Android 4.3 For Galaxy Note 2, Download Link, Rooting Method & Bugs

Though scheduled for an end of the year release, Android 4.3 for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 leaked last week Wednesday and I was one of the many who quickly downloaded it. This leak isor the International version of the Note 2 with model number GT-N7100 and is said to feature amongst other things the following:

Faster, more stable Android experience
Samsung Wallet
Samsung Knoxx
Better color reproduction with sharp display
Move apps to SD card
Flipboard, Google Play Books, Games and Magazines preinstalled
Tabbed Settings Panel
Improved Notification Panel shortcut access

WARNING: The tutorial below is not the faint hearted and newbies to all things flashing. Make sure to back up your data before proceeding. Also it is highly recommended to do a clean install that is after flashing the firmware, run a wipe/factory reset on your device and setup your device and apps from scratch. This way you get a smooth experience on this leak

Table of Contents

Download Android 4.3 Firmware For Samsung Galaxy Note 2

NOTE: Before commencing the download, I highly recommend you copy the file to your own PCloud account to avoid a situation whereby you’re suddenly cut off mid way due to too much traffic on the publicly shared link. Creating an account is pretty fast and PCloud supports resume downloads.

Click here to download >>>>> https://my.pcloud.com/#page=publink&code=XZ8qXZKc1Spl7GOYS4eefmmYhJ2LjvX95k (Use the Copy To My Cloud feature first)

Once you’re done downloading, extract the zip file using the password: wagnervaz

Do not copy and paste this password. Type it out when asked for it.

Upgrade Galaxy Note 2 to Android 4.3 Procedure

It’s pretty much the same procedure detailed in my post How To Root The Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos starting from Step 3. Make use of the ODIN file that comes with this Android 4.3 Firmware.

Extract the downloaded firmware and load AP_N7100XXUEM16_CP_N7100XXEM16_CSC_N7100XAEM16_BY_WVAZ_DINK.tar.md5 under PDA, leave only Auto reboot and F.Reset Time ticked and hit the start button. DO NOT TICK re-partition.

Once you’re done, boot into recovery mode by powering off your device and pressing Home, Power and Volume Up buttons at the same time then run a Wipe/Factory Reset

How To Root Android 4.3 on Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100

The same procedure in How To Root The Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos applies but instead you’ll be flashing this file philz_touch_5.15.0-n7100.tar.md5 (CWM Recovery) via ODIN and installing this one UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip (SuperSU Root) via CWM recovery mode.

Bugs I’ve Noticed in Android 4.3 Leak For Samsung Galaxy Note II

Occasional freeze/lag
Annoying Samsung Knoxx alerts if you restore a backup from say Titanium Backup Pro. In the end, I froze all references to Knoxx
No torchlight: The Assistive Light is no more and you’d have to install a third party app to get that feature
S-Pen Air View still shows pointer despite being turned off
Bluetooth file transfer needs a few restarts to work right