yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
I did the same as roll7, spend a few hours trying to get HK firmware but keeps failing so just decided to stay on the China rom and flash GApps. What I did was flash TWRP via ODIN and then flashed a GApps package in TWRP. I grabbed the GApps package on a chinese S6 forum and it only came with Play Store. Had to manually install everything else (Maps, Gmail, etc...)

Right after I set everything up and restored my apps using TiBu, my battery ran out so it's charging now before I can play with it some more. :(
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
If I understand you correctly you're rooted aren't you? Is there really no way to have GApps on a Chinese 9250 without.going rooted?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] bencome:
Hi,

How to prevent than starting the phone it return to original settings?

I managed to install MoreLocal2 and select a language (Su privilege). I have used TWRP. Thanks
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Yes I'm rooted, but I don't see why you can't install GApps without root. You need to flash TWRP via Odin, and then flash the GApps package in TWRP. None of these steps should require root.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
I'm pretty new to all this, but I'm getting the (theoretical) hang of things. But after reading this thread I sorta drew the conclusion that GApps on a Mainland Chinese SM-G9250 was only.possible while rooting? So I got that wrong?

I would LOVE to have GApps on my Chinese phone cuz I cant install let alone play most of of my favo games.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
I think it depends on the method you use to flash GApps, there was a method discussed earlier using Flashify and ADB and pushing over the files via file explorer, those might need root permissions. If you're flashing a custom recovery, then you don't need root.

But to install custom recovery, you may need other requirements like unlocking the bootloader and possibly tripping KNOX.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] robuk1980:
Ok, here's where I am: I'm rooted with Pingpong, and have tried to flash GApps using Flashify and file explorer, both without success. I have now set up my PC for ADB, and it recognises the phone when normally booted - I have turned on USB debugging after activating developer mode. Can I sideload the GApps package from here? I can't get the stock recovery "apply update from ADB" to work (it tells me that "update from ADB is disabled").

Should I be able to sideload GApps when normally booted, or does it have to be from recovery? My finger is on the trigger, but I don't want to brick it or anything!
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
I have unlocked the bootloader with Samsung's CROM thingy (from the Samsung App Store).

1) So I should download TWRP and flash that using Odin?

2) And then from TWRP flash GApps into my OS? So just for my noob understanding, how come my OS system be updated by a (custom) recovery?

3) KNOX is 'only' for warranty right?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
1) Yes, I used the china variant of TWRP, not sure if another version works. The one I used is called G9250-TWRP-2.8.6.0-CN.tar. This TWRP is in chinese, so you'll also need to change the UI to english interface (if you don't know chinese). Search for S6_TWRP_English_theme.zip and unzip the file and put ui.zip into /sdcard/TWRP/theme

2) Yes again. When you're in TWRP, press the first left button for Install and choose the GApps package and flash it. Recovery mode is to make changes to the OS (think of BIOS and dos mode in windows recovery)

3) First samsung phone I have that has KNOX, I think it's for warranty and Samsung Pay (as per another thread here). Maybe other ewallets and Tap to Pay too, but I don't use these so I don't really care.

---------- Post added at 02:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 PM ----------

I haven't played with sideloading GApps on this phone, so I can't give you good advice. I've always flashed stuff in recovery, never when it's booted up though...

Give it a try, worst case you have to flash back to stock from Odin.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Okay thanks a lot for the info sir!
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] robuk1980:
I tried it and it failed. I gather that the failure to be able to ADB from stock recovery is due to Pingpong rooting. But without the rooting I can't install GApps. Grrrr. Sooo.... to trip Knox or to buy an HK model and cut my losses... that is the question!
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
But didn't tomo just now said.you don't need root per se in order to flash GApps?

Btw Samsung CROM app is gone from the Samsung App Store. I ran it 2 weeks ago an (it said) it worked fine, but yesterday I upgraded to 5.1.1. Is my bootloader still unlocked??
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] estanenmi:
where do you get 5.1.1

Enviado desde mi SM-G9250 usando Tapatalk 2
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Just OTA, 'this morning.

