Database Develop

[Doubts] Remove all Bloatware (COMBINATION File process).

Hi.
I need to remove all Bloatware, from my Note9
I think one way to do it, is installing the N960U1 Firmware (USA unbranded)
Reading on the Internet and watching videos on YouTube, I obtained the following procedure:
My Note9:
Model: SM-N960U (AT&T)
FW: N960USQS1ARI5
1- Flash Stock Firmware (N960USQS1ARI5) and make a Wipe Data/Factory Reset
2- Flash CSC from Firmware (N960U1UEU1ARJ5)
3- Flash COMBINATION File (COMBINATION_FAC_FA81_N960USQU1ARG4)
Enter - Menu - Factory IME
Press *#243203855#
Select CSC = XAA (in my case)
Reboot
4- In ADB Shell, enter the following command: echo "XAA" > /efs/imei/mps_code.dat
5- Flash Stock Firmware (N960U1UEU1ARJ5)
6- Wipe Data/Factory Reset
7- Done
This is a summary procedure (without details), but...It is right?
I have a doubt with step 4...
Why is it done?
Is it necessary to do it?
Thank you.

Flashing stock firmware isn't going to help, there will be no Samsung provided Firmware without the bloat.
To remove the bloat, it's actually much easier than before, thanks to these recent versions of Android.
All you need to do is open an ADB Shell and paste in the contents of the quoted text in the first post in this thread. This will disable almost all bloat but personally, there are a couple parts of the bloat I like to keep, so I omit a few of the lines.

What bloatware are you wanting to remove?

Mr. Orange 645 said:
What bloatware are you wanting to remove?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Among others, the Operator (AT&T).

willhemmens said:
Flashing stock firmware isn't going to help, there will be no Samsung provided Firmware without the bloat.
To remove the bloat, it's actually much easier than before, thanks to these recent versions of Android.
All you need to do is open an ADB Shell and paste in the contents of the quoted text in the first post in this thread. This will disable almost all bloat but personally, there are a couple parts of the bloat I like to keep, so I omit a few of the lines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, "Flashing stock firmware is not going to help"...but, I will change from custom to Operator to un-customized.
and Maybe later, the list (Galaxy Note 9 Bloatware Removal Thread) that you mention can be shorten a little more.

hasbrone said:
Among others, the Operator (AT&T).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you need to do is flash the U1 firmware with patched ODIN. All those other steps are unnecessary.

Mr. Orange 645 said:
All you need to do is flash the U1 firmware with patched ODIN. All those other steps are unnecessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So...
It will not be necessary to make the change of CSC?
The CSC ATT will remain and only the customization will be eliminated?
Thank you.

hasbrone said:
So...
It will not be necessary to make the change of CSC?
The CSC ATT will remain and only the customization will be eliminated?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct. Just flash the U1 firmware. If you're on ATT theres no reason to mess with the CSC. You wouldn't want to anyway.

Mr. Orange 645 said:
Correct. Just flash the U1 firmware. If you're on ATT theres no reason to mess with the CSC. You wouldn't want to anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I flashed the U1 non-carrier specific firmware with the patched Odin yesterday. Absolutely no problems, ATT 4G LTE still works (even a little faster than before), Wifi Hotspot now works, and no ATT bloatware anymore (I re-installed Visual Voicemail from ATT, that is the only ATT specific app i have now). I even got two or three OTA updates for security right away.

keredini said:
Yep, I flashed the U1 non-carrier specific firmware with the patched Odin yesterday. Absolutely no problems, ATT 4G LTE still works (even a little faster than before), Wifi Hotspot now works, and no ATT bloatware anymore (I re-installed Visual Voicemail from ATT, that is the only ATT specific app i have now). I even got two or three OTA updates for security right away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
What is the model of your Note9?, before flashing the U1 Firmware...
What Firmware of U1 flashed?
Can you share your "Service provider SW ver."? (see the attachment in my case ATT/ATT/ATT), Please!.

hasbrone said:
Thanks.
What is the model of your Note9?, before flashing the U1 Firmware...
Can you share your "Service provider SW ver."? (see the attachment in my case ATT/ATT/ATT), Please!.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Attached is what it shows now

keredini said:
Attached is what it shows now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...and What model is your Note9?, What Firmware of the Note9 U1 you flashed?
Thanks.

hasbrone said:
...and What model is your Note9?, What Firmware of the Note9 U1 you flashed?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your answers are in his photo he attached. He obviously has the ATT carrier-branded Note 9 model N960U, same as you.
He flashed software build N960U1UEU1ARJ5.
All of this can easily be found in this forum. You are seriously making this WAY more complicated than it really is.

