Last Updated on April 6, 2017 by Mathew Diekhake
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has a new leaked firmware that’s reportedly part of the test firmware series. After installing, it will update your smart phone with official Android 5.0 Lollipop. As you know, the Lollipop software update keeps rolling out to devices, but because the Note 3 is getting older, it’s further down the priority lift. Now you can skip the waiting and install the same on your device after the steps below.
Android Lollipop is a step up from KitKat because it comes with the all new material design user interface, material design app drawer, Android Beam, tap and go NFC, Android RunTime and no Dalvik, a new Easter Egg, multiple device compatibility, the ability to pick up where you left off with songs and other media, new batter savings mode and more. Some of our favorite left over features include the improved security which reportedly makes it hard to find root access, important camera updates, a new quick settings menu, smart notification with a do not disturb notification option and more.
We are listing some of the essentials you want to understand before applying the steps. That way you won’t make any mistakes, you’ll backup your device and everything should go smoothly.
- The following is only for the N900 variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 smart phone. Do not try installing the same file for a different device. You risk soft-bricking.
- The XXUGBNL8 test build isn’t an official release yet, but it does keep the device on stock. There is no customizing involved. There is not root access.
- Since we are not working with root access we are not taking a Nandroid backup. However, backing u the data is still important. You want to try installing third-party applications from the Google Play Store. We prefer using helium for Android and it’s really popular this year.
- Alternatively, users can use the built-in backup utility available from the Settings on the device. The built-in functionality will let you make copies of the pictures, video, media files, phone contacts and more.
- You must have a Windows computer running no operating system earlier than Windows XP. We are using the official Odin tool made by Samsung which is only available for Windows.
- You need the USB cable that’s made for the device. It’s the same wire you use for charging the device. Moreover, it’s the wire that comes out of the box in the packaging after you buy it from the store.
- The beauty with using applications to back up your data instead of built-in utilities is that you can set automatic updates. By using the device capabilities you must manually remember to take these backups by yourself each time.
- Allow USB Debugging permissions from the Developer Options menu. Find the Developer Options coming from the original Settings menu.
- You must have the latest USB drivers working on the computer for your Galaxy Note. You can get them from third-party links, the official Samsung website or by installing Samsung Kies.
- Kies is a great utility for getting the USB drivers, but you must turn it off before starting the steps. Some of you will have the drivers working already. Plug the phone into the computer and try finding the pictures and loading them on the desktop. If you can look at the phone pictures on the desktop you know the drivers are working.
How to install Android 5.0 Lollipop on the N900XXUGBNL8 on Samsung Galaxy Note 4
- Download the N900XXUGBNL8 firmware file here.
- Download the Odin 3.09 here.
- Download both files to the desktop and extract the same.
- Start running the Odin application and leave it open on the computer monitor.
- Boot the Note 3 in Download Mode.
– press and hold the Volume Down + Home + Power buttons - Connect the Note to the computer using the USB wire.
- Watch as the ID: COM port changes color.
- Click the mouse on the AP button and upload the firmware file.
- Leave all the default settings from the Odin app.
- Click the start button for the flashing.
- For the pass message displaying on the computer screen.
- Disconnect the device properly by stopping the USB mass Storage device.
Test firmware is not as stable as the real version. You can expect a few bugs. If your device is getting stuck in a boot loop at the boot animation screen, you want to press the keys to get access to the recovery mode. From there, choose the factory reset option. Since you did take a backup like we recommended you’ll have the phone data stored safely on the internal memory of the SD card. Only the ROM is wiped during a factory reset.