A guide for flashing a custom recovery here, a guide for unlocking bootloader there, and another guide for rooting your phone here. For an Android newbie, all this information could be overwhelming, not to mention disastrous if one ends up bricking a precious device like the Verizon Galaxy S3 SCH-I535. Not anymore, since XDA Developers member open1your1eyes0 provides us with a comprehensive guide for rooting, unlocking the bootloader, and installing a custom recovery on the Verizon variant of the Galaxy S3.
One-click packages are very handy, not to mention safer, for users who are just starting to tinker with their Android devices. open1your1eyes0didn't make it that easy, but what's great about this guide is that you have the option to choose whether to just unlock your phone's bootloader, root it, or do both. You also get to choose between ClockworkMod Recovery or TWRP Recovery.
This guide describes steps for root, custom recovery, and bootloader unlock for the Galaxy S3 I535.
Warning
- The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Verizon Galaxy S3, model number SCH-I535. Applying these instructions on another device or model may produce undesired outcomes.
- The information in this guide is provided for instructional and educational purposes only. There is no guarantee that these instructions will work under your specific and unique circumstances.
- Use these instructions at your own risk. We shall not hold any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.
- Read and understand the whole guide first before actually performing the instructions.
Requirements
- Verizon Galaxy S3 SCH-I535
- A Windows PC
- Backup all personal data on your phone to make sure you have a copy of your personal data (e.g., contacts, SMS, MMS, Internet settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and the like) in case the procedure in this guide erases such data.
- Make sure that your phone's battery is 50% or more to avoid installation interruption due to power loss.
- Download the following files to your computer:
- Samsung Official USB Drivers (Verizon_Wireless_I535_GSIII_Samsung_USB_Driver_v1_4_6_0.exe, 23.2 MB)
- ODIN v3.07 (Odin307.zip, 1.2 MB)
- Download any of the following based on your preferred procedure:
Instructions
Flashing Factory Image
- Install the Samsung USB drivers on your computer.
- Extract the Odin ZIP file to your computer.
- Boot your phone into Odin or Download Mode. To do this, turn off your phone then hold down the Volume Down, Home, and Power buttons at the same time until you see a disclaimer displayed on the screen.
- Note: Press Volume Up and the Power button to accept the disclaimer.
- Start Odin and ensure that only Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time are ticked among the options.
- Click on the PDA button and browse for the stock VRBLJ1 factory image. Select the file to load it into the PDA slot.
- Note: Do not tick the Repartition option.
- Connect your phone to your computer. The ID:COM section should turn blue when your phone has been recognized.
- Click Start in Odin to proceed with the flashing.
- Your phone will automatically reboot once the flashing is complete and should now be running on Jelly Bean with your data intact.
- You can stop here if you don't want to flash custom recovery or root your phone. Otherwise, continue with the next section.
Installing TWRP Recovery or ClockworkMod Recovery
- Boot your phone into Odin or Download Mode. To do this, turn off your phone then hold down the Volume Down, Home, and the Power button at the same time until you see a disclaimer displayed on the screen.
- Note: Press Volume Up and the Power button to accept the disclaimer.
- Start Odin and ensure that only Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time are ticked among the options.
- Click on the PDA button and browse for VRBLK1_Bootchain_CWM.tar.md5 if you want to flash ClockworkMod Recovery or VRBLK1_Bootchain_TWRP.tar.md5 to flash TWRP Recovery.
- Note: Do not tick the Repartition option.
- Connect your phone to your computer. The ID:COM section should turn blue if your phone has been recognized.
- Click Start in Odin to proceed with the flashing.
- Your phone will automatically reboot once the flashing is complete.
- Continue with the next section if you want to root the phone and/or unlock the bootloader.
Rooting and/or Unlocking the Bootloader
Choose whether you just want to root your phone, unlock your phone's bootloader, or do both.
- Copy the appropriate ZIP file for your chosen procedure to your phone’s internal SD Card.
- Boot your phone to either TWRP or ClockworkMod recovery. You can do this by pressing and holding down the Volume Up, Home, and Power buttons together until the screen turns on.
- Use the Volume buttons to scroll up and down and the Power button to select an option if you are not using the touch version of ClockworkMod Recovery.
- Select Install ZIP from SD Card > Choose ZIP From SD Card > Select the appropriate ZIP file > Yes.
- Select Go Back > Reboot System Now.
Congratulations! After your phone reboots you should now have root access, an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery installed on your Verizon Galaxy S3 SCH-I535. Now you can easily explore more Android customizations for your phone, such as custom ROMs and themes! Enjoy!
