Reflashing stock firmware. How safe is SamMobile? Alternatives? - Samsung Galaxy S9 Questions & Answers

Hi,
This question just crossed my mind a couple of hours ago.
Since Kies is more or less deprecated and Smart Switch has the option for reflashing firmware removed (due to a lot of region changing). This leaving us with Odin, the only way to flash stock ROMs.
I've had some discussions with some Reddit user regarding third party sites that hosts apps (apks from Play Store) and said that they wouldn't recommend any of it (including APKMirror, which is connected to Android Police).
Now I'm just asking myself (after years of using it), how safe are SamMobile and Odin after all? Are there any alternatives to reflashing stock firmware apart from going directly to the service and pay some amount of money for them to do it? Rumours say that Odin was an internal tool that was created for unbricking phones, but leaked in the end.
I'd like to know your opinions about this matter,
Thanks!

doriandiaconu said:
Hi,
This question just crossed my mind a couple of hours ago.
Since Kies is more or less deprecated and Smart Switch has the option for reflashing firmware removed (due to a lot of region changing). This leaving us with Odin, the only way to flash stock ROMs.
I've had some discussions with some Reddit user regarding third party sites that hosts apps (apks from Play Store) and said that they wouldn't recommend any of it (including APKMirror, which is connected to Android Police).
Now I'm just asking myself (after years of using it), how safe are SamMobile and Odin after all? Are there any alternatives to reflashing stock firmware apart from going directly to the service and pay some amount of money for them to do it? Rumours say that Odin was an internal tool that was created for unbricking phones, but leaked in the end.
I'd like to know your opinions about this matter,
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sammobile, updato.com and the samfirm tool here on XDA all host 100% safe and untouched original samsung firmware, ODIN is samsungs own internal flashing tool which is also 100% safe
Most people only use ODIN and one of these sites, and leave KIES/SS for emergencies if ODIN fails
apkmirror is also 100% safe as all the APKs are untouched originals too

Related

[Q] New AT&T i317 Note2 << can I extract the TAR before I activate?

As my Note 2 is on the truck for delivery today, I'm wondering: Is there an ODIN procedure (or otherwise) that I can perform on my stock, unactived phone prior to making changes?
I see that there is no "leaked" i317 TAR as yet. My concern is I would like the ability to return to complete stock if I need an OTA for dual screen, etc.
I've been scouring the web for TAR procedures and am confused by the various models of android phones (with differing files and mount points).
My experience as a flashaholic is the Zombie HP Touchpad with CM9 and am new to ODIN. Forgive the noobness of my query, but must I proceed with activating and root before any other options?
Or is there a way to enable debug, active download mode and ODIN to extract the TAR that is buried in the phone file system?
I've found on http://opensource.samsung.com/ this open source:
Model: SGH-I317
Version: LJ2
Source Code: SGH-I317_ATT_JB_Opensource.zip
Does this have any bearing on my question?
<EDIT> NM, it is source coding and as I'm not re-rolling my own, is not of any use in a flashable FW to return to stock condition.
ZedZardoz said:
As my Note 2 is on the truck for delivery today, I'm wondering: Is there an ODIN procedure (or otherwise) that I can perform on my stock, unactived phone prior to making changes?
I see that there is no "leaked" i317 TAR as yet. My concern is I would like the ability to return to complete stock if I need an OTA for dual screen, etc.
I've been scouring the web for TAR procedures and am confused by the various models of android phones (with differing files and mount points).
My experience as a flashaholic is the Zombie HP Touchpad with CM9 and am new to ODIN. Forgive the noobness of my query, but must I proceed with activating and root before any other options?
Or is there a way to enable debug, active download mode and ODIN to extract the TAR that is buried in the phone file system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure exactly how long it takes AT&T but I remember with the S3 the Canadian Carriers put out the full firmware for recovery reasons on Samsung's Kies FUS servers about 2 weeks or so after launch of the phone its been over a week so far so they should be appearing really soon. I'd expect AT&T to have theirs on Samsung's server within a similar time frame as well.
not sure if this is what your looking for AT&T SGH-i317 System Dump but look at it and I hope it is what you are looking for.

