DOWNGRADE <-> UPGARDE OS possible? - Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers

I have the Verzion 8/512 version.
Are these like Pixels that can go back & forth or up & down in OS version or are these like most other phones that can only go up in version and never back down?

Yes. Until they update the bootloader. Then you won't be able to downgrade. Can't downgrade the bootloader.

@Mr. Orange 645 wouldn't the bootloader be updated with any OS version update?

@pizza_pablo, not necessarily. The Note 9 has had several updates and is still on Bootloader v1. Even the Pie beta is still a vehicle bootloader.
I would expect when they officially release Pie to everyone, it will update to a v2 bootloader.

Related

Downgrade from 8.0.0 to 7.1.1

I'm currently on 8.0.0 version and I want to downgrade to 7.1.1. I need help with the downgrade version
I've tried N950USQU2BQLA and N950USQU3BRA9 and both failed.
My carrier is TMOBILE
Your 8.0 bootloader version is 4. You are trying to downgrade to a lower version. You can't.
And next time please read and search. The phone is now 8 months old, plenty of info out there !
Sent from my Note 8 using XDA Labs
kennybon said:
I'm currently on 8.0.0 version and I want to downgrade to 7.1.1. I need help with the downgrade version
I've tried N950USQU2BQLA and N950USQU3BRA9 and both failed.
My carrier is TMOBILE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is your current Firmware on your device?
i have downgraded from 8.0 to 7.1.1 with odin
gzimzzz said:
i have downgraded from 8.0 to 7.1.1 with odin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. It depends on what firmware he is on. If he is on U4 oreo its impossible for him to downgrade
me2151 said:
Ok. It depends on what firmware he is on. If he is on U4 oreo its impossible for him to downgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind me asking, why would it be impossible to downgrade if he's on U4? What would cause the process to be impossible?
Max_Terrible said:
If you don't mind me asking, why would it be impossible to downgrade if he's on U4? What would cause the process to be impossible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he wants is to downgrade to 7.1.1 which is possible if he is on u3(keep in mind i am referring to the bootloader version). On U4 there is ONLY 8.0. They did not release a 7.1.1 on U4 bootloader. Any time there is a major bootloader revision(such as u3 to u4 bootloader) Samsung blows a qfuse preventing older firmware from being installed(you can only flash firmware that is on the same incriment or newer) meaning if you are V1 bootlaoder you can flash either v1- v4 HOWEVER the moment you flash a higher version(if you go from v1 to v2) you are now stuck on v2 and higher and can no longer flash v1.
Based on the OPs provided information I assume he is on v4 bootloader because he is unable to flash v2 and v3 firmware. Because he is on the v4 bootloader he cannot flash 7.1.1 firmware which was last on U3. At this point his only option is to stick with U4 firmware(8.0 only).
me2151 said:
What he wants is to downgrade to 7.1.1 which is possible if he is on u3(keep in mind i am referring to the bootloader version). On U4 there is ONLY 8.0. They did not release a 7.1.1 on U4 bootloader. Any time there is a major bootloader revision(such as u3 to u4 bootloader) Samsung blows a qfuse preventing older firmware from being installed(you can only flash firmware that is on the same incriment or newer) meaning if you are V1 bootlaoder you can flash either v1- v4 HOWEVER the moment you flash a higher version(if you go from v1 to v2) you are now stuck on v2 and higher and can no longer flash v1.
Based on the OPs provided information I assume he is on v4 bootloader because he is unable to flash v2 and v3 firmware. Because he is on the v4 bootloader he cannot flash 7.1.1 firmware which was last on U3. At this point his only option is to stick with U4 firmware(8.0 only).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for explaining this to me. It makes sense.
EDIT: I Google'd how to check which bootloader you' re on, and actually found a bunch of articles that seems to explain what you just did, along with being unable to flash custom ROMs.
I need to go from 8.0 to 7.1.1 too
Hi guys I upgraded this evening from 7.1.1 bqk2 to 8.0 2cql1
It doesn't work correctly I keep getting a black screen and the phone vibrates.
The only way I've been able to fix is holding power volume up and bixby and wiping data/factory reset
Is there a link to a download for my software and a guide at all?
Forgive me for the stupid question I can't find any info out there online or a YouTube video
Thanks in advance
Joe
---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 PM ----------
Kingjucas said:
Hi guys I upgraded this evening from 7.1.1 bqk2 to 8.0 2cql1
It doesn't work correctly I keep getting a black screen and the phone vibrates.
The only way I've been able to fix is holding power volume up and bixby and wiping data/factory reset
Is there a link to a download for my software and a guide at all?
Forgive me for the stupid question I can't find any info out there online or a YouTube video
Thanks in advance
Joe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to add the reason I'm uninstalling is every time I update the always on display app it is then that I get the black screen and vibrations. Until then it is fine.
Kingjucas said:
Hi guys I upgraded this evening from 7.1.1 bqk2 to 8.0 2cql1
It doesn't work correctly I keep getting a black screen and the phone vibrates.
The only way I've been able to fix is holding power volume up and bixby and wiping data/factory reset
Is there a link to a download for my software and a guide at all?
Forgive me for the stupid question I can't find any info out there online or a YouTube video
Thanks in advance
Joe
---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 PM ----------
Just to add the reason I'm uninstalling is every time I update the always on display app it is then that I get the black screen and vibrations. Until then it is fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe try a factory reset (backup first!), or install a fresh copy of the firmware using Odin. You can find the files for your device/model on Sammobile, and then download from there or through SamFirm.
hello everyone I'm the only one to this discussion to try to understand and maybe solve my problem, currently on the 8th note I android 8 (R16NW.N950FXXS5CSA1) updated by mistake with software sam firm
I wanted to go back to Android 7.1.1 I tried to insert firmware (N950FXXU3BRA8 base) but odin gives me a failed installation, reading here in the forum seems to be the fault of oreo samsung changed BL / CP making it impossible to go back, I tried but I did not found files needed for downgrade thanks to everyone for the answers
labello29 said:
hello everyone I'm the only one to this discussion to try to understand and maybe solve my problem, currently on the 8th note I android 8 (R16NW.N950FXXS5CSA1) updated by mistake with software sam firm
I wanted to go back to Android 7.1.1 I tried to insert firmware (N950FXXU3BRA8 base) but odin gives me a failed installation, reading here in the forum seems to be the fault of oreo samsung changed BL / CP making it impossible to go back, I tried but I did not found files needed for downgrade thanks to everyone for the answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry You can't downgrade to nougat because you are on bootloader version "5"! (From your firmware version you are on N950FXXUS"5"CSA1, the number in "" is your bootloader version). Nougat only went upto bootloader version 3.
The current bootloader won't allow it to be downgraded only upgraded to v6 and higher.
There is no files (that I know of) that will downgrade the bootloader. You'll might have better chance on talking to Samsung and see if they can downgrade your phone.
BluePhnx said:
Sorry You can't downgrade to nougat because you are on bootloader version "5"! (From your firmware version you are on N950FXXUS"5"CSA1, the number in "" is your bootloader version). Nougat only went upto bootloader version 3.
The current bootloader won't allow it to be downgraded only upgraded to v6 and higher.
There is no files (that I know of) that will downgrade the bootloader. You'll might have better chance on talking to Samsung and see if they can downgrade your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so it was true that small article that I read on google that samsung stopped the downgrade ... damn therefore not proceeding gradually "4" up to the number "3"?
labello29 said:
so it was true that small article that I read on google that samsung stopped the downgrade ... damn therefore not proceeding gradually "4" up to the number "3"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't downgrade the bootloader. Period. That actually why they change the bootloader version...to prevent you from downgrading.
I realized that my galaxy note 8 is not Italian but Europe on download mode me other carrier id
when I arrived for fear that it would not work in Italy I updated it with odin definitely wrong to bring it to android 8

