HOW TO ROOT NK2 / Fix boot loop after NE2 to NK2 update

[chzeckmate]

HOW TO ROOT NK2 / Fix boot loop after NE2 to NK2 update
I've gotten a lot of question about rooting the Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II from people on NK2. As we know, the NK2 update has some anti-root measures in place that have caused confusion. Some people are just rooting for the first time after receiving the NK2 update and some were already rooted on NE2 and lost root or soft bricked after taking the NK2 update. First, I'll show how to root NK2 if you're already running stock NK2. The instructions for those who soft bricked after taking the NK2 update from rooted NE2 will be listed second.

Warning #1: Rooting your device will void your warranty and your insurance.
Warning #2: I'm not responsible for your device. If you want to root it, you understand that there are risks involved. If you have questions then you should ask before proceeding or don't do it.

Instructions for rooting stock NK2.
01. Review the warnings above.
02. Charge your device to at least 60%
03. Have your device, a good micro USB cable, and your Windows PC ready.
04. Create a folder on your desktop and and name it "L900 ROOT". Download the following files into it:
file Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II drivers for Windows.
file Odin 1.85. You will need to unzip this file using 7zip or UnRAR.
file TWRP recovery
file SuperSU (donation is recommended)
05. Install the Note II drivers on your PC.
06. Move the SuperSU file onto the root of your external SD card.
07. Power off your device.
08. Put your device into download mode by pressing and holding volume down+home+power. When the warning screen appears, press volume up. A screen saying, "Downloading...Do not turn off target" will appear. This is download mode.
09. Right click on Odin and run as administrator.
10. Connect your device to your PC. The ID:COM box will highlight. If the ID:COM box doesn't highlight, then see the troubleshooting below.
11. Uncheck Auto Reboot and F Reset Time. Repartition should also be unchecked.
12. Click the PDA button. This will prompt you to select a file.
13. Select the openrecovery-twrp-x.x.x.x-toltesrp file from your L900 ROOT folder.
14. Click Start.
15. When Odin completes flashing TWRP it will say, "PASS". This may take several minutes. If it takes more than ten minutes see troubleshooting below.
16. Disconnect your device from your PC. Your device will still be on the screen saying, "Downloading...Do not turn off target". You will ignore this warning and go to step 17.
17. Remove and then replace the battery in your device.
18. Boot into TWRP recovery by pressing and holding volume up+home+power until "Teamwin" appears.
19. Tap "Install".
20. Select the UPDATE-SuperSU-vX.XX.zip file.
21. Swipe to confirm flash. This will flash SuperSU to your device.
22. Reboot System. Your device will reboot.
23. You're now rooted running NK2. Sign into Google and your Samsung account. You can install Root Checker and run it to confirm root. Enjoy.

Instructions for soft bricked after taking NK2 from rooted NE2.
WARNING: If you're stuck in a boot loop or stuck at the Samsung logo then remove and replace your battery. Make sure your device is at least 60% charged before following these instructions.
01. Create a folder on your desktop and and name it "L900 ROOT". Download the following files into it:
file Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note II drivers for Windows.
file Odin 1.85. You will need to unzip this file using 7zip or UnRAR.
file TWRP recovery
file SuperSU (donation is recommended)
file Stock NE2 firmware. You will need to unzip this file using 7zip or UnRAR.
02. Install the Note II drivers on your PC.
03. Put your device into download mode by pressing and holding volume down+home+power. When the warning screen appears, press volume up. A screen saying, "Downloading...Do not turn off target" will appear. This is download mode.
04. Right click on Odin and run as administrator.
05. Connect your device to your PC. The ID:COM box will highlight. If the ID:COM box doesn't highlight, then see the troubleshooting below.
06. Uncheck Repartition. Auto Reboot and F Reset Time should be checked.
07. Click the PDA button. This will prompt you to select a file.
08. Select the L900VPUCNE2_L900SPTCNE2_SPR file.
09. Click Start. Odin will flash NE2. When it's complete it will say, "PASS" and reboot automatically. This will take a long time. If it takes more than 30 minutes see the troubleshooting below.
10. Your device is now stock NE2. Now you can either root it as you did before (in which case you're done here) or you can take the NK2 update (in which case go to step 11)
11. You will get an update notification for NK2 shortly. Take the update when you get the notice.
12. You will now go to the steps for rooting stock NK2 above, starting with step 06.

If you rooted NE2 and want to stop the Sprint update notification from nagging you to take the NK2 update [TAP HERE].

