ClockworkMod Recovery and Root for Galaxy S3 LTE GT-i9305 from Samsung

Samsung recently released the LTE variant of the Galaxy S3, dubbed the Galaxy S3 LTE, in some countries. The device comes with LTE support, the quad-core Exynos processor (instead of the a dual-core one like in the US), and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box. And very quickly, the device has been rooted, and ClockworkMod recovery has been ported over to it, which will let people install custom ROMs on the Galaxy S3 LTE.

The guide below will help you root your Galaxy S3 LTE as well as install ClockworkMod (CWM) recovery on it, so that you can access system files and use apps that need root access, as well as install any custom ROM that comes out for it.

So let’s take a look at how the Galaxy S3 LTE can be rooted and how CWM recovery can be installed on it.

Compatibility

This guide below is compatible only and only with the Galaxy S3 LTE, model number GT-i9305. It’s not compatible with any other Galaxy S3. Check your device’s model in Settings» About phone.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Root and Install ClockworkMod (CWM) Recovery on Galaxy S3 LTE

How to Install ClockworkMod Recovery

This part of the guide will install ClockworkMod recovery on the device, which can then be used to root the phone if needed in the next part.

  1. [Optional] Just to be safe, backup all your apps, data and settings.  Backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
  2. It’s important you’ve the proper drivers for the phone installed. If you have installed Kies, you already have the drivers installed. If not, download and install Kies from the link below and install it on your computer.
    Download Kies
  3. Download the CWM package.
    Download Link  |  Filename: I9305_CWM_Recovery.tar.md5
  4. Download Odin, which will be used to flash the firmware on your tablet.
    Download Odin   |  Filename: Odin3.zip
  5. Extract the contents of the Odin3.zip file on your computer to get a folder Odin3 with four files inside it.
  6. Turn off your phone. Then boot into download mode. To do so, hold down the Volume Down, Home and then the Power buttons together until a Warning!! message is displayed on the screen. Here, press Volume Up to enter download mode.
  7. Now, open Odin by clicking on the Odin3 v3.04.exe file which you obtained after extracting Odin3.zip in step 5.
  8. Then, connect the phone to the computer with the USB cable and wait for Windows to finish installing drivers. Odin will say Added!! in the message box on the bottom left if the phone is detected successfully. If not, make sure the drivers are installed (see step 2) and also try using a different USB port – preferably a USB port on the back if using a desktop computer.
  9. In Odin, click on the PDA button, then select the I9305_CWM_Recovery.tar.md5 file that you downloaded in step 3.
  10. Important! Do not touch any other button or make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required file as given in step 9. Make sure the Re-partition option is not selected.
  11. Now, hit the START button to start flashing ClockworkMod recovery on the phone. When the flashing is complete, your phone will automatically reboot — and when you see the Samsung logo, you can safely unplug the cable. Plus, you’ll get a PASS message (with green background) in the left-most box at the very top of Odin.
    • What to do if Odin gets stuck: If ODIN gets stuck and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or you get a FAIL message (with red background) in ODIN, disconnect the phone from the PC, close ODIN, remove battery, re-insert it, then repeat the procedure from step 6.
  12. CWM recovery should be now installed on your phone. To test recovery, turn off your phone, unplug it if connected and then hold down the Volume Up + Home + Power buttons together till the screen turns on to boot into CWM recovery.

How to Root Galaxy S3 LTE

This part of the procedure will help you root any firmware or ROM if needed. You need to install ClockworkMod recovery for this, so make sure you followed the guide to install it above.

  1. Download the root file.
    Download Link  |  Filename: CWM-SuperSU-v0.96.zip
  2. Copy the CWM-SuperSU-v0.96.zip file to the internal storage on the phone.
  3. Boot into CWM recovery. To do so, turn off your phone, unplug it if connected, and then hold down the Volume Up + Home + Power buttons together till the screen turns on to boot into CWM recovery.
    Use volume keys to scroll up and down between options and power key to select an option in recovery.
  4. Select install zip from sdcard, then select choose zip from sdcard. Scroll to the CWM-SuperSU-v0.96.zip file on the and select it. Confirm installation by selecting Yes on the next screen.
  5. After installation is completed, select go back then select reboot system now to reboot the phone.
  6. Once the phone boots up, it will be rooted and you will be able to use any apps that need root access.

Your Galaxy S3 LTE should now have ClockworkMod recovery installed, which will allow you to install custom ROMs on the phone, and it should also be rooted. Have fun, and do let us know how it works!

