How to root and unroot the Galaxy Note 2 N7100 using ExynosAbuse

A few weeks back, we heard about the system vulnerability that affected certain Exynos devices and how this vulnerability could make it easy for apps to gain root access without your permission. But, there’s a silver lining to every gray cloud because XDA Developers member Chainfire used this vulnerability to root the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100. Unlike some rooting methods that require you to flash files via Odin, this method only uses an APK.

The Exynos Abuse app, developed by Chainfire and based off the exploit that XDA Developers member alephzain found, allows users to easily root, and unroot, their Galaxy Note 2 devices. More importantly, however, it provides a workaround for this very dangerous vulnerability. The downside to this method, however, is that Samsung already knows about the vulnerability and is rolling out new firmware to fix this problem.

This guide shows you how to root and unroot the Galaxy Note 2 N7100 using ExynosAbuse.

Warning

• The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, model number GT-N7100. 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

• Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100
• Install a file manager tool on your phone, such as ES File Explorer File Manager.
• Download the Exynos Abuse APK (ExynosAbuse-v1.40.apk, md5sum: be4a373ff2848a16bfb948d7e1d1f7d2) to your phone.
• 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.
  • For backup tips, check our guides on how to sync your data to the cloud and how to create local backups of your mobile data.

Instructions

Rooting using Exynos Abuse

1. On your phone, open ES File Manager and locate the Exynos Abuse APK.
2. Install the Exynos Abuse app.
3. Launch it on your phone.
4. Select Root Device to install SuperSU.
5. If it asks for SuperSU permission, select Grant.
6. Your Galaxy Note 2 should now be rooted. You can select Disable Exploit and Disable Exploit on Boot for security purposes.
7. Open SuperSU and update your binary.

Unrooting using Exynos Abuse

1. Launch the Exynos Abuse app.
2. Uncheck Disable Exploit, Disable Exploit on Boot, and Unroot Device.
3. Restart your Galaxy Note 2 and wait 10 minutes.

Your Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 has now been rooted with the Exynos Abuse app. If you want to unroot your device, you can easily do it using the same app. Keep in mind that though the Exynos Abuse app has rooted your Note 2, this is not a solution to the system vulnerability. If the firmware update that fixes the vulnerability arrives for your device, upgrade to it so that you can protect yourself and your device.

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Facebook Home release date set for April 12, will run on Galaxy S4, S3, Note 2, HTC One and One X

Facebook unveiled its new Android experience earlier today, Facebook Home, which is a new people-based Facebook apps-rich user interface that will run on top of Android OS, virtually changing your mobile experience. While not all Android users out there will be interested in it, there are plenty of people that use their smartphones to log into Facebook apps on a daily basis. In fact, Facebook mobile apps are among the most used apps out there. Unfortunately, not all Android devices will be able to run Home as soon as the app launches. Initially only a bunch of Samsung and HTC devices will be supported by Facebook Home including the Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, HTC One and HTC One X. Additionally, Home will also be pre-loaded on the HTC first, which will be available in AT&T stores once Home launches. From the looks of it, Home will launch on Jelly Bean handsets, although requirements for Facebook’s new software aren’t available at this time. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Home run on older Android hardware, since Facebook is trying to reach as many Facebook users that own Android devices as possible with this new user interface / app. Support for more Android smartphones is expected to be available later down the road, especially since the company said on stage that Home will be updated on a monthly basis. Moreover, Facebook said on stage that a variety of OEMs and carriers including HTC, Samsung, Sony, ZTE, Lenovo, Alcatel, Huawei, Qualcomm, EE and Orange will ship Facebook Home handsets in the future. When will Facebook Home be available? The company announced that Home will launch on April 12, at which point you’ll be able to install it on supported devices – in case they happen to be available in stores that is, as the Galaxy S4 and HTC One will be launching after Home hits the Play Store. Initially, Home will only be available for smartphones users, with Android tablets getting it in the coming months. Are you looking forward to get Home?

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Android 5.0 could require quad-core processor

Samsung has just come forward saying that the last update that will be sent to the Galaxy line of smartphones and tablets will be the Android 4.2. In doing that, the company might have hinted to the fact that the next major Android update, reportedly called Key Lime Pie, will require a quad-core processor to function properly. According to one online source, the Galaxy Tab 2 models will be getting updated to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean soon, but that will be the last update for the tablet. Other rumors surrounding the fact that Jelly Bean will be the last Android update for dual-core powered devices seems to be coming true.

In a statement from Samsung, the company said, “The Galaxy Tab 2 by Samsung will receive Android 4.1.2 and end with Android 4.2.2. Samsung will no longer support the Galaxy Tab 2 after the Android 4.2.2 update. The updates must be done before the end of September. The issue with Samsung’s Exynos processor has been resolved and Samsung has, once again, started to test Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean firmwares for the Galaxy Tab 7.7 (GT-P6800) and Galaxy Tab Plus (GT-P6200).” The international versions of the Galaxy S3 already have the quad-core processor inside, while the United States model was left with a dual-core Snapdragon processor.

The Galaxy Note 5.5-inch launched with the Exynos quad-core processor, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S4, which is set to arrive very soon. The Galaxy S4 ships to the United States with a Snapdragon 600 processor with LTE chipsets in select markets. Next on the market will be the Galaxy Tab 3 series of tablets and according to Samsung, they will be arriving with Android 4.2.2 right out of the box with the potential for a Key Lime Pie update in the future. The Galaxy Tab 3 will be competing against the iPad 5 from Apple and any new Nexus branded tablet from Google.

The Android Key Lime Pie has been in the shadows for some time now and many are expected to hear more about it during the Google I/O conference set to start in May. There is no confirmation that the Android 5.0 update will be limited to only those devices with quad-core processors, but if Google ups the ante with hardware requirements for the software it could be possible that a quad-core powered device will be needed.

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Galaxy S2 finally getting updated with Android 4.1

well put on a happy face because Sprint has finally announced plans to update the device with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software. After weeks of waiting for the confirmation, users will be happy to see that Sprint is going to update the device even though, the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4 are on the market. The update will bring the software from Android 4.0 to Android 4.1 and it will bring a host of features. The update that started to hit the device today is the first time the Jelly Bean software has appeared in the United States for the Galaxy S2. Once all of the Sprint customers are updated, it will only be a matter of time before those of you on the AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon Wireless network are also updated to Jelly Bean as well. One the Sprint network, the Galaxy S2 is referred to as the Epic 4G Touch and Sprint did also mention that the update will roll out in phases so it might be a couple weeks before you see the notification. The reason that mobile carriers roll out new software in phases is to make sure it goes without any glitches, bugs or other errors that Sprint could potentially fix before it gets too far. Sprint did not say exactly what is coming with the update, but most of us know that Google Now, an improved Browser, better user interface, better widgets and multi-tasking support is all included. Mobile carriers tend to take this time to add some features, enhancements or just fix bugs, but Sprint has not confirmed any of those things with this update. If you would like to upgrade your device, you will have to install the Samsung Kies software because the file size is quite large. Samsung Kies will do all the work and allows for users to install the update manually through their PC. As soon as this update hits the Galaxy S2 on the Sprint network, it is expected that subscribers on all of the other four networks in the United States will be notified as to when they can get the update. As long as you are not on the Verizon Wireless network, you should not have to wait too long.

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