How to flash Urban HD ROM for the Galaxy Note 2 N7100

The buttery smooth user interface and the S Pen features are just some of the amazing features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100 that makes people fall in love with it. But, when it come to stock Samsung ROMs, you could always find some apps or features that you don't really need. Some people find such apps useful, but most others consider it waste. There's a word for such software — bloatware.

Fortunately, XDA Developers member DakiX created a bloatware-free ROM that is based on Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean software version XXALJ1 for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100.
The ROM known as the Urban HD ROM offers a bloatware-free interface on the phablet. Here are some of the apps that have been removed from the ROM:

Accuweather
AllShare Play
Analog clock
Digital clock
Music Player
Yahoo
Kies
ChatOn
S Suggest
Google+
/media exchanges
Tests
Samsung Apps
PViewer
Livewalls
SIM kit
SWF
Dual clock
FWupgrade
All Samsung hubs
Web manual

If you don't need these apps or features, then this ROM is worth a try. Aside from removing the bloatware, the developer also modified and tweaked the performance of the ROM. Some of the noticeable changes is the TouchWiz 5×6 user interface, smooth scrolling, Gallery tweaks, circle battery percentage, and many more.

This guide shows you how to flash Urban HD ROM for the Galaxy Note 2 N7100.

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 with root access and ClockworkMod Recovery installed.
- You can use this toolkit that will easily root and flash ClockworkMod Recovery on your Galaxy Note 2 N7100.
Download the Urban HD V1.0 ROM (Urban HD V1.0_N7100.zip, 788 MB)
Backup all personal data on your handset 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

Copy the Urban HD ROM to your phone's internal SD card.
Switch off your handset.
Reboot your handset into ClockworkMod Recovery. You can do that by pressing the Volume Up, Home, and Power key. When the Samsung logo appears on the screen, release the Power key but keep pressing the Volume Up and Home buttons until recovery boots.
Create a NANDroid backup of your current ROM. Go to Backup and Restore and select Backup on the next screen.
Select Wipe data/factory reset and confirm the action on the next screen.
Select Wipe cache partition and confirm the action on the next screen.
Go to the main menu and select Advanced. From there, select Wipe Dalvik cache and confirm the action on the next screen.
Select Install ZIP from SD card.
Select Choose ZIP from SD card and select the Urban HD ROM file. Confirm the action on the next screen to flash the ROM to your
phone.
Go back to the main menu and select Reboot system now to reboot your handset.

Hooray! You have successfully flashed the Urban HD ROM on your Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100. You will not find bloatware now on your handset.

Buying guide: Best Android phones – Canada, May 2013

by Bogdan Petrovan, 9 hours ago

This spring a variety of top-notch Android devices have been released, including Samsung’s fourth generation Galaxy S smartphone, the fully aluminum One from HTC, and the Xperia Z, a sleek high-end phone from Sony. Android…

Comments

David Brymer

just 5 reasons hahaha i could give ya 20 big fat 1s.
Ayman Kouzayha

5 weak reasons,,

reason 1: it’s true that the design didn’t updated but everything else was significantly updated.

reason 2: isn’t that the case of every phone!!! LOL

reason 3: If you don’t need all these features get a mid range phone, it’s not logical to get other phone with less features with the same price range in this case! isn’t it? and I’ll use Air Gesture when browsing images or answer call while eating lunch
reason 4: Sure but still you can’t by pass the hardware update, FullHD Screen, new CPU, twice RAM, increased battery, bunch of Sensors which a lot of new features depends on
reason 5: There will be always a new phone, as soon as the Note3 hits the market the Galaxy S5 rumors will hit the blogs, and so on
- Ayman Kouzayha
  
  I watched the S4 review from the same writer, you seem to hate the S4 a lot man, don’t handle such feelings, ship it to me, just saying.
  - JGaLaXY
    
    It seems that a lot of people are HATING on this phone…The Features are unmatched, no other phone can do all the things this phone can do, bloatware or not. I don’t get the hate
    - Tíghearnán Carroll
      
      Because more features != Better?
      Just because every near useless feature is crammed into this phone, doesn’t make it a better phone. For most users, those features will just take up System memory and cause the lag that has been noticed in various areas of Touchwiz, that isn’t present on other phones (Such as the HTC One).
      - Ayman Kouzayha
        
        I agree that a lot of features could cause lag, but wasn’t that the case of the S3? Why then it out-performed the HTC One X???
      - http://twitter.com/marky_yo Marky
        
        marketing!
      - http://www.facebook.com/Trent8381 Trent Richards
        
        He isn’t asking why it outsold. He is asking why it got better benchmarks.
      - vampyren
        
        Just dont use it. Only reason it lags is the animation, i turn it off and its allot faster. But still i dont mind the small lag, its not that bothersome since it is really fast when i actually use it for browsing and other tasks and that is what matters. I do like to have many features, allot of them are also useful for me anyway.
        
