These are the instructions to root the Samsung Galaxy S3 SPH-L710 running the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update. The guide makes use of the CF-Auto-Root tool by Chainfire which will install and enable the SuperSU on your smartphone — another tool that is made by the same developer, Chainfire.

The CF-Auto-Root tool is known as more of a soft root which does nothing apart from install SuperSU on your device. That SuperSU is great for installing your root-requiring applications from the Google Play Store like the Titanium Backup application. Those wanting to install a custom recovery like TWRP can do that by using the same Odin flashing tool we are using for the rooting.

Samsung Galaxy S3

The rooting exploit found in this post is based on the KOT49H.L710VPUDND8 firmware which is part of a staged roll out for some areas for the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update. We do recommend you follow this guide for Android 4.4.2 KitKat only but that does not mean you have to be running on the KOT49H.L710VPUDND8 firmware.

Files You Need

  1. Download the new CF-Auto-Root for the S3 SPH-L710 running Android 4.4.2 from this page.

Rooting the Samsung Galaxy S3 SPH-L710 running Android 4.4.2 KitKat

  1. Enable the USB Debugging Mode on your Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone so you can connect it to the computer and use the Odin flashing tool.
  2. Extract the rooting file to the desktop of the computer.
  3. Double-click the Odin app and it will open on the desktop.
  4. Do not change any of the default settings from the Odin user-interface. (You should see the Auto Reboot and F Reset Time check boxes are on and the Re-partition box is empty).
  5. Boot the Samsung Galaxy S3 SPH-L710 in download mode and then connect it to the computer with the USB cable.
  6. Wait some seconds for the drivers to kick in and the ID: COM port to light up a green color — that’s when you know your Galaxy S3 device is connected. Anyone without a green light will need to install the universal ADB Driver and try again. That might require you disconnecting the Galaxy S3 and following the guide again. Others might have to do a full reboot of the computer after installing the ADB Driver.
  7. Click the AP button and browse the desktop for the Galaxy S3’s rooting tar.md5 file.
  8. Click the Start button and the flashing will begin.
  9. Wait for the Odin app on the computer to give the pass message and then look over at the display of your S3 device.

You should see the messages: restoring stock recovery, cleaning up and rebooting in 10 seconds. The Samsung Galaxy S3 will now automatically reboot to recovery mode. Any device that does not make it to recovery must enter recovery mode using the hardware buttons during a first-time boot.

You can download the root checker application from the Google Play Store and open the root checker app from your app drawer once it finishes downloading.

In conclusion, that’s how to root the Samsung Galaxy S3 SPH-L710 running on the Android 4.4.2 KitKat software update. The version of the Odin flashing tool you get during the guide is the Odin 3.10. try installing the Odin 3.09 or the Odin 3.07 if you cannot get your device rooted using the flashing tool that comes with the rooting file.