[Q] No way to backup firmware on phone without rooting or flashing?

Hi,
I've been doing a fair amount of searching so I'n pretty sure I'm correct but just wanted to ask for confirmation I haven't missed anything.
Anyway am I right there's no way to backup firmware on phone without rooting or flashing? (And just to be clear, when I say firmware I mean the firmware not the data I've added.) From my searches it seems the general recommend way to backup firmware is to flash an alternative recovery e.g. Clockworkmod recovery and use that to backup the firmware. Possibly there are also ways to do it with root and normal recovery (dd perhaps) but I'm not entirely sure and in any case it's still not what I'm interested in.
The other alternative is just to download the same firmware from e.g. sammobile.com, samsung-updates.com or from Samsung themselves either via Check Fus which hasn't been working for a while or by saving a copy when Kies downloads it (which means if it's the current firmware on your phone you want, you need to downgrade or otherwise convince Kies to upgrade). You'd generally want to do this to replace the custom recovery.
A final alternative would be of course opening the phone and soldering JTAG and using that, or even backuping up the eMMC directly.
Or is there something I've missed and there is a way to do it with Kies or Odin or just the USB jig?
(This isn't that important, I just wanted to check before I did anything.)
Cheers

Second Hand Note II, cannot get cellular data

I apologize if i am not as clear in this post as I need to be. My dad tried to root his note 2 sgh i371 using odin but said that once he did this, he was unable to access the internet outside of connecting to wifi, he could not get any cellular data. Because of this issue, he tried to then un-root his phone by flashing 4.1.2 stock rom. Unfortunately, the issue of not being able to get cellular data persists. In his frustration, my dad bought a note 3 and gave his note 2 to me saying that if I could fix it I could keep it. This is my first android and I would like to make it my primary phone if possible. what I would like to simply to reset the phone to factory default settings by flashing the latest stock rom for the phone. I have Odin, I was hoping that someone could tell me where I could get the latest stock rom and, if they believed that flashing it would fix the cellular data issue. I do not believe my dad made a backup at all. Thank you in advance.
GreatGrizzwald said:
I apologize if i am not as clear in this post as I need to be. My dad tried to root his note 2 sgh i371 using odin but said that once he did this, he was unable to access the internet outside of connecting to wifi, he could not get any cellular data. Because of this issue, he tried to then un-root his phone by flashing 4.1.2 stock rom. Unfortunately, the issue of not being able to get cellular data persists. In his frustration, my dad bought a note 3 and gave his note 2 to me saying that if I could fix it I could keep it. This is my first android and I would like to make it my primary phone if possible. what I would like to simply to reset the phone to factory default settings by flashing the latest stock rom for the phone. I have Odin, I was hoping that someone could tell me where I could get the latest stock rom and, if they believed that flashing it would fix the cellular data issue. I do not believe my dad made a backup at all. Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sammobile has all the stock firmwares for our phones, check there. Also check in about phone to see what it says, if it says Baseband unknown, then the EFS folder (and subsequently IMEI #, etc) have been corrupted. It's possible flashing the latest stock firmware will fix it (it includes a new modem and all), so try that first.
http://www.sammobile.com/
absinthesummer said:
Sammobile has all the stock firmwares for our phones, check there. Also check in about phone to see what it says, if it says Baseband unknown, then the EFS folder (and subsequently IMEI #, etc) have been corrupted. It's possible flashing the latest stock firmware will fix it (it includes a new modem and all), so try that first.
Thank you very much for the advice. I am downloading the firmware now. baseband version is showing i317ucama4. Right now the phone is not activated with AT&T, is there a way I could test if I will be able to get cellular data before going to AT&T and activating it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you're baseband is good. Just get a little cheap prepaid sim card for testing purposes. The stock firmware should fix anything in the modem or system that could have been corrupted... So flash that and have a cheap at&t Sim handy for testing.
