How To Root The Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C

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This guide will show you how to root the popular Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C phone from Samsung.

Disclaimer: FlexiSPY is not responsible for rooting the Android device in any way. Before performing any of these steps make sure you back up your Android device completely.

What is needed to root the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C?

This guide only works for devices manufacturer after May 2014 whose baseband ends in H2.

This guide will show you how to downgrade to a compatible H1 baseband version that can be rooted and then how to root the device.

To check the baseband on the device first go to Apps > Settings > About Device

If the baseband version listed ends in H2 use this guide.

If it ends in H1 use the guide here.

In order to root the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C you will need the following.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C you want to root in your hand.
Access to a PC

Step 1 – Download the USB drivers for the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C for your PC

In order for your PC to recognise the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C as part of the rooting process you first must download and install the USB drivers on to your PC.

You can download the USB drivers for the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C from here.

Once you have downloaded them run the main program file to make sure the drivers are installed.

Step 2 – Download the Samsung Galaxy S3 SC-S969C root files

You will need to downgrade the baseband of the device to a compatible version before you can root the device.

You can download the baseband downgrade file from here. Save it to your PC in an easy to find location such as the desktop.

You can download Odin and the root file from here.

Once downloaded extract the file to a convenient location such as the desktop.

Step 3 – Enable USB debugging on the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C

In order for your PC to recognise the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C when you plug it in to perform rooting you must first enable USB debugging on the phone itself. This is done by doing the following.

Tap the Settings option.
Tap the About Phone option.
Keep tapping the Build Number option (seven times) until it says you are a developer.
Tap the new Developer Options menu that appears.
Make sure that the USB Debugging option is checked.

Step 4 – Downgrade the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C baseband

Now that we have all we need it is time to downgrade the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C baseband. You must first put the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C in to Download mode which can be done using the following steps.

Make sure the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C is powered off completely.
Hold down the Volume down key and the Home key and the power button and keep all three buttons pressed until the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C powers up.
Providing you have done it correctly it should boot in to Download mode and you press the Volume up key to start Download mode.
Connect the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C now to your PC.
Run the Odin software you downloaded in step 2.
Inside Odin click the AP option and browse on your computer to the baseband downgrade file (.md5 file) you downloaded in step 2.
Inside Odin click Start to begin the root process.

The process will take a few moments after which the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C will restart itself and complete the rooting process – Do not remove the Samsung Galaxy Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C PC during this time.

Once the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C starts up properly it is time to root the device now that you are running the H1 baseband (go to Apps > Settings > About Device to check this).

Step 5 – Download the Cydia Impactor rooting program

In order to root the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C now that you are running the H1 baseband you must first download the Cydia Impactor program which you can get from here.

Once you have downloaded it save it in an easy to find location such as your desktop and extract the file to its own folder.

Step 6 – Root the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C

Now that we have downloaded the Cydia Impactor tool and enabled USB debugging it is time to root the device.

First, connect the device to your computer using the USB cable it came with and then run the Cydia Impactor program you downloaded in step 5.

Inside the Cydia Impactor program, in the text window, type this:

# drop SuperSU su to /system/xbin/su

Then click the Start button and wait.

When it has finished, on the device itself, open up Google Play Store and download and install SuperSU.

Once you have done that, restart the phone and then you should see the newly downloaded and installed SuperSU program which means that you have successfully managed to root the device.

Special thanks goes to our blog commenter ‘Droidriven’ for alerting us to the updates root method for this device.

Comments

49 responses to “How To Root The Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C”

November 28, 2014

SD

Hello,

First, I’d like to thank you for creating this guide. Your helpfulness and response time is excellent and very much appreciated.

I reached Step 3 in the process but unfortunately the file has been removed from the link provided. Is there another trusted source for the SuperSU zip file?

Also, is there a way to turn off or remove the Developer Options from the menu once the debugging has been completed, or will it remain in the settings menu now?

Thanks again.

Reply
1. November 28, 2014
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  Hello SD.
  
  Should be fixed now!
  