Mr. Orange 645 said:
What bloatware are you wanting to remove?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play Store.

hasbrone said:
Hi.
I need to remove all Bloatware, from my Note9
I think one way to do it, is installing the N960U1 Firmware (USA unbranded)
Reading on the Internet and watching videos on YouTube, I obtained the following procedure:
My Note9:
Model: SM-N960U (AT&T)
FW: N960USQS1ARI5
1- Flash Stock Firmware (N960USQS1ARI5) and make a Wipe Data/Factory Reset
2- Flash CSC from Firmware (N960U1UEU1ARJ5)
3- Flash COMBINATION File (COMBINATION_FAC_FA81_N960USQU1ARG4)
Enter - Menu - Factory IME
Press *#243203855#
Select CSC = XAA (in my case)
Reboot
4- In ADB Shell, enter the following command: echo "XAA" > /efs/imei/mps_code.dat
5- Flash Stock Firmware (N960U1UEU1ARJ5)
6- Wipe Data/Factory Reset
7- Done
This is a summary procedure (without details), but...It is right?
I have a doubt with step 4...
Why is it done?
Is it necessary to do it?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what others said is correct, just flash u1 in modified odin and ull be on xaa with little or no bloat..
the dialer code is nice to do it on the fly.. u can use it to only apply network settings or change the brand or both..
the adb commands are not needed at all.. i also am pretty sure they dont work at all (permission denied) on note 9..
keep in mind pie builds are different.. i dont think it matters what u flash, it changes based on sim inserted.. the csc code also doesnt work on latest pie builds so no way to change it up unless u put in another sim card.. i think one of the earlier pie builds i was on the csc dialer code worked..
on latest pie build i notice a new line in dl mode, anyone by chance know what "KG Status" is?

Mr. Orange 645 said:
Your answers are in his photo he attached. He obviously has the ATT carrier-branded Note 9 model N960U, same as you.
He flashed software build N960U1UEU1ARJ5.
All of this can easily be found in this forum. You are seriously making this WAY more complicated than it really is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
Do you recommend flash the Firmware with these options?
Re-Partition (with PIT file)
Nand Erase All
When is it recommended to use those options?
Thank you.

hasbrone said:
Hi.
Do you recommend flash the Firmware with these options?
Re-Partition (with PIT file)
Nand Erase All
When is it recommended to use those options?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend you leave all checkboxes in patched Odin exactly as you found them and touch nothing.

hasbrone said:
Hi.
Do you recommend flash the Firmware with these options?
Re-Partition (with PIT file)
Nand Erase All
When is it recommended to use those options?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't check those unless you know what you're doing.

U1 firmware and Patched Odin
Mr. Orange 645 said:
All you need to do is flash the U1 firmware with patched ODIN. All those other steps are unnecessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please explain in detail the steps, and also from where to get the U1 firmware?
Am also on AT&T.
thanks

tahrang said:
Can you please explain in detail the steps, and also from where to get the U1 firmware?
Am also on AT&T.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search here through the forums. The files are linked in a few threads, as are the instructions.
You could just Google ODIN instructions and find it.

Help changing CSC to INS for S8 G950F (PDA G950FXXS5DSF1)

