[GUIDE][SM-N900P]Get on Lollipop ROM with SIM-unlock

[GUIDE][SM-N900P]Get on Lollipop ROM with SIM-unlock

Hello everyone! I've had some users ask me how to do this, so for those who may be in the same situation, here is a guide to get Android 5.0.1 on your Sprint Note 3 (SM-N900p), for users that are SIM-unlocked and are on a different carrier than Sprint. This has presented me a few problems before, as you cannot go past the MJ4 modem, without losing access to SIM-unlock. In my experiences, I could never get any 5.0+ ROMs to work on my Note 3, while still being able to use/recognize a SIM card from another carrier. I could not get this specific ROM to boot on NC5, so NH7 (possibly newer) bootloader is required. This guide is based solely my own experiences, and a few reported successful users as well. Your mileage may vary.

I will not take responsibility for any damage done to your device, do this at your own risk and free will.

Alright, shall we get started?
Quote:
What you will need:
Odin (Mirrors everywhere, search for it)

If you are not on NH7 (or possibly newer) bootloader, Grab NH7 Stock restore found here

Grab latest TWRP (2.8.5.0) here

Grab MJ4 Modem here

Grab g00h's Note 4 ported Lollipop ROM here

First and foremost: Make a nandroid backup in recovery. Save a copy of it to your PC, as well as a copy of your SDcard(s) for safe keeping.

Now that everything is backed up, and we have all of the necessary files listed above:
If you are already on NH7 bootloader, skip to step 8

1) Open up ODIN on PC and load NH7 stock restore into PDA slot (AP slot for newer versions of ODIN).
2) Do not check "auto-reboot" checkbox. If this is checked, click it once to un-check it.
3) Put phone into Download Mode (Hold 'vol. down' + 'power' + 'home' buttons while booting)
4) Connect phone to PC, there should be a light-blue box lit up with "COM:" + some numbers. This means Odin recognizes the device.
5) Click start button in ODIN to begin flashing. This will take a few minutes.
6) Once the flashing is finished, un-plug phone from PC and pull the battery out for ~10 seconds.
7) Boot straight into Download Mode again. Flash the NH7 file again in ODIN, exactly the same procedure as before. (Sorry, ODIN is picky sometimes, and this trick will get the flash to stick)
Your phone should now be on NH7 firmware, including the Modem and bootloader.

Now we need to get back on MJ4 Modem to be able to recognize the SIM-unlock once again:
8) Open ODIN on PC, and load MJ4 modem tar into PDA slot (AP slot for newer versions of ODIN) 
9)Do not check "auto-reboot" checkbox. If this is checked, click it once to un-check it.
10) Put phone into Download Mode (Hold 'vol. down' + 'power' + 'home' buttons while booting)
11) Connect phone to PC, there should be a light-blue box lit up with "COM:" + some numbers. This means Odin recognizes the device.
12) Click start button in ODIN to begin flashing. This may take a few minutes.
13) Once the flashing is finished, un-plug phone from PC and pull the battery out for ~10 seconds.
14) Boot straight into Download Mode again. Flash the MJ4 modem file again in ODIN, exactly the same procedure as before. (Sorry, ODIN is picky sometimes, and this trick will get the flash to stick)
You should now have everything on NH7 firmware, with the exception of the MJ4 Modem needed for SIM-unlock.

Now we need a custom recovery to flash the ROM:
15) Open ODIN on PC, and load TWRP tar into PDA slot (AP slot for newer versions of ODIN) 
16)Do not check "auto-reboot" checkbox. If this is checked, click it once to un-check it.
17) Put phone into Download Mode (Hold 'vol. down' + 'power' + 'home' buttons while booting)
18) Connect phone to PC, there should be a light-blue box lit up with "COM:" + some numbers. This means Odin recognizes the device.
19) Click start button in ODIN to begin flashing. This may take a few minutes.
20) Once the flashing is finished, un-plug phone from PC and pull the battery out for ~10 seconds.
21) Boot phone into recovery (Hold 'vol. up' + 'power' + 'home' buttons while booting).
22) Flash ROM We should have everything on SDcard(s) still. If you do not, you may need to sideload ROM onto phone in recovery. Alternatively, you should be able to restore your backup and transfer it back to phone easily

23) PROFIT!!! Enjoy some Lollipop with your carrier of choice! 
I know this is a tedious process, and there may be quicker ways of doing the same thing, but I've found this method most reliable. Hopefully this will help someone as much as figuring it out helped me :)
Please report your results

Credits: Give thanks to these folks, they well deserve it
@g00h for the beautiful ROM, thank you
@bigbiff for bringing TWRP to our device
@freeza for MJ4 flashable modem
@micmars for stock NH7 flashable firmware

Enjoy folks, cheers!


[GUIDE][SM-N900P]Get on Lollipop ROM with SIM-unlock