[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] ghxstt:
So. Here we are.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ have been released, and many of us are just now hopping on the S8/+ bandwagon. I, very recently, purchased a SM-G955U model variant of the S8+ (hence the second 5 :silly:) and, like many of you, wanted to root it as soon as I got my hands on it.

I was happily impressed when I hopped on XDA and saw that there were at least *some* relatively updated custom ROMs and root methods. I tried out several using Odin3 (PCR.. and SamPWND... cuz those were the only two relatively popular threads that I found in my 2 minute search) and PCR struck my eye. I downloaded all the necessary files, taking well over 30 minutes on my potatonet, made sure I had both Odin3 and PrinceComsy Odin3 (and Kies... I think that's still relevant), setup the BootLoader, AP, whatever all the other buttons do, and clicked start.

Waited for a few seconds and... a (Succeed 0 / Failed 1) message appeared, as soon as it started.

Looked at my phone, the realization that it wasn't in Download mode kicked in and I smacked myself in the face.

Rebooted into Download mode, reset PrinceComsy Odin, smashed all the buttons again, clicked start and..

(Succeed 0 / Failed 1).

Great.

This has repeated for 3 days now, on all computers, 10s of different USB cables, well over 20 different USB ports (hubs not included).

So, I decided at a different approach. I'm sure we all know those "CLICK ME DOWNLOAD ME FOR FREE ROOT I-I CAN REALLYDO IT GUYS JU-JUST DOWNLOAD ME!* advertisements. One in particular struck my eye, no names will be given, and I tried it out.

Downloaded the Windows executable for the laughs and giggles (never thinking it would actually work) and whaddya know, right after telling me my device is rootable it's now asking me for 40$.

I figured, what the hell, I just got paid and sent the money over thinking I was about to get scammed. Hoped on live chat and setup everything the way they asked me to (taking even longer than a grandma driving because potatonet) and they start, and I'm not joking, REMOTE CONTROLLING my PC to root my phone (granted, the root method for my phone was advertised, blatantly stating they would have to control my PC but.. come on).

At this point all I can think about is how I'm lucky I have a throwaway PC and this phone doesn't mean my life or I would be really pissed when I start seeing a worm come out of my harddrive.

Needless to say the process took about an hour, maybe an hour and a half (much longer than their *15-20 minute* claim time, but not awful nonetheless) and I walked out of there with a non-bricked rooted S8+.

So.. what exactly went wrong with my setup, and how can you guys avoid spending 40$ just to ROOT YOUR PHONE.

I'm not a professional. I can't offer professional advice. But what I can tell you is I know exactly what went wrong for me in this case.

I never flashed the 7.0 stock android ROM. I was trying to flash PCR (which, ironically enough is what said company used.. yes.. they used PCR. Not a custom method. Not a custom ROM. They literally used PCR) over 8.0.

So, I'm out 40$, but walked out with a rooted S8+ and I'm fairly happy. Apparently those root programs aren't ALL bad.

But seriously.. why aren't there any 8.0 ROMs or root methods that actually work? Every method I've seen requires you to downgrade. I know Oreo only came out last month but there are some seriously talented people here on XDA and the fact that I had to downgrade just to have to reflash in about a month or twos time is frustrating to say the least. But, that's just venting and off-topic.

So, laugh at the idiotboy who couldn't figure out how to read instructions properly or setup his project right, but just know.. just know.. I spent 40$ to root my phone. And that, my friends, is an amazing feat.

(Also, I apologize if this isn't in the right section.. I feel like it's not but I have NO idea where else to post this. This is more of a story thread to make myself the eye of the public humiliation but it does also serve as a reminder to really check everything before you start rooting. I got lucky. I could have potentially hardbricked my brandnew s8+ simply because I didn't read the instructions properly, or plan correctly. This is something that a lot of new users fail to do, and then complain when *their phone is stuck in a bootloop*.

If you don't know what you're doing, there are plenty of people here on XDA and apparently all over the web who will be more than happy to take your money and root your phone, relatively safely, for you.)