  Reply
  1. December 2, 2014
    
    SD
    
    Hello!
    
    In the final step, I have Cydia Impactor open and I click start. It cycles through three numbers, comes to “testing #9695860” and I get “Error: signature
    bugs unavailable.”
    
    Is there a way around this?
    
    Thanks
    
    Reply
    1. December 8, 2014
      
      FlexiSPYBlog
      
      Hi SD,
      
      we’ve searched for a method but it looks like the most recent update to your phone model does not have a root for it yet.
      
      We’ll be sure to update you when a new method becomes available.
      
      Reply
      1. December 10, 2014
        
        SD
        
        Thank you for looking into it. It’s disappointing because without rooting the phone the software’s key features and (more importantly) it’s complete invisibility will not be available.
        
        Please let me know if you are able to root this device in the future.
      2. December 10, 2014
        
        FlexiSPYBlog
        
        Hi SD,
        
        I have to fall back from my earlier reply to you.
        
        Actually, auto update is supported in Full, AND Limited 1 mode
        
        The rest holds true though.
        
        We’ll let you know when your phone becomes rootable
        
        Best Regards,
        Dakota
      3. January 23, 2015
        
        Droidriven
        
        Hi, I have an update for your guide that needs to be amended.
        
        There are 2 different SCH-S968C devices(technically 3, I will explain) for Straight Talk
        
        1) SCH-S968C with the H1 baseband
        2) SCH-S968C with the H2 baseband with a kernel dated Aug 7 2014 or later
        3) As for the “third” version, there are H2 devices with Qualcomm chipset(2GB RAM) and the Exynos chipset(1GB RAM)
        
        The H2 (Qualcomm and Exynos) have an unrootable kernel that has been patched to remove the two vulnerabilities that made the H1 rootable
        
        Good news guys. The H2 devices ARE rootable!!!!
        
        To gain root on the H2 all you have to do is downgrade your firmware to the H1 baseband, you can find it at Sammobile or at XDA to do this you can flash the H1 stock tar through Odin(windows) or Heimdall(linux and ubuntu) then root as normal with cydiaimpactor or Towelroot
        Install superSU as normal
        
        Just to add, the EZ Recovery for VZW app or Flashify can be used to flash the latest CWM or TWRP for Verizon in .img format or can be installed by dd command in terminal or in shell.
        
        Enjoy your rooted SCH-S968C (H2)
      4. January 23, 2015
        
        FlexiSPYBlog
        
        Hello Droidriven.
        
        It is very kind of someone who is knowledgeable about these things to help us and suggest updates. We really appreciate it.
        
        Please understand though that our software, due to its nature, requires modifying (rooting) a device that you wish to monitor which is usually not your own device. Because of this people are not wanting to or willing to try to root an Android device if they think it is too technical.
        
        We always try to find rooting methods and write guides that are easy to follow to increase the chance of a successful root. We also know that rooting information and techniques changes so fast due to phone hardware changes (firmware, baseband) or due to the updates of the Android OS or bootloader or whatever which means that a lot of these guides and the information may not be current and whilst we try to maintain them, sometimes we cannot, so we really appreciate you helping us.
        
        We will look in to the method you mentioned to downgrade in more details, it doesn’t sound too hard, and we will either update this guide or create a new one accordingly.
        
        Thanks for contacting us.
      5. January 24, 2015
        
        Droidriven
        
        Thanks for updating guys. One thing though, the date of the new kernel is Aug 2014, not May as your update shows. Devices from May already have the H1 baseband. It would not harm an H1 user to follow the updated guide but it would be unecessary as they already have the H1 baseband and can go straight to rooting without having to downgrade. Thanks again for making the information available for the H2 users, there is not much information available for this updated device.
      6. January 23, 2015
        
        Droidriven
        
        Root was gained for the updated device back around November last year, how hard did you search? A member at AA51devised the new rooting method.
      7. January 23, 2015
        
        FlexiSPYBlog
        
        Hello Droidriven.
        
