Bell, Rogers and Telus Galaxy Note 3 KitKat Update N900W8VLUCNB7 Firmware

Bell, Rogers, Telus has finally pushed the official Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the Canadian Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900W8). The 4.4.2 KitKat firmware build comes in build number N900W8VLUCNB7 and then will going to replaced the old 4.3  N900W8VLUBMJ4. There are no any other changes has been officially released by Samsung Canada so far, but one thing for sure it also includes the redesigned UI settings, white status bar icons, the camera shortcut in the lock screen, and any among other KitKat stuff.
The N900W8VLUCNB7 4.42 KitKat firmware is now being held and made available in Kies firmware server and might already started hitting over-the-air (OTA).  The OTA update might be release in phases and alternately depends to carrier providers. Bell Galaxy Note 3 might get it first since they already announced that the 4.4.2 KitKat will arrive by Monday,  according to Bell’s official Twitter account. Rogers, Telus, and among other Canadian carriers such as Wind, Mobilicity,  Virgin, Videotron, Koodo, Fido, Sasktel and Eastlink might follow shortly.
So better head-over to your Galaxy Note 3 Settings>> About Device>> Check for update,  then simply follow the instruction to download and install the N900W8VLUCNB7 KitKat update on your Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900W8) . The file size of N900W8VLUCNB7 4.4.2 OTA firmware is just around 437.05Mb.

N900W8VLUCNB7 KitKat Update changes:

This is only derived from Samsung’s official details about the 4.4.2 KitKat Update. But there are also numerous stuff which can be found on User’s Interface (UI).
Features and Enhancements:

• OS uprade -(Kit OS 4.4.2)
• Music Album art will be displayed on the lockscreen while palying music (this one is still missing though) 
• The new launcher settings menu has been added. (Home screen, SMS)
• Camera shortcut is added on the lock screen.
• Improved the User Interface and Stability
• Some changes may vary depending on country or network operator.

N900W8VLUCNB7 4.4.2 KitKat Official Firmware

Here are the firmware build info of the N900W8VLUCNB7 4.4.2 KitKat update.
Device – Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Model number – SM-N900W8
Country: Canada 
Carriers – Bell, Rogers, Telus, Wind Mobile, Mobilicity, Virgin Mobile, Videotron, Koodo, Fido, Sasktel and Eastlink
Android version – 4.4.2 (KitKat)
Baseband version – N900W8VLUCNB7
Kernel Version – 3.4.0-859721
Build Number – KOT49H.N900W8VLUCNB7
Other info:
AP – N900W8VLUCNB7
CSC – N900W8OYACNB7
Modem – N900W8VLUCNB7
Build date – 27 Feb 2014
Release date – 17, March 2014
(I’ll post the screenshot very soon)

How to Manually Upgrade  Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900W8 to Official Android 4.4.2 KitKat N900W8VLUCNB7  (Odin Flashing method)

The stock N900W8VLUCNB7 firmware below are only for those who are rooted and has been modified their phones and may not get this update through ‘OTA’ over-the-air or even Kies and may have had faced issues like “Software Update Failed” or “This device is not supported with kies” and any similar errors. So again, if you want to have the official 4.4.2 KitKat update N900W8VLUCNB7 installed on your Galaxy Note 3 (SM-N900W8)  just simply grab the 4.4.2 N900W8VLUCNB7 stock firmware from the sources below, for this is your other last resort. One more thing, the 4.4.2 update now equipped with a secured bootloader which similarly found on 4.3 updates, some circumstances is that you cannot revert back to the older software update version, for this breaks the bootloader image once gets re-written. So make sure to be aware with that if you are planning to install any ROMs that still based on 4.3 , or 4.2.2. If you are also rooted then you’ll lose root once the 4.4.2 installation has made, that’s because official firmwares wipes-out any modification you have made or installed in your device.

Disclaimer: This method are used by Android developers and advanced users only. If ever this is your first time heard about this procedure, please make a careful research first before proceeding. We shall not be held any responsibility if anything happens to your device from using this guide. Proceed at your own risk!
Warning: This stock N900W8VLUCNB7 4.4.2 Firmware is only compatible for Galaxy Note 3 with SM-N900W8 (Canada variants) specific model only. Do not ever try to use this firmware on other Samsung Galaxy Note 3 variants U.S and international, including with the same type such as in the South America (Latin Countries) for these are carrier branded specific firmwares.

