How to Root Samsung Z1: Full Guide

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Rooting your Samsung Z1 gives you full administrative control over the Tizen operating system, letting you remove pre-installed bloatware, install custom themes, and use root-only apps. This guide covers the complete process, from enabling developer options to verifying root access. Before you begin, back up all important data and ensure your battery is charged above 70%.

What You’ll Need

A Samsung Z1 smartphone (SM-Z130H or SM-Z130G)
A Windows PC with USB port
USB data cable compatible with the Z1
Odin3 (Windows flashing tool) â€“ version 3.10.6 or newer
Samsung USB drivers for Windows
Root package for Samsung Z1 (Tizen root files, often distributed as a .tar.md5 file)
Backup of your personal data (contacts, photos, etc.)

Step-by-Step

Enable Developer Mode on the Z1: Go to Settings â†’ About Device â†’ Software. Tap the Build Number field 5 times until you see a message that Developer Mode is enabled.
Enable USB Debugging: Go back to Settings â†’ Developer Options and toggle USB Debugging to ON.
Install Samsung USB Drivers on your PC: Download and run the Samsung USB driver installer. Reboot your PC after installation.
Download Odin3 and the root package: Get Odin3 (a Windows tool for flashing Samsung devices) and the correct root file for the Z1. Make sure the root file matches your exact model number (SM-Z130H vs SM-Z130G).
Extract Odin3: Unzip the Odin3 archive to a folder on your PC, e.g., C:\Odin. You should see Odin3.exe.
Power off the Z1: Fully shut down the phone.
Boot into Download Mode: Press and hold Volume Down + Home + Power buttons simultaneously until the screen shows a warning. Press Volume Up to continue into Download Mode.
Connect the Z1 to your PC: Plug the USB cable into the phone and the PC. Wait for Windows to recognize the device (check Device Manager for a ‘Samsung’ device).
Open Odin3: Run Odin3.exe as Administrator. You should see a blue or yellow box under the ID:COM section indicating your device is detected.
Load the root package: Click the AP (or PDA) button in Odin and select the root file you downloaded (e.g., Root_Z1.tar.md5). Do not touch any other options.
Start the flashing process: Click Start in Odin. Wait for the process to complete â€“ it takes about 1-2 minutes. The phone will reboot automatically.
Verify root access: After reboot, install a root checker app from the Tizen Store (or use a terminal emulator) and confirm that root is granted. Alternatively, look for the SuperSU or Root app icon in your app drawer.

Common Mistakes

Wrong root file: Using a root package for the wrong model (e.g., Z1 vs Z3) will fail or brick the device. Always match the exact model number.
USB debugging not enabled: If Odin doesn’t detect the device, it’s often because USB debugging was not turned on. Double-check Developer Options.
Using a non-OEM USB cable: Some cables only charge and don’t transfer data. Use the original cable that came with the phone.
Interrupting the flashing process: Unplugging the USB cable or closing Odin while flashing can permanently damage the phone. Be patient.
Skipping the backup: Flashing can wipe data if something goes wrong. Always back up first.

Tips

Use a dedicated folder for Odin and the root file, avoiding spaces or special characters in the path.
Disable Windows firewall and antivirus temporarily during flashing â€“ they can block Odin’s communication.
Keep the phone charged above 70% to avoid shutdown during the process.
After rooting, install a root manager like SuperSU (if not included) to control which apps get root access.
Write down your phone’s model number and firmware version before downloading anything.

Troubleshooting

Odin doesn’t detect the device: Reinstall Samsung USB drivers, try a different USB port, and make sure you’re in Download Mode. Also, check that USB debugging is enabled.
Flashing fails with ‘FAIL’ message: The root file may be corrupted. Re-download it and try again. Also, ensure you’re using the correct Odin version.
Phone stuck in boot loop after flashing: This usually indicates a mismatched root file. Boot into recovery mode (Volume Up + Home + Power) and perform a factory reset. If that doesn’t work, flash the original stock firmware using Odin.
Root checker says ‘no root’: The root process may not have completed. Re-run the flashing steps, or try a different root package.
Battery drains fast after rooting: Some root apps consume extra power. Check for rogue apps and uninstall them. Also, consider wiping cache partition.
Device not booting at all (hard brick): If the phone doesn’t respond to any button, try re-flashing the stock firmware via Odin. If that fails, seek professional repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rooting void my warranty?

Yes, rooting typically voids the manufacturer warranty. If you need to claim warranty, you may be able to unroot by flashing stock firmware, but it’s not guaranteed.

Can I unroot the Samsung Z1?

Yes, you can unroot by flashing the original stock firmware using Odin. This will remove root and restore the phone to its factory state.

Does rooting delete my data?

Rooting itself doesn’t wipe data, but the flashing process can. It’s always recommended to back up before proceeding.

Will I still receive OTA updates after rooting?

Usually not, because root modifies system files. OTA updates may fail or cause issues. You may need to unroot before updating.

Is rooting legal?

In most countries, rooting is legal, but it may violate the terms of service of your carrier or device manufacturer. Check local laws and agreements.

Can rooting brick my phone permanently?

Yes, if done incorrectly (e.g., wrong firmware, interrupted flashing), it can brick the device. Following this guide carefully minimizes the risk.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.