Just use your father's sim card. Either it connects to the GSM network or it doesn't.
absinthesummer said:
Well you're baseband is good. Just get a little cheap prepaid sim card for testing purposes. The stock firmware should fix anything in the modem or system that could have been corrupted... So flash that and have a cheap at&t Sim handy for testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I attempted to flash the stock rom via odin v. 307 but I get a failed message. The phone shows I have a custom binary download (12 counts), official Samsung binar but, my system status is custom and my knox warranty is void: 1. Then there is a red message stating "unsupported version" at the bottom. The date for the stock rom was Jan 2013 AT&T, US on the sammobile site. I can no longer boot into the phone's OS, I am stuck in download mode until I manually restart and then it displays a message that I need to connect to Kies recovery. Thank you for the help so far, Any chance I can salvage this phone still? I did try going into Kies, but it cannot connect with my phone for some reason?
1425
rangercaptain said:
Just use your father's sim card. Either it connects to the GSM network or it doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I got the phone when I was visiting home, I currently live a few states away from him. It would definitely make things much simpler if I didn't right now though.
GreatGrizzwald said:
I attempted to flash the stock rom via odin v. 307 but I get a failed message. The phone shows I have a custom binary download (12 counts), official Samsung binar but, my system status is custom and my knox warranty is void: 1. Then there is a red message stating "unsupported version" at the bottom. The date for the stock rom was Jan 2013 AT&T, US on the sammobile site. I can no longer boot into the phone's OS, I am stuck in download mode until I manually restart and then it displays a message that I need to connect to Kies recovery. Thank you for the help so far, Any chance I can salvage this phone still? I did try going into Kies, but it cannot connect with my phone for some reason?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like the phone was updated previously to either 4.3 or 4.4.2, which have Knox and that pesky counter. Technically you can't directly downgrade, so be sure you're downloading firmware that is 4.3 or higher. I didn't realize sammobile only went to MA4 for US AT&T. (In a pinch you can use Canadian firmware, but we have other links for stock firmware). Also, don't worry too much about Kies. It can be helpful, but honestly I could never get my note 2 recognized by kies either.
When I get back from taking my kids to school, I'll gather some links that will help you revive this phone Links below:
@GreatGrizzwald:
More recent links to stock firmware: STOCK PACKAGES TO MK6 This is LJ2 (4.1.2), MK6 (4.3) and up. He's got all the stock firmwares, available for flashing either in recovery on via odin. I've highlighted the one I would use in the attached screenshot (MK6- ODIN)
He also has a thread for NE5 (The latest firmware, 4.4.2) HERE
So if MK6 doesn't work, try NE5. One of those two has to work. You're dad already updated to either 4.3 or 4.4.2, I don't know which so start with 4.3 (MK6) and if it doesn't work try 4.4.2 (NE5)
On those two threads, he has a TON of links that will be helpful to you in getting back to stock also.
And here's a reference page with some useful links: One Stop Shop
This one is dedicated to downgrading back to LJ2 (4.1.2) from 4.3+, it MIGHT come in handy for you: Downgrade Instructions
If you have trouble with the stock firmware, you can also try Chainfire's CF Auto Root. It's stock firmware but it's rooted. Try the other firmwares by Zen Arcade first though CF AUTO ROOT
We'll get it going for you The stock firmware will re-flash the modem and all the configuration files so you're data should work again. Then you can do whatever you want, root, recovery, flash other stuff, or leave it stock. You got this
---------- Post added at 07:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 AM ----------
GreatGrizzwald said:
Unfortunately, I got the phone when I was visiting home, I currently live a few states away from him. It would definitely make things much simpler if I didn't right now though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also you have to figure out if it's software or hardware. I'm inclined to believe it's software so I think if you get it back to stock you'll be good. If it was hardware, it wouldn't even recognize a sim being inserted (recently repaired an htc one mini with this problem, it needed a new Sim tray, thankfully it was only $20).