FAQS:
Q: Will I lose root once installed the N900W8VLUCNB7 KitKat Firmware?
A: Yes, this will restore your device into official software from your carrier and wipes any customization you have made.
Q: Can I install root again once upgraded to N900W8VLUCNB7 KitKat Firmware?
A: Yes, this firmware build can be rooted, but be aware about the new KNOX security platform hidden inside the system that  completely voids the warranty of your device once gets tripped by means of rooting or installing any custom recovery. This sets “KNOX warranty Void: 0×1 from 0×0″ (You can see this when you set your device in download mode). This cannot be reset by any hacking method except by Samsung service personnel using a special reset tool of-course.
So, if you want your warranty still intact, don’t touch it. If you ever needed and tempted to root this N900W8VLUCNB7 build, don’t just follow some instructions on rough websites except those with highest level of authority and sourced from XDA-developers.  There are already reported soft-bricks  issues while rooting the 4.4.2 KitKat update.

Download  the original N900W8VLUCNB7 Stock Firmware:

Stock Odin Firmware N900W8VLUCNB7:
Bell – N900W8VLUCNB7_BMC (link) (link)
Rogers – N900W8VLUCNB7_RWC (link) (link)
Telus – N900W8VLUCNB7_TLS (link) (link)
Wind Mobile – N900W8VLUCNB7_GLW (link) (link)
Mobilicity – N900W8VLUCNB7_MCT (link) (link)
Virgin Mobile – N900W8VLUCNB7_VMC (link) (link)
Videotron – N900W8VLUCNB7_VTR (link) (link)
Sasktel – N900W8VLUCNB7_BWA (link) (link)
Eastlink – N900W8VLUCNB7_ESK (link) (link)
Koodo Mobile – N900W8VLUCNB7_KDO (link) (link)
Fido Mobile – N900W8VLUCNB7_FMC (link) (link)

Prerequisites:

Before you proceed prepare these necessary things as follows so you’ll not screwed-up your phone:
– If your phone is currently rooted or runs with custom ROM, including custom recovery and modified kernel and any other unsigned system images. You must have reverted back your Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900W8 to the official 4.3 N900W8VLUBMJ4 firmware, just in-case or otherwise you’ll get “Authentication” error or failure upon installation.  From there your phone can even receive the 4.4.2 N900W8VLUCNB7 update via over-the-air (OTA).
– Create a back-up or sync all your personal data, like: Contacts, Messages, Applications, Pictures and Videos to your Google account, Samsung account and to your SD card, so that you will not lost it just in-case something might went wrong after the update and you need to make a factory reset.
– Make sure that your Galaxy Note 3 battery is fully charged to ensure stability and to get rid pf power failure issues while updating.
– Close all softwares, such as KIES suite, Antivirus, firewalls, to prevent the possible conflict.
– Prepare a personal computer or laptop with Windows OS.

Stock Firmware 4.4.2 N900W8VLUCNB7 Odin Flashing Procedures:

Odin downloader –  Odin3_v3.09 
USB Driver – Drivers are here
1) Extract the downloaded N900TUVUCNB4 firmware or stock ROM. Use winzip, 7zip,winrar or any decompressing program you have in your computer.
2) Run Odin3_v3.09  and configure its flashing options, DO NOT put check on  the  ‘Re-Partition’ check-box. Leave these checked – “Auto Reboot” and “F.Reset Time” check-boxes.
3) Just click on the AP  button then select and load the the N900W8VLUCNB7firmware.
‘N900W8VLUCNB7 _N900W8OYACNB7_N900W8VLUCNB7 _Home.tar.md5′
4) Reboot the Galaxy Note 3  into Download Mode: Turn it Off first. Now Press and hold the Volume Down, HOME and Power ON button at the same time). You will then presented into a “Warning Message” screen, just press the Volume Up to continue. Once the Android robot and a “Downloading” message appears.
5) Connect USB data cable to Phone. The ID:COM box will highlight and turn to a bluish color when the phone is properly connected and already recognized with Odin.
6) Tick the ‘START’ button when all is set and ready to begin flashing.
7) DO NOT Interrupt, touch nor do anything when the phone is already in flashing progress mode. You’ll messed up the phone if you accidentally interfere the installation. Wait until a word “PASS” appears on the left side of the Odin screen, it is an indication that the installation successfully completes. (If you get failed errors, check the USB connection condition, repeat the whole process)
8) Wait until the phone completely reboots, then unplug it from your computer.

I got errors right after the N900W8VLUCNB7 being installed

If your device was rooted or runs with custom ROM, this issues usually occurred. If you sees some issues, including bootloops and  lag issues, you may try to clean your phones memory cache, so it wipes and clean any old system images  you’ve installed which may not compatible with N900W8VLUCNB7 4.4.2 firmware anymore, if something clogged the system images that’s are just the basic problem you’ll going to notice.
To fix this just try a full factory reset in Advance users mode.
Again, this is only optional just in-case you’ll experience bootloops and lag issues after flashing. Just make sure you already have the back-up of all of your files because this process wipes everything and cleans your phone and then restart fresh.
Press and hold Volume Up+ Home+Power button, then select the Wipe Data/Factory Reset, to gain a fresh firmware installed.
That’s it, have something to say? Don’t hesitate to drop it on the comment form below.