How to Root Galaxy S4 (Sprint) SPH-L720 on Android 4.4.2 KitKat Firmware

The Sprint version of Samsung Galaxy S4 (SPH-L720) has started receiving Android 4.4.2 KitKat update with firmware build number L720VPUFNAE.

Samsung Galaxy S4 (Sprint) SPH-L720 users who have already updated their devices with Android 4.4.2 KitKat, may root their devices using the tutorial below.

This tutorial uses CF-Auto-Root file released by Senior XDA-Developers, Chainfire. Head over to the CF-Auto-Root main thread to learn more about the root method.

Disclaimer: Rooting voids the warranty of your device. We and the developer of this rooting procedures shall not be held responsible if any undesirable outcomes may happen to your device. use of this root guide is solely at your own risk!

Pre-requisites
1. Install USB Drivers for Samsung Galaxy S4 on the computer.
2. Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone by navigating to Settings >> Developer Options.
3. Make a backup of all your important data before following the guide.
4. Ensure the battery of the phone is charged more than 80 percent.
5. The CF-Auto-Root file works only on the Sprint version of Galaxy S4 (SPH-L720). Applying this to any incorrect variant might brick the device. Verify the model number of the Galaxy S4 by navigating to Settings >> About Phone.

Files Required
1. CF-Auto-Root - Mirror Link (CF-Auto-Root-jfltespr-jfltespr-sphl720.zip)
2. Odin 3.07

Steps to Root Galaxy S4 (Sprint) SPH-L720 Running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat Firmware
Step 1: Extract the CF-Auto-Root and Odin 3.07 files using WinRAR/7-Zip/WinZip or any other extracting tool.
Step 2: Switch off the Galaxy S4. Then boot into Download Mode by pressing and holding Volume Down, Home and Power buttons together until a construction Android robot icon with a warning triangle appears on screen. Now press the Volume Up button to enter Download Mode.
Step 3: Launch Odin on the computer as an Administrator.
Step 4: Connect the Galaxy S4 to the computer using USB cable while it is in the Download Mode. Wait until Odin detects the device. When the device is connected successfully, the ID: COM box will turn to light blue with the COM port number. Additionally, the successful connected will be indicated by a message saying Added.
Step 5: In Odin, click the PDA button and select the CF-Auto-Root-jfltespr-jfltespr-sphl720.tar.md5 file.
Step 6: Make sure that the Re-Partition checkbox is NOT selected in Odin.
Step 7: Double-check and click Start button in Odin. The installation process will now begin.
Step 8: Once the installation process completes, your phone will restart and soon you will see a PASS message with green background in the left-most box at the very top of the Odin. You can now unplug the USB cable to disconnect it from the computer.

Samsung Galaxy S4 (Sprint) SPH-L720 running on Android 4.4.2 KitKat is now rooted successfully. Open the app drawer of the phone and check for an app called SuperSU. Verify the root status of the device by downloading Root Checker app from Google Play Store.

Note: Many Samsung devices store a flash counter that keeps track of how many times you have flashed custom firmwares to your device. Triangle Away can be used to reset the flash counter to zero.

How to Fix "Unfortunately, SuperSU has stopped"?
Step 1: Download and install the latest APK of SuperSU on your device.
Step 2: Open SuperSU app (update the binary if prompted) and allow it to disable KNOX.
Step 3: Reboot your device.

Thank's to all fellas at XDA who first tried out this rooting technique. This method was originally posted via XDA-Developers original thread.

Read also: How to Update Galaxy S4 (Sprint) SPH-L720 with Android 4.4.2 VPUFNAE KitKat Official Firmware