Hello, I'm a tmobile customer that just purchased an unlocked galaxy s8 from the Samsung website. I'm wondering if going to the store and getting the tmobile firmware on it installed is really necessary. I mainly want to do this because of the software updates, but then I thought the the unlocked version might get updates from a different source? Am I right? I'm sorry about this being such a general question, but I just want to do what's best for my new phone. Would you recommend me installing this firmware? Or should I just keep the stock unlocked firmware it came with? Are there any drawbacks associated with not installing the tmobile firmware on it?
EDIT:
To start, will Tmobile even do this in the first place? I'm totally clueless whether they offer installing their software on customer phones or not.
Thank you.
Hi there. Unfortunately, you are going to be really hard pressed to find a T-Mobile rep anywhere that could/would flash firmware w/ Odin. Not saying that there aren't some reps out their that don't know about this stuff (there are a lot that really have no clue though), but this is well outside of what most of them are trained for, plus Odin is only supposed to be used by Samsung. Also, historically (at least the last couple of years), for whatever reason Samsung's unlocked US models have been getting updates slower than the carrier versions, which really doesn't make any sense because there is less to go through to get them updated. That being said, there are several threads in the T-Mobile S8 forum here as well as the general S8 forum dedicated to carrier switching, which can guide you in turning your unlocked model into a T-Mobile model, for all intents and purposes.
oscarm003 said:
Hello, I'm a tmobile customer that just purchased an unlocked galaxy s8 from the Samsung website. I'm wondering if going to the store and getting the tmobile firmware on it installed is really necessary. I mainly want to do this because of the software updates, but then I thought the the unlocked version might get updates from a different source? Am I right? I'm sorry about this being such a general question, but I just want to do what's best for my new phone. Would you recommend me installing this firmware? Or should I just keep the stock unlocked firmware it came with? Are there any drawbacks associated with not installing the tmobile firmware on it?
EDIT:
To start, will Tmobile even do this in the first place? I'm totally clueless whether they offer installing their software on customer phones or not.
Thank you.
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Click to collapse
The guy that replied first is really correct! T-Mobile store won't flash any phone, don't go beyond simple troubleshooting. It is easier to fly to Mars, than talk about flashing a device with rep. I do hope there are some T-Mobile reps that do really know about flashing, but I just haven't seen one yet.
I am with Unlocked S8 and use it on T-Mobile. I don't have any signal specific issues for example and features such as WiFi Calling, Band 12 and VoLTE all work well. There are few thing that flashing to T-Mobile firmware could give you:
Video calling(to specific phones only)
Advanced Messaging(believe other phone needs to support it)
DIGITS service will be built into the phone dialer.
I was also debating about doing it, but all 3 mentioned features are not wildly available and don't work across all devices and networks. On top of that you will get few T-Mobile apps pre-installed + Lookout app + T-Mobile logo when booting up the phone.
We can flash practically anytime we want, so I would suggest you to wait and see how Samsung will treat unlocked devices and how fast updates will arrive. If T-Mobile will do them much better than Samsung, then I will flash myself or when those 3 features above will work across all devices.
Sorry for reviving this thread, but my unlocked s8 gets slower upload and download speeds than my friends tmobile s8, we are both in NYC and he's getting 100mbps and I'm getting 30-40mbps. I assume they also have specific settings hardbaked in their rom that allows for optimized carrier usage?
joey4321 said:
Sorry for reviving this thread, but my unlocked s8 gets slower upload and download speeds than my friends tmobile s8, we are both in NYC and he's getting 100mbps and I'm getting 30-40mbps. I assume they also have specific settings hardbaked in their rom that allows for optimized carrier usage?
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the t mobile firmware comes with 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. which leads to better signal and faster download speeds.
Can I flash just the modem or CSC to get the benefits without flashing the whole tmobile rom?
joey4321 said:
Can I flash just the modem or CSC to get the benefits without flashing the whole tmobile rom?
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This is a question I'd like the answer to. I'd like to keep all the Samsung default software features but get RCS, which is the most important thing, and one of the main reasons I'm still using my LG G6.
raduque said:
This is a question I'd like the answer to. I'd like to keep all the Samsung default software features but get RCS, which is the most important thing, and one of the main reasons I'm still using my LG G6.
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joey4321 said:
Can I flash just the modem or CSC to get the benefits without flashing the whole tmobile rom?
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i think you'll need the whole firmware to be able to use RCS and the tmob features. i personally think the tmob firmware is better since it has 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM enabled. so better signal and service
guaneet said:
4x4 MIMO and 256QAM enabled. so better signal and service
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I don't care about any of that. I value the Samsung unbranded experience more. All I want from the Tmo FW is RCS.
Alternately, if they ever support it using the unlocked S8 FW, i'll switch back to my S8 in a heartbeat. My G6 seems to get tons better battery life anyway for some reason.
Can someone provide a link to a thread for flashing the Unlocked s8 to T-Mobile?
Thanks.
