How to flash TWRP Recovery for the Galaxy Note 2 T889

Most Galaxy Note 2 builds have been receiving a lot of attention since its release because of its fabulous specs. Released late last October, the T-Mobile version of the Galaxy Note 2 is also receiving the much anticipated developer love. A number of kernels and ROMs are already appearing on the XDA Developers Forum alone.  So, if you’re dying to try a custom ROM, installing a custom recovery is an important step to getting that nice and cool look on your phone.

Whether it’s ClockworkMod Recovery or TeamWin Recovery Project (TWRP) Recovery, custom recovery is an important tool to help us flash custom ROMs and kernels. TWRP, like ClockworkMod, is one of the most used custom recoveries because of its efficiency and user friendly design. You don’t have to worry about which button to press to execute commands on your phone since TWRP is a touch-driven recovery with your convenience in mind.

This guide shows you how to flash TWRP Recovery for the Galaxy Note 2 T889.

Warning

• The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2, model number SGH-T889. Applying these instructions on another device or model may produce undesired outcomes.
• The information in this guide is provided for instructional and educational purposes only. There is no guarantee that these instructions will work under your specific and unique circumstances.
• Use these instructions at your own risk. We shall not hold any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.
• Read and understand the whole guide first before actually performing the instructions.

Requirements

• A rooted T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2 SGH-T889. 
• A Windows PC
• Handset USB drivers installed on the PC. You may install the drivers by installing Samsung Kies.
• Enable USB debugging on your handset. Select Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging.
• Download the following to your computer:
  • Odin 3 v3.04 (Odin3_v3.04,  md5sum: a6e2cfce68b6caf91d29edbb888fa370)
  • TWRP Recovery (openrecovery-twrp-2.3.3.3-t0ltetmo.img.tar, md5sum: 0c550fd68ecf18ce1848f08e15555e8a)
    • Download link
    • Mirror link
• Disable antivirus, firewall, and other security software. Also disable Samsung Kies and other software that accesses your phone. Such software can interfere with the procedure in this guide.
• Make sure your device’s battery still has at least 70% power. You don’t want the device to shut down in the middle of the procedure.
• Backup all personal data on your phone to make sure you have a copy of your personal data (e.g., contacts, SMS, MMS, Internet settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and the like) in case the procedure in this guide erases such data.

Instructions

1. Extract the Odin 3 ZIP package to get the Odin3v3.04.exe file.
2. Switch your phone off.
3. Boot your phone to Download Mode. To do this press and hold down Volume Down, Home, and the Power buttons at the same time until a warning message appears on the screen. To enter Download Mode, press the Volume Up key.
4. Launch Odin3v3.04.exe on your computer by double-clicking on the program.
5. Connect your phone to the computer using your phone’s USB cable. You should get an “Added!” message from Odin to confirm that your phone has been detected.
6. Click on the PDA button. Locate and select the TWRP Recovery TAR file. You should be able to see the path of the file beside the PDA button.
   • Note: Make sure to not make any other changes. Make sure that the “Re-partition” option is not ticked.
7. Click the Start button to install TWRP Recovery on your phone.
8. You will see a “PASS” message on the upper-left corner of the screen if the installation is successful. Your phone will automatically reboot. Unplug your phone from the computer when you see the Samsung logo on your phone’s screen.

Hurrah! You have successfully installed TWRP Recovery to your T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2 SGH-T889.