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.
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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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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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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!
I just got off the chat with Samsung and they said the latest update for our device should be out in the next couple of days. Samsung is way slower than the carriers. I have an unlocked Note 8 running the ATT firmware. Will this update wipe my device or put me back to the unlocked carrier firmware?
Thanks for the info. I'm on the same boat. Hope they roll out soon!
It is crazy that we get it last. I mean, Samsung has to provide the update to the carriers, then the carriers tweak the update for their own devices, then they deploy it. Why aren't we getting it first?!
MarineSSGT0629 said:
It is crazy that we get it last. I mean, Samsung has to provide the update to the carriers, then the carriers tweak the update for their own devices, then they deploy it. Why aren't we getting it first?!
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I know I thought the same. I don't think I will be buying another unlocked carrier phone anymore. Not worth it. Right now I have the ATT firmware running on my Unlocked carrier version. So I still ended up debloating the OS.
What's best way to add carrier firmware? Sprint added there version of volte and unlocked version doesn't have it and I don't think it will get it
vincey2kr1 said:
What's best way to add carrier firmware? Sprint added there version of volte and unlocked version doesn't have it and I don't think it will get it
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Click to collapse
You probably wont get it unless you flash the carrier firmware. Here is a link to the thread on how to: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/how-to/guide-sm-n950u-u1-t3685884
Picked up an unlocked Note 8 from Samsung US and now using it on Freedom Mobile in Toronto. However, the phone won't get VoLTE nor VoWiFi. My understanding is that I must change carrier and country to get these features.
I have read through the country changing guide and using CSC but I cannot seem to put the pieces together nor have I seen the CSC code for Freedom/Wind. Also, tripping Knox would be a non-starter.
Would someone please help me out with how to go about flashing and CSC changing and the order so I can do this without tripping Knox?
Many thanks.
Have you tried contacting your cell provider and asking them how to enable that on your handset?
llama1337 said:
Picked up an unlocked Note 8 from Samsung US and now using it on Freedom Mobile in Toronto. However, the phone won't get VoLTE nor VoWiFi. My understanding is that I must change carrier and country to get these features.
I have read through the country changing guide and using CSC but I cannot seem to put the pieces together nor have I seen the CSC code for Freedom/Wind. Also, tripping Knox would be a non-starter.
Would someone please help me out with how to go about flashing and CSC changing and the order so I can do this without tripping Knox?
Many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's the N950U1, then it probably doesn't support VoLTE or WiFi calling. You'll need to flash the carrier software for Freedom Mobile or a compatible carrier to activate those features. No, this won't trip Knox.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
If it's the N950U1, then it probably doesn't support VoLTE or WiFi calling. You'll need to flash the carrier software for Freedom Mobile or a compatible carrier to activate those features. No, this won't trip Knox.
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All right, thanks Mr. Orange. Do I flash the Freedom Mobile carrier rom and then change the CSC?
Also, the download links all seem to be US and overseas carrier firmware. Where can I find the Canadian carrier firmwares?
Try the SamFirm app if you can't find it online. You'll need to know your carriers CSC (or the CSC of the carrier you wish to download). The software will actually provision the SIM and change the CSC to freedom mobile automatically. Assuming the Canadian firmware operates the same as the US firmware.
Great, thanks for the info. I will try that out.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Specifically the SM-N960UZPAXAA model that I'm looking at on eBay. I have clicked on numerous links that say it doesn't have both of these bands or only band 66.
The phone will be on the Metropcs mvno which uses T-Mobile.
adibeckett said:
Specifically the SM-N960UZPAXAA model that I'm looking at on eBay. I have clicked on numerous links that say it doesn't have both of these bands or only band 66.
The phone will be on the Metropcs mvno which uses T-Mobile.
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Click to collapse
Yes. All the N960U and N960U1 devices are the same exact hardware. They all support band 66 and 71. For the best coverage and support on Metro PCS, you'll need to either be running the U1 firmware or the T-Mobile firmware.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
Yes. All the N960U and N960U1 devices are the same exact hardware. They all support band 66 and 71. For the best coverage and support on Metro PCS, you'll need to either be running the U1 firmware or the T-Mobile firmware.
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Thanks for the reply! I don't have much experience using Samsung devices and I heard you can't root the snapdragon models; so is it just a simple flashing of the firmware? If I don't run the firmware, will all the LTE bands still be available to me?
adibeckett said:
Thanks for the reply! I don't have much experience using Samsung devices and I heard you can't root the snapdragon models; so is it just a simple flashing of the firmware? If I don't run the firmware, will all the LTE bands still be available to me?
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1. Correct, you can NOT root the US Snapdragon models.
2. Yes, you can flash any U or U1 firmware through ODIN without root or tripping Knox.
3. As far as I know you will have all bands available to you, though some people have said they get better coverage and signal on T-Mo after flashing the actual T-Mo firmware.
I'm currently running the U1 firmware on an unlocked ATT Note 9 and using it on the T-Mobile network without any issues.
Mr. Orange 645 said:
1. Correct, you can NOT root the US Snapdragon models.
2. Yes, you can flash any U or U1 firmware through ODIN without root or tripping Knox.
3. As far as I know you will have all bands available to you, though some people have said they get better coverage and signal on T-Mo after flashing the actual T-Mo firmware.
I'm currently running the U1 firmware on an unlocked ATT Note 9 and using it on the T-Mobile network without any issues.
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Click to collapse
Is there a guide somewhere on how to flash U1 firmware on a carrier locked device?
Mr. Orange 645 said:
1. Correct, you can NOT root the US Snapdragon models.
2. Yes, you can flash any U or U1 firmware through ODIN without root or tripping Knox.
3. As far as I know you will have all bands available to you, though some people have said they get better coverage and signal on T-Mo after flashing the actual T-Mo firmware.
I'm currently running the U1 firmware on an unlocked ATT Note 9 and using it on the T-Mobile network without any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your prompt and thorough responses!
CCJ22 said:
Is there a guide somewhere on how to flash U1 firmware on a carrier locked device?
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There are a few threads with instructions on how to flash to the U1 firmware from the U or W firmware. Flashing to the U1 or W firmware will not SIM unlock your device from the carrier it is locked to though. It is highly recommended that you SIM unlock your device first, if you plan on switching carriers. For example, T-Mobile uses an app that is included to unlock devices sold by them.
Just got an Unlocked S10 for use on ATT network and am debating which firmware I should load. I imagine the answers are already here on this forum but frankly my head is spinning going through the various threads.
With Carrier (U, not U1) firmware, I've read that the carrier specific firmware and bloatware will load based on SIM. I'm coming from an S7 so this is new to me. So what's the difference if I load VZW firmware rather than trying to track down ATT firmware?
Thanks!
newuzer1 said:
Just got an Unlocked S10 for use on ATT network and am debating which firmware I should load. I imagine the answers are already here on this forum but frankly my head is spinning going through the various threads.
With Carrier (U, not U1) firmware, I've read that the carrier specific firmware and bloatware will load based on SIM. I'm coming from an S7 so this is new to me. So what's the difference if I load VZW firmware rather than trying to track down ATT firmware?
Thanks!
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Click to collapse
If it's a u model never been messed with and properly unlocked it should load carrier based bloat and services based off the sim inserted. If you see multi csc or oym yes you should he able to load Verizon Verizon firmware and then it should repersonalize based off sim inserted. S8 and up all the us based u models are identical hardware. Software is only difference. I don't know the exacts on doing us models. I smartened up and got F models or imported snapdragons due to unlocked bootloaders. But I did have a u model s8