Rooting AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 3 SM-N900A

AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has received its first root from DesignGears and Chainfire, but it will come with a cost as you will be forced to wipe all data in the process. Also, after applying the ‘Root de la Vega’ method you will also need to stay on the same firmware, any stock OTA Updates applied will remove root and you might not be able to apply root ever again for your Note 3.
The best thing about this root method is that it doesn’t trip the KNOX Flags, which means that you won’t void your warranty. Note that you can’t flash any new custom ROMs, kernels nor any other type of custom files, since the bootloader of AT&T Note 3 remains locked. However, we’re hoping that soon someone will manage to release a bootloader unlocking tutorial.
For you to be able to root your AT&T Galaxy Note 3 you should read the guidelines below and learn that a Full WIPE process is recommended, as otherwise root cannot be achieved. Read the preparation guide info below and make sure that you know what you’re doing before continuing to the next part of this post. Here’s what you need to know before starting the root process of your Galaxy Note 3 with Root de la Vega by DesignGears and Chainfire:

• Use this post only for the AT&T variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Check the phone’s model number in Settings, then About Phone menu and verify that the version number is set to SM-N900A.
• Do not attempt to root any other devices using the instructions listed in this post.
  - If you own a Verizon Galaxy Note 3 device and you wish to root it, then you should visit our post here.
• This Root de la Vega rooting tool flashes a custom but pre-rooted stock Galaxy Note 3 firmware based on Android 4.3.
• The Bootloader of your device stays locked, but root will be achieved.
• Use Helium app from Google Play Store in order to backup data from installed apps.
• No custom ROMs nor kernels nor custom recoveries can be installed after applying this root. You will need to wait some time before someone manages to unlock the Note 3 bootloader in order to start installing custom things on it.
• This guide will not trip any KNOX Flags, as the 0×0 value will stay unmodified. The Galaxy Note 3 AT&T warranty won’t be voided by this process.
• The tutorial will wipe every single file from your smartphone. It doesn’t matter if it is system, internal or external partition.
• IMPORTANT: make sure to remove the External microSD card from your device in case there is one installed on it. You’ll find a step in the tutorial that will tell you the same thing, so you shouldn’t forget about it.
  - if you leave the external microSD card connected with your device, then you will lose all data that’s stored on it.
• Download then install the SAMSUNG USB Drivers for your PC from here.
  - if you don’t install the drivers, then the AT&T Galaxy Note 3 won’t be recognized by your PC nor by Odin 3.09 tool. That’s the Windows app that we’ll use in order to flash the rooting files for your device.
• Disable / Uninstall SAMSUNG KIES software from your computer before starting the root.
• Disable any antivirus / security applications from running on your PC. Such apps are interfering with the rooting process and you might not be able to complete the tutorial.
• Enable the USB Debugging option from Developer Options menu.
• This is a tutorial that should be completed by advanced Android users.
• Don’t held us responsible nor the Root de la Vega developers in case you damage or brick the AT&T Galaxy Note 3 device.
• Backup all important data before starting to root your smartphone. Data that is lost in the process cannot be recovered.
• The phone’s battery power charge level has to be over 50%. This prevents it from powering off during the root.
• If you cannot complete the guide or you don’t understand how to apply some of the steps below, then you should ask for more help in comments or visit the XDA AT&T Galaxy Note 3 Root thread- link here.

Now that you know all of the above, continue to the next part of this post.

How to root AT&T Galaxy Note 3 using Root de la Vega utility:

Remember that this guide won’t trip the KNOX Flags and the warranty of your device remains intact. Also, the Samsung boot animation screen will display a Custom Unlock icon from now on, since you’ve still flash a modified firmware.

1. Download the N900AUCUBMI9_VEGA.7z root archive from here.
2. When the file is downloaded you will need to unzip its contents. Save all contents to a single folder on your desktop.
   - after the unzip process is complete you’ll obtain a folder with the following files listed within: N900AUCUBMI9_OneClickBin.exe, Odin3 v3.09 executable, Odin3.ini (it appears only if you’re hidden files are enabled), Root_de_la_vega.tar and Root_de_la_Vega.zip.
   - Root_de_la_Vega.zip should be unzipped too. We’ll use this folder later, do not delete it.
3. Now, power off your smartphone and then remove its external SDcard.
   - do not continue to the next step if you didn’t take out the microSD.
4. Leave the phone powered off and then boot it into Download Mode.
   - the AT&T Note 3 can be booted in Download Mode by pressing Volume Down, Home and Power buttons simultaneously.
   - release the buttons when the Warning! screen appears and press Volume Up to confirm booting process in Download Mode.
5. Launch the N900AUCUBMI9_OneClickBin.exe file.
6. Plug the AT&T Galaxy Note 3 in your computer now. The Odin window will say that the device was added.
7. Press the START Button now.
   - wait until Odin says that the process was completed.
8. When the root is complete the device will reboot in normal mode and Odin will say that the process Passed.
9. The device boots in normal mode, unplug it from your computer.
10. Power off the phone again now.
11. Next, boot it again in Download Mode using the info listed in step 4. Continue to the next step.
12. Launch Odin3 v3.09 executable.
13. Connect the phone with your computer via USB Cable.
14. Press the ‘AP’ button in Odin and browse the folder created in step 2.
15. Load the Root_de_la_vega.tar file.
    - don’t change any default settings.
16. When everything is set click the START button and wait for the root process to complete.
    - don’t press any buttons until the root is applied.
17. After all the root files are flashed with success the AT&T Galaxy Note 3 will reboot.
    - ODIN says PASS confirming that root was achieved.
    - Wait for your device to boot in normal mode and then make sure that it is connected with your PC as we will need to copy some files on its root partition.
18. Copy and paste the Root De la Vega folder to your phone’s root partition.
    - its the sub-folder obtained in step 2 and it contains the following: ‘root files’ folder and root_de_la_vega.sh file.
19. Unplug the phone from PC when the files are copied and then reboot your device now.
20. After the reboot is complete, connect again the device with your PC.
21. Open the phone storage and delete the ‘Root files’ and root_de_la_vega.sh, the files copied in step 18.
22. Unplug the device from computer, reboot it .
23. After reboot go to Google Play Store, install Root Checker Basic tool.
    - launch the root checker app and use it to verify that the root was completed successfully.
24. That’s it, you’ve managed to apply root for your Galaxy Note 3 AT&T using Root de la Vega method.

After the root is applied you can power off the device and then connect your external microSD card with your device once again.
If you have any problems during the root process then you should ask for help in comments below or visit the XDA thread here.
Check ‘ruebarb1′ YouTube video link here for visual aid.