Samsung has recently started launching the official Android 4.4.2 update on the Galaxy Note 3, but it did so only in Poland, and on the LTE N9005 variant. Those of you who happen to own this model but live outside of Poland will eventually receive the update as well, but as with every OTA release, it may take a while before the rollout expands in your region.

The good news is that you can still apply the official Android 4.4.2 (XXUENA6) firmware on your Galaxy Note 3 LTE N9005 even if you haven't received the OTA notification. You can flash the new OS manually, using Odin.

IMPORTANT – READ BEFORE PROCEEDING:

  • This is a guide that works only for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 LTE that has the model number SM-N9005. Don't attempt to apply this guide to any other Note 3 variant, or you'll brick your phone. Don't apply this guide to US versions of the device. (To find out your handset's model number, go to "Settings" > "About phone"
  • If you apply this update manually on a Note 3 that runs a custom ROM, then the system partition will be removed. Backup data if necessary
  • You can sync your contacts with your Google account
  • You may have to download and install the Samsung USB drivers on your computer. Visit this link to do so
  • Before proceeding, disable Samsung KIES on your computer
  • Disable any security software on your computer (antivirus, antimalware etc.) as it can detect false positives and can interfere with the flashing process in Odin
  • You need to enable USB Debugging before connecting your smartphone to your computer. To do so, go to "Settings" > "About Device" and tap "Build Number" until you receive the message "Developer mode has been enabled". Then, return to the "Settings" menu, tap "Developer options" and enable "USB Debugging"
  • Before proceeding, make sure your smartphone has enough battery to last throughout the installation process. 70-80% should be enough
  • Don't skip any steps, and read the bullet points above carefully

Entering "Download Mode" on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3:

IMPORTANT: this is a short guide that shows you how to enter "download mode" on the Note 3. Do not follow this guide at this point, as it would be useless. You will need to refer to this guide later on during the installation process.

  1. Turn off your smartphone and remove its battery for 10 seconds or so
  2. Re-insert the battery
  3. Press and hold the "Volume Down", "Power" and "Home" buttons simultaneously
  4. Once the "Warning" message appears on-screen, release the buttons
  5. Press the "Volume Up" button to confirm that you want to enter "Download Mode"
  6. Once the message "Downloading… Do not turn off target" appears on-screen, you can now connect your Note 3 to your computer once you've launched Odin

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 LTE (SM-N9005) – Manually Install Official Android 4.4 (XXUENA6) Using Odin:

  1. Download the necessary Android 4.4 N9005XXUENA6 firmware from this link, or this link
  2. Once the file has been downloaded, extract the contacts of the zip file
  3. Download Odin version 3.09 from this link
  4. Extract the Odin zip in a folder on your computer
  5. Now, reboot your Note 3 in Download Mode. (Refer to the guide above)
  6. Launch Odin 30.9 on your computer
  7. Use your USB Cable to connect your smartphone to your computer
  8. Wait for Odin to detect the smartphone. If Odin does not detect it, then you may have to install the Samsung USB drivers (see the bullet points above)
  9. Once the Note 3 has been detected by Odin, click the "AP" button and browse your computer for the following file: "AP_N9005XXUENA6_340325_REV03_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5." (it should be in the folder where you have unzipped the firmware
  10. Once you've loaded the file, click the "BL" button in Odin and also load "BL_N9005XXUENA6_340325_REV03_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5"
  11. Now, click the "CP" button in Odin, and load "CP_N9005XXUENA2_REV03_CL1277177.tar.md5"
  12. Lastly, click CSC and load "CSC_OXX_N9005OXXENA5_327209_REV03_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5"
  13. Once all the files have been loaded in Odin, make sure that the "Re-Partition" option is disabled. Leave the rest of the options as they are by default
  14. Press "Start" in Odin to begin the update process. During this time, be patient and don't press any buttons
  15. If the installation process is successful, then the "PASS" message will appear in Odin, and your Note 3 will reboot in normal mode
  16. When the Android 4.4.2 home screen appears, you can disconnect your smartphone from your computer

NOTE: the first reboot after applying the new OS can take a while to finish. Be patient and don't press any buttons

TROUBLESHOOTING:

  • In case Odin freezes or the installation process is not successful, then you might have to repeat the entire guide, while making sure that you haven't missed any bullet points and steps
  • If you get a message in Odin saying that the process has been successful, but your Note 3 can't get past the boot animation screen, then you will need to reboot in stock Recovery mode and then factory reset your smartphone. This will result in data wipe on the system partition, but it should solve the problem. To do this:

  1. Turn off your smartphone
  2. Reboot in stock Recovery mode by pressing and holding "Volume Up", "Home" and "Power" at the same time
  3. Release the buttons when the recovery screen appears
  4. From the recovery screen, select to factory reset your smartphone
  5. Reboot your device in normal mode after the factory reset



See More: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 LTE (N9005): Flash Official Android 4.4.2 (XXUENA6) via Odin