Related
Hi.
I got a note 2 and would like to have an odin image with the official state as I bought it before I start tinkering with it (root, flashing rom, etc) so I can restore it if I need to claim warranty service.
The issue is: The firmware is of the austrian mobile operator 3 (www.drei.at) and I did not find an official firmware for it!
Can someone point me to it if it exists (did not find it on http://www.sammobile.com/firmware)?
Else: Is it possible to create an "official" system dump of it that works with odin? So if I restore from that created firmware it restores to the state I bought it without anything changed (no custom firmware counter increased, etc).?
I know there are some guides on how to create odin dumps, but they are rather complicated and I am unclear if I restore from one of those if it counts it as official (does it need to be signed for that and anyone not from samsung even do that?) and does not increase it.
Can you help me?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1951091
You can root your phone and do whatever you want, and whenever you want. You can simply return to official warranty version by following steps in first reply of the link i attached.
Thanks
I don't think you get want I mean:
I know how rooting and flashing and odin works, i've done it lots of times. And i've also returned phones to stock.
Until now however I always had unlocked devices with completely official samsung firmwares, but now I have an oparator specific firmware: that of 3 austria.
I did not find an image for this firmware, so I cannot flash back the correct stock image because I did not find that specific image provided anywhere.
So my question:
- Where do I get the firmware JRO03C.N7100XXALIJ for 3 austria? Is it even available?
- If not: can I create it myself?
On http://www.sammobile.com/firmware the only option sensible that gives me results is the latest 10...
Is there a way to view all firmwares for a device (i.e.: n7100) to make sure mine is not among them?
this site is much better. you won't find that firmware exactly but you find other updates for your specific region!
http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=GT-N7100
First, thank you guys. Just bought a note 8 WiFi version GT-5110. It is a good device, loved it. I've been researching and reading all over the posts about rooting, install custom rom, firmware and etc... I guess the first thing to do is to root my note 8. So, before I root my device I want to know for sure I can return back to original unmodified stock. I found that I can use ODIN to flush official firmware. However, I checked samMobile for the firmware for my country which is Canada. But I couldn't find. I used toolkit to check my note 8 firmware. It is N5110XXBMC9 and the region is XAC. It is the oldest. Hate it, we are so close to the us but always treated differently, and very thing is more expensive.
Question:
1 Can I just flash US region firmware? Since I have the WiFi, it has nothing to do with the phone and carrier. Or, can someone tried to flush a different region firmware tell me what is the outcome.
2 If I flash an US firmware, will I still able to claim warranty in Canada(just in case).
3 Will Flushing firmware with ODIN increase flush count, even I flush with official stock?
4 Last question, after rooting, will note 8 achieve floating multiwindow like note 10. Or, we are still limited to have to window side by side, but with rooting, we can put more apps to choose.
I know you guys are busy, if anyone can help me or point a useful post for me I would be really appreciated.
qingyaoli said:
First, thank you guys. Just bought a note 8 WiFi version GT-5110. It is a good device, loved it. I've been researching and reading all over the posts about rooting, install custom rom, firmware and etc... I guess the first thing to do is to root my note 8. So, before I root my device I want to know for sure I can return back to original unmodified stock. I found that I can use ODIN to flush official firmware. However, I checked samMobile for the firmware for my country which is Canada. But I couldn't find. I used toolkit to check my note 8 firmware. It is N5110XXBMC9 and the region is XAC. It is the oldest. Hate it, we are so close to the us but always treated differently, and very thing is more expensive.
Question:
1 Can I just flash US region firmware? Since I have the WiFi, it has nothing to do with the phone and carrier. Or, can someone tried to flush a different region firmware tell me what is the outcome.
2 If I flash an US firmware, will I still able to claim warranty in Canada(just in case).
3 Will Flushing firmware with ODIN increase flush count, even I flush with official stock?
4 Last question, after rooting, will note 8 achieve floating multiwindow like note 10. Or, we are still limited to have to window side by side, but with rooting, we can put more apps to choose.