Hello,
I`ve been reading here and asked questions related to changing the CSC of S8 G950F to INS or THL (India/Thailand)
Here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79846281&postcount=66
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=79511812&postcount=127
But without luck, can someone guide me on what to do please?
Currently I have:
- PDA = G950FXXS5DSF1
- CSC=G950FOXM5DSF1
- OXM_ROM
- unrooted, unlocked, warranty not void
- exyno cpu
*I`ve attached some screens with what I have
I still did not understood all the steps from https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/how-to/pie-call-recording-wip-t3905737
I`ve downloaded from sammobile G950FXXS5DSF1_G950FOXM5DSF1_ROM.zip file with what I have currently, the zip contains the files:
AP_G950FXXS5DSF1_CL16019454_QB24073188_REV00_user_ low_ship_meta_OS9.tar
BL_G950FXXS5DSF1_CL16019454_QB24073188_REV00_user_ low_ship.tar
CP_G950FXXS5DSF1_CP12892158_CL16019454_QB24073188_ REV00_user_low_ship.tar
CSC_OXM_G950FOXM5DSF1_CL16019454_QB24073188_REV00_ user_low_ship.tar
HOME_CSC_OXM_G950FOXM5DSF1_CL16019454_QB24073188_R EV00_user_low_ship.tar
What I do not find is combination files for this PDA, on this link https://www.hardreset.info/articles/samsung-combination-firmware/ I can only see U4 bootloader version and I am not able to find anywhere on the internet the latest combination of files, can I generate this by myself so I can proceed to the change CSC step? Or what should be the solution?
What I found is https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/how-to-make-combination-file-samsung-t3861381 to create the combination files, but it does not help.
Also the step where I install the firmware after the CSC is changed. I am not able to find INS or THL version of my bootloader v5
What I found on for INS on:
https://www.sammobile.com
http://updato.com
G950FXXS4CRLB_G950FOXM4CRL1_INS.zip
G950FXXU4CRL3_G950FOXM4CRL1_INS.zip
Not 100% sure if I should flash one of these as I see it has different bootloader..
Can I flash the G950FXXS5DSF1_G950FOXM5DSF1_ROM.zip back after the CSC change to INS and I should get an OTA update with android pie from india?
Thank you!

Anyone that can help me please?

rilley said:
Anyone that can help me please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try here
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S9-S9/Call-recorder/td-p/457269/page/50

MystaMagoo said:
try here
https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S9-S9/Call-recorder/td-p/457269/page/50
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, thank you for the message.
It is the only method for me to buy the THL sim card? ( I`m asking because it takes 1 month to arrive )
I`ve read over the link you provided, and found a link related to how-to-change-csc-in-samsung-galaxy-phones/ ( I can not post the link here it seems XDA override the link )
I`ve checked I have the OXM firmware, so I`ve tried to use the dialing code for changing CSC:
==================
Open your phone’s dialer and type the following code with your device IMEI number: *#272*IMEI number# (replace the red text with your device’s IMEI number).
==================
But I get
"connection problem or invalid mmi code"
*also checked the preconfig.apk is not in /system/app/

Should I flash?
COMBINATION_FA70_G950FXXU4ARI1_CL12792727_QB19841686_REV00_user_mid_noship.tar.md5.zip
Or I can get bricked because I have U5 and the file is U4 bootloader..? In case of brick flashing stock firmware fixes the issues to get back to normal?
Or I should downgrade the bootloader from u5 to u4? if that is possible, and then flash the U4 found combination of files?
Any of this without tripping knox

I guess the only solution is with sim or wait if someone release combination of files with V5 bootloader version for my stock rom? and also maybe to have the stock INS for V5?

rilley said:
I guess the only solution is with sim or wait if someone release combination of files with V5 bootloader version for my stock rom? and also maybe to have the stock INS for V5?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or try the S8 forum?
This is Note 8 forum
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/guide-changing-csc-s8-s8-root-t3799045

MystaMagoo said:
Or try the S8 forum?
This is Note 8 forum
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/guide-changing-csc-s8-s8-root-t3799045
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, now I see, my bad, I will repost there and link that thread here.
Thank you.

Note 9 SM-N960F/DS Sim Unlock Code?

I attempted to unroot my note 9 with odin and ended up flashing what i thought was the correct software. Now my phone is asking for a puk sim unlock code. Anyway to fix this?

Erick-kewone said:
I attempted to unroot my note 9 with odin and ended up flashing what i thought was the correct software. Now my phone is asking for a puk sim unlock code. Anyway to fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you will have to find the exact model of phone including what carrier it is from.
it will give you an idea of what exact firmware file you need.

It was a sm-N960f/DS from ebay seller never-msrp. It came unlocked and everything when i bought it

Erick-kewone said:
It was a sm-N960f/DS from ebay seller never-msrp. It came unlocked and everything when i bought it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what carrier sim do you have?
---------- Post added at 10:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 PM ----------
bober10113 said:
what carrier sim do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also on odin what exactly did you flash?

