Last Updated on July 18, 2022 by Mathew Diekhake

These are the guidelines to root the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone running on the Android 5.0.2 software update.

The rooting method makes use of a custom recovery and the SuperSU application by Chainfire since Chainfire has not created a CF-Auto-Root package for this model number like he has most of the others. Given that the SM-G850A variant of the Alpha is for T-Mobile and AT&T in the United States, we can only assume the device was not easy to root.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha

Here’s what you need to do to get your Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone rooted when it’s running on the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop software updates so you can start installing the root applications that wouldn’t otherwise run unless they could get access to the root levels of the internal system.

Files You Need

  1. You must install a custom recovery on the Samsung Galaxy Alpha before you can use this guide.
  2. Download the SuperSU zip file from here.

Rooting the Samsung Galaxy Alpha SM-G850A smartphone running on the Android 5.0.2 Lollipop software update

  1. Download the SuperSU package from the files section above and have it on the desktop of the computer. Do not extract the zip file this time.
  2. Connect the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone to the computer with the USB cable you would normally use to charge the battery of the device.
  3. Copy the SuperSU zip file over to the root of the internal storage SD card, keeping it at the topmost folder.
  4. Unplug your Alpha smartphone from the computer once it’s done.
  5. Long-press the Power button and turn the Alpha device off completely.
  6. Boot the Samsung Galaxy Alpha to recovery mode by pressing the hardware button combination for that mode.
  7. Choose the ‘Install’ option from the main recovery menu.
  8. Browse the SD card for the SuperSU package you copied their earlier.
  9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of your SuperSU.
  10. Choose the ‘Reboot System’ option from the main recovery menu once your device is done installing the SuperSU package.

That’s how to root the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone with the SM-G850A model number. You can start installing any of the custom ROMs that are available for your Samsung Galaxy Alpha, any custom kernels if you want to overclock, or just head over to the Google Play Store and start installing your best root apps for Android.

Anyone of you Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone owners who have no idea where to start when it comes to root apps to install on your phone might be interested in checking out the Rec app. We usually like to give people ideas of what they can install since we recommend rooting the Android operating system so much. One of the apps we recommend you check out is Rec–not the movie but rather a free app for rooted Android’s that can record your screen.

We have seen Android bring about new features and integrate them actively in newer versions of the Android OS< but screen recording is not yet one of them. There are plenty of paid apps out there t help you out, and some of them even work pretty well. However, much like many of the apps out there that work for an unrooted phone, there is a root version that gives more functionality. You can expect Rec to be at the top of the list of apps that can record your screen thanks to its added ability to give you more and do a better job.

Now that you have rooted and installed a custom recovery on the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone, you might be interested in checking out the best custom ROMs that are available to be fitted to the Samsung Galaxy Alpha.

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