Samsung has started rolling out a new Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean firmware update for the T-Mobile variant of the Galaxy Note 2 (SGH-T889) in the U.S. Monday. The new official update, taking the baseband version to T889UVBMB4, is an upgrade from the previous Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean version (T889UVALL4) that brought the fix for the Exynos exploit earlier this year.

The T889UVALL4 Jelly Bean firmware was preceded by another Android 4.1.1 update for the T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 in December last year, which brought the multi-window feature to the handset.

As Android Authority has pointed out, that particular firmware update seemed quite strange to many since the Galaxy Note 2 on all other networks was updated to Android 4.1.2 with the multi-window feature, while a similar update for the T-Mobile variant carried the same OS version as the phone’s previous software – Android 4.1.1.

However, with the new firmware update in question, the owners of the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2 have finally got the chance to run Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean on their device. Take a look at the firmware details below:

Android version: 4.1.2 Jelly Bean

Baseband version: T889UVBMB4

CSC: T889TMBBMB4

Build date: February 2013

Release date: March 2013

In addition to general bug fixes and performance improvements, the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean (UVBMB4) update comes with a lot of new features that include (courtesy, SamMobile):

- New additions in notification toggles

- Notification panel can now be customized

- Brightness slider in notification panel can now be disabled

- Multi-view can now be disabled

- Browser is smoother than before

- Status bar has been changed from grey to black

- Continuous input in Samsung keyboard (Like Swype or new Android 4.2 keyboard)

- New ink effect on Lockscreen

- New Group Cast application

In addition, the Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean update now also supports 4G LTE connectivity. For more information, click here.

The new firmware update is currently available over-the-air (OTA). If you are a T-Mobile Galaxy Note 2 owner, but have not received any notification yet, go to Settings > About Phone > Software Updates to check if it’s available. You can also update your device using Samsung Kies.

The users, who are using a rooted Galaxy Note 2 or have a custom ROM and recovery, will likely face difficulties in updating the device via OTA or Kies. Although they can get the update officially after unrooting the device, there’s also a manual method that helps avoid all these hitches.

It should be noted that after installing this official firmware, the users will lose the installed custom ROM such as CM10, Paranoid Android or AOKP as custom ROM will be replaced by official stock ROM.

The users will also lose custom recovery such as ClockWorkMod Recovery or TWRP Recovery as custom recovery will be replaced by stock recovery. In addition, once the new firmware is installed, the device will no longer be a rooted one.

There are some more aspects that merit consideration:

- This tutorial is only for T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note 2, model number T889

- Ensure that the device has at least 80 percent battery power

- USB driver must be installed for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 in your PC

- USB Debugging must be enabled

- Having a proper backup of all your personal data like Contacts, Messages, Applications, Pictures and Videos is a must

- Close all software, such as KIES suite, Antivirus, firewalls, to avoid any conflicts

NOTE: Users must proceed at their own risk. IBTimes cannot be held responsible for anything that goes wrong.

Required Files

Stock ROM: T889UVBMB4_T889TMBBMB4_TMB.zip [Download]

Odin: Odin3 v3.07 [Download]

Procedure To Follow

Step 1: Extract the download firmware zip file. You will get a .tar file along with some other files.

Step 2: Extract Odin zip file. You will get Odin3 v3.07.exe along with some other files.

Step 3: Power off your phone and put it in Download Mode by pressing and holding down the Volume Down and Home buttons while pressing the Power button. A warning screen will appear, now press Volume Up button to enter Download Mode.

Step 4: Run Odin3 v3.07.exe as an Administrator.

Step 5: Connect the Galaxy Note 2 with your PC via USB.

You will get a message under Odin’s message box saying “Added!!” If you don’t get the message, then try another USB port. If it still doesn’t work, then you should reinstall the driver.

If you get the “Added!!” message in Odin, you are ready to try the next step. You will also see ID:COM port with a number in Yellow, if your device is successfully added.

Step 6: In Odin, click on the PDA Button and select the following .tar file:

KIES_HOME_T889UVBMB4_T889TMBBMB4.tar.md5

Step 7: Ensure that “Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time” checkboxes are selected.

Step 8: Re-check everything that you have done so far and click on the START button to begin the installation process.

Step 9: After flashing is complete, you will get a PASS message with green background in the left-most box at the top of the Odin.

The phone will then automatically reboot and you will see the Samsung logo after sometime. After that, you can unplug the USB cable to disconnect your device from computer.

In case the device gets stuck at booting after Step 9, go to recovery mode press and hold down theVolume Up, Home and Power buttons together and perform “Wipe data/Factory Reset.” After that select reboot system now. UseVolume keys to navigate between options and Power key to select the option.

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