But it sounds more like a bad flash corrupted some of those important files and configurations controlling data connections, it's all good, if it's software it can definitely be fixed. If it were hardware it could still be fixed it would just be a bit more time consuming.
One more thing, after you flash the stock firmware, and you have a sim card to test with, make sure your apn settings are correct for whichever carrier you're using. If the apn is wrong, or there is no apn listed, it won't connect. If you need assistance with that, let me know.
absinthesummer said:
One more thing, after you flash the stock firmware, and you have a sim card to test with, make sure your apn settings are correct for whichever carrier you're using. If the apn is wrong, or there is no apn listed, it won't connect. If you need assistance with that, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for all this, I will start working with it today. You have been a huge help.
GreatGrizzwald said:
Thank you for all this, I will start working with it today. You have been a huge help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, I know how much of a pain it can be when things just don't seem to be working. But you have all the resources you need now and I'm gonna talk to my friend who runs the one-stop shop page to see if he will update it and add some of these resources to make it easier for you, and others with similar problems, to find what they need. Good luck!
1100
absinthesummer said:
One more thing, after you flash the stock firmware, and you have a sim card to test with, make sure your apn settings are correct for whichever carrier you're using. If the apn is wrong, or there is no apn listed, it won't connect. If you need assistance with that, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I was able to flash the stock rom you recommended, everything is working fine. Took the phone to AT&T and got a new sim card, everything seems to be working perfectly. Thank you again for all your assistance. could not have done this without your help.
GreatGrizzwald said:
Hey, I was able to flash the stock rom you recommended, everything is working fine. Took the phone to AT&T and got a new sim card, everything seems to be working perfectly. Thank you again for all your assistance. could not have done this without your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is great news! I'm so glad it's working for you. Enjoy your (new-to-you) note 2 and keep those files on hand in case you need them in the future!
absinthesummer said:
No problem, I know how much of a pain it can be when things just don't seem to be working. But you have all the resources you need now and I'm gonna talk to my friend who runs the one-stop shop page to see if he will update it and add some of these resources to make it easier for you, and others with similar problems, to find what they need. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I can ask one more question, the phone keeps trying to download and install a software update however, it is unable to complete the update. Could this be because my counter was tripped? or could I be missing something that I should have flashed along with the stock firmware?
GreatGrizzwald said:
If I can ask one more question, the phone keeps trying to download and install a software update however, it is unable to complete the update. Could this be because my counter was tripped? or could I be missing something that I should have flashed along with the stock firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a few reasons it won't flash. If it still says custom in download mode, for instance, from when your dad tried to root it. You can check in your about phone section to see if it says modified or official. It should say official there but when you're in download mode it will tell you your status:custom.
Something like
Model : SGH-i317
Binary count:
Firmware: Samsung official
Status: Custom (it should say official to receive OTA)
Knox warranty bit: 0x1 (from where your dad tried to root)
^Either of those last two can prevent an OTA from completing. The update checks for certain things and then continues or rejects based on those checks.
Also (and this shouldn't apply to you) if you have a custom recovery installed or you've rooted and removed pre-installed apps, it won't flash. Check those things and your OTA should work. If it still doesn't, you can download the ne5 firmware I linked you to before. That's official 4.4.2 firmware and it will update you to the latest via Odin if you can't take the OTA for whatever reason.
The firmware you flashed should have taken everything back to stock for you, but it wouldn't really reset the Knox counter & custom status... and that very well could would an OTA. It seems it does anyway, so just update yourself with Odin.
Lastly, if you really want to reset completely, and be able to OTA, you can do that downgrade method I linked before to completely reset your phone and allow you receive OTAs again. (It would take you ALL the way back to 4.1.2 and you would OTA back to 4.3-4.4.2. Personally, I wouldn't do all that unless I planned to sell it, because the firmwares that are released for OTAs are usually available on here to flash with Odin within a day of release, so you'll always be able to have the latest firmware regardless.
