Root Galaxy Note 3 (3G) on N900XXUDNB2 Android 4.4.2 Stock Firmware [GUIDE]

Samsung recently rolled out the latest Android 4.4.2 bug-fix update with build number N900XXUDNB2, for the international (3G) variant of Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900) in several countries, starting with Russia.Those who have already updated their Galaxy Note 3 (3G) to the newest KitKat stock firmware can follow our step-by-step guide to root the same via CF-Auto-Root with Odin flash tool.

NOTE: Rooting is essential to install third-party root apps, custom ROMs and latest system tweaks for optimised performance of your handset. Though rooting any device will void its hardware warranty, it is possible to restore the warranty status by reinstalling the latest official firmware.

Endroid Information reminds its readers that it will not be held responsible for any device damage during or after root installation. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Downloads Required

• CF-Auto-Root for Galaxy Note 3 (3G) 
• Odin v3.09 

Steps to Root Galaxy Note 3 (3G) Running on Android 4.4.2 N900XXUDNB2 Stock Firmware

Step 1: Extract CF-Auto-Root and Odin 3.09 files using WinRAR , 7-Zip  or WinZip .
Step 2: Power off the Galaxy Note 3 (3G) and boot it 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. Then keep tapping Volume Up button to enter Download Mode.
Step 3: Launch Odin on the computer as Administrator.
Step 4: Connect the Galaxy Note 3 (3G) to computer with USB cable in Download Mode. Wait until Odin recognises the device and the ID: COM box will turn yellow with the COM port number. Furthermore, when the device is connected successfully, a message saying "Added!" appears on screen.

Step 5: In Odin, tap AP button and select the CF-Auto-Root-t03g-t03gxx-gtN900.tar.md5 file.
Step 6: Ensure Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options are selected in Odin. But, the Re-Partition option must be unchecked.
Step 7: Verify the step 5 and step 6, before clicking Start button in Odin. When you hit Start, the root installation process will begin.
Step 8: After the root installation process completes, your phone will reboot and soon aPASS message with green background appears in the left-most box at the very top of Odin. It is now safe to disconnect the USB cable and remove the phone from computer.

Troubleshooting

• If the device fails to reboot into recovery mode or root the device, then repeat the entire tutorial once again.
• If the issue still persists, perform the tutorial once again; but disable or uncheck "Auto Reboot" option in Odin.
• Remove the battery to completely shut-down the device.
• Now boot the phone once again into Recovery mode manually (press and hold Volume Up, Home and Power buttons). This will restart the root installation process on your phone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (3G) is now rooted on official Android 4.4.2 N900XXUDNB2 official firmware. It is now possible to install any app that requires root permission.

Alternately, download and install Root Checker  app from Google Play Store to confirm the root status of the device.

[Source: XDA ]

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Samsung Galaxy S4, Note 3 Android 4.4 Problem hits Micro SD Card

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Android 4.4 Update is rolling out to many devices and the Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 update is in the works with new features for many users, but it could include a major problem for Samsung Galaxy Devices.

The Android 4.4 KitKat update could limit the use of the Micro SD card even more.

Samsung devices are known for offering additional support for storage with a Micro SD card. It is one of the reasons many users pick the Galaxy S4 over the HTC One or the iPhone 5s and it is also a big selling point on the Galaxy Note 3. Similarly the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 offered this support and we heard from readers that it is and was a very important feature.Google on the other hand is clearly focused on internal storage, with the Nexus devices and in moves made to the OS about what apps can store information on an SD card. This is likely due to the inability to control the speed and reliability of a Micro SD Card.With the Android 4.4 Google is changing how the device can access external storage, like a Micro SD card in a manner that Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 owners will not like.

Tod Liebeck, the developer of the FX File Explorer shares the details about this major problem for Android 4.4 updates on devices with a Micro SD card. In a post on Google+ in late January Liebeck outlines the problem that Samsung Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 users will likely face with the Android 4.4 update that is rolling out now. Google shares the following statement to developers.

“The WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission must only grant write access to the primary external storage on a device. Apps must not be allowed to write to secondary external storage devices, except in their package-specific directories as allowed by synthesized permissions”

Leibeck explains what this means to users, writing,

“If your device has user-accessible internal flash storage, your SD Card is a “secondary external storage device”.