T-mobile. It worked originally until I attempted to unroot it. I think I flashed the wrong firmware. But I dont know what the original firmware was
bober10113 said:
what carrier sim do you have?
---------- Post added at 10:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:26 PM ----------
also on odin what exactly did you flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Erick-kewone said:
T-mobile. It worked originally until I attempted to unroot it. I think I flashed the wrong firmware. But I dont know what the original firmware was
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well ure device is international so there's no real official firmware for TMO .
use samfirm tool v0.3.6 to dl another firmware:
enter model as followed: SM-N960F
Enter CSC as followed: DBT
tick the auto box.
then check update and download.
it should be the best firmware even if it dosent match USA carriers.
if it fails check logs because your windows might need a specific redist. version. it will tell you in the logs if ure missing a components.
remove sim and reflash everything.( fill ALL 4 slots in odin with corresponding .md5. be sure to use csc.md5 i the CSC slot and not home_csc.md5)
after flashing let it boot to initial setup. shutdown device and insert sim and boot back up. if u still have an issue. flash twrp again use ketans guide and use method 1to flash his oem unlock fix root v5. dont skip any steps from his guide.
report back here i might have a file CSC file for you to flash.

Ill attempt it and update you on the result

Erick-kewone said:
Ill attempt it and update you on the result
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anyways if do flash back twrp and you need to flash TMO try this zip is in there. flash with twrp:
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhXVLDDj8g3AgeA6IyH1iTzQAGB4MA
choose XAA usa, then TMO
let me know if it works out for you.

What region should i type?

Erick-kewone said:
What region should i type?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where?
---------- Post added at 12:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 AM ----------
Erick-kewone said:
What region should i type?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh sorry i wrote CSC but i should have written region.
so enter DBT

Just attempted to flash the firmware and i still get the same dialog box. Ill root and attempt the other guide

I have flashed twrp and the CSC selector. I'm still having the same problem. I have uploaded screenshots.

Erick-kewone said:
I have flashed twrp and the CSC selector. I'm still having the same problem. I have uploaded screenshots.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you post a screenshot of
system/about phone/software information
as seen in screenshot attached

I Don't Understand..
Erick-kewone said:
I attempted to unroot my note 9 with odin and ended up flashing what i thought was the correct software. Now my phone is asking for a puk sim unlock code. Anyway to fix this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm Curious..
Why did you not just remove your Sim - Card and do a Factory Reset?
Even with Knox Tripped, it should have just reinstalled it original firmware which would have un-rooted the phone.. :angel:

There was no SIM card in the phone when I decided to flash the stock firmware in Odin. Also I have attached a screenshot of the software information. My phone was originally an /fd but now it just says /f

*Edit i uploaded the screenshots in the previous post

Erick-kewone said:
*Edit i uploaded the screenshots in the previous post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
remove the imei numbers from tour screen shot ASAP!
also in software info u can scroll down for more info. we cant see the rest as i posted.

Sorry for getting back so late. Ive been working lately. I have attached a screenshot of the phone software information

Hello, I am trying to switch CSC without losing data. I already have TWRP and is running a ROM that came with a Chinese CSC. Can I flash the CSC selector file you provided to OP and choose a new CSC without wiping my phone? BTW My phone is N960N running OneUI)
Thanks.

HowardStark said:
Hello, I am trying to switch CSC without losing data. I already have TWRP and is running a ROM that came with a Chinese CSC. Can I flash the CSC selector file you provided to OP and choose a new CSC without wiping my phone? BTW My phone is N960N running OneUI)
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes of course! what carrier were you wanting to flash?
also just do a full backup of efs and carrier configs partition in twrp. or better yet a full backup before doing anything.
and also very important:
please also check that you are using twrp v 3.2..x.x and NOT 3.3.1.x version. it wont work on the broken twrp 3.3.1.x

SW REV CHECK FAIL! Need help to changed to my original CSC Country.

