[Samsung Galaxy On5 Questions & Answers] Randeag:
I just rooted my G550T1 (On5) yesterday - Odin/TWRP/SuperSU

I just went through this process for virtually the same phone. [G550T1UVU2AQC4; For your exact Model's S/W# like this, look in battery compartment or the box the phone came in]

Despite being over 6 months old, I figured I may as well post the information for future onlookers. I could have used this info yesterday.

For this post specifically regarding "failing half way through," I would hazard to guess that the firmware already installed on the phone is slightly more up-to-date than what you're trying to flash. Either that, or you don't have the right settings turned on to allow Odin to flash over the AP. Plus, how were you planning on rooting by flashing over the stock firmware in the first place? lol

Either way, I recommend just making sure what I'm about to say is what you've done so far.

Disclaimer: Rooting your phone, even attempting to, or using rooted apps can cause irreparable damage and turn it into a brick. Always make sure what you are using the root for is compatible with your model!!!

Notes:

- For rooting the Galaxy On5, Odin is merely to flash the recovery software to the device. The recovery software is where you install the root.

- For extra precaution, my method does not involve the external SD card. They seem to cause random issues for the first boot after rooting.

If you insist on doing it with the external SD card installed, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE NO APPS ALREADY TRANSFERRED TO THE EXTERNAL SD CARD!

So to start....

Requirements:

Windows PC with open USB port to download files and transfer the files [Back USB ports are more reliable for PC Desktops; All USB ports are fine with a laptop]

USB-A to USB-B cable [Stock micro-USB cable]

Samsung On5 [Recommended ~100% battery]

A little patience

Galaxy On5 Settings:

#1 - Enable Developer Options

Settings > About device > Build Number - Keep tapping the Build Number until it says you're enabling Developer options, and continue tapping until you succeed.

#2 - OEM Unlock and USB Debugging

Settings > Developer options > Make sure both "OEM Unlock" and "USB Debugging" are turned on

#3 - Enable Unknown Sources

Settings > Lock screen and security > Make sure "Unknown sources" is turned on

Downloads: [4]

Samsung USB Driver - Link to Samsung's download for their Android USB driver for mobile phones. [Install regardless of whether you can already transfer from PC to Android]

http://developer.samsung.com/galaxy/others/android-usb-driver-for-windows

Odin - Link to an XDA Forum Post which, unlike most, has kept updated and added all versions. [I recommend to use the most up-to-date version; Remember to click the file name of the attachment to download]

https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2711451

Extract the Odin zip file to an easily accessible folder like "My Documents" and/or create its own file "Odin"

TWRP - Link to the always most up-to-date version for the Galaxy On5. [I don't recommend other recoveries; This is simple and reliable]

https://twrp.me/devices/samsunggalaxyon5tmobile.html

Don't unzip TWRP. Leave file zipped as-is and move it to the same folder as Odin; and/or create its own Sub-Folder for organization "Documents\Odin\TWRP"

SuperSU - Link to the SuperSU version I used that worked smoothly.

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/supersu/download/zip/SuperSU-v2.79-201612051815.zip

Link to the official website for an updated version. [I would just use what you know works though; From the official page, follow the most recent SuperSU release link and find the .zip file]

https://chainfire.eu/

Where to put SuperSU

- Connect PC to Galaxy On5 [After installing USB Driver]

- Open the file where your SuperSU download is.

- Right-click SuperSU > Click Copy

- Now navigate to your On5 [Should be available in the left panel; if not go to "My Computer" and it should pop up]

- Find, or create, a folder you can easily remember inside the phone's internal memory [i.e; "Phone\Android" or create your own folder "Phone\TWRP"]

- Right click while inside the designated folder and paste the SuperSU zip

Time to start rooting:

Double check that android's settings, and the rooting files are in the right places.

Download Mode:

- Disconnect from your PC, and completely shut down your On5.

- After it is off; Press and hold first the Volume Down Button + The Home Screen Button + Then The Power Button.

- Hold the combination until download mode pops up

- Press Volume Up

- You are now ready for Odin

Odin:

- Start Odin on your PC [Run as Administrator for extra assurance]

- Click the "AP" slot, and navigate to the folder where you saved the TWRP zip file, and select it

- In a moment, the file should be listed in the "AP" section

- Verify that the AP selection's checkbox is checked

- Under options on Odin, MAKE SURE "Re-Partition" IS NOT checked.

- Make sure "Auto-Reboot" and "F. Reset Time" are checked. [Auto-Reboot not required; Can manually shut off by battery removal after Odin gives the green "PASS" light]

- Plug your On5 into your PC now

- Odin will verify the connection with a little light blue box in the "ID:COM" section

- Double check settings

- Press the "Start" button

Odin results should say "PASS!" is green if the operation was done successfully.

If red "FAIL," then either try different versions of Odin, different USB slots, double check everything, or troubleshoot at your own risk. [Must remove battery and restart in download mode again to retry]

After Odin gives a "PASS!"

Booting Into TWRP Recovery:

- You might get lucky, and Odin automatically reboots the phone into TWRP.

-- If it does not reboot into TWRP, then let the phone finish loading to your homescreen and then fully shut it off. [If stuck in boot screen, then force shut-off with battery removal after disconnecting the device]

- To get into recovery from the phone being shut off, do the same as the Downloader, but by holding volume up instead of down.

[Hold Volume Up + Home Button + Power/Lock]

TWRP:

- On the start page, there will be a slider that will allow TWRP full access. Slide it.

- Go into recovery/restore/backup and create a recovery image in an easily-accessible folder like your other files [With SuperSU would be easiest]

- This may take a moment so be patient

- Once that is complete DO NOT REBOOT YET

- Go back to the home screen and go to "Install"

- Navigate to the file where you put the SuperSU zip [NOTICE: Instead of "Phone\TWRP"; your folder would be "sdcard\TWRP" despite it being on internal storage]

- If you can't see the zip file, make sure the button "Install from zip" is clicked instead of "install from image"

- Select the file

- Swipe to install, and then use the quick "erase cache" option TWRP gives after

- Click the reboot option

- You will be taken to their final page asking if you want to install their app, you don't have to. I actually recommend doing that at a later time. Swipe to reboot.

VUELA!

It will take some time to boot, but you should now be rooted!

Bootloop or boot screen freezing? [Make sure to give it time]

If you didn't take my advice and did it with the external SD card, shut off the phone, take out the SD card, and try booting again [Again allowing time to boot]

Wait until device is fully booted before reinserting SD card, then use a file browser to delete all Android files inside the SD card before you ever reboot or shut down again. [You might not remember what could have caused the problem after a while]