        Thanks again for updating us on this. As we said in our last reply, sometimes rooting information is so quick to change that we cannot always be there to update the information we have so we value it when people assist us with this because we don’t always have the chance to keep checking for updates. That is why many other root guides all over the internet for may devices are out of date also.
        
        Thanks for contacting us.
  2. December 8, 2014
    
    SD
    
    Hi,
    
    I would really like to use this software on this phone model but have not been able to get the Cydia Impactor tool to work. I haven’t received a reply from you on my last message so I’m wondering, is there another option or is this phone not able to be rooted?
    
    Thank you.
    
    Reply
    1. December 8, 2014
      
      FlexiSPYBlog
      
      Hello SD.
      The error your getting on your phone seems to be a popular one from our research. It seems that this error appears if your device has been patched so the exploit used to root the device no longer works and root permission cannot be obtained.
      
      Unfortunately this means that your device may not be rootable in the end.
      
      Reply
January 31, 2015

Rockstar61510

It won’t allow me to download the baseband file you linked to above. Is there anywhere else I can get it from?

Reply
1. February 2, 2015
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  We have a new link for you which is here:
  
  https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B551LerSh6EwdWZOWE5GdXFiZlk/edit
  
  We will update our guide accordingly.
  
  Thanks for contacting us.
  
  Reply
March 2, 2015

SD

Hello again. Will dowgrading the baseband using Odin cause any lost data (photos, media, contacts, apps)?

I’d really like to know what might need to be restored after following the process above. Thank you.

Reply
1. March 3, 2015
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  Hello SD.
  
  While downgrading the baseband should not delete any data from the device we cannot stress enough the importance of backing up the Android TARGET device before proceeding.
  
  Thanks for contacting us.
  
  Reply
March 10, 2015

aaron lilly

the link for the baseband ending in h1 is no different from the one ending in h2, both links say to click if it ends in h1, and on that page says again click if h1. does baseband ending in h1 need to be downgraded?

Reply
1. March 10, 2015
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  Hi, the downgrade baseband file should be fixed now – http://sdboyd56.com/s968c/COMBINATION_S968CUDUAMH1_S968CTFNAMH1_1304014_REV09_user_low_ship.tar.md5
  
  Reply
2. June 23, 2015
  
  Droidriven
  
  No, the downgrade is to get to H1 from H2 so that root can be gained.
  
  Reply
March 13, 2015

QP

I thought I would let you know that I was successful in rooting this model with the above guide. SuperSU is installed and Root Checker verified the phone is indeed rooted.

However, be warned that the process of downgrading the baseband did factory reset the device.

Thank you to the FSBlog crew and to Droidriven for making this available and listing the steps so clearly.

Reply
1. March 13, 2015
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  Glad it all worked out 🙂
  
  Reply
March 13, 2015

kk

is this how i upgrade my android version from 4.1.2

Reply
1. March 13, 2015
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  Has your phone not promoted you to upgrade to Android 5.0 yet?
  
  Reply
March 17, 2015

Andrew

This is what Odin looks like. What AP option?

Reply
1. March 17, 2015
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  In the new version of Odin it’s called AP. In the old version, it’s called PDA, so use PDA 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. March 18, 2015
    
    Andrew
    
    Thanks much, surprisingly this guide worked excellently; other places I’ve gone to have said it was impossible. 😀 Thanks again!
    
    Reply
June 5, 2015

FlexiSPYBlog

It’s in the | About Device | menu

Reply
June 5, 2015

FlexiSPYBlog

We can’t find any other link for this – it goes down all the time – but our partners at perfectroot may be able to help you.

Reply
1. June 17, 2015
  
  Droidriven
  
  Here, thank ScottDB at XDA for hosting the file.
  http://www.sdboyd56.com/s968c/H1baseband.html
  
  Reply
June 17, 2015

Droidriven

Download and install the”Samsung phone info” app then open it, if it says qcom everywhere then its qcom. If it says Exynos anywhere then its Exynos(the exynos devices have a qcom modem but the rest of the chipset is Exynos). Both H2 devices are root able after downgrading.