Hi there, I need help.
I tried to flash the stock firmware but I got this message on my phone.can not do anything
I was on dr.ketan P13 trying to flash the stock firmware.
My device was UNITED ARAB EMIRATES(XSG) now is:
UNITED KINGDOM /IRELAND (XEU) since I flashed P13.
SW REV CHECK FAIL(BOOTLOADER) DEVICE: 3, BINARY: 2​
After flashing Dr ketan's bootloader device booted well, but CSC country changed.
Any ideas how to go back to my original CSC Country.?
I will appreciate your help

osk4rin said:
Hi there, I need help.
I tried to flash the stock firmware but I got this message on my phone.can not do anything
I was on dr.ketan P13 trying to flash the stock firmware.
My device was UNITED ARAB EMIRATES(XSG) now is:
UNITED KINGDOM /IRELAND (XEU) since I flashed P13.
SW REV CHECK FAIL(BOOTLOADER) DEVICE: 3, BINARY: 2
After flashing Dr ketan's bootloader device booted well, but CSC country changed.
Any ideas how to go back to my original CSC Country.?
I will appreciate your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use your last valid twrp backup from before the issue to restore:
carrier configs (odm)
efs
also when you flash full stock, use csc.md5 and not home_csc.md5 as CSC file.
it migh be good to research what the very latest firmware files are for your device. there should be a july update somewhere. so use that and try again.
if you want and try to fix ure csc issue try to flash zip in:
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhXVLDDj8g3AgeA6IyH1iTzQAGB4MA
beware that you flash this at tour own free will and i cant be held responsible for anything.
do a full backup first.
in aroma choose DBT and choose ure correct CSC code.

bober10113 said:
use your last valid twrp backup from before the issue to restore:
carrier configs (odm)
efs
also when you flash full stock, use csc.md5 and not home_csc.md5 as CSC file.
it migh be good to research what the very latest firmware files are for your device. there should be a july update somewhere. so use that and try again.
if you want and try to fix ure csc issue try to flash zip in:
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhXVLDDj8g3AgeA6IyH1iTzQAGB4MA
beware that you flash this at tour own free will and i cant be held responsible for anything.
do a full backup first.
in aroma choose DBT and choose ure correct CSC code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How am I going to know which is the correct CSC code on that download CSC link?
I found a screenshot of my original CSC code(right)
and I screenshot one for the current. (left)

osk4rin said:
How am I going to know which is the correct CSC code on that download CSC link?
I found a screenshot of my original CSC code and I screenshot one for the current.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
looks like its xsg
so looks like u are ok.
who is your sim carrier?

bober10113 said:
looks like its xsg
so looks like u are ok.
who is your sim carrier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sim carrier T-Mobile
I wanted to downgrade to Oreo, but I can't...still getting the same error mentioned above when I flashed Oreo firmware from the same region.

osk4rin said:
Sim carrier T-Mobile
I wanted to downgrade to Oreo, but I can't...still getting the same error mentioned above when I flashed Oreo firmware from the same region.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh ok then. well there is TMO in the XAA usa menu in the csc zip. but you are in the us right? so its TMO usa ?
try it. if it doesn't work then flash back stock like u have been doing. if it does work post back here the same screen shot of that app. id be curious to see if it's correctly changes your csc

bober10113 said:
oh ok then. well there in TMO in the XAA usa menu in the csc zip. but you are in the us right? so its TMO usa ?
try it. if it dosenr work then flash back stock like u have been doing. if it does work post back here the same screen shot of that app. id be curious to see if it's correctly changes your csc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I am in the USA, but I bought my phone online .the original region is the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

osk4rin said:
Yes, I am in the USA, but I bought my phone online .the original region is the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok that dosnet matter since csc zip flashes tmo files.
so go ahead and try it if you want and report back.
im heading off to bed so good luck

bober10113 said:
ok that dosnet matter since csc zip flashes tmo files.
so go ahead and try it if you want and report back.
I'm heading off to bed so good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your help and staying up late helping me.
I already download from Sammobile the most recent firmware from my current region.
it went throw and flash well. now ill just download the Oreo one.
Thank you!!

