Changing from N950W to N950U - Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers

Hey there, looking to change my firmware from N950W to N950U, from my understanding its a US firmware (Mine is Rogers Canada) both are Snapdragon, are there any compatibility issues I could run into?
Build I'm looking to go to is N950USQS2BQK2
My current build is N950WVLU2BQJA
I'm coming from the Pixel XL it's been awhile since I've done anything with Samsung devices, last one was a Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition!

DeathSentinels said:
Hey there, looking to change my firmware from N950W to N950U, from my understanding its a US firmware (Mine is Rogers Canada) both are Snapdragon, are there any compatibility issues I could run into?
Build I'm looking to go to is N950USQS2BQK2
My current build is N950WVLU2BQJA
I'm coming from the Pixel XL it's been awhile since I've done anything with Samsung devices, last one was a Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are some who have tried and succeeded...I cannot confirm though...but if you want to try yourself follow this guide...the switching carrier guide:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=74087340&postcount=1
Officially it is meant for SM-N950U and SM-N950U1 devices though...make sure to use updated files and perform factory reset after Odin of factory binary

Related

Question on T-Mobile note 4 purchase

Haven't had a note in a while and thinking about picking up a note 4. I am with T-Mobile and would purchase the T-Mobile version, I read about different variants and just wanted to make sure they could all be rooted, custom recovery and flashed without issue. In some of the threads here when people have issues, others ask what variant, etc.
Thanks
Ducter said:
Haven't had a note in a while and thinking about picking up a note 4. I am with T-Mobile and would purchase the T-Mobile version, I read about different variants and just wanted to make sure they could all be rooted, custom recovery and flashed without issue. In some of the threads here when people have issues, others ask what variant, etc.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get the sm-n910t (t-mobile version). Very mod friendly.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
The T-Mobile version comes with the bootloader unlocked out of the box. You can do whatever you want with/to it.
I just purchase a T-Mobile Note 4 on 11/17/15 from one of their store. The model that I got is the SM-N910T3 and not SM-N910T. It comes with Android 5.1.1 installed instead of 4.4.4. You will probably end up with this model. Does anyone know if this variant is still bootloader unlocked? I also read that the TW 5.1.1 rom has root blocking enabled by Samsung, can anyone recommend a custom kernel that can override this to prevent a bootloop?
T is better for ROM Support VS. T3. T3 may be smooother
jetscreamer001 said:
I just purchase a T-Mobile Note 4 on 11/17/15 from one of their store. The model that I got is the SM-N910T3 and not SM-N910T. It comes with Android 5.1.1 installed instead of 4.4.4. You will probably end up with this model. Does anyone know if this variant is still bootloader unlocked? I also read that the TW 5.1.1 rom has root blocking enabled by Samsung, can anyone recommend a custom kernel that can override this to prevent a bootloop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You want the T version for more ROM compatibility. The T3 version can be rooted and has a few ROMS but supposedly Samsung changed something in the phone so it has alot less ROM support. It does have root and 1 or 2 good ROM's though.
Root for T3
More info on T3
Ducter said:
Haven't had a note in a while and thinking about picking up a note 4. I am with T-Mobile and would purchase the T-Mobile version, I read about different variants and just wanted to make sure they could all be rooted, custom recovery and flashed without issue. In some of the threads here when people have issues, others ask what variant, etc.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever end up buying this phone? I have been thinking about picking up a used one on Swappa to use as my daily driver until Samsung releases the S8 or Note 8. I currently have a LG V10 and even though it has an unlocked bootloater and root, there is zero ROM development for it due to issues with LG firmware/drivers.

Carrier switch questions.

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
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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

Flashing Samsung Galaxy Note 8 - G955W (Canadian) to a G950U1 Note 8

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@black96ss how did you do this? this would help us a great deal if you can help us out.

