[How-To] Root N900AUCUDNJ5 4.4.4 (11/21/2014)

muniz_ri · Dec 25, 2014

This method uses a modified version of the official NJ5 OTA to update and "Keep Root." The file is flashed in Safestrap and the end result is a 100% Stock, Rooted, NJ5 Device. However you must be 100% Stock NC2 (except for root and Safestrap) before proceeding.

**You can Odin back to NC2, after taking the NJ5 update, at anytime**

1. Place the N900A_NC2-NJ5-KeepRoot_OTA.zip onto your ext-sdcard.
2. Boot into Safestrap recovery but Do Not Wipe!
3. Flash the N900A_NC2-NJ5-KeepRoot_OTA.zip in the "Stock Slot." Once flashing is complete press "Home" and reboot into "Download" mode.
4. Last, flash the N900A_NJ5_Stock_Kernel in Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).

Once complete the phone will reboot then "optimize apps" before completely rebooting. Done!

Notes & Known Issues:
1. Neither User Data nor your Knox Warranty Flag will be affected using this method.
2. Should the update fail consider flashing back to factory stock NC2 using the N900AUCUCNC2_Full_Odin_Tar (flash in Odin's slot(AP in Odin v3.09+)), then root, install Safestrap, and continue with the above process.
3. Safestrap will not function after updating to NJ5 4.4.4. See workaround here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2957471

Alternative Custom ROM Method: (If you don't know the difference between each ROM please use the search function!)
N900A_NJ5_100%_Stock_Rooted_ROM.zip
N900A_NJ5_Stock_Deodexed_Rooted_ROM.zip

1. Use Safestrap's "Backup" function to backup your User Data.
2. Place the ROM onto your ext-sdcard.
3. Reboot into Safestrap recovery then perform an "Advanced Wipe" and wipe everything but your ext-sdcard.
4. Flash the ROM using the "Stock Slot."
5. Once complete press "Home" then "Restore" and restore User Data.
6. Next press "Reboot" and reboot into "Download Mode."
7. Flash the N900A_NJ5_Stock_Kernel.tar.md5 in Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+). Done!

Thanks to @carl1961 for sharing his nandroid backups used to create the ROM's!

Notes & Known Issues:
1. This Custom ROM process will update your Modem, Non-hlos, System, Kernel, Stock Recovery, and Bootloader to NJ5.
2. Safestrap will not function after updating to NJ5 4.4.4. See workaround here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2957471

killacam1989 · Nov 21, 2014 at 3:04 PM

Good work sir. Ill check it out when im back at a wifi spot to download the OTA. Congrats on being probably the first to figure out a root method so fast.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app

muniz_ri · Nov 21, 2014 at 3:05 PM

killacam1989 said:
Good work sir. Ill check it out when im back at a wifi spot to download the OTA. Congrats on being probably the first to figure out a root method so fast.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app

Thanks!

killacam1989 · Nov 21, 2014 at 3:10 PM

muniz_ri said:
Thanks!

Now the only thing we missing is how to odin back to the OTA because I'm sure once we update our bootloaders will probably be updated too. And that could be a headache if we want to revert back if we f... up our devices

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app

muniz_ri · Nov 21, 2014 at 3:12 PM

killacam1989 said:
Now the only thing we missing is how to odin back to the OTA because I'm sure once we update our bootloaders will probably be updated too. And that could be a headache if we want find the proper files to odin back if we f... up

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app

Already checked that out. You are still able to do a full odin downgrade back to NC2 even after taking the NJ5 ota update.

killacam1989 · Nov 21, 2014 at 3:16 PM

muniz_ri said:
Already checked that out. You are still able to do a full odin downgrade back to NC2 even after taking the NJ5 ota update.

Sh.. yeah.. "now we are in business my friend" -in my arab voice

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app

nemesisgx · Nov 21, 2014 at 3:56 PM

So im already in 4.4.4 theres no way to root right now . So i need to flash bakc to 4.4.2 and then do the OP stuff and that would work .. am i right. ..

One thing would this mess up the next update or anthing else

muniz_ri · Nov 21, 2014 at 3:59 PM

nemesisgx said:
So im already in 4.4.4 theres no way to root right now . So i need to flash bakc to 4.4.2 and then do the OP stuff and that would work .. am i right. ..

One thing would this mess up the next update or anthing else

Correct, flash back to NC2 then follow the OP. In regard to future updates, yes having root may prevent future updates from successfully flashing.

nemesisgx · Nov 21, 2014

No i mean having custume update not root i know having root wont let me flash ..but would i have problems updating ota updates later. .

muniz_ri · Nov 21, 2014 at 4:18 PM

nemesisgx said:
No i mean having custume update not root i know having root wont let me flash ..but would i have problems updating ota updates later. .

