SM-G973U Remove Branding - Samsung Galaxy S10 Questions & Answers

I apologize for the noob questions, so many thanks for your patience and time. I've searched through many of the S10 related forums, but I just wanted to confirm a few thoughts before I attempt a firmware change.
1) Bootloaders are not reverse upgradeable, so you cannot load an older bootloader, once you've installed a newer bootloader. In other words, once you upgrade to android 10, there is no going back to android 9. Correct?
2) I'd like to remove the current AT&T branding for my unlocked phone. I would do this by flashing the XAA firmware for a G973U1. Correct? Of course, per Q1, this would require the firmware to be at least as old as the firmware on the device currently.
3) If I'm successful with step 2 above, I would then get security updates from Samsung when they are released via Wifi or OTA, without requiring ODIN again. Correct?
4) I can do all this without tripping Knox or performing root, correct?
SM-G973U
G973USQS2ASI6
Android 9
Last security update:
Product code: CHA

Related

Unlocked Samsung Stock Firmware on AT&T Note 8 Questions

Hey All -
As a newbie I'd like to get some clarity as it's a little unclear to me still....I almost purchased a Note 8 from my carrier (AT&T) and
prefer to remove all the bloat so I wanted to get more details before finalizing my purchase. So the phone would be a Snapdragon CPU and carrier locked - which isn't a big deal for me. My goal would be to install pure Samsung firmware and be able to receive updates from Samsung without waiting for the carrier and remove the bloat.
Btw, I did a forum search and found something close but it was a Verizon related topic.
So my questions:
1) Is this possible without tripping knox?
2) What is lost between stock firmware and carrier firmware other than bloat? I'm assuming all the bands and network features keep working as before.
I'm also assuming since the IMEI number is an ATT branded phone Wi-Fi Calling and VoLTE is not lost or is CSC uploading still required with stock firmware?
Thanks!
mark1210a said:
Hey All -
As a newbie I'd like to get some clarity as it's a little unclear to me still....I almost purchased a Note 8 from my carrier (AT&T) and
prefer to remove all the bloat so I wanted to get more details before finalizing my purchase. So the phone would be a Snapdragon CPU and carrier locked - which isn't a big deal for me. My goal would be to install pure Samsung firmware and be able to receive updates from Samsung without waiting for the carrier and remove the bloat.
Btw, I did a forum search and found something close but it was a Verizon related topic.
So my questions:
1) Is this possible without tripping knox?
2) What is lost between stock firmware and carrier firmware other than bloat? I'm assuming all the bands and network features keep working as before.
I'm also assuming since the IMEI number is an ATT branded phone Wi-Fi Calling and VoLTE is not lost or is CSC uploading still required with stock firmware?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There isn't much bloat on them anymore these days. Yes, anything you do will prompt Knox. You can disable almost any app now without rooting the phone, so no root is needed at all for that purpose. Just disable it in settings, or if not allowed on a specific app to do that, just install "BK Disabler" from the play store.
- R. Kruse Ludington
Galaxy Note 8
I've flashed the stock rom through Odin and fairly certain it didn't trip Knox or any issues that aspect since my company verifies Knox compliance.
With the stock rom I get my hotspot through AT&T which I couldn't on the AT&T rom, I just used the tutorial on here to flash it with no problems. I will get the updates for the U1 when it gets pushed down and have got security updates just fine. You can disable a lot of apps already though on AT&T stock
Oh and you don't lose anything other than the AT&T pre installed garbage that nobody really uses
**edit just checked and yes I'm 0x0 on Knox so it didn't trip it
Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk
Yes you absolutely can install the unlocked 950U1 firmware on your ATT device. All the 950U devices are identical and the firmware is 100% interchangeable and will NOT trip KNOX. I'm running for T-Mobile firmware on a Verizon Note8 right now. KNOX is only tripped when you flash unofficial firmware, such as custom recovery and ROM.
There's really not much of a reason to do it though. Theres very little bloat on these, and you will lose VoLTE and WiFi calling by flashing the unlocked firmware.
But if you still want to flash the unlocked firmware, follow this post:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/how-to/guide-sm-n950u-u1-t3685884
Did you guys who flashed stock firmware get stuck with the 80% battery issue? Cause I thought about it just to get Oreo early but I don't want to lose 20% of my battery. Also have any of you tried to flash a regular update to a carrier note 8 using the update from SD card option?
ZerosMadness said:
Did you guys who flashed stock firmware get stuck with the 80% battery issue? Cause I thought about it just to get Oreo early but I don't want to lose 20% of my battery. Also have any of you tried to flash a regular update to a carrier note 8 using the update from SD card option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You only lose battery capacity if your root a snapdragon. Not just by flashing official firmwares.
Gizmoe said:
You only lose battery capacity if your root a snapdragon. Not just by flashing official firmwares.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay I was confused. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I hope they find a fix for that eventually.
Don't hold your breath!

