The expected update to Android 4.1.2 has finally started rolling out to the Galaxy Note 2, though only the LTE variant with model number N7105 for now, even though we saw the update get leaked for the non-LTE variant. Like all the firmware updates that Samsung has been pushing out for their flagship devices this year, the new firmware – build number N7105XXDLL1 – brings a slew of new software features, along with the usual list of changes in Android 4.1.2, such as the ability to expand and collapse notifications with a one finger swipe.

Here is the full list of new features and changes in the Android 4.1.2 firmware:

  • New Additions in Notifcation Toggles
  • Notification Panel can now be customized
  • Brightness Slider in Notification Panel Can Now Be Disabled
  • Multi-View Can now be disabled
  • Browser Is Smoother Than Before
  • Status Bar has been changed from Grey to Black
  • Continues Input in Samsung Keyboard (Like Swipe or Android 4.2 Keyboard)
  • New Ink Effect On Lockscreen
  • New Group Cast Application

The update is currently rolling out to the international/unlocked Galaxy Note 2 LTE in Sweden, with other countries to follow soon. For those that would like to manually flash the firmware can do so right now, using our step-by-step guide.

The firmware will work on any international Note 2 LTE even outside Sweden, though keep in mind that for non-Sweden devices, you might you to wipe data on the phone to make the firmware boot up. Chances of needing to wipe data are low, and while you can restore your important data and restore them later, details such as your Google account will need to be re-entered after a wipe.

So, let’s take a look at how the Android 4.1.2 firmware can be flashed on the Galaxy Note 2 LTE.

Compatibility

The procedure described below is only for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 LTE, model number N7105. Do not try it on any other device, not even on the non-LTE/US variant of the Note 2.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky, so try them out at your own risk, and make sure to read each step carefully before attempting anything. We will not be held responsible if anything goes wrong.

How to Install Android 4.1.2 Firmware on Galaxy Note 2 LTE (N7105)

  1. [Important] You might need to wipe the data on the phone to make the firmware boot up properly. Hence, 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. The SD card contents are always safe, so there is no need to back up those. Only backup apps and personal data.
  2. Download and install the software Kies on your computer, which will install the necessary drivers for the phone.
    Download Kies
    You can also download the drivers directly — download from here: 32 bit (x86) Windows |   64-bit (x64) Windows
  3. Download the firmware.
    Download Link | Filename: N7105XXDLL1_N7105TLADLL1_TLA.zip
  4. Extract the file downloaded in step 3 on the computer to obtain a file named N7105XXDLL1_N7105TLADLL1_N7105XXDLK7_HOME.tar.md5 (the file name may end at .tar, which is normal). This is the actual firmware file that we need to flash on the phone.
  5. Download Odin. If you are new to this, Odin is a Samsung program used to flash stuff – firmware, kernels, etc. – on Samsung phones. We’ll use Odin to flash the firmware file obtained in step 4.
    Download Odin3 v3.04  |  Filename: Odin3_v3.04.zip
  6. Extract the contents of the Odin3_v3.04.zip file to a folder on your computer.
  7. Now, turn off your phone and wait for it to shut down completely.
  8. Then, put the phone into download mode. To do so, press and hold these keys together: Volume Down + Home + Power till the phone turns on and shows a Warning!! screen. Then press Volume Up to enter download mode.
  9. Open Odin by double-clicking on the Odin3 v3.04.exe file obtained in step 6 after extracting Odin3_v3.04.zip.
  10. Important! Connect your phone to PC now. You should get the message “Added !!” under Odin’s message box in the bottom left.
    • If you don’t get this message, make sure you installed drivers correctly (using Kies or directly) as given in step 2. If it still doesn’t work, try changing to another USB port on the computer and also use the USB ports on the back if you have a desktop PC.
  11. Click on the PDA button in Odin, then browse to and select the N7105XXDLL1_N7105TLADLL1_N7105XXDLK7_HOME.tar.md5 file obtained in step 4 above.
  12. Important! Do not make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required files as given in step 11. Leave all other options as they are. Make sure Re-Partition check box is not selected.
  13. Now, make sure you took a backup as explained in step 1 before continuing, then click the Start button in Odin to start flashing the firmware on your phone. When the flashing is complete and is successful, you’ll get a PASS message (with green background) in the left-most box at the very top of the Odin, and the phone will automatically reboot. When you see the Samsung logo, you can safely unplug the cable.
    • What do if Odin gets stuck or doesn’t do anything: If ODIN gets stuck on setup connection or at any stage of this process after you’ve hit the Start button, and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or if upon completion of the process you get a FAIL message (with red background) in ODIN, do this: disconnect the phone from the PC, close ODIN, remove battery for 4-5 seconds, re-insert it, turn phone on in Download mode again, and do the procedure again from Step 9.
  14. [Important] What to do if phone doesn’t boot: After you get the PASS message and the phone reboots, the phone might get stuck at the booting animation. If that happens, perform the following steps to make it boot. Remember that these steps will wipe your personal data like contacts, apps, messages, etc. If your phone has already booted, stop reading the guide here, your phone has been updated successfully:
    1. Boot to recovery mode — for which, first power off phone (by removing battery and reinserting it), wait for 5-6 seconds, and then press and hold Home + Volume Up + Power keys together till the screen turns on, then let them go to boot into recovery. Once you are in recovery mode, use volume keys to move the selection up and down and home/power key to select the option.
    2. Go to Wipe data/Factory Reset and select it. Select Yes on next screen.
    3. Then, select reboot system now to reboot the phone, which will now boot properly.
  15. If you run into any roadblocks while flashing the firmware, let us know and we’ll help you out.

The official Android 4.1.2 firmware, with build number  N7105XXDLL1, is now installed and running on your Galaxy Note 2 LTE. Try out the new features, and don’t forget to let us know how your Note 2 LTE works after the update.