How to Root Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900 With Android 4.4.2 KitKat Updates

This guide shows you how to gain root on Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900 (Exynos) variants. This root method will worked either your Galaxy Note 3 SM N900 runs on 4.3 (Jelly Bean) or the latest Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) updates. This root method has been already proven as the most simple, easiest and most importantly your phone will still runs on the original firmware. But some downside into getting root access as it always before, that rooting will void the warranty of your device. So make sure to read the whole process below, as I also added some important facts how to get your device keep in safe whil you are on your way into rooting.

Things you may need to know first before thinking to root your device.

Rooting  Samsung phones lately that already runs on latest Android OS such as Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) and the new Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) will now triggers KNOX warranty void flag counter from “0×0″ to “0×1″, of-course there are no exemption to this new security policy and it includes the international Galaxy Note 3 devices, either it’s unlocked or  locked to a carrier provider.

If you are an advanced users who already knows about this, then maybe you need to skip this simple reminder.  This is only for beginners who did not knew the risk and downsides from rooting their phone.

What is KNOX Warranty Counter and how it get trip?
This is all well-explained in the KNOX white paper available at Samsung’s website,  this one is just a small detail about why if we install root it triggers this KNOX platform. KNOX has its own  isolated and secure environment within the mobile device,  so-called container. One of these containers also  includes  a secured bootloader. The bootloader is the place in the Android system (Qualcomm SecureBoot)  where tinkerers  like you and me should avoid from messing it up. Once the bootloader detects any unsigned system images, including root image, ROMs, kernels, modem and etc. it trips the KNOX WARRANTY VOID flag and sets it to 0×1. The untouched or the default system status is set to ‘Official’ while the Warranty counter is set to “0×0″ that simply means that your phone is still a virgin.  But once you install root it will switch the device into CUSTOM and then followed by the KNOX Warranty Void Counter as “0×1″ when you try to put something in the system which the KNOX security system can’t approve. KNOX has its own isolated memory causing red-flag once it gets re-written by any unsecure boot (kernel), recovery and other system images that are not officially designed by Samsung.

This is an example of Samsung Galaxy Note 3 System Status switched to Custom and shows the KNOX Warranty Void: 0×1.
This security platform can be actually seen when you reboot your Galaxy Note 3 into Odin download  mode screen, and it   tells you that device is switched to CUSTOM from Official status. When this binary counter has being tripped-off it will automatically void the smartphone’s warranty and causing the KNOX warranty void 0×1 red-flag. The problem is, it is not reversible by any means by now,  you cannot turn it back to normal status again.

So again, if you are aware with that new Samsung and your network providers policy, then you must think first before rooting your device.

Disclaimer: Rooting void the warranty of your Galaxy Note 3.  This article only shows the rooting guide for educational purposes only and we are not forcefully encourage you to do so. We and in-behalf of the developer of this root method shall not take any responsibility when anything happens to your device.  We encourage you to do a careful research first before attempting to use of these files that are associated with this guide. You may proceed at your own risk!

Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900 Root Tools:

We need a CF-Auto-Root for SM-N900 – Download
The root file has been updated and it worked on international Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900) KitKat updates. You can read the full details about this root file from the developers himself known as “Chainfire“, and his official support page can be found at XDA-Developers.

The Odin flasher program – Odin3_v3.09

A USB Driver –  The USB driver is included in Kies 3, so if you already had Kies in your computer then this is not needed anymore. Download here

Just unzip the file, you can use winzip or 7zip tool for extracting the compressed file, then run the “Samsung_Mobile_Phones_USB_Driver.exe” program to install the USB Driver. Without the USB driver your computer will not recognize or detect your Galaxy Note 3 device.