Not getting OTA security update after flashing stock firmware

I have the XT1900-1 android one version. Before unlocking my bootloader, I had the December 2018 security update. I unlocked my bootloader to get lineageOS, but decided to go back to stock using muchy_cool's guide. But now the security patches are going up to November 2018, and then it says its up to date.
Is there a difference between the stock firmware from the guide and the stock firmware upon buying the phone? I would assume so because if I relock the bootloader again, the warning message on boot changes to "device has loaded a different operating system". But then this is still stock firmware. Why don't the updates get detected?
Paximonium said:
I have the XT1900-1 android one version. Before unlocking my bootloader, I had the December 2018 security update. I unlocked my bootloader to get lineageOS, but decided to go back to stock using muchy_cool's guide. But now the security patches are going up to November 2018, and then it says its up to date.
Is there a difference between the stock firmware from the guide and the stock firmware upon buying the phone? I would assume so because if I relock the bootloader again, the warning message on boot changes to "device has loaded a different operating system". But then this is still stock firmware. Why don't the updates get detected?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it sounds like the OTAs ARE working if you're still on the November update. (My non-Pie phone is still on October update and Android 8.0)
It sounds like you just haven't gotten the December update yet. So did you first get September, October, and November?
As I am aware, even if you got the update it will fail at the moment of installation. There is no official stock recovery available so far that's why even if you lock the bootloader you are using the modified system warning shows at the time of booting.

