v.2026-04-18
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Samsung Note 3 Root

I actually tried to unlock the bootloader on this old note 3/Android 5.0 loollipop for two reasons.
  1. To run romulist front end after I got AI to downgrade to Android 6.0. It said it could do 5.0 then it couldn't.
  2. My 8BitDo Mobile Controller will not work with Anroid 5.0. Min Android it could work with is 9.0. It would have matched nice with the white.
Anyway. Trying to gather everything to unlock the bootloader would have been possible over 10 years ago. None of the links hold the stuff I need. I did get Odin. But I coulnd not find a link with the unlock script that wasn't total BS and adware. AI gave links but they where all BS. AI is very bad it detecting bad links I guess.

CID

I just ran some diagnostic commands, and here is what we have for your SM-N900V (Verizon):
CID: 1501004d42473447430057e362d0c000 (Starts with 15, which is the "good" Samsung chip needed for the bootloader unlock method).
MMC Name: MBG4GC
Build Number: N900VVRSEPL1 (This is the PL1 update, which is often a "locked-down" version for Verizon).
Baseband: msm
Because your CID starts with 15, your hardware can technically be unlocked. However, your software version (PL1) is one of the later updates. Historically, for the Verizon Note 3, users often had to be on an older firmware (like OF1) to run the unlock exploits.
Next Steps in the Plan:
1. Verify if the PL1 build allows for the CID-based bootloader unlock.
2. Check for any remaining hardware info you might need for Odin or recovery tools.

Pl1 Build

The "Good" Chip: Your CID starts with 15, which means you have the Samsung eMMC chip that can be exploited for a permanent bootloader unlock.
Storage Ready: I detected your 128GB MicroSD card, which is a requirement for running the unlock script.
Build Status: You are on the PL1 build. This build is locked down, so the path to success involves a "downgrade and root" strategy.

Downgrade to OF1

Downgrade to OF1: You'll need to use Odin on a PC to flash the older OF1 firmware. This is because PL1 is very difficult to root, and root is required to unlock the bootloader.

Ancient

Getting unlock script is impossible. None of the links work. Move on. Every one did this in 2013. Even Archive.org doesn't have it. This is the one thing about AI that's annoying. It thinks all these links works. None of them do. And they are all behind malware.

Firmware

Android 5.0 with some updates. We would need to root to install lineage OS android 14. Rooting is a PITA. Needs to reflash first to older firmware. Then runs some hacks. Download tons of shady software. For now I am not doing this. Not worth it.