An Android 5.1.1 build for the T-Mobile Note 4 came to the interwebs. But, it wasn’t for the N910T Note 4 variant that has many users. Instead, the 5.1.1 update was meant for the N910T3 variant of T-Mobile Note 4, which apparently is a revision of the original N910T variant with slightly (unknown) changes in hardware.

Firstly, we thought the N910T3 firmware would be compatible with N910T variant as well. But, it was not so, as per the people among us who like adventures who attempted to flash the firmware on their N910T variant and ended up with a bootlooping devices.

But thanks to developer who has successfully ported the Android 5.1.1 update from N910T3 variant to the N910T variant, which most of us have in our hands.

The port is fully functional, and there are no bugs present (as far as we know). But it’s neither a recovery flashable ROM nor an Odin flashable file — it’s instead a TWRP recovery backup which you can restore to your Note 4 via TWRP. And as a bonus, it’s pre-rooted as well.

So, before you go ahead make sure you’ve TWRP recovery installed on your T-Mobile Note 4. Also, the installation process will require a full wipe (system, data, cache), so make sure you take a backup of all the important files on the device to be on the safe side, should things go wrong.

Get the TWRP backup of 5.1.1 port for T-Mobile Note 4 N910T from the download link below and follow the instructions to restore the backup using TWRP recovery on your device.

Download 5.1.1 Port for N910T (TWRP Backup)

How to Restore TWRP Backup

Developer’s note: For a flawless experience, make sure your T-Mobile Note 4 is running on N910TUVU1COG2 firmware before restoring this 5.1.1 based TWRP backup from N910T3 variant.

Download the TEKXvirgin_N4_URv0_Gift_Edition.rar file from the download link above and transfer it to your T-Mobile Note 4 to TWRP/BACKUPS/########/ directory.

└ Here ######## is a directory with your TWRP id, a set of numbers and letters inside the TWRP backup folder. Now using a file manager app like ES File explorer, unrar the .rar file inside the TWRP/BACKUPS/########/ directory.

└ Basically, we want all the files from the .rar file inside the TWRP/BACKUPS/########/ directory on your Note 4. Once you have the TWRP backup in place. Boot your Note 4 into TWRP recovery. From TWRP main menu, select Wipe » Advanced Wipe » and tick the checkboxes for Dalvik Cache, Cache, System and Data. Then do a “Swipe to Wipe” at the bottom of the screen. Go back to TWRP main menu, select Restore and then select the TWRP backup we transferred and unpacked to your Note 4 in Step 1 and 2 above. Once the Restore process finishes reboot the device.

└ If you get “Install SuperSU?” prompt, make sure you select “Do Not Install”.

That’s all. Your T-Mobile Note 4 N910T will boot now with Android 5.1.1 build from N910T3.