Database Develop

[Discussion / Poll] How successful was your unofficial upgrade to Nougat?

Hi! I am starting this discussion / poll in the hope that people will think twice before upgrading (unofficially) to Nougat. So far, what I see is 3 outcomes: 1) Device gets bricked 2) Unofficial Nougat has major bugs and people decide to downgrade back to Marshmallow 3) Upgrade is successful and user is pleased. I think that the latter scenario is actually quite rare and I feel for inexperienced people who brick their device. My question, before you try to upgrade unofficially: is it worth it?

People who brick their device doesn't follow the steps as there are written.
for example t hey flash the b370 version without the additional package and they reply 'bluetooth isnt working'
i encourage people upgrading to nougat because of the new ui, the better battery/ram management and the appearance of drawer
i rollbacked too many times to marshmallow, upgraded to nougat without any problem or brick, just follow the steps and the installation is successful.

StrangerWeather said:
Hi! I am starting this discussion / poll in the hope that people will think twice before upgrading (unofficially) to Nougat. So far, what I see is 3 outcomes: 1) Device gets bricked 2) Unofficial Nougat has major bugs and people decide to downgrade back to Marshmallow 3) Upgrade is successful and user is pleased. I think that the latter scenario is actually quite rare and I feel for inexperienced people who brick their device. My question, before you try to upgrade unofficially: is it worth it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have two p9 lites,and they are both running on b370,updated trough hicare (1.99gb),and it works perfectly.Battery life,camera,bluetooth,everthing works amazingly compared to older nougat betas.

L-31 P9, Battery life is much better used to get only 4 hours on screen time watching videos now i get 6 with 25% left so easily 7 (my screen is always at 60% brightness) I'm not rooted because i didn't flash it after but i will root soon using a PC (I'm new to rooting (came from IPhone) yet i can easily do it probably because I'm a very techy person) anyway it seems faster my camera and everything works fine i used to get 1.8gb 4am max now i get 2.2 (with no apps running) also split screen works very well and is not laggy at all, one complain i have is the live wallpaper i used for some reason stoped working after i updated (black hole stock love wallpaper) i went into settings to re apply it as it's happened once before on MM but i said there was no wallpapers at all not even still ones, if someone could give me a link to the live wallpaper I'd really appreciate that but other than that no complaints at all it's much better than MM it even has a F.LUX like function built in to reduce blue light levels to help late at night so you're​ not wide awake , the pull down menu has Many and i mean Many more functions not just 5-10 there's probably 20+ and you can have more than 5 at one time, notifications are good and work well, everything seems overly big to me but thats probably because i used to have my phone on a 300 DPI before de-rooting and updating, like i was saying it has almost no drawbacks it's very polished If you install it correctly (one package before the other and it only takes 20 mins max and you data is not deleted i used tarp not the one from this forum but it works the same i got logged out of apps and that's all that's happend when i updated)

simo255 said:
People who brick their device doesn't follow the steps as there are written.
for example t hey flash the b370 version without the additional package and they reply 'bluetooth isnt working'
i encourage people upgrading to nougat because of the new ui, the better battery/ram management and the appearance of drawer
i rollbacked too many times to marshmallow, upgraded to nougat without any problem or brick, just follow the steps and the installation is successful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree 100%.
Upgrade to newer version of OS, official or unofficial, is one of the best thing of Android. But people need to be careful with their device, if it's not an OTA update obviously there are some steps to follow.. every device is different and just flashing whatever without attention may cause problem. Reading the steps to follow takes only 1 minute.

I'm on B132, is there a quick way to upgrade to B370? I've tried hi-care app but says no updates
Thanks

