Saturday, April 13, 2013

Rooting and unlocking your Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 phone (Verizon to T-Mobile) in WINDOWS. From start to finish! (root samasung Galaxy S3 sch-i535)

DISCLAIMER: ROOTING YOUR PHONE WILL PROBABLY VOID YOUR WARRANTY FROM BOTH THE CARRIER AND THE MANUFACTURER FURTHERMORE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PERMANENTLY DAMAGING YOUR PHONE, IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ACCEPT FAULT FOR ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ROOTING, THEN DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS A FICTIONAL SCENARIO WHICH MIGHT JUST HAVE COINCIDENTALLY HAPPENED IN REAL LIFE!

---------------------- Please Help me --------------------------
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I have put a lot of time into these blogs,
and after all this time, all I ask in return is you go to the Android Play Store and download my app "VIP Blackjack 21" and rate it. Please, it will only take you 10 seconds, consider the endless hours I put into these blogs through trial and error.

Here is the direct link: 
VIP Blackjack 21
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Alright, I just went on a very long nettrip, trying to unlock and root my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 Phone.

After much struggle, I managed to do it.

Here are the steps and sites I used to accomplish this task, and I hope my experience can help you guys out.



The following steps are from the great people at xda-developers.com and androidcentral.com, a great place to find Answers you can not find anywhere else.


Special Thanks to open1your1eyes0 and SlimSnoopOS from xda-developers.com, and DroidXcon from androidcentral.com.


Here are the original instructions in its entirety to Rooting your phone : Full Guide

a) Download Samsung Drivers if you do not already have them. It is an Exe file: DOWNLOAD

b) Run what you just downloaded, to install the drivers.

c) Download the ODIN3 Software, this software lets you flash (which means write to the hardware of your computer which is normally not possible) your phone. The file you are downloading is compressed, which means you need to first uncompress it. DOWNLOAD

d) Extract (Uncompress) the folder you just downloaded, and run ODIN3 which will be one of the files inside the folder you just extracted.

NOTE ODIN3 is an Executable File, which means you do not install it, you just click on it to run it.

e) Now we need to download the file VRALEC Bootchain. This file will be used by to allow us to flash (using the ODIN3 software) a customized recovery image on to your phone. DOWNLOAD

NOTE: What an image is, is simply a snap shot of a harddrive, sort to speak. Someone who has advanced knowledge of the Android OS, created a snap shot of their Phone "Harddrive" (firmware) so that others could simply replace their current Android OS, with the customized one.


f) Turn off your phone. HOLD DOWN the Volume Down Key,  Home Key, and the POWER down key. As soon as the phone Vibrates release the POWER button only. Once the ODIN Screen comes up, release the other two buttons and hit the Volume UP key.

g) Now connect your phone to your computer using your USB Cable.

h) Now on your computer, bring up ODIN3 and click on PDA, this will bring up a file selector. You want to select the VRALEC Bootchain you just downloaded (VRALEC.bootchain.tar.md5 for example).

WARNING: DO NOT CLICK ANY CHECK-BOXES, YOU  WILL DAMAGE YOUR PHONE.

NOTE:  After you select the file, the box next to the PDA button should now be populated with the location of the file: C:\Users\yourname\Downloads\VRALEC.bootchain.tar.md5.

i) Now locate the Start button, located below the PDA button.

WARNING: DO NOT UNPLUG YOUR PHONE OR TURN IT OFF DURING THIS PROCESS.

NOTE: Once it is complete, your phone will restart.

j) After your phone restarts, go back to ODIN3 and click the Reset button, it is located right next to the Start button.

k) Unplug your phone and then turn it off, and finally take the back cover off.

l)  We need to get back to the ODIN mode. Turn off your phone (if its not off already). Push and hold down the Volume Down Button,  Home Button, and the POWER Button. As soon as the phone Vibrates release the Power Button only. Once the ODIN Screen comes up, release the other two buttons and hit the Volume UP Button.

m) Once you are in ODIN Mode connect your phone again to your computer

n) Now you need to download ClockworkMod Touch Recovery 6.0.2.3 (a recover image that you will use to replace your current Android OS with a Unlocked one). DOWNLOAD

o) After you download it, bring up the ODIN3 software again, and this time you want to UNCHECK Auto-Reboot. This is very important, after you uncheck it, the only option that should be CHECKED is the F.Rest Time option.

p) Now click on the Bootloader button and select the Clockwork recovery image we downloaded at step n. (CWM6023TouchVZW.tar.md5 for example)

NOTE: After you select the recovery image, the box next to the should display the location of the; C:\Users\yourname\Downloads\CWM6023TouchVZW.tar.md5

q) Now locate and click the Start button again, located at the bottom of the ODIN3 Panel

WARNING: DO NOT UNPLUG YOUR PHONE OR TURN IT OFF DURING THIS PROCESS.

r) After it has finished running, disconnect your phone, turn it off, and take out the battery. Leave the battery out for at least 20 seconds.

s) We need to now turn on the Phone into Recovery. To get into Recovery mode follow these steps; Turn off your phone (if its not off already). Push and hold down the Volume UP Button,  Home Button, and the POWER Key. As soon as the phone Vibrates release the Power Button only.