Hope that helps you didn't miss anything, it's just the nature of the OTA.
---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------
Edited to add, you can also go about it another way: root it and use triangle away to reset your custom status & flash counter and then reflash the same firmware you did yesterday. Then you should be able to OTA. (Although I'm not 100% on whether or not the Knox counter will interfere with the OTA update, I think it's just the flash counter that trips it).
And if you want the OTA notice to stop completely, you can root it and turn off the notifications entirely. I wasn't sure on whether you wanted to take the update or not... if you do, I'd just update with the latest via Odin. It's the simplest way to update and you wouldn't have any issues or surprises that people tend to get with OTAs.
absinthesummer said:
There are a few reasons it won't flash. If it still says custom in download mode, for instance, from when your dad tried to root it. You can check in your about phone section to see if it says modified or official. It should say official there but when you're in download mode it will tell you your status:custom.
Something like
Model : SGH-i317
Binary count:
Firmware: Samsung official
Status: Custom (it should say official to receive OTA)
Knox warranty bit: 0x1 (from where your dad tried to root)
^Either of those last two can prevent an OTA from completing. The update checks for certain things and then continues or rejects based on those checks.
Also (and this shouldn't apply to you) if you have a custom recovery installed or you've rooted and removed pre-installed apps, it won't flash. Check those things and your OTA should work. If it still doesn't, you can download the ne5 firmware I linked you to before. That's official 4.4.2 firmware and it will update you to the latest via Odin if you can't take the OTA for whatever reason.
The firmware you flashed should have taken everything back to stock for you, but it wouldn't really reset the Knox counter & custom status... and that very well could would an OTA. It seems it does anyway, so just update yourself with Odin.
Lastly, if you really want to reset completely, and be able to OTA, you can do that downgrade method I linked before to completely reset your phone and allow you receive OTAs again. (It would take you ALL the way back to 4.1.2 and you would OTA back to 4.3-4.4.2. Personally, I wouldn't do all that unless I planned to sell it, because the firmwares that are released for OTAs are usually available on here to flash with Odin within a day of release, so you'll always be able to have the latest firmware regardless.
Hope that helps you didn't miss anything, it's just the nature of the OTA.
---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------
Edited to add, you can also go about it another way: root it and use triangle away to reset your custom status & flash counter and then reflash the same firmware you did yesterday. Then you should be able to OTA. (Although I'm not 100% on whether or not the Knox counter will interfere with the OTA update, I think it's just the flash counter that trips it).
And if you want the OTA notice to stop completely, you can root it and turn off the notifications entirely. I wasn't sure on whether you wanted to take the update or not... if you do, I'd just update with the latest via Odin. It's the simplest way to update and you wouldn't have any issues or surprises that people tend to get with OTAs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, that makes a lot more sense now. Thanks again.
Hey I forgot you don't have custom recovery. Anyway, I sent you PMs,and you can do a search of this very forum- use the search term "update" or "ota" and you will find a LOT of threads on boot failures after OTA. Most people got their phones back.
If you can't get into DL mode (Vol-, Home, Power), try getting into the stock recovery (Vol+, Home, Power) because you should/could be able to factory reset the device from there. Also hold the button combo longer than usual. If one recovery option (DL mode) isn't working, than theoretically the other should still be accessible, through which you can adb sideload to the device or try factory reset. I know it's frustrating, but you're not the first nor the last to have an OTA go wrong ;/ We'll get ya back up & running.
You're not the only one in trouble after that update: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-2-att/help/todays-update-soft-bricked-phone-t2939649

A5 A520F 2017 stock rom download from samsung

Hello,
is it possible to download the factory image from samsung directly?
I want to avoid any shady sides which do not provide any way to verify that the file is legit and not tampered with.
All those sites (sammobile...), which seem to provide those roms have to get it from somewhere?
cheers
I think SamMobile is legit (but not official). OTA also works after a SamMobile / Odin flash right?