C3cars said:
Can someone provide a link to a thread for flashing the Unlocked s8 to T-Mobile?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are multiple sections, but I believe you need to look under: Flashing Standard Firmware, but do ask, just in case.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
Charkatak said:
There are multiple sections, but I believe you need to look under: Flashing Standard Firmware, but do ask, just in case.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3625817
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I believe you have to use the "flashing unlocked firmware" because the prince's version of the ODIN will bypass the ROM checksum and let you flash any variant you want. if you use the normal ODIN and you are going from unlocked to t-mobile (950U1 to 950U) ROM it will fail.
I used to be on the unlocked but now I'm running t-mobile rom to have multi-line baked in to the native dialer. and my service provider SW ver. shows TMB/TMB/XAA
All is good and I'm happy with the ROM after few days the battery life seems the same as the unlocked version.
i just want to know if i can keep the bloatware free and just flash the modem from tmobile firmware.
i just want wifi calling, volte, 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. i dont care much for the multi line feature cause not useful on my end and idk about rcs because the person on the other end needs to have it and i dont really see it as useful.
lol s7 bloatware free firmware was so easy to flash compared to this xD
im running the att variant but im sure all the hardware is the same. so i dont see why the unlocked firmware wouldnt support this out of the box.
ImaUseBT said:
i just want to know if i can keep the bloatware free and just flash the modem from tmobile firmware.
i just want wifi calling, volte, 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. i dont care much for the multi line feature cause not useful on my end and idk about rcs because the person on the other end needs to have it and i dont really see it as useful.
lol s7 bloatware free firmware was so easy to flash compared to this xD
im running the att variant but im sure all the hardware is the same. so i dont see why the unlocked firmware wouldnt support this out of the box.
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When I had my S7 Edge I was able to mix and match different ROM with different modem files ie I would be on the unlocked ROM with the tmobile modem and was able to use the unlocked firmware with t-mobile radios. This is what you want but I have not tried it with the my S8 you can try if it dont work use the prince's ODIN to take you back to stock.
kdoweb1 said:
When I had my S7 Edge I was able to mix and match different ROM with different modem files ie I would be on the unlocked ROM with the tmobile modem and was able to use the unlocked firmware with t-mobile radios. This is what you want but I have not tried it with the my S8 you can try if it dont work use the prince's ODIN to take you back to stock.
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yea thats what ive been doing. i just want a blotware free phone but use the tmo features apart from multi line. i just flashed the u1 firmware now so lets see what happens
ImaUseBT said:
yea thats what ive been doing. i just want a blotware free phone but use the tmo features apart from multi line. i just flashed the u1 firmware now so lets see what happens
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I believe you will have wifi calling and volte but not 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. i think MIMO is activated in the modem itself.
kdoweb1 said:
I believe you will have wifi calling and volte but not 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM. i think MIMO is activated in the modem itself.
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hmm i could try to flash the tmobile modem onto this firmware. but yea i do have volte and wifi calling. idk how to check for 4x4 mimo and 256qam
kdoweb1 said:
I believe you have to use the "flashing unlocked firmware" because the prince's version of the ODIN will bypass the ROM checksum and let you flash any variant you want. if you use the normal ODIN and you are going from unlocked to t-mobile (950U1 to 950U) ROM it will fail.
I used to be on the unlocked but now I'm running t-mobile rom to have multi-line baked in to the native dialer. and my service provider SW ver. shows TMB/TMB/XAA
All is good and I'm happy with the ROM after few days the battery life seems the same as the unlocked version.
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Click to collapse
Isn't "flashing unlocked firmware" means that you have a carrier provided phone and want to flash unlocked firmware on it?
Charkatak said:
Isn't "flashing unlocked firmware" means that you have a carrier provided phone and want to flash unlocked firmware on it?
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Click to collapse
Correct, but it also works the other way around. Anytime you want to change variant you must use the modified version of ODIN as it bypass the checksum or the flash will fail.
Thanks Peeps!
Anyone know if there will be the possibility of flashing the U firmware over the stock firmware like is possible for the S7 Edge(Verizon)?
The s8 and s8+ are able to...I think the Note 8 is not going to be much different. I hope I am not wrong though.
BlueFox721 said:
The s8 and s8+ are able to...I think the Note 8 is not going to be much different. I hope I am not wrong though.
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Click to collapse
What is the U firmware?
Unlocked / Universal, stock from Samsung
I am hoping to go the opposite way.
Buying unlocked as always and flashing EE carrier firmware to get VoLTE as I did work my S8.
Is anyone working on a carrier switch process for the Note 8 like the S8/S8+ ? I have a Verizon Note 8 that I would like to run the T-Mobile firmware on.
Thanks!
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3627255
xdarktekx said:
Is anyone working on a carrier switch process for the Note 8 like the S8/S8+ ? I have a Verizon Note 8 that I would like to run the T-Mobile firmware on.
Thanks!
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s8+/how-to/snap-guide-flashing-standard-fw-carrier-t3627255
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Click to collapse
A few are testing files...
