The Samsung Galaxy Alpha is one of my personal favorite phones available and I think it’s design will be considered beautiful years from now. While it is naturally amazing device out of the box, it is a far better device with root access. Once you root the Samsung Galaxy Alpha smartphone, you can install heaps of new apps like the ES File Explorer application.

The EF File Explorer is by far the best File Browser for Android and you can have it on your device after you finish the guide below. All you need to do is head over to the Google Play Store and type the ES File Explorer in the search bar and you’re away.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha

Files You Need

  1. Download the CF-Root package from this page.
  2. Download the Odin flashing tool version 3.10 from this page.
  3. Download the ADB Driver for your device and Windows computer from this page.
  4. You must have the Samsung Galaxy Alpha bootloader unlocked before following this guide.
  5. Only follow this guide for rooting the Alpha from a Windows operating system.
  6. These are the steps to root Samsung Galaxy Alpha devices running Android 4.4.4 KitKat. You should downgrade to Android 4.4.4 KitKat if you don’t want to risk bricking your device. Google could patch the exploit which causes bricks in future software updates.

Rooting the Samsung Galaxy Alpha SM-G850Y

  1. Download the rooting package and the Odin flashing tool on the computer and extract the files to the desktop.
  2. Enable the USB Debugging Mode on your Alpha by navigating to the Menu > Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging Mode.
  3. Double-click the Odin executable file that’s on your computer desktop.
  4. Turn off the Samsung Galaxy Alpha and reboot it in the download mode.
  5. Connect the Galaxy Alpha to the computer using the USB cable.
  6. Wait until the color of the ID: COM port changes before going ahead. If you do not see a color change, it means the drivers are not working.
  7. Click the AP or the PDA button you see from the Odin user-interface.
  8. Browse the desktop of the Windows PC from the Alpha CF-Root package.
  9. Once uploaded, leave the default settings in the Odin user-interface and just click the Start button.
  10. Wait until you get a pass message coming from the Odin message box and your device reboots automatically.
  11. Now you may unplug from the computer and regain control of your Google account on the smartphone.

Start by installing the root checker app on your Alpha and then start installing the other root-requiring apps like the ES File Explorer app.