Samsung Galaxy Galaxy Note GT-N7000: How to root on Android 4.0.3 ICS without incrementing flash counter

Samsung finally made its promise come true with the release of Ice Cream Sandwich for the Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000. If you’re one of those people who just flashed via over-the-air (OTA) upgrade, then you probably know that stock ROMs such as the official updates coming from Samsung will eventually remove your root privileges.

Luckily for Galaxy Note owners, XDA member deathst has managed to come up with an interesting ClockworkMod-flashable package that will automatically root your phone without your having to use complicated ADB commands.

This method will work on any stock Galaxy Note running Ice Cream Sandwich, as it will only require you to flash the mod by booting into Recovery Mode. As an added bonus, the mod will not increment your phone’s binary counter or cause a yellow exclamation mark after rooting.

Check out our guide below on how to root your Samsung Galaxy Note.

Warning

The instructions in this guide are intended for use with the Samsung Galaxy Note, model number GT-N7000. 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.
The developer mentioned the risks of bricking your phone if you create or restore NANDroid backups using the ClockworkMod Recovery package mentioned in this guide. As a safety precaution, don’t use the CWM package’s Backup and Restore function.

Requirements

Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 (international version) running Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Fully charged battery or at least 70% battery power left.

Instructions

Download the following files and save them to your PC.
- ClockworkMod Recovery Rooting Package (CWM.zip, 1.51 MB)
- SU Busybox Installer (SU-Busybox-Installer.zip, 1.41 MB)
Copy the downloaded files that you have acquired and place them on your phone’s external SD card.
Switch off your Galaxy Note.
Boot into Recovery Mode. You can do this by pressing and holding down the Volume Up, Power, and Home buttons. When the Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 logo appears, release the Power button but keep the Volume Up key and Home button pressed.
Inside Recovery Mode, select Apply Update from External Storage, then browse for the CWM.zip file and select it. This should install ClockworkMod Recovery on your phone.
From this point, the Volume rockers and Power button on your phone will not work. Instead, a touch-based interface will take its place. Your phone should automatically boot into ClockworkMod Recovery.
Inside ClockworkMod Recovery, select Install ZIP from SD Card.
Select Choose ZIP from SD Card, then browse for the SU-Busybox-Installer.zip file and select it.
Head back to the main recovery menu by selecting Go Back.
Select Reboot System Now to reboot your phone.

Unrooting

For unrooting, just download the SU Uninstaller package (SU-Uninstaller-signed.zip, 241.4 kB) and flash the file instead of SU-Busybox-Installer.zip.

Congratulations! You have successfully rooted your Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 running Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich without incrementing your device’s binary counter.

NEED TO KNOW!

Comments

Zaw Thurein Tun

Is recovery mode, i got error “No such file…”. I can’t see any zip file.
- Martin
  
  internal and external memory are inverted… chose install from internal and you’ll find your files!
Ce168

I got “fail to seek…” after step five…am i missing something?
Choudharyghanshyam

Was a breeze
- Bobcy Thomas
  
  did u lose any kinda phone data after using this method?
Bobcy Thomas

will the phone memory be erased by doing dis. sorry if it is a noob question:)
- 0killmoreblacks0
  
  no. all data stays
Nathanjohnseery

Will this work on a UK VERSION ICS updated Note???
- 0killmoreblacks0
  
  yes i just did it to mine. worked 100% fine. and easy
Jcwarne01

Hi all. That worked great on my UK GNote ICS. I have a question though; when I go to flash clockwork recovery from within the main app (after rooting) clockworkmod doesn’t allow me to choose my model of phone (only S and SII variants) – anyone seen this and able to suggest a solution? Thanks
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=516656787 Kyle Prince

I get E:signature verification failed
- Jcwarne01
  
  Try running CWM first and then selecting BusyBox from within CWM.
  - me
    
    i have the same error and I don’t get your answer.. exactly how does one “run CWM first” It’s trying step 5 above. I’m selecting cwm. When I run it I get verify failed. I’ve tried downloading several times. I even tried deleting the checksums from the mainfest.mf file.
Ronald

doesnt work : in step 6 no automatic boot. manual reboot ends up in normal start to home screen. now what ?
Ama Fareast

After update, I cannot see my sent e-mails. Pls advise. Tq & rgds.
Saurabh

There is an error in CWM, i unable to root my galaxy note (ICS 4.0).
anyone know the solution?
raigen

can it be saved in the internal memory?tnx!
raigen

cannot find the subusybox installer when im in choose zip from sd card…
whiteturbo

Followed instructions, think everything went OK, how do i check that it is actually rooted?
and thanks even i managed it (i think)
srini

after selecting the CWM file from sd card its showing signature verification failed pls help me
http://www.facebook.com/anrsml Anuar Ismail

Hello from Malaysia,
its worked great with my Samsung Galaxy note intenational version 4.0.4, its so easy and simple, just follow all instruction carefully. Its just took me less than 5 minutes to complete the rooted.
- Khozema
  
  hii dear evn im using Galaxy note international on 4.0.4 version.rooting frm dis method is safe.should i backup first or directly should root it.need ur help.thnkz in advance:)
Iwan D

Hi, thanks for your post, do do you need to unzip the file first or directly save the zip file to sd card?
- Shetty
  
  no unzipping mate, Just download and paste it ;)
http://www.facebook.com/ayyaz.zafar Muhammad Ayyaz Zafar

Hello, i tried this but on reboot it says that no such directory found (sdcard)..
Please help me how to fix tha.t..
James Ford

Very good! my installation went well but it took me a while to find the SU-busybox even though it was on my sd card, CWM said no files found, then found the “install from internal SD” option. Nice work! now i can use sixaxis :-)
Shetty

freak bro.. ur awesome ;) super easy ,.. thnx a lott ;)
jan michael villanueva

Getting error emmc something… I’m unable to access the internal card.. Need a response..
- teo
  
  my problem too.. and i’ve used 3 versions of that busybox thing..
http://www.facebook.com/keithgravylewis Keith A-lemon Lewis

I’ve never atempted to do anything like this, don’t even know what i just did. I followed the instructions and it worked fine. I only did it to install avast anti virus on my smartphone. thanks tho works great. the simplest instructions ive ever read.
- http://www.facebook.com/jack.joey077 Jack Joey
  
  hi !! wud u pls tell me ur samsung galaxy note Baseband version??
http://www.facebook.com/emanuela.meroso Emanuela Meroso

I’ve the same problem E: failed verify whole-file signature
E. signature verification failed
I’ve format all but no change :( pls answer
Irshan Khan

i was updating my sam g note gtn700 rom while updation my phone fell down and the battery was discharged from the phone…now my phone is not switching on can any1 help me solving dis…?
sham

Hello paul, i am sham from india. Recently i have bought rooted galaxy note n 700 , i am new to android world, will be their be a problem in future in installin apps or bricking of phone(except warranty void) what are other things that i need to be careful before installing apps. suugestions needed! thanks in advance!
http://www.facebook.com/sam.chan.1048 Sam Chan

can 4.0.4 been root?
guru

Didnt able to download the 1st file as it says no such file exist.. Pls check..
s.m sadiq

Hi sir i hv galaxy note whil updateing power gone now applications not showing how to salove the problam pls urgent
KIm

i can’t download CMW.zip can you help me with that???
failman

i get the same problem. signature verification error. any help on this?
Darky

hm.. it doesnt root for me.. i did exactly as said, gamecih will say NO ROOT….
Manu Garekar

This works every time, Just upgraded to the official Jelly Beans update here in India and tried this method to Root, it still works. The best way to root your mobile no doubt.