Here is a complete guide on how you can root Galaxy Note 8 N950U (Snapdragon variant) with SamFAIL package. This root package has just been announced for the Snapdragon Galaxy Note 8. Previous to this, we had root available only for the Exynos chipset variants, fortunately, that is not the case now. You can easily root Galaxy Note 8 using SamFAIL using the procedure given ahead. The brand launched the Galaxy Note 8 just few months back and since then, customers have really enjoyed their units. Further, each one can now enjoy root and expand the flexibility of Note 8. The method we will be using is relatively new and shouldn’t be much of a hassle as it uses Odin tool. Once rooted, you would have access to hundreds of root apps directly from the Play Store. You can also try out custom ROMs on your Galaxy Note 8 after you root. The supported model numbers and variants for this guide have been listed before the procedure.
The package we will use is SamFAIL. Fairly new, this method involves flashing custom files and firmwares. A good upside to this process is the fact that you don’t trip KNOX on your Galaxy Note 8. You can root Galaxy Note 8 on Android 7.1 Nougat official firmware using the tutorial below. To be on the safe side, we want you to go through some of the precautionary tips that you have to remember. Make sure you backup all your data before trying out the root method tutorial, even though no data will be lost, we still recommend making a backup of all your data.
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 😉
Root Galaxy Note 8 SM-N950U on Nougat – SamFAIL Details:
SamFAIL package is basically a modified firmware taken from Samsung. It contains modified boot image, system image and more. The procedure doesn’t trip KNOX which is a very unusual but welcome thing in terms of root for Samsung devices. This tutorial slightly has a bigger chunk of files to download as you would need both the modified firmware and actual firmware directly from Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 comes in several different model numbers / variants. You need to make sure you know the correct model number of your device. Failure to do so, may brick your phone or you may lose phone data.
What is my Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Model Number?
Please check for the exact Samsung Galaxy Note 8 phone model that you have. How to check phone model? Follow the quick easy steps given below.
- Go to Settings on your phone
- Scroll down till you see “About device” and tap there
- Note down what is written under “Model number” (i.e. It should be something like SM-N950U)
This is the exact model number of your Samsung Galaxy Note 8.
For those interested, check out these other related articles as well:
- Install TWRP: How to Install TWRP Recovery on Samsung Galaxy Note 8.
- USB Drivers: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Drivers and How to Connect with Windows / Mac.
- Recovery Mode: How to Enter Recovery Mode on Galaxy Note 8.
- Install Oreo: How to Install Android 8.0 Oreo on Computer.
- Custom ROMs: For a complete collection of Samsung Galaxy Note 8 ROMs on Team Android, visit our Custom ROMs section!
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 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 8 properly. If not, you can download the latest official drivers from our Android USB Drivers section here:
Download Samsung Galaxy Note 8 USB drivers!
Backup and Other Important Tips
Done with the USB drivers? Perfect. You can find the tutorial below, but first, 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.
Samsung users can also back up data using Samsung Smart Switch to your computer. Smart Switch helps to move data across different Android devices i.e moving Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge backup data to Samsung Galaxy Note 8.
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, rooting 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.
All set and ready? Good. Now, let’s proceed with the tutorial below and root Samsung Galaxy Note 8 on Android 7.1 official firmware.
How to Root Galaxy Note 8 with Android 7.1 Nougat Firmware
We have put together a detailed step-by-step instructions guide for how to root Galaxy Note 8 on Android 7.1 Nougat firmware. If you are used to installing official 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 root method tutorial is only for Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Snapdragon Variants.
- Make sure you backup all your data in your phone before proceeding as a precaution.
- This root method works with Android 7.1 firmware and all future Android updates as well.
- Your Galaxy Note 8 should be on an official firmware by Samsung, not a custom ROM.
Complete Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1 – Download the following files:
Choose and download the CSC that applies to you. (The carrier you bought your phone from).
Step 2 – Unzip the N8_SamFAIL_System.zip file.
Step 3 – Download ODIN package on your computer and start it.
Step 4 – Power off your Galaxy Note 8 and boot into Download Mode by pressing Power, Volume Down and Bixby button and connect it to your computer. You can follow our dedicated guide on how to access Download mode on Galaxy Note 8 if you run into issues.
Step 5 – Once connected, click the AP button and select pre-rooted System.tar which you extracted just before in Step 2.
Step 6 – Move to the PIT section in ODIN and select the PIT you downloaded.
Step 7 – Move to the Options tab and select the following:
- Auto Reboot
- F. Reset Time
- NAND ERASE ALL
- Re-partition
Step 8 – Click on Start. Odin will display FAIL in this try, nothing to worry about, it is just as planned.
Step 9 – Don’t power on, just go to download mode again – detailed in Step 4.
Step 10 – Extract N8_SamFAIL_Firmware.zip which you downloaded in Step 1.