Sammobile does not provide a way to verify that the downloaded file is legit. I'm used to download files and verify them. (like google for all the nexus devices, they provide a checksum on a https encrypted site.)
I don't want to flash any unknown firmware on my device.
YRIDgmtedYdVc said:
Sammobile does not provide a way to verify that the downloaded file is legit. I'm used to download files and verify them. (like google for all the nexus devices, they provide a checksum on a https encrypted site.)
I don't want to flash any unknown firmware on my device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download Samfirm. It downloads direct from Samsungs servers.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/general/tool-samfirm-samsung-firmware-t2988647
I have to say you're a little paranoid, Odin does its own integrity checks which are good enough.
I've literally downloaded hundreds of firmwares from various Samsung download sites and never had a bad or suspect download.
ashyx said:
Download Samfirm. It downloads direct from Samsungs servers.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/general/tool-samfirm-samsung-firmware-t2988647
I have to say you're a little paranoid, Odin does its own integrity checks which are good enough.
I've literally downloaded hundreds of firmwares from various Samsung download sites and never had a bad or suspect download.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not paranoid. E.g. no sane sysadmin would just download centos or a microsoft iso from the internet and use it on a production server without any verification that no one tampered with it.
I'm also using my smartphone for 2fa and sometimes mobile banking. You see why I'd like to verify the integrity of the file?
YRIDgmtedYdVc said:
This is not paranoid. E.g. no sane sysadmin would just download centos or a microsoft iso from the internet and use it on a production server without any verification that no one tampered with it.
I'm also using my smartphone for 2fa and sometimes mobile banking. You see why I'd like to verify the integrity of the file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I dont. We're not talking about some flaky MS system, were talking about a Linux/Unix system
It's practically impossible to modify a stock Samsung firmware without the device knowing about it.
Samsung have pretty much the most secure devices in the world.
The integrity checks the device does and Samsungs multi layer security ensures it.
Secure bootloaders and kernels, dmverity, verified boot, TEE, Selinux, TIMA, knox, frp are all in place as protection.
If the device says its official and not custom you can be pretty sure it is.
I used sammobile for my firmware to flash with odin. No problems what so ever.
i confirm at 100% :good: that sammobile is 100% safe and full official ...and un theory it doesn't trip the knox at all (witness, if there are a vever very very small changes on the firmware ,this flagship will tripped)
For any devs or pirate ,it's impossible to recompile with Samsung encryption for security and integrity a modification of extracted parts of a firmware ==>it will be not allowed at all to flash with ODIN .
never a dev have found how to flash modified firmwares directly with odin or some modidificatiin (like zip with customs recovery) exept TWRP who "definitively": trip knox ,declare the phone "not saf" ,void waranty,loose some samsung parts and patents ....
For my phone,providing to a carrier firmware ,i have flashed an unbranded original firmware for my country ( 2 reasons: more reactive for OTA updates with security patches ...and among the first firmwares for future Nougat 7 releases )
my knox is not tripped....
how can I back to stock firmware
Hi
I tried to root my phone A520F/DS bought in Dubai but something went wrong I guess the version of android I used was bad. And tried to get back on my previous original version by following steps on the treads here and also did not succeed. So in short since I forgot to copy my original information about my phone and now I don't know where to start. For example Baseband version, Build number, PDA, CSC version (is the same now as in the original version), and how to go back.
@ashyx I have a custom ROM right now on my A520F and I want to go back to stock and still have TWRP. Should I flash TWRP after flashing BL, AP, CP & CSC? What CSC should I use, the one with "HOME" or the other one? Thank you!

Exynos Note 10+ (SM-N976B) - now unlocked from Vodafone UK - One UI 2.1 firmware

Hi, this is my first post/question. Sorry if it's a dumb one.
I'm in the UK and I have a Galaxy Note 10+ (SM-N976B).
The phone is from Vodafone (was locked to Vodafone) and is the Exynos (EU/UK) chip version of the phone.
It is currently on the 01-Mar-2020 patch level with One UI 2.0.