Rooted P20 Pro Android update EU

Hi All,
As you know they already released the Official Android 9.0 Pie for Huawei P20 Pro in EU.
I have the previous version of Android 8.1 CLT-L29.
My devices is:
-Rooted
-Bootloader unlocked.
Can I update via OTA to Android 9.0?
Is there any problem during the upgrade?
Will be still rooted and bootloader will be still unlocked?
If not what is method to do upgrade and still have a Root?
Thanks for your help!
You need to flash stock recovery first.
You will not continue to rooted.
Your bootloader will remain unlocked
Thanks for your kind answer.
Do you think should I update to 9.0 or should I stay with the previous version?
I am not that sure about the root process at the moment and I don't want to loose it.
I don't think there are that many new noticeable features. EMUI looks and behaves pretty much the same.

Downgrade from Pie back to Oreo because of the camera app

Hi,
I've wanted to try a One UI Pie rom, which I did, I like the new user interface, hate the new camera. I put my feedback on One UI as a PS at the end.
I believe one of the ROMs i tried required me to update bootloader to Pie. Is there a way to downgrade to Oreo, so i can install Oreo ROMS? I tried 2 ROMs and i get a boot loop on both.
Thanks,
Daniel
PS: One UI feedback: Used to be able to take either video or picture one click away, now it's 2. You used to be able to bind the Bixby button to Camera+Take picture with BxButtons, and volume keys to video. No longer possible with Pie. You don't know how important that is untill you went to the mountains, and you need some phisical buttons to use with your gloves. And most important, adding the Dual Shot mod is no longer possible, which was taking the same picture or video with both front and back cameras, which is again verry important for me.
dumitrudan608 said:
Hi,
I've wanted to try a One UI Pie rom, which I did, I like the new user interface, hate the new camera. I put my feedback on One UI as a PS at the end.
I believe one of the ROMs i tried required me to update bootloader to Pie. Is there a way to downgrade to Oreo, so i can install Oreo ROMS? I tried 2 ROMs and i get a boot loop on both.
Thanks,
Daniel
PS: One UI feedback: Used to be able to take either video or picture one click away, now it's 2. You used to be able to bind the Bixby button to Camera+Take picture with BxButtons, and volume keys to video. No longer possible with Pie. You don't know how important that is untill you went to the mountains, and you need some phisical buttons to use with your gloves. And most important, adding the Dual Shot mod is no longer possible, which was taking the same picture or video with both front and back cameras, which is again verry important for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We need to know what your current "Build Number" is on the phone. You also can't downgrade to other bootloaders that are lower then your current one, so if you're on bootloader 5 you need to use the Oreo bootloader 5 version firmware or it will not work.
MrMike2182 said:
We need to know what your current "Build Number" is on the phone. You also can't downgrade to other bootloaders that are lower then your current one, so if you're on bootloader 5 you need to use the Oreo bootloader 5 version firmware or it will not work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Build number
PPR1.180610.011.hadesRom_OneUI_v4.0. Is this what you need?
Are you saying I'm never going to be able to install an Oreo Rom on my device?
dumitrudan608 said:
Build number
PPR1.180610.011.hadesRom_OneUI_v4.0. Is this what you need?
Are you saying I'm never going to be able to install an Oreo Rom on my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not a normal Samsung firmware.. Where are you from? Was that phone rooted or something? Considering that you have a different rom on the phone it looks like it's bootloader unlocked.. I'm assuming you're not from the USA and that your phone is a N950F correct?
dumitrudan608 said:
Build number
PPR1.180610.011.hadesRom_OneUI_v4.0. Is this what you need?
Are you saying I'm never going to be able to install an Oreo Rom on my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He is asking for the "N950FXXS5CSA2" firmware to see what bootloader you are on. (Bootloader # is the 5th spot from the right. This case the "5" from "5CSA2" IS THE BL. Version)
Usually it's in about phone/software/ baseband if not there it should say in download mode (look for B: # (# could be 1 to 5)) few lines down I think.
If your on bl. Version 5 you can be able to flash any N950FXXS5..... firmware but not lower like N950FXXU4......
MrMike2182 said:
That's not a normal Samsung firmware.. Where are you from? Was that phone rooted or something? Considering that you have a different rom on the phone it looks like it's bootloader unlocked.. I'm assuming you're not from the USA and that your phone is a N950F correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, yes the bootloader is unlocked, I have a custom ROM, and my device is Rooted.
