These are the steps to root Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G900W8 devices running on the Android 5.1.1 software update. You are using the Odin flash tool and a Windows computer to root the S5 with the CF-Auto-Root tool by Chainfire  during the guide.

REQUIREMENTS

• You can only follow this guide without bricking your device if you have the Samsung Galaxy S5 with the model number SM-G900W8. You can check out what you S5’s model number is by tapping on the Menu > Settings > About Device > Model Number.
• The CF-Auto-Root tool is this guide is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with the firmware build number LMY47X.G900W8VLU1COI4. It does not mean you need that firmware running on your device. However, it is an indicator to let you know with the exploit is based on. Some of the older Samsung devices do not boot older images.

BEFORE WE BEGIN

• Download the Samsung USB Drivers and install them directly on the Windows computer before you start the guide.
• Unlock the Developer Options menu on the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone so you can then go on to enable the USB Debugging Mode. You can get that done by tapping on your Menu > Settings > About Device and then tap over the Build Number title 7 times. When done correctly it will tell you that you are now suing the device as a developer.
• Now you may enter the Developer Options menu by tapping the Menu > Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging Mode. You need this mode to use your Android Debug Bridge and flashing files to your device.

HOW TO ROOT SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 SM-G900W8 RUNNING ANDROID 5.1.1

1. Download the Galaxy S5 SM-G900W8 CF-Auto-Root from this link.
2. Download the Odin flashing tool version 3.09 from this link.
3. Extract the Odin 3.09 and the rooting files on the desktop by right-clicking over the files and choosing the “extract here” from the menu.
4. Double-click on the Odin executable file and the Odin application will open up on the computer.
5. Turn off the Samsung Galaxy S5 completely and reboot it in the download mode.
6. Connect the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone to the computer with the USB cable that it comes with out of the box.
7. Click the PDA or the AP button that you can see from the Odin user-interface on your desktop.
8. Upload your tar.md5 file that becomes available after you extracted the CF-Auto-Root earlier.
9. Do not change any of the default settings from the Odin applications user-interface.
10. Click the Start button when you are ready for the Odin flashing tool to now apply the SuperSU on your Samsung Galaxy S5 device.
11. Look over at your Samsung Galaxy S5’s display and it will eventually tell you that it is going to reboot; let that happen and it will boot up in recovery mode.

Those who do not see the recovery mode boot in the S5 device must make that happen manually by tapping on the Volume Up + Home + Power buttons at the same time when booting the device. It only works if it is off first.