Most die-hard Android users know that the first two steps to unleashing an Android device's capabilities are rooting and flashing custom recovery. From there on, mountains of things can and should be done to their devices, may it be phones, tablets, or phablets. Here at Android Authority, we strive hard to help fellow Android users like you to get acquainted with the many custom ROMs, hacks, and mods that you can do with your devices.

And, since we are on the topic of rooting and flashing custom recovery, today's guide takes the recently-released superphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100, into the spotlight. If you already have one in your hands now and you are reading this, we're sure you are mentally debating whether you should root your phone or not. To root  or not to root? That is the question.

The custom recovery file in this guide also autoroots your Galaxy Note 2. Thanks to XDA Developers member, Chenglu, an Odin-flashable recovery file is now available.  This method flashes ClockworkMod Recovery 6.0.1.5 for the Galaxy Note 2.

This guide shows the steps for root and ClockworkMod Recovery 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
• Your phone's USB cable
• A Windows PC.
• 7-Zip, WinRAR, or any similar program that can extract RAR archive files.
• Handset USB drivers installed on the PC. You may install the drivers by installing Samsung Kies.
• Enable USB debugging on your handset.To do this, go to Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging. Make sure that check box beside the USB debugging option is ticked.
• 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.
• Download the following files to your computer:
  • Odin3 v3.04 (Odin3_v3.04.zip, 456.59 KB)
  • ClockworkMod Recovery with auto root file (cwm6-root-n7100-121015.rar, 8 MB)
• See to it that your phone's battery is charged up to 75% to avoid interruptions during the process.
• Backup all personal data on your device 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 cwm6-root-n7100-121015.rar file to obtain a file named cwm6-root-n7100-121015.tar.
2. Extract the contents of the Odin3_v3.04.zip file to obtain Odin3 v3.04.exe file.
3. Double-click the Odin3 v3.04.exe file to launch Odin.
4. Disconnect your phone from the PC if it is still connected. After unplugging your phone, turn it off.
5. Put your phone into Download Mode. To do this, press and hold the Volume Down, Home, and Power buttons together until a “Warning” message appears. Press the Volume Up key to enter Download Mode.
6. Connect your phone to the PC using the USB cable. In Odin, you should see a message saying “Added!!” in the message box at the bottom left of the window.
7. In Odin, click on the PDA button and select the cwm6-root-n7100-121015.tar file. The file should show on the space beside the PDA button.
   • NOTE: Don't alter anything in Odin, leave everything as is except for adding the file mentioned in step 7. Make sure that the check box beside the “Re-partition” option is not ticked.
8. Click on the Start button in Odin to start flashing the recovery file with auto root to your phone.
9. Once flashing is done, your phone will automatically reboot. You should also see a “PASS” message in Odin. Once you see the Samsung logo on your phone's screen, you can safely disconnect it from the PC.
   • NOTE: If Odin gets stuck or if you get a “FAIL” message, disconnect your phone form the PC and close Odin. Remove your phone's battery and re-insert it. Repeat the procedure again from step 5.
10. After the phone reboots, you can check if it is indeed rooted. Check the SuperSU app and try to download any root-only app from the Google Play Store
11. To try ClockworkMod Recovery, turn your phone off. Press and hold the Home, Volume Up, and Power keys together until the screen turns on. In ClockworkMod Recovery, you can use the Volume keys to navigate and the Power button to select an item or option.

Hurrah! You have successfully rooted and flashed ClockworkMod Recovery to your Samsung Galaxy Note 2 GT-N7100. Now that you have rooted and installed ClockworkMod Recovery to your phone, any prospect custom ROM you want to try flashing?