I know you guys are busy, if anyone can help me or point a useful post for me I would be really appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also like to know the answer to this question as I have a New Zealand international model but the rom is old. Can I flash the UK version which is the most uptodate. (I have the wifi version).
Thanks
I decided to give it a try myself.
I flashed the latest BTU N5110XXBMF2 which worked a treat. I checked and this is what is displayed
Custom Binary Download = No
Current Binary = Samsung Official
System Status = Official
So it worked fine for me.
colint3 said:
I decided to give it a try myself.
I flashed the latest BTU N5110XXBMF2 which worked a treat. I checked and this is what is displayed
Custom Binary Download = No
Current Binary = Samsung Official
System Status = Official
So it worked fine for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello. I am also having this issue, with a GT-N5110 from canada. May I ask the steps in which you flashed the firmware? Did you do it via Odin?
deviant_cryptic said:
Hello. I am also having this issue, with a GT-N5110 from canada. May I ask the steps in which you flashed the firmware? Did you do it via Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just downloaded the firmware and used Odin. It didn't wipe the sdcard it just updated the apps. Its worked well ever since.
I have since updated to N5110XXCMK1 using the same method.
Regards
Colin
Thanks. I used the same method to flash 4.2.2 on my device. I am also now on xxcmk1.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
flash counter
Hi guys! I was looking to know about this. And I got a few question:
1. I want to make sure about the flash counter. If I change to XXCMK1 my rom, the flash counter goes to 1, or would be like the note 8.0 came with that stock room (nothing change in the counter)?
2. It is a little off of the main question but I will ask anyway: have you tried to add icloud email to the native email manager in the XXCMK1 rom? (Asking just in case you did it, since I read that rom is the one that doesnt have problem to set up in the native email manager?
Thank you guys (literally). I will appreciate your answers.
miguel0706 said:
Hi guys! I was looking to know about this. And I got a few question:
1. I want to make sure about the flash counter. If I change to XXCMK1 my rom, the flash counter goes to 1, or would be like the note 8.0 came with that stock room (nothing change in the counter)?
2. It is a little off of the main question but I will ask anyway: have you tried to add icloud email to the native email manager in the XXCMK1 rom? (Asking just in case you did it, since I read that rom is the one that doesnt have problem to set up in the native email manager?
Thank you guys (literally). I will appreciate your answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. My flash counter did not change when I flashed 4.2.2 using Odin.
But it did when I used auto cf root afterwards to root the phone.
2. Nope I haven't tried.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk
More...
Thank you for the answer.
I got another questions guys. Because it is from another country (the version I choose is from UK) and I am in USA, Do I going to have any problem with the apps from google play? I wondering. Thank you again.
miguel0706 said:
Thank you for the answer.
I got another questions guys. Because it is from another country (the version I choose is from UK) and I am in USA, Do I going to have any problem with the apps from google play? I wondering. Thank you again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you found the answer?
yeeahnick said:
have you found the answer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not yet? Now im just waiting for the update to kitkat
i am having this prob too. does my gt-i9300 need to be rooted to flash a stock firmware from different country?
qingyaoli said:
First, thank you guys. Just bought a note 8 WiFi version GT-5110. It is a good device, loved it. I've been researching and reading all over the posts about rooting, install custom rom, firmware and etc... I guess the first thing to do is to root my note 8. So, before I root my device I want to know for sure I can return back to original unmodified stock. I found that I can use ODIN to flush official firmware. However, I checked samMobile for the firmware for my country which is Canada. But I couldn't find. I used toolkit to check my note 8 firmware. It is N5110XXBMC9 and the region is XAC. It is the oldest. Hate it, we are so close to the us but always treated differently, and very thing is more expensive.
Question:
1 Can I just flash US region firmware? Since I have the WiFi, it has nothing to do with the phone and carrier. Or, can someone tried to flush a different region firmware tell me what is the outcome.