NOTE Once you see "Recovery Mode..." at the top left of the screen you can let go of the buttons.

t) Once in recover mode, select reboot system now, after you click it, it will ask you if you want to disable recovery flash. YOU MUST SELECT "Yes - Disable recovery flash"

ATTENTION : The following step is very important, you must select Yes - Disable recovery flash

u) We need to now download the Super User Package to grant us Root. DOWNLOAD

NOTE: This package is a compressed zip file. DO NOT UNCOMPRESS THIS FILE, YOU NEED IT TO BE COMPRESSED.

v) Connect your phone back to your computer, and copy the zip file you just downloaded in step u, to your phone's External SD card. (SuperSU_Bootloader_FIXED.zip for example, will be the name of the file that you will copy over)

w) We now need to get into Recovery mode again. To get into Recovery mode follow these steps; Turn off your phone. Push and hold down the Volume UP Button,  Home Button, and the POWER Key. As soon as the phone Vibrates release the Power Button only.

NOTE Once you see "Recovery Mode..." at the top left of the screen you can let go of the buttons.

x) Once you are in recovery mode, select "- install zip from sdcard" 

y) Then click on "- choose zip from external sdcard"  

z) Now find the file you downloaded and copied over. (SuperSU_Bootloader_FIXED.zip for example) and select it.

NOTE: if you can't see the file, you may need to scroll down, to find it.

Sigh... this is a long process.... I am past step z!

z1) Click on "- Yes - Install SuperSU_Bootloader_FIXED.zip"

z2) After its finished, a you will see the menu again. Click on "++++++ Go Back+++++++"

z3) Click on "- reboot system now" your system should now be restarting.

We are not done yet, we now need to add the Tmobile APNs to our phone, however, the phone is set up to prevent you to do this, because of greed, corruption and a broken system.


Here are the original instructions to allow APNs unlocking in its entirety : Full Guide

z4) go to the Play Store, then search for and install BuildProp Editor

z5) Once it is installed, open it up and it will as you to grant the application superuser access, click on "GRANT"

z6) click the phone Menu Button, and when the menu comes up, click on Edit

z7) Scroll all the way to the botton, and add these two lines to it:

                ril.sales_code=LOL
                ro.csc.sales_code=LOL

z8) After entering the new in the two new lines, click on Save Icon located top right. It will pop up a message near the bottom center that will let you know it was saved.

z9) After you save it, restart your phone.go to

  • Settings
  • More Settings
  • Mobile Networks
  • Access Point Names


Here are the original instructions to set up Tmobile APN in its entirety : Full Guide

z10) Click on the phones Menu Button and click on "+ New APN"


z11) Click on Name, set it "T-Mobile" then click OK

z12) Click on APN, and set it to "epc.tmobile.com" then click OK

z13) Click on MMSC and set it to "mms.msg.eng.t-mobile.com/mms/wapenc" then Click OK

z14) Click on the phones Menu Button and click on "Save"

z15) Click on "T-Mobile" and then restart your phone.

THATS IT! We are done... man



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SIDE NOTE: If you found this post helpful, I would appreciate any donations


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61 comments:

  1. Wows I havent tied this yet but nice post man. I am a little afraid in doing all this

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad my blog helped you, I could really use your help in return. Could you please take a mere ten seconds to download my game and rate it? Please, it would really help me, I know it does not sound like much, but to me it means a lot.

      My game is called "VIP Blackjack 21" and here is the link to save you time. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.heapware.blackjack

      Thanks so much.

      Delete
    2. MY S3 IS ROOTED BUT I NEED TO UNLOCK IT ITS VERIZON

      Delete
  2. DUDE YOU ARE AWESOME!!!! Just rooted my Samsung S III Verizon I stopped at z3 cause I am not switching to Tmobile yet but I needed to have the phone rooted. Thanks a bunch

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad my blog helped you, I could really use your help in return. Could you please take a mere ten seconds to download my game and rate it? Please, it would really help me, I know it does not sound like much, but to me it means a lot.

      My game is called "VIP Blackjack 21" and here is the link to save you time. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.heapware.blackjack

      Thanks so much.

      Delete
  3. I tried it and it works but I do not get any 4g anymore. IS that a known issue. I only see E at the signal bar

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetings Aalap,

      unfortunate you will be limited to the Edge Network. I did try various ways to get past this limitation, however, I was unsuccessful.

