Galaxy Note 4’s development is greatly in runs, There are so many good custom ROMs and mods available around that can add charm to the existing functionality of your latest beast. To load these custom ROMs, MODs, and to create Nandroid backpus and perform some other tasks, you will be in need of a custom recovery for your Note 4. CWM and TWRP are already available for some variants of the Note 4, and now the modified version of CWM, popularly known as Philz Advanced Touch CWM recovery is also available for Exynos variants of the Galaxy Note 4. Philz Advanced Touch CWM, as the name suggests, is the touch version of the CWM recovery. Philz Advanced CWM recovery has a pretty good and easy to use UI, the recovery is feature rich and works very well on the Galaxy Note 4. Initial build of the recovery has some issues, but performs all basic functions like wiping cache, wiping rom for clean install, flashing custom ROMs, backups etc. While the developers come up with a stable version of the Philz Advanced CWM for our beloved Galaxy Note 4, some of the users may want to use the existing version for now, and before you start looking for the installation guide here and there, we’ve already compiled it all up here.
As you scroll down, you will come across a complete guide to install Philz Advanced Touch CWM recovery on your Samsung Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910C, SM-N910K, SM-N910U & SM-N910H. This recovery has been compiled up be XDA senior member ChunD.K, we would like to thank him for his effort, while all the credit for this great recovery goes to Philz3759. Let’s go through the early preparations and then start flashing this recovery on your Exynos Galaxy Note 4.
Here are the pre-installation instructions:
1. This guide is only for Samsung Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910U,SM-N910H, 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
- Download and extract Odin3 v3.09.
- Download and Install Samsung USB drivers.
- Download the CWM Recovery For Your Device – Please choose your variant carefully.
How To Install CWM Recovery On Your Galaxy Note 4 SM-N910C/H/K/U
- Download CWM Recovery.tar.md5 file [According to your choice and your device].
- Open Odin3.exe.
- 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.
- Connect your device to your PC.
- 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.
- For Odin 3.09 hit the AP tab. Select the recovery.tar.md5 or recovery.tar, that you downloaded above.
- If you’re using Odin 3.07, you will select “PDA” tab instead of the AP tab, rest of the options remain untouched.
- Make sure that the options selected in your Odin are exactly as shown in the pic.
- Hit start and wait till the recovery flashing is complete, as soon as your device restarts, remove it from PC.
- 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.
- 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.
- Download the Root Package.zip file [ UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.16.zip ]
- Copy the downloaded Root Package.zip file to your Galaxy Note 4’s SD card.
- Boot into recovery mode on your Galaxy Note 4, use step 11 in the recovery installation guide.
- Now Select “Install > Choose Zip from SD card > Root Package.zip > Yes / Confirm”.
- This will flash the Root Package and quickly gain the root access on your Galaxy Note 4.
- Reboot your device.
- Find SuperSu in the App Drawer.
How to check if the device is properly rooted or not?
- To do so, go to Google Play Store on your Galaxy Note 4.
- Find “Root Checker” and install it.
- Open Root Checker.
- Tap “Verify Root”.
- It will ask you for SuperSu rights, tap “Grant”.
- It should show you Root Access Verified Now!
You may want to create EFS and Nandroid Backup now.
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.