simo255 said:
People who brick their device doesn't follow the steps as there are written.
for example t hey flash the b370 version without the additional package and they reply 'bluetooth isnt working'
i encourage people upgrading to nougat because of the new ui, the better battery/ram management and the appearance of drawer
i rollbacked too many times to marshmallow, upgraded to nougat without any problem or brick, just follow the steps and the installation is successful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sirjohnrl said:
I have two p9 lites,and they are both running on b370,updated trough hicare (1.99gb),and it works perfectly.Battery life,camera,bluetooth,everthing works amazingly compared to older nougat betas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bghyt said:
L-31 P9, Battery life is much better used to get only 4 hours on screen time watching videos now i get 6 with 25% left so easily 7 (my screen is always at 60% brightness) I'm not rooted because i didn't flash it after but i will root soon using a PC (I'm new to rooting (came from IPhone) yet i can easily do it probably because I'm a very techy person) anyway it seems faster my camera and everything works fine i used to get 1.8gb 4am max now i get 2.2 (with no apps running) also split screen works very well and is not laggy at all, one complain i have is the live wallpaper i used for some reason stoped working after i updated (black hole stock love wallpaper) i went into settings to re apply it as it's happened once before on MM but i said there was no wallpapers at all not even still ones, if someone could give me a link to the live wallpaper I'd really appreciate that but other than that no complaints at all it's much better than MM it even has a F.LUX like function built in to reduce blue light levels to help late at night so you're​ not wide awake , the pull down menu has Many and i mean Many more functions not just 5-10 there's probably 20+ and you can have more than 5 at one time, notifications are good and work well, everything seems overly big to me but thats probably because i used to have my phone on a 300 DPI before de-rooting and updating, like i was saying it has almost no drawbacks it's very polished If you install it correctly (one package before the other and it only takes 20 mins max and you data is not deleted i used tarp not the one from this forum but it works the same i got logged out of apps and that's all that's happend when i updated)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Potato997 said:
I agree 100%.
Upgrade to newer version of OS, official or unofficial, is one of the best thing of Android. But people need to be careful with their device, if it's not an OTA update obviously there are some steps to follow.. every device is different and just flashing whatever without attention may cause problem. Reading the steps to follow takes only 1 minute.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take your points but looking at the answers and questions forum again today, I still think the number of people bricking or downgrading is quite high. I love Nougat too, but I am warning newbies that it might be worth waiting for an official update or if not, concentrating on what you're doing. My penny's worth...

StrangerWeather said:
I take your points but looking at the answers and questions forum again today, I still think the number of people bricking or downgrading is quite high. I love Nougat too, but I am warning newbies that it might be worth waiting for an official update or if not, concentrating on what you're doing. My penny's worth...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I updated to B370 but had to downgrade to mm because my camera wasn't working, but overall it was a great experience. Can't wait to get an update where my camera works.
Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

I see a lot of people have camera issue on l31 but for l21 everything seems to be OK. I have B370 on my l21 and I don't even think about rolling back to MM. Newest firmware is (at least in my opinion) stable and for now it runs flawlessly

JaccaPL said:
I see a lot of people have camera issue on l31 but for l21 everything seems to be OK. I have B370 on my l21 and I don't even think about rolling back to MM. Newest firmware is (at least in my opinion) stable and for now it runs flawlessly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

I have not managed to update my phone to Nougat. Everytime i try to use firmware finder or Hi suite , it keeps downloading the 1,24GB package and not the 1,99GB so i end up with a generic a15 Test Key phone

kourkoubas1981 said:
I have not managed to update my phone to Nougat. Everytime i try to use firmware finder or Hi suite , it keeps downloading the 1,24GB package and not the 1,99GB so i end up with a generic a15 Test Key phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the TWRP method.

zgomot said:
Try the TWRP method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that you must be bootloader unlock and rooted to use TWRP method . Too complicated for me :/
I have L21C900B170 after the fifth or sixth failure to go to 370 .
Whatever I try through Firmware Finder or HiSuite it keeps downloading the 1,24GB file and not the 1,99 Gb upgrade so I always and up with ND90 test key .
Something is blocking it but no one knows what

kourkoubas1981 said:
I think that you must be bootloader unlock and rooted to use TWRP method . Too complicated for me :/
I have L21C900B170 after the fifth or sixth failure to go to 370 .
Whatever I try through Firmware Finder or HiSuite it keeps downloading the 1,24GB file and not the 1,99 Gb upgrade so I always and up with ND90 test key .
Something is blocking it but no one knows what
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's really not all that difficult and there are several guides around here. Unlocking the bootloader and rooting MM is pretty much without risks. I'd say go for it.

kourkoubas1981 said:
I think that you must be bootloader unlock and rooted to use TWRP method . Too complicated for me :/
I have L21C900B170 after the fifth or sixth failure to go to 370 .
Whatever I try through Firmware Finder or HiSuite it keeps downloading the 1,24GB file and not the 1,99 Gb upgrade so I always and up with ND90 test key .
Something is blocking it but no one knows what
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/huawei-p9lite/how-to/root-root-recovery-bootloader-unlock-t3457564
Then this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/huawei-p9lite/how-to/nougat-official-firmware-t3512932

Looks like there is a majority of successful upgrades after all!