Getting Started Root Your Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900:

• First thing first , fully recharge your Note 3 battery before engaging into flashing process. Power interruption or failure during flashing process might ruin your device in no time.
• Back-up all important files, this root method may delete all of your files that are stored from your device. So copy all of it and save it in a very safe place in your computer. When we say all files, this includes contacts, messages, call logs, photos, videos and even apps. If something might went wrong andthen it force you to perform a full factory reset then it’s all gone bye-bye.  So don’t be lazy, you can back up your files is very easy
  Read: How to Back up files on Galaxy Note 3.
• Prepare a Windows base OS computer or laptop, Odin flasher tool will not run on MAC and other OS.
• Use the supplied USB cable, a bad USB cable will be causing flashing errors.
• Unzip or extract the files,  compressed file can be extracted using 7zip, winzip, winrar or any unzipping program in your computer.
• Enable USB debugging mode if you are having issues connectingyour device to the computer try to enable the this option. In your Samsung Galaxy Note 3, go to Settings>> About device>> then look for the firmware build number and then tap that build number for around 7-times until a message pop-ups that says something “congratulations you are now a developer”.
• Remove the external  micro SD card if you have one, to avoid any failures and error during the flashing process.
• TURN OFF the Reactivation Lock – juts tap on Settings>>Security>>Reactivation Lock and then uncheck the Turn Reactivation lock on. This is only needed if you already turned-it-ON, from which you cannot modify the system when it’s turned-ON.

How to turn-off the Activation lock on Samsung galaxy Note 3.

Your Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900 should now run on Android 4.4.2 OS like the following:

– 4.4.2 KitKat Update N900XXUDNC1
– 4.4.2 KitKat Update N900XXUDNB2
– 4.4.2 KitKat Update N900XXUDNA6
– 4.3 Jelly Bean Update N900XXUCMK2 

Working the Galaxy Note 3 in Download Mode to Install Root

Run the Odin3_v3.09.exe in your computer desktop.
Head on Odin check-boxes options, make sure the “Re-Partition is unchecked. Both Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time check-boxes leave it as checked.
Boot your Galaxy Note 3 into Download Mode: Turn it off, then Press the Volume Down+Home+Power keys simultaneously, until a warning screen prompts you that let you choose to continue or cancel.  To continue juts hit the Volume Up key then you will see a download mode screen.

Reboot Samsung Galaxy Note 3 into Download Mode.

Grab the USB cable then hook-up your Galaxy Note 3 to the computer. Look for Odin’s ID:COM bar, it should turn to blue color and shows you the USB port number of your Galaxy Note 3 connection with the computer. There is also a word that says “Added” in the log-cat box. If you ain’t see any response, try to recheck the USB cable and re-install the USB Driver.
Now hover your mouse to Odin’s button.
– Click the AP button then browse and select this file ‘CF-Auto-Root-ha3g-ha3gxx-smn900.tar.md5′.  Then wait a couple of seconds for it reads the MD5 checksum for a while.

Hit the Start Button
Once the AP slot filled with the root file, simply click that Odin’s “START” button to begin flashing. Wait and watch the progress bar as it will show you the exact time how it completes the flashing and it takes a couple of minutes before the flashing finishes, you have a time to relax  for a while.

A huge word “PASS” will then prompts you once it has successfully finished. Wait a couple of seconds again until your Galaxy Note restarts.

From here your Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 should be rooted. If you want to take any tweaking deep further and just needs root so you can install any ROM’s based on AOSP or from official firmware, then you may also need to install a custom recovery.

Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900 Custom Recoveries

There are two custom recovery that has already proven and it worked on International Galaxy Note 3 Android KitKat update, the TWRP recovery  and Philz-Touch recovery.  You can directly download these custom recovery at XDA-Developers.
Philz Recovery can be found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2567283
While TWRP recovery is also here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2467255

Installing the custom recovery is similar to the above procedures using Odin tool and or by can be flash via recovery mode.  So, you’ll just use the guide above if you want a custom recovery running on your Galaxy Note 3.

Have something to say about this root method? Did it worked or not? Just let us know and so your fellow Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900 users knows about.

Credit to::::::Galaxy Note 3update.com