yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drkremermd:
Alternative method to rooting/flashing GT-7102 in order to get Apps

I had a friend bring me the GT-7102 a few days ago from Shanghai (RMB 5,995 = € 700,00) and - like many of you - I unexpectedly ran into the same problem of encountering NO Google Play Store and other essential Apps, just the lean Samsung App store which is bull**** so to speak. The phone at first turned out to be worthless for me here in Munich, Germany, not because of the English QWERTY keyboard or displaying the weather in different Chinese cities, but without essential apps like What's App, Facebook messenger, Skype etc. I could not imagine using this smartphone - I was very sad.

I first tried to get .apk's directly to my PC through installing the APK Downloader into Chrome, however, even though I followed all the steps, especially disabling the SSL error warnings, it never worked and always showed error warnings.

I finally managed to find out that there is a number of so called "Alternative App Stores" on the Internet that basically have all the apps one needs handy. Most of the stores are not being blocked like Google services so that their download app can easily be accessed through the smartphone browser. Should a little android appear telling one that the site is no longer existant or has moved, one needs to download the file to a PC and then transfer it to the smartphone SD card by USB. Tapping on the transfered file then opens and installs the altenative app market app. Then one can start downloading all the popular apps.

Note that in order to do this you first have to enable "Unknown sources" in the Security Settings menu.

I consecutively found the following alternative Apps Stores:

1mobile

m.getjar (some downloads do not proceed on times, a commonly known problem with this otherwise huge store)

m.slideme

Amazon App Store

YAAM

I am sure there are many other stores available and over more will come up over time.

My great new Note 2 Duos GT-7102 is now full functioning - **** Google - and I got around a possibly "dangerous" rooting, considering that there will be abolutely ZERO support by SAMSUNG outside China once a less experienced user runs into major system problems after rooting.

I don't say that I will never root my device, but for now I am on the safe side and have probably 95% of the essential apps I need. I will follow up on the root experience of you all an then see if I deem it still be worthwile.

My contribution may be helpful for the less experienced user feeling uncomfortable with rooting and flashing etc..

Greets from Munich!
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] hvillemoes:
Samsung kernel updates

Thank you for the great info on this thread.

I bought my N7102 from etotalk, where I always get good service.

And rooted and installed google play etc using the fine instructions here.

One question: When I on the phone go to Settings, About device, Software update, Update - then I get the message: "Your device has been modified. Software updates are not available"

Is this something, I ought to concern about ?

How do I install e.g. Android 4.2, if that appears fra Samsung ?

Best regards

Harald
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kms108:
Any phone with modified rom will not support auto update or update through kie, you will have to manual flash roms or update, and samsung france will not release update for this phone.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drkremermd:
@ hvillemoes

That's exactly what I did not want to run into, I am sorry for the problems now, hvillemoes :(

My non-rooted 7102 is now loaded with literally all apps one could think of and it is no problem living without the Google Play Store, especially the 1mobile.com app is great, and with the Amazon App Store one can get the latest non-free apps like e.g. ewallet 7.41.197 which allows now easy WiFi synchronisation, an app that has been very important for me for years.

Again, unless someone really wants to go deep into the Android system for whatever reason and of course needs rooting, I recommend for the "just user" to dump Google Play Store and proceed like me.

I am very happy with my now fully loaded and functional, non-rooted Note 2 Duos :good::o:cool:
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kms108:
Any one choosen the N7102 and wants g apps, have no choice but to root and flash.

There is an alternative choice is to buy a apple peel unit like me 3 card active and 3 cards standby.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] 白い熊:
Link?

--

白い熊
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kms108:
http://mokablue.com/
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alexander7:
thanks..that worked :good:
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] GadgetGuruKen:
Confused

LeoShi - the information you provided about the mini SIM frequency directly contradicts what is on Samsung's website about the N7102. Both SIM slots are supposed to support GSM 850/900/1800/1900. Where did you get your information?

