The T-Mobile variant of the Galaxy Note took almost a year to arrive after the original Galaxy Note, but even then many people, specially T-Mobile customers bought the phone. And many of those are probably wondering how they can root the device, which will allow them to use apps which need root access and do other modifications (such as deleting system apps). Wonder no more, as this guide will walk you through the procedure to root the T-Mobile Galaxy Note, with detailed step-by-step instructions.

The root procedure involves flashing a rooted stock firmware image, which will not trip the flash counter on your phone nor show the dreaded yellow triangle at every boot, so you don’t need to worry about losing warranty.

Continue reading to find out how the T-Mobile Galaxy S3 can be rooted.

Compatibility

This firmware and the guide below are compatible only and only with T-Mobile Galaxy Note, model number T879. It’s not compatible with any other device. Check your device’s model number in: Settings » About phone.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Root T-Mobile Galaxy Note

  1. [Important] To be sure you do not lose any data, backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
  2. Download and install the software Kies on your computer, which will install the necessary drivers for the phone. Skip this step if you have already installed Kies.
    Download Kies
  3. Download the rooted stock UVLG3 firmware image, which will be flashed on the phone to root it.
    Download Rooted Image  |  Filename: tmob-system.img.tar
  4. Download Odin 1.85 from → here. Odin is the software used to flash firmware, kernels, etc on Samsung devices.
    Filename: Odin 1.85.zip | Size: 199 KB
  5. Extract the contents of the Odin 1.85.zip file to a folder.
  6. Open Odin — right-click on the Odin3 v1.85.exe file that you got after extracting the file Odin 1.85.zip, then select Run as administrator (if you don’t get the option to run as administrator, simply select Open).
  7. Now, put the Galaxy Note in Download Mode. To do so, first turn off the phone, then connect it to the computer with the USB cable. Then press and hold Volume Up + Volume Down buttons together while powering on the phone till a Warning! screen comes up; here, press Volume Up key to continue to enter Download Mode.
  8. After turning on the phone in download mode, you should get the message “Added!!” under Odin’s message box in the bottom left. If not, make sure you have installed Kies so that the drivers for the phone get installed.
  9. Click the PDA button in Odin, then browse to and select the tmob-system.img.tar file you downloaded in step 3. Do not make any other changes in Odin and make sure the Re-Partition option is not selected.
  10. Now, click Start to start flashing the UVLG3 firmware image on the phone. After the flash is completed, you will get a PASS message in Odin and the phone will reboot. Once it’s rebooted, you can disconnect the phone from the computer.
    What to do if Odin gets stuck: If Odin gets stuck at any point in the flashing procedure, either at the beginning or in the middle, or if the procedure fails with a FAIL message, disconnect the phone from the PC, close ODIN, remove battery, re-insert it, then repeat the procedure from step 6.
  11. After the phone boots up, it will be rooted and you will be able to use root-enabled apps.

Your T-Mobile Galaxy Note is now rooted and will allow you to use any apps that need root access. Do let us know how it works!