The Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini has a new over the air update available that boosts the OS up to Android 4.4.2 KitKat with build number XXU1AOG2. If you updated to that version, you won’t have root access any more. The guide below will open the system internals with root access to those running on this firmware version. Here’s what you need to do:

REQUIREMENTS

• You should be running Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The guide might not work for those running Lollipop or any version of KitKat after build number XXU1AOG2.
• Check your current build number by navigating to the Settings > About Device and looking at the current version.

BEFORE WE BEGIN

• Download the Samsung USB Drivers for mobile phones from the official Samsung website, or by clicking through to our USB drivers page available from here.
• You void the warranty after completing the guide below.
• Enable USB Debugging Mode so you can easily connect the S5 Mini to the computer during the guide. Do that by navigating to Settings > Developer Options > checking the box for USB Debugging.

HOW TO ROOT THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 MINI RUNNING XXU1AOG2 ANDROID 4.4.2 KITKAT

1. Download Chainfire’s tool from here.
2. Download the Odin version from here.
3. Extract both files to the desktop of the Windows PC.
4. Double click and run the Odin application and leave it open. We’ll come back to it soon.
5. Completely switch off the Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini by holding the power button down for 10 seconds.
6. Boot the S5 Mini in Download Mode.
7. You should get to a warning screen or the Android logo. At this point, press the Volume Up button and you’ll be in the Download Mode.
8. Connect the S5 Mini to the same computer that has Odin waiting.
9. Since Odin was already running, it should detect your device. Those without the ID: COM port changing should download the USB Drivers.
10. Click the PDA/AP button and upload the kminiltexx-smg800f.tar.md5 file found inside the Chainfire’s file after extraction.
11. Click the Start button found in Odin and it will now flash the root to your device.
12. Wait for the Pass message on the computer’s display and your device should automatically reboot.

Now you are ready for those radical root-requiring apps from Google Play.