N960U1 in the UK

Hi all,
I bought an unlocked note 9 from eBay which arrived today. I got it set up and went to begin installing a different firmware to be able to get the one UI update - only to find out it's a N960U1! I'm in the UK so was expecting/hoping for a N960F.
It's all working, calls work, I've pulled over 3GB of data today all nice and fast, texts working etc. If I was the 'average user' I wouldn't know that it's not a UK one...
My question is, am I likely to hit any road blocks? As long as the radios all work I can't imagine there being any and the play store has all the apps I use available. I'm just wondering if I'm at any advantage/disadvantage?
Thanks
spears93 said:
Hi all,
I bought an unlocked note 9 from eBay which arrived today. I got it set up and went to begin installing a different firmware to be able to get the one UI update - only to find out it's a N960U1! I'm in the UK so was expecting/hoping for a N960F.
It's all working, calls work, I've pulled over 3GB of data today all nice and fast, texts working etc. If I was the 'average user' I wouldn't know that it's not a UK one...
My question is, am I likely to hit any road blocks? As long as the radios all work I can't imagine there being any and the play store has all the apps I use available. I'm just wondering if I'm at any advantage/disadvantage?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the same boat (I mean, a similar situation because I'm not in the UK I'm in El Salvador). When I received my phone I started looking for the new UI, but I noticed that I had a very old android build version (I was in September security patch, I received my phone February 11) I started reading about and found out that N960U is the branded version of the note in the US. I wanted to update by Odin to one UI but I was afraid to get my phone carrier locked so after reading a lot more, I found that you can update using the right firmware for the phone (N960U) you don't lose carrier unlock and in my case after installing updates, I don't even have any bloatware.
Now, after this context history, I can tell you that the only thing that will affects is any "radio band enhance" or "carrier feature" and that's because you will not be able to install any UK carrier software to that version because N960U and N960F are different hardware, not just software.
Maybe there is another road block that is about updates, I'm on 9.0 but with January security patch, I have not received any new update. To be hones I'm not sure if there is a new one, so I need to wait to confirm that OTA updates are working for me, if not I will take the time to update by ODIN again haha so that's not something that will drive me crazy, and also related to this I think that N960U android versions are coming faster than I thought, some of my friends with N9600 are still stuck on 8.1
If you want to upgrade go to the following thread, there you will have enough information to update.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/guide-upgrade-oreo-to-pie-one-ui-t3888711
Awesome, nice one dude
I used Odin on my previous S8+ to be able to install the one UI beta and that worked fine. Though it did come with a couple of apps that were a part of that carriers firmware (three UK)
I'm aware that the F uses an exynos processor whereas the U is Snapdragon and have seen a couple of guides already. Though they use AT&T firmware and, from what I've seen, have bloatware that would literally be useless to me.
I'll have a look at the guide you linked.
I'd like to have one UI again, but can happily live with the Samsung experience UI if I had to.
spears93 said:
Awesome, nice one dude
I used Odin on my previous S8+ to be able to install the one UI beta and that worked fine. Though it did come with a couple of apps that were a part of that carriers firmware (three UK)
I'm aware that the F uses an exynos processor whereas the U is Snapdragon and have seen a couple of guides already. Though they use AT&T firmware and, from what I've seen, have bloatware that would literally be useless to me.
I'll have a look at the guide you linked.
I'd like to have one UI again, but can happily live with the Samsung experience UI if I had to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the software version that you currently running?
kevindevonwilliams said:
What's the software version that you currently running?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
8.1 with Samsung experience 9.5
Build number ends ARL1
spears93 said:
8.1 with Samsung experience 9.5
Build number ends ARL1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Option1:
You can flash the Pie beta since you're running U1, there isn't an official release of Pie as yet.
Option2:
You can switch your device to the U firmware and flash the latest OTA however you would have to manually update each time because you won't be getting an update automatically.
kevindevonwilliams said:
Option1:
You can flash the Pie beta since you're running U1, there isn't an official release of Pie as yet.
Option2:
You can switch your device to the U firmware and flash the latest OTA however you would have to manually update each time because you won't be getting an update automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How come the U firmware wouldn't get OTAs?
My S8+ was flashed to get the beta and that received OTA updates.
If I'm to go onto one UI I'd want it to get OTA updates still. If that means waiting for an official release then so be it
On a different note, I installed an app to get the FM radio working today. Can't do that with the UK exynos version ?
spears93 said:
How come the U firmware wouldn't get OTAs?
My S8+ was flashed to get the beta and that received OTA updates.
If I'm to go onto one UI I'd want it to get OTA updates still. If that means waiting for an official release then so be it
On a different note, I installed an app to get the FM radio working today. Can't do that with the UK exynos version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because on the U most OTA comes from the carrier (ATT & VZW) while the rest comes from Samsung.
U1 all updates come from Samsung but U1 updates are months behind.
Advantage of running U firmware is you always get to be on the latest OTA as one is available.
kevindevonwilliams said:
Because on the U most OTA comes from the carrier (ATT & VZW) while the rest comes from Samsung.
U1 all updates come from Samsung but U1 updates are months behind.
Advantage of running U firmware is you always get to be on the latest OTA as one is available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So correct me if I'm wrong but to simplify what you're saying:
The U gets the latest updates sooner but comes with carrier bloat
The U1 gets non bloated updates but Samsung doesn't release then until months later?
I'll leave it and wait if that's the case. I'd be more bothered about having bloat than One UI
spears93 said:
So correct me if I'm wrong but to simplify what you're saying:
The U gets the latest updates sooner but comes with carrier bloat
The U1 gets non bloated updates but Samsung doesn't release then until months later?
I'll leave it and wait if that's the case. I'd be more bothered about having bloat than One UI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well yes the U comes with bloatware but the amount varies according to carrier, but since you're in the UK. Your CSC will read as XAA/XAA so therefore I doubt you would have any bloatware.
I know this because I myself had own a US device while using in the UK.
kevindevonwilliams said:
Well yes the U comes with bloatware but the amount varies according to carrier, but since you're in the UK. Your CSC will read as XAA/XAA so therefore I doubt you would have any bloatware.
I know this because I myself had own a US device while using in the UK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, I'm with you, thanks.
My current carrier software version version is XAA/XAA and theres no bloat so I know what I'm hunting for now
Cheers for your help mate
spears93 said:
Right, I'm with you, thanks.
My current carrier software version version is XAA/XAA and theres no bloat so I know what I'm hunting for now
Cheers for your help mate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right so even if you switch to U firmware it would still remain XAA/XAA because that would be the default CSC code for Unbranded for American model. F model is normally XEU or BTU
kevindevonwilliams said:
Right so even if you switch to U firmware it would still remain XAA/XAA because that would be the default CSC code for Unbranded for American model. F model is normally XEU or BTU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I did the S8+ I had to go through a pretty big list to find the BTU firmware so assumed I'd have to do the same for the N9
I might give it a go if I get a chance this week
Seeing as you have the US variant of the Note 9. You may have issues receieving connecting to certain networks outside the US. As most US Networks use a different LTE band from the EU/UK

