on my wife's new SIII that had the 4.4.2 update.

 

[larysius]

I also used the same 3 files, but only to install the recovery options since I installed superuser after rooting with Kingo. version 3.09 of Odin didn't have a "pda" section, but I discovered it did the same thing, they just labeled the buttons differently. You're still flashing a pda, and it says that when you click the button to locate the md5 file.

Just an update, Rooting worked great with my 4.4.2 VM phone and these files...

Odin3 v3.04
philz_touch_6.41.6-d2lte.tar.md5
UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.99r4.zip

I originally downloaded odin v3.07 from odindownload.com but was a little suspicious that it wanted to install an exe (which had a misspelling in it to boot!) Malwarebytes confirmed that there was malware built in. Stay far away. Looks like an official site, but probably a scam site.

Thanks for all the info TheBritton and struckn!

oh, dumb question... Is there a way to boot straight to recovery from the stock VM rom? Turning the phone off and doing the vol up+home+power is a little annoying.

 

[djnmt1]

Hi
Well I 've used Phil x3 to load that Samsung virgin mobile
And no luck rooting my guess root is locked down on this
Phone. I've rooted other phones. I managed to flash that
Cm 11 still no root.
I've down loaded supersu and it loads no luck
I paid 29 bucks 2 a online root service spent four hours
Trying to root only to see reoccurring yellow triangles
Wi th numerous bricked options. This new virgion mobile
Phone is a bit tricky.
on my optimus Elite download the correct mod and it boots
With the new Rom and its rooted.
Jeez
What the..

 

[nimr0d82]

How do I access the supersu file? I can't save onto my micro sd so idk how to get around that. It's on the internal now. Help?

Running 4.4.2 stock with Phil's recovery.

 

[dennygreen]

plug it into your computer and save it in the SD card is how I've done it.

 

[nimr0d82]

So plug the card directly in, not try to transfer thru the USB cord & phone? Gotcha.

 

[nimr0d82]

Okay, so I can't get back on the pc. I did the Odin part tho. Do I need to run that supersu from the recovery? Is there another way I could dump that on the internal so I can access it?

 

[dennygreen]

Seems like you could still install it if its on the internal SD. I don't see the difference. Although this is the first time ive used philz.

 

[nimr0d82]

There's no filepath to the internal sd from philz recovery tho.

I saw what I did wrong. I apparently didn't have that recovery installed after all. I got back in the pc today & fixed that. then followed the rest of the steps. Problem solved.

I haven't rooted a phone since my OV a few years back. This was so much simpler.

 

[Madbat]

Just got an s3 today. I've always had Samsung phones so Odin is my buddy. This time I decided to try towelroot. Worked great. Ran it then got SuperSU from play store. Didn't trip Knox or anything. Just thought I would share.

 

[larysius]

Never heard of towelroot. Is that a one-click solution?

 

[Madbat]

Never heard of towelroot. Is that a one-click solution?

Yep. I never used it before this. Towelroot is an app. I usually flash recovery with Odin then flash su and busybox with recovery, standard Samsung root. But my normal PC crapped out so I only had this Acer aspire netbook which has a small screen. It actually cuts off the start button in Odin. I have tried everything to get to the start button, .. Nope. So I figured I would try towelroot. Installed app, clicked " make it rain" then installed SuperSU from play store. For recovery install I used flashify. Downloaded latest philz recovery.img and let flashify install it. All without a computer.
Remember I only did it that way because I won't have a new PC for a few weeks and I could not use Odin. I highly recommend using the Odin / tar method.
Link for towelroot https://towelroot.com
Link for flashify https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cgollner.flashify
Link for SuperSU https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.supersu

 

[rpgrini]

I tried madbat's method. It was really easy and fast.

 

[tantavevus]

I was having a lot of trouble rooting my VM GS3, I couldn't flash custom recovery with Odin, it just didn't work. I kept trying to use CF- Auto Root, it just did not work.

After a week and hours in front of computers, I found your Rooting Guide and it worked flawlessly, on the very first attempt.

Thank you so much for being out there and making such valuable contributions.

I really appreciate it.

Ira

 

[larysius]

Tantavevus, what method did you end up using?

 

[pOsSuM72]

So before I root this I just wat to make sure, it's safe to use this method even though Im on android 4.4.2?

Yes works perfectly fine.I just did this on my new one.I hardbricked my last one being stupid lol never mess with flashing when half asleep lol stupid me.

 

[tca8888]

Hey guys,
First I want to thank everyone involved in the community. You guys are great. Also, I want to acknowledge that me rooting my device(Virgin Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3) is my responsibility and if I brick it, it's all on me.

Okay, disclaimers out of the way. I installed Philz. Backed up my rom. Installed SuperSU. Wiped everything/factory reset and dalvik. Updated MK5 modem. Loaded both midnight and MK5 deodexed on the android. Was able to install and boot into either, also get into my backed up Rom. However! All of them show data no mobile data found. I tried activating the device "Network is not available". I see no icon for 3G/4G and I have a constant red 'x' over my reception bars. Also in download mode, I saw nothing about KNOX, before or after I started tweaking with it.

I really appreciate any help regarding this and if I have posted to the wrong place, please help me find the right forum. I do not want to spam. =/

Thanks again,
Tyler

 

[TheBritton]

Hey guys,
First I want to thank everyone involved in the community. You guys are great. Also, I want to acknowledge that me rooting my device(Virgin Mobile Samsung Galaxy S3) is my responsibility and if I brick it, it's all on me.

Okay, disclaimers out of the way. I installed Philz. Backed up my rom. Installed SuperSU. Wiped everything/factory reset and dalvik. Updated MK5 modem. Loaded both midnight and MK5 deodexed on the android. Was able to install and boot into either, also get into my backed up Rom. However! All of them show data no mobile data found. I tried activating the device "Network is not available". I see no icon for 3G/4G and I have a constant red 'x' over my reception bars. Also in download mode, I saw nothing about KNOX, before or after I started tweaking with it.

I really appreciate any help regarding this and if I have posted to the wrong place, please help me find the right forum. I do not want to spam. =/

Thanks again,
Tyler

I'm not sure, but you may need to flash the APN fix: http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?t=840298