---------- Post added at 08:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 PM ----------

So am I still unlocked?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
You don't need root if you used TWRP to flash GApps, but that might trip KNOX, which robuk1980 didn't want to do.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Okay thanks :)

Is there anyone here who went that route with a Chinese SM-G9250? Who did not root but only flashed GApps with TWRP? I'd love to hear the exact steps!

My baseband version is G9250ZCU1BOG7 (no idea wha that means but its the Id you guys always communicate with, or sometimes the last 4 digits right?)
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] Dmitry N:
Weird. My HK 9250 doesn't see any updates.

These two archives don't show any either:

http://sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G9250/

http://samsung-updates.com/device/?id=SM-G9250
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Maybe cuz I live in the Netherlands? Dunno but it was there yesterday and now it says 5.1.1.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] robuk1980:
I don't think you need root to flash Gapps. However, on the Chinese model they won't work without root. I was going to try to sit down and try to flash Gapps on stock, then root and see if it worked, and try variations on combos of all of these things, but I've spent so many hours on this I thought I'd see how much a HK model was at the electronics mall in Shanghai. Turns out that Chinese people want Chinese models over Taiwanese/HK models (who would have thought it?!) so I can swap my second-hand Chinese model for a new Taiwanese model for way less money than I thought! Does anyone know if there is a significant difference between HK and Taiwan models, maybe with LTE bands? (I move between countries so this might be a factor). From what I can find the answer seems to be not really. Is the hardware the same between the 3 regions?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
So root is required? :confused: So you didn't get GApps to work on the Chinese model?

Yes there are some hardwar differences, camera hardware for one. This thread mentions something like that I believe.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] estanenmi:
u need other steps wait... you are on 5.1.1...

Enviado desde mi SM-G9250 usando Tapatalk 2
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] robuk1980:
As tom0927 said (with a bit more conviction than me, so go with his statements!) if you've got custom recovery you can flash Gapps without rooting, but it would maybe trip Knox which I didn't want to do. I rooted as I was hoping that I could install Gapps without having to use a custom recovery, and I could root without tripping Knox via Pingpong. So.... no, I didn't get GApps to work on the Chinese model. But only because I didn't want to trip Knox!
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] estanenmi:
knox only increse if you root using chainfire auto root... or flash custom kernel... if you root using ping pong and later install recovery using chainfire app u no increase knox... but if you have the 5.1.1 update ping pong not works and some say you cant downgrade to 5.0.X if you do u brick ur phone...

Enviado desde mi SM-T700 usando Tapatalk 2
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Do you still have custom recovery? I was reading on the chinese forums that it reverted back to stock recovery after upgrading to 5.1.1 and couldn't flash it back.

---------- Post added at 01:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------

Odin flashable files for the China variant are out on the chinese forums: http://bbs.gfan.com/android-8022615-1-1.html
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] Dmitry N:
Yeah, samsung-updates.com already has 5.1.1 for the CHC region too. No HK yet.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
I've never flashed nor rooted anything in my life. Never saw any reason to, but now, owning a Chinese.S6 Edge without GApps ... I'm considering it.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Hmm ok.. I downloaded the odin files but I'm still debating whether to upgrade. I read that root might not be working after 5.1.1 and I need root for some of my most used apps.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
I just want to report back that I WAS able to successfully flash the HK firmware AOF1 into my China G9250 tonight. I had to download the 5 file version of the firmware which includes the PIT file (file that contains the CSC region code) and flashed it successfully. I was previously using the tar file from sammobile, and that resulted in a failure. This odin flash did wipe my internal storage so all the pictures and files are gone. Considering I only had it for 2 days, no biggie...

For bencome, there is native French language in the HK firmware so you don't have to mess around with morelocal if you're still looking into it.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Wow!

1) So you have HK firmware running, including GApps?

2) Rooted or non-rooted?

