This is how you can free your Galaxy S5 from bloatware and TouchWiz

As with previous Samsung flagship devices, the recently launched Galaxy S5 handset comes with the company’s custom user interface on top of Android, as well as various bloatware apps, which buyers may not necessarily appreciate. Luckily, there is a way to better customize and manage the Android device, although it requires users to root their Galaxy S5 units in the process. SamMobile reports that many Galaxy S5 versions can be rooted, thanks to the work of recognized developer Chainfire, including several models launched in the U.S.

Chainfire’s CF-Auto-Root tool works on the international Galaxy S5 models (SM-G900F and SM-900H,) Central and South American model (SM-G900M,) and on some North American versions including T-Mobile (SM-G900T,) Sprint (SM-G900P,) U.S. Cellular (SM-G900R4,), Metro PCS (SM-G900T1). The Canadian SM-G900W8 model has also been rooted.

Naturally, root procedures aren’t always flaw free. For starters, rooting the Galaxy S5 will void the phone’s warranty, and SamMobile says it will also break Knox warranty and increase the flash counter. Moreover, after the root Private Mode seems to be disabled, and users are advised to make sure they flash the appropriate firmware on their devices in order not to brick the device.

Instructions for proceeding with CF-Auto-Root are available on Chainfire’s website and on xda-developers. In case rooting the Galaxy S5 is not an option for increasing storage on the handset, there are other tricks users can try.

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This article was originally published on BGR.com

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