For those who aren't already aware, anyone can now download firmware for almost any Samsung device any time that they want, via SamFirm or Frija. There are threads and info about them here on XDA so I won't waste time explaining - do a search if you're not already familiar with these tools. But for some reason, AT&T doesn't allow their firmware to be publicly available (for any of their devices). I pay for a subscription to a website that gets the official releases (usually) before they hit SamFirm/Frija, and also gives me access to AT&T firmware. So I'm providing it here as a favor to anyone who would make use of it.
Manual Odin flashing in this case would be designed for those of you who:
- want to flash AT&T firmware onto a T-Mobile or Metro device that has been SIM unlocked, in order to have AT&T's customizations and enhancements
- want to manually update to a newer version on your device, either because you don't want to wait for the OTA or because OTAs aren't working on their device (usually because you're using it on a different carrier because AT&T requires an active AT&T SIM to be inserted in order for their devices to successfully check for an OTA update)
This is not a "beginner's guide to Odin flashing"-type post/thread, so I won't list basic, step-by-step flashing instructions. My threads are geared towards those who already know what they're doing. If you're new to manually flashing Samsung firmware, I recommend you consult one of those "beginner's" guides- there are tons of them here on XDA.
Happy flashing!
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=305872
(Quebec tends to be the fastest download mirror, if it gives you that option)
Notes:
- DON'T QUOTE THE OP WHEN YOU REPLY, kthx
- I have lots of threads just like this one for other Samsung flagships, if it interests you.
- My zips are compressed extra small for space and bandwidth savings. The default Windows extractor can't handle it, so you'll need a 3rd party tool like 7zip, WinRAR, etc
- My naming method for folders on AFH is: build - bootloader - Android version
So "SAT - 1 - 9.0" means the full build number ends in SAT, it's bootloader version 1, and it's Android 9.0. When bootloader and Android versions increment, the first build to have those changes will have its folder notated appropriately.
- HOME CSC file keeps data intact; using the other CSC will wipe data. Flashing USERDATA will also wipe data
**I do not have one of these devices and this has not been 100% verified, until someone actually tries it. Until it's been verified, you're responsible for backing up your data, taking precautions to avoid an FRP lock, etc
- From what I've seen so far, there are some builds that only AT&T will get, some that only T-Mobile and Metro will get, and some that all 3 carries will get. Since T-Mobile (use region/CSC TMB) and Metro (use region/CSC TMK) firmware can be freely downloaded by anyone at any time from SamFirm/Frija, I won't be posting their unique builds here. I also won't be posting any builds that all 3 carriers get. U firmware is identical for the 4 base files (AP, BL, CP, CSC) for each individual build, no matter which carrier it comes from. So if you download 2 different carrier versions of the exact same build, the 4 base files will be identical. Where the firmware differs is in the USERDATA file - that's where the carrier bloatware and customizations reside. So that means that any U firmware version (no matter the carrier) can be flashed to any U device (no matter which carrier's firmware it's running) at any time.
So I'll only be posting AT&T-exclusive builds and even then, I won't post every single one. I don't have unlimited bandwidth on my subscription site, and it takes a lot of time and effort to download the files, extract them, create the HOME CSC, zip them all back up, and upload them to AFH. I'll try to post at least one build per month though
- Switching from one carrier's firmware to another carrier's will require use of the USERDATA file, and also a factory reset. If you just want to manually update instead of waiting for an OTA, then you only need to flash the 4 base files (use HOME CSC if you want to avoid a factory reset).
excellent post I have some questions, how could I have a completely clean N976U version, is there any firmware that is not with any operator? or can i install version u1 of 975n?
I recently tried to install the tmb version of n976u att but when it starts it doesn't load that version and it still continues in ATT that I'm flashing bl, ap, cp, csc, what am I doing wrong?
dr.jonirafael said:
excellent post I have some questions, how could I have a completely clean N976U version, is there any firmware that is not with any operator? or can i install version u1 of 975n?
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Not possible. No unbranded firmware exists for this model
Can I put the 976(5g) on the 975U?
JapAnEEzE said:
Can I put the 976(5g) on the 975U?
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The answer hasn't changed since you last asked it.
(in other words it is still no)
Thank you for the link, it helped out more than you know. I have an unlocked N976U (originally on AT&T) that I tried to flash to T-Mobile. And for whatever reason, it didn't work. The phone kept telling me sporadically that there was no sim card installed, and the phone was trying to connect to service using CDMA instead of GSM. As you can guess, that doesn't work.
