The Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus is the newer S5 that comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 system chip. If you were one of the lucky ones who got it as soon as it came out several months ago, you are likely looking to rekindle the love with some new tweaks. By taking away the restrictions and opening up the OS we can start installing extra apps, custom ROMs and custom firmware.

The S5 Plus comes with Android 4.4.2 KitKat out of the box, so the OS was outdated fast. We are starting to see the first batch of official CyanogenMod 12 custom ROM release for several devices and I know that Samsung have a few available, including one of the S5’s. With some luck, the “plus” variant might have the custom ROM available soon. Before we proceed, here are some key points that you should consider.

• You automatically void any remaining warranty on the device. You can gain it back once more by returning to stock Android.
• Don’t accept any future OTA notifications with root access. You are best to flash the over the air file manually. Accepting OTA’s can soft-brick the device unless otherwise stipulated.
• Take a backup of the current ROM and data by using third-party applications available from the Google Play Store, or use the built-in feature that comes with the Galaxy S5 Plus.
• Head to the Settings > Developer Options and enable the USB Debugging mode. You cannot connect the phone to the computer without USB Debugging mode working.
• Likewise, you want the latest USB drivers working on the computer for the smartphone. You’ll find these from the official Samsung website, third-party download links coming from other websites or by installing Samsung Kies.
• You must have a Windows computer running any operating system from XP or above. Moreover, you can use a notebook or laptop, so long as it comes with a USB slot mounted in the side.
• Samsung Kies is a great way to install the up to date drivers, but remember to disable Kies before using the Odin application.
• Odin and Kies both have a lot in common in that they are used for flashing official firmware. Unfortunately, they can interfere with each other.
• Furthermore, you want to disable the security programs from the Windows PC and the Android applications on the mobile. They too can interfere with the official Odin app.

How to root the Samsung Galaxy S5 Plus using Chainfire’s CF-Root package

1. Download the CF-Auto-root pack from this link.
2. Download Odin 3.09 from here.
3. Extract both files to the desktop of the computer.
4. Run the Odin app so it’s open with administrator permissions.
5. Boot the S5 Plus in download mode.
6. Connect the smartphone to the computer using the USB cable.
7. Watch as the Odin program changes the color of the ID: COM port and tells you the device is now “added.”
8. Click the AP button and upload the CF-Auto-Root-kccat6-kccat6xx-smg901f.zip file.
9. Leave the Auto reboot and F Reset Time options.
10. Do not check the re-partition box.
11. leave the other default settings how they are already.
12. Click the start button.
13. Do not touch any buttons until the Odin app says “pass” on the screen and the ID: COM port changes color again.

You’ve successfully unlocked the system internals away from the factory restrictions in place by the phone manufacturer. You can verify everything worked by installing the “root checker” application available from the Google Play Store.

Gaining root access on your phone isn’t great without a custom recovery installed. You can download the ClockworkMod recovery from here. Flash the file through Odin the same way you flashed Chainfire’s file.