What this means is that with KitKat, applications will no longer be able create, modify, or remove files and folders on your external SD card.  As a for-instance, you can no longer use a file manager to copy files from your computer to the SD card over a network.  This ability, which has existed since the beginning of Android, has been taken away.”

Liebeck explains the issue and fixes that he is working on after hearing from Galaxy Note 3 users who cannot use the app to write to an SD card and since the original post shared what he hopes is a work around without the need for users to root their Galaxy S4 or Galaxy Note 3.

Frank Zammetti shares his frustration with the Galaxy S4 on Sprint running Android 4.4, “I just installed the 4.4.2 update on my Sprint Galaxy S4 and was immediately horrified to learn of this issue… I just tried ES and I am able to create and delete a file, but not edit it or rename it, and I am able to delete a folder, but not create one (unable to try renaming a folder). ”

Jim Barton shares his experience with this Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4 Update problem,

“I just update my Galaxy Note 3 to KitKat, then was irritated when I couldn’t use QuickPic to move some pictures to a folder on my external SD. I also tried using a file manager, but of course that also failed. I had to connect the device to a PC, then copy the files from the device to a folder on the PC, then copy them back to the folder I wanted them on in the SD card. Ridiculous.

I see that the Camera app CAN write to the external SD just fine. photos are still going to the DCIM folder on my external SD card.

Barton is not the only Galaxy Note 3 owner with problems, Doods De los Reyes shares how this change impacts the ability to use a network shared folder when running Android 4.4, “The biggest impact on me is being able to copy from my network shared folder.” This user discovered a work around by copying to internal storage and then to the Micro SD card with Samsung’s My Files app.

In the most recent update Liebeck explains Google’s reason for this change, but does not agree with it, calling it a, “misstep”. Google reportedly made the change to make it easier to cleanly uninstall an app and all the app data.

Samsung recently confirmed Android 4.4 updates for the Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy S3, all of which offer a Micro SD card. Users that depend on a Micro SD card may want to see how each update impacts usability on their specific device and with apps they use to access the SD card.

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Sprint Galaxy Note 3 receiving Android 4.4.2 update today [UPDATED]

Sprint's been pretty on the ball when it comes to KitKat updates for its flagship devices, getting out Android 4.4 updates for both its HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4 before its competitors. Now it looks like Sprint has won another race to KitKat by pushing out an Android 4.4.2 update to another major smartphone.

Owners of the Sprint version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 report that their update to KitKat is now rolling out, and Sprint's support page for the phablet shows that the push is indeed kicking off today. The update brings the Note 3 up to software version N900PVPUCNAB and includes a bump up to Android 4.4.2 as well as the removal of the Prevention Pop-up.

Considering that the Galaxy Note 3 is one of Samsung's biggest smartphones, both literally and figuratively, it's no surprise that the phablet is getting bumped up to KitKat. What is interesting is that Sprint is pushing the update to its Note 3 before the other big U.S. carriers, as CDMA operators have been known to take longer to update their devices than their GSM counterparts. It's great to see Sprint being speedy with its updates as of late, though, and I'm sure that its subscribers are pretty happy about the whole situation as well.

If you're rocking a Sprint Galaxy Note 3 and haven't yet received your own piece of KitKat, you can check for the update manually by heading into Apps > Settings > General > System Update > Update.

UPDATE: Samsung has posted a more detailed changelog for the Sprint Galaxy Note 3's KitKat update:

• OS upgrade to Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
• New Lock Screen Access
  • Media Controls - full-screen album art and media controls when listening to music
  • Camera Shortcut  - access the Camera application right from the lock screen
  • SMS App Chooser - select a default application for sending and receiving SMS text messages
  • Restyled Status and Navigation Bars - status and navigation bars are translucent and can sit on top of apps, along with simplified status bar icons
• Consolidated Location Settings - location services are integrated and more detailed by new Location menu
• Expanded Emoji Icons
• Wireless Printing – supports printing over Wi­-Fi and Bluetooth
• Prevention Information pop-up message is suppressed.

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