Considering that Samsung only sells one model of the Note 10+ 5G in the states, and that same model supports three different 5G networks, I have no idea why I cannot get this thing to work. I've never had a problem with a flash before (S9 / S10), but until I went back to the firmware above, I had zero network access. Currently the CSC shows XAA/XAA/ATT. While I know that the last one is the product code and will never change, the first two (XAA/XAA) should be able to be changed to TMB. The Dialer code that I attempted to use *#272*IMEI# Doesn't work either.
Any ideas on what I can try to get this thing up and running on T-Mobile with their branding and what not?
fncd said:
Thank you for the link, it helped out more than you know. I have an unlocked N976U (originally on AT&T) that I tried to flash to T-Mobile. And for whatever reason, it didn't work. The phone kept telling me sporadically that there was no sim card installed, and the phone was trying to connect to service using CDMA instead of GSM. As you can guess, that doesn't work.
Considering that Samsung only sells one model of the Note 10+ 5G in the states, and that same model supports three different 5G networks, I have no idea why I cannot get this thing to work. I've never had a problem with a flash before (S9 / S10), but until I went back to the firmware above, I had zero network access. Currently the CSC shows XAA/XAA/ATT. While I know that the last one is the product code and will never change, the first two (XAA/XAA) should be able to be changed to TMB. The Dialer code that I attempted to use *#272*IMEI# Doesn't work either.
Any ideas on what I can try to get this thing up and running on T-Mobile with their branding and what not?
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Did you flash all 5 files, including USERDATA? Did it perform a factory reset?
iBowToAndroid said:
Did you flash all 5 files, including USERDATA? Did it perform a factory reset?
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It did in fact flash all 5 files from the TMB download that I had found. That is where all of my troubles began. Prior to that I wiped the phone, went into recovery, wiped it again and then rebooted to the boot loader. The first time I did it, the phone didn't even know what the IMEI was. It wasn't until I flashed the AT&T firmware that the IMEI came back. As it stands now, most everything is working, except that I'm still on the December patch and it doesn't find updates. I got it working around 2am last night using the older AT&T flash (SL3_1), so this evening I'm going to grab the N976U_TA4_1.zip from AFH that you posted and see what happens there.
I am totally clueless as to how all of the craziness occurred.
fncd said:
It did in fact flash all 5 files from the TMB download that I had found. That is where all of my troubles began. Prior to that I wiped the phone, went into recovery, wiped it again and then rebooted to the boot loader. The first time I did it, the phone didn't even know what the IMEI was. It wasn't until I flashed the AT&T firmware that the IMEI came back. As it stands now, most everything is working, except that I'm still on the December patch and it doesn't find updates. I got it working around 2am last night using the older AT&T flash (SL3_1), so this evening I'm going to grab the N976U_TA4_1.zip from AFH that you posted and see what happens there.
I am totally clueless as to how all of the craziness occurred.
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What source did you get the firmware from? It sounds less-than-reputable, if it made your phone act that way afterwards
iBowToAndroid said:
What source did you get the firmware from? It sounds less-than-reputable, if it made your phone act that way afterwards
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I found the build numbers on the web, but downloaded the actual files with SamFirm. I didn't see any of the TMB builds on XDA, so google became my friend (or enemy in this case).
fncd said:
I found the build numbers on the web, but downloaded the actual files with SamFirm. I didn't see any of the TMB builds on XDA, so google became my friend (or enemy in this case).
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Did it boot up with the T-Mobile logo and all other T-Mo bloatware?
iBowToAndroid said:
Did it boot up with the T-Mobile logo and all other T-Mo bloatware?
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No. The phone never booted with the T-Mo logo. In fact, even now it boots with the Samsung logo.
I'm guessing that the XAA/XAA/ATT is what is causing that to happen.
If the phone were more popular it would be easier I think to find the firmware numbers and guarantee that I have the right one.
fncd said:
No. The phone never booted with the T-Mo logo. In fact, even now it boots with the Samsung logo.
I'm guessing that the XAA/XAA/ATT is what is causing that to happen.
If the phone were more popular it would be easier I think to find the firmware numbers and guarantee that I have the right one.