Odin to downgrade Samsung galaxy note 8

Hi,
I have updated my unrooted note 8 to the android Pie but unfortunately I didn't like the new awful UI also I missed some good features in android Oreo. So, is it possible to use Odin to downgrade unrooted note 8. I'm not interested to root it, just want to downgrade it to official Oreo.
One more question, I even liked Android Nougat than Oreo. So is it possible to downgrade from Pie to Nougat using Odin without rooting?
thanks
mdxii said:
Hi,
I have updated my unrooted note 8 to the android Pie but unfortunately I didn't like the new awful UI also I missed some good features in android Oreo. So, is it possible to use Odin to downgrade unrooted note 8. I'm not interested to root it, just want to downgrade it to official Oreo.
One more question, I even liked Android Nougat than Oreo. So is it possible to downgrade from Pie to Nougat using Odin without rooting?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can go back to oreo as long as the bootloader is the same.
You'll have to do a factory reset though.
eg.
Oreo firmware: N950FXXS5CSA2
PIE firmware: N950FXXU5DSA2
Notice the 5 before "DSA2" and the "CSA2" that's the bootloader version. So since the pie and oreo firmware has the same bootloader version you can go back to oreo.
You can NOT go back to Nougat different bootloaders.
eg.
Nougat firmware: N950FXXU3BRA8
PIE firmware : N950FXXS5DSB2
Notice the 3 before "BRA8" and 5 before "DSB2" they don't match!
So the bootloader version 5 will NOT downgrade itself to version 3 therefore Odin will give you a failed error message.
To be is a different question . I have a problem, I want flash the rom with pie generic Spain, now I am in Vodafone pie and Odin always say fail, what can I do?, thanks.
pato66 said:
To be is a different question . I have a problem, I want flash the rom with pie generic Spain, now I am in Vodafone pie and Odin always say fail, what can I do?, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is your csc?
Spain is PHE in multi-CSC OXM
Vodafone is ATL in OVF Csc firmware.
If you used home-CSC and it fails only option is to use the CSC file (this will delete data so backup first.)
The multi-CSC oxm doesn't have ATL csc inside so you'll lose any carrier specific features (maybe???) So do some research first.
CSC Questions
Hello everybody, I've found myself in the position of needing to downgrade from Pie back to Oreo also.
My question revolves around this "MYSTERIOUS" Samsung "CSC" designation, and the difficulties in verifying what I have vs what I NEED
I have an unlocked SM-N950U1 which is currently running on the Verizon network in the United States
I do NOT have any of the Verizion specific features, ie.... "My Verizon" or even "Verizon Visual VoiceMail"
the phone has also been on the AT&T network previously again with no carrier specific features there either.
Since the "secret code" for the dialer didn't work to reveal my CSC, and there is no carrier software version entry in my about phone software information to reveal the CSC either, I downloaded one of the generic "phone info" apps and it reports VZW as currently active CSC on the CSC tab, but then on the firmware tab in the CSC version location its reporting "N950U1OYM5DSC1" and I have found zero reference to an "OYM" CSC anywhere.
I have downloaded both the PIE and OREO variants of the "XAA" firmware for my Note 8
Does anybody have any idea if this is going to be the correct firmware to accomplish this downgrade without bricking this darn thing, I have no interest in root nowadays because the minuses out weigh the pluses and I really don't want to trigger knox and loose google pay or any of my banking apps, but I really do use and need to use the call recording capabilities that still worked in Oreo, and not anymore in Pie
Thanks in advance
Dan
BluePhnx said:
You can go back to oreo as long as the bootloader is the same.
You'll have to do a factory reset though.
eg.
Oreo firmware: N950FXXS5CSA2
PIE firmware: N950FXXU5DSA2
Notice the 5 before "DSA2" and the "CSA2" that's the bootloader version. So since the pie and oreo firmware has the same bootloader version you can go back to oreo.
You can NOT go back to Nougat different bootloaders.
eg.
Nougat firmware: N950FXXU3BRA8
PIE firmware : N950FXXS5DSB2
Notice the 3 before "BRA8" and 5 before "DSB2" they don't match!
So the bootloader version 5 will NOT downgrade itself to version 3 therefore Odin will give you a failed error message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, i just came to this conclusion! i am currently running N950FXXU7DSJ1 and odin always gives me error when i try to downgrade. no matter newest or older version. so there is no possible way to downgrade?
What if i unlock bootloader(if its possible for currently last version), change to custom recovery and install any custom rom(nougat?) and maybe flash bootloader via custom rom also? will this option be possible at all?