Baseband version N950FXXU5DSB1. So N950F, bootloader 5 I guess from what @BluePhnx said. Is there a direct connection between Bootloader 5 and android PIE? Or can Oreo ROMs be compatible with this bootloader?
Thank you for helping me clarify!
dumitrudan608 said:
Hi, yes the bootloader is unlocked, I have a custom ROM, and my device is Rooted.
Baseband version N950FXXU5DSB1. So N950F, bootloader 5 I guess from what @BluePhnx said. Is there a direct connection between Bootloader 5 and android PIE? Or can Oreo ROMs be compatible with this bootloader?
Thank you for helping me clarify!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only connection the bootloader plays is when you go from pie to oreo.
For eg. Oreo is N950FXXS5CSA2
Pie is N950FXXS5DSB2
As long as the bootloader is the same "5" you can go back and forth between pie and oreo.
BUT once you go to a, for eg. let say August security patch for pie, firmware with N950FXXU"6"DSB4 (this has bootloader version 6) then you can NOT go back to oreo. Because the bootloader won't downgrade itself, it will only stay at version 6 or go higher to version 7 and so on.
So if you want to go back make sure the bootloader stays at version 5....
dumitrudan608 said:
Hi, yes the bootloader is unlocked, I have a custom ROM, and my device is Rooted.
Baseband version N950FXXU5DSB1. So N950F, bootloader 5 I guess from what @BluePhnx said. Is there a direct connection between Bootloader 5 and android PIE? Or can Oreo ROMs be compatible with this bootloader?
Thank you for helping me clarify!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See what @BluePhnx said? That's what I was trying to explain but he explained it better.. If you want to know what bootloader version you're on you do this see N950FXXU5DSB1 what you do is start at the very END and count backwards 5 letters/numbers and you end up on the number 5 like N950FXXU((5))DSB1 that equals bootloader version 5 but if you see something like this N950FXXU((6))DSB1 then it's bootloader 6 and if you were to flash that one you can never go back to bootloader 5 again it only goes forward but @BluePhnx explained it much better!
BluePhnx said:
The only connection the bootloader plays is when you go from pie to oreo.
For eg. Oreo is N950FXXS5CSA2
Pie is N950FXXS5DSB2
As long as the bootloader is the same "5" you can go back and forth between pie and oreo.
BUT once you go to a, for eg. let say August security patch for pie, firmware with N950FXXU"6"DSB4 (this has bootloader version 6) then you can NOT go back to oreo. Because the bootloader won't downgrade itself, it will only stay at version 6 or go higher to version 7 and so on.
So if you want to go back make sure the bootloader stays at version 5....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I am using Note8 and would like to go back to Oreo as there are too many bugs and I can't record calls. Can you please instruct me so I can do that? Details below.
Note8 SM-N950F
One UI version: 1.0
Android Version: 9
Baseband Version: N950FXXU5DSB1
thisman! said:
Hi
I am using Note8 and would like to go back to Oreo as there are too many bugs and I can't record calls. Can you please instruct me so I can do that? Details below.
Note8 SM-N950F
One UI version: 1.0
Android Version: 9
Baseband Version: N950FXXU5DSB1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is your CSC?
Warning I haven't done this yet since I'm staying on pie. So do it on your own risk! I'm just saying what other people done.. Also I would've done it myself too.
Download the last oreo firmware for your CSC. (The one before Pie.)
Download Odin 3.13.1 or the latest version on computer.
Flash Oreo and home-CSC
But if it doesn't work or you get lots of force closures messages then do this steps.
WARNING!!!! this will erase all data off phone so backup FIRST!
Factory reset phone
Flash OREO with CSC file (NOT the home-CSC)
(What I've read people are saying to do the factory reset option for it to work. I haven't tried it myself since I'm staying in pie. That's why I included the first option.)
BluePhnx said:
The only connection the bootloader plays is when you go from pie to oreo.
For eg. Oreo is N950FXXS5CSA2
Pie is N950FXXS5DSB2
As long as the bootloader is the same "5" you can go back and forth between pie and oreo.
BUT once you go to a, for eg. let say August security patch for pie, firmware with N950FXXU"6"DSB4 (this has bootloader version 6) then you can NOT go back to oreo. Because the bootloader won't downgrade itself, it will only stay at version 6 or go higher to version 7 and so on.
