[Galaxy Note 3 Android Development] Xenon_92:
Canadian Note 3 SM-N900W8 - Complete ROM Flashing Guide

Canadian Note 3 SM-N900W8 - Complete ROM Flashing Guide [100% WORKING! *]

I had originally posted this under the Q&A thread, being a new XDA member and all.

However, I think it will have greater benefit as part of the Discussion thread where more users tend to exchange information.

Like I said, I am new to this - thus, the guide has been written based on my own experience and in such a way that even beginners can follow along. As such, I apologize in advance for any glaringly obvious OR incorrect information.

If you are already rooted, have flashed a custom recovery and are just looking for ROM flashing instructions, go to to Step 3. If not, start with Step 1.

Step 1: Rooting your Device

1) There are many methods, but I used this and it worked fine: http://youtu.be/O00hn8Hfbow

The video says it's a root method for the Galaxy S5 but it also works on most Note 3 models. He mentions this in his earlier video's description found here: http://youtu.be/IW950_92vk0

If you are paranoid about tripping KNOX for warranty purposes, this method should be your best bet (my KNOX counter is still at 0x0)

Step 2: Installing (a.k.a. Flashing) a Custom Recovery

1) There are several but I installed CWM-based recovery v6.0.4.7 using the instructions here: http://techbeasts.com/2014/03/16/install-cwm-6-0-4-7-on-samsung-galaxy-note-3-how-to-guide/

2) Optional but recommended: I would HIGHLY recommend you to back up your existing ROM at this point. Follow the video here: http://youtu.be/yy6Sp0xiYgM

3) Optional: You can back up your apps, call logs, sms messages, game progress, etc as well if you like - however, I did not do this. You can check Google and the video here if you're interested in doing this: http://youtu.be/T1aBHPGCwr4

Step 3: Flashing the ROM!

1) Download the following:

ROM: ODEX Tweaked Stock Galaxy S5 BASE/Note 4 Style Modded Full ROM V11.0

Link: https://mega.co.nz/#!UAdhVKgA!bhPKqz6SN9-ITalqnlw3WMacxxUCWgWtMhZDsVaQjgo

Kernel: You have two choices here: Compulsion Kernel or Lean Kernel (Compulsion is better for performance, Lean for extended battery life) - I personally prefer Lean Kernel

Compulsion Kernel KK 16 Link: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95747613655040662

Lean Kernel v3.14 Link: https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=F1ED4BADFEE3FC02&id=F1ED4BADFEE3FC02!110

Make sure you download lk_hltetmo-kk-v3.14

NFC Fix: we will need this later - credits to [MENTION=3271517]carl1961[/MENTION] for this patch!

Link: https://app.box.com/s/ujygscls5njo18ypaj5k

2) Transfer these files to your device's internal storage or microSD card. If you have never installed a custom ROM before, watch this video first: http://youtu.be/t5ZomCXDa_8

If you are familiar with this, you will have enough background to follow my instructions below.

3) Boot into Recovery Mode

4) Go to mounts and storage

5) format system and then format cache

6) Navigate back and go to advanced

7) wipe dalvik cache

8) Navigate back and wipe data/factory reset

9) Hit reboot system now

10) Prompted to Root device? - Hit YES

Upon reboot, your device will appear to be stuck in a bootloop - don't worry.

11) Power off

12) Boot into Recovery Mode

13) Hit install zip and navigate to your desired kernel (e.g. lk_hltetmo-kk-v.3.14.zip (Lean Kernel 3.14 Tmobile KitKat)

14) Hit Yes - Install

15) Go back and hit reboot system now

16) Prompted to Root device? - Hit YES

Because we now have a custom kernel installed, you will see the following message at startup: KERNEL IS NOT SEANDROID ENFORCING.

Don't worry about this message as it won't affect anything. Should you wish to remove it later for warranty purposes, I believe it will go away once you flash again to a Stock Kernel (I'm not 100% on this though...).