Thank you.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Pressa:
I know that the Samsung Galaxy Note II standard (GT-N7100) is MHL capable (for directly connecting mobile phone to high-definition televisions via HDMI cable).

My GT-N7102 does not work in this sense (using an original Samsung MHL cable).

The feature is gone?

Pietro from Italy
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kms108:
did you get the cable for your model, is it oem, cables for other model may not work.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drkremermd:
@ kms108

TRUE, but only if one wants apps that somewhat connect to a Google account a root is necessary. All other apps can be donwloaded elsewhere, see my postings in this thread, my N7102 couldn't be fuller loaded. Google Translate or Chrome e.g. can be downloaded in a non-rooted device from mainland China, Chrome cannot be connected to ones Google / Google + account.

But see it from a different perspective: the downsides of registering with Google like being totally transparent and trackable are thus omitted. And I must say, I can get used to this and it feels kind a' good after a few days now. I guess that is the intent of the Chinese blocking Google services, so that statistical data about Internet use etc. of billins of Chinese (customers) does not get into "Mainland U.S." ;););).
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] frav:
Well... concerned ...I don't know but...

with flashing root you increased the Samsung flash counter which blocks some features like OTA and allshare cast dongle features.

Installing 4.1.2 when available will be done only using Odin or Mobile Odin.

The only way to get this message away, and get these features back is to get famous ChainFire tool "TriangleAway".

This tool resets the flash counter and allows you to get the features back.

But... the existing release is not compatible with 7102 ... yet.

Two ways to get it:

- wait for ChainFire to release it.

- ask ChainFire to update his tool for the 7102.

My 2 cents :)

---------- Post added at 01:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 AM ----------

Correct

MHL cable for S3 doesn't work for Note 2 !

Well at least the one I have...
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kms108:
I have a oem s3 one and it works, are you sure its real, may be samsung china disabled it, can anyone confirm this.

---------- Post added at 01:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:21 AM ----------

Yeh, i should explain it more detailed, i was referring to play store and stock gapp, not those from play store. thanks.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gavenraj:
Interested to meet fellow Note II users in Beijing

Hi, are you based in Beijing? I am an expat living and working in Beijing, China. If you are here as well or others, would love to sit down and go through things to learn about for the Note II.

-Raj
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Pressa:
I used the original MHL Samsung cable (EIA2UHUNBE) from my (ex) Galaxy Note GT-N7000: I confirm that does not work. However I have not found on the Net any original Samsung MHL cable dedicated to the GT-N7100.

By the way, on Samfirmware there is a new firmware: N7102ZNALL1 dated December 2012, JB 4.1.2.

Pietro from Italy
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] th_twt:
I live in Shenzhen Raj,

Touchpal is a great solution for multi language keyboard issues btw.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kms108:
The original one is the same for both S3 and note 2.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dim4x4:
On this other site http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=GT-N7102 it says it's 4.1.1 and region code is CHU which probably stands for China Unicom.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ben1dan:
Same problem: Unable to get 2nd SIM to work in USA

I got exactly same problem. The phone was working fine in China: 1st Sim Unicom, 2nd sim China Mobile. When I pulled the 1st Sim out before leaving China, the 2nd one lost signal for few minutes, but came back after two reboots. Someone asked the same question on Chinese Baidu ( zhidao.baidu.com/question/511944635.html ), but Samsung's answer makes no sense to me.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] merkava74:
What has happened till now

Hi guys,

firstly, let me say that without this thread, I wouldn't have dared to venture into the path of rooting. Thanks to the many contributions here!

I managed to get a N7102 from Shenzhen, brought it back to Singapore, and got it rooted.

I managed to install the Google Apps, and now apps like facebook, whatsapp, google search and of cos play store are available.

Here are some of my observations:

1. The browser still uses Baidu as the search engine. I would have preferred Google. Are there any solutions to that?

2. S note templates are in Chinese. For example, after launching S Note, and clicking on the + button, a set of templates appear. When I choose Meeting notes, for example, the titles etc are in Chinese. I actually tried to flash a version of the S Note I found online, but I screwed it up, and now my S Note force closes at the choose template screen.