      Delete
    2. awesome it work dude, your tha man!! now i have a question, can i flash any rom now? how do i know if the bootloader is unlocked?

      Delete
    3. would i loose/brake my sim unlock on my verizon SGS3 I535 if i flash a new rom?

      Delete
    4. Change your apn settings using this site thanks to xda!!!

      http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2236735

      Delete
    5. dear in my samsung s3 mobile i installed andoid 4.2.2 version. its installed but my sim is loked. i don't knw how was change imei no. my s3 mobile's imei no. changed and sim card can't registre... can u give me any suggestion abut it??
      my email id is : shailesh.purohit@yahoo.com

      Delete
  4. I followed all of these steps correctly and it never asked me if I wanted to disable flash.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  5. I am guessing that it was somehow already disabled, were you able to follow through with the other steps and get it working?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am at the end and when i go to save it says the mmc needs to be 3 digits. what do i do?

    ReplyDelete
  7. i kept getting an error when i installed Install SuperSU_Bootloader_FIXED.zip but the t-mobile sim worked? will this work for overseas?

    ReplyDelete
  8. During step T I wasn't able to click anything that was Yes - Disable Recovery Flash.

    Also Steps z9-end the T-Mobile Access Point is not showing up.

    ReplyDelete
  9. no matter which t-mobile settings I use the download speeds are god awful slow :\

    ReplyDelete
  10. while half asleep I chose to install the system update pushed out from verizon. Bad idea. When the phone restarted it had a message on the screen that said "Unauthorized Software installed, please shut down phone and go to the nearest verizon store." So I simply went all the way through this process again and when I got to Step T and I clicked disable recovery flash it popped up another dialog that said ROOT ACCESS lost, attempt to recover, so I clicked it. It re-rooted the phone and I got all the stupid apps verizon pushed in the update. Awesome Guide man, good job.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I followed the steps and it works fine, thanks. I wanted to know if there was a way to get the 4g signal?

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can't get the clockmode recovery to download can anyone help

    ReplyDelete
  13. If I do this can I connect my tmobile galaxy s3 to verizon?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Verizon screwed me so i told them to shove it, I went to metropcs who is now tmobile and the techs all said i could not use a galaxy3 verizon on the system...Ahhhhh I hate proving them all wrong!! Yes you can and it all works Great, if i can do it ANYONE CAN!!

      Delete
    2. DO NOT go to verizon, they stole my number i had for 13 yrs...

      Delete
  14. Thank you so much for this blog post! I was able to root my phone successfully (happened to use different instructions), but I could not get the APN setting to work until I followed your instructions. It is much appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad my blog helped you, I could really use your help in return. Could you please take a mere ten seconds to download my game and rate it? Please, it would really help me, I know it does not sound like much, but to me it means a lot.

      My game is called "VIP Blackjack 21" and here is the link to save you time. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.heapware.blackjack

      Thanks so much.

      Delete
  15. i have a Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-i9300 (VRALEC Bootchain is also same)
    or ???

    the Phone is restarting every time , starts up i can use it it's works fine
    when screen saver is come up or i put the button right
    screen is black , led is red
    push the button nothing happened Phone is restarting auto. ect.ect.


    now i thought i use this site for help.

    the file VRALEC Bootchain can not write

    Initialzation..
    Get PIT for mapping..
    Firmware update start..
    aboot.mbn
    NAND Write Start!!

    40 minutes later still same massage !!!!

    i think i have here before selected bootloader an not PDA

    now i'm using Android V4.2.3


    please help !!!!
    mailto:// wies.ramon@gmail.com


    thanks Ramon from the Netherlands.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ramon, the GT-I9300 is not compatible with this exploit, you will be lucky if it doesn't hard brick your device. There are one-click fixes for rooting the i9300 International device. Hope that helps!!!!

      Delete
  16. I did this and it unlocked the sim but not apn so i cannot use internet or any other data... any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I unlocked it correctly, everything is fine except APN I have E (Edge) not 4g!

      Did you add a new APN?
      email me : mureedms04@gmail.com

      Delete
  17. I did this but I'm not getting the internet to work without being connected to wifi...any help with this issue?

    also able to receive mms but not able to send them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have the same thing. Connection is E(Edge)not 3g or 4g and it's very slow. I do receive MMS but can't send'em .
      And when I change the network to LTE/CDMA it asks me to change to Global!! I don't know why !!

      Delete
  18. Will I have to root my phone to unlock it I only want it unlocked so do I only have to follow the unlock instructions

    ReplyDelete
  19. And once I unlock my Verizon phone will it work without a sim card I want to go to straight talk

    ReplyDelete
  20. Newbie here. If I use this method to root and unlock, I don't have to get the unlock via standard procedure right (pay someone to get me an unlock code so I can switch carriers).

