Database Develop

Is it safe to flash Stock ROM on an unlocked Tab S2?

I have just got a pre-owned Tab S2 T817W which is a Canadian version from Bell Canada.
It has been unlocked and I can put in another carrier's SIM card and use it.
However, it is in stock 5.1.1 stock ROM and I want to upgrade to the latest Marshmallow.
My questions are:
1) If I flash the latest ROM from Bell for this T817W, will the ROM lock it back to Bell only?
2) Can I flash other carrier's ROM, eg T817A (for ATT) T817V (for Verizon) etc?
3) Do I need to root it before upgrading if i want to have root in Marshmallow?
(EDITed: I found the answers to the questions myself. I was able to download a Marshmallow firmware for Canada instead for Carrier specific from Sammobile. Everything works as I have wished for, it is still unlocked, fingerprint detection works better and the tab even runs faster.)

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!

Galaxy S9/S9+ Firmware links?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who ordered the S9 from Samsung direct with the intentions of flashing it to the carriers firmware. I checked on updato and don't see it there, does anyone else know where to get the firmware? I want to use it on Sprint so I believe the CSS is SPR for Sprint.

https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/SM-G960F/ here you go
for now there is only 1 german firmware available for download

And in case you find SamMobile too slow, I've uploaded the S9 firmware update (DBT) to AFH for having a mirror HERE

Thanks, I am in need of the US version for Sprint which the CSS I believe is SPR. I'll keep checking updato I know sammobile is super slow but if it's there and I start it now it may be done by the time I get my phone tomorrow.

Never done a carrier flash to an unlocked version. Few questions:
1. After flashing do you start getting the carrier OTA updates? And all carrier functions particularly wifi calling, visual voicemail, HD video calling start working?
2. How does the carrier fw dump work? Someone with sprint fw would have to do a carrier dump and uploads it (presumably without tinkering the content)?
3. If the file is tinkered with, since it's a signed file, the checksum would change and it wouldn't let you flash, right?? Sorry for the noob questions, just haven't done carrier flashes.

testinguser said:
Never done a carrier flash to an unlocked version. Few questions:
1. After flashing do you start getting the carrier OTA updates? And all carrier functions particularly wifi calling, visual voicemail, HD video calling start working?
2. How does the carrier fw dump work? Someone with sprint fw would have to do a carrier dump and uploads it (presumably without tinkering the content)?
3. If the file is tinkered with, since it's a signed file, the checksum would change and it wouldn't let you flash, right?? Sorry for the noob questions, just haven't done carrier flashes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is correct you are flashing the carriers version with their wonderful bloatware on top of it. Unfortunately for now that's the only way to get WiFi calling, VVM, and VoLTE. I just got the unlocked version today and currently downloading the Sprint firmware because without it I don't have those features. Hell LTE doesn't work on the stock version of the firmware.

GrandMstrBud said:
That is correct you are flashing the carriers version with their wonderful bloatware on top of it. Unfortunately for now that's the only way to get WiFi calling, VVM, and VoLTE. I just got the unlocked version today and currently downloading the Sprint firmware because without it I don't have those features. Hell LTE doesn't work on the stock version of the firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the carrier. I know the s8 wifi calling and volte worked on tmobile with the unlocked firmware.

I used the SamFirm application and downloaded the Sprint firmware but yet after flashing it I still have the stock samsung firmware. I don't see any sprint software on it at all nor do I see LTE calling plus or WiFi calling. Plus on the stock firmware it will not give me any LTE data and when looking at the APN there are 2 listed but none are checked and you can't check any. It was like this out of the box before I even attempted to flash the so called Sprint variant version. I spent a good 4 1/2 hours between going to the Sprint store to get a new SIM, to calling in, and the online chat and nobody had a clue it was the same old troubleshooting steps and the best they could do was file a ticket and have someone get back to me between 24 and 48 hours. I went through this same BS when I activated the unlocked S8, the iPhone 8, and when I switched back to the S8, plus when one of our phones broke and had to switch, and now this. They can never get anything activated correctly. At least on the S8 after flashing the Sprint firmware I was able to have all the customization's but I'm not seeing it on here.

My unlocked s9 from samsung.com works on sprint lte just fine....
I do however want to flash the sprint one to get the fake VoLTE and voicemail working.

I have SM-G965U Verizon. So it I flash this will all the Verizon Boatware will be removed? And logo

Why is there NO countries G960FD (for dual SIM) ie the better version of any model?

roosta said:
Why is there NO countries G960FD (for dual SIM) ie the better version of any model?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The F firmware always flashes fine on the FD.

Goronok said:
The F firmware always flashes fine on the FD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are missing the point here. Why would anyone with dual sim phone flash a ROM for single sim?! Makes no sense. Missing functions or features in the rom for the 2nd sim...

roosta said:
You are missing the point here. Why would anyone with dual sim phone flash a ROM for single sim?! Makes no sense. Missing functions or features in the rom for the 2nd sim...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I think you're missing the point
The F rom flashes on the FD and carries all dual sim capabilities.

Goronok said:
Nope, I think you're missing the point
The F rom flashes on the FD and carries all dual sim capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you done this to verify?

roosta said:
Have you done this to verify?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many times.
My wife had a dual sim s8 and hated the dual sim features - found them annoying as she only uses one sim. I legitimately could not find a way to disable them. I flashed every rom I could find and dual sim features always carried over.