        And i’m sure Samsung will fix the hick up with updates shortly, they are really good at updating their phone which is another reason i prefer this before other brands.
    - whoknowswhereor
      
      I also dont get the hate. If anything, Samsung should be given mad props for pushing the boundaries so much each time. Raising the standards. Oh, where would Android be without Sammy.
    - http://www.facebook.com/Trent8381 Trent Richards
      
      With popularity comes hate.
    - vampyren
      
      Its just popular to hate successful companies and product, this shows that the product is actually good and some people are jealous for some reason. I also love my S4.
    - Adam Outler
      
      I own this phone and hate it.
  - Stephen
    
    It’s nerd rage more or less. The general public does not feel the same way. Android blogs are sometimes insufferable
    - K.
      
      The general public is easy to attract when you spend a lot of money of marketing. Just look at how much Samsung spends on ads. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your product is better.
    - rst
      
      Nerd rage: “Samsung seems to be taking a cue from Apple lately, adopting the “if
      you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all” approach when it comes to their
      designs.” No company would take a cue like that. Only happens in nerd imagination.
    - lil bit
      
      Im happy to hear that the well informed and highly technical general public like the S4. Now good luck in convincing people who have a clue.
      
      Im not hating on the S4 other than the reasons why my Note 2 was a very bad phone, its the reason why i will not buy any Samsung again.
  - amine ELouakil
    
    AndroidAuthority hating the S4 lol!
  - Nacos
    
    Even if he’s biased, he’s got a valid point. Would you spend your hard earned money should you come from a Note 2 or S3? I’m pretty sure you’d put everything in balance and the conclusion would most likely be very close – assuming it’s not raining money around you :)
- Tíghearnán Carroll
  
  1. Nothing was significantly updated, apart from the screen.
  2. Yes, your point is?
  3. No it isn’t. More features doesn’t make a better phone, if those features are balls. You make it sound like other phones don’t have a single advantage over the S4, which isn’t true. It comes down to the S4′s “More features” vs a competitors *cough*Htc One*cough* “Better features”.
  4. The hardware upgrade is almost meaningless if the S3 ran fine for people, and as for the sensors.. Just no.
  5. Fair point.
  - uu
    
    Packing a larger screen, larger battery, a neat and full of praise internals(gs4 engineering was a total genius, search for it in gsmarenas blog) within a s3likesize body and more compact one.. oops lighter if that was a good point 4 u
    
    His point is, when u mention htc one or xperia z, u shud also say that there are still good phones out there and features that ur htc one or xperia z cnt do dat other can do
    
    Oh well im happy that the s4 has everything that i can use even daily, once a month, once a year, atleast it has.. oh btw d updates rolling in s4 is reported by d users that made der phone snappier and smoother
    
    Newst hardware means=more future proof, what if a certain game or apps require a specfc hardware?? What if key lime pie only supports d latest ??
  - http://twitter.com/EddieLRosado Eddie L. Rosado
    
    Please don’t mention Blinkfeed. I am yet to hear one person rave about Blinkfeed seriously.
    - amine ELouakil
      
      He is talking feautures hardware wise, and what’s the problem with blinkfeed, it’s nice and integrate your sociel and news media all together the content is still in it infancy I give you that but it’s growing on a very rapid pace as it doesn’t take much to develop the blinkfeed app
    - Tíghearnán Carroll
      
      A guy I know with the HTC One uses Blinkfeed, a dlfew reviewers use Blinkfeed, and if I has the One, I’d use Blinkfeed (Instead of Currents, which is what I use on my N4).
      I do think that Blinkfeed, Boomsound etc are much more useful features than Airview l, Airgesture etc. The only aspect that the S4 is the hands down winner is the camera, IMO.
- lil bit
  
  Read once more, the features does not even work. I knew this would happen, because everything “S” features do not work. Take S-Voice, what the f…. What is that?
  
  This is Deja Vu to when i bought Note 2, first it was impressive but as days passed i had to admit that the fancy stuff did not work, or was not needed. Smartstay was the only nearly fully functional feature i found on Note 2, it also did not work in low light or when reading at the bottom of the display.
  