    ReplyDelete
  21. i was rooting my phone and got to the Yes - Disable recovery flash and my phone shut off and wont charge or even turn on need help with trying to fix the problem some please help email at xeroblader@gmail.com please help

    ReplyDelete
  22. I have a T-Mobile S4 and the apn is set to fast.t-mobile.com. I was wondering if it would make a difference if I was to set my Verizon s3 to the settings of the T-Mobile phone or keep it the way you have it written in the instructions?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Im currently trouble shooting ways to get my Galaxy S3 SCH-i535 to connect to the 3g/4g networks. I followed all the instructions but the phone is not getting the 3g/4g.

    Im testing the fast.tmobile.com setting now... per what lil joe said in the comments above with this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2236735

    ReplyDelete
  24. When I went to odin mode it taking a long time to download I couldn't follow the steps to due it immediatley went to rewrite and down load mode

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thx a lot for this nice and usefull info, I got a Verizon Galaxy S3 full unlocked and rooted I also have the build prop editor installed in my phone but instaed of T-Movil Im gonna conect my phone to Metro PCS, settings will be the same on Build Prop editor? if not could you pls tell me the right ones, thx in advance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad my blog helped you, I could really use your help in return. Could you please take a mere ten seconds to download my game and rate it? Please, it would really help me, I know it does not sound like much, but to me it means a lot.

      My game is called "VIP Blackjack 21" and here is the link to save you time. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.heapware.blackjack

      Thanks so much.

      Delete
  26. This blog is really awesome in all respects.
    iPhone 4S

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad my blog helped you, I could really use your help in return. Could you please take a mere ten seconds to download my game and rate it? Please, it would really help me, I know it does not sound like much, but to me it means a lot.

      My game is called "VIP Blackjack 21" and here is the link to save you time. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.heapware.blackjack

      Thanks so much.

      Delete
  27. Hello, what happen if the phone have a bad ESN? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Yes - Disable recovery flash I didn't get this option... It just simply got restarted... I did just did everything as you said... Its not working... even i did the next step also

    ReplyDelete

  29. AYUDA POR FAVOR,

    Tengo un Samsung Galaxy S3 sch-i535 (Verizon), y no lo puedo conectar a 3G. En un principio no lo podia ni conectar a 2G (EDGE), pero le hice un ROT y logre agregarle el APN de Digite. Pero no levanta 3G (o HSPA), Alguien me podria ayudar?

    ReplyDelete
  30. HELP PLEASE

    I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 sch-i535 (Verizon), and I can not connect to 3G. At first I could not not connect to 2G (EDGE), but he did a ROT and achieve Digitel add the NPC. But sirbe 3G (or HSPA) Someone could help me?

    ReplyDelete
  31. I was reading your post and no doubt it was really informative..I got here what i was looking for..Thanks for sharing..


    Verizon Support

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad my blog helped you, I could really use your help in return. Could you please take a mere ten seconds to download my game and rate it? Please, it would really help me, I know it does not sound like much, but to me it means a lot.

      My game is called "VIP Blackjack 21" and here is the link to save you time. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.heapware.blackjack

      Thanks so much.

      Delete
  32. If you are also looking for software to Unlock samsung galaxy 4s online for free. Follow the instructions mention in this blog. These steps are really very helpful to unlock your Samson galaxy grand easily.

    Thanks,
    Jailbreakwizz.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is really interesting, lovely and beautiful blog.. So thanks a lot for sharing needful information........!!!

    Verizon Support

    ReplyDelete
  34. i can not send nor receive mms message Please help

    ReplyDelete
  35. I got all the way to step t but did not get the "Yes - Disable recovery flash" message. I did continue to the rest of the steps and it shows that my phone is rooted but I still can not stick to tmobiles towers and I keep getting a pop up asking if I want to switch to global. Does not clicking "Yes - Disable recovery flash" make the difference to making it work with tmobile if so how can I fix this. I have the Samsung galaxy s3 i535 4.1.2

    ReplyDelete
  36. I also can not send or receive picture messages.

    ReplyDelete
  37. i got struck at step:I, getting warning message, 'System software not authorized by verizon wireless has been found on your phone.'

    Any suggestions please.....

    ReplyDelete
  38. I flashed mine and my husband's Samsung galaxy s3 Verizon phones and they work great. I'm flashing my brother-in-laws phone but it is taking about two hours on step i. In the message box it says Added!! Removed!! Added!! etc. I don't remember it taking this long on mine or my husbands phone. Could you please help me? I don't want to do something and end up bricking the phone. Thank You.

    ReplyDelete
  39. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  40. sorry I have had no luck with your step by step. I get fail when trying to complete step h/i.. please advise. cliles95@gmail.com. thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete