[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] eMpTy43:
THIS METHOD:

- ONLY WORKED FOR ICS (Android 4.0.x)

- IT WILL NOT WORK FOR THE SGS3 RUNNING JELLY BEAN (Android 4.1.x)

But I hate it when threads say that ^ or worse...

they don't get updated and you read it and/or try it for NOTHING!

So here you go...

CLICK HERE FOR AN AWESOME JELLY BEAN THREAD

Step by step guide to Root your phone, Unlock the bootloader, and then install ClockWorkMod Recovery. Also some unnecessary mods at the bottom if you're interested. I know there is another really well written guide for rooting the SGS3 and other mods but I wanted to post this and hope to get it sticky'd for the beginners

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DISCLAIMER:

I am not responsible for any damage that happens to your device. I've made this guide as simple as possible and include less risky methods to achieve root and simple modifications. If you follow a link from this guide I am not responsible for the content on that page, read it in full yourself.

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Confirmed working with newest VZW update/patch:

I535VRALG1

I535VRALG7

I535VRALF2

I535VRLHE -- Thanks DHamilton44!

GETTING ROOTED:

Navigate to https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1aksh2bikfsne43/wmpWRj7Und

Download:

- Verizon_Wireless... (USB Drivers for SGS3)

- Root Debug FS.7z... (7zip (freeware) file used to one-click root)

Credit to Noxous Ninjas as he created this program. It's the best I've found to easily root my S3 without feeling the need to baby sit the phone during rooting.

Thanks Droidstyle for reminding me about the credits Noxous Ninjas deserves!

Install (Computer):

- USB drivers

- Unzip Root Debug tool to a folder of your choice

Enable USB Debugging and Unknown Sources (Phone):

- Settings -> Developer Options -> Tick USB debugging

- Settings -> Security -> Tick Unknown source

Plug in phone to computer using OEM USB cable:

- Allow the drivers to complete (the little balloon pop-up in the right hand corner will say "Device ready/installed" -something to that effect)

MUST BE RAN AS ADMINISTRATOR

Navigate to your extracted Root Debug FS folder (Computer):

- Double-click "RootDebugfs"

- Choose option 1 (press 1 and then enter)

- Read the disclaimer, IF YOU AGREE, press y, then enter

- USB drivers reminder appears, press any key to continue

- Unknown Sources/USB Debugging reminder appears, press any key to continue

- Yet another informational message appears (READ THIS ONE), then press any key to continue

- Root process starts -> WAIT UNTIL IT COMPLETES | DO NOT UNPLUG YOUR DEVICE

- Once complete you will need to open the Superuser app and click through the initial dialog to actually start the program/allow it to run in the background. -- Thanks Whyzor!

ON YOUR PHONE: Navigate to https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1aksh2bikfsne43/wmpWRj7Und

Download the following from the APKs folder:

- ez_unlock.apk (Also found on Google Play store, free)

- rom_manager.apk (Also found on Google Play store, free)

- Normally when downloading them right to your phone it will immediately prompt you to install them, choose install in both instances

- Open your app drawer and open EZ-Unlock

- Accept/Grant the app SuperUser permissions, select Unlock, you should hear "That was easy" and the word "Unlocked" should show in green at the top of the screen

BEFORE CONTINUING: it is recommended that you are connected to a stable WiFi network to ensure a successful flash!

- Open your app drawer again and open ROM Manager

- Select "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery"

- Find and select "Samsung Galaxy S3 (Verizon)"

- You'll see the blue bar at the top indicating progress, when it nears the end you'll need to Accept/Grant the app SuperUser permissions

- You may receive a message that Touch recovery is available, install if you'd like (I have read some posts a week or two ago about Touch recovery not always working flawlessly though, just FYI)

***AT THIS POINT ROOTING, BOOTLOADER UNLOCKING, AND CWM RECOVERY ARE COMPLETED/INSTALLED***

RECOMMENDED! BUT OPTIONAL: MAKING A NANDROID BACKUP

- I would recommend having your preferred apps and home screens set up prior to making a recovery :)

- From the ROM Manager application select "Reboot into Recovery"

- FYI: Recovery mode can be entered manually as well, turn the phone off.

- While off, press AND HOLD Vol. Up, Home, Power

- Once you see the "Samsung" boot screen you can release (There will also be some blue text in the top left hand corner, this indicates recovery mode is booting)

- Recovery mode navigation: Vol. Up/Down moves the selection, Power selects it

- Select "backup and restore"

- Select "backup to external sdcard"

- Wait for it to finish (Usually takes about 5 minutes)

- Select back to get to the main menu

CONGRATS!

- If all that worked your phone is now rooted and (hopefully) a backup has been made after rooting. This way if you start tinkering and break something you can (hopefully) restore back to this recovery.

REMOVE PERSISTANT/ONGOING WIFI NOTIFICATION AND POPUP (REQUIRES ROOT)

ON PHONE: Navigate to Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.speedsoftware.sqleditor

- Download: SQLite (Yes it's a paid app, support our Devs!)

- Open the app, Accept/Grant the app Superuser permissions

- Select Settings Storage

- Select settings.db

- Select system

- Long-press "wifi_offload_network_notify"

- Select "Edit Record"

- Change the value field to "0" (zero)

- Select Save

- Press back key

- Select "Secure"

- Long-press "wifi_networks_available_notification_on"

- Select "Edit Record"

- Change the value field to "0" (zero)

- Select Save

- Reboot your phone

UI MODS (Not necessary but are definitely improvements in the UI)

- Notification bar toggles mod: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1775235

- More (personalized versions): http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=28829000&postcount=67

--Above files are flashed using recovery

HOW TO: FLASH A .ZIP USING RECOVERY (REQUIRES ROOT & UNLOCKED BOOTLOADER)

**ONLY FLASH A ZIP UPDATE THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR MODEL AND OS**

- Know where you downloaded the file to (Preferrably external SD card)

- Reboot into recovery

- Choose "install zip from sdcard"

- Choose "install zip from (external) sdcard" -or wherever you saved it

- Choose the desired file you want to flash

- Scroll up (it's quicker) to select "Yes - ..."

- The file(s) will flash (progress at bottom), once it's done you can flash another or go back to the main menu and reboot!