3. As I travel regionally frequently (hence the need for dual sim), all my contacts have + (country codes). As mentioned in this thread, they do not show up when I receive calls. I resolved this by following the advice of installing Touchpal. Good workaround (minus the location of the callers).

4. Google maps do not work unless you are using GPS. No biggie.

Still fiddling with the phone, but I must say the dual sim works like a charm!

My biggest peeves are the search engine and S Note issues. If anyone has solutions to this, I would be very grateful!

Cheers.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kms108:
have you tried installing google search from the play store.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] merkava74:
I have. Google Search works fine.

But when I am in my internet browser, when I want to search anything in the url bar, it uses baidu as a search engine, and not google.

When I check the settings, it confirms that my search engine is Baidu, and it is greyed out, which seems to tell me that there is no option for that.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kms108:
This is one phone thats hard to mess around with, apart from china, it's not available anywhere else, and china has problems with google, thats why the default search engine is not google, it's difficult to change this, and change the default settings.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] merkava74:
I was wondering if there is a link to the international version of the browser, so I can use Titanium to uninstall the china one, and flash the original.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] hvillemoes:
Google search

I did the same rooting and installing the google API package on my N7102 (bought from etotalk), and mine does not use Baidu anymore.

I now prefere duckduckgo, because it does not track my searches and gives the same reply to the same search everytime in contrast to the "clever" google search.

Regards

Harald
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kutaragi:
Ok something wierd happened , while the phone worked very well with my prepaid china unicom.card when i was at nanjing 2 wks ago. I swaped it.out after i went to.taiwan which worked well with my tw mobile sim.

Today while taking a ferry from Hong Kong to.ZhongShan china, i can never get the china unicom to work with data on my 7102.

I thought this sim might be stuck to nanjing so i tried putting it on my iphone4s which works great.

So i tired power cycle rebot all sorts of.settings but still.no data but the reception shows 4 bars.

Then i passed by a samsung showroom so i popped in to ask if they know any settings. I popped the sim from.my iphone back to the 7102 but i did 1 more.thing which is to switch the gui language to chinese . Suddenly the H+ icon appears n i got my 3G data working again .then i swap.it.back.to.english n the 3G still maintains connection

Wierd indeed..... So if u guys have some sim problems u might wanna try swapping the GUI to chinese n see if it helps.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] 白い熊:
What do you mean by "Google API"? The gapps apk, or some other apk?

--

白い熊
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] th_twt:
4.1.2 is also avaible with N7102ZCALL2 built @ 52samsung
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Pressa:
OK.

After some research on the Internet and after reading this post, I bought a new original Samsung MHL cable dedicated for the Galaxy S III, part no. EPL-3FHUBEGSTD.

DOES NOT WORK!

At this point it would be interesting to see if we have to wait an additional dedicated cable for the GT-N7102, or if the MHL feature is not enabled on our phone.

By the way, since I was in an accessory shop, I found a nice salesman that make me try on my phone the "flip cover" for the GT-N7100: it does not fit perfectly; one of the small retention teeth is offset by a couple of millimeters; nothing that a good cutter and a little patience can not solve, anyway.

Pietro from Italy
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] hendrickchan:
I know where to download N7102ZCALL2, PM me for details.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kison:
Hi, I too bought the phone back from Guangzhou andis using it in Singapore...

my observation:-

1) Use Firefox browser, it let you choose which search engine to use when type in URL

2) For S-note, though i have not use it, i think you need only to import the Template from the english version rather than installing the english version Snote. Let me know if that works..:)

3) For Singapore contacts, i added in the same contact in "work", the same local number (without the +65) and it appears correctly when someone calls in. When my contact calls me from China, their names appear correctly too...