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Well SamFirm will only ever give you 100% correct official firmware, so as long as that's where you got it from, there shouldn't be anything wrong with it. You could try re-downloading it just in case, but I would have expected Odin to flag the md5 if it was an issue of a corrupted download, etc.
Not getting the T-Mobile bloat (assuming that you flashed all 5 files) is definitely strange.
Before you flashed anything, did you ever insert a T-Mobile SIM and see if it prompted you to restart to apply new carrier settings?
iBowToAndroid said:
Well SamFirm will only ever give you 100% correct official firmware, so as long as that's where you got it from, there shouldn't be anything wrong with it. You could try re-downloading it just in case, but I would have expected Odin to flag the md5 if it was an issue of a corrupted download, etc.
Not getting the T-Mobile bloat (assuming that you flashed all 5 files) is definitely strange.
Before you flashed anything, did you ever insert a T-Mobile SIM and see if it prompted you to restart to apply new carrier settings?
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So here's the thing. The first time I ever inserted my T-mo sim, I got a message about settings, and the phone restarted. It still wasn't T-mo branded, nor did it have any of the bloat (I think that is expected, no?). No other time did it ever ask me, even after being completely wiped. However, after the subsequent installs and wipes, I always had my sim in it.
Odin never threw an error, but of course, that doesn't stop me from potentially downloading the wrong firmware for my device, correct? But in reading your first post, the firmware should all be interchangeable, so I have no idea what caused it to want to see CDMA instead of GSM. Or the super wonky IMEI issue.
I'm on the way home now and will try it again, knowing that I still have the ATT firmware saved in case something goes wrong.
I'll also make sure that the build numbers I found are indeed from the N976U, but I don't see how that could have been wrong. One question just to be sure... The region code for samfirm that I need to use would TMB, yes? Is there anywhere I can go to make sure I AM using the right build? I could only find the numbers with google.
fncd said:
I'll also make sure that the build numbers I found are indeed from the N976U, but I don't see how that could have been wrong. One question just to be sure... The region code for samfirm that I need to use would TMB, yes? Is there anywhere I can go to make sure I AM using the right build? I could only find the numbers with google.
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Yes, that's the correct region. You can flash any valid build that you want, but SamFirm will always only give you whatever the newest/latest version is.
When you first inserted the T-Mo SIM, did it remove the AT&T apps and bloatware?
iBowToAndroid said:
Yes, that's the correct region. You can flash any valid build that you want, but SamFirm will always only give you whatever the newest/latest version is.
When you first inserted the T-Mo SIM, did it remove the AT&T apps and bloatware?
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When I first got the phone, it had the ATT ringtones on it, but I never noticed the boot screen being ATT. After the flash though, those were (and are) completely gone. And when I first put my sim in there, I didn't see any ATT apps on it at all.
Edit: Should have noted that I bought it used, but did confirm with AT&T that it was paid off and unlocked by them, but is it possible that the previous owner removed the apps with the *#2xxxxxx# code change? (he did claim to have worked for Samsung recently before moving to my area to another tech company...who knows if that's true or not). Unfortunately I couldn't get that code to do anything. Shrug.
---------- Post added at 12:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 AM ----------
Looking at your page here: https://androidfilehost.com/?w=developers&did=4128
It looks like another user posted the T-Mobile flash for January. At least I know (or believe I know) that that will be another trusted source. I'm downloading that now in the hopes that it has the userdata and such in the zip as well. I will flash that over in just a few minutes and see what shakes out.
---------- Post added at 01:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:09 AM ----------
Update: So here is where things get super weird and really have me wondering what is going on with this thing. If I try to flash the latest (march) TMB firmware, the phone boots and doesn't get signal (CDMA mode). If I reset the phone and then flash the latest ATT firmware (on AFH, I think it's February), the phone works perfectly, but still no ATT customization. So. If it holds true that the 4 base files are the same, then the only thing that can be causing that is something in the newer TMB userdata / csc files, right? As those are the only differences.
All of this being said and carrier bloat aside, the phone says it's on LTE+ right now, but the download speeds (according to ookla) are over 200mb (20Mb) / sec. Which, according to Venturebeat is the speed of T-Mobile's 600Mhz 5G service, which is plastered all over my area.
Long story short - As long as I'm flashing ATT Userdata / CSC, then the phone operates normally - though I won't get updates until I can get that XAA/XAA/ATT changed to ATT/ATT/ATT. Flashing any other Userdata / CSC after December 2019 causes issues with the radio.
