Frequently Asked Questions: Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Frequently Asked Questions
Samsung Galaxy Note 2

This a short list of frequently asked questions in this device forum and the answers often given as a response. It should serve as a starting point for gathering knowledge and finding solutions to many common problems. Please only post in this thread with feedback on how to improve this document. Do not post "Thank you" type responses. If you have additional questions or require more help, try to find an existing thread or create your own. Do not use this as a general help thread.

Q1: Which versions are available from Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Without LTE: N7100
With LTE: N7105

Q1: Is there a list for all ROMs, Kernels, Apps and Guides?

For N7100: [INDEX] Note 2 - ROMs, Kernels, MODs, GUIDES
For N7105: [INDEX] Note 2 4G LTE/t0lte/N7105

Q3: What does "flashing" my phone mean?

You are overriding the currect firmware with another ROM and Kernel. There are some AOSP or CyanogenMod based ROMs available, which are upgraded to Android Marshmallow, but you can also install a Samsung Stock based ROM, which is based on Android 4.3 or Android 4.4. You can flash your Note 2 with TWRP or ClockWorkMod.

Q4: Download Mode... What is this?

In Download Mode you can flash ROMs or Recovery to your phone. If you want to flash the Stock-ROM back, you are forced to use Odin to flash the firmware. For flashing via Odin, you need to boot into Download Mode. To get into the download-mode, you must shut down your Note 2 and start it, while pressing Power, Volume Down and the home button.

Q5: How can I flash the Stock-ROM?

For flashing the Stock-ROM, you can visit this guide by @dr.ketan

Q6: How do I root my device?

Another great guide by @dr.ketan:
[Root]How to Root Note2 [N7100] & keep flash counter 0

Q7: Can I install an OTA if I'm rooted/unencrypted?

If you installed a Custom Recovery or rooted your phone, you are not able to install updates via OTA. You are forced to flash the upgrade via Odin then.

Q8: I'm trying to search for something specific but I'm having trouble. How do I use XDA Search?

XDA Forum Moderator The_Merovingian has done a nice guide, how to use the search-feature: HERE

Q9: How can I install Android Marshmallow on Galaxy Note 2?

You can have a look at this Thread by me. You will learn, how to install Android Marshmallow coming from Stock:
[GUIDE] How to install Android Marshmallow on Galaxy Note 2

Q10: How can I get out of a Bootloop?

Doing a FactoryReset should solve this issue. You can do this by booting into Recovery.

Q11: Will Knox triggered, if I flash a Custom ROM or Custom Recovery?

Yes, Knox counter will go to 0x1 and you will lost your warranty.

Q12: How can I enable MTP on CyanogenMod ROMs?

You need to pull down the status-bar and enable MTP there. If there is not button, you need to go to the developer settings and enable it there.

Some other helpful words:

ADB - "Android Debug Bridge" a system that can be accessed using a computer where you can manage the device from. You need the Android SDK to use it.

AOSP - "Android open source project" a project by Google Inc. to give android to developers and manufactures for free.

APK - "Android Package" an Android application

Bloatware - Software or 'apps' that you don't need, but come preinstalled to a device's /system partition, meaning that you cannot remove them unless the device has been rooted. Usually, these are apps are sponsored by a company and included by a carrier for profit

CDMA/GSM - A type of network communication between phones and carriers. GSM phones normally are included with SIM Cards that authorize them onto the network. CDMA have this authorization built in and do not need a sim card.

Custom recovery - A modified version of stock recoveries that allow you to do more things in the recovery mode.

Cyanogenmod (CM) - A free open-source project based on the AOSP. It is a modded version of the Android firmware

Dalvik-Cache - Holds all of the pre-compiled .dex files created from installed apps. These files are static and do not change unless the app is updated.

Deodexed - Where ODEX files are moved into the actual applications modded) version of the Android firmware.

Developer - A man or woman who has created (developed) software.

Firmware - a piece of software to make hardware function correctly. This can refer to Radio Firmware, but is normally used as another name for ROM.

Governor - A system embedded into the kernel to automatically change the current working CPU frequency depending on the workload. It would only go up to what it is overclocked (or underclocked) to, this is called the maximum frequency. It would not drop below the minimum frequency.

KANG - The process of creating a code based of someone else's code.

Kernel - An important part of all operating systems that handles the CPU and other vital components. A modded kernel may be used for overclocking.

Logcat - A logging system built into the ADB

Mod - A modification to a part of the phones software. It is also POSSIBLE to mod the phones hardware but is not recommended.

OTA - "Over the air" a term used to indicate software that was sent to phones directly through the internet to their phones.

Open-source - (not to be confussed with free) A peice of software that is free to edit, use, distribute and share with no charge.

Overclock - To exceed the default maximum CPU speed. This could make a phone more powerful but may cause damage. Although no damaged has been reported so far it could still drain battery life.

Radio Firmware - A type of software that allows correct communication with the radio and the operating system. A newer firmware would normally improve battery life and call quality. The radio firmware only applies to the CDMA/GSM radio.

Radio - (not to be confused with Radio Firmware) A piece of hardware that allows communication. There are 3 main radios in your phone. Bluetooth, WiFi and GSM/CDMA.

ROM -

1. A modified version of the Android operating system operating system.
2. Read Only Memory, a place where information is stored and can not be destroyed, modified or written to.
Stock - An unchanged version of something. Example: I just flashed stock sense.

Underclock - To change your phones maximum frequency to LOWER than the default to attempt to extend the phones lifespan and battery.

WIP - "Work In Progress"

Zipalligned - An archive alignment tool that provides important optimization to Android application (.apk) files. The purpose is to ensure that all uncompressed data starts with a particular alignment relative to the start of the file. Specifically, it causes all uncompressed data within the .apk, such as images or raw files, to be aligned on 4-byte boundaries. This allows all portions to be accessed directly with mmap() even if they contain binary data with alignment restrictions. The benefit is a reduction in the amount of RAM consumed when running the application.

INTL - International

Odex - Files that are collections of parts of an application that are optimized before booting. Doing so speeds up the boot process, as it preloads part of an application.

Recovery Mode - A special environment that you can boot into for troubleshooting and upgrading purposes

Thanks to @benjamingwynn for the glossary of terms

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