osk4rin said:
Thank you for your help and staying up late helping me.
I already download from Sammobile the most recent firmware from my current region.
it went throw and flash well. now ill just download the Oreo one.
Thank you!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have same problem. I have Note 9 N960F on 9.0 N9 N960FXXS3CSG5 August Patch and i wanna go back to Oreo 8.1.0 N960FXXS2ARL3. But when i flash with odin always fail. " SW REV. CHECK FAIL(BOOTLOADER) DEVICE :3 BINARY: 2 " i know this August patch have XXS3 and 8.10 have XXS2. Any way to downgrade without fail ? PLEASE HELP ME

CruelB said:
have same problem. I have Note 9 N960F on 9.0 N9 N960FXXS3CSG5 August Patch and i wanna go back to Oreo 8.1.0 N960FXXS2ARL3. But when i flash with odin always fail. " SW REV. CHECK FAIL(BOOTLOADER) DEVICE :3 BINARY: 2 " i know this August patch have XXS3 and 8.10 have XXS2. Any way to downgrade without fail ? PLEASE HELP ME
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ure flashing older firmware rev 2 on a bootloader revision 3 firmware phone.
u cant downgrade to 2 or 1. u have to flash 3 and up firmware.
u can search and read all about it if u take the time.

no update samsung Note 9 AT&T unlocked phone in another region without AT&T sim card

no update samsung Note 9 AT&T unlocked phone in another region without AT&T sim card
Hello everyone i've been really struggling with updating my phone that i got pre-owned It's a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960U) and I have not recieved updates since I got it the phone is still on Android version 8.1.0 and security patch from 2018 so i've been really wanting to update it to the latest version but I couldn't and i figured out that phones from AT&T only update via their own app or OTA thing anyway I thought of flashing it with a stock firmware VIA ODIN but i checked on sammobile that the note 9 AT&T csc only has 1 update and thats 8.1.0 also so i was wondering if i can use some other firmware to flash it or do i change csc? would that work if i changed the csc or am i gonna have baseband and signal issues? I tried KIES it said it didnt recognize my phone probably because the software version has never been updated and very old , i wanted to flash it to a different CSC than AT&T but i dont think thats a good idea, please help

ep1kku said:
Hello everyone i've been really struggling with updating my phone that i got pre-owned It's a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (SM-N960U) and I have not recieved updates since I got it the phone is still on Android version 8.1.0 and security patch from 2018 so i've been really wanting to update it to the latest version but I couldn't and i figured out that phones from AT&T only update via their own app or OTA thing anyway I thought of flashing it with a stock firmware VIA ODIN but i checked on sammobile that the note 9 AT&T csc only has 1 update and thats 8.1.0 also so i was wondering if i can use some other firmware to flash it or do i change csc? would that work if i changed the csc or am i gonna have baseband and signal issues? I tried KIES it said it didnt recognize my phone probably because the software version has never been updated and very old , i wanted to flash it to a different CSC than AT&T but i dont think thats a good idea, please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kies is for older Samsung devices, Smart Switch is for newer Samsung devices.
Here is a list of firmware at Sammobile that has android 10 for your device. They are for T-mobile but I'm pretty sure it can be used on the AT&T Note 9.
https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-note9/firmware/sm-n960u/tmb/
Here is a thread for AT&T note 9 where another user flashed their Note 9 with firmware from another carrier. Use the T-Mobile firmware and follow the steps from post #4 of the thread linked below.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/help/please-help-flashing-att-n960u-firmware-t4107287
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
Kies is for older Samsung devices, Smart Switch is for newer Samsung devices.
Here is a list of firmware at Sammobile that has android 10 for your device. They are for T-mobile but I'm pretty sure it can be used on the AT&T Note 9.
https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-note9/firmware/sm-n960u/tmb/
Here is a thread for AT&T note 9 where another user flashed their Note 9 with firmware from another carrier. Use the T-Mobile firmware and follow the steps from post #4 of the thread linked below.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/help/please-help-flashing-att-n960u-firmware-t4107287
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
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hey thanks for replying so basically i can flash my phone to any other csc because it's unlocked correct? i live in Saudi Arabia so is the reception or whatever gonna get messed up by chance if i flash to something other than AT&T? thanks again.