3) all hardware works, i.e. cameras etc?

---------- Post added at 08:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:58 AM ----------

What does AOF1 mean? And what Android version are you o now.and what were you on before? Will it work on any G9250 running any firmware now?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Yep, everything's working on the HK firmware, GApps, camera (my phone has the Sony camera on the back and ISOCELL on the front - if that makes any difference), GPS, mobile signal, data, etc... It was non-rooted after I flashed it, but I rooted it again using CF-Auto-Root.

AOF1 is the last 4 characters of the firmware version. AOF1 is the most updated for HK at the moment. Just lets others know which version of the firmware was flashed. 'A' I believe is 5.0.2 and 'B' is 5.1.1. You'd be on China BOG7 right now as you're on 5.1.1. I was previously on China version AOF8, wasn't able to upgrade to 5.1.1 through OTA as Samsung said my system was tempered with :p

You're already on 5.1.1, and from reading here, you can't downgrade back to 5.0.2, so you're stuck at the moment. Once HK releases their version of 5.1.1, and someone posts the 5 file version with PIT, you should also be able to flash the HK firmware like I did.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Ah okay I understand (although conceptually I don't understand why I cant downgrade, if I overwrite all firmware, how can it check what the previous version was?). But it IS possible, and that is awesome news. I'll keep a close eye on this thread. Esepcially on you :D

If you flash 5.1.1 HK please let us know! And thank you so much for your kind and above all patient answers thus far.:good:
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] estanenmi:
when you update to 5.1.1 you upgrade the bootloader... you cant downgrade the bootloader...

Enviado desde mi SM-G9250 usando Tapatalk 2
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
I'm not quite sure why the BL can't be downgraded either as the BL is one of the files I flashed in Odin. But as numerous others have said downgrade is not possible, so it must be true :)

You're most welcome and I will keep you updated once the relevant HK 5.1.1 files are out. :good:
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Thank you kindly good sir!
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] estanenmi:
try this... is ver very good... no need for custom rom made... before use made nandroid... http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s6/themes-apps/aroma-criskelorom-v1-0-t3128317
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Hey Mystic,

I'm reading up and it seems the files I use for flashing COULD be used to downgrade from China 5.1.1 to HK 5.0.2.. because we are flashing the bootloader as well, so it overwrites the 5.1.1 BL. There were reports of successful flashing from folks on the chinese forums. I haven't tried it personally of course, so it's up to you if you want to take the risk. I can upload the HK firmware for you and write up the instructions if you want to go ahead.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Dude you're to kind. But how do I unlock my bootloader? I use the Samsung CROM app on 5.0.2, but now being on 5.1.1 my bootloader is locked again right?

If you were to write up instructions, could I still think about it and decide on doing it *after* reading and comprehending all the steps? I NEVER did anything else with my phone other than normal usage (i.e. playing games, calling people etc). Is there the risk of bricking it? How to prevent that?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] rbnfrance:
Hi Tom,

I'm trying to get the HK firmware onto my Chinese 9250. I've been trying for ages! Could you tell me where you downloaded from and also let me know how you flashed it? Was it still using odin? Thanks a million. As far as I know, you're the first to succeed at this. I'm stuck on a older rooted firmware version just so I can get the G Apps.

Thanks
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Sir you are a legend, thank you! Let me first check if my bootloader is unlocked.

Two questions:

1) I'm not too fussed about loosing documents and photos and such, but how do I go about going back to stock Chinese 5.1.1 in case anything goes wrong? Do I need to upload my current ROM to Odin or something like that?

2) where would you say lies the risk in bricking my phone? What steps should I be extra careful with?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Depends on where in the process you failed, if your phone's partition was already written up with the HK PIT file, Samsung's software will think you are using a HK phone and so their Smart Switch emergency recovery should restore it to HK version. Then if you wanted to go back to China 5.1.1, you'll need to download the BOG7 5 file version online and flash it just like the guide above.

