Help Which Root guide to follow?

codezer0 · Dec 17, 2014

Simply put... picked up a pure unlocked Note 3 USA version. Model SM-N900.

Naturally, I want to root and install a proper recovery to be able to do NAND backup(s) and just be able to get the most out of this new bad boy.

However, on the site I currently see that there are a variety of provider-specific root guides, while mine is technically purely provider-agnostic. Hell, for the first time on a Samsung, I see that I can actually select to run the Google launcher over TouchWiz for default.

So, which guide would I need to be able to make the best of this new phone?

dynomot · Dec 18, 2014

Use my guide here:

http://androidforums.com/threads/how-to-root-your-note-3-a-complete-novices-guide.824285/

But, make sure you use the correct CF rooting file from here it is the first download link for the SM-N900.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2466423

codezer0 · Dec 21, 2014

Curious... according to the product box, mine is a US model, unlocked Note 3. Yet on that root guide, it states mine is an international model. I thought that international models weren't supposed to work on #murikan networks?

dynomot · Dec 22, 2014

There are many variants :

SM-N900 - Exynos Version (International).
SM-N9005 - Snapdragon Version(International).
SM-N9002 - Snapdragon Double SIM(Chinese).
SM-N9005T - Snapdragon Version (T-Mobile)
SM-N9005P - Snapdragon Version (Sprint)
SM-N9005A - Snapdragon Version (AT&T)
SM-N9007 - Snapdragon Version (Optus)
SM-N900W8- Snapdragon Version (Canadian)
SM-N9000Q - Exynos Version(Turkish)
SM-N9000- Exynos Version(Supposedly International,but don't know the difference with n900)

SM-N900X -Snapdragon Version(Retail Live Demo Unit)

Still need h/w info of these:
SM-N9000Q_MEA
SM-N900K--(KT Telecom South Korea)
SM-N900L--(LGU+ South Korea)
SM-N900S---(SK Telecom South Korea)
SM-N900W8_LA
SM-N900_MEA
SM-N900_SEA
SM-N900_SWA
SM-N9008V Lte version (China Mobile)

Yours looks to be the SM-N900 (international Exynos Version), while mine is the SM-N9005 (international Qualcomm version)

codezer0 · Dec 24, 2014

Would these guides still work with the Android 5 update? Seems I'm getting the awareness about a system update available, and I can't help but think that's referring to Android lollipop.

One more question. What recovery options are available that at least enable a proper backup/restore of the system NAND?

dynomot · Dec 25, 2014

I doubt very much if the update is Lollipop (V5.0). The CF (Chain Fire) method of rooting is fine up to and including V4.4.4.

You would need to flash a custom recovery to do a Nandroid backup. I would have recommended a clockwork mod (CWM) recovery but they are no longer supported by their developer - Koush and are running into problems so a "Team win" (TWRP) is the way to go for your version of the Note 3 this is the one. Download it and flash using Odin exactly like you rooted (a .tar file) as described, the download link is at the bottom of this page :

http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/204

I have successfully done and restored a Nandroid on my Note 3 with TWRP.

codezer0 · Dec 28, 2014

Well, a small update.

Was initially going to wait till I got the BB plan on the phone so that I would have same-day replacement... only to find out that for unlocked phones, it's not anything like that anymore. And instead one still has to pay a service fee and the like on the phone to get anything done. Were it a simple same-day replacement, I would have absolutely no objection to getting the plan.

With that, I pretty much went ahead and just took the dive. So, Unlocked and rooted, and fabulously, ads getting killed.

codezer0 · Jan 3, 2015

Just wanted to share with you.

Did the unroot via SuperSU's app properties.
Reboot into download mode.
Install new sys update via Odin.
Reboot phone, verify all was well.
Reboot to download mode. CF flashing fails curiously. Failed in mid-flash with one of the different odin versions.
"Please do recovery via kies warning" ohcrap.gif
Kies not recognizing phone. doublecrap.png
Reboot into download mode finally and reflash new update again
Reboot to try and install TWRP. Says it succeeded...

Reboot and install CF Root with success. But when I try to recheck the recovery, only the stock recovery is there. Crap... guess I gotta try that again.

After a few resets and making sure my apps were in order, NOW TWRP takes, and I can make a NAND backup

dynomot · Jan 3, 2015

All good, but a bit odd. Usually CF rooting fails if you forget to turn "Reactivation Lock" OFF (menu>settings>general>security> reactivation lock and uncheck). You can turn it back on after if you wish.

codezer0 · Jan 3, 2015

Funny you mention that; a double check on the security settings confirmed that was disabled to begin with. So, no idea why that happened. Even so, just glad that it's not like I borked my Note 3 after all the trouble I went through getting it!

xaelith · Jan 4, 2015

codezer0 said:
Just wanted to share with you.

Did the unroot via SuperSU's app properties.
Reboot into download mode.
Install new sys update via Odin.
Reboot phone, verify all was well.
Reboot to download mode. CF flashing fails curiously. Failed in mid-flash with one of the different odin versions.
"Please do recovery via kies warning" ohcrap.gif
Kies not recognizing phone. doublecrap.png
Reboot into download mode finally and reflash new update again
Reboot to try and install TWRP. Says it succeeded...

Reboot and install CF Root with success. But when I try to recheck the recovery, only the stock recovery is there. Crap... guess I gotta try that again.

After a few resets and making sure my apps were in order, NOW TWRP takes, and I can make a NAND backup

I had a similar experience when I used Kies to push the 4.4.4 update to my phone, though I think part of my problem is that I didn't unroot before the update. Oddly enough, root took the first try, but like you, my phone refused to allow a custom recovery to stick. I eventually pushed the recovery via adb, and everything worked like it was supposed to, but I found it odd right after the update that the alphabet soup under "Software version", "Baseband version" and "Build number" in the "About device" section didn't match. At first, I chalked it up to a product of the dirty flash with root still intact, but it wasn't long before my phone had no signal whatsoever. As it turned out, I had somehow corrupted my baseband (or so it would seem, because flashing a new baseband fixed the issue), but even now I don't understand what went wrong if the update was really as successful as Kies led me to believe.

maikalwolf · Feb 3, 2015

I just picked up the att note 3 with 4.4.4 android version. I would like to root it also. I believe there is no warranty on it. Any suggestions on rooting? If I choose to root will I loose chance at Lollipop update? If I wait after lollipop, will I be able to root it still? What recover option will I have pre and post lollipop?

Thanks in advance. Great thread answers By the way!

dynomot · Feb 4, 2015

maikalwolf said:
I just picked up the att note 3 with 4.4.4 android version. I would like to root it also. I believe there is no warranty on it. Any suggestions on rooting? If I choose to root will I loose chance at Lollipop update? If I wait after lollipop, will I be able to root it still? What recover option will I have pre and post lollipop?

Thanks in advance. Great thread answers By the way!

What model of Note 3 do you have? If it has V4.4.4 it sounds like a US Exynos one.

dynomot · Feb 4, 2015

Ah the AT&T version. I can't help much I'm afraid. This is the international Note 3 forum you need to be here to get some pointers :

http://androidforums.com/forums/at-t-galaxy-note-3-all-things-root.2271/

maikalwolf · Feb 4, 2015

Thanks for reply. Not sure but the model number days sm-n900A. Does that help?

maikalwolf · Feb 4, 2015

Yes I looked at those threads but nothing posted regarding my question, or a great topic like this one. I'll start one to see what advice I can get. I might try to sell and get an international version since you seem to offer great advice from reading your other post/threads.

Help Which Root guide to follow?

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