How to root Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J700M on Android 5.1.1 [Guide]

^[1]Anyone wanting a rooting method that works without having to do hardly any work is going to love what Chainfire has developed with the CF-Auto-Root tool. Chainfire’s CF-Auto-Root tool is a one-click rooting tool that is made to work for just about every Samsung tablet and smartphone that has ever been manufactured, including many unique model numbers of the same device. What most people might not know is that CF-Auto-Root is also available for other manufacturers too, but the way the flashing is done differs. Additionally, the range of devices it is currently available for is much thinner–although Chainfire says that he plans to make it more easily accessible for more devices away from Samsung in the future.

REQUIREMENTS

• You must have the Samsung Galaxy J7 smartphone with the SM-J700M model number to use this version of the CF-Auto-Root tool. There is usually a new version of the rooting file made for each model number and flashing the wrong one will probably brick the device.
• You must have a computer running the Windows operating system to use this guide because the CF-Auto-Root tool relies on the Odin flashing application for it to flash. The Odin flashing app only runs on Windows PCs. You can try running the Windows environment from a virtual machine on the Mac or Linux computers if you cannot get a copy of Windows.

BEFORE WE BEGIN

• Note that Chainfire was running on the LMY48B.J700MUBU1AOI2 firmware build number when he developed the CF-Auto-Root file that is found in this guide for the Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J700M smartphone. It does not mean you need to flash that same firmware build number on the phone before using this guide. All it means is that the information is there for you to look at if it ever becomes relevant down the track. Sometimes a Samsung smartphone or tablet does not boot an old image. The guide works for everyone with the Samsung Galaxy J7 smartphone that comes with the SM-J700M model number when it is running on the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software updates.
• If the CF-Auto-Root tool is not working it could be because there is a new bootloader present in the firmware that is running. Common indications of a new bootloader being present are if the smartphone does not boot after flashing the rooting file or the rooting file not flashing. Chainfire needs people to post the new recovery image files found in the newer firmware’s that have the issues to the CF-Auto-Root tool thread made at the XDA-Developers website ^[2].
• Unlock the Developer Options menu on the Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone if it is not unlocked already by tapping on the Menu > Settings > About Device > Build Number. You must tap on the build number no less than seven times. You know you have tapped enough times when a message shows up on the display stating that you are now using the device as a developer which his Android way of saying that the Developer Options menu is now unlocked.
• Enter the Developer Options menu now to enable the USB Debugging Mode which is done by tapping on the Menu > Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging Mode. Once the box is checked for the USB Debugging the Android OS remembers the preferences so you can leave the Developer Options menu and get started with the guide.
• Install the Samsung USB Drivers on the Windows computer ^[3] before you get started with the guide if you don’t have them installed already. The USB Drivers allow for the Samsung Galaxy J7 smartphone to get connected to the flashing application when it is running on the computer.

HOW TO ROOT SAMSUNG GALAXY J7 SM-J700M RUNNING ON ANDROID 5.1.1 LOLLIPOP SOFTWARE UPDATES

1. Download the CF-Auto-Root ^[4] tool for the Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J700M smartphone on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software updates.
2. Open the Downloads folder and extract the rooting file that you just downloaded and the Odin flashing tool app and the rooting file will be available from the Downloads folder now.
3. Double-click on the Odin file so that the Odin flashing tool application user interface opens on the desktop.
4. Boot the Samsung Galaxy J7 smartphone into the download mode ^[5] and then connect it to the computer with the USB cable that is used for charging the battery.
5. Check the Odin ID: COM port is lighting up with a yellow or blue color which is there to let you know that the device is connected. (You need to install the Samsung USB Drivers if the device is not connected).
6. Do not change any default options from the Odin user interface and all of its buttons.
7. Click the AP button from Odin and then browse through to the Downloads folder and select the MD5 file to upload to this location in Odin.
8. Click the Start button from Odin and the rooting process begins.

In conclusion, that is how to root Samsung Galaxy J7 SM-J700M smartphones when they are operating on the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software updates by using Chainfire’s one-click rooting tool, namely CF-Auto-Root. The CF-Auto-Root tool is an automatic root method that installs and enables the SuperSU on the smartphone just like flashing the SuperSU from a custom recovery image usually would. CF-Auto-Root is useful for people who do not want a custom recovery installed over the stock recovery and for people who like to get the rooting process done quickly.