Well I did an upgrade and although at first I thought I 'borked it' - the build I have is 'NRD90M test-keys'
But I have to say after manually installing google keyboard and getting a few play store updates installed, it feels like an absolute rocket compared to the old EE B132 version

StrangerWeather said:
First this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/huawei-p9lite/how-to/root-root-recovery-bootloader-unlock-t3457564
Then this: https://forum.xda-developers.com/huawei-p9lite/how-to/nougat-official-firmware-t3512932
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK i managed to do the unlocking of bootloader - root but the first try of upgrading went me again to N90RDM test keys something :/
During the installation of the b370 files throught TWRP i got a message that there is /system

kourkoubas1981 said:
OK i managed to do the unlocking of bootloader - root but the first try of upgrading went me again to N90RDM test keys something :/
During the installation of the b370 files throught TWRP i got a message that there is /system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you flash both files?

StrangerWeather said:
Did you flash both files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If he made the same mistake as me then he didn't flash the second file, doh!:silly:
i'm thinking of trying to get twrp back on and having another go......

Which official firmware should I download for my Note 9?

Hi everyone,
I bought a Note 9 a few days ago and its rooted. It has got Android 9 One UI 1.0
I wanted to update the software but it has no software update option.
So I thought maybe I can download the latest software on it through odin.
It is N950F model. On settings, it has the following baseband version: N960FXXU2ZRLR
SE for Android status is showing the following: Enforcing SEPF_SM_N960F_P03_Dr.KetanROM
And bootloader is showing something like this: N960NKSU3CSG3
Now I'm really confused that which firmware should I download?
Can anyone help?

I would recommend that you download and install android 10 to your Note 9.

iceepyon said:
I would recommend that you download and install android 10 to your Note 9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I tried to install Android 10 on my phone, but I was getting errors like R/W or something like that on Odin.

ark1995 said:
Hi,
I tried to install Android 10 on my phone, but I was getting errors like R/W or something like that on Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use 'samsung phone info' in playstore. Check which csc the phone originally. Download that csc's firmware and flash.
By right any firmware should do but who knows.

Same
Hi!
Were you able to resolve this?
I am actually having the same problem. With all the scenario the same.
Bought a rooted Note 9
Firmware: N960FXXU2ZRLR
No "Software Update" option in the settings Menu
Android 9.

pliplyon said:
Hi!
Were you able to resolve this?
I am actually having the same problem. With all the scenario the same.
Bought a rooted Note 9
Firmware: N960FXXU2ZRLR
No "Software Update" option in the settings Menu
Android 9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe for rooted devices, you need to install the OS update manually

pliplyon said:
Hi!
Were you able to resolve this?
I am actually having the same problem. With all the scenario the same.
Bought a rooted Note 9
Firmware: N960FXXU2ZRLR
No "Software Update" option in the settings Menu
Android 9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
once rooted you will lose knox protection, secure folder Samsung health and yes oem updates. even if you flash official again you may receive oem updates but some oem features may not function again. so u might have two options here. one is to re flash via odin the official firmware and use the phone without some features as i mentioned above! also now that our beloved note 9 got the final 2.1 major firmware update it is highly unlikely to get anymore upgrades such as oneui 2.5 but will continue to receive monthly security updates! then the second option is we have some great devs like dr.ketan, AlexisXDA, etc with highly customized roms and many workarounds to get features like S-health and secure folder working and they do keep upgrading the roms and we might even expect to get oneui 2.5 features from them which is excellent. i too am still on stock rom not even rooted but will start having fun flashing roms after my warranty expires for sure! cheers
P.S - use henklbr s frija to download official firmware easily and fast..... https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...icial-stock-fw-update-odin-thread-xx-t3825204

pliplyon said:
Same
Hi!
Were you able to resolve this?
I am actually having the same problem. With all the scenario the same.
Bought a rooted Note 9
Firmware: N960FXXU2ZRLR
No "Software Update" option in the settings Menu
Android 9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helo u r able to mke update? I hve same problem dear pls help

ark1995 said:
Hi everyone,
I bought a Note 9 a few days ago and its rooted. It has got Android 9 One UI 1.0
I wanted to update the software but it has no software update option.
So I thought maybe I can download the latest software on it through odin.
It is N950F model. On settings, it has the following baseband version: N960FXXU2ZRLR
SE for Android status is showing the following: Enforcing SEPF_SM_N960F_P03_Dr.KetanROM
And bootloader is showing something like this: N960NKSU3CSG3
Now I'm really confused that which firmware should I download?
Can anyone help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helo dear same problem pls help if u did updated