  “Smart Scroll is cool, yes, but even on the occasions where it worked
  smoothly for me (which wasn’t all the time), I noticed that my eyes
  would start to hurt fairly quickly. Smart Pause might have sounded like a
  good idea on paper, but having the phone pause a video every time you
  look away for a little too long can get annoying pretty quickly.”
Ryanjayce

Not upgrading waiting for a phone to pack Exynos Octa, Tegra 4, or SnapDragon 800 with 2gb-4gb of RAM……and some other specifications….
Meow

Galaxy Note 3 = Too big
- Arsenal™
  
  yes for kids
http://www.facebook.com/alfredo.gonzalezii Alfredo Manuel Gonzalez II

I love this website check it during the day multiple times. Are you kidding the S4 is a huge upgrade from any phone out there right now!!! I am rocking a Razr Maxx Love it but i want a Upgrade which I am waiting for on Verizon. Already on Pre-Order!! The only thing that might stop me from getting the S4 is depending on what comes out in Google I/O which if the rumors are right nothing great will be coming out till later this year and I can not wait ha!!!
http://twitter.com/ak_r7 Avinash Kumar

Lumia 920 – WORTH every penny !!!
- http://twitter.com/EddieLRosado Eddie L. Rosado
  
  Yeah, five or six years ago.
Alfan Al-Syah

thangs alot for all reason,
i remember the words sam said, “the big things” yeah we are really2 need that words, before we bought sams premium phone, because, look the s3, s4,s4zoom,s4active, oh my god.. when this stop to walk fast… suck, i’ve a plan to buy this stuff on this may, but tada rumors has come, s4 active broo…

damn u..

and with that all future, i tell u im not a child, whos thingking Wow its awesome, can i have that too mom, please mom, or give it to me!! or u will die, childist

im sorry to write this things, sorry samsmobile, ive already buy other brands, and i use that on all weather condition, for my jobs :) mining*

*are u really need that function? things for smartpeople*
th3d

Very uninspiring phone, its like we seen it all before, just add more of what we dont need. I was really fed up with the uselessness of Note 2 features, upgrading to Xperia Z was like going from an old prostitute to an 18 year old virgin, the Z is THAT clean and straight, most comfortable phone ever.

You can put lipstick on a pig but its still a pig, Samsungs “features” just makes it more clear that its actually a pig. No ofense to NOte 2 owners but the Note 2 is distgusting, and S4 is even more so.
- th3d
  
  As for performance, no doubt the Note 2 has more than enough of everything, thats really true. Xperia Z has even more performance than Note 2, CPU performance has really reached a saturation point for the next two years. I would be more than happy with a phone with less CPU performance than Note 2, Xperia Z is already a big overkill.
e34v8

For me, the reason is that it’s a bit… plasticy. Otherwise it’s a great phone.Great specs.
technology

Why don’t you do the same thing to other phones like Xperia Z and HTC one?
daisy santiago

I do love all things Android, but I feel as though Samsung has a better grasp as to what makes the most sense. With that I will not go to another manufacturer. As for the phone, I’m holding out for the Note 3. I love my Note 2 and enjoy its features and size so anything bigger and better is welcome.
- amine ELouakil
  
  adding software features by buying or getting inspired of software startups or the competition is the easy part, innovating in terms of hardware making things that would make your device unique is another story, the S4 which has an updated hardware compared to the S4 has only software blootware and Samsung is betting on that and it marketing and the existing userbase it has to make it sell like hot cakes, doing so while increasing their marging, as the phone is as cheap to make as ever compared to the competition.
http://twitter.com/lukamlinar Luka Mlinar

This is the iPhone phenomena all over again. They payed a huge amount of cash for the previous phone so in their mind it was the best phone in the solar system. For them there is nothing out there except the model they got and they will keep upgrading to newer version for years to come. I say: I’m happy for them because they seam happier with their iPhones/S4s then i would be with what i think is the best phone out there.
- http://www.facebook.com/Trent8381 Trent Richards
  
  Just curious, what do you think is the best phone out there? I own a GS3 currently and think it’s a great phone. Definitely wont be getting the GS4 simply because I don’t need a new phone anytime soon. I must say though that the GS3 was the first Samsung phone that I thought was a quality product and they have definitely gone up a notch in my mind because of it. Sadly I loved HTC phones (owned Incredible and Incredible 2) but now their quality seems to have dropped. Might be looking at X Phone or the next Nexus phone when I do replace this phone but I will definitely check out what Samsung has to offer at that time.
  - http://twitter.com/lukamlinar Luka Mlinar
    
    I always found the S3 a cheap looking/feeling phone. I thought the Nexus 4 was a lot better.
- lil bit
  
  Well said, we cant be that happy. I used to be exited about my Note 2 but after a while it was easy to admit that there was not much great about it. During the first months i experienced some of that fanboy happiness but it faded.
  