Now that I have officially unlocked it from Vodafone (Vodafone sent me the unlocked codes and they worked - I am now using it with a non-Vodafone SIM ), I wanted to know if I still have to wait for the Vodafone firmware release of One UI 2.1 (which I know is out for other Galaxy S10/Note10 variants); OR, whether I can get an "unlocked"? version of the One UI firmware for Exynos Note 10+ phones?
What is the normal policy regarding carrier locked [Samsung] phones that have been officially unlocked - are you still tied to the original carrier's timetable of firmware/security-patch releases for the phone?
Regards,
psb01
you will still be on Vodafone's software and release schedule, I have an unlocked phone in the UK direct from Samsung and the update is already out for a phone using the standard software, Vodafone were always slow on updates, had this problem way back with the Nexus phones taking that long to update through Vodafone i ended up rooting and flashing the original software.
so unless you can flash the standard software from the unlocked phones you are likely stuck on Vodafone's time table, unfortunately I haven't had to flash a different firmware on mine so I'm unable to help on if it's actually possible to move away from the Vodafone software.
Yes, you should be able to dl the but firmware and flash.
Look through the news section for the N976b fw posts. In there are all the links you need and very detailed instructions.
Good luck.
Sent from my SM-T835 using Tapatalk
---------- Post added at 10:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ----------
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...9&share_fid=3793&share_type=t&link_source=app
Sent from my SM-T835 using Tapatalk
Belimawr said:
you will still be on Vodafone's software and release schedule, I have an unlocked phone in the UK direct from Samsung and the update is already out for a phone using the standard software, Vodafone were always slow on updates, had this problem way back with the Nexus phones taking that long to update through Vodafone i ended up rooting and flashing the original software.
so unless you can flash the standard software from the unlocked phones you are likely stuck on Vodafone's time table, unfortunately I haven't had to flash a different firmware on mine so I'm unable to help on if it's actually possible to move away from the Vodafone software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, it is useful to know this.
I may have to look into getting an proper factory unlocked version if Vodafone don't pull their finger out for One UI 2.1 by end-May-2020.
Yes, I agree, Vodafone do seem to be slow on these things.
I will look into whether it's possible to replace my Vodafone firmware with official factory-unlocked firmware now my phone is officially unlocked.
(However, I don't want to have a rooted phone permanently as my banking apps won't work on it if it's rooted.)
Regards,
psb01 said:
Thanks for the reply, it is useful to know this.
I may have to look into getting an proper factory unlocked version if Vodafone don't pull their finger out for One UI 2.1 by end-May-2020.
Yes, I agree, Vodafone do seem to be slow on these things.
I will look into whether it's possible to replace my Vodafone firmware with official factory-unlocked firmware now my phone is officially unlocked.
(However, I don't want to have a rooted phone permanently as my banking apps won't work on it if it's rooted.)
Regards,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can download the latest BTU version of the firmware using either Samfirm or Frija and flash it to your phone using Odin. You will then receive over the air updates as they are released. This is NOT rooting your phone and all banking apps will work as they should.
Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk
Painman1963 said:
You can download the latest BTU version of the firmware using either Samfirm or Frija and flash it to your phone using Odin. You will then receive over the air updates as they are released. This is NOT rooting your phone and all banking apps will work as they should.
Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AHH, okay. So I assume "BTU version" is the factory-unlocked version that phones direct from Samsung come with?
Also, will doing this wipe all my data and leave me with a factory-fresh phone (with latest firmware/OS) that I have to set up from scratch?
If so, could I backup my phone's data (in its entirety - calls, SMS, apps & data) that I can restore after the firmware flash? What backup method is recommended?
(I used to have Pixels before my Note 10+ and I am used to using the Google's backup to GDrive. I note now with Galaxy phones that they want to backup to Samsung's [cloud drive?] own area/method and don't do Google backups. I use my Google apps/services quite a lot and don't rely/use Samsung's services where I can avoid them.) Any advice for me in this regards?