Downgrade Samsung Galaxy Note 9 SM-N960F/DS Firmware from Android 10 to Android 8.0

Hi All,
I urgently need some help to downgrade Samsung Galaxy Note 9 phone Model No: SM-N960F/DS from currently running OS Android 10 to Android (Oreo) 8.1 or 8.0.
Following are the current versions running:
Software version: SAOMC_SM-N960F_OXM_XSA_QQ_0016
Knox Version: Knox 3.4.1, Knox API Level: 30, TIMA: 4.10.
I have downloaded the XSA version of Android 8.1 from Sammobile, followed all the instructions by running Odin3 V3.14.4, gone into the Download mode of the phone. The phone connects to Odin as I can see on Odin status of Blue Colour Com connection established, Odin then displays "Recovery", unfortunately the phone gets stuck at this status showing "Recovery". I have let the phone run for hours or even a full day but the status never changes from "Recovery"
Could anyone please assist me to complete the downgrade. Am I missing any step here?
Thanking you in advance

I don't think downgrade to oreo is possible. Pie is possible if baseband version's 5th character from the back is 4.

Rosli59564 said:
I don't think downgrade to oreo is possible. Pie is possible if baseband version's 5th character from the back is 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the prompt reply. I just check the digit, its 6 not 4. What are my options here?

None. Your options are only firmwares with the number 6, which date to April/May, last OneUI 2.0 firmwares.
I did read that one can flash custom roms that are older, if one leaves Bootloader untouched to v6, but that is something i wouldn't encourage to do.

PlutoDelic said:
None. Your options are only firmwares with the number 6, which date to April/May, last OneUI 2.0 firmwares.
I did read that one can flash custom roms that are older, if one leaves Bootloader untouched to v6, but that is something i wouldn't encourage to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you PlutoD, I am happy to read about it as well, if you want to post the link or let me know where to find the info.

CrazynWild said:
Thank you PlutoD, I am happy to read about it as well, if you want to post the link or let me know where to find the info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no links except the Development board here, my input came as something that i've seen discussed somewhere in there.
As you can see, there are some Oreo Custom ROMs, i'm not sure if they are actively maintained (if one can say anything active about that), but if you are determined to do what you want, i would start by choosing the ROM first, put a question there or the last resort, contact the developer.
I'll be very blunt with you, i see no reason for people to revert to older roms, but i dont want to get in to that argument, but having a v6 Bootloader (and maybe Modem too) with a v1/v2 system firmware is something that could give you unpredictable issues nobody could help you with.

Could boot a pie custom rom with android10 bootloader. Not sure about oreo though

Question Safe to downgrade to V12.0.15.0.RKFMIXM (Global) (From 12.5.1)?

Hello there!
I have a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, and yesterday I made the grave mistake of hitting that "update" button. What used to be a close to perfect smartphone turned into a pile of trash with about 10 GREAT functions REMOVED. Instead they added 10 new phone-destroying functions which make this phone close to unusable for me at the moment.
That being said, I obviosuly want to downgrade my phone to the version it came with apparently is V12.0.15.0.RKFMIXM (Global). Is it safe to downgrade to this version from the version I'm on now 12.5.1? Even if it's not safe, could you please tell me how likely it is that my phone ends up bricked?
Thanks! I hope this works!

If you have updated it using Official Updater app, then there is a high risk of bricking your phone. It depends on ARB index.
Try flashing Fastboot ROM using Mi Flash tool. If it's not safe to downgrade, Mi Flash will prevent you from flashing it.

Yes, I used the official updater app in settings.
OK so you're there's a chance? Because this 12.5.1 version is complete and utter ****. I REALLY want to downgrade. Please help me out here, this version is SO BAD that I have to buy a new phone if the downgrade doesn't work.