ep1kku said:
hey thanks for replying so basically i can flash my phone to any other csc because it's unlocked correct? i live in Saudi Arabia so is the reception or whatever gonna get messed up by chance if i flash to something other than AT&T? thanks again.
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Read post #4 of the thread that I linked, it will tell you everything you need to know.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
Read post #4 of the thread that I linked, it will tell you everything you need to know.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
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yeah but my phone is sm-n960u not sm-n960u1 what should i be changing in the methods?

ep1kku said:
yeah but my phone is sm-n960u not sm-n960u1 what should i be changing in the methods?
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So, all the SM960U devices are the same. Just flash the T-Mobile firmware.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
So, all the SM960U devices are the same. Just flash the T-Mobile firmware.
Sent from my SM-S767VL using Tapatalk
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oh alright, tyvm im gonna go through with it and update you how it goes, ty for the help and response :highfive:

Hello people, having exactly the same problem, so its a SM-N960U phone, unlocked from AT&T. First to say, im not in the US, dont have AT&T sim, the phone is updated to android 10 with 2.0ui, with baseband ver. N960USQS3DTB1.
Now somewhere i read that bootloader must be unlocked in order even to begin thinking of flashind the device, dont know how accurate that is... Id like to ask the Owner of the post, if he was able to make it, to update his firmware. And if so did he indeed succeded from the link above from ep1kku ?

Denis95M said:
Hello people, having exactly the same problem, so its a SM-N960U phone, unlocked from AT&T. First to say, im not in the US, dont have AT&T sim, the phone is updated to android 10 with 2.0ui, with baseband ver. N960USQS3DTB1.
Now somewhere i read that bootloader must be unlocked in order even to begin thinking of flashind the device, dont know how accurate that is... Id like to ask the Owner of the post, if he was able to make it, to update his firmware. And if so did he indeed succeded from the link above from ep1kku ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the bootloader does not need to be unlocked before flashing if you are flashing stock software, unlocked bootloader is required to flash custom software, not stock software. There are some manufacturers that require unlocking bootloader even when flashing stock software but Samsung is not and probably never will be one of them.
You can flash your device with stock firmware any time you want, provided that the firmware is not a firmware that is older than your currently installed firmware and if the firmware is for your model number or an equivalent variant of your device with a similar model number and the same CPU series.

Droidriven said:
No, the bootloader does not need to be unlocked before flashing if you are flashing stock software, unlocked bootloader is required to flash custom software, not stock software.
You can flash your device with stock firmware any time you want, provided that the firmware is not a firmware that is older than your currently installed firmware and if the firmware is for your model number or an equivalent variant of your device with a similar model number and the same CPU series.
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Wow didn't know that, well how to find out if the firmware on my device is stock or not, im trying to flash for a week now, odin keeps giving me error ... All threads succed 0/1 no idea whats up with that

Denis95M said:
Wow didn't know that, well how to find out if the firmware on my device is stock or not, im trying to flash for a week now, odin keeps giving me error ... All threads succed 0/1 no idea whats up with that
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Click to collapse
You can boot into download mode and it should say whether the firmware is "official" or "custom".
As I said, you can flash stock firmware provided that the firmware that you are flashing is not older than your current firmware, you can't downgrade the firmware, you can only flash an equivalent firmware to what is already on the device or a newer, updated firmware. Your error may be due to this. For all Samsung firmware, the 5th character from the right in the build number is referred to as the binary version. Your currently installed firmware has a "3" for the binary version, this means you can only flash a firmware that also has a binary 3 or you can flash a firmware that has a number higher than 3 but you can not flash a firmware that has a binary that is lower than 3(you can not flash a binary 1 or 2 firmware).
Depending on the specific error that you got, this could be your issue. What was the specific error that you got?

Droidriven said:
You can boot into download mode and it should say whether the firmware is "official" or "custom".
As I said, you can flash stock firmware provided that the firmware that you are flashing is not older than your current firmware, you can't downgrade the firmware, you can only flash an equivalent firmware to what is already on the device or a newer, updated firmware. Your error may be due to this. For all Samsung firmware, the 5th character from the right in the build number is referred to as the binary version. Your currently installed firmware has a "3" for the binary version, this means you can only flash a firmware that also has a binary 3 or you can flash a firmware that has a number higher than 3 but you can not flash a firmware that has a binary that is lower than 3(you can not flash a binary 1 or 2 firmware).
Depending on the specific error that you got, this could be your issue. What was the specific error that you got?
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I got you, well iv got into download mode many times, its say official, so in theory i can flash official release right, but keeps ending with that odin error, no idea ... Could it be because im in different region than the device's market, its a US market phone like i said, in from europe