I don't mind trying this method, but I'm worried about bricking my Note 10+ or losing all my setup/data. I'm not familiar with flashing phones but I can follow basic tech instructions. I'm guessing if it doesn't work I can re-install the Vodafone OS/firmware back on it to bring it back to how it is now?
Thanks.
psb01 said:
AHH, okay. So I assume "BTU version" is the factory-unlocked version that phones direct from Samsung come with?
Also, will doing this wipe all my data and leave me with a factory-fresh phone (with latest firmware/OS) that I have to set up from scratch?
If so, could I backup my phone's data (in its entirety - calls, SMS, apps & data) that I can restore after the firmware flash? What backup method is recommended?
(I used to have Pixels before my Note 10+ and I am used to using the Google's backup to GDrive. I note now with Galaxy phones that they want to backup to Samsung's [cloud drive?] own area/method and don't do Google backups. I use my Google apps/services quite a lot and don't rely/use Samsung's services where I can avoid them.) Any advice for me in this regards?
I don't mind trying this method, but I'm worried about bricking my Note 10+ or losing all my setup/data. I'm not familiar with flashing phones but I can follow basic tech instructions. I'm guessing if it doesn't work I can re-install the Vodafone OS/firmware back on it to bring it back to how it is now?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTU is the UK unlocked version of the firmware. You can back everything up to Google just like you're used to. Go to settings, accounts and backup, backup and restore, Google account, Back up now.
You'll get the chance to restore it at startup if you do a full factory reset. If you don't get the option, you can restore from the same place.
When you download the file from Frija you will see 5 files. You only use 1 of the CSC files. You use HOME_CSC to keep your data and the other CSC file if you want to do a complete wipe and start again.
There is a really good guide in messages 1&2 of the following thread but be aware that this is not for our phone. Replace the input values in Frija to SM-N976B and BTU.
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...2&share_fid=3793&share_type=t&link_source=app
Finally, you probably won't be able to reflash the Vodafone firmware until after it gets updated as I'm pretty sure that they've updated the bootloader and you can't downgrade that.
Good luck
Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk
Painman1963 said:
BTU is the UK unlocked version of the firmware. You can back everything up to Google just like you're used to. Go to settings, accounts and backup, backup and restore, Google account, Back up now.
You'll get the chance to restore it at startup if you do a full factory reset. If you don't get the option, you can restore from the same place.
When you download the file from Frija you will see 5 files. You only use 1 of the CSC files. You use HOME_CSC to keep your data and the other CSC file if you want to do a complete wipe and start again.
There is a really good guide in messages 1&2 of the following thread but be aware that this is not for our phone. Replace the input values in Frija to SM-N976B and BTU.
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...2&share_fid=3793&share_type=t&link_source=app
Finally, you probably won't be able to reflash the Vodafone firmware until after it gets updated as I'm pretty sure that they've updated the bootloader and you can't downgrade that.
Good luck
Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks for this. It will give me a mini-project to do during this lock-down.
I think,for safety, I'm going to go back to my old Pixel so I don't risk any data and use that while I try this method to update the Note 10+.
I think I prefer the total wipe option, so there's nothing on the phone that shouldn't be there, from the start.
If it all works, I'll transfer back all my data over to the Note 10+ using the Samsung Smart Switch Mobile app.
At least having a UK unlocked firmware means I'll get future updates and security patches quicker.
Regards,
psb01 said:
Many thanks for this. It will give me a mini-project to do during this lock-down.
I think,for safety, I'm going to go back to my old Pixel so I don't risk any data and use that while I try this method to update the Note 10+.
I think I prefer the total wipe option, so there's nothing on the phone that shouldn't be there, from the start.
If it all works, I'll transfer back all my data over to the Note 10+ using the Samsung Smart Switch Mobile app.
At least having a UK unlocked firmware means I'll get future updates and security patches quicker.
Regards,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like a plan.
Have fun
Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk
glad to see someone who could help more came along. hope you get it sorted.

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