Trouble updating Galaxy Note 9

Hi i am new here and need help with updating my Samsung note 9 i still have a baseband N960USQS1ARI5 but will like to update to the latest firmware. i'm using an unlocked AT&T phone. can anyone guide me? I'm not sure if updating the firmware will lock the phone and the process to update, do I just update the firmware in stages as the updates were released till i get to the latest update or can i update straight up to the latest? I am thinking of using Odin, is that a safe way to do this? any help will be appreciated. Lastly, can I change from the AT&T firmware to lets say a none carrier based firmware so as to stop seeing the AT&T logo on boot up? Maybe switch to a firmware that supports global or international? Does anyone have links to an unlocked firmware update i can use, as well? Please help!
I must state that the phone never updates automatically as it always says the software is up to date.
mtrackerbeyond said:
Hi i am new here and need help with updating my Samsung note 9 i still have a baseband N960USQS1ARI5 but will like to update to the latest firmware. i'm using an unlocked AT&T phone. can anyone guide me? I'm not sure if updating the firmware will lock the phone and the process to update, do I just update the firmware in stages as the updates were released till i get to the latest update or can i update straight up to the latest? I am thinking of using Odin, is that a safe way to do this? any help will be appreciated. Lastly, can I change from the AT&T firmware to lets say a none carrier based firmware so as to stop seeing the AT&T logo on boot up? Maybe switch to a firmware that supports global or international? Does anyone have links to an unlocked firmware update i can use, as well? Please help!
I must state that the phone never updates automatically as it always says the software is up to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to your last point, at&t phones are notoriously bad at updating
factory unlocked phones will remain forever unlocked and phones unlocked that are bespoke to a specific carrier will also remain unlocked even with Odin flashes providing that the method employed to unlock it was legitimate. Some unlock methods employ root and only trick the phone into thinking its unlocked. Well, once you remove root, and thusly the trick, the unlock is gone. I have ran across rare examples where the person swore up and down that they unlocked their phone with a legit unlock code and that it relocked to a carrier once the sim was inserted and initial programming completed, but i dunno. Sounds weird to me, but every person who said this also said that the phone locked to a carrier other than the one it came from originally. Take that for what its worth, but i still mostly stand by the first couple lines of this section of my diatribe
If you want the at&t crap gone, get the N960U1 firmware and flash it in Odin. You will need the modified version of Odin to flash it so it can ignore the 255 errors the phone throws up from flashing firmware for a carrier (or, in this case, no carrier) on to a phone that it wasnt originally designated (not designed) for
go to sammobile.com/firmwares, get the info for the firmware you want to d/l, get the Frija tool or Samfirm and download the firmware thru one of those as theyre literally 5x faster and flash it
mtrackerbeyond said:
Hi i am new here and need help with updating my Samsung note 9 i still have a baseband N960USQS1ARI5 but will like to update to the latest firmware. i'm using an unlocked AT&T phone. can anyone guide me? I'm not sure if updating the firmware will lock the phone and the process to update, do I just update the firmware in stages as the updates were released till i get to the latest update or can i update straight up to the latest? I am thinking of using Odin, is that a safe way to do this? any help will be appreciated. Lastly, can I change from the AT&T firmware to lets say a none carrier based firmware so as to stop seeing the AT&T logo on boot up? Maybe switch to a firmware that supports global or international? Does anyone have links to an unlocked firmware update i can use, as well? Please help!
I must state that the phone never updates automatically as it always says the software is up to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, my phone is a Note 9 ATT factory unlocked.
Below is the link for my post
I've updated my phone using the link , and still unlocked and working Ok.
I hope it can help you .
https://www.google.com/amp/s/forum....note-9-att-rom-update-sept-2019-t3979303/amp/

