Well, it seems it has finally begun for the Galaxy Note owners (read ‘phablet’ owners). Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) Android 4.0 firmware leaks have been coming out aplenty for the Galaxy S2 ever since the beginning of this incredible year, and now it’s the Note’s turn. Hot on the heels of the ICS leak for the Chinese version of the Galaxy Note aka I9220, an ICS firmware has been leaked for the international version of the Galaxy Note, the N7000 as well, marking the first release of an Android 4.0 firmware for the Note.

Okay, so it is not an official release, but hey, we take what we can get. And we are very likely to see more of these leaks in typical Samsung fashion, with each an improvement over the previous one. Here’s hoping these leaks for the Note come out as often as the Galaxy S2’s, which should keep the ‘flashaholic’ Note owners happy in the time they have to wait for the official release.

Be aware though, as this is the first and very early ICS firmware for the Galaxy Note, some things might not work and bugs are to be expected. Read on to find out how to get XXLP1 Android 4.0.3 firmware on your Note.

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 you or your device, we won’t be held liable — you only will be responsible, you’ve been warned!!!

Compatibility

This ROM and the guide below is compatible only and only with Galaxy Note, model number N7000. It’s not compatible with any other device. Check your device’s model number in: Settings » About phone.

Pre-installation Requirements/Tips

  1. This procedure will wipe your apps and data (but will not touch the SD cards), so backup your Apps and important data — bookmarks, contacts, SMS, APNs (internet settings), etc. This Android backup guide would help you.
  2. If you have Samsung’s PC software Kies installed, un-install it first because it may interrupt the flashing process.
  3. Drivers! — it’s important you’ve the proper drivers installed. If you have installed Kies, you already have the drivers, so download them only if your Note doesn’t get detected.
    Download links: 32 bit (x86) Windows  |   64-bit (x64) Windows

How to Install XXLP1 on your Galaxy Note

  1. Download the firmware:
     Direct Download Link  |  Filename: N7000XXLP1_N7000OXALP1_OXA.zip  |  Size: 539 MB
  2. Extract the downloaded zip file once to get the following files:
    1. GT-N7000-MULTI-CSC-OXALP1.tar.md5
    2. MODEM_N7000XXLP1_REV_05_CL1098475.tar.md5
    3. N7000_CODE_N7000XXLP1_CL88317_REV02_user_mid_noship.tar.md5
    4. odin3 v1.87.zip
    5. Q1_20110919_32GB.pit
    6. samfirmware.com.png [ignore this]
  3. Extract the odin3 v1.87.zip file (obtained in step 2.4) to get the following files:
    1. Odin3v1.87.exe
    2. Odin3.ini (Do not delete this file)
  4. Disconnect your phone if it’s connected to PC. Switch Off your Galaxy Note. Wait for vibration to confirm complete switch off.
  5. Now, put the Galaxy Note in Download Mode — press and hold these keys together: Volume Down + Home + Power. A warning screen will come up., press Volume Up key to continue to enter Download Mode.
  6. Open Odin (from step 3) — double-click the “Odin3v1.87.exe” that you got in step 3.1
  7. Connect your phone to PC now. You should get the message “Added!” under the Odin’s message box in the bottom left. If you don’t get this message, then probably there is a problem with drivers. Make sure you’ve proper drivers installed. See point 3 above under ‘pre-installation tips’.
  8. Now, in ODIN, select these files in the respective tabs:
    1. Click the PIT tab, and select the file Q1_20110919_32GB.pit (from step 2.5)
    2. Click the PDA tab, and select the file N7000_CODE_N7000XXLP1_CL88317_REV02_user_mid_noship.tar.md5 (from step 2.3)
    3. Click MODEM tab, and select the file MODEM_N7000XXLP1_REV_05_CL1098475.tar.md5 (from step 2.2)
    4. Click the CSC tab, and select the file GT-N7000-MULTI-CSC-OXALP1.tar.md5 (from step 2.1)
  9. Important! On Odin, make sure that Re-partition, Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time check boxes are selected. Do not touch any other check box or tab or anything, except as was required in step 8 and 9 above.
  10. Double check everything said in step 8, 9 and 10 above. Your Odin’s window should look similar to this:
    Galaxy Note Ice Cream Sandwich
  11. Now, hit the START button to start flashing of XXLP1 on your Galaxy Note. When the flashing is complete, your phone will automatically reboot — and when you see the Samsung logo, you can safely unplug the cable. Plus, you’ll get a PASS (with green background) message in the left-most box at the very top of the Odin.

    IMPORTANT Note: If ODIN gets stuck and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or you get a FAIL message (with red background) in ODIN, do the following:

    Disconnect the phone from the PC, close ODIN, remove battery, re-insert it, turn phone on in Download mode again, and do the procedure again from Step 6.

  12. When it has restarted, your Galaxy Note will be running the Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich firmware. Check version in Settings » About phone.

So there you have it. You now have Android 4.0.3 on your Galaxy Note, firmware version XXLP1. Share your thoughts and problems (if any) in the comments below and we’ll do our best to help you out.