How to root the Galaxy Note 2 T889

Many of us understand that rooting your Android device is the first step to fully take control of it. Rooting gives us administrative privileges where we can choose to run special applications, flash ROMs, and free storage space.

The downside of rooting is that the procedure can trip your device’s flash counter and void its warranty. And, if you’ve been strolling around the Android development forums, you’d have already found a way to root your phone without tripping your flash counter. If you haven’t yet, then XDA Developers member mrRobinson has created a way for you to root your T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 SGH-T889 without having to worry about your flash counter.

This pre-rooted stock software image is based on stock build UVALK8 and has been injected with the su binary and the SuperSU app. Installation procedure is like flashing any stock ROM using Odin.

This guide shows you how to root the Galaxy Note 2 T889 using stock, pre-rooted UVALK8 firmware.

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 T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2 SGH-T889
• A Windows PC
• Your phone’s USB cable
• Handset USB drivers installed on the PC. You may install the drivers by installing Samsung Kies.
• Enable USB debugging on your handset. Go to Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging.
  • Note: Remember to tick the box right beside the USB Debugging option.
• 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.
• Download the following on your computer:
  • T-Mobile ROM Image (root66_TMO_T889UVALK8.7z, md5sum: cfc9b26699d6320a9aa9c9553754f97a)
  • Odin (Odin3v185.zip, md5sum: 0c21e86a38c7868b0b50396eee85721f)
• 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. On your PC, extract the Odin.exe and root66_TMO_T889UVALK8 TAR file from the ZIP files that you downloaded.
2. Launch Odin by double-clicking on Odin.exe.
3. Turn your phone off.
4. Boot the phone into Download Mode. To do this, press and hold down Volume Down, Home, and the Power button. One your phone’s screen turns on, press Volume Up to enter Download Mode.
5. Connect your phone to the PC using your phone’s USB cable. you will receive an “Added!” message in Odin to confirm that your phone has been detected.
6. In Odin, click on the PDA button. Locate and select the T-Mobile image TAR file.
   • Note: Do not make any other changes in Odin. Do not tick the “Re-partition” option.
7. Click Start in Odin to begin flashing.
8. You will see a “PASS” message on the upper-left corner of the program window if the flashing is successful. Your phone will automatically reboot. Unplug your phone from the computer only when you see the Samsung logo on your phone’s screen.
   • Note: If you encounter a “FAIL” message from Odin or the program does not initiate, disconnect your phone from the computer and close the program. Afterwards, remove your phone’s battery and re-insert it before repeating steps 2 to 8.

Congratulations! You have successfully and safely rooted your T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2 SGH-T889.

SOURCES

XDA DEVELOPERS FORUM