Ahead, we will be explaining how users can install TWRP custom recovery on Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 Plus (Only Snapdragon variants). Samsung’s latest flagship is packed with some great hardware and to utilize it even further than what the stock system will allow, many enthusiasts look towards third-party mods. And to install these mods, most, if not all, require TWRP custom recovery for installation. So, ahead, we have provided the complete procedure of installing official TWRP custom recovery on Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+.
Most Android devices come with a recovery partition that is pre-installed with stock Android recovery out of the box. Features like factory reset, manual update flashes and cache clearance can be done via this stock recovery. However, the functionality can easily be extended by installing a custom version such as TWRP. Once flashed, TWRP then allows users to install third-party ZIP files such as Kernels, ROMs and more. Also, it has various other features which aren’t provided by stock recovery. To experience and utilize all TWRP features on your Galaxy Note 10, read ahead!
Disclaimer: All the custom ROMs and firmware, official software updates, tools, mods or anything mentioned in the tutorial belong to their respective owners/developers. We (TeamAndroid.com) or the developers are not to be held responsible if you damage or brick your device. We don’t have you on gun point to try out this tutorial 😉
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 TWRP Recovery:
TWRP custom recovery will allow you to install custom ROMs, advanced options like formatting the system partition, making backups etc. The entire tutorial has been given on the next page for those who want to install this custom recovery on their phones. TWRP is currently only available for the Samsung Exynos variants, which means this phone having a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor will not be able to work with this recovery. You can try flashing this recovery on a non-supported Samsung Galaxy Note 10 variant by yourself, but all at your own risk. And by risk, we mean you could easily brick your phone and this does not come under official warranty from Samsung Mobile.
Here are a few details about TWRP:
TeamWin is the sole creator of TWRP custom recovery. As Android is open source, the source code for TWRP is available to all developers. This means, developers can easily download the code, patch it to work on newer devices and release it. This is exactly how we have received the new Galaxy Note 10 TWRP build so quickly. You can use TWRP 3.2.3 custom recovery to flash custom ROMs, mod packages and even install root.
As mentioned earlier, our tutorial given below explains how you can install this TWRP recovery on the following models of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10:
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Snapdragon Variants.
- N9700
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Snapdragon Variants.
- N9750
To make sure you own the correct Samsung Galaxy Note 10 model / variant with the Exynos chipset, please see: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Model Numbers / Country Variants Guide. You can also go to Settings > System > About phone on your Samsung Galaxy Note 10 to read more about your model number.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 will be getting a huge list of custom ROMs based on Android Pie, because of its popularity and most of them are installed using CWM or TWRP. Of course, you can always enjoy the added benefits of a custom recovery with TWRP and extend your phone’s functionalities.
You might be interested in the following article as well:
- USB Drivers: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Drivers and How to Connect with Computer.
- Install Android 10: How to Install Android 10 on Computer.
- Custom ROMs: For a complete collection of Samsung Galaxy Note 10 custom ROMs on Team Android, visit our Custom ROM section!
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 USB Drivers
You will need to connect your Android phone with the computer. For that, please make sure you have installed the USB drivers for Samsung Galaxy Note 10 properly. If not, you can download the latest official drivers from our Android USB Drivers section here:
Download Samsung Galaxy Note 10 USB drivers!
All set and ready? Good. Now, let’s proceed with the tutorial below and update Samsung Galaxy Note 10 with TWRP custom Recovery. There are a few backup and important tips given on the next page that you might want to read and keep in mind before proceeding ahead with the tutorial.
Unlock Bootloader on Galaxy Note 10 / Note 10 Plus
Before proceeding, you need to unlock the bootloader of your device. Once unlocked, your phone would then be eligible to flash custom files. This is a new lock that Samsung is implementing on its Galaxy Note 10 flagship series. We think this will carry on to all phones shipping with Android Pie from Samsung.
Here are the key steps you need to do to unlock your bootloader on Galaxy Note 10:
- Allow bootloader unlocking in Developer options → OEM unlocking
- Power off your device. Press Volume Down and plug in your device to a PC to boot into download mode
- Long press volume up to unlock the bootloader. This will wipe your data and automatically reboot.
- Go through the initial setup. Skip through all the steps since data will be wiped again later when we are installing Magisk. Connect the device to internet in the setup though!
- Enable developer options, and confirm that the OEM unlocking option exists and grayed out.
You should now have your phone’s bootloader unlocked!