4) My google map seems to work well without GPS (just using google wifi loaction), my rom version is V1 (the simipified version without installing the PIT, i downloaded all the google apps through Play)

Yes, Dual SIm works like a charm...i even tried calling myself using either sim (china mobile to starhub, starhub to china mobile) all on the same phone...best phone ever had..fast and furious....
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Pressa:
Well, that ROM is now also available on Samfirmware.

The interesting thing would be to know if it is JellyBean in version 4.1.1 or 4.1.2.

Someone?

Pietro from Italy
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] frav:
Improvements

There was some missing features in the N7102 stock ROM.

Some of these can be reactivated using the feature.xml. (useful features/integration)

I brought the following changes and tested them (only FMRadio and AccuWeather are still not working yet ... but changed something in App section):

The values below are the new ones. The default ones are the opposite (if set to true below, it was false as default).

Reminder: edit these files and values only if you feel comfortable doing it. Not responsible if you crash your device !

Very useful: to make the "Name order" menu in Contact settings appear (works): Allows to sort by Last name or first name instead of first name only
<CscFeature_Contact_DisableMenuNameOrder>true</CscFeature_Contact_DisableMenuNameOrder>

To get Google integration in contacts (works):
<CscFeature_Contact_DisableMergeWithGoogle>false</CscFeature_Contact_DisableMergeWithGoogle>
<CscFeature_Contact_DisableGoogleMapIntegration>false</CscFeature_Contact_DisableGoogleMapIntegration>
<CscFeature_Contact_DisableGoogleTalk>false</CscFeature_Contact_DisableGoogleTalk>

To get Google maps integration in calendar events (works):
<CscFeature_Calendar_DisableGoogleMapIntegration>false</CscFeature_Calendar_DisableGoogleMapIntegration>

To get AccuWeatherinfo (for the widget):
<CscFeature_Clock_DisableAccWeatherInfo>true</CscFeature_Clock_DisableAccWeatherInfo>
<CscFeature_Clock_DisableGoogleLocationInfo>true</CscFeature_Clock_DisableGoogleLocationInfo>

To get AccuWeatherinfo (for the widget):
<CscFeature_MiniDiary_DisableAccWeatherInfo>false</CscFeature_MiniDiary_DisableAccWeatherInfo>
<CscFeature_MiniDiary_DisableGoogleLocationInfo>false</CscFeature_MiniDiary_DisableGoogleLocationInfo>

To enable FMRadio: (FMRadio apk doesn't start ... yet )
<CscFeature_FMRadioRTPlus>true</CscFeature_FMRadioRTPlus>
<CscFeature_FMRadioSEASetting>true</CscFeature_FMRadioSEASetting>
<CscFeature_FMRadio_DisableMenuAf>false</CscFeature_FMRadio_DisableMenuAf>
<CscFeature_FMRadio_DisableMenuRds>false</CscFeature_FMRadio_DisableMenuRds>
<CscFeature_FMRadio_DisableRTPlusInfo>false</CscFeature_FMRadio_DisableRTPlusInfo>

If you want to activate the Google search engine in Browser (some reported this missing feature, had Baidu instead ... should fix the issue) (works):
<CscFeature_Web_DisableGoogleInBrowserSearchEngine>false</CscFeature_Web_DisableGoogleInBrowserSearchEngine>

If you need (GSM) NetworkCB info (works):
<CscFeature_Message_DisableMenuCBChannel>false</CscFeature_Message_DisableMenuCBChannel>
<CscFeature_Message_DisableMenuCBLanguage>false</CscFeature_Message_DisableMenuCBLanguage>

Remember to backup your original file.

Once changes made, make sure permissions are set as they were.

Reboot.

Still working on other entries. Will keep you posted.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drkremermd:
They just published the new firmware update to LL2 (from LK8)cthrough KIES.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] troppodel:
Hi Pietro

yes still 4.1.1 no special news, i think only fixed some bugs

Ivan
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kms108:
Still a chinese rom, i think it will erase you rooting and unauthrised apps.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] two5boy:
I have followed the steps and use Odin 3.7 to root my N7102 but without success. I have tried setting USB debugging to "on" and again to "off". Neither worked. Is there any other setting that I've missed?
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] 80000037:
Just use Exynos Abuse v1.40 to root your device:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2050297

Only use the app to root your device, don't check other options.

