Upgrade Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 to Android 2.3.6 XXLA4 Firmware

While Samsung Galaxy Note users are anxiously waiting for a leak of the firmware based on Ice Cream Sandwich, they’ll be pleased that they’re getting a new firmware leak. Make way for Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread build XXLA4.

As in most cases of leaked official firmware, build XXLA4 for the Galaxy Note is hoped to bring a more stable build for Samsung’s hybrid phoneblet.  According to Galaxy Note owners who tried flashing the firmware to their devices, build XXLA4 brings more speed and fluidity to the tablet, as well as improved mobile network speeds.  Some users also observed some improvement with battery performance after flashing XXLA4.

Some devs who have tried the firmware are also speculating that firmware XXLA4 for the Galaxy Note could be the last Gingerbread update for the Note before Samsung officially rolls out Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to the famed phoneblet.

If you’re eager to load up your Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 with Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread build XXLA4, you’ll find the instructions in the rest of this guide.

Caution and Requirements

Before you get too excited, please note that this update is compatible only with Samsung Galaxy Note model GT-N7000. If you are not sure what your device’s model is, you can check it through Settings > About Phone. If your Samsung Galaxy Note model does not match N7000, please do not proceed as insisting on installing this update may brick your device.

Here are the things you need to do before you start flashing firmware XXLA4 to your handset:

• Make sure to back up all the important data on your device.
• If you have Samsung KIES installed, uninstall it first or it may interrupt the flashing process.
• Install the Samsung USB drivers for your handset from here: 32-bit (x86) Windows | 64-bit (x64) Windows
• Download the firmware package from here.  Use RAR extraction software (e.g., WinRAR) to extract it to your computer.  You’ll get two files after extraction: one with a *.tar.md5 extension, and another with a *.dll extension.  Do not modify any of the extracted files.
• Download Odin3 v1.83 from here and save it to your computer.

Instructions for Flashing

Once you have completed all of the pre-flashing requirements, you can now install XXLA4 firmware on the Samsung Galaxy Note, as follows:

1. If your device is connected to your computer, disconnect it.
2. Turn off your phone.
3. Reboot your Samsung Galaxy Note into Download Mode as follows: hold down the Volume Down, Home, and Power keys simultaneously until you see a warning screen. Press the Volume Up button once.  That should bring your phone into Download Mode.
4. Launch Odin3 on your computer.
5. Connect your device to your computer now. In the lower left portion of the Odin screen, you should see the message “Added!”. The ID:COM will also light up, indicating that you have all the necessary drivers installed.
   • If you do not get this message, you may have an issue with your drivers. Make sure that you have the proper drivers installed.
6. In Odin3, click on the PDA button.
7. Select the file N7000XXLA4_N7000OXALA4_N7000XXLA4_HOME.tar.md5.
8. Make sure that the Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time checkboxes are selected.
9. Click the START button in Odin3 to begin flashing the XXLA4 firmware.  If Odin3 gets stuck and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or you receive a FAIL message in Odin3 do the following:
   • Disconnect the device from the computer.
   • Close Odin3.
   • Remove your device’s battery.
   • Re-insert the battery.
   • Repeat the steps from the beginning.
10. Once flashing is complete, your Samsung Galaxy Note will automatically reboot.
11. Wait for the phone to reboot completely, then disconnect it from the PC.
12. Head off to Settings > About Phone and verify that your phone now has XXLA4 firmware.

Congratulations!  Your Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 is now running on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread XXLA4 firmware.