How to root your Samsung Galaxy S3

If you want to get the very most out of your Samsung Galaxy S3 then you have to be prepared to take the minor risk of rooting it – and we’re here to show you how

One of the main benefits of owning any Android smartphone is flexibility. Android devices offer amazing customisation options and allow savvy users to tailor things so that their smartphone is like an extension of their arm.

The one drawback is that, more often than not, you have to have a rooted phone before you can make any major changes to your device.

Thankfully rooting isn't the arduous, risky business it used to be and we're going to walk you through the very simple steps needed to become a superuser on your device.

[NOTE - Rooting isn't as risky as it once was, but the procedure does still carry risks. Your device may malfunction if the following steps aren't carried out correctly, and it may even stop working altogether. Do bear this in mind before continuing, because we won't be held responsible for any damage to your device.]

First things first:

Make sure that your device is a Samsung GT-i9300 and not one of the many carrier specific devices on the market

To check tap ‘Menu'

Select ‘Settings'

Choose ‘About Device'

You will see an option marked ‘Model Number'

If it doesn't say ‘GT-i9300' or includes supplementary numbers or letters you should do some further research, as this guide - which comes courtesy of the users over at XDA  Developers Forum - may not work for you

Next, before we go into things any deeper, you should make sureyou have version 1.85 of ODIN, Samsung's smartphone software management tool - it can be downloaded from here (forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=581913&d=1304094576)

Once the download has completed, install ODIN

You should also grab the CF-Root-SGS3-v6.0 package - it can be grabbed here (http://download.chainfire.eu/185/CF-Root/SGS3/CF-Root-SGS3-v6.0.zip)

After your download completes unzip the file and place the resulting .tar file somewhere memorable, we recommend your desktop

Do not plug your Samsung Galaxy S3 into your computer yet

Open ODIN

Click the button marked ‘PDA'

Choose the .tar file you unzipped earlier

Next, we're going to need to put your Galaxy S3 into download mode, and we achieve this by switching the device off, waiting 10 seconds and then switching it back on again whilst simultaneously holding down ‘Home', ‘Volume Down' and the ‘Power' key

Once you've done that, plug your device into your computer

Before you continue, make sure ‘Repartition' isn't ticked

Click ‘Start'

Wait a moment

Ensure that you do not unplug your device as this may result in damage

Once the procedure is complete your device will be root