For those of you that are either Unrooted, new to Verizon Galaxy Note 3, have lost Root during a previous OTA, or are simply trying to find a way to gain Root, as there are too many broken resources out there describing how to accomplish this, without one single source solution, this thread will be that one solution and may be a possible insight for upcoming OTA’s as well.
Before MJ7 there was the initial version that was MI9, which there was a Root process developed by designgears that went under the name Root De La Vega. Amazing enough the Verizon Note 3 had Root within 4 days of the official release of the device, granted there was also a Bounty for Root (deep pockets) and great interest as well. Fortunately, prior to the OTA taking place we picked up a HUGE Developer named Hashcode, who quickly began applying Safestrap Recovery to our device, which this is a key role in the sustainability of Root going forward.
During the OTA from MI9 to MJ7, there were new Binaries added whether this was through the installation from Kies3 on the computer or through the OTA via the device. These binaries broke the hidden Root used in SuperSU Pro that some Users used successful used, while others were not as fortunate. Needless to say, there has not been any new interest in Development methods of Root for the Note 3. There are however 2 methods that are available that are less reliable, however they do produce Root. There is Kingo and vroot. While both seem to be very much the same, Kingo is the more popular, it is available in both Windows and Mac versions which it is software that downloads via USB. During the installation process it collects information from your device and shares it with Chinese servers, that is the rumor on the street at best, it has been removed from XDA forums, still hosted by CNet, and there are dozens upon hundreds of inquires against the company regarding these accusations, so hopefully soon there will be some restitution. While vroot is a source that most no one uses, the data that is extracted from the phone is farmed to countries like Singapore and other countries that are non-disclosed, this vroot is not recommended by any means and information extracted could be damaging for who knows what purpose it serves. Kingo's, version 2.0.+ software is meant to eliminate the access to IMEI number that is current pulled during the extraction process, it has been stated under official statements the IMEI does not serve a purpose under the research performed by the company and that in future software the IMEI will be extracted.
Also, be advised there is a new Update: Version MJ7 has been updated to Version MJE, this includes a new Radio and a new Kernel. If you are still on Version MI9 you can Update directly to MJE; Please Refer to My Updated Thread Here:
Before we proceed forward keep in mind. This is YOUR DEVICE, YOU OWN IT, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU DO TO YOUR PHONE, DROIDFORUMS.NET IS NOT RESPONSIBLE EITHER, TY! TY! TY!
If for any reason the SuperSU app does not appear in app drawer after flashing SuperSU-v1.86.zip, go to Playstore and download SuperSu. Open and run it.
[12/7/13] Video to LEARN How Safestrap WORKS-> {CLICK HERE} Thanks BKDodger!
[12/7/13] Video to LEARN How to Install a ROM on Safestrap-> {CLICK HERE} Thanks BKDodger!
BackgroundBefore MJ7 there was the initial version that was MI9, which there was a Root process developed by designgears that went under the name Root De La Vega. Amazing enough the Verizon Note 3 had Root within 4 days of the official release of the device, granted there was also a Bounty for Root (deep pockets) and great interest as well. Fortunately, prior to the OTA taking place we picked up a HUGE Developer named Hashcode, who quickly began applying Safestrap Recovery to our device, which this is a key role in the sustainability of Root going forward.
During the OTA from MI9 to MJ7, there were new Binaries added whether this was through the installation from Kies3 on the computer or through the OTA via the device. These binaries broke the hidden Root used in SuperSU Pro that some Users used successful used, while others were not as fortunate. Needless to say, there has not been any new interest in Development methods of Root for the Note 3. There are however 2 methods that are available that are less reliable, however they do produce Root. There is Kingo and vroot. While both seem to be very much the same, Kingo is the more popular, it is available in both Windows and Mac versions which it is software that downloads via USB. During the installation process it collects information from your device and shares it with Chinese servers, that is the rumor on the street at best, it has been removed from XDA forums, still hosted by CNet, and there are dozens upon hundreds of inquires against the company regarding these accusations, so hopefully soon there will be some restitution. While vroot is a source that most no one uses, the data that is extracted from the phone is farmed to countries like Singapore and other countries that are non-disclosed, this vroot is not recommended by any means and information extracted could be damaging for who knows what purpose it serves. Kingo's, version 2.0.+ software is meant to eliminate the access to IMEI number that is current pulled during the extraction process, it has been stated under official statements the IMEI does not serve a purpose under the research performed by the company and that in future software the IMEI will be extracted.