Denis95M said:
I got you, well iv got into download mode many times, its say official, so in theory i can flash official release right, but keeps ending with that odin error, no idea ... Could it be because im in different region than the device's market, its a US market phone like i said, in from europe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When using Odin, in the box that shows the flashing process, it should say exactly which error you are getting. When I asked what error you are getting, I was not asking "why" you are getting the error, I'm asking what it says in that box. Post the exact name of the error. Try to flash the device, while it is flashing, watch the dialog box in Odin, when it gives the error, take note of exactly what the error is, you can scroll up and down within the box and read all of the output data in that field.
Yes, it could be due to being from a different region but I doubt it. It could also be because your device is a Snapdragon version but the firmware that you are trying to flash could be for a Exynos version instead, or vice versa.

Droidriven said:
When using Odin, in the box that shows the flashing process, it should say exactly which error you are getting. When I asked what error you are getting, I was not asking "why" you are getting the error, I'm asking what it says in that box. Post the exact name of the error. Try to flash the device, while it is flashing, watch the dialog box in Odin, when it gives the error, take note of exactly what the error is, you can scroll up and down within the box and read all of the output data in that field.
Yes, it could be due to being from a different region but I doubt it. It could also be because your device is a Snapdragon version but the firmware that you are trying to flash could be for a Exynos version instead, or vice versa.
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Click to collapse
Yes i know that i cant downgrade, well all software that i attempt to flash is downloaded from sammobile, my binary is v3, but one problem, all at&t release for that model is the original one, with android 8.1 ... So i try U1 model still didn't work, my software is official, says in download mode

Denis95M said:
Yes i know that i cant downgrade, well all software that i attempt to flash is downloaded from sammobile, my binary is v3, but one problem, all at&t release for that model is the original one, with android 8.1 ... So i try U1 model still didn't work, my software is official, says in download mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You still aren't telling me the SPECIFIC error that you are getting in the dialog box in Odin. That has been the most important question to understand your issue but you keep dodging it. Flash the firmware, watch for the error, take note of exactly what error it says it is, then post exactly what it says the error is. If you can't post that then there is no point in replying.
If you are trying to flash the device in a different region, you may not need to flash the whole firmware from the different region, you may be able to flash just the modem.img from the alternative firmware. To do this, extract the firmware, find the modem.img then convert that modem.img into an Odin flashable .tar using 7zip with its highest level of compression, then flash the modem.img.tar via Odin.

Droidriven said:
You still aren't telling me the SPECIFIC error that you are getting in the dialog box in Odin. That has been the most important question to understand your issue but you keep dodging it. Flash the firmware, watch for the error, take note of exactly what error it says it is, then post exactly what it says the error is.
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Sorry rigth in posting screen shot of the error.

Denis95M said:
Sorry rigth in posting screen shot of the error.
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I added to my previous post.
Strange, your screenshot doesn't show an error, it just stops without giving an error.
I'm assuming that your firmware came in multiple parts with some CSC files? If so, try flashing without using the CSC files.

Droidriven said:
I added to my previous post.
Strange, your screenshot doesn't show an error, it just stops without giving an error.
I'm assuming that your firmware came in multiple parts with some CSC files? If so, try flashing without using the CSC files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right tonight i will try when I'm home, could it be thoug because of wrong firmware ?

Denis95M said:
Right tonight i will try when I'm home, could it be thoug because of wrong firmware ?
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Give me a link to the firmware that you downloaded and I'll compare to see if it is supposed to work.

Droidriven said:
Give me a link to the firmware that you downloaded and I'll compare to see if it is supposed to work.
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Click to collapse
Alright, https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-note9/firmware/#SM-N960U this is without the carrier, if you put at&t in search menu, you will see that only 1 is available, with android 8.1
So i tried U1, version at&t https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/galaxy-note9/firmware/SM-N960U1/ATT/#SM-N960U1 also didn't work, i tried T-mobile on same U1 model, also didn't work. Everytime same error/none error like on the screen shot