2 If I flash an US firmware, will I still able to claim warranty in Canada(just in case).
3 Will Flushing firmware with ODIN increase flush count, even I flush with official stock?
4 Last question, after rooting, will note 8 achieve floating multiwindow like note 10. Or, we are still limited to have to window side by side, but with rooting, we can put more apps to choose.
I know you guys are busy, if anyone can help me or point a useful post for me I would be really appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had an issue where I (think) I soft-bricked my device, as I could not get it to boot up, it would get stuck on the "samsung" logo and then display a black screen and go no further. My device is Canadian as well, and was running stock Canadian firmware, but I had rooted it before hand and was attempting to flash firmware from another country.
Well, I ended up downloading the US firmware for 4.2.2 from another thread here on XDA and flashed that in a last attempt to fix it, and it worked! But now I'm running US firmware. Since the KitKat update is now available in Canada, I'm downloading that as we speak and am going to flash it when it's done.
LHNothing said:
I had an issue where I (think) I soft-bricked my device, as I could not get it to boot up, it would get stuck on the "samsung" logo and then display a black screen and go no further. My device is Canadian as well, and was running stock Canadian firmware, but I had rooted it before hand and was attempting to flash firmware from another country.
Well, I ended up downloading the US firmware for 4.2.2 from another thread here on XDA and flashed that in a last attempt to fix it, and it worked! But now I'm running US firmware. Since the KitKat update is now available in Canada, I'm downloading that as we speak and am going to flash it when it's done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update: flashing went great, just had to remove the .md5 at the end of the ROM file. Everything seems to be in order.
Hello everyone, I decided to finally write for directions, because the more I read, the more confused I get.
I apologize in advance if I am in a wrong thread.
Although I spent already hundreds of hours of reading about rooting, flashing etc it is hard to find simple, specific answers regarding my device, partially due to vast number of ROM builds for different countries. I downloaded mskip Toolkit in April 2012, to root my GN2 I found it, at the time to be easiest, most comprehensive tool to use, and although I did it like a blind peson in a dark room, it worked. So after almost 9 months of having stock ROM, TWRP recovery and unable to get OTA updates
I wanted to experience new and different ROMs. I would love to check out CM or Phoenix ROM.
Firstly, I wanted to get stock ROM for my N7100, so I could flash it back to original, out of the box condition if I ever need to sell it. There are many good guides but these assume your county of residence as source of your ROM Here is my first obstacle which is my stock ROM?
I purchased my international GN2 on newegg.com and there are no ROMs for United States other than
for specific US carrier. I use Straight Talk, which runs on ATT network.
Then comparing (via *#1234#) my:
AP:N7100UBDMA3,
CP:N7100UBDMA1
CSC:N7100UUBDMA2
found somewhere that these are identical with 4.1.2 Argentinian ARO ROMs.
Purchased Triangle Away, getting ready for stock flash, but Triangle Away says "Status unknown", ODIN mode however reports 2 flashes. Why? Does it have to do with how phone was rooted? Using Toolkit?
Now Toolkit reports under "Device information
"country code: TTT" which is Trinidad and Tobago
Now I am completely confused.
Therefore I have many questions. Can I flash my N7100 with, let's say, US ATT SCH-l317 stock ROM
If not, which is correct stock ROM for above build numbers? When looking for a ROM which number is
most important one, to compare with? Baseband? Build number on the bottom of "About device page?
If I don't find exact builds, which one I should use the (closest one by build number, frequency).
Can i flush the most popular (or most developed) ROMs from let's say India, UK, or Poland? I am
completely lost. Thank you for any suggestions.
First try to use Kies to see what update it suggests, then take a look at http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/.
Compare and avoid an update which contains Knox, try to find a Knox-free stock rom here on XDA or even using Google.
Good Luck!
Edit: "Status unknown" is the normal message you get from triangle away, as far as I've experienced.
