Despite being newly released, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Wi-Fi GT-N8010 is already drawing custom ROM devs towards it like moths to a flame.  Custom ROMs for the tablet are starting to pop up left and right, and, being relatively new, could still be harboring bugs and issues that could make your tablet malfunction or not function at all.

Thankfully, there's a way out — by reverting to stock official firmware.  Users usually flash back stock firmware onto their tablets in order to recovery from misbehaving custom ROMs or to enjoy the benefits of official software upgrades from Samsung.

Whatever your reason is for returning to stock, you'll be able to easily do so with the official stock firmware for Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich build XXALGC.

This guide shows you how to revert the Galaxy Note 10.1 N8010 to Android 4.0.4 build XXALGC (official stock firmware).

Warning

• The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Wi-Fi variant, model number GT-N8010. 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 10.1 Wi-Fi GT-N8010
• Download the following files to your computer:
  • stock official Android 4.0.4 firmware build XXALGC firmware for the Galaxy Note 10.1 N8010 (N8010XXALGC_N8010PAPALG5_PAP.zip, 1.2 GB)
  • Odin3 v1.85 (Odin 1.85.zip, 198.58 kB)
• A Windows PC
• Handset USB drivers installed on the PC. You may install the drivers by installing Samsung Kies.
• Enable USB debugging on your handset.
• Disable antivirus, firewall, and other security software. Also disable Samsung Kies and other software that accesses your phone. Such software can interfere with the procedure in this guide.
• 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 tablet 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

1. Extract the contents of the N8010XXALGC_N8010PAPALG5_PAP.zip file on your computer to get N8010XXALGC_N8010PAPALG5_HOME.tar.md5.
   • NOTE: If the file ends in TAR, the MD5 extension may be hidden.
2. Extract the Odin 1.85.zip file on your computer to get Odin3 v1.85.exe.
3. Switch off your Galaxy Note 10.1.
4. Boot into Download Mode by pressing and holding down the Volume Down and Power buttons. You will see a “Warning!!” message on the screen. Press Volume Up to enter Download Mode.
5. On your computer, double-click on Odin3 v1.85.exe to launch Odin on your computer.
6. On the Odin window, click the PDA button.
7. Navigate to where N8010XXALGC_N8010PAPALG5_HOME.tar.md5 is and select it.
8. Do not make any other changes to Odin. Make sure that the “Re-partition” is NOT selected under Options.
9. Connect your Galaxy Note 10.1 to your computer. You should see an “Added!!” message in Odin's bottom-left message box.
   • NOTE: If you do not get this message, there may be something wrong with the device drivers. Install them again and repeat from step 4.
10. On the Odin window, click Start to begin flashing the N8010XXALGC_N8010PAPALG5_HOME.tar.md5 file.
11. When flashing is complete, your tablet will automatically reboot and you will see a “PASS” message with a green background on Odin.
    • If the Galaxy Note 10.1 gets stuck at booting, do the following:
      • Boot to Recovery Mode by pressing and holding down the Volume Up and Power buttons. When the screen turns on, let go of the Power button but still keep holding down the Volume Up button.
      • Select Wipe data/factory reset. Confirm the action on the next screen.
      • Select Reboot system now.
12. Once you see the Samsung logo, you can disconnect your Galaxy Note 10.1 from your computer.

Congratulations! You've restored your Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Wi-Fi GT-N8010 to Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich build XXALGC.