Rooting an Android device is almost considered a must for those who want to venture out for third-party custom ROMs and mods and not just stick to official features available for the device. Not only custom ROMs but thousands of apps ready to increase phone's performance and usability need the device to be rooted.

But that does not mean that rooting isn't dangerous. Rooting a Samsung Galaxy device is much easier though as compared to other OEMs' devices. But even in them, rooting a Verizon Samsung phone is quite complicated. But, does that stops our great developers from finding solutions? The credit for rooting Verizon Galaxy S3 SCH-i535 goes to the XDA member open1your1eyes0.

Important:The process of rooting, unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery tool on your Verizon Galaxy S3 SCH-i535 is considered risky. Rooting will also void the warranty of your Verizon Galaxy device, so please make sure to be aware of what you are getting in to and understand the seriousness of things before going forward.

Prerequisites to check before you root your Verizon Galaxy S3:

Ensure that your Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-i535 carries more than 70% of charge.Rooting does not wipe any data from your phone but we strongly recommend you to create a backup of all important data in your Galaxy device.Enable USB debugging option by pressingMenu>Settings>Applications. Navigate and tap onDeveloper Optionsto ensure thatUSB Debuggingis enabled.

How to root & install CWM recovery on Galaxy S3 SCH-i535 Android 4.1.1 / 4.1.2:

Files to download:Download the Odin3-V3.07tooland extract the zip on your desktop.Download SamsungUSB Driversandinstallon your PC. -skip if you have already have them on your desktop.

Download the custom Bootchain file:VRALEC.Bootchain.Tar.Md5& theCWM Recovery:CWM6023TouchVZW.Tar.Md5

Download SuperSU file (root only):CWM-SuperSU-V0.99.ZipORSuperUser file to (root and unlockBootloaderboth):SuperSU_Bootloader_FIXED.Zip

Bootchain file forVRBLK3 (Android Jelly Bean 4.1.1):VRBLK3_Bootchain.Tar.Md5OR

Bootchain file for VRBMB1 (Android JB 4.1.2):VRBMB1_Bootchain.Tar.Md5

Root, and unlock Bootloader:

Copy theSuperSU_Bootloader_FIXED.zipfile to your phone’s internal or external SD card.Switch off your Verizon Galaxy S3 and boot it into Downloadmode by holding Volume Down, Home&Powerbuttons simultaneously until you see a warning screen asking you to pressVolume Upkey to continue. You'd get into the Odin or Download mode after pressing it.Open the Odin folder in computer and run the .exe file present there. Now connectyour Galaxy S3 to PC using a USB cable. You will see ID:COM port turningBlueandAdded!!text at the message box in Odin once it detects your device.Ensure thatAuto RebootandF Reset Timeare checked on Odin. Click on thePDAbutton and select the VRALEC.bootchain.tar.md5file. Click on Startbutton on Odin box.The bootchain file will flash in a few seconds and you will get aRESET!!message with blue signal on ODIN. Your S3 will reboot automatically. Close the Odin and disconnect the USB cable from PC.We would now the ClockworkMod recovery too. Boot the phone into Download mode again in the same way as in Step 2.Relaunch the Odin and connectthe Verizon S3 using the cable. Uncheck theAuto Rebootoption on Odin.Next, click on thePDAandselect theCWM6023TouchVZW.tar.md5file and click on theStartbutton.CWM Recovery will be flashed to your phone followed by a PASS!!message.Your phone will not reboot automatically. Close the Odin window.Pull out the back cover of the Galaxy device and remove the battery. Place the battery back to its place after about 30 seconds or so.Boot the phone now into ClockworkMod recovery mode by holding theVolume Up,Home&Powerbuttons simultaneously. Keep the 3 keys pressed till your phone vibrates. When it does, release the Power button but keep the other 2 keys pressed till you get a gray background withClockworkmod Recoveryin bluewritten on the top of the screen.Once in CWM recovery mode, you can either select options by tapping on the screen or using the volumeandpowerkeys.Once there, go toinstall zip from sdcardfollowed bychoose zip from sdcardand select theSuperSU_Bootloader_FIXED.zipfile.Confirm the installation and wait for it tofinish.When completed, tap on thereboot system now. But before your device boots, pull out the battery. Place it back after a few seconds.Now again for the third time you will have to boot the device in Downloadmode. Do it same way as inStep 2.Relaunch Odin again and connectthe phone to computer. Click onPDAbutton and select the stock bootchain file (VRBLK3ORVRBMB1)depending on what file you have downloaded.Click theStartbutton to initiate theinstallation and wait for it being finished. Your device will reboot automatically once it's done.

After all this hard work, your Verizon Galaxy S3 SCH-i535 is fully rooted with unlocked bootloader and installed CWM recovery tool. Have fun playing around with custom ROMs and apps.