Troubleshooting
These are common troubleshooting steps for issues with rooting, installing firmware, and custom recovery.
1. Proceedure. This is the #1 cause of failure. Make sure you follow the instructions precisely. If you aren't sure about something then ask a question.
2. Cable. A poor quality cable can prevent Odin from recognizing your device. Use a different cable.
3. Drivers. Try reinstalling drivers.
4. Bad download. Try redownloading files, drivers.
5. USB port. Some computers, especially older ones, function better on certain USB ports. Try another USB port.
6. Insufficient charge. Charge your device, it's in the instructions.
7. Restart your PC. Sometimes all it takes to get things running smoothly is a fresh start.

I know how frustrating it can be trying to find the information you need to get your device running the way you want. I really hope this helps someone. If you need help please post a question or message me directly. We are a community and we're here to help eachother. If this has helped you, then please remember to post that it worked for you. Donations are appreciated. If it didn't work for you then ask for help. Please don't just post that it doesn't work. This process works, so it's more likely that you just a little assistance.

Cheers and happy rooting!

 

[romagnus]

Thank you. rooting worked perfectly.

 

[chzeckmate]

Thank you. rooting worked perfectly.

Thanks for reporting your success. I'm happy my guide helped you!

 

[-andone-]

Thanks chzeckmate. This didn't completely work for me because I ended up doing something stupid and throwing myself into a bootloop. I had to reflash NE2 and then took the NK2 OTA. Once that was done I used Chainfire's Auto Root through Odin. Now rooted on NK2 with stock recovery. I may go with a custom recovery later but prefer to leave things as is for now.

Your post got me off the fence about trying to get the NK2 update (just to get rid of the nags) and getting it rooted.

 

[chzeckmate]

Thanks chzeckmate. This didn't completely work for me because I ended up doing something stupid and throwing myself into a bootloop. I had to reflash NE2 and then took the NK2 OTA. Once that was done I used Chainfire's Auto Root through Odin. Now rooted on NK2 with stock recovery. I may go with a custom recovery later but prefer to leave things as is for now.

Your post got me off the fence about trying to get the NK2 update (just to get rid of the nags) and getting it rooted.

The second set of instructions deals with fixing the boot loop. You'll notice it instructs you to flash NE2 and then take NK2 OTA and then follow the first set of instructions to root and flash custom recovery. That said, I'm glad you got yourself sorted out. If you want custom recovery now, you can follow the first set of instructions. The fact that you're already rooted doesn't matter, it's totally fine to go ahead. I would highly recommend getting custom recovery so that you can make a nandroid backup to restore from in the event you have any issues in the future. Custom recovery is also necessary for flashing ROMs and ZIPs. I'm of the opinion that custom recovery is essential. Anyway, thanks for reporting. If you have any questions or need any help with anything let me know.

By the way, if you just wanted to get rid of the update nag there's a link at the bottom of this guide for how to do that. See it →HERE←
Thanks again and happy flashing!

 

[-andone-]

The second set of instructions deals with fixing the boot loop. You'll notice it instructs you to flash NE2 and then take NK2 OTA and then follow the first set of instructions to root and flash custom recovery. That said, I'm glad you got yourself sorted out. If you want custom recovery now, you can follow the first set of instructions. The fact that you're already rooted doesn't matter, it's totally fine to go ahead. I would highly recommend getting custom recovery so that you can make a nandroid backup to restore from in the event you have any issues in the future. Custom recovery is also necessary for flashing ROMs and ZIPs. I'm of the opinion that custom recovery is essential. Anyway, thanks for reporting. If you have any questions or need any help with anything let me know.

By the way, if you just wanted to get rid of the update nag there's a link at the bottom of this guide for how to do that. See it →HERE←
Thanks again and happy flashing!

Thanks for the follow up. I started out on rooted NE2 and CWM recovery. I was hoping against hope to try to be all sly and avoid needing to reflash NE2. So I flashed the stock recovery back on my device and then used the "unroot" option in SuperSU. This is where I was hoping I could just take the NK2 OTA and then follow your instructions to install TWRP and root. I rebooted the device and there was no more option to install NK2 in the Update Samsung Software menu option. At this point I'm thinking no problem, I'll just go into stock recovery and flash the NK2 OTA I had moved out of the cache folder to prevent an accidental install. When I flashed that, that's when I got stuck in my bootloop. I'm sure there was a no-no in there somewhere. Again, I think no problem, I'll just go flash CWM back on there and grab my latest nandroid. That didn't exactly work since I realized my software and baseband were now different versions. I reflashed NE2 and tried restoring said nandroid to give up for the night. All I got was a neverending parade of force closes from gapps. I finally conceded and just flashed NE2, took NK2 OTA and then CF Auto Rooted. Super long route to what ended up being a very simple solution.