Any update ??? A colleague is selling a Sprint version dirt cheap I'm just waiting to see if this can be done before I purchase
Dionismiguel said:
Any update ??? A colleague is selling a Sprint version dirt cheap I'm just waiting to see if this can be done before I purchase
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I found that the Canadian file has to be the XAC version and following the S8+ guide does work...follow it to the letter...still, if the device is unlocked...you should be able to flash the other carrier firmware and insert carrier SIM...I can't test beyond Sprint though and since my device is the XAA version my results may be different...if you are successful with the S8+ guide...let us know
BlueFox721 said:
I found that the Canadian file has to be the XAC version and following the S8+ guide does work...follow it to the letter...still, if the device is unlocked...you should be able to flash the other carrier firmware and insert carrier SIM...I can't test beyond Sprint though and since my device is the XAA version my results may be different...if you are successful with the S8+ guide...let us know
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I'll have to try this again this weekend. I was never able to carrier switch my Verizon Note 8.
leprkon said:
I'll have to try this again this weekend. I was never able to carrier switch my Verizon Note 8.
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Make sure to use the Canadian XAC when at the step...let me know how it goes and whether you had to modify any steps so I can incorporate the info in a guide...
Carrier Switching Guide coming soon....I have tested successfully
Hi Everyone,
I've searched and could not find a clear answer, and am hoping someone can help.
I just purchased a US Samsung Note 8 (SM-950U1), my question is, is it possible for me to install the G955W (Canadian) firmware on this device?
For Canadian users is anyone currently using a US Note 8 (SM-950U1) Factory unlocked?
Thanks.
Made a typo I meant can I flash SM-N950W Canadian firmware to a SM-950U1 Factory unlocked Note 8
Thanks,
hitmanjat said:
Made a typo I meant can I flash SM-N950W Canadian firmware to a SM-950U1 Factory unlocked Note 8
Thanks,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not yet, North American models are all Snapdragon with locked bootloaders. If someone finds a way to unlock the bootloader then you could get a flashable zip version of a Canadian ROM and use that but as far as I've seen nobody has been able to do much with the Snapdragon variants yet.
I have been reading the s8 plus thread where users have flashed the s8 plus Canadian (sm-g955w) firmware to the Us s8 plus (sm-g955u) is it not the same process?
Thanks for your help
hitmanjat said:
I have been reading the s8 plus thread where users have flashed the s8 plus Canadian (sm-g955w) firmware to the Us s8 plus (sm-g955u) is it not the same process?
Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you follow the s8 + guide...if available it would be the same for u...I am working on a guide for carrier switching but it is for U.S. snapdragon models...but it uses the Canadian XAC home_csc...I say pm the poster of the s8+ that you mentioned for details and then flash at your own risk....you can always flash back to your original....before you do, though, insert your Canadian carrier SIM and see if you can activate it...when I was testing the carrier switch there were options to change to Canadian csc's....good luck
Any update? I also bought my note 8 from USA. With the US firmware, we do not have access to certain features like VOLTE or caller ID and spam protection.
Check out blue fox's thread. I just flashed US firmware on a Canadian unlocked XAA device(not sim locked to Rodgers, bell etc). long as your flashing stock Samsung firmware, youll be fine. The Canadian and US Note 8 phones are basically the same.
black96ss said:
Check out blue fox's thread. I just flashed US firmware on a Canadian unlocked XAA device(not sim locked to Rodgers, bell etc). long as your flashing stock Samsung firmware, youll be fine. The Canadian and US Note 8 phones are basically the same.
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@black96ss how did you do this? this would help us a great deal if you can help us out.
I want to take my T-mobile unlocked Note 9 to Cricket. Can I flash the firmware to AT&T before doing so in order to take full advantage of the AT&T bands?
behler said:
I want to take my T-mobile unlocked Note 9 to Cricket. Can I flash the firmware to AT&T before doing so in order to take full advantage of the AT&T bands?
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Yes you can.
Jammol said:
Yes you can.
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^^^^^^^^^ this ^^^^^^^^^^^
but so far, everyone has neglected to mention that it required a modified version of Odin to allow for cross carrier firmwares to be flashed. I had to do the same with my S9 when i wanted to flash the U1 (unbranded) firmware on the S9 i got from cricket
youdoofus said:
^^^^^^^^^ this ^^^^^^^^^^^
but so far, everyone has neglected to mention that it required a modified version of Odin to allow for cross carrier firmwares to be flashed. I had to do the same with my S9 when i wanted to flash the U1 (unbranded) firmware on the S9 i got from cricket
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, but that's typically something the person wanting to do the process of flashing firmware on a $1k phone should research or ask about here on xda. As much as I love helping to provide information, it is best for the user that is wanting to undergo the process better educate themselves on what they are about to tackle.
If it had the likelyhood of causing a brick, I would definitely tell them straight away. But other than that, we all get a nice sense of accomplishment when we do flashing that we weren't too sure about. At least I do.?