If your phone is still showing CHC (china) code, the Samsung should recovery it to China 5.1.1.

Most people brick their phones when they don't read all the steps and skip stuff, or flashed another firmware they found online that doesn't work with their phone (ie: a S6 G9200 firmware, or even -for us- G925F/I/W8 versions) I'd say make sure your phone's charged, you don't have pets or children that'll pull on the USB cable while you're flashing, and pray you don't lose power. :p

Also make sure the Odin options screen only has the first 3 boxes checked off like the screenshot. Having other boxes checked may cause big problems.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
When I power down and then Home+Power VolUp I do get the exclamation mark but then after pressing VolUp I don't get an arrow down screen but I get the following:
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
You went into the stock recovery mode, which should be triggered by Power + Vol Up + Home.

When you got to the exclamation mark screen, did you just the Vol Up button once or did you press the combo or pressed down on it for a few seconds?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
VolUp and VolDwn just navigated thru the menu, but you're right, I screwed up. Didn't pay attention I should've pressed Home+Powe r+VolDWN. I'll try again when I'm home.

So you're saying people have been claiming succes in going from Chinese 5.1.1 to HK 5.0.2, on Chinese fora? Sounds promising. Still scared ****less though haha.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Sorry but I'm a complete noob so again a few questions:

1) I didn't quite get what you meant with Smart Switch recovery etc? If it goes wrong, how do I backup to any system (couldn't care less to what version or country or whatever anything to ensure I'm not bricked!).

2) Home+Power+VolDwn, and then VolUp gives the attached screen, so I guess my bootloader is still unlocked?

3) Would you happen to have a reliable link to.the Odin version yiu mentioned?

4) I often read I should also download Samsung USB drivers first? Is that necessary?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Yes, folks have claimed they are able dowmgrade with no issues

Lol everytime I flash I'm scared ****less and only breath when it's successful.

---------- Post added at 04:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:24 PM ----------

Smart Switch refers to Samsung's native application that you can download from their site. You can Google for smart switch emergency recovery for instructions.

Yes, looks like your BL is still unlocked from your screen.

I downloaded Odin from the sammobile site, xda probably have a few links for downloading.

If you connected your phone to your PC when in the blue screen and Odin shows the Added comment with the blue color on the ID column, then you have the right drivers installed already. If not, then you'll need to download the Samsung USB drivers... again search xda.

Sorry, I am on my cell so I don't have the software links for you...
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
No worries you've done more than enough already, thanks so much man. I'll gather all necessary files tonight and sleep one night on it. I need more info on this Samsung Smart Switch recovery thingy, just in case :silly:

---------- Post added at 07:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:56 PM ----------

Smart Switch only restores data right? I really don't care about my handful of photos etc, my question is, if I screw up, how do I restore the firmware to what it is now? Does Odin take care of that? Or should I specifically download a Chinese 5.1.1 tar or something like that?

I'm really sorry to bombard you with questions man, but you seem to know what you're talking about, and , equally important, you're willing to share your knowledge. I'm sure there's more noobs reading this and being very, very thankful!
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
So nervous about it that I can't sleep haha. Been reading about bricking, JTag etc... brrrr. Also, this expensive phone was a gift from my parents in law, cuz my old S4 had problems that prevented it from facilitating normal phone calls , and my wife is 8 months pregnant and often couldnt reach me. If I now brick my new phone ....

Can a (hard) bricked phone be rescued?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Sorry, just got home.. Smart Switch Emergency Recovery recovers your phone to factory default, so it appears to come straight from the factory with no data or apps on it. If you like, and your phone can still boot into download mode, then you can use Odin to re-flash the China 5.1.1 firmware that you would have to download from either sammobile or samsung-updates.

If it's hard-bricked, it CAN be rescued, at a price. You won't be able to fix it yourself, you'll have to send it to a professional or to Samsung repair center, and probably upwards of a few hundred US dollars to repair.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Yeah I already looked up the contact details of the Samsung repair center here in Amsterdam, will call them tomorrow (today actually) and upfront explain them what I'm considering doing, and ask how much it would cost if the worst case scenario occurs.