Also, be advised there is a new Update: Version MJ7 has been updated to Version MJE, this includes a new Radio and a new Kernel. If you are still on Version MI9 you can Update directly to MJE; Please Refer to My Updated Thread Here:
[TOOL]:3 Step Process: How to Update Verizon’s OTA to MJE on Samsung Galaxy Note 3 <-
Before we proceed forward keep in mind. This is YOUR DEVICE, YOU OWN IT, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU DO TO YOUR PHONE, DROIDFORUMS.NET IS NOT RESPONSIBLE EITHER, TY! TY! TY!
1) Begin by going to the website Root Android phone, flash custom ROM and manage your Android devices, Rooting Freeware Download - Kingo and hit the large green button that reads “Download”. The android_root.exe should begin downloading on Windows 7. Once, it has completed, go ahead, open it and select run. Should receive a box Root Set-up Wizard> select “next”> “I accept the agreement” then next> select the folder for the install, then next> folder selection, then next> create a desktop icon, then next> install> Launch Kingo Android ROOT, finish.
2) This next step can be tricky make sure for simplest use, to have a Micro USB 2.0 cable, Windows 7 computer, USB Debugging enabled. With the Kingo application Launched, there should be a red circle in the middle of screen indicating a device and a computer being connected. Connect both the device and the computer, with both connected, watch the red button turn orange and watch the device for a USB Debugging permission grant to appear and authorize it. Select the “Root” option, watch the screen of your device for the Super User to appear and pop up to authorize ADB Shell> and Grant it (you now have Root), let the rest application run, as soon as device Reboots> DISCONNECT. In fact you can UNINSTALL KINGO FROM YOUR COMPUTER.
3) There’s 2 big steps coming up, one is getting rid of Kingo and replacing it with a pure form of Root and then installing Safestrap, using it to install that pure form of Root. To get started let’s begin with the latest version of SuperSU which is version 1.86. The way this is going to be installed is a different form than usual, as we are actually going to Flash SuperSU. THIS WILL HAPPEN AT A LATER POINT, I WANT TO GET THIS FILE IN POSITION SO WE CAN QUICKLY FLASH IT AND INSTALL IT WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. Go ahead and download this file, please save this to the Internal Memory that should read in the folder [ sdcard/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.86.zip ]. This will be a quick access location.
4) The next step is to install Safestrap, as of today it is running stable which is excellent news, it is also based on TWRP which happens to be a Custom Recovery. Safestrap is Recovery that is designed to work with devices that have locked Bootloaders, in the past years SS was limited to Motorola devices and until recently Hashcode the Developer of Safestrap has transitioned over to the darkside. Hashcode has put thousands of hours into SS and other projects and I owe him the credit to let him explain, here are his two main threads on
Rootzwiki
XDA
After reading Hashcode’s OP’s you should have a complete understanding how to set-up and install SS. I am leaving this section thin as Hashcode does an excellent job explaining how to install SS, what it is, how it works, and all the above. If any questions in specific please ask in this thread.
5) This is the main event, the goal here is to remove Kingo Root and replace it with a Genuine Root. To do this we need to first go into SuperSU app> go under the Settings> scroll to the bottom and find under “Cleanup”/ “Switch superuser app”. Then go ahead and press this area (nothing will indicate that it was pressed.) Then exit SuperSU, if you try to click on the app it will say the app is not installed (this is correct as you will be changing SuperSU momentarily.) Go ahead and Reboot the Device.