  If you are a fanboy you love your brand, but if you want the best you are on a constant quest and the best will be replaced by something better. I still think Note 2 was the best when i bought it at launch, but now its nothing to get exited about. I love my Xperia Z but it will go the same way soon enough, will be old and boring.
gugi

Kristofer Wouk how much apple or sony-htc paid to you to write this shit.

From now i will never again open this website suck it androidauthority.
anderson J.

I am a BB user and love my Q10 — but I also have a Motorola Raze HD which has a fantastic Battery life. I am waiting for X phone from Motorola because I really like the Raze HD.

I bought a Samsung Tab 7.0 tablet which I returned. I personally don’t like what Samsung has done to Android OS. S4 16GB is actually an 8GB phone with all the Samsung apps installed in it. With all the fuss about S4, it is not worth it — too plasticy, quality is not great, internal memory about 8GB (too little for me), features that don’t function well. No Thanks!
- http://www.facebook.com/Trent8381 Trent Richards
  
  Try the Nexus 10. Samsung quality hardware without the OS tweaks. I love mine.
- Aziz Farhi
  
  You made a wrong choice body, Samsung does make good products but it also makes mid-range ones, You my friend got the wrong tablet for your need, from the way you describe it it looks like you want a pure Android experience with no skin or “bloatware” on it. Therefor i advice you to get the Nexus 10, Or get a Note 8.0 which might have Samsung’s touch on it but still an awesome choice, With features like floating windows and the stylus you will have lots of fun ;) .
Sandro de Souza

one word:
HTC 1
- Trevor Kinsie
  
  that’s two words bro, or a word and a number if you’re a stickler.
jieng

TOP 3 Reason:

Currently using iphone5(64GB)

1. Singapore have 3 telco. Only 16GB S4 available In my country(Singapore) with only 9GB Left Usable. Even if i get Sdcard most app only can be save on internal memory. 9GB Samsung You Serious?

2. Octa Core WOW!!! for the first time i wanted to give up my iphone and try Android.
Sorry Singapore getting the SnapDragon600 version only.

3. As i mention before 3 telco in Singapore all of them have almost the same price for 2Year contact. The S4(16GB) Cost $50 more then HTC(32GB).

Oh And The S4(16GB) Cost the same Price as Iphone(32GB).
jieng

TOP 3 Reason:

Currently using iphone5(64GB)

1. Singapore have 3 telco. Only 16GB S4 available In my country(Singapore) with only 9GB Left Usable. Even if i get Sdcard most app only can be save on internal memory. 9GB Samsung You Serious?

2. Octa Core WOW!!! for the first time i wanted to give up my iphone and try Android.
Sorry Singapore getting the SnapDragon600 version only.

3. As i mention before 3 telco in Singapore all of them have almost the same price for 2Year contact. The S4(16GB) Cost $50 more then HTC(32GB).

Oh And The S4(16GB) Cost the same Price as Iphone(32GB).
- http://www.facebook.com/Trent8381 Trent Richards
  
  Should have gotten the s3 rather than the iPhone 5 on Os alone. Android 4.1 is far superior to iOS 6.
  - th3d
    
    Wow, you really read his post did you? And S3 wasnt even available with JB untill recently.
    - http://www.facebook.com/Trent8381 Trent Richards
      
      I did read the post. I then commented on the part I wanted to comment on. 4.1 did come to GS3 a few months after iPhone 5, however 4.0 is also superior.
      - th3d
        
        The problem is that there is no 32 or 64GB s3 or note 2 or s4 in Asia. Just read his reasons, it’s not about the os at all.
http://www.facebook.com/matthew.wypyszinski Matthew Wypyszinski

im undecided as to weather i want to get the s4 or not but these seem like really weak reasons not to. It feels more like your grasping at straws trying to find some, or maybe you are trying to make yourself feel better because you didnt buy one
no rply

1.thats a good upgrade but not the best…… 2.beside other fish s4 is still better ….. 3. atleast s4 have these feature (use it or not) ..4. yupe mostly people have s3 and note2…………….. 5.damn note3 ahead …. i love s-pen
Aziz Farhi

So much hate.. Its one of the best phones out there right now if not the best at all.. Packing the best screen, hardware specs and the latest Android version with features you people didn’t even think of before they were set to come with this phone. What more do you want?
- flamencoguy
  