Androidwizzard said:
First try to use Kies to see what update it suggests, then take a look at...
Compare and avoid an update which contains Knox, try to find a Knox-free stock rom here on XDA or even using Google.
Good Luck!
Edit: "Status unknown" is the normal message you get from triangle away, as far as I've experienced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! Awesome advice! Indeed Kies suggested TTT ROM, (which is Trinidad and Tobago, how weird is that).
So it seems that what should care about is last three characters of PDA ROM version, right?
I read about Knox just to know enough to avoid it. Thanks.
So now I am downloading 4.1.2 stock version of my ROM, after that Triangle away.... ODIN.... Reboot in download mode.... flash.... and I should have out-of-the-box phone, right?
Now, what about when I want to use Phoenix ROM or any other ROM for that matter, that was build on whatever ( for example XXUDMJ1 stock ROM from Israel let's say) can I use that? I doubt that I can find custom ROM based on my TTT stock. What then?
Various online tutorials, guides or Youtube videos, don't even mention checking original ROM. It just say.... download from "here" and flash.
What's that about?
Hi there,
I have the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 LTE version, which I purchased through Ebay - I believe it came from Asia somewhere as it showed up with an international adapter for the power supply. It was sold as a "Verizon" model - I ditched that sim card and have been using it with Bell Mobility in Canada.
Recently, I tried to update my firmware using the latest version of Samsung Kies and I'm running Windows 10 latest version. For some reason Kies needs to reinstall the USB driver before performing the update to the firmware and this causes Windows 10 to crash without fail. (This is also happening to my Note 3 - Samsung informs me Kies is not compatible with Windows 10 although it seems to work for everything else - just not the update). Kies doesn't seem to care that I already have the latest drivers installed.
I can't update via the tablet because my device has been "modified" - rooted.
Finally I went to Sammobile for the firmware, however I can't find any US firmware for a compatible carrier under SM-T705. I am debating flashing the Bell Canada firmware, but the model is listed as SM-T705W. In case this is not ok and I need to revert to the original, I'm hoping someone can help me identify my build? The samsung agent offered to identify it but once she discovered it was from outside Canada she said she had no information. So much for Samsung International!
Please help! I'm having battery issues and I'm hoping updated firmware will help, plus I would like to have the latest version of Android. Thanks!
If you're in Canada then just flash the Canadian firmware.
ashyx said:
Cellular south is us
Region XAR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there, forgive me for being thick, but how do you tell it's Cellular south, and what do you mean by region XAR? I'm sure that the fellow I bought this unit from flashed US firmware, however I can't find it on the Sammobile site - in fact I can't find any US carrier firmware listed for this model.
As mentioned above, I did find Bell mobility (Canada) firmware listed for the SM-T705W but nothing for the SM-T705.
Further explanation greatly appreciated!
LostinCanada said:
Hi there, forgive me for being thick, but how do you tell it's Cellular south, and what do you mean by region XAR? I'm sure that the fellow I bought this unit from flashed US firmware, however I can't find it on the Sammobile site - in fact I can't find any US carrier firmware listed for this model.
As mentioned above, I did find Bell mobility (Canada) firmware listed for the SM-T705W but nothing for the SM-T705.
Further explanation greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash any firmware for that model, so just flash the Canadian firmware, no point in flashing a us firmware.
ashyx said:
You can flash any firmware for that model, so just flash the Canadian firmware, no point in flashing a us firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok great. I would like to locate the US firmware though for future use. I travel alot in the US and in the event I need a different carrier's modem... Are the US carriers listed somewhere else or am I blind? http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/search/SM-T705/
Thanks!
LostinCanada said:
Ok great. I would like to locate the US firmware though for future use. I travel alot in the US and in the event I need a different carrier's modem... Are the US carriers listed somewhere else or am I blind? http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/search/SM-T705/
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have root so install twrp from the development section and do a full back up of your current system.
You can then restore as you please.
