How to Root the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (T-Mobile)
Got a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 on T-Mobile and wondering how you could dig deeper into the system files on your device? You need root access to do that, and fortunately, we now have a method that roots the Note 4 on T-Mobile, lets you flash a custom recovery so you can then flash a custom ROM. Here’s how you can do this all:
Rooting is the process of gaining administrative rights on your Android device. Once we root our Android device, we can then make changes to it to customize it well beyond what it normally can do.
Once you have root access on your Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (T-Mobile), you’ll be able to:
- Remove apps that were preinstalled by your carrier/manufacturer from your device.
- Free up storage space (because of the above benefit).
- Increase battery life (apps that might have been running constantly can be removed).
- Increase performance (after removing apps that are always running, the device will be less bogged down and run smoother).
- Update to a new version of Android (by flashing a custom recovery/ROM, see the end of this procedure for more info on that).
- Tons of other customizations when you use your new found administrative rights to flash a custom ROM (again, see the end of this procedure for more info on that).
Interested? Here’s how to root your Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (T-Mobile):
I. Before You Begin
1. This will void the warranty of your device. We do not take any responsibilities if you end-up bricking your device. Go ahead at your own risk.
2. This only works for the SM-N910T variant of the device. To find out what variant you have, head to Menu > Settings > About phone on your device and your model number should be listed there.
3. This should only work on Windows based PCs. Sorry Mac and Linux users!
4. You should’ve appropriate Samsung drivers installed on your PC. If you don’t, go ahead and get these drivers installed from here.
II. Downloading Required Files
1. Download Odin and save it to your desktop.
2. Download CF-Root and save it to your desktop.
3. Download TWRP Recovery for your device and save it to your desktop.
TWRP Recovery (Download the file that ends with .tar extension)
III. Rooting the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (T-Mobile)
1. Unzip files from both Odin and CF-Root to your desktop by right-clicking on each of them and selecting Extract here.
2. When the files are extracted, double-click on Odin executable and it’ll open.
3. Click on PDA and choose CF-Root available on your desktop.
4. Make sure to uncheck Repartition if it’s already checked in the Odin.
5. Checkmark both Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time.
6. Power down your device.
7. Reboot your device into Download mode. To do so, hold down Volume DOWN, Home, and Power buttons together.
8. Press Volume UP and you should be in Download mode.
9. Plug in your device to your PC via USB cable.
10. Hit Start in the Odin and it’ll start flashing CF-Root on your device.
11. Once the file’s flashed, your device should automatically reboot.
12. You’re done!
Congrats! Your Samsung Galaxy Note 4 on T-Mobile is now rooted. You can now install your favorite root-only apps on your device without any issues, they’ll all work fine.
If you’re interested in flashing a custom ROM on your device, you can flash a custom recovery which will then let you do that. Here’s how:
IV. Flashing a Custom Recovery on the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (T-Mobile)
1. Double-click on Odin executable and it’ll launch.
2. Click on PDA and choose TWRP Recovery available on your desktop.
3. Uncheck Repartition if it’s already checked in the Odin.
4. Put a checkmark in the boxes that say Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time.
5. Turn OFF your device.
6. Turn it back on by holding down Volume DOWN, Home, and Power buttons together.
7. Press Volume UP and your device should be in Download mode.
8. Plug in your device to your PC using the USB cable.
9. Click on Start in the Odin and it’ll start flashing TWRP Recovery on your device.
10. When the recovery’s flashed, your device should automatically reboot.
11. You’re all done!
Cheers! Your Galaxy Note 4 on T-Mobile now has a custom recovery that’ll help you change your current firmware to something new (and perhaps better!).
You can click here to find all of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (T-Mobile) How To’s.
You can also find all of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (T-Mobile) ROMs we have here.
I have questions regarding this method. How could I pass Selinux enforcing mode as well as Samsung security Knox embedded in the system? This is so simple that I must be sure it works.
FYI, my comments are based on my experience with TMO Samsung Galaxy S3 when updated to 4.3, Selinux was installed silently with enforcing mode. When Selinux was in enforcing mode, I could not get rooted. There is a Selinux mode changer but that program works only when one achieves SU status I think.
Following more on what @sofatiger51 said, surely KNOX and/or Selinux could be tripped and brick the entire phone? I couldn’t root my N900A when I had it because URDLV was no longer a valid root method since both KNOZ and Samsung updated. I know T-Mobile in sense of things is different from AT&T, but who says the 4.4.4 update didn’t kill the exploits needed to root? Any help would be great.