[Galaxy S 4 General] _Bon_Bon:
Official MODEMS and BOOTLOADERS for the I9505 ​

!DISCLAIMER!

Although updating your modem and/or bootloader is mostly a safe process, there could be dire consequences for not following the instructions.

I take no responsibility for any unexpected results or damage that may happen when following this guide! Also note, that updating your firmware manually might void your warranty!

Seriously speaking, I’ve used these guides more than once without problems, but if you still do encounter one, just ask and you’ll have all the support this thread can offer!​

INDEX:

1. Post: Info, download links and video guides

1.1 Info on What and Why to update your Modem and Bootloader !READ!

1.2 Latest Lollipop and Kitkat download links

1.2.1 I9505 Download links

1.2.2 I9500 Download links

1.2.3 I9506 Download links

1.2.4 I9515 Download links ​

1.3 Video guides ​

2. Post: Odin, Heimdal, FlashFire and Flashable zip guides

2.1 ODIN update guides

2.1.1 Updating modem & bootloader files on all variants ​

2.2 Heimdall update guides

2.2.1 Updating modem & bootloader files on all variants

2.2.2 Updating using automatic firmware packages ​

2.3 FlashFire update guides

2.3.1 Updating modem & bootloader files on all variants ​

2.4 Flashable zip update guides

2.4.1 Updating modem files on all variants ​

3. Post: Firmware guides and contributing files (To be updated)

3.1 Downloading full firmware packages

3.2 Backing up and restoring your device’s data

3.3 Repartitioning and installing full firmware packages

3.4 Download links for latest PIT files for all variants

3.5 Creating flashable .tar files automatically using the MoBo script

(Currently only works for the I9505, will be updated)

3.6 Template for posting new firmware files ​

A

SAFE

Odin version can be downloaded from this thread

Heimdall can be downloaded from here

FlashFire can be downloaded from the PlayStore

Thanks to the developers!

Info, download links and video guides

1.1 Info on What and Why to update your Modem and Bootloader ​

What is a modem?

A modem, sometimes referred to as a radio or baseband, is a driver that controls the sending and receiving of your mobile Network signals as well as switching between GPRS, 3G and HSDPA. It does not control Wi-Fi or the switch over between mobile signal and Wi-Fi. That’s the kernels job. There is no such thing as, "the best modem." It depends entirely on your location, operator and signal strength.

What is a bootloader?

In literal terms, the bootloader is code that is executed before your phones Operating System starts to run. Every Android phone has a bootloader that instructs the operating system and kernel to boot normally. Bootloaders basically package the instructions to boot the operating system and the kernel, and most of them also have their own debugging or modification environment. Basically, Android device is like a hard drive that has several partitions, which holds the Android system file in one and all the app data in another. And for all these partitions, Bootloader serves as a security checkpoint that is responsible for checking and initializing the hardware and starting software. Because if you’re able to swap out what’s on those partitions and you don’t know what you’re doing, something will break.

Why update your bootloader?

Updating your bootloader ensures you have the latest security and performance batches. Keeping it up to date can also drastically decrease boot time! If you have the wrong bootloader on the wrong OS (say, you have Kitkats bootloader and you updated to Lollipop) you might experience some problems. The bootloader might not know how or what to say to your kernel or doesn't even know what partition to look in, leading to some problems with things the kernel controls, like Bluetooth, Wi-fi and so on.

Why update your modem?

If your phone has to constantly search for signals and lock on to them, it not only gives you a poor call and data quality, but also drains your battery. It’s true, if you don't have any problems with your current modem, you don't have to update it. But in the other hand, latest modems (especially when used with the correct Android version) can improve your signal strength, decrease battery drain and might even increase performance! Up-to date modems also have the latest security patches, to keep the snoopers away. ;)

What does GSM, NON-HLOS and COMBINED package stand for?

The GSM.tar file has the modem itself inside it. The NON-HLOS.tar (also referred as the Wi-Fi fix) is the LTE and Wi-Fi firmware. The COMBINED file just has both of these files together to make flashing more convenient. :good:

Why some devices don’t have the NON-HLOS and COMBINED packages?

Some devices, like the I9500, don’t have the hardware necessary to use LTE. Thus it doesn’t have drivers for it and the Wi-Fi firmware is bundled inside the modem file.

What files should I flash?

Neither the modem nor the bootloader are dependant on your ROM. As far as the bootloader goes, always choose latest or the same as your modem version. Unfortunately the modem doesn’t play by the same rules. In general, later modem versions are better for reasons explained above, but some devices or regions simply don’t like some versions. So start from the latest modem version and if you get bad reception go down the versions until the reception gets better. (Give the version at least half a day to settle in.)

What do the letter-codes mean?

Example: XXUHPA1 for the I9505

XXU: is the region, in this case international.

H: is the android version, in this case ‘5.0.1’

P: is the year in alphabetical order, P is the 16th letter, thus 2016

A: is the month, again in alphabetical order, thus it’s January.

1: is the revision. In this case 1st

How to check your current Baseband / Bootloader version?

- Go to Settings -> About phone, see "Baseband version”
# This is your modem version
- Run in terminal:
su
getprop gsm.version.baseband
# This is your modem version
getprop ro.boot.bootloader
# This is you bootloader version

1.2 Latest Lollipop and Kitkat download links

1.2.1 I9505 Download links

I9505 Download links for Lollipop and up ​

XXUHQC1 --LATEST--

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

GSM

NON_HLOS

GSM & NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

XXUHPK2

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

XXUHPF3

Available from the post below:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=67639191&postcount=240

XXUHPA1

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

XXUHOL4

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

XXUHOL3

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

XXUHOJ3

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

XXUHOJ2

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

XXUHOD7

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

I9505 Download links for Kitkat ​

XXUGNK4 --LATEST--

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

XXUGNK2

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

More will be posted on request, or if someone contributes them ;)

1.2.2 I9500 Download links

I9500 Download links for Lollipop and up ​

XXUHPK1 --LATEST--

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

GSM

BOOTLOADER

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

XXUHPJ3

GSM

BOOTLOADER

XXUHPI2

GSM

BOOTLOADER

XXUHPH3

GSM

BOOTLOADER

I9500 Download links for Kitkat ​

More will be posted on request, or if someone contributes them ;)

1.2.3 I9506 Download links

I9506 Download links for Lollipop and up ​

XXUDPG2 --LATEST--

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

More will be posted on request, or if someone contributes them ;)

I9506 Download links for Kitkat ​

More will be posted on request, or if someone contributes them ;)

1.2.4 I9515 Download links

I9515 Download links for Lollipop and up ​

XXU1BPK4 --LATEST--

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

XXU1BPE1

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

XXU1BPA5

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

XXU1BOK4

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

XXU1BOJ3

GSM

NON-HLOS

GSM and NON-HLOS

BOOTLOADER

I9515 Download links for Kitkat ​

More will be posted on request, or if someone contributes them ;)

1.3 Video guides

A HUGE thanks to the makers of these videos!

I’m sure they’ve made somebody’s day a lot easier :D

1.3.1 [MENTION=6753882]droidblitz[/MENTION] ‘s video for the I9505

[YOUTUBE]dRhqmYnGmew[/YOUTUBE]

1.3.2 [MENTION=4581600]ISF[/MENTION] ‘s video for the I9505

[YOUTUBE]z5d0nnMSqfk[/YOUTUBE]​

Donations aren't expected, but are appreciated! All donations will be directed to improve this, or some other of my projects here on XDA.

Hope I helped :3