No, flashing a modified ota.zip will not have any adverse effects on future ota's or anything else.

TeldenW · Nov 21, 2014 at 5:16 PM

muniz_ri said:
1. Place the N900A_NC2-NJ5-KeepRoot_OTA.zip in the root of your ext sdcard.
2. Boot into Safestrap recovery but Do Not Wipe!
3. Flash the N900A_NC2-NJ5-KeepRoot_OTA.zip in the "Stock Slot." Once flashing is complete press "Home" and reboot into "Download Mode".
4. Last, flash the N900A_NJ5_Stock_Kernel in Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).

Once complete the phone will reboot then "optimize apps" before completely rebooting. Done!

I followed the steps above to the letter.
On step #3, when I flash the NJ5 KeepRoot zip in the stock slot, it get a "FAILED" message in Safestrap.

I'm stock, rooted, 4.4.2

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Psyche0ut · Sep 27, 2014 14 0 0

Picture walkthrough?

muniz_ri said:
This method uses a modified version of the official NJ5 OTA update to update and "Keep Root." The file is flashed in Safestrap and the end result is a 100% Stock, Rooted, NJ5 Device. However you will need to be 100% Stock NC2, (except for root and Safestrap), before proceeding.

Here it is: N900A_NC2-NJ5-KeepRoot_OTA.zip

1. Place the N900A_NC2-NJ5-KeepRoot_OTA.zip in the root of your ext sdcard.
2. Boot into Safestrap recovery but Do Not Wipe!
3. Flash the N900A_NC2-NJ5-KeepRoot_OTA.zip in the "Stock Slot." Once flashing is complete press "Home" and reboot into "Download Mode".
4. Last, flash the N900A_NJ5_Stock_Kernel in Odin's PDA slot(AP in Odin v3.09+).

Once complete the phone will reboot then "optimize apps" before completely rebooting. Done!

Notes:
1. Your User Data will not be affected using this method.
2. Should the update fail consider flashing back to factory stock NC2 using the files in the following thread then rooting and installing Safestrap: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2703006

I was just wondering if you could put some photos up of your ATT Note 3 doing this update to 4.4.4 by flashing it. I have rooted my note 3 ATT version, however I've never used Safestrap before. I'd like to give it a go, but I'm not sure I'll do all the steps correctly unless I have the photos or video of it being done. Thank you for putting this up btw.

nemesisgx · Nov 21, 2014 at 6:15 PM

theres a problem im not able to boot to recovery and i don't understand why i fallow all the steps of the OP satrap is install and everything ...is there a step or something wrong

muniz_ri · Nov 21, 2014 at 6:24 PM

TeldenW said:
I followed the steps above to the letter.
On step #3, when I flash the NJ5 KeepRoot zip in the stock slot, it get a "FAILED" message in Safestrap.

I'm stock, rooted, 4.4.2

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

can you post the error msg.

Zeddicus59 · Aug 20, 2010 18 0 0

I am wanting to know if this will work for me. I am on NC2 rooted and safestrap loaded. I tried flashing the keep root file in safestrap but it failed.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I467 using XDA Premium HD app

muniz_ri · Nov 21, 2014 at 6:28 PM

nemesisgx said:
theres a problem im not able to boot to recovery and i don't understand why i fallow all the steps of the OP satrap is install and everything ...is there a step or something wrong

make sure you install busy box before installing safestrap.

nemesisgx · Nov 21, 2014

muniz_ri said:
make sure you install busy box before installing safestrap.

i did and did everything the right way im already on 4.4.4 i did the update and nothing im rooted but im no able to boot on safetrap.

killacam1989 · Nov 21, 2014 at 6:37 PM

muniz_ri said:
Correct, flash back to NC2 then follow the OP. In regard to future updates, yes having root may prevent future updates from successfully flashing.

Hey does Safestrap work? It was designed for 4.4.2 and idk if 4.4.4 would break it. Had somebody on the safestrap forum say he couldn't boot into safestrap

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Free mobile app

muniz_ri · Nov 21, 2014 at 6:39 PM

nemesisgx said:
i did and did everything the right way im already on 4.4.4 i did the update and nothing im rooted but im no able to boot on safetrap.

Do you get the safstrap recovery menu when you reboot your phone? Sounds like you did it correctly but i need more info to triage

TeldenW · Nov 21, 2014 at 6:40 PM

muniz_ri said:
can you post the error msg.

I can sure try. I don't think that I can screen capture when in SafeStrap, but I'll figure something out.

[How-To] Root N900AUCUDNJ5 4.4.4 (11/21/2014)

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