6) As the Device is restarting look for the Safestrap Logo Robot to appear, the bottom left corner says “Recovery” and go ahead select it. In the Top Right corner find the “Install” letters in Red> select Storage: Internal Storage (xxxx) /datamedia/media/0 > scroll down and find UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.86.zip, then touch it, on the next screen make sure it is the right file and slide the button to the right to “Swipe to Confirm Flash”. Should be > Successful < if so hit Reboot System.
7) Once, system Restarts> open your app drawer open up SuperSU and Grant any User Apps that you desire.
2) This next step can be tricky make sure for simplest use, to have a Micro USB 2.0 cable, Windows 7 computer, USB Debugging enabled. With the Kingo application Launched, there should be a red circle in the middle of screen indicating a device and a computer being connected. Connect both the device and the computer, with both connected, watch the red button turn orange and watch the device for a USB Debugging permission grant to appear and authorize it. Select the “Root” option, watch the screen of your device for the Super User to appear and pop up to authorize ADB Shell> and Grant it (you now have Root), let the rest application run, as soon as device Reboots> DISCONNECT. In fact you can UNINSTALL KINGO FROM YOUR COMPUTER.
3) There’s 2 big steps coming up, one is getting rid of Kingo and replacing it with a pure form of Root and then installing Safestrap, using it to install that pure form of Root. To get started let’s begin with the latest version of SuperSU which is version 1.86. The way this is going to be installed is a different form than usual, as we are actually going to Flash SuperSU. THIS WILL HAPPEN AT A LATER POINT, I WANT TO GET THIS FILE IN POSITION SO WE CAN QUICKLY FLASH IT AND INSTALL IT WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. Go ahead and download this file, please save this to the Internal Memory that should read in the folder [ sdcard/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.86.zip ]. This will be a quick access location.
4) The next step is to install Safestrap, as of today it is running stable which is excellent news, it is also based on TWRP which happens to be a Custom Recovery. Safestrap is Recovery that is designed to work with devices that have locked Bootloaders, in the past years SS was limited to Motorola devices and until recently Hashcode the Developer of Safestrap has transitioned over to the darkside. Hashcode has put thousands of hours into SS and other projects and I owe him the credit to let him explain, here are his two main threads on
Rootzwiki
XDA
After reading Hashcode’s OP’s you should have a complete understanding how to set-up and install SS. I am leaving this section thin as Hashcode does an excellent job explaining how to install SS, what it is, how it works, and all the above. If any questions in specific please ask in this thread.
5) This is the main event, the goal here is to remove Kingo Root and replace it with a Genuine Root. To do this we need to first go into SuperSU app> go under the Settings> scroll to the bottom and find under “Cleanup”/ “Switch superuser app”. Then go ahead and press this area (nothing will indicate that it was pressed.) Then exit SuperSU, if you try to click on the app it will say the app is not installed (this is correct as you will be changing SuperSU momentarily.) Go ahead and Reboot the Device.
6) As the Device is restarting look for the Safestrap Logo Robot to appear, the bottom left corner says “Recovery” and go ahead select it. In the Top Right corner find the “Install” letters in Red> select Storage: Internal Storage (xxxx) /datamedia/media/0 > scroll down and find UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.86.zip, then touch it, on the next screen make sure it is the right file and slide the button to the right to “Swipe to Confirm Flash”. Should be > Successful < if so hit Reboot System.
7) Once, system Restarts> open your app drawer open up SuperSU and Grant any User Apps that you desire.
If for any reason the SuperSU app does not appear in app drawer after flashing SuperSU-v1.86.zip, go to Playstore and download SuperSu. Open and run it.
[12/7/13] Video to LEARN How Safestrap WORKS-> {CLICK HERE} Thanks BKDodger!
[12/7/13] Video to LEARN How to Install a ROM on Safestrap-> {CLICK HERE} Thanks BKDodger!
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