Seems no US firmware for the t705.
ashyx said:
You have root so install twrp from the development section and do a full back up of your current system.
You can then restore as you please.
Seems no US firmware for the t705.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL... ok now I have another problem. I had already downloaded the Bell mobility file from Sammobile and hadn't seen this response - in the meantime I hooked up with Odin and my download failed twice - I don't get it. I just did my Note 3 10 minutes ago without any issues. Rebooted device and odin between both attempts.
Thoughts?
Don't flash anything until you make that full backup with TWRP, trust me it will save a massive headache should you need it.
Download Flashfire from the link below then set your date back to August, run Flashfire then load up the firmware, select the Flash firmware package option.
From the partitions list select system.img and boot.img only.
Under the reboot options select download mode then hit the flash button.
Once it has flashed and booted to download mode you will need to flash a lollipop bootloader (assuming you are flashing lollipop?)
You will find them in the bootloader thread.
After that just reboot the tablet, it will take about ten minutes for it to fully boot.
http://likewaphd.in/filewap-1-load/...2015/FlashFire_Pro_v0.21_-_Likewap.apk-0.html
Uh... ok you lost me early on. I downloaded the file - how do I install it? I remember using the TWRP thing several phones back when I was messing with custom ROMs. I had a problem with recovery and since then have never gone this route - I've been happy with stock rom and root - installed using Odin... sortof the KISS principle.
I can try TWRP, but could you dumb down the instructions a bit - as I mentioned, I'm a bit thick - particularly with some of the terminology! LOL
This is the file I downloaded - yes, Lollipop - I don't understand why I have the Odin Fail - google isn't helping me understand either. I have root, USB debugging is enabled and I followed the same steps as with my Note 3 - the message said write fail.
http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/52301/T705WVLU2BOE4_T705WOYA2BOE4_BMC/ Is this what you mean by bootloader?
TWRP - flash with odin then boot into twrp using POWER + HOME + VOL UP - http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...p-2-8-6-1-unofficial-sm-t800-805-807-t3074633
Bootloader - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3099362
ashyx said:
TWRP - flash with odin then boot into twrp using POWER + HOME + VOL UP - http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...p-2-8-6-1-unofficial-sm-t800-805-807-t3074633
Bootloader - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3099362
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok but those "bootloaders" are custom ROMS are they not? And I don't see my device on the TWRP site - I have the LTE version, it only shows Wifi.
Really all I want to install the Bell stock firmware (assuming it is indeed compatible - SM-T705 vs SM-T75W) I linked to from the Sammobile site and then do Chainfire's auto-root.
Why isn't Odin writing the firmware to my device? I've never had this issue before and I don't see what I might have done differently with this device - it's the first time I've tried to update it, but I had no trouble rooting it with the chainfire auto-root.
LostinCanada said:
Ok but those "bootloaders" are custom ROMS are they not? Really all I want to install the Bell stock firmware (assuming it is indeed compatible - SM-T705 vs SM-T75W) I linked to from the Sammobile site and then do Chainfire's auto-root.
Why isn't Odin writing the firmware to my device? I've never had this issue before and I don't see what I might have done differently with this device - it's the first time I've tried to update it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they are bootloaders they are required to boot the firmware , roms are the os.
Odin won't flash because certain devices will refuse to flash another regions firmware.
My advice to you is to flash the lollipop bootloader first, to make sure it will flash then flash the firmware with flashfire.
Obviously make the twrp backup first.
ashyx said:
No they are bootloaders they are required to boot the firmware , roms are the os.
Odin won't flash because certain devices will refuse to flash another regions firmware.
My advice to you is to flash the lollipop bootloader first, to make sure it will flash then flash the firmware with flashfire.
Obviously make the twrp backup first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok I flashed the bootloader, and then I tried to flash the firmware with Odin again but it still won't do it - write fail again. I've never used flashfire - windows 10 won't open it...
