Root and Install ClockworkMod Recovery on Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and Tab 2 7.0

Bought a shiny new Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 or Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and looking for a way to root it? You’ve come to the right place. This guide here will walk you through the steps needed to root your Tab 2 tablet, while also installing ClockworkMod (CWM) recovery. Root access is quite useful for doing more on Android than what is normally possible, like accessing/modifying the system files, overclocking the processor, etc. ClockworkMod recovery is a custom recovery that lets you flash custom ROMs and modifications, backup and restore your current ROM, and more.

The procedure is same for both the Tab 2 10.1 and the Tab 2 7.0, so simply read it and follow it to the letter to root and install CWM recovery on your Tab 2 10.1/7.0. Read on!

Compatibility

This firmware and the guide below are compatible only and only with Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and Tab 2 7.0, model numbers P5110/P5113 and P3110. It’s not compatible with other Galaxy Tab 10.1 variants or with any other device. Check your device’s model number in: Settings » About tablet.

Warning!

The methods and procedures discussed here are considered risky and you should not attempt anything if you don’t know completely what it is. If any damage occurs to your device, we won’t be held liable.

How to Root and Install CWM Recovery on Galaxy Tab 2 10.1/7.0

PART I: Necessary Downloads

1. It’s important you’ve the proper drivers for the phone installed. If you have installed Samsung’s Kies software, you already have the drivers, so download them only if you haven’t installed Kies.
   Download links: 32 bit (x86) Windows  |   64-bit (x64) Windows
2. Download Odin (used to flash recovery on phone).
   Download Odin  |  Filename: Odin3-v1.85_3.zip
3. Extract the Odin3-v1.85_3.zip file downloaded in step 2 to a convenient location on the computer.
4. Download the CWM recovery file.
   Download Recovery  |  Filename: recovery.tar.md5
5. Download the root package. Check the model number on your tablet in Settings » About tablet under Model Number, then download the necessary root file below.
   1. P5113/P3110 users: Download Root  |  Filename: cwm-root-gtab2.zip
   2. P5110 users: Download Root  |  Filename: cwm-root-gtab2a.zip 
6. Copy the cwm-root-gtab2.zip (or cwm-root-gtab2a.zip in case of P5110) file to the microSD card on the tablet as is without extracting it. Remember, you have to copy it to the microSD card, not the internal memory (if you don’t have a microSD card, it won’t work).

PART II: Flashing Recovery

1. Important! In further steps, whenever it says Volume Down button, it means the button next to the POWER button. Whereas Volume Up is the button on the far side of the POWER button i.e. on the right side of the Volume Down button.
   In short, Volume Down is the left button while the Volume Up button is the right button.
2. Disconnect the tablet from PC (if connected) then turn if off. Then, boot it in download mode by pushing and holding down the Power and Volume UP buttons at the same time. When a yellow triangle shows up on-screen, press Volume Down to enter download mode.
3. Open Odin — double-click the Odin3 v1.85.exe that you got after extracting the file Odin3-v1.85_3.zip in step 3 of PART I of the guide.
4. Connect your tablet to PC now. You should get the message “Added!” under Odin’s message box in the bottom left. If you don’t get this message, then probably there is a problem with drivers. Make sure you’ve proper drivers installed (check step 1 of PART I of guide).
5. Now, in ODIN, click the PDA button, and select the file recovery.tar.md5 that you downloaded in Part I of guide.
6. Important! Do not make any other changes in Odin except selecting the required file in PDA as given in step 5. Leave all other options as they are.
7. Now, hit the START button to start flashing the recovery. When the flashing is complete, your tablet will automatically reboot — and when you see the Samsung logo, you can safely unplug the cable. Plus, you’ll get a PASS (with green background) message in the left-most box at the very top of Odin. What to do if Odin gets stuck: If ODIN gets stuck and doesn’t seem to be doing anything, or you get a FAIL message (with red background) in ODIN, do the following – disconnect the tablet from the PC, close ODIN, remove battery, re-insert it, turn tablet on in Download mode, and do the procedure again from Step 3.
8. After the tablets boots up, turn it off again and then go to the next part of the guide.

PART III: Flashing Root Package in Recovery

1. Make sure tablet is off. Then, boot into ClockworkMod recovery by pushing and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons at the same time. When the Samsung Tab 2 10.1 logo appears you can release the power button but continue holding the volume button for a few more seconds. After a few seconds, CWM recovery will show up.
   In recovery, use the volume buttons to navigate/scroll and the power button to select items.
2. Select install zip from sdcard, then select choose zip from sdcard. Scroll to the cwm-root-gtab2.zip file (or cwm-root-gtab2a.zip in case of P5110) on the sdcard and select it.
3. Confirm installation by selecting Yes – Install _____.zip on the next screen to start rooting the tablet.
4. After the installation is complete, select go back and then select reboot system now to reboot your tablet.
5. After the tablet boots up, you will be able to use all the root-enabled apps that you want.

Your Galaxy Tab 2 10.1/Tab 7 2.0 is now rooted and also has ClockworkMod recovery installed. Let us know how it works for you, in the comments below.