Reply
June 23, 2015

Droidriven

They qcom and Exynos can both be rooted after downgrading

Reply
July 27, 2015

FlexiSPYBlog

So the phone has been reset then back to default. If you don’t want this to happen again then don’t try the guide again. For now we will update the guide with a disclaimer that the guide may not work.

Reply
1. September 30, 2015
  
  Droidriven
  
  The guide is pefected beyond measure.
  
  Reply
  1. October 1, 2015
    
    FlexiSPYBlog
    
    Awesome!
    
    Reply
  2. October 2, 2015
    
    FlexiSPYBlog
    
    Awesome!
    
    Reply
October 1, 2015

Droidriven

The bootloader is unlocked from factory, trying to unlock it when it is already unlocked bricks the device, don’t try it, won’t work.

Reply
1. October 2, 2015
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  Thanks for your feedback!
  
  Reply
October 2, 2015

FlexiSPYBlog

Thanks a bunch!

Reply
November 3, 2015

richard

how long will it take to recovery boot

Reply
1. November 5, 2015
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  Hi Richard,
  
  Booting into recovery takes a matter of seconds if you hold down the correct buttons when turning it on.
  
  Here’s a video that should help you:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ed56-NO64
  
  Reply
March 9, 2016

FlexiSPYBlog

The link has been updated now, we’ve also hyperlinked to supersu on the play store, please let us know if you need anything else.

Reply
April 28, 2016

Megan Marnae Conn

is there or is there not a way to do the process without downgrading?

Reply
1. May 3, 2016
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  Nope, there is no other way unfortunately..
  
  Reply
  1. October 2, 2016
    
    Droidriven
    
    Actually, yes there is, it is now rootable using Odin to flash a Verizon (d2vzw) TWRP and then booting to TWRP and flashing SuperSU.zip, then its rooted. Previously the Verizon recoveries were not allowing this to work on the Straight Talk device but since I worked with Grommish from the OctOS team to compile a TWRP specifically for the Straight Talk S3 SCH-S968C(d2tfnvzw), he merged the d2tfnvzw with the d2vzw source, from then on the d2vzw recoveries work to root the device. The info is a bit old but I’m just now seeing this. Just thought I’d drop an answer.
    
    Reply
July 6, 2016

FlexiSPYBlog

Hi Leia,

Well, towelroot is not a virus, but if you are accessing the towelroot URL through Google Chrome then it may flag it as such.

Reply
October 2, 2016

Droidriven

To anyone seeing this, all you need to do is find a d2vzw TWRP, flash that in Odin like these instructions say to flash the H1with the exception that you need to make sure the “autoreboot” option in Odin is UNCHECKED, if you don’t do this some of you will have to flash the TWRP again because you will miss booting to recovery because you won’t get the reboot right, after the recovery flashes and you get the green PASS, unplug device, remove battery, reinsert battery, hold volume up+home+power and you’ll boot to TWRP, if you boot to stock recovery, flash the TWRP again and try to get the reboot right.

You don’t need the H1 downgrade anymore, just the d2vzw TWRP and the newest version of SuperSU.zip, you can find it at XDA developers forum or you can go directly to Chainfire’s SuperSU site. After you’ve booted to TWRP, select install, browse to where you stored SuperSU.zip on the device and flash it, you’ll be rooted, you can choose to create a backup now or you can reboot back into the phone normally and you’re done

Reply
1. October 4, 2016
  
  FlexiSPYBlog
  
  This is fantastic news! Thanks for helping out with this 🙂
  
  Reply
October 18, 2016

FlexiSPYBlog

You could try installing the official Samsung USB Driver onto your PC.

Reply

How To Root The Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C

What is needed to root the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C?

Step 1 – Download the USB drivers for the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C for your PC

Step 2 – Download the Samsung Galaxy S3 SC-S969C root files

Step 3 – Enable USB debugging on the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C

Step 4 – Downgrade the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C baseband

Step 5 – Download the Cydia Impactor rooting program

Step 6 – Root the Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C

Comments

49 responses to “How To Root The Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-S968C”

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