Last Updated on May 13, 2023 by Mathew Diekhake

The Android operating system is based on the same Linux kernel that the desktop Linux distributions are based on. Linux and UNIX-like operating systems come with different levels of permissions. With regards to the desktop version of Linux and UNIX-like systems, there are typically three levels of permissions one can use: read, write and modify. There is only one account that Linux and UNIX-like systems have that is control of all three levels of permissions, and that is the root user account.

The Android operating system doesn’t offer a whole bunch of user accounts for different permissions because you never use Android like businesses use Linux and UNIX which renders it pointless. However, the basis of the Linux operating system is still there in Android. The Android developers have just covered it up, so it is presented to you differently.

In other words, Android does have a root user account that gets to be in control of all three levels of permissions, including the read, write and modify. With Android, someone in control of the root user account gets to install and uninstall anything they want because they then can access all files and run all commands that are possible to execute anything they want to. The difference with Android is that you don’t get offered the root user account when you set Android up. You need to follow the work that third-party developers have created which then results in you being in control of the root user account.

Notes

  • Chainfire’s Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 SM-T330NU tablet had the LMY47X.T330NUUEU1BOI1 firmware build number running on it when he developed the version of the CF-Auto-Root tool that is available in this guide. He always gives us the information regarding the firmware that he had running on each device that he used for the rooting files, but that isn’t suggesting that you need to be running on the same firmware build number as him just because he shares that information. He shares it so you can use it as an indicator only.
  • If you flash the rooting file on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 SM-T330NU tablet and it causes the tablet not to boot up again, then you need to let Chainfire know about that issue by posting a new message on the CF-Auto-Root tool thread that is available on the XDA-Developers website so he can see it. The message needs to contain your model number and the recovery image files from the firmware that you had run because he uses that recovery image file to update the rooting file so that it is working again. You can find the recovery images when you download the firmware online—usually from the Sam Mobile website.
  • You need to have the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 tablet that comes with the SM-T330NU model number to use this guide. The rooting files that are CF-Auto-Root flushing for one mode, number each and flashing them on the wrong model numbers can brick them.
  • You need to have a computer that is running on a version of the Windows operating system to follow this guide because the Odin flashing tool is the only way to flash the rooting files on the Samsung devices and the Odin application cannot run on an operating system unless it is Windows-based.

Download Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 SM-T330NU CF-Auto-Root and Drivers

How to Root Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 SM-T330NU Tablets on Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop)

1. Log into the computer using the admin account, so you are then using the Odin flashing application with the administrative permissions.

If you cannot log in as the admin because you do not have the right credentials to do so, then try logging into your user account and then right-clicking on the Odin flashing application and choose to run Odin as the admin.

Make sure that your Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 SM-T330NU tablet has the Developer Options menu unlocked so you can start using the options that are available to developers on Android.

2. Turn on the USB Debugging Mode that is there from the Developer Options menu on Android, so your Android software then lets you make the necessary changes to it for the rooting to work.

3. Install the Samsung USB Drivers on the computer so that the flashing tool can tell your device is connected to the computer and allow for the flashing of the rooting file.

4. Open up the Downloads folder on the computer and then extract the rooting file to the Downloads folder.

5. Run the Odin flashing application that is available in the Downloads folder, so the flashing tool user interface is open on the computer.

6. Boot the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 SM-T330NU tablet into its Download Mode and then connect it to the computer with the USB cable.

7. Check that Odin shows a color from the ID: COM port and the added message is showing up under the Log entry, so you know the device is connected and the USB Drivers are working.

8. Do not make any changes to the default settings that Odin has when you first open it up.

9. Click on the AP button that Odin has and then navigate to the Downloads folder and select the rooting file ending in the MD5 file.

10. Click on the Start button that Odin has and then read everything that is rolling down the display of the tablet so you know what is about to happen.

Keep reading and wait until it says it is going to reboot in ten seconds and then check that Odin starts showing a pass message in a green box.

That is everything that is required to root Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 SM-T330NU tablets when you have it running on the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software updates. The guide uses the CF-Auto-Root tool by Chainfire. It is a one-click rooting tool that installs and enables the SuperSU on the device, so you don’t have to get a custom recovery image installed and flash the SuperSU manually from the custom recovery image instead. Those who don’t want a custom recovery installed always prefer using the CF-Auto-Root tool when it is available.

It doesn’t matter what method you choose to get root access on the tablet. If the result is having the SuperSU installed and enabled correctly, then you can always install the same amount of root applications on your device. The only difference is how you go about getting to have the SuperSU on your device. Those who want to be installing custom ROMs will want to install the custom recovery when available. However, if your only goal is to be running root applications, then there is nothing wrong with choosing to get root access by flashing the CF-Auto-Root one-click rooting tool instead.

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