Patching (fixing) the exynos exploit may break camera functionality depending on device and firmware, so just use the root function and you'll be fine.

After you gain root, you can install Mobile Odin to perform flashing task:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1347899
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] two5boy:
Thanks. Will try that this evening.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Dwokfur:
Mobile ODIN works for N7102?

Can you confirm, that Mobile Odin works for N7102? Because it's not listed as a supported device and there's a warning by Chainfire to stick to the supported devices.

I also ask if Triangle Away might work as well?

Chainfire has made CF-Autoroot available for N7102 as well. The file is accessible on his site in the download list.

Thx: Dw

---------- Post added at 04:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:45 AM ----------

I received the device last week. I managed to root it using N7102 CWM root by Chenglu with Odin. I also succesfully installed google apps. I edited feature.xml.

My experience:

- I can see the incoming caller's name for both SIMs in my country. As I can see both Hungarian operators sends the number in international format.

- Exynos Abuse disables the camera

- GPS seems to work fine

Question: does anyone know how to display English names for the Navigation app's preinstalled maps? I cannot read Chinese...

- dual SIM active feature works fine

- I can see H or H+ sign to appear, but only if there is data transfer over the SIM card placed in the 3G SIM slot

My biggest problem currently:

The message application wouldn't show the name of the sender, although it's in the contacts.

Anybody has a good idea on how to correct this behavior? So far I cannot find the solution. I cannot see any dual SIM message apps, like fro dialers (Touchpal)...

I also noticed, that the a new ROM became available. It was communicated, that the S3 firmware update fixes the Exynos vulnerability. It was reported, that the new ROM (date 23th dec) also fixes the weakness for the N7102. Can anyone confirm this.

I guess after I flashed the new factory ROM, I need to re-root the device using an updated version of CWM-root or CF-Autoroot? Anyone can reflect on this?

Chinese S Note templates bother me. Can anyone help me with a link to the English templates? How should I replace those?

But my biggest problem currently is the lack of names in the message application.

Regards: Dw.

---------- Further editing at 03:26 AM ----------

Update:

I edited features.xml a bit more. I don't know if it was the editing or a reboot, but the messaging application now properly displays senders' name. :)

I also gave Triangle Away a try. I originally used Chenglu's CWM root. After initiating flash counter correction the device got rebooted by the application. It slipped into an endless reboot loop which I could easily interrupt with Odin and restored the device into working order qucikly. Probably it was me - I don't know what I did wrong. And of course N7102 is not displayed as a supported device, so I cannot complain. But be careful, anyways.

I'll try upgrading the ROM maybe during the weekend - if I'll have some time...
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] two5boy:
I have not been successful in rooting my phone so far. I’ve got another problem:

SIM 1 (deactivated by me manually) + SIM 2 (remained activated)

Problem: phone indicated that there was no network available when I dialed out despite the fact that it rang when I dialed in using another phone.

The problem disappeared when I re-activated SIM 1 again.
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] vash_h:
Could anyone past some home screen screen shots of this dual sim phone? I'm curious as to how they show the signal strength on the signal indicator and how u select which sim to use when dialing a number.

Also will it show an incoming call is from sim 1 or sim 2.

I'm just very very curious
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sebaztian:
Here you go. it looks like a square box
[Galaxy Note II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] two5boy:
I guess SIM 1 is on the left (with a square box) and SIM 2 is on the right (without a square box). The square box denotes the default SIM chosen by the user.

You are given a choice when you dial. Select the left icon if you wish to dial with SIM 1. Icon on the right is for SIM 2.

I guess Samsung should give the icons proper labels (say 1 or 2) or color them differently, instead of given them the same color (green). The other dual SIM smartphone that I have is more user friendly. It uses differently colors for the SIMS.