How to Root the Galaxy S4 For Verizon

The Verizon Galaxy S4 hasn't event been on the market for one full day and already an intrepid hacker has released a guide detailing how to root Samsung's newest handset for Verizon subscribers.

Droid Life notes that the method, which was posted on the XDA Developers online forum, is a relatively easy approach that won't make you wipe the handset and doesn't require any Android Debug Bridge (ADB) skills.

Here's how to root your Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4, as provided by the folks on the XDA-Developers forums, but please do so at your own risk:

Step 1:

1. Download and Install Samsung Official USB Drivers – Link
2. Download and extract ODIN v3.07 – Link
3. Download the VRUAMD2 Prerelease Kernel – Link
4. Download the VRUAMDK Stock Kernel – Link
5. Download and extract the Motochopper Root Exploit Tool – Link

Step 2:

• Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to).
• Flash the VRUAMD2 Prerelease Kernel using ODIN v3.07 ***in PDA section only*** (See here for guide on flashing).
• Boot back to Android and verifying everything is still working and kernel has flashed successfully.

Step 3:

• Verify in Security setting on your device that you have "Unknown sources" checked.
• Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "USB debugging" checked.
• Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "Verify apps via USB" unchecked.
• Connect your phone to your computer and open "Run.bat" file from the location you have extracted motochopper to.
• If successful, after your phone reboots, check if SuperSU has any update in the Play Store.
• Open SuperSU app and let the binary update itself to the latest. ***VERY IMPORTANT OR YOU WILL LOSE ROOT ON STEP 4***
• Once complete, just open a root application and verify that is able to access root properly.

Step 4:

• Boot phone into ODIN mode (See here for how-to).
• Flash the VRUAMDK Stock Kernel using ODIN v3.07 ***in PDA section only*** (See here for guide on flashing).
• Boot back to Android and verifying everything is still working and kernel has flashed successfully.
• After your phone boots back to Android, you should now be fully rooted and on the fully original stock firmware as the device came.

Again, we always recommend that you know what you're doing before attempting to tool around with your device. Be sure to back up your data and do your research first.