#odin root

You might be amazed to hear the above topic if you already know what is Samsung Odin. If you aren't aware, I'll first explain what is Samsung Odin before proceeding. Odin is the official flashing utility (Windows-Based)  that is used by Samsung internally to flash stock firmware on Samsung Galaxy devices. Though this program is officially used, Samsung never announced it publicly or advised regular users to use it individually. Suddenly, Odin was available to download for regular Samsung users in 2016, at XDA and the available binaries were believed to be the result of leaks. Let's see how Samsung Odin can be used as a rooting solution though it's a firmware flashing utility.

Samsung Odin As A Rooting Solution

The credit for helping users to use Samsung Odin as a rooting solution straightly goes to Chainfire, a well-known retired XDA developer. Technically, Odin has been designed to flash .tar or .tar.MD5 file extensions. So, it isn't compatible with any other file formats. Taking this unique feature as an advantage, Chainfire developed his CF-Auto-Root root binary package to be able to flash via Samsung Odin. As mentioned, the program is only for Samsung devices and only those devices can be rooted using this Odin method.

CF-Auto-Root

CF-Auto-Root is available as packages (.Zip file) and each package is unique and only compatible with specific devices. You can never use one package for two devices which may brick your device if you do so. The other special point is the CF-Auto-Root version. Available versions are,

CF-Auto-Root for Odin flashable devices - All the packages under this version are only can be flashed via Samsung Odin and only Samsung Galaxy devices can be rooted

CF-Auto-Root for fastboot flashable devices - All the packages under this version are only can be flashed via PC when compatible devices are in fastboot mode

How To Root Android With Samsung Odin

First, arrange a Windows PC/Laptop

Install or update the existing USB drivers on the PC/Laptop

Backup of your Samsung Galaxy device

Unlock the bootloader

Download Odin flashable CF-Auto-Root  package for your device on your PC based on the device model, Android version and Build ID

Unzip the  root package

Switch off your smartphone

Press and hold the volume down + Home, and Power buttons at once and press volume up button when prompted and enter "Download/Odin" Mode

Next, connect your device to the computer over a USB cable

Install the Odin application inside the previously extracted folder

Launch the program and wait until the "ID: COM" area turns in to light blue (It indicates that the attached device is detected successfully)

Next, click on the "AP" button and select the CF-Auto-Root-XXX-XXX-XXX.tar.md5 file

Click on "Open" to load it on Odin and wait until you see the "Leave CS" in the log box

Finally, click on the "Start" button to begin the rooting process

Odin download