In order to use Mi Flash tool, your bootloader has to be unlocked. If you are not familiar with these process, I suggest you to follow this method instead.
This is how you go back to a previous version of MIUI: revert your Xiaomi a buggy update - Xiaomi News - World Today News
When we update our Xiaomi we run the risk that this new update contains bugs. Although Xiaomi tests each new version before launching it, like any other software there may be undetected errors that spoil our user experience. It is not the first time that an update released by Xiaomi negatively...
www.world-today-news.com
Warning: Someone else stuck in bootloop while tried to use this method. check this
If you are not familiar with recovering phone from brick, decide yourself whether it's worth the risk. Alternatively, you can wait for the next update, which might solve your problem.

Have you tried updating to the latest 12.5.3?
I'm stuck on this crappy 12.5.1 as well but I don't want to unlock anything or wait for the update... So my question is can I use the Mi Tool without unlocking the bootloader?

Spudsicles said:
Have you tried updating to the latest 12.5.3?
I'm stuck on this crappy 12.5.1 as well but I don't want to unlock anything or wait for the update... So my question is can I use the Mi Tool without unlocking the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have not, because I have not received the update on my device yet. However I don't expect them to fix these god-awful "updates" in the next update, hence I'd rather just downgrade, which I'll probably try to do tomorrow. 12.0.15.0 was absolutely perfect (the version it came with) and I KNEW I shouldn't have updated ((

OSX.Nobody said:
In order to use Mi Flash tool, your bootloader has to be unlocked. If you are not familiar with these process, I suggest you to follow this method instead.
This is how you go back to a previous version of MIUI: revert your Xiaomi a buggy update - Xiaomi News - World Today News
When we update our Xiaomi we run the risk that this new update contains bugs. Although Xiaomi tests each new version before launching it, like any other software there may be undetected errors that spoil our user experience. It is not the first time that an update released by Xiaomi negatively...
www.world-today-news.com
Warning: Someone else stuck in bootloop while tried to use this method. check this
If you are not familiar with recovering phone from brick, decide yourself whether it's worth the risk. Alternatively, you can wait for the next update, which might solve your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have another Xiaomi I don't care about which ALSO has the horrible 12.5.1. Since I don't care about this device I'll try downgrading it tomorrow, and if it works I'll do it again with my Redmi Note 10 Pro

I'm really curious about those features you said they remove and why miui 12.5 is so bad, I was just about to update!

Hi! I would also like to know what is wrong with 12.5.1 on the redmi note 10 pro. Mine has 12.0.6 (Russian version I think), and I'm trying my best to figure out how to update it to 12.5.1, but I've read many comments saying it is trash.
Can you tell me your biggest complains? What I don't like about my current version is the 10 seconds always on display, and not being able to select an icon pack for the system launcher. Do you have those features on 12.5.1?

My friend, the uptade to 12.5 did not ad or remove any aplications or funtions.
My be you collect them from any place.

Spudsicles said:
So my question is can I use the Mi Tool without unlocking the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, installing a Fastboot ROM requires your device to have an unlocked bootloader.

Little Snevil said:
I'm really curious about those features you said they remove and why miui 12.5 is so bad, I was just about to update!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DON'T update! Here's a list of the worst ones:
1) They REMOVED the progress bar from the media players on the lock screen, so now you CAN'T scroll through music and audio directly from the lock screen.
2) The screen automatically shuts off after 5 seconds after receiving a notification and there's NO WAY to increase it, making it impossible to read more than 1 notification.
3) When swiping/deleting the last notification the notification screen automatically closes REGARDLESS if you had a media player or something else you wanted to check out, so now they're forcing you to open it up again every time you close the last notification.
4) The notification screen now has a non-removable "No notifications" text, as if I needed someone to TELL me that. Completely unnecessary and ugly as crap.
Note that these are NOT bugs, but features, so if you update you're never getting these features back.
I use a smartphone when I work and this crap only makes things harder for me! Downgrading today!
EDIT: These are ONLY my main issues, the whole update is super buggy and laggy ALL AROUND, so be prepared to add aother 100 bugs and glitches to that list!

Are you sure that you had that options before, at last 2 one impossible....