63 Comments

  1. Thank you very, very much. This is the easiest way to understanding how easy it is to root his S3 LTE. THANKS :thumbsup:

  2. Thank you very, very much. This is the easiest way to understanding how easy it is to root his S3 LTE. THANKS :thumbsup:

  3. Thank you very, very much. This is the easiest way to understanding how easy it is to root his S3 LTE. THANKS :thumbsup:

  4. Hi,
    Just got the S3 LTE having had an iphone 4 for 2 years so the whole “rooting” thing is a bit of a mystery although i’m used to cydia and other iphone repos.
    Should the “CWM-SuperSU-v0.96.zip” file be installed from a micro SD card or should it actually be on the phone ?
    If it’s supposed to be on the phone should i be choosing “install zip from sdcard ” then “choose zip from internal sdcard ” as opposed to “choose from sdcard ” again and what folder should the file be in on the phone?
    I’m sure this is a really simple question but i just dont want to brick my phone.
    Thanks

    1. HI…just copy the zip file to the root of your internal sd card…and then in recovery select “install zip from sdcard”…then “choose zip from internal sdcard” …navigate to the zip file you pasted and select it…it doesnt matter whether you place the zip file inside a folder or at the root…i suggested root because it saves you those additional clicks 🙂

  5. Hi,
    Just got the S3 LTE having had an iphone 4 for 2 years so the whole “rooting” thing is a bit of a mystery although i’m used to cydia and other iphone repos.
    Should the “CWM-SuperSU-v0.96.zip” file be installed from a micro SD card or should it actually be on the phone ?
    If it’s supposed to be on the phone should i be choosing “install zip from sdcard ” then “choose zip from internal sdcard ” as opposed to “choose from sdcard ” again and what folder should the file be in on the phone?
    I’m sure this is a really simple question but i just dont want to brick my phone.
    Thanks

    1. HI…just copy the zip file to the root of your internal sd card…and then in recovery select “install zip from sdcard”…then “choose zip from internal sdcard” …navigate to the zip file you pasted and select it…it doesnt matter whether you place the zip file inside a folder or at the root…i suggested root because it saves you those additional clicks 🙂

  6. Hi,
    Just got the S3 LTE having had an iphone 4 for 2 years so the whole “rooting” thing is a bit of a mystery although i’m used to cydia and other iphone repos.
    Should the “CWM-SuperSU-v0.96.zip” file be installed from a micro SD card or should it actually be on the phone ?
    If it’s supposed to be on the phone should i be choosing “install zip from sdcard ” then “choose zip from internal sdcard ” as opposed to “choose from sdcard ” again and what folder should the file be in on the phone?
    I’m sure this is a really simple question but i just dont want to brick my phone.
    Thanks

    1. HI…just copy the zip file to the root of your internal sd card…and then in recovery select “install zip from sdcard”…then “choose zip from internal sdcard” …navigate to the zip file you pasted and select it…it doesnt matter whether you place the zip file inside a folder or at the root…i suggested root because it saves you those additional clicks 🙂

  7. All done on my Samsung Galaxy S3 4G Telstra Au phone. Great instructions thanks.

  8. Hi I encountered a problem. After installing CWM recovery as stated and holding down the Volume Up + Home + Power, I was brought to the Android system recovery screen instead of CWM recovery. Do you have any idea why is this so? Thanks in advance!

    1. Looks like CWM has not installed correctly. PLs attempt to install it again

    2. How dod you get around this, I get the same problem

  9. All done on my Samsung Galaxy S3 4G Telstra Au phone. Great instructions thanks.

  10. All done on my Samsung Galaxy S3 4G Telstra Au phone. Great instructions thanks.

  11. Hi I encountered a problem. After installing CWM recovery as stated and holding down the Volume Up + Home + Power, I was brought to the Android system recovery screen instead of CWM recovery. Do you have any idea why is this so? Thanks in advance!

    1. Looks like CWM has not installed correctly. PLs attempt to install it again

    2. How dod you get around this, I get the same problem

  12. Hi I encountered a problem. After installing CWM recovery as stated and holding down the Volume Up + Home + Power, I was brought to the Android system recovery screen instead of CWM recovery. Do you have any idea why is this so? Thanks in advance!

    1. Looks like CWM has not installed correctly. PLs attempt to install it again

    2. How dod you get around this, I get the same problem

  13. Hi, I would like to root my Galaxy S3 (GT-I93005) which is connected via the Optus Network in Australia. I have read some horror stories about people on other forums bricking their device. Can I confirm with you that this procedure is safe for the Aussie GS3 version on the Optus network?

    1. I set up my Galaxy s3 yesterday after getting it from Melbourne Central Optus store. Can verify the root and mod work pretty straightforwardly and the root only Adaway [ad blocker] app I use to test clockwork on my devices had full access to the root no issues.

      In fact compared to the Nexus 7 and a lot of other devices it is by far one of the easiest rooting processes I have dealt with, and you don’t need to fully flash/wipe the phone to do it.

    2. I’ve done everything up until step 8… I get to the Odin 3 screen – and keep getting a big red FAIL. What am I doing wrong?

  14. Hi, I would like to root my Galaxy S3 (GT-I93005) which is connected via the Optus Network in Australia. I have read some horror stories about people on other forums bricking their device. Can I confirm with you that this procedure is safe for the Aussie GS3 version on the Optus network?

    1. I set up my Galaxy s3 yesterday after getting it from Melbourne Central Optus store. Can verify the root and mod work pretty straightforwardly and the root only Adaway [ad blocker] app I use to test clockwork on my devices had full access to the root no issues.