UDATE: Ok I read to transfer the file to the download folder on the tablet, and then install on tablet. So I did that, but when I click on the icon it doesn't run. How the heck do I use this to install the firmware update?
Figured out the date bit, ran Flashfire.... problems during the install - got stuck in boot loop - tried a factory reset - that didn't work... stuck in loop. I think I'm bricked....
Left the default settings in place - very little in the way of instructions - read the bit about not trying to write over protected settings...
And got this:
You're not bricked as long as the tablet starts up and you can boot to Download mode.
I've seen that error with corrupt downloads so not sure why you're getting it.
Reboot to download mode. Just hold POWER + HOME + VOL DOWN until the device restarts and boots to download mode.
Doesn't matter if it's boot looping.
Reflash TWRP and restore the backup you made earlier. You will be back to where you started.
At this point I think the best option is to flash a custom lollipop rom.
There is a very good one I use on my t805 which is practically stock with a bit of bloatware removed.
Its in the development section called sweetrom.
At least one positive is that you were able to flash the lollipop bootloader, so upgrade is not impossible.
I'm definitely able to get to download mode - I was surprised that the factory recovery mode didn't work. I'm wondering if the file from sammobile is corrupted - I used the same file with Flashfire - now I think Odin was trying to save me. I'm downloading the same file again fresh, and it looks like Telus and possibly the other Canadian variants are the same - unless it's the same corrupted file.
I just hope the problem isn't because my phone identifies itself as a straight SM-T705. That is why I asked about that point earlier. There are plenty of straight 1705 options available - just don't know which country would be compatible - particularly for the modem.
I didn't understand how to use TWRP and I've had problems with it in the past (recovery) when I did figure out how to use it and was messing with custom ROMS a couple of years ago. I would really like to get myself back in order with a proper stock ROM and root. This tablet belongs in my car and right now I just want it to work properly - I'm using Torque to resolve some ongoing engine issues and it will suck if I have to go back to using the small screen on my Note 3.
If there is any way to figure out which of those countries for the 705 are compatible with Canadian carriers, in case this Bell firmware is defunct, that would be appreciated.
As well, is that bootloader going to cause any problems with stock firmware? I've already flashed it - does stock firmware come with bootloaders included?
OK before I go any further with this I need you to install twrp and make that back up. Twrp is now very stable.
Twrp will back up some very important partitions namely the Efs and modem. Don't take this warning lightly. The amount of people that have soft bricked their device because they didn't do this.
Boot into twrp then simply select the backup option and make sure the partitions on the left are ticked particularly boot,
Efs and modem.
Now as regards which firmware.
I would forget about installing the Canadian firmware.
It looks like this firmware will only install specifically on a Canadian device.
It doesn't really matter which firmware from which region you install as they are pretty much all the same except for the carrier ones which just add more bloat and some csc specific stuff.
Just go for an international rom. You've already flashed a bootloader from one of these roms so that proves you can flash.
Use odin to flash.
If you have connection issues afterwards then all you need do is restore your modem backup with TWRP.
That's why it's important you do this.
Follow these instructions and we will get you up and running.
Whole again!
Whole again!
For the record, I read elsewhere that it is NOT recommended to flash other letter variants of a model. In the meantime I downloaded all four Sammobile Canadian Carrier files and they appear to be the exact same file and all install attempts failed For anyone else with an actual SM-705W I read in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/general/t705-lollipop-t3099945 a fellow Canadian was having a problem with those same files. Dunno what happened with him in the end, however I tried one more W file I found elsewhere that appeared to be different but it failed as well.
Based on the comments in the above thread, I flashed the Hong Kong variant for the SM-705 from Sammobile - apparently it was the first firmware widely available and users from several countries posted they had used it successfully. So far it seems to be working ok - after flashing it, I did a factory reset on the device as was also recommended in the above thread. Sure hope the battery life will be better than before - love this tablet but I've never seen a device drain so rapidly! CF-Auto Root restored!