SM-G781U Snapdragon T-Mo Unlock, Root, Flash

I've searched the forums, and I apologize if I've missed someone clearly explaining some of this nuance. I'd like to get rid of the Samsung crap and run 3rd party ROMs on my phone. I've done this in the past, but I'm rusty since my last 2 phones were never able to get bootloader unlocked.
I know that I need to get my bootloader unlocked, and I'm planning on using https://www.sampwnd.com/. Reading their FAQ, it tells me: S20 FE 5G on Rev2 or Rev3 - Not Unlockable. I also realize that Samsung blocks my from using Odin to downgrade Android 11 to 10. I don't care about the Android version as much as the Rev#, so:
Question 1: Is the Rev # the same as the BIT (BINARY/U/SW REV.), because I can find an Android 11 file with that Rev as 1 here: https://samfw.com/firmware/SM-G781U/TMB/G781USQU1CTLC?
Question 2: If that's true, can I use Odin to downgrade to Rev1 so I can get my phone's bootloader unlocked?
Thanks!
I shouldn't think it'll flash for you, chances are that at the end Odin will say failed.
that said it's not gonna hurt to try if you don't have a data cap. download your current firmware too as a precaution.

Question Should You Flash the Latest Software Or Flash All Previous Software Updates Incrementally

Hello guys.
So I recently got a phone that's stuck with the August 2021 security patch. I wanna flash the latest software so had 2 questions:
1. Should I flash the most recent software update or considering I've never actually updated my phone, should I flash all the previous updates from August first before I flash the latest one.
2. I wanted to know if anyone has experience flashing SM-G998U1 firmware on a SM-G998U phone. I heard you can flash "U1" or carrier unlocked firmware on a "U" or carrier locked phone. Just that you'd lose all your data. I have an SM-G998U locked to Verizon and since I'm not in the US Verizon says they can't unlock it for me. So my only option is to flash new firmware updates. But I can't for the life of me find any Verizon SM-G998U firmware from after August 2021 (that's my latest security patch) online. So wanted to hear from anyone with experience that's flashed "U1" firmware on a "U" phone.
Flashing FW is no solution to unlock phones.
OnnoJ said:
Flashing FW is no solution to unlock phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not trying to unlock my phone. It's usable cause it doesn't reject simcards. Just denies me OTA updates. All I want is new software.
Is there another option apart from flashing new firmware if I want to update it? I'd love to unlock the phone but all the websites keep talking about generating codes. My phone doesn't request a code. And I can still use it. If there isn't another option for unlocking, can you assist with the questions I've asked?
Fine to flash new firmware to get the latest.
1. If you flash complete FW using Odin, you can flash the latest, no need to flash intermediate updates.
2. Did you search the forum yourself? See following thread for FW versions of the US-devices: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...s-and-flashing-discussion-here.4220111/unread
OnnoJ said:
Fine to flash new firmware to get the latest.
1. If you flash complete FW using Odin, you can flash the latest, no need to flash intermediate updates.
2. Did you search the forum yourself? See following thread for FW versions of the US-devices: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...s-and-flashing-discussion-here.4220111/unread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for all the help Yeah I've seen that thread before. But only firmware available until November 2021. Nothing after. So think I'll try the U1 to U option for now.

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