      In fact compared to the Nexus 7 and a lot of other devices it is by far one of the easiest rooting processes I have dealt with, and you don’t need to fully flash/wipe the phone to do it.

      1. I’ve done everything up until step 8… I get to the Odin 3 screen – and keep getting a big red FAIL. What am I doing wrong?

  15. Hi, I would like to root my Galaxy S3 (GT-I93005) which is connected via the Optus Network in Australia. I have read some horror stories about people on other forums bricking their device. Can I confirm with you that this procedure is safe for the Aussie GS3 version on the Optus network?

    1. I set up my Galaxy s3 yesterday after getting it from Melbourne Central Optus store. Can verify the root and mod work pretty straightforwardly and the root only Adaway [ad blocker] app I use to test clockwork on my devices had full access to the root no issues.

      In fact compared to the Nexus 7 and a lot of other devices it is by far one of the easiest rooting processes I have dealt with, and you don’t need to fully flash/wipe the phone to do it.

      1. I’ve done everything up until step 8… I get to the Odin 3 screen – and keep getting a big red FAIL. What am I doing wrong?

  16. Flag as inappropriateI’ve done everything up until step 8… I get to the Odin 3 screen – and keep getting a big red FAIL. What am I doing wrong?

  17. Sorry – please ignore my last post. All good. Re did the steps as per the advice in your instructions and all worked fine. Thank you so much for your awesome tutorial.

  18. Flag as inappropriateI’ve done everything up until step 8… I get to the Odin 3 screen – and keep getting a big red FAIL. What am I doing wrong?

  19. Flag as inappropriateI’ve done everything up until step 8… I get to the Odin 3 screen – and keep getting a big red FAIL. What am I doing wrong?

  20. Sorry – please ignore my last post. All good. Re did the steps as per the advice in your instructions and all worked fine. Thank you so much for your awesome tutorial.

  21. Sorry – please ignore my last post. All good. Re did the steps as per the advice in your instructions and all worked fine. Thank you so much for your awesome tutorial.

  22. help my doesnt work even though it enters into android system recovery everytime even though i redo the process lots of time helppp

  23. Another happy Aussie Telstra customer… brand new S3 4g and rooted perfectly within an hour of receiving phone thanks to this extremely helpful page. Huge thanks to Author!

  24. help my doesnt work even though it enters into android system recovery everytime even though i redo the process lots of time helppp

  25. help my doesnt work even though it enters into android system recovery everytime even though i redo the process lots of time helppp

  26. Another happy Aussie Telstra customer… brand new S3 4g and rooted perfectly within an hour of receiving phone thanks to this extremely helpful page. Huge thanks to Author!

  27. Another happy Aussie Telstra customer… brand new S3 4g and rooted perfectly within an hour of receiving phone thanks to this extremely helpful page. Huge thanks to Author!

  28. Do you have to have USB debugging ticked in settings while performing this procedure?

  29. Do you have to have USB debugging ticked in settings while performing this procedure?

  30. Do you have to have USB debugging ticked in settings while performing this procedure?

  31. I have a International S3 LTE and after flashing I9305_CWM_Recovery.tar.md5 sucessfully and passing it in Odin.. i am not able to get into recovery mode… when i press Volume up + Home + Power button it takes me to Samsung’s default recoevery mode.. I also have S3 I9300 and it works fine on that.. but no matter how much i try on LTE it doesnt take me to modified recovery mode?

    Help ?

    1. It looks like CWM has not gotten flashed…pls repeat the ODIN steps and try again

    2. i have done this 3 times… and no luck 🙁

  32. I have a International S3 LTE and after flashing I9305_CWM_Recovery.tar.md5 sucessfully and passing it in Odin.. i am not able to get into recovery mode… when i press Volume up + Home + Power button it takes me to Samsung’s default recoevery mode.. I also have S3 I9300 and it works fine on that.. but no matter how much i try on LTE it doesnt take me to modified recovery mode?

    Help ?

    1. It looks like CWM has not gotten flashed…pls repeat the ODIN steps and try again

      1. i have done this 3 times… and no luck 🙁

  33. I have a International S3 LTE and after flashing I9305_CWM_Recovery.tar.md5 sucessfully and passing it in Odin.. i am not able to get into recovery mode… when i press Volume up + Home + Power button it takes me to Samsung’s default recoevery mode.. I also have S3 I9300 and it works fine on that.. but no matter how much i try on LTE it doesnt take me to modified recovery mode?

    Help ?

    1. It looks like CWM has not gotten flashed…pls repeat the ODIN steps and try again

      1. i have done this 3 times… and no luck 🙁

  34. I have a Galaxy s3 LTE Telstra Version …. I have done this 4 times and it fails on each attempt …. any suggestions ?

  35. I have a Galaxy s3 LTE Telstra Version …. I have done this 4 times and it fails on each attempt …. any suggestions ?

  36. I have a Galaxy s3 LTE Telstra Version …. I have done this 4 times and it fails on each attempt …. any suggestions ?

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