Also, what I did to get rid of the NK2 nag was to open the notification drawer and long press on the notification. It brought up the "App Info" menu option. Clicked that and went into the app info and unchecked the "Show notifications" box. I know it turned off any notifications handled by that system app, but it worked for me so I just went with it.

I wish I had a better grasp on the Android platform than I do. A lot of what I've learned has come from weeding through many, many posts here on XDA and a lot of trial and error on my part. Honestly, I'm both glad and surprised that I haven't bricked my phone yet.

 

[Seaogre]

thanks.

thanks. it worked. next i'll see how to get a good backup then maybe a new ROM

 

[komputertua]

Downgrade to NE2

I am sorry for out of topic, do we can downgrade from NK2 to NE2 directly from Odin?

 

[jlmancuso]

I am sorry for out of topic, do we can downgrade from NK2 to NE2 directly from Odin?

Odin will not let you downgrade.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[komputertua]

Is there any other options to downgrade?
I am on stock NK2 and have some trouble with it.
Need to go to fresh MK4 or maybe Ne2.

I've been looking for NK2 tarballs but can't find it.

 

[jlmancuso]

Just flash a custom recovery then custom mk4 rom.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[komputertua]

So there is no way to go to stock NE2?

Sorry for being fussy, could you tell me please what differences between NE2 & NK2? Is NK2 a major update including new radio and bootloader?

Sent from my HM NOTE 1W using Tapatalk

 

[jlmancuso]

So there is no way to go to stock NE2?

Sorry for being fussy, could you tell me please what differences between NE2 & NK2? Is NK2 a major update including new radio and bootloader?

Sent from my HM NOTE 1W using Tapatalk

NK2 is only a minor security update. Bootloader, modem, and kernel did not change. So you might be able to odin ne2 over nk2 but trying to odin any other version (unless we get something newer aka lollipop) will fail.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[komputertua]

Thankyou jlmancuso, it works.

I've downgraded from NK2 to NE2, directly from Odin.

Thankyou very much

Sent from my HM NOTE 1W using Tapatalk

 

[Seaogre]

lost root, can't get it back

I had root while on ne2. took nk2. lost root. 27 May decided to re-root. worked great. backed up with titanium. downloaded twrp manager. it said I needed root. retried titanium. it didn't have root either. re-did these instructions again and again. all "seems" right with the world. I got "passed" in green. I got "team win" ! installed super su 1.94. looked ok. but no root. what is there that I don't know? any ideas! I did have some trouble with my sd card. Sandisk 64 GIG did not want to read. replaced it.
note II Sprint L900

 

[jlmancuso]

I had root while on ne2. took nk2. lost root. 27 May decided to re-root. worked great. backed up with titanium. downloaded twrp manager. it said I needed root. retried titanium. it didn't have root either. re-did these instructions again and again. all "seems" right with the world. I got "passed" in green. I got "team win" ! installed super su 1.94. looked ok. but no root. what is there that I don't know? any ideas! I did have some trouble with my sd card. Sandisk 64 GIG did not want to read. replaced it.
note II Sprint L900

Would help if you stated exactly which rom you were using. Stock or name of the custom rom.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

 

[Seaogre]

lost root, can't get it back

Would help if you stated exactly which rom you were using. Stock or name of the custom rom.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

First I want to thank you for the quick reply!!
it was still stock rom! sorry about that. I am still headed the custom rom way. Do you know about the bluetooth stack prob? I need a rom that has that fixed.
I found out what happened. the 64 gig Sandisk sd card was wonky and it lost the super user app that managed. (I had forgotten about it) I had tried several apps (to see if any could get root) I reloaded samsung drivers. I swapped cables. Finally all is well.
all of this and I haven't even soft bricked my phone! It is great to know that you guys are ready to assist. That is what makes me brave!
Thanks again!

 

[applerulez1]

Had to figure all this out the hard way.... Glad to see somebody posted for others. I wasn't aware that it was a general issue, I thought it was my config! ?

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

 

[BipolarMike]

Is it safe to update the SuperSU Binaries? I've run into issues losing root previously doing so...

 

[JesterGrafix]

Hey y'all, sorry if this is a dumb question. I'm looking at rooting my son's Sprint Note 2. Currently it's on stock. If I follow this will it give me root so that I can install roms? I found one here on XDA that basically makes it a WiFi only tablet which is exactly what I need. Sorry again if I should have asked thus elsewhere but this just seems really straight forward and others have told me that rooting this phone was a huge pain. Currently it's on 4.4.2

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk