Backup/Restore EFS (IMEI) for SGNII

N7100 EFS Backup / Restore

First thing we do recommend after rooting device is EFS backup
Help to preserve and restore the image of EFS partition:


* Need Root

For Windows

* Extract from the archive, connect the device to the USB debugging mode (System settings/Developer options/USB debugging) and run selected .bat (depending on the backup or restore)
* To retain the image of efs.img must be in a folder with Restore_EFS.bat

For Linux
For MACOS

* Extract from the archive, connect the device to the USB debugging mode (System settings/Developer options/USB debugging) and run RUN_ME into terminal (double click), select option...


What is EFS, Why it is necessary to backup

Backup/Restore EFS data of Samsung GN2, to Fix IMEI and SIM not detecting issues

What the hell is this EFS ?
EFS partition is actually a internal place in our android device such as android phone which contains some important and some basic info related to our device identity like Wi-Fi address, Bluetooth MAC address and the very main IMEI address (nv_data.bin).

Now if this EFS partition accidently corrupted then your phone’s IMEI no. will erased and you can not make voice call further. This kind of damage is often not accepted by the service center of your respected handset’s company.

Why should I backup EFS data ?
As said above if any case you corrupt EFS then EFS backup can be savior for you.
So it is very necessary to make a backup of this EFS partition just now to avoid such type of future troubles.

How to Unroot/Unbrick Galaxy Note 2 with Stock Firmware!

Click on this photo to see Video

For those of you who have bricked your Galaxy Note 2 (perhaps ended up in a bootloop), want to return to stock firmware (because you forgot to make a backup ROM!), or you want to return your Note 2 back to Samsung Service center for warranty, here’s how to unroot/unbrick your Galaxy Note 2 with stock firmware.

Also, you can use this method to update your stock ROM to the latest stock firmware.  For example, if Android 4.2 comes out, you can use this method to update instead of Kies if you want.

First, if you are rooted, I HIGHLY ADVISE you to make a backup ROM (see How to Make Backup ROM).  And after making backup ROM, do MAKE A BACKUP of your internal storage by copying everything to your hard disk.  If something goes wrong, you will be able to do a factory reset in stock Android recovery and get all of your settings, apps, photos, and videos back.

Also, if you are on a ROM like CM10, AOKP, or any ROM that’s non-Samsung, non-TouchWiz, you will definitely need to do a factory reset.  You can also do a factory reset in CWM Recovery BEFORE unrooting, that will not erase the contents of your internal storage (then you can skip the backups).

If you are returning your phone for warranty, run Triangle Away app before unrooting, that will erases any traces of root.  (Also installing a stock firmware DOES NOT increase binary count.)

This method is using ODIN and Windows computer.  If you have Linux or Mac computer, you can also use Mobile ODIN PRO (on Play Store) to do the same thing.

So, let’s unroot/unbrick your Galaxy Note 2.

Step 1. Turn your Note 2 off, then hold down Volume Down, Center Home, and Power buttons together to enter ODIN Download mode warning screen. 

Step 2. Hit Volume Up to enter Download mode and connect a micro USB cable from your Note 2 to your computer. 

Step 3. Go to either Samsung-updates.com or SamFirmware.com and download a compatible stock firmware for your Galaxy Note 2.  For example, if you have the international Galaxy Note 2, search for model GT-N7100 and download the appropriate firmware for your country.  If your country firmware does not exist you can use one that’s close to it, these firmwares will work on all GT-N7100.

By the time you read this tutorial and there’s T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2, you can also search for T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 firmware model number instead of GT-N7100 and same for all other carriers like Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon.

You can get T-Mobile, Sprint, or international Galaxy Note 2 Stock Firmware here.

Step 4. Unzip/extract the stock firmware zip file, you will find a file ending in “tar.md5″, that’s the stock firmware file.

Step 5. Download ODINv185.zip and unzip and run ODINv185.exe.  You should see a yellow highlighted box with a random COM number.  If you don’t see it, install Samsung USB Drivers.

Step 6. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE but click on “PDA” and point to the “tar.md5″ stock firmware you downloaded/extracted earlier.

Step 7. Hit “Start” to begin the unrooting process.  This should take around 5-10 minutes.  If it stalls for some reason, you can always re-start your Note 2 into ODIN Download mode and try again.  Also, if it stalls in the beginning, try another USB hub, that usually fixes those.  Also, if you get “Kies Firmware error”, you can re-try it too, that’s same as ODIN Download mode, no need to panic. 

Step 8. When it’s done successfully, you will get “PASS!”

Step 9. If your phone boots into stock firmware, you are all good to go.  If it doesn’t boot up after 10 minutes OR you get a lot of force closes, you can do a factory reset in stock recovery.  But STOP HERE OTHERWISE. 

Step 10. To do a factory reset, turn off your phone.  Then hold down Volume Up, Center Home, and Power buttons together.  When you see the Note 2 logo, keep holding down Volume Up and Center Home button but let go of the Power button. 

Step 11. Choose “wipe data/factory reset”.  DOING THIS WILL ERASE EVERYTHING ON YOUR INTERNAL STORAGE! 

After that your Note 2 should reboot just like the day you got the phone with everything erased.

Galaxy Note 2 Reference
You will need a rooted Galaxy Note 2 to install all ROM/kernels.

First thing we do recommend after rooting device is EFS backup

For More info EFS backup

for Windows - download

for Linux - download

Why so?
EFS folder contains some important and some basic info related to our device identity like Wi-Fi address, Bluetooth MAC address and the very main IMEI address (nv_data.bin).
Now if this EFS partition accidently corrupted then your phone’s IMEI no. will erased and you can not make voice call further. This kind of damage is often not accepted by the service center of your respected handset’s company.
Here your backup can only be savior for you.

NOTE: If you are a noob, please remember the author of this site is not responsible if you mess up your phone. Make sure you know what you are doing before following any instructions on this site!

How to Update Galaxy Devices that are Rooted (Note 2, Note, S3, S2, Tab 2, Nexus and More)

When you root a galaxy device you might lose the ability to get OTA updates or if you do update you lose root after updating, this is what you need to do to update galaxy devices that are rooted while preserving root access. Your flash counter will not be affected.
(Read Procedure carefully before root this.......no responsibility if damaged or bricked)

Video Tutorial to Update Galaxy that are Rooted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-KLM2oqSgM

Written Procedure to Update Galaxy that are Rooted

Step 1: Go into Settings->About Device and check your Model Number.

 

Step 2: Click HERE and head on over to the Play Store, click “More” and check if your model number is supported.

Step 3: Head on over to http://samfirmware.com/ and sign up (It’s free)

Step 4: Type in your model number in the search bar  and hit enter.

Step 5: The latest firmware releases are on top, the second column is country/carrier. Choose the latest firmware for your region and hit download and download the file.

Step 6: Extract the downloaded file with WinRAR and copy the .tar.md5 file over to the Internal/External memory of your device.

Step 7: Now go to the PlayStore on your device and download Mobile ODIN Pro.

Step 8: Open Mobile ODIN Pro and click Grant/Accept when Super User Request pops up. Then tap Download if asked to download anything.










Step 9: Scroll Down and select “Open File…” and navigate to the Internal/External memory where you saved the .tar.md5 file and select it.

Step 10: Now make sure “Enable EverRoot”,”Inject SuperUser” and “Inject Mobile ODIN” are checked.



Step 11: It is highly recommended that “Wipe data and cache” and “Wipe Dalvik cache” are checked.

Step 12: Now hit “Flash Firmware”, wait for Mobile ODIN to finish with flashing the firmware.
You have now updated your Galaxy device to the latest Samsung firmware while retaining root access.

Common Issues when you update Galaxy devices that are rooted.

1. If the phone reboots after flash without going into the Mobile ODIN blue android logo screen, just go back to Mobile ODIN and repeat the steps.
2. If the phone reboots and you get stuck at the blue android logo, reboot and try again.
3. If you still are stuck on the blue android logo you need to use PC Odin to flash stock firmware and root again (COMMON ISSUE WITH THE GALAXY NOTE 2 GT-N7100).

Toolbox - common utility tools for Note2

Tools

1.Odin 3.07 - Requires to flash ROM/Kernel/Modem.Using this to flash custom stuff will raise flash counter.

2.Samsung USB Driver 1.5.6 - Requires to connect your device to PC

3.Unzip Tool - Unzip tools to extract files

4.Pit file for 16GB model - Not for normal flashing, and shud be use under expert advise only.

5.Opera Portable Browser (supports resume download)

6.Check fus downloader - To download ROM which is currently available on Kies

7.Stock Kernels -

8.N7100 bootloader - Flash with PC odin for PDA - For expert user only

9.N7100 Service manual + Quick start guide + User Guide of Galaxy Note2.

10.Screen lock password recovery - If you forget your pasword of screen, this can be saver for you, pro version also available. read on play store for detail

11.EFS backup tool - Very very important tool, If your device is rooted, first thing you need to do is EFS backup.

12.Modems

13.Samsung Kies

14.Network unlock tool - needs Root.

15.Busybox

16.Triangle Away - Utility to reset counter and remove exclamation mark.

17.Transfer Data - Wireless transferring contacts/SMS (via Bluetooth) from your old device to Note.

18.SMS Backup & Restore- Simple SMS backup utility, useful before wiping data.

19.Undelete Files This application useful to recover data, if you have accidently deleted file from SD card/USB storage. This required Root.

20.ROM Cleaner - Remove bloatware,backup application and more  

Rooting Instruction & Mob odin & Triangle away Fix

How to Root N7100
Big Thanx to Chainfire and Chenglu for great work.
You can get root access by A.Rooting your existing and desired ROM or B.Flashing prerooted ROM.

Select your choice from one of this
1. Root with Stock Recovery - It will give full root access but have stock recovery. You can set your flash counter '0' and so ready to claim warranty.If you want device full stock + root this is choice for you.
2. Root + Advanced CWM - This will give Root access as well advanced CWM - Here you can reset counter, but once reboot to recovery, it will raise flash counter, Find option to reset counter on every boot (only play store version).This is choice for you, if you want to flash different mod/custom ROM from recovery.

1.Root with Stock Recovery - CF auto Root from Chainfire - can keep counter '0'


Download this CF Auto Root package
and extract it to .tar

Procedure :
1.Open Odin and select PDA tab
2.Point to extracted file CF-Auto-Root-SGN2.tar (see image below)
3.Now switch off device and reboot in download mode
press Vol down + Home +Power, And then, press Volume UP button in Warning Page to enter the Download Mode
4.Connect device to PC and wait till device successfully added to com port (it will turn light blue) (see image below)
5.Hit ‘Start’ to flash
6.Once it flashed successfully, you can see 'PASS' in table above the ID :COM, you can disconnect device from PC
7.Reboot device and you will have superSU in application drawer.

Now you can use Triangle away and reset counter '0'




2. Root with Advanced CWM - By Chenglu

Download :
Make sure you have installed Kies/samsung USB driver (get it from post#4)
Download This 14Oct12 released CWM recovery from Chenglu, and extract it to cwm-root-n7100.tar.md5



Procedure :
1.Open Odin and select PDA tab (see image below)
2.Point to extracted file cwm-root-note2.tar.md5
3.Now switch off device and reboot in download mode
press Vol down + Home +Power, And then, press Volume UP button in Warning Page to enter the Download Mode
4.Connect device to PC and wait till device successfully added to com port (it will turn light blue) (see image below)
5.Hit ‘Start’ to flash
6.Once it flashed successfully, you can see 'PASS' in table above the ID :COM, you can disconnect device from PC
7.Reboot device and you will have superSU in application drawer.

Reseting Counter
Above method will raise flash counter and you will need to reset counter to reclaim warranty, Read next post for it (post#3)


First thing I do recommend after rooting device
EFS Backup

Why so?
EFS folder contains some important and some basic info related to our device identity like Wi-Fi address, Bluetooth MAC address and the very main IMEI address (nv_data.bin).
Now if this EFS partition accidently corrupted then your phone’s IMEI no. will erased and you can not make voice call further. This kind of damage is often not accepted by the service center of your respected handset’s company.
Here your backup can only be savior for you.


All credits goes to
Chainfire and Chenglu

Reset Flash counter

---

There is great tool from elite developer Chainfire known as Triangle Away

From CF -
When you run TriangleAway, if your device and firmware are supported, it will show you the detected state of the binary (custom or official) and flash counter value, and the option to Reset flash counter. Please confirm that the information shown is correct before resetting the values.

On a number of devices, TriangleAway can work, but your firmware may not be supported directly. In that case, the app will tell you it needs to reboot into a special boot mode, which will be happen if you select Reset flash counter. The device will reboot into a special mode which will allow you to review the current status and reset the binary and flash counter values (or abort and do nothing.)
using Triangle Away may unmount your SD card. Reboot or manually remount it from Android settings.

Get Triangle Away to support CF

Steps to reset counter
-Download Triangle away and install
-Open Triangle away from appl drawer, grant SU permission
-Depends on your recovery/kernel, it may ask to download add on about 7.4MB file, dwnload it.
-After downloading select reset counter from application menu
-This will reboot device in special recovery, and you will see some colored text menu with big yellow, with round circle exclamation mark.
-Read available option, confirm your flash counter showing on this page and select appropriate menu(vol up) to reset counter.
-Your device will reboot and you will have counter '0'
In case if you are using CWM it may raise again on reboot, read below.


NoteII having new bootloader with auto checksum of recovery, so If you are using custom recovery flash counter may raise again on rebooting to recovery
So if you are using stock recovery, reseting count to '0' with triangle away is enough. In case you are using custom recovery, even after reseting counter again it will raise to 1 if you reboot device to recovery. For this you have to use option 'Reset at every boot' in triangle away. This option is available on Play version, and only you can see if you have custpm recovery and your kernel support it.

Common question about reseting counter
I have reset counter but system status still 'custom'
You should have stock recovery (Method A in post#2)
If you already have stock recovery(CF Auto root) then reset counter first
then wipe cache + wipe data(factory reset) + re wipe cache
You should now have system status 'official'
I have rest counter but after reboot again it goes to 1
This happen if you have rooted with chenglu's recovery(method 2 in post#2)
This is neither error of recovery nor triangle away. This happens due to new bootloader which have auto checksum for recovery, when you reboot to custom recovery count will raise.
To prevent this you need to have play version of Triangle away, and you should check (enable) 'Auto reset at boot  

How to Root Galaxy Note II

Here’s how to root your Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100.

This root method is for Windows computer
To root using this method, you will need a Windows computer


For Linux/Ubuntu, please see How to Root Galaxy Note 2 on Linux/Ubuntu!
For Mac OSX, please see How to Root Galaxy Note 2 on Mac/OSX!

Step 1. Put your Galaxy Note 2 into Download mode by turning off your phone first then holding down Volume Down, Center Home, and Power buttons together.

Step 2. Once you see the warning screen, hit Volume Up button to enter ODIN Download Mode then connect a micro-USB cable from your Note 2 to your computer. 

Step 3. If you don’t have Samsung USB drivers installed, go ahead and download it below and run it to install.

Download Samsung USB Drivers

Step 4. Next, download GalaxyNote2Root.zip

Download GalaxyNote2Root.zip

Step 5. Unzip the files. Next, open up the ODIN program by double-clicking on the .exe file.

Step 6. You should see a yellow-highlighted COM box with a random number. If you don’t see it, double-check your Windows drivers (the Samsung USB drivers you installed in Step 3) and unplug, plug your Note 2 back into your computer.

Step 7. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING ELSE and click on “PDA” button then find the file cwm6-root-note2.tar.

Step 8. Hit Start and let ODIN flash the custom CWM Recovery. When it’s done, your Galaxy Note 2 will reboot and you should have a fully rooted Galaxy Note 2. 

Your phone will boot into newly installed CWM Recovery automatically once and install Superuser app and su binaries then reboot. 

You should find a new Superuser app called “SuperSU”. 

You can easily verify you have root by downloading Titanium Backup app (free on Play Store) and running it.  You should get a nice Superuser permission pop-up window like below:

Credits – XDA

Q&A

Q: Does this root method increase binary count?
A: Yes but you should be able to reset it using Triangle Away app (soon).

Q: During ODIN flashing, it failed and now I see “Kies Firmware Error Encountered” on the screen! HELP!!!
A: No worries, you can run ODIN again in that mode. Also, try another USB port. Usually, that will fix those ODIN flashing errors. And if you have Samsung Kies installed, make sure it’s not running at the same time as it can interfere with the ODIN flashing process.

Q: Does this method work on ALL Galaxy Note 2?
A: So long as your model number begins with GT-N7010, it will work yes.