Update Galaxy Note 2 (LTE) N7105 to Official Android 4.3 XXUEMK5 Firmware [GUIDE]

Samsung has just started rolling out its first Android 4.3 official Jelly Bean firmware for Galaxy Note 2 LTE (GT-N7105). The new Jelly Bean update brings a host of exciting features and improvements over its previous build (Android 4.1.2), as Samsung chose to skip the Android 4.2.2 update for Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2.

Galaxy Note 2 LTE users can now enjoy the most stable Jelly Bean experience, thanks to the release of Android 4.3 update which is reportedly more stable and faster than Galaxy S3's latest official firmware.

The new Android 4.3 firmware introduces a completely revamped core UI, which is identical to that of Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3. In addition, the firmware adds support for Galaxy Gear, Samsung KNOX and Samsung Wallet for Galaxy Note 2.

Android 4.3 XXUEMK5 Firmware Details

Model: GT-N7105
Country: Nordic countries
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2118172
Build date: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 02:40:44 +0000
Product Code: NEE
PDA: N7105XXUEMK5
CSC: N7105NEEEMK1
MODEM: N7105XXUEMJ9

Here is the complete list of changes and improvements ported to the new Android 4.3 update, courtesy of SamMobile:

• GALAXY GEAR Support

• TRIM Support (Makes the device much faster)

• Samsung KNOX

• Samsung Wallet (Pre-loaded)

• Better RAM management

• Core UI elements updated to the ones on the Galaxy S4 (Galaxy S4′s theme all over)

• New Samsung Keyboard

• GPU drivers have been updated (Higher GPU benchmark scores)

• New Lockscreen: Multiple Widgets, improved ripple effect than Android 4.1.2, ability to change clock size and set a personal message

• New screen modes (From S4): Adapt Display and Professional Photo

• Daydream

• Driving mode

• Actionable notifications

• Move-to-SD-card feature

• New Camera mode : Sound and Shot

• New Additions in Notification Centre

• Completely revamped Settings UI (Tabbed interface - Exactly like the Galaxy S4)

• Implementation of Voice controls (Let's you control various parts of the phone using voice commands - Galaxy S4 feature)

• New Samsung Apps: Calculator, Clock, Contacts, Gallery, Music

• Full screen Samsung apps

• New S-Voice (from Galaxy S4)

As this new update is being rolled out in phases, it may not yet be available in your country. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (LTE) users, who missed the OTA update notification or cannot access the update over Samsung KIES for some reason, can follow our step-by-step guide to install Android 4.3 XXUEMK5 official firmware manually on Galaxy Note 2 LTE.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any device damage during or after firmware installation. Users are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Pre-requisites

1. Install USB Drivers for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (LTE) on the computer.

2. Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone by navigating to Settings >> Developer Options.

3. Back up all your important data before proceeding with firmware installation.

4. Ensure the phone is factory unlocked and not locked to any particular carrier.

5. Verify the phone has at least 80% battery charge to prevent unexpected device shutdown during firmware installation.

6. The Android 4.3 XXUEMK5 Jelly Bean firmware works only with the LTE version of Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (GT-N7105). Attempting to install this firmware on incompatible models may inadvertently brick the device. Verify the model number of the phone by navigating to Settings >> About Phone.

7. If device is stuck at booting or experiencing boot loop issues, perform Wipe Cache Partition and Wipe Dalvik Cache a few more times before rebooting.

8. Allow newly installed ROM to stabilise for five minutes before you start working on it.

Steps to Update Galaxy Note 2 (LTE) N7105 to Official Android 4.3 XXUEMK5 Firmware

Step 1 - Download Android 4.3 N7105XXUEMK5 for Galaxy Note 2 LTE on computer and extract the zip file to get .tar.md5 and some other files.

Step 2 - Download ODIN v3.07 and extract the zip file to receive Odin3 v3.07.exe, which will help you to install Android 4.3 on your phone.

Step 3 - Power off the phone and boot it into Download Mode. To do so, press and hold Volume Down and Power buttons together until a construction Android robot icon appears on screen. Then hit Volume Up button to progress into Download Mode.

Step 4 - Launch ODIN on computer as Administrator and connect your phone to it while your phone is still in Download Mode.

Step 5 - If the phone connects successfully, one of the ID: COM boxes will turn light blue with the corresponding COM port number and an "Added" message will appear on screen. This process may take some time, so leave it alone. If the message fails to appear, just re-install USB drivers or try connecting the phone to another (preferably rear) USB port on computer.

Step 6 - Choose the files that need to be installed on your phone, which can be found from the extracted N7105XXUEMK5 firmware folder in Step 1.

• Click the 'PDA' button and select the file named .tar.md5.

• Tap the 'Phone' button and choose the file named 'MODEM'. Ignore this step if such file is missing.

• Hit the 'CSC' button and select the file named 'CSC'. Ignore this step if there is no such file.

• Click the 'PIT' button and choose the .pit file. Ignore this step if such file is absent.

Step 7 - Enable Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options in Odin. Uncheck the Re-Partition option, unless you used a .PIT file in the previous step.

Step 8 - Click Start in ODIN and the firmware installation process will begin. It should complete in just a few minutes.

Step 9 - Once the installation is completed, your phone will reboot automatically or prompt you for a reboot. Reboot the phone and when the home screen appears, disconnect the phone from computer.

Your Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (LTE) N7105 is now successfully updated to Android 4.3 XXUEMK5 official firmware. Go to Settings > About Phone to verify the firmware installed.

Troubleshooting

If Galaxy Note 2 (LTE) gets stuck at boot animation after Step 10 then go to recovery mode (press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons together) and perform Wipe data/Factory Reset and Wipe Cache Partition task before selecting reboot system now function. NOTE: In recovery mode use Volume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the option. Please note that performing wiping task will erase your device's internal memory data and not external SD card data.

Also Read: Root Galaxy Note 2 (LTE) on Android 4.3 N7105XXUEMK5 Official Firmware [GUIDE]

Also Read: Galaxy Note 2 N7100 Gets Android 4.4 KitKat with CyanogenMod 11 ROM [How to Install]

[Source: Honai of Android]