I do appreciate all of your help, and while my post count is non-existent, I have done my homework as best I can before posting (constant lurker)
To be able to change XAA / XAA / ATT you must use samkey to buy 3 credits and change the csc to ATT or TMB if you want it to be t mobile
change csc
ms-n976u t mobile
i just to have same problem because i use the code *#272*imei and i change to xaa
my phone restart and no brand was on it like it was unlocked model not bloatware csc change to xaa/xaa/tmb
but the code to change csc did work anymore i try different ways but nothing help change firmware did help ether samtool not support
i try the realterm method didn't work
the only thing that work was buy 3 credits on ebay to samkey
change with samkey the csc to tmb and i get the updates right away and all the tmobile bloatware come back
well i post this just to let people be careful when using the *#272* imei code
p3r1k0 said:
ms-n976u t mobile
i just to have same problem because i use the code *#272*imei and i change to xaa
my phone restart and no brand was on it like it was unlocked model not bloatware csc change to xaa/xaa/tmb
but the code to change csc did work anymore i try different ways but nothing help change firmware did help ether samtool not support
i try the realterm method didn't work
the only thing that work was buy 3 credits on ebay to samkey
change with samkey the csc to tmb and i get the updates right away and all the tmobile bloatware come back
well i post this just to let people be careful when using the *#272* imei code
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Was there anything that was broken or missing on the phone, after you changed it using the code? Were there any functions that did not work?
No luck for me
dr.jonirafael said:
To be able to change XAA / XAA / ATT you must use samkey to buy 3 credits and change the csc to ATT or TMB if you want it to be t mobile
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Click to collapse
For most devices, Tmobile even has in their forums how to flash to a different carrier. However, their directions require you to flash the "unlocked" version of the phone (XAA) first, then the carrier specific firmware to change it over. For the Note 10+ 5G, there is no unlocked version. Samkey lists the 5G as not supported. I have tried a flashing a few different ways to move my ATT version to Tmobile, and it always boots with ATT even after Odin saying it was flashed successfully.
I see one post, but it wasn't clear he actually successfully rooted the phone. I've searched, and there are instructions, but there were instructions for the Nokia 7 Plus, but you're not able to unlock the bootloader so you can't root it. So, just because there are instructions , doesn't mean you can do it.
I was able to successfully root my SM-A325F/DS. the DS stands for dual sim, I could not find firmware for dual sim but the stock firmware from samfw.com worked perfectly fine. I used magisk to patch the firmware and flashed it via Odin. Everything worked perfectly. I tried flashing the newest firmware but for some reason it deleted my IMEI and made the baseband version display as "Unkown". Upon flashing a patched version of the older firmware (the second newest version 2021-05-01) everything worked again. I would recommend trying the newest firmware and if you happen to encounter the same issue just flash the older one. I used the Samsung backup in settings and sent all my images over to my pc so restoring my phone took like 10-15 mins.
Edit: Some side notes. Since the SafetyNet update I was unable to pass it which isn't a problem for me but something to keep in mind.
I would also recommend getting an app like "System app remover" from the play store to manually debloat. I tried using a universal samsung debloater but it was a big mess and I ended up having to reflash.
Same, new firmware "auh" causes empty imei. i backed to patched "aug". Imei is back.
SafetyNet passes by this guide
N0body42 said:
I was able to successfully root my SM-A325F/DS. the DS stands for dual sim, I could not find firmware for dual sim but the stock firmware from samfw.com worked perfectly fine. I used magisk to patch the firmware and flashed it via Odin. Everything worked perfectly. I tried flashing the newest firmware but for some reason it deleted my IMEI and made the baseband version display as "Unkown". Upon flashing a patched version of the older firmware (the second newest version 2021-05-01) everything worked again. I would recommend trying the newest firmware and if you happen to encounter the same issue just flash the older one. I used the Samsung backup in settings and sent all my images over to my pc so restoring my phone took like 10-15 mins.
Edit: Some side notes. Since the SafetyNet update I was unable to pass it which isn't a problem for me but something to keep in mind.
I would also recommend getting an app like "System app remover" from the play store to manually debloat. I tried using a universal samsung debloater but it was a big mess and I ended up having to reflash.
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Click to collapse
what about auth error? is magisk bypassing the older-than-device-firmware lock?