Question about flashing firmware from a different region

Hey guys,
I've been up and down the forums looking for answers and come out thoroughly confused, so thought it would be best to ask for help from the professionals.
I am in New Zealand and have recently purchased an imported S10 from the states (site never said it was imported, would have gone local had I known), model SM-G973U. I've since realised that the phone will not update, and has been stuck on the June security patch since I got it. Contacted Samsung NZ and they said that because the phone isn't approved by my local carrier (Spark) no updates are getting pushed through.
I've thought of flashing a Spark-based version of the phone so I can receive updates but because the local versions of this phone are a different model (SM-G973F) I'm worried whether this will even work or if it will brick my phone entirely.
Is this something I can safely do, or will I have to resort to flashing updates manually?
Thanks guys, these forums really are great.
NikolaiA said:
Hey guys,
I've been up and down the forums looking for answers and come out thoroughly confused, so thought it would be best to ask for help from the professionals.
I am in New Zealand and have recently purchased an imported S10 from the states (site never said it was imported, would have gone local had I known), model SM-G973U. I've since realised that the phone will not update, and has been stuck on the June security patch since I got it. Contacted Samsung NZ and they said that because the phone isn't approved by my local carrier (Spark) no updates are getting pushed through.
I've thought of flashing a Spark-based version of the phone so I can receive updates but because the local versions of this phone are a different model (SM-G973F) I'm worried whether this will even work or if it will brick my phone entirely.
Is this something I can safely do, or will I have to resort to flashing updates manually?
Thanks guys, these forums really are great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi dude,
Don't try to update your G973U with a G973F firmware coz SoC of those devices are different ! Your model has a snapdragon but G973F (international S10 version) has an Exynos (Samsung made chipset).
What you can do if you really want to update it is to download this firmware and flash it through latest Odin (google or youtube this if you don't know how to proceed).
P.S. Firmware I linked here is the USA unbranded one, idk really know if this CSC will support your local carrier so make a backup of your device before processing !
Hey sorry I've been too caught up in life to try this until now, but I gave that firmware a go, flashed it with the latest odin and it's worked without a hitch, carrier settings intact and all.
Thanks for the guidance!
Tagdu17 said:
Hi dude,
Don't try to update your G973U with a G973F firmware coz SoC of those devices are different ! Your model has a snapdragon but G973F (international S10 version) has an Exynos (Samsung made chipset).
What you can do if you really want to update it is to download and flash it through latest Odin (google or youtube this if you don't know how to proceed).
P.S. Firmware I linked here is the USA unbranded one, idk really know if this CSC will support your local carrier so make a backup of your device before processing !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NikolaiA said:
Hey sorry I've been too caught up in life to try this until now, but I gave that firmware a go, flashed it with the latest odin and it's worked without a hitch, carrier settings intact and all.
Thanks for the guidance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome, I'm glad it worked for you !

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