How To Install CWM Recovery & Root Samsung Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910U/C/K [Exynos]

Galaxy Note 4 is out in the markets for quite a while now and the device’s development activities have been started as well. You may come across a number of cool ROMs, mods and tweaks for your Galaxy Note 4, and you may want to unleash the real power of your new beast but the very thing that will pave a way for you to enter the powerful world of Android OS, you will need to have a custom recovery running on your device first in order to flash the zip files, wipe cache, dalvik cache and also to create a Nandroid backup to stay on the safer side. The CWM recovery is already up for a almost all variants of the Galaxy Note 4, and in the following post we are going to install this ClockworkMod [CWM] Recovery 6.0.5.1 on our beloved Exynos Galaxy Note 4 variants including SM-N910U, SM-N910C and SM-N910K. Just in case you’ve been looking for this very method, this might be the right spot for you.

Before we head towards theCWM installation guide, some of you might want to have a recap of the Galaxy Note 4. Galaxy Note 4 is the 4th iteration in the Note series of Samsung. A 5.7-inch QHD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels and 515 ppi can be found on the front having a 3.7 MP camera sensor atop of the screen. At the back ,there’s a 16 MP cam with OIS, having a heart rate sensor besides a flashlight under it. Under the hood, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 805 CPU or Samsung’s very own Exynos 5433 CPU can be found, a RAM of 3 GB’s is there and internal storage begins at 32 GB. Out of the box, Galaxy Note 4 can be found running on Android 4.4.4 KitKat.

That was all about the device, let’s head towards the early preparations and the installation guide now.

Here are the pre-installation instructions:

1. This guide is only for Samsung Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910U, SM-N910K & SM-N910C!

Make sure that your device is exactly as mentioned above. To check out what device you have, go to Settings > More/General > About Device or Settings > About Device and match the model number. Be careful about the device model number, flashing a file on a device not listed here might result in bricking it up. In that case, we may not be held responsible.

2. Battery should be charged at least 60%!

Your device’s battery shouldn’t be weak. In case your device goes dead during the flashing process, your device may get soft bricked and you might be in need of flashing stock firmware and that will ultimately result in wiping up your data as well. So, make sure that you charge your device before you start the flashing process.

3. Enable USB Debugging Mode

USB debugging mode should enabled on your device in order to avoid any connection issues. To enable USB debugging mode, go to settings > developer options > check “Allow/Enable USB Debugging”. In case you can’t find the developer options in settings, you will have to activate the options by going into settings > about device > tap the build number for 7 times and you should get the developer options under settings, and then you can enable USB debugging mode.

4. Use the OEM datacable to establish connection!

Always use the original data cable to establish connection between your Android device and your computer / laptop. Using ordinary data cables might interrupt the flashing process, so to avoid any mishap, you need to meet this requirement as well.

5. Backup everything!

Just to be on the safe side, you may consider backing up each and everything from your Android device. This is highly recommended so that in case anything goes wrong, you still have the access to all of your data and you can restore it immediately. You may backup everything as listed below.

Backup SMS Messages
Backup Call Logs
Backup Contacts
Backup Media – Copy your files manually to your PC or Laptop.

6. Turn off Samsung Kies and other softwares while using Odin3!

Make sure that you turn off Samsung Kies while using Odin3 flashtool. Samsung Kies will interrupt Odin3 and will result in causing errors and may not let you flash your desired recovery or root file. Also, make sure that you turn off any antivirus software you’ve installed and also disable firewall to avoid any connection and flashing issues.

7. Disclaimer

The methods involved in flashing custom recoveries, ROMs and rooting your phone are highly custom and may result in bricking your device, and has nothing to do with Google or the device manufacturer that is SAMSUNG in our case. Also rooting your device will void its warranty and you will be no longer eligible for any kind of free device services by the manufacturers/warranty providers. The Galaxy Note 4 comes with Knox, so rooting will also trip the Knox counter and you won’t be eligible to claim the warranty anyway. In case of any mishap we may not be held responsible. Follow these instructions to the letter to avoid any mishap or bricking. Make sure that whatever you do, you are doing it at your own responsibility.

Downloads Required

1. Download and extract Odin3 v3.09.
2. Download and Install Samsung USB drivers.
3. Download the CWM Recovery For Your Device

• n910u-cwm-recovery-6.0.5.1(1022).tar [N910U]
• n910k-cwm-recovery-6.0.5.1(1022).tar [N910K]
• n910c-cwm-recovery-6.0.5.1(1022).tar [N910C]

How To Install CWM Recovery On Your Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910C/U/K

1. Download CWM Recovery.tar.md5 file [According to your choice and your device].
2. Open Odin3.exe.
3. Put your Galaxy Note 4  in download mode. To do so, turn it off and wait for 10 seconds. Turn it on by pressing and holding Volume Down + Home Button + Power Key simultaneously, You should see a warning, press Volume Up to continue. In case this method doesn’t work for you, try one from this guide.
4. Connect your device to your PC.
5. As soon as Odin detects your phone, the ID:COM box should turn blue.  Make sure that you’ve installed Samsung USB drivers before connecting.
6. For Odin 3.09 hit the AP tab. Select the recovery.tar.md5  or recovery.tar, that you downloaded above.
7. If you’re using Odin 3.07, you will select “PDA” tab instead of the AP tab, rest of the options remain untouched.
8. Make sure that the options selected in your Odin are exactly as shown in the pic.
9. Hit start and wait till the recovery flashing is complete, as soon as your device restarts, remove it from PC.
10. You can now boot into recovery mode by turning off your device, and then turning it on by pressing and holding Volume Up + Home + Power Key.
11. That’s all!

Root The Galaxy Note 4 Now

Although there’s a much easy method available to root your Galaxy Note 4, that can be found here. But, in case you haven’t rooted yet and you’ve flashed the recovery only, you would like to have the root access too, here’s a way to root your device using the custom recovery.

1. Download the Root Package.zip file [ UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.16.zip ]
2. Copy the downloaded Root Package.zip file to your Galaxy Note 4’s SD card.
3. Boot into recovery mode on your Galaxy Note 4, use step 11 in the recovery installation guide.
4. Now Select “Install > Choose Zip from SD card > Root Package.zip > Yes / Confirm”.
5. This will flash the Root Package and quickly gain the root access on your Galaxy Note 4.
6. Reboot your device.
7. Find SuperSu in the App Drawer.

How to check if the device is properly rooted or not?

1. To do so, go to Google Play Store on your Galaxy Note 4.
2. Find “Root Checker” and install it.
3. Open Root Checker.
4. Tap “Verify Root”.
5. It will ask you for SuperSu rights, tap “Grant”.
6. It should show you Root Access Verified Now!

Now make sure that you backup your EFS Partition and Nandroid.

That’s all. We hope that you found this guide helpful. If you’re stuck with anything or got any queries, make sure that you use the comment box below and reach us. Thank you all.

Recovery Credits