  Some people just hate Samsung so they hate every phone that they make.
  Many people have been brainwashed by accusations of copy cat and unoriginal ideas. Well you can find a flaw on any phone. Consider iPhone5 with its “purple haze” camera and flawed maps. The case would be the least of my worries. It is not a functioning part of the phone that is covered by it.
  However if the camera or other functioning part was not built well then I would be more concerned.
  Air gestures are useful if your hands are dirty and need to use the phone.
  Seriously the author can’t see how some people may find it more useful than him !
  - Aziz Farhi
    
    True, Samsung has been a target to lots of media attacks from other companies such as Apple and HTC, Samsung products are not perfect but they’re still better in so many terms then other brands, The S4 is a great phone with a good heavy pack of specs. This is something no one can deny now, its an obvious fact. Those who don’t agree can Google the benchmark tests and watch Youtube video comparisons and if possible get their hands on the phone and have a look them selves, they’ll be surprised what this thing is capable of.
freedomspopular

Don’t forget that the S4 is not just lighter and thinner than the S3 (which I personally couldn’t care less about; I’d rather have more thickness with a bigger battery.) It’s also shorter and narrower too. Marginally so, but that really makes a BIG difference in the hand, as anyone who jumped from the N1 to the N2 can attest to.
GS5

Waiting for the Galaxy S5 instead :D
bob

I’m shocked that their “smart scroll” feature and other useless things that they put in this phone are not working out as some people hoped… Just shocked! Seriously.. If you want a phone to have your eyes do something rather than your fingers just doesn’t make sense to me… and now it doesn’t even work? What a joke.. There is no way any owner of this phone uses any of those gimmicky features after the first 2 weeks… No shot! Samsung has great marketing but they really dropped the ball on this new phone..
- Lil bit
  
  why are you shocked, the features and S apps didn’t work on note2 also, this is how Samsung operates, quantity over quality. Touchwiz is terrible in all ways, context menus are full of useless options but lacks useful stuff that been on phones since forever, like Edit Before Call.
  
  SmartStay was the only working feature Note 2 had, but honestly it’s better to set a longer display auto off time. I dont miss it.
http://www.facebook.com/firespurlock Colton Spurlock

These are terrible reasons your just trying to find soothing anything to say negative and the problem is there isn’t the only one that is a a good reason is number 5 because that’s my reason because I have the note 2 but I played with s4 and its very tempting bad article
- http://www.facebook.com/ChrisStrife Chris Strife
  
  I think this guy is missing his comma and period key.
bill

Can’t find the “5 reasons not to upgrade to the HTC One”… exactly! #winning
vampyren

Really silly reasons!

1.) It’s Not That Much Of An Upgrade
On the top of my head= more than twice performance, much better screen, better camera, IR blaster, health features, air gesture (awesome i think) are not much? if you say no than your in the wrong business my friend.

2) There Are Other Fish In The Sea
Not true, no other offer SD + removable battery (and i also like touchwiz). Plus i hate aluminum phones so nothing else is out there that matches what samsung has.

3.) You Might Not Use All of the Features
What? That is the whole point of getting new phone, the features! As Ayman said if you dont want features get a lowend phone. I never heard anyone complain about new features.

4.) Galaxy S4 Features Are Probably Coming To Older Phones
Like the superior display? More Ram? Camera? IR blaster?

5.) The Galaxy Note 3 is On the Way
HAHA these are not in the same size range, close but still much different. Also why not wait for Note4? or S5?

Also you do realize that its going to be like half a year before people even can buy it in stores right?

I dont know but it seem to me that lately there are allot of articles lately that are not making any Sense. Like you guys are bored and need to fill up with silly articles.
http://twitter.com/Omiaz OPE ASK

Im waiting my S4 (octa core). !!!

I’m anxious !! o.O
http://twitter.com/sunnyfpy Sunny

smartphone for smart people, toyphone for dumb people who always have something to fuss about!
Nacos

Fully agree. As a Note 2 owner I’ve been debating a lot wether it was worth “upgrading”. Conclusion: NO! All the reasons herein presents are sensible and true. Although a nice phone, a so called upgrade from the Note 2 (or even the S3) it really seems to be a senseless waste of money.
Edward Jackson

I would say samsung is the best out there and owed all of galaxy phones and the all keep getting better and better. The thing is they are smartphones and some are smarter then others. Samsung steps up there game every time and the note the and note 2 is part of that. They have the best phones on the market and they goin to keep getting better. Everyone one talking about metal phone they would break easier and stay hot longer thats not good but that just what I was thinking.Samsung is badass!!!

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How to flash Urban HD ROM for the Galaxy Note 2 N7100

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Requirements

Instructions

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