So if you want to go back make sure the bootloader stays at version 5....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is most custom ROMs don't actually tell you the firmware code or bootloader version. And I only saw 1 ROM that actually told me that it will update the bootloader to PIE (without specifying the actual version). Do you have any pointers on what should I look for when installing a custom ROM to prevent upgrading bootloader (besides when the ROM actually specifies the Bootloader version of firmware code?
dumitrudan608 said:
The problem is most custom ROMs don't actually tell you the firmware code or bootloader version. And I only saw 1 ROM that actually told me that it will update the bootloader to PIE (without specifying the actual version). Do you have any pointers on what should I look for when installing a custom ROM to prevent upgrading bootloader (besides when the ROM actually specifies the Bootloader version of firmware code?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The rom should say what firmware it is based on. Like N950FXXU5DBS2. If not you can ask.
Eg. N950FXXU5DBSA2 - the "5" in ....5DBSA2 is the bootloader version.
You'll can check for your bootloader version in download mode.
Here is a screenshot: (not mine just an eg.)
But you should be able to flash back to an oreo bootloader as long as the bootloader version is the same.
Cannot open PIE after OTA upgrade last Friday.
After upgrade with previous release and security patch of 1st of January I checked somewhere last week and there was n upgrade then.
Last Friday I did see a new OTA update from Samsung and installed it, upgrading to PIE.
After restart I get an error with the SIM card slot. I have a dual SIM version in Spain PHE.
I am unable to use phone now.
Everything original. Only did the dual SIM + memory card. Which has been working perfect for me with OREO.
Which version would I need?
Did the official PIE update change the bootloader version as well?
I just need the double SIM and the memory.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
BluePhnx said:
What is your CSC?
Warning I haven't done this yet since I'm staying on pie. So do it on your own risk! I'm just saying what other people done.. Also I would've done it myself too.
Download the last oreo firmware for your CSC. (The one before Pie.)
Download Odin 3.13.1 or the latest version on computer.
Flash Oreo and home-CSC
But if it doesn't work or you get lots of force closures messages then do this steps.
WARNING!!!! this will erase all data off phone so backup FIRST!
Factory reset phone
Flash OREO with CSC file (NOT the home-CSC)
(What I've read people are saying to do the factory reset option for it to work. I haven't tried it myself since I'm staying in pie. That's why I included the first option.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
Not going to try it though lol i might just buy another one and give this to my family who is not bothered.
BluePhnx said:
The only connection the bootloader plays is when you go from pie to oreo.
For eg. Oreo is N950FXXS5CSA2
Pie is N950FXXS5DSB2
As long as the bootloader is the same "5" you can go back and forth between pie and oreo.
BUT once you go to a, for eg. let say August security patch for pie, firmware with N950FXXU"6"DSB4 (this has bootloader version 6) then you can NOT go back to oreo. Because the bootloader won't downgrade itself, it will only stay at version 6 or go higher to version 7 and so on.
So if you want to go back make sure the bootloader stays at version 5....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to upgrade to Pie without chaning the Oreo bootloader so you can downgrade if you absolutely can't stand Pie?
edo101 said:
Is there a way to upgrade to Pie without chaning the Oreo bootloader so you can downgrade if you absolutely can't stand Pie?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No there isn't. That I know of.
Pie needs the pie bootloader.
I think the only way is to root your phone and have a dev port the pie firmware to work with the oreo bootloader. If possible!
But you "should" be able to flash the 1rst pie release firmware and then go back to the last oreo firmware with a factory reset. (Not certain though so. )
---------- Post added at 11:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------
BluePhnx said:
No there isn't. That I know of.
Pie needs the pie bootloader.
I think the only way is to root your phone and have a dev port the pie firmware to work with the oreo bootloader. If possible!
But you "should" be able to flash the 1rst pie release firmware and then go back to the last oreo firmware with a factory reset. (Not certain though so. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1rst pie bootloader?
What about this one: N950U1UEU5DSC1

S10 SM-G973F May Update (without bootloader version update)

Hello there is no way to install the s10 version released in may without upgrading the bootloader version? keep my bootloader as U9 but not UA?

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