Tutorial: How to Install Samsung Galaxy Note 10 / Galaxy Note 10 Plus TWRP Recovery
We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide for how to install TWRP custom recovery on Galaxy Note 10. If you are used to installing official firmware updates through Odin on Samsung Galaxy devices, then this should not be any different for you.
Please read every line carefully and make sure you read the tutorial once before actually performing it on your Android device.
To Remember:
- This TWRP recovery installation tutorial is only for Galaxy Note 10 Exynos variants. Please do not try on any other Galaxy Note 10 variants.
- Enable Developer Options by going to Settings > About Phone and tapping on build number multiple times.
- Go to Settings > Developer Options and enable ‘OEM Unlocking’.
- Enable USB Debugging mode on your phone. [How to Enable USB Debugging]
- Make sure you backup all your data in your phone before proceeding as a precaution.
Complete Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1 – Download TWRP Recovery package for Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and put this file anywhere in your computer. Also, download the Encryption Disabler script ZIP package along with appropriate kernel ZIP package for your phone
TWRP:
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 (d1q): twrp-3.3.1-1-d1q.img.tar
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus (d2q): twrp-3.3.1-1-d2q.img.tar
Encryption Disabler:
Kernels:
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 (d1q): WETA_Kernel_N9700_2.1_SJ5.zip
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus (d2q): WETA_Kernel_N9750_2.1_SJ5.zip
NOTE: Make sure you select the appropriate files above for your Galaxy Note 10 model.
Step 2 – Download Odin which will help you to install TWRP Recovery on Samsung Galaxy Note 10.
Step 3 – Switch OFF your phone. Now go to Download Mode. How? Press and hold the Volume Down + power buttons together, and then press the Power button till you see the construction Android robot and a triangle. Press Power again to confirm to enter into Download Mode. [Need help? Read: How to Enter Download Mode on Galaxy Note 10]
Step 4 – Make sure you have your Samsung Galaxy Note 10 USB drivers installed on your computer.
Step 5 – Open Odin on your computer. Connect your phone to your computer while your phone is in the Download Mode.
Step 6 – If your phone is connected successfully, one of the ID:COM boxes will turn yellow with the COM port number. This step might take some time.
Step 7 – Now select the correct file with respect to your device that you have to flash/install on your phone. This file is the same as you downloaded in Step 1.
- Click on ‘PDA’ / ‘AP’ and select the TWRP package file you downloaded in Step 1 for your phone.
Step 8 – In ODIN, uncheck the Auto Reboot and check F. Reset Time options, if not already.
Step 9 – Now click on the Start button in Odin. Installation process will start and would take a few minutes to complete.
Step 10 – After the installation is completed, you should hold your Power Button and Volume Down Button until the screen turns black.
Step 11 – Once it does, you need to let go of the Volume Down button and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons. This will boot the phone into Recovery mode and you should now see TWRP custom recovery interface. On first boot, TWRP will ask to Modify the system, you should decline. [Need help? Read: How to Enter Recovery Mode on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10]
Step 12 – Now, from TWRP flash the ZIP files (First Encryption Disabler then the Kernel) you downloaded in Step 1.
Step 13 – After that, select reboot from TWRP.
That’s it! Your Samsung Galaxy Note 10 or Note 10 Plus should now have TWRP installed!
Backup and Other Important Tips
Please take a look at the following tips and important points you need to take care of. These are important, as we don’t want anyone losing their personal data or apps.
Always backup your important data that you might need after you install a new custom ROM, an official software update or anything else. Make a backup for just in case, you never know when anything might go wrong. Read: How to Backup Android Apps, Text Messages, WhatsApp, Call History.
If you already have a custom recovery (ClockworkMod, TWRP etc.) installed on your phone, we strongly recommend a backup using that as it creates a complete image of your existing phone set up. [Tutorial: How to Backup Android Phone using TWRP]
A few more optional tips that you should remember:
1. Having problems connecting your Android phone to the computer? You need to enable USB debugging mode. See here: How to Enable USB Debugging — for Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat and Oreo. 2. Make sure your Android device is charged up to 80-85% battery level. This might help you: How to Check Battery Percentage. Why? Because, if your phone goes off suddenly while installing a custom ROM, flashing an official firmware update or installing mods etc. — your phone might get bricked or go dead permanently. No one wants that, right? 3. Most of the tutorials and how-to guides on Team Android are for factory unlocked Android phones and tablets. We recommend not to try our guides if your phone is locked to a carrier, unless we have specified the carrier name or device model.
If you run into any problems, feel free to drop us a comment on our Facebook, Google+ or Twitter and we will reply you back ASAP with the fix or the solution to your problem.