As a side note my Ebay seller did reply to my origins query and was helpful once he realized I wasn't complaining about the device and wanting to return it... LOL. Apparently my unit originated in Singapore and arrived with that firmware along with a Verizon SIM which I never tested. As long as the OS is smooth, and the modem compatible, and unless someone advises a better country variant, I guess I'll stick with this one.
Now just need to get Torque reconfigured!
Hello guys!
I have a sim unlocked Galaxy S20 (SM-G980F) from Orange Romania and I want the new update (Android 12 and OneUI 4) and to get rid of the pre-installed apps from Orange. Apparently it is a known fact that some mobile network operators tend to postpone the new firmware updates (which I think it's stupid) because they have to 'test' it and load it with a bunch of useless apps that nobody needs. It wouldn't have been such a problem if this would happen in a timeframe of a few days, but usually it takes months. I contacted Orange and they said the upcoming update is being 'tested' and it will probably be released sometime in March (which again, it's just stupid).
I am looking for a way to change the Software Service Provider from ORO to ROM (or something else, to get the update directly from Samsung and not Orange); Samsung and Vodafone already rolled the update.
So, I have a few questions:
1. Can I change the Service Provider? (SM-G980F on Android 11)
1.1. If yes, how can I do it? Can you guys kindly guide me towards a tutorial?
1.2. Can I do it for free?
2. Should I just install a custom ROM? (I have seen many on this forum, but most of them seem to have problems if the high refresh rate is enabled etc... any reccomendations?)
Thank you guys! Any advice is much appreciated!
PS: I am kind of unfamiliar with these things, i used to flash custom ROMs on my old phones back when Cyanogenmod was a thing and I've used Android since 1.5. I don't know what changed and what's new so any help is welcome! Thank you!
First off, why do you even want Android 12 so badly? Early adopters catch all the bugs. And moreover, if you want to mod your phone, you'll quickly notice that a lot of popular mods aren't yet available for Android 12. As of today:
There still is not an official Magisk release for Android 12 (only Canary/pre-release builds).
Xposed module GravityBox for Android 12 has not been released.
Xposed module Firefds Kit for Android 12 has not been released.
And if you start modding, you're likely to find more things that just don't exist for A12 yet.
1. Can I change the Service Provider? (SM-G980F on Android 11)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
1.1. If yes, how can I do it? Can you guys kindly guide me towards a tutorial?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It used to be fairly easy. You could open the Preconfig dialog with a dialer code and change your CSC code. Loss of this functionality in recent software is lamented loss of this functionality in recent software is lamented here. There are many discussions about changing CSC code that make mention of the commercial software and service Samkey such as this and this; I have no personal experience with their offering so I can't recommend them. Interestingly it seems from the discussions that there is typically some lag between an Android release and support for that release from Samkey, so the trend I just referenced above is hardly an isolated phenomenon.
It's worth mentioning that the changing of CSC codes has been discussed extensively throughout the forum. One of the downsides of XDA though is that discussion is heavily segregated by device, so you can easily miss what you're looking for if you search only in a sub-forum for your device.
1.2. Can I do it for free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With root, certainly. Otherwise, it is not so clear based on the above.
You can launch the Preconfig dialog from a root shell:
am start -n com.samsung.android.cidmanager/.preconfig.PreconfigActivity
I've noticed that in some configurations (notably when CSC code is VZW), the Preconfig dialog seems to be somehow disabled. However, with root access you can also simply edit /efs/imei/omcnw_code.dat.
2. Should I just install a custom ROM? (I have seen many on this forum, but most of them seem to have problems if the high refresh rate is enabled etc... any reccomendations?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's your choice. Browse the ROM section and see if there is anything available for your device that you like. Custom ROMs vary greatly in user experience as a consequence both the ROM's objectives and the developer's skill.
They all have a few things in common though: they will irrevocably trip the warranty void bit and cause a loss of Knox-related functionality (notably including Samsung Pay). They also will prevent you from receiving official OTA updates.