Goronok said:
Many times.
My wife had a dual sim s8 and hated the dual sim features - found them annoying as she only uses one sim. I legitimately could not find a way to disable them. I flashed every rom I could find and dual sim features always carried over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you confirm if the root is hustle firmware\OS based or system based? I don't like the idea of having to flash updates every couple of months and then re rooting the device or in my current case, I need to re unlock the boot loader and re root the phone if I update the firnware...which is bloody stupid. Proper root should be regardless the firmware.
Dpo you think we will get there with the s9? Xposed framework installed and running smoothly on Oreo?

Hi guys first sorry for my bad english
I try flash my sm-g960f after stop working and stuck at logo samsung.
how can i find combination firmware ? i don't have csc and pda number i can't boot to recovery mode i only can boot to download mode.
Details from download mode:
PRODUCT NAME SM-G960F
FRP LOCK ON
OEM LOCK ON
RP SWREV B:2 K:2 S:2
I try last firmware from sammobile etc but always come secure boot fail or block by frp at screen mobile i use last oddin ver.
Please guys Help i try flash with 14 or more diffrent firmware. how can i check correct firmware? Thanks

install Verizon "Advanced Calling" on G973U1 firmware?

Verizon is my carrier and I am upgrading to an S10 from an S7. I bought a new S10 loaded with the first Verizon version of Android 10, G973USQS2CSL1. I want to get rid of the bloatware and go back to Android 9. My plan is to flash the U1 firmware, G973U1UES2BSIV, using all 4 of the U1 files. Then flash the Verizon CSC file from this firmware, G973USQS2BSIV, so I can get the "Advanced Calling" for Verizon. I was going to try to do that on my S7 but never got around to it. Here's a thread I created on the S7 forum that said that's what I would need to do to run the unbranded firmware on the S7 but also have Verizon's Advanced Calling (wifi calling, video call, hd calling). https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s7/help/install-verizon-advanced-calling-g930u-t3997525
I noticed the S10 Verizon firmware now has a 5th file, a USERDATA file. Will I need to also flash that?
I wanted to point out, my new phone is currently locked, but Verizon automatically unlocks it after 60 days. https://www.verizon.com/about/consumer-safety/device-unlocking-policy Will it be a problem if I flash the unbranded firmware on a phone that is still locked? Since Verizon is my carrier, I will obviously be using a Verizon SIM card.
Thank for the help.

You can flash any firmware to your phone as long as it's for the U or U1 models as the "U" means Universal. Bought a phone from AT&T? Flash the Sprint or T-mobile firmware without issues. Same for Verizon and other U.S. carriers firmware.
Flashing the unbranded firmware will get rid of the bloatware, but will also get rid of other features like wifi calling, advanced calling, etc. The user data file is just all of Verizon's bloatware and info crap.
As for going back to Android 9, you can do that as long as you're still on the v2 bootloader. If you've upgraded to the v3 bootloader via OTA, you won't be able to return to Android 9.

StoneyJSG said:
You can flash any firmware to your phone as long as it's for the U or U1 models as the "U" means Universal. Bought a phone from AT&T? Flash the Sprint or T-mobile firmware without issues. Same for Verizon and other U.S. carriers firmware.
Flashing the unbranded firmware will get rid of the bloatware, but will also get rid of other features like wifi calling, advanced calling, etc. The user data file is just all of Verizon's bloatware and info crap.
As for going back to Android 9, you can do that as long as you're still on the v2 bootloader. If you've upgraded to the v3 bootloader via OTA, you won't be able to return to Android 9.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on v2 bootloader. Have you heard of flashing the VZW CSC file on top of the U1 unbranded firmware? Apparently people have done it on older devices, like the S7, that only took the 4 files when flashing. I'm trying to run unbranded firmware but still have the Verizon Advanced Calling (wifi calling, HD calling, video call).

Okay if you're on bootloader v2 then you can go back to Android 9. I haven't heard of flashing the carrier CSC file with the unbranded U1 firmware. It might work or might also brick your phone.

Best android 10 stock rom for at&t and lineage?

Hi i was wondering what region/stock Android 10 rom version would be best to flash prior to the lineage or similar ones for use on at&t? The LG v40 i have is v405ua but it doesn't look like there's a official 10 stock rom for it.. i had cross flashed an at&t pie stock rom as it kept dropping calls I assume it was modem firmware. And yes bootloader is unlocked.

Well, a few things... 1st, if you want to use at&t as your carrier, then u have to have an at&t device / rom to be able to use vowifi (and I think volte). So, if you need those, then you have only one option, flash an at&t rom to your at&t device (they can verify if it's at&t by the imei number, so no, you can't take a sprint one and flash at&t rom).
2nd, lineage doesn't support vowifi nor volte. So for us in the states, this is a problem as the 3G netwroks disappear, you'll be unable to make a call without volte.
3rd, any stock 10 would work with (latest) lineage. Lineage doesn't need a 'specific' one to work, it just needs that OS level. There are older lineage builds that work with 9. Maybe check one of those to see if it meets your needs before doing more?
cheers