These are the instructions to root Samsung Galaxy J5 SM-J500G smartphone running on the current Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software update. The guide should work for everyone running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. You might find it not working if you are choosing to flash the file directly after a software update has rolled out to your device. Sometimes Chainfire (the Developer) needs to update the files when OTA’s bring new bootloader with them.

These are the instructions to root Samsung Galaxy J5, particularly the SM-J500G model, on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop software updates:

REQUIREMENTS

• The following guide is made for the Samsung Galaxy J5 Android smartphone that has the SM-J500G model number. There are several versions of the J5 handset, each with a unique model number. You should check your J5’s model by tapping on the Menu > Settings > About Device > Model Number.
• You must have a Windows PC to follow this guide. The Odin flashing tool will not work for  anyone who is using OS X or Linux distributions.
• The rooting file in this guide is based on LMY48B.J500GXXU1AOJ1 build ID. You do not need to be running that same Build ID number at all; it is there to be used as an indicator only. Some Samsung devices like the J5 will not boot old images.

BEFORE WE BEGIN

• Many Samsung devices do not come with the Developer Options menu unlocked automatically, but we must unlock it so we can enable the USB Debugging Mode. Do that now by tapping on the J5’s Settings > About Device > Tap the Build Number 7 times and then go back to your Settings to find your new Developer Options menu available.
• Enable the USB Debugging Mode from your J5’s Settings by tap[ping on the Menu > Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging Mode.

TO ROOT SAMSUNG GALAXY J5 SM-J500G RUNNING ANDROID 5.1.1 LOLLIPOP

1. Download the rooting exploit for the J500G running Android 5.1.1 from here.
2. Download the Odin flash tool from here.
3. Extract both of your files — the Odin flashing tool and the CF-Auto-Root packages — to the desktop of the computer by right-clicking > extract here from the menu.
4. Double-click the mouse on the Odin executable file and wait for the flash tool’s user-interface to open on your desktop.
5. Long-press the Power button for 10 seconds and the device will be off completely; now reboot to download mode using the hardware button combination for that.
6. Connect the Samsung Galaxy J5 smartphone to the computer with the USB cable.
7. Give it a few seconds for the USB Drivers to start working before clicking the AP or the PDA button that is available from the Odin flash tool’s user-interface.
8. Browse the desktop location for the CF-Auto-root file for the J5 ending with the tar.md5 file extension.
9. Do not modify or change any of the default settings from the Odin flashing tool’s user-interface.
10. Click the Start button when you are ready for the flashing to begin .

According to Chjanfire, the CF-Auto-Root should automatically reboot your device to the recovery mode if you have the Auto Reboot button checked. That’s a required or else your device will not have been rooted. You must manually boot into recovery mode if you do not see it enter the recovery mode. Only then will you have the SuperSU installed and enabled on your device.