Another option is that you can simply root your device and start modding away yourself. Basically, that workflow is something like this:
OEM Unlock.
Boot into download mode with vol up + vol down + insert USB cable connected to PC.
Volume up to confirm unlock.
Flash TWRP from ODIN.
Flash Multi-disabler from TWRP.
Wipe /data from TWRP.
Install Magisk from TWRP.
Once you have root, you can not only change your CSC code as desired, but edit the read-only filesystems on your device, notably including the filesystems containing the CSC. It's even possible to blow away the CSC content completely and integrate the CSC content from the ROM of another region.
Of course, it goes without saying that you need to back up anything important on your phone before you start any experiments. Of particular importance, be sure to back up efs and sec_efs with TWRP and make sure the backups are stored somewhere safe (e.g., on a PC) before you start attempting any changes to efs partitions. A damaged efs partition is one of the easiest ways to render your phone useless. Note also that custom ROM installation almost always involves wiping /data somewhere along the way.
So, the bloatware you talk about is located in /product , /hidden or /odm depending on how your phone is configured. I can help you out contact me on telegram @cha0scl0wn. Regards.
Thank you guys so much for your replies!
I managed to launch the Preconfig dialog (dialing *#272*62826# in the stock phone app - other codes did not work, also tried the google phone app - nothing) but the only options to change the CSC are those in the picture (AMO - Orange Spain, FTM - Orange France etc). Basically I can select another Orange CSC which does not help. I want to change it to unbranded, to get the firmware updates directly from Samsung.
Now, if I root the phone, will I be able to change ORO to unbranded? But I'm a bit confused because rooting cancels OTAs, right? So I need to root, change CSC to unbranded (if possible) and then install the update myself? But then I will have to manually install every update?
If I root, change CSC to unbranded, install the update, unroot will I get the OTAs?
Rooting also kills Knox and Samsung Pay?
Thanks again guys for responding! I appreciate it! Cheers!
I managed to launch the Preconfig dialog (dialing *#272*62826# in the stock phone app - other codes did not work, also tried the google phone app - nothing) but the only options to change the CSC are those in the picture (AMO - Orange Spain, FTM - Orange France etc). Basically I can select another Orange CSC which does not help. I want to change it to unbranded, to get the firmware updates directly from Samsung.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow--you got lucky: I wasn't expecting the dialer code to work based both on my own experience and reports here on the forum. The Preconfig dialog is really just a testing tool: it allows you to select other CSC codes that already exist within the firmware and see the effects of those setting changes. I don't know if there is an effective unbranded configuration included on the OXM package (i.e., similar to XAA in the OYN package).
I don't have a lot of experience with the OTA updates (all my devices are unlocked).
Now, if I root the phone, will I be able to change ORO to unbranded? But I'm a bit confused because rooting cancels OTAs, right? So I need to root, change CSC to unbranded (if possible) and then install the update myself? But then I will have to manually install every update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll still be able to select any CSC. I suppose in theory you could create your own CSC configuration for an imaginary carrier, but the route that I took was different. I stripped out all the unwanted junk out of the optics and prism images (along with de-bloating I did in a lot of other places in the ROM). I also edited all the XML configuration files that ship with the CSC to my liking (think: call recording on, shutter sound menu on, etc). After installing the resulting ROM, there was pretty much no carrier-specific software running on the device; splash screens, sounds, and other markings were also gone. I actually ended up adding a handful of carrier-specific content back to my ROM to get Wi-Fi calling working since it appears that the carrier I use (VZW) has a slightly nonstandard implementation of the feature.
But yes, once you head down this path, you'll be updating your phone by yourself, and it likely won't be the most enjoyable activity. I also don't feel the need for every single update, and I especially have no interest of moving to A12 in the foreseeable future.
Keep in mind that you should be able to pm disable bloatware packages that are really bothering you even without rooting/unlocking your bootloader.