Last Updated on April 6, 2017 by Mathew Diekhake

Most of the current years flagships are finding the official Lollipop software update rolling out by now. They are following on from Google’s own Nexus devices, plus a few Google Play Edition (GPE) handset under different names such as Motorola. However, most of the older generation flagship and other devices are yet to have any Lollipop love. Well, owners of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N9005 are able to install the official Android 5.0 Lollipop update thanks to a new leak that’s come out overnight.

The new firmware comes with the build number N9005XXUGBNL8 5.0.7z. It comes with all the same Lollipop feature you’ve heard about with the other devices sucyh as the Moto X, Galaxy S5, Lg G3 and more. It comes with material design throughout the UI and app drawer, multiple device compatibility, pick up songs, photos and other media where you left off, important updates to the camera, new battery settings, security enhancements and patches, notification screen updates with smarter notifications, new quick settings, tap and go payments for NFC, new Easter EGG, Android RunTime (ART) replacing Dalvik and Android Beam. There’s still oodles more features you’ll find after the installation.

Android Lollipop

Before starting the steps we want to run through a list of the essentials for you to learn. That way you know what you need to complete the steps successfully, what the risk are involved in applying the same and more.

  • You don’t automatically lose data by installing official software or firmware updates issued by Google and Android. However, sometimes people must apply factory resets where the data is wiped. Avoid this by backing up the phone contacts, call logs, SMS texts, pictures, videos and the device settings before you begin the guide.
  • You can back up the smartphone your own way which you already know or by taking our advice. We recommend trying out Helium or Android. It’s popular among Droid users this year. You can back up the rest of the data by using the built-in feature Samsung offer.
  • There is other app options out there available from the Google Play store which help with everything. Some come with premium features. The features can help automatically take backups for you in future so you don’t have to manually. However, they come at premium prices.
  • You can back up the EFS folder by installing the EFS – IMEI – Partitions – Backup application from Google Play.
  • Use Google Drive for extra storage space if you are running low from the devices internal memory. Google Drive offers a free amount of limited space.
  • Allow permissions for the USB Debugging mode from the developer Options menu. You’ll find the developer options available from the Settings menu on any Android device running above 4.2 Jelly Bean. If it’s hidden and needs unlocking in your version of software, you must tap on the build number seven times and then go back to the settings screen.
  • Only apply the following on the N9005 variant of the Note 3. You can’t install the file on any other version of the Note or any other device from a different brand. Files are specifically for the model number you find in the guide.
  • You can verify the model number of your device by stopping over at the Settings followed by About Device menu.
  • You must have the up to date USB drivers on the device so it successfully connects to the computer.
  • You must use a computer for transferring the files through the Odin application. Furthermore, it only works for Windows PC. You can use any Microsoft Windows OS from XP through to Windows 8.
  • Make sure you have enough battery power if the USB charging feature isn’t working for you.

How to update the Sammy Note 3 N9005 with Official Android 5.0 Lollipop

  1. Turn on the computer of your choice and log in to the user account where you are happy downloading files.
  2. Download the N9005XXUGBNL8 5.0.7z firmware file here.
  3. Download Odin 3.09 here.
  4. Use the desktop for the downloads.
  5. Extract both the files and have the Odin app running on the display.
  6. Turn off the phone and reboot in download mode.
  7. Press the volume down + Power + Home keys to get access to the download mode.
  8. Connect the device to the computer using the USB cable.
    – you’ll find the USB wire from the box the phone came inside. Otherwise look at the wire you use as the phone charger.
  9. Leave the default settings of Odin including Auto Reboot and F Reset Time.
  10. Do not check the re-partition box.
  11. Note: those with the 32 GB version of the Note 3 do want to check the re-partition box also and upload the pit file. Everyone else skips to the following step.
  12. Upload the tar.md5 file from the AP button.
  13. Click the start button for the flashing.
  14. Do not touch any buttons until the “pass” message displays on the screen.
  15. Disconnect the device safely by stopping the USB Mass Storage device from the Windows system tray.

You want to boot it up in recovery mode and perform a factory reset by download the simple factory reset application from Google Play if you are experiencing boot loop issues or any other problem with the firmware. Moreover, you can get access to the hard reset or recovery screen for resets manually by pressing a series of buttons of you cannot access the app.