How to Root Galaxy S4 (Verizon) SCH-I545 on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Firmware

Samsung Galaxy S4 (Verizon) SCH-I545 users who have already updated their devices with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, may root their devices using the tutorial below.

This tutorial uses Root Exploit package released by Senior XDA-Developers, k1mu. The Root Exploit package allows Galaxy S4 users to root their devices easily without having to wipe the device or flash a full prerooted factory image. This method completely supports Android 4.3 Jelly Bean with base firmware VRUEMJ7 and VRUEMK2.

Note: This exploit will NOT set the Knox Warranty Void flag. It will set the "Custom" flag, but that's nothing to worry about.

Disclaimer: Rooting voids the warranty of your device. We and the developer of this rooting procedures shall not be held responsible if any undesirable outcomes may happen to your device. use of this root guide is solely at your own risk!

Pre-requisites
1. Install USB Drivers for Samsung Galaxy S4 on the computer.
2. Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone. Go to Settings >> About Phone. Tap on Build Number several times till the message shows "You are now a Developer". Enable USB debugging by navigating to Settings >> Developer Options.
3. Make a backup of all your important data before following the guide.
4. Ensure the battery of the phone is charged more than 80 percent.
5. The Root Exploit package works only on the Verizon version of the Galaxy S4 (SCH-I545). Applying this to any incorrect variant might brick the device. Verify the model number of the Galaxy S4 by navigating to Settings >> About Phone.

File Required
1. Root Exploit (saferoot.zip) - Mirror Link

Steps to Root Galaxy S4 (Verizon) SCH-I545 Running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Firmware
Step 1: Extract the Root Exploit package to the computer using winrar/7zip/winzip or any other extracting tool.
Step 2: Connect the Galaxy S4 to the computer using USB cable.
Step 3: On the computer, navigate to the extracted directory and double click "install.bat" file. You will see command prompt window which will detect your device and automatically run the script.
Step 4: Once the rooting procedure completes, your phone will reboot automatically.

Samsung Galaxy S4 (Verizon) SCH-I545 running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware is now rooted successfully. You can now install any app that requires root permission. Verify the root status of the device by downloading Root Checker app from Google Play Store.

Note: Tested working on the Verizon Galaxy S4 (SCH-I545), AT&T Galaxy S4 (SGH-I337) and Verizon Galaxy S3 (SCH-I535). Try it and let us know.

Thank's to all fellas at XDA who first tried out this rooting technique. This method was originally posted via XDA-Developer original thread.

How to Update Galaxy S4 I9500 with Android 4.3 XXUEMK9 Jelly Bean Official Firmware

The Exynos 5 octa-core variant of Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9500) has already received the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update with firmware build number I9500XXUEMK9. The new official firmware is now available as an Over-The-Air (OTA) update as well as through Samsung KIES.

Firmware details
PDA: I9500XXUEMK9
CSC: I9500ODDEMK9
MODEM: I9500DDUEMK9
Version: Android 4.3
Build date: Nov 29, 2013
Regions: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

Samsung Galaxy S4 I9500 users who missed the OTA update notification or unable to access the update over Samsung KIES, may follow our step-by-step guide to install the update manually.

Pre-requisites
1. Install USB Drivers for Samsung Galaxy S4 on the computer.
2. Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone by navigating to Settings >> Developer Options.
3. Make a backup of all your important data before following the guide.
4. The Galaxy S4 should be factory unlocked and not locked to any particular carrier.
5. Ensure the battery of the phone is charged more than 80 percent.
6. The Android 4.3 XXUEMK9 Jelly Bean firmware is compatible only with the Galaxy S4 with model number GT-I9500. Applying this to any incorrect variant might brick the device. Verify the model number of the Galaxy S4 by navigating to Settings >> About Phone.

Files Required
1. Android 4.3 XXUEMK9 Jelly Bean Firmware (Mirror Link) for Galaxy S4 I9500
2. Odin 3.07

Steps to Update Galaxy S4 I9500 with Android 4.3 XXUEMK9 Jelly Bean Firmware
Step 1: Extract Firmware zip file using winrar/7zip/winzip or any other extracting tool, you will get a .tar.md5 file and some other files (optional).
Step 2: Extract Odin zip file and you will get Odin3 v3.07.exe along with few other files.
Step 3: Switch off the Galaxy S4.
Step 4: Boot the device into Download Mode by pressing and holding Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together until a construction Android robot icon with a warning triangle appears on screen. Now press the Volume Up button to enter Download Mode.
Step 5: Run Odin on the computer as an Administrator.
Step 6: Connect the Galaxy S4 to the computer using USB cable while it is in the Download Mode. Wait until Odin detects the device. When the device is connected successfully, the ID: COM box will turn to light blue with the COM port number. Additionally, the successful connected will be indicated by a message saying Added.

Note: If the Added message does not appear, then try re-install USB drivers or changing the port on the computer.

Step 7: Select the following files in Odin from extracted I9500XXUEMK9 firmware folder:

• Click the PDA button and select the .tar.md5 file.
• Click the Phone button and select file with MODEM in its name. Ignore if there is no such file.
• Click the CSC button and select file with CSC in its name. Ignore if there is no such file.
• Click the PIT button and select the .pit file. Ignore if there is no such file.

Step 8: In Odin, enable Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time checkboxes. Also, ensure the Re-Partition checkbox is chosen only if a .pit file was chosen in the previous step.
Step 9: Verify everything suggested in Step 7 and Step 8 is done correctly. Then hit the Start button to begin the installation process.
Step 10: Once the installation process is completed, your phone will restart and soon you will see a PASS message with green background in the left-most box at the very top of the Odin. You can now unplug the USB cable to disconnect it from the computer.

Samsung Galaxy S4 I9500 should be now updated with official Android 4.3 XXUEMK9 Jelly Bean. Head over to Settings >> About Phone to verify the software version running on the device.

Note: If Galaxy S4 I9500 stuck at booting animation after Step 10 then go to recovery mode (press and hold the Volume Up, Home and Power buttons together) and perform Wipe data/Factory Reset and Wipe Cache Partition task before selecting reboot system now function. In recovery mode use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the option. Please note, performing wiping task will erase your device internal memory data and not external SD card data.

Click here to know How to Root Galaxy S4 I9500 running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean firmware.