Root How-to: Root / Un-Root your SG-N7000

[bluenova]

This is really the easiest method to root + change recovery to CWM + install a safe kernel on your Samsung Galaxy Note N7000​

• What's root?
  Spoiler

  To root your device is to give you full access to all files and folders on your device.
  
  The pros: you can change anything you want and some apps require root in order to work.
  
  The cons: if you give something permission to run as root it will have full access to your device which could be a security risk and some apps such as banking apps will not run if it detects your device is rooted.
• What's CWM?
  Spoiler

  CWM or ClockWorkMod is a custom recovery for Android.
  
  It enables you to easily flash mods such as ROMs, Kernels and Radios as well as backup and restore your device and wipe specific elements of it. This can be done right from the phone so if you run MacOS or Linux you won't be left out in the dark.
• What's a safe Kernel?
  Spoiler

  The stock Samsung ICS kernel has an mmc_cap_erase bug whereby factory resetting could result it hard-bricking your device. Yes Samsung will sort it for you but it is still a major hassle and if you have to send it off to Samsung you will be without a device for a while.
  
  The kernel you'll be installing does not have the mmc bug so you'll be safe to factory reset without the fear of bricking your precious Note.
• Isn't it unsafe to use CWM?
  Spoiler

  It's unsafe to use the old Touch version of the temporary CWM. The version we'll be using has been made safe by Entropy.

On to the guides:

root + change recovery to CWM + install a safe kernel

1. Visit this thread, have a read through then download one of the packages in the second post. You'll need to choose the right package for the kernel you need. The right kernel will depend on your baseband version. Goto 'About Phone' in your phones settings and look at the baseband (radio) version. For instance mine is N7000XXLRK so I would get the kernel XXLRK-XEU. Get the file ending .zip
   
2. Copy the file you downloaded to the root directory of your external SD card (not the internal memory), do not extract the zip file just copy it over.
   
3. Reboot into recovery by holding down vol up+Home+power, keep them held down until you see the Android with a spinning thing in his belly.
   
4. Select 'apply update from external storage' by using the 'volume rocker' to scroll and 'power' to select.
   
5. Select the kernel you previously downloaded using the same buttons (volume rocker then power)
   
6. Once completed reboot your device.

Your device is now rooted, you have CWM as your recovery and you are on a safe kernel and are safe to factory reset and you'll be able to install a ROM of your choice through CWM.

How to unroot
Most custom ROMs and this method of installing CWM + safe kernel will also root your device. For most this is great but for some it's undesirable.

If you wish to unroot just flash the attached file from CWM recovery which will uninstall busybox and Superuser.

Credits: dr.ketan - Phil3759 - Entropy

 

[Howard Hopkinson]

What an excellent guide bluenova, thank you.

This must be worth a sticky.

 

[bluenova]

What an excellent guide bluenova, thank you.

This must be worth a sticky.

Thanks, I've added it to the All things root sticky guide.

 

[Omar Days]

What an excellent guide bluenova, thank you.

This must be worth a sticky.

Yes, excellent guide! Will be using this guide when i root it eventually

 

[dharp1996]

What do I do if my baseband isnt there????

 

[bluenova]

What do I do if my baseband isnt there????

What's your baseband?

 

[AlfyKL]

my phone has been upgraded to official 4.1.2 and my baseband is N7000DXLS8 so i was looking for something like *DX-*** but there is none, any idea what to do?

 

[mrcaptain]

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