Thanks again for all your knowledge, time and patience sir!
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Lol, you're really covering all bases here. Please keep us updated on how it goes :)
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] estanenmi:
dont do it if you no have the balls to lose money... when u are flash alcoholic u dont care the risk... u take ur mind coold and do it... no thinks too much... xD lol wtf...

Enviado desde mi SM-G9250 usando Tapatalk 2
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] bencome:
Hi, I could not manage to download from your drive. Using Firefox or Internet Explorer it's deny access due to certifcates problems.

I found on the chinese web some zip files (low_user_ship) but there is not PIT file in the archive. I did not test flashing only hte 4 separates files withtout PIT and "re-partition".

How to get your files ?

thanks a lot.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Update from my side: Samsung repair center categorically refuses to answer the phone. Did find a small company that specializes in repairing, rooting, unbricking etc, but they don't have much experience with the s6 edge yet. Will think about it some more :)
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] rbnfrance:
OK. Well I'm doing it today regardless. I've never bricked a phone yet and having the phone like this is like having half a phone anyway. If it helps you to make up your mind, I'll update later when I have tried this. Thanks to everyone for helping with this. How do I go about updating the phone after flashing this firmware version on it? Can it update automatically or with smart switch, or do I have to keep downloading and flashing through odin?

Thanks to all who have helped get me to where I am.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] bencome:
I managed to access to google drive using VPN from China. it's now processing and will last 2 days :( 16 kB/s

I wish [MENTION=1079853]tom09[/MENTION]027 could share the chinese location, will be much more faster to download from China.

I found one occurrence on bbs forum but it's required registration and registration require Chinese ID :(
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Thank tomo! I eagerly await your results. Btw I read before and after these sort of flashing thingies, one needs.to wipe cache? Is that so? And if so, how to do this?

Which exact model number and version etc do you have now?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] pfudim:
Update

Any notice about the update for the HK version?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] estanenmi:
no news :(

Enviado desde mi SM-T700 usando Tapatalk 2
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Hi bencome,

Sorry, I only uploaded to G Drive because I thought most of us were overseas and wasn't able to read chinese. The baidu link is: http://pan.baidu.com/wap/link?uk=2402563848&shareid=867117109&third=0 or search for filename G9250ZTU1AOF1港版（五件套）.zip
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Ni kandong Zhongwen ma?
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
If you don't install a custom recovery or root after flashing the stock HK firmware, you should be able to get HK OTA updates. When you click on System Updates, it'll either tell you no updates, or that Samsung can't update because your system is tempered with (like mine, because I rooted and installed TWRP). If you can't receive OTA, you'll have to download and flash through Odin.

---------- Post added at 02:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:58 PM ----------

I speak cantonese so my mandarin pinyin is not that good. I can read some of the basic words, but can't type it.
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Haha okay. Very impressive for a Canadian anyway!
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] rbnfrance:
OK. It worked. Everything appears to be working so far. The flashing process worked just as described. I know some people are having doubts about it, but it all went fine for me. I upgraded from AOE8. I didn't bother wiping the cache because I think this is a full wipe flash so didn't need to bother. I'll post an update if I find any problems over the next few days. I'll be back in China (Guangzhou) next week so if anyone on the China side needs any help, let me know.

Massive thanks to everyone who has helped by sharing on this forum. Especially tom0927 who cracked it for us all.

Cheers
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] tom0927:
Excellent! :good:
[Galaxy S6 Edge General] MysticNetherlands:
Congrats! A few questions (sorry):

1) so you did not downgrade on anything (bootloader, Android etc)?

2) do you foresee any issues if I were to run the same procedure a you and tomo, but then from G9250ZCU1B0G7 so 5.1.1, i.e. downgrading?

3) Play Store apps downloading, installing and running fine?