How to Install CWM Recovery on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (AT&T) with Locked Bootloader

Every Android device has, what is called, a recovery image on it. This is basically a part of the Android operating system that you or the manufacturer can access if your device becomes unresponsive and then use it to restore your device.

A custom recovery image, however, is a recovery image that a developer has altered that can not only help the device if it becomes responsive, but also has the added benefits of allowing us to make major changes to the operating system and have even further customizations on your device.

In this procedure, we’ll show you how to flash a custom recovery on your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (AT&T).

After flashing a custom recovery on Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (AT&T), you’ll be able to:

• Perform full backups of your device (literally save EVERYTHING from it).
• Increase your device’s performance (after flashing something called a kernel
• Increase your device’s battery life.
• Flash custom ROMs (these make it possible to flash a newer version of Android, totally new user interfaces, add tons of new features, and much more).

Interested? Here’s how to flash a custom recovery on your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (AT&T):

I. Before You Begin

1. You must be rooted before you can do this procedure. Please head to our How to Root the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 procedure and finish it, then return to this procedure and continue.

2. This procedure doesn’t require unlocked bootloader.

II. Downloading Required Files

1. Download Safestrap Recovery APK and save it to your Desktop.

Safestrap Recovery APK (Download link’s available in the first post)

III. Installing CWM Recovery on the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (AT&T) with Locked Bootloader

1. Connect your device to your PC using the USB cable.

2. Copy the Safestrap Recovery APK from your Desktop over to the root of your SD card.

3. Once it’s been copied, disconnect your device from your PC.

4. Enable Unknown sources on your device by heading to Menu > Settings > Security > Unknown sources.

5. Open the File Manager app on your device and tap on the APK you just copied and it’ll install.

6. Once installed, open it from your App Drawer.

7. Tap on Install Recovery button and follow the on-screen instructions.

8. Once it’s done, reboot your device.

9. You’re all done!

All set! Now, you can head to our How to Flash a Custom ROM procedure for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (AT&T) to open up a whole new world of customizations for your Android device!

By the way, don’t be scared, you can always put your device back to stock by heading to our Rooting How To’s section, finding your device, and doing the How to Unroot listed for it there.