Again, your device will appear to be stuck in another bootloop - don't worry.

17) Power off

18) Boot into Recovery Mode

19) Hit install zip and navigate to the ROM (ODEX_Tweaked_S5Base_N4Style..._V11.zip)

20) Hit Yes - Install

21) Go back and hit reboot system now

The first time the ROM starts up takes a bit longer than expected - again, you may suspect yet another bootloop but be patient. After about a minute, the ROM will start up.

22) Setup the ROM (like you normally would).

Be sure to sign in to your Samsung Account as part of setup. Doing this will prompt an automatic update to Samsung Apps as soon as you finish setup and reach the home screen. RUN THIS UPDATE!

Some users who skipped this step did not receive the update prompt and have also reported experiencing issues with Action Memo, S-Voice and other Samsung Apps.

After running this update, test out all features. At this point, everything should be working as stated by the ROM Dev except NFC.

23) Restart into Recovery Mode

24) Hit install zip and navigate to the NFC fix: NFCFIXN900T.zip

25) Hit Yes - Install

26) Go back and hit reboot system now

Your Note 3 will startup and NFC will be enabled by default - it may appear that mobile network service has been lost but give your phone a minute or so and network access will be restored. That's it!

27) Optional but recommended: I would recommend installing the Trickster MOD app from the Play Store at this point. It allows you to easily overclock/underclock the device to enhance performance or battery life as needed - the app is compatible with both Lean and Compulsion Kernel - to learn how to overclock/underclock, watch the video here to get an idea: http://youtu.be/QiabBQtGyKE

Link to Trickster MOD on Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bigeyes0x0.trickstermod&hl=en

ALL DONE! :D

Some final TIPS for first-time ROM users:

1) Multi-Window Mode: First, ensure multi-window is enabled in the notifications menu. Then, long hold the back button on your Note 3 to bring up the multi-window apps tab on-screen.

2) The Dev has designed the ROM so that the menu key (left key underneath the screen) opens a list of recent apps.

As such, some of you may be wondering how you will bring up an in-app menu or extra features when you have a third party app open - Don't worry, all you have to do is long hold the menu key!

3) The Dev has included the Shoot It app as part of this release - I have seen a few posts on here claiming how the app is broken and does not boot up - however, it is actually working as intended - if you are not familiar with it, please read about it here first: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yahoo.dr.ketan.shootitpro&hl=en

Many thanks to the Dev [MENTION=2229782]g00h[/MENTION] for the ROM and all those involved in providing the necessary kernels/patch/root method/custom recovery and tutorials!

Enjoy and Happy New Year! :D

Known Issues:

1) Photo Note feature in S-Note / Evernote apps : Native to the Note 4, it is not too surprising that this feature is not supported, especially considering the fact that the Stock Note 3 camera was used in this ROM build. However, there also appear to be some KNOX restrictions in place on this feature. Trace KNOX elements have been detected on the ROM. - See attached Known_Issue_1.jpg below for details. WARNING: Removing trace KNOX elements will NOT solve the problem and your phone will end up in a bootloop. Unfortunately, no fix is available for this issue at this time.

2) Contact Names not appearing in Messaging App (only numbers are shown): Some users have reported this issue. The following fix should correct this: i) Delete all the SMS threads you have in the Messaging app so far. ii) Go to Accounts and uncheck Sync Contacts for all your accounts. iii) Go back to Messaging app and start a new thread to someone by searching for them in your contacts. iv) Send them a message, their name (i.e. contact name) should show up on that SMS thread in the Messaging app. v) Go back to Accounts and recheck Sync Contacts for all your accounts. That should solve the problem on all future SMS threads.

*The flashing instructions found in this post were tested and successful on an unlocked, unrooted SM-N900W8 device running Bell Mobility-based KitKat 4.4.2 stock Note 3 ROM/kernel with baseband N900W8VLUCNB7 & KNOX Counter 0x0.