OSX.Nobody said:
In order to use Mi Flash tool, your bootloader has to be unlocked. If you are not familiar with these process, I suggest you to follow this method instead.
This is how you go back to a previous version of MIUI: revert your Xiaomi a buggy update - Xiaomi News - World Today News
When we update our Xiaomi we run the risk that this new update contains bugs. Although Xiaomi tests each new version before launching it, like any other software there may be undetected errors that spoil our user experience. It is not the first time that an update released by Xiaomi negatively...
www.world-today-news.com
Warning: Someone else stuck in bootloop while tried to use this method. check this
If you are not familiar with recovering phone from brick, decide yourself whether it's worth the risk. Alternatively, you can wait for the next update, which might solve your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 extremely quick question, which one of these is the correct one?
Thank you!

artembazhanov said:
1 extremely quick question, which one of these is the correct one?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The recovery rom is for TWRP, fastboot rom is of course fastboot flashing.

artembazhanov said:
1 extremely quick question, which one of these is the correct one?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recovery ROM

OSX.Nobody said:
Recovery ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded the fastboot load because it's easier to install. Great news, I downgraded my Redmi Note 7 without issue and it's working flawlessly! Then I tried unlocking my Note 10 Pro, but it's telling me to wait 168 hours. Can I use it during that time? Because I kind of need to.
Thanks!

artembazhanov said:
I downloaded the fastboot load because it's easier to install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought you were asking about the method that described in the link I shared, which needs Recovery ROM. If you have unlocked bootloader, you have plenty of possibility.
artembazhanov said:
Can I use it during that time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can. But don't touch any options in Developer settings related to unlocking procedure. Specially do NOT logout Mi Account.
If you are going to unlock, you should try MIUI EU ROM first, It might solve your problem.

OSX.Nobody said:
I thought you were asking about the method that described in the link I shared, which needs Recovery ROM. If you have unlocked bootloader, you have plenty of possibility.
Yes you can. But don't touch any options in Developer settings related to unlocking procedure. Specially do NOT logout Mi Account.
If you are going to unlock, you should try MIUI EU ROM first, It might solve your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely won't be messing with developer mode any more this week, and yeah, I'm not logging out either. Thanks!
I'm waiting a week before trying anything else. According to xda-developers you have to wait if you want to unlock.

artembazhanov said:
I'm waiting a week before trying anything else. According to xda-developers you have to wait if you want to unlock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry I mean after unlocking your bootloader, you should try EU ROM first (before flashing official ROM).

Just got an SM-N960F/DS but it came with blasted Android 10. Can I downgrade to 8.1?

Hi. I'm wondering if it's possible to downgrade the bootloader and everything to Oreo. The entire reason why I bought this Note 9 in 2022 is because GSMArena said it came 'Android Oreo (Upgradable to Android 10)'. Sadly, upon unboxing and turning it on for the first time, it's already on Android 10 OneUI 2.5. Is there any way to downgrade it at all? How risky is it only in terms of bricking the device?
- I don't care about tripping flash counter
- I am comfortable with Odin
- I don't care about losing data/knox/samsung pay/blah -- it's all dreck anyways
- I need my mass storage mode, sd card writable, etc. I refuse to use new crappy Androids
- I care not about security issues so please don't mention this or any of the above. Answers only please
Baseband is FUE5 and build is FUF5
Model is SM-N960F/DS
Thanks in adVanced!

dimapoter said:
Hi. I'm wondering if it's possible to downgrade the bootloader and everything to Oreo. The entire reason why I bought this Note 9 in 2022 is because GSMArena said it came 'Android Oreo (Upgradable to Android 10)'. Sadly, upon unboxing and turning it on for the first time, it's already on Android 10 OneUI 2.5. Is there any way to downgrade it at all? How risky is it only in terms of bricking the device?
- I don't care about tripping flash counter
- I am comfortable with Odin
- I don't care about losing data/knox/samsung pay/blah -- it's all dreck anyways
- I need my mass storage mode, sd card writable, etc. I refuse to use new crappy Androids
- I care not about security issues so please don't mention this or any of the above. Answers only please
Baseband is FUE5 and build is FUF5
Model is SM-N960F/DS
Thanks in adVanced!
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Unfortunately, once the bootloader is upgraded, it will block the installation of any lower version stock ROMs, so a proper downgrade to 8.1 is impossible from what I know.
What can be done however is to install TWRP, and see if someone repackaged the Oreo ROM as a flashable zip, which you can flash like any other custom ROM. It might have some bugs since it will be running on the new bootloader, but it otherwise should work.

Aha. So you're saying there's a chance I can get just an Oreo flash working on the new bootloader without downgrading it. I'll give that a try at some point; this way I'd be able to go back to a newer Android in case of some catastrophe. Thanks!