Galaxy S4 Root Guide: Find Out How to Unlock Everything in Android 4.4.2

By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, May 15, 2014

A new Galaxy S4 root guide is available for versions running Android 4.4.2.

The guide shows users how to root the Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 model that's running the firmware. Performing the root will void the warranty on the device so users should do so with caution.

There are also several requirements before rooting. Users must have the GT-I9500 variant running firmware I9500XXUFNC1. They must also have Chainfire's CF-Auto- Root package with SuperSU, Samsung KIES Android USB drives installed, USB debugging mode enabled, Odin 3.07 flashing software configured and at least 80 percent of their battery power remaining on the handset.

Rooting is similar to jailbreaking on the iPhone as its gives users free access to tons of apps and allows them to use features that they wouldn't normally be able to if they were working with a regular version.

For the full directions on how to root the Galaxy S4 click here.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 Android 4.4 KitKat update has rolled out unofficially for non-LTE variants.

Samsung informed the public last week that the new software would only be available on devices with more than 1GB RAM. The software was designed for devices with 512MB or more, but Samsung's Touch Wiz add-ons would probably slow the handset down so the company decided to roll it out to LTE S3's only.

Developers bypassed Samsung's statement by creating a new ROM that allows the less powerful version of the S3 to run KitKat. It was unofficially released by XDA contributors JustArchi and Kryten2k35.

This functions as a different build of the Note 2 Touchwiz/KitKat ROM and it comes with its fair share of bugs and glitches. As with all ROMs, those installing it should back-up their devices.