yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Yianaki:
Trying to update firmware from VZ can't flash factory binary.

Am starting with a normal verizon s8 plus and would like to flash ATT firmware on it as LTE is not working properly on ATT with this verizon s8plus phone. Firstly would actually Flashing Unlocked firmware be the smarter choice if I was only interested in the LTE bands and text messaging app working properly.

Either way i can't get past the very first step flashing the factory binary, which is what i think i need to do. I have installed the samsung drivers. I have extracted the file in the RAR it is a md5 file. I load that file into normal Odin, phone is in bootloader mode. I connect usb directly to MB. I press Start and get the failed notification below from the log. Am I in the right place, I took all of the verizon patches is that my problem? Have rooted / installed roms on my older phones. However, not sure how odin works really, just following the steps.

Log is..

<ID:0/005> Added!!

<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..

<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..

<OSM> Please wait..

<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..

<OSM> Leave CS..

<ID:0/005> Odin engine v(ID:3.1207)..

<ID:0/005> File analysis..

<ID:0/005> SetupConnection..

<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

<ID:0/005> Removed!!
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
Make sure the binary is later than or the same version as the firmware you are trying to flash...the latest is G955USQU2AQK2...and works with bootloader 2...guide should be updated...
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Yianaki:
Thanks for the update at least I know I am not crazy it isn't working right. Was thinking to downgrade my phone firmware itself that is safe for my phone right? But there is no Verizon firmware older than the Factory Binary Rom.

No idea where to get a newer Factory Binary from, well at least that isn't very sketchy. Really don't want to brick the phone. Was just following the steps and looked through all the posts and don't see anything like my problem. Heck I have been looking all over the web can't find anything noted except how easy it is. I can see the samsung firmware site linked to in this thread but don't know how it relates to the Factory Binary. I am guessing from videos I saw that the factory binary is some kind of samsung test app or something, how does it relate to a normal firmware?

Any help appreciated, this is driving me nuts.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
I don't think there is a factory binary with the second bootloader....

---------- Post added at 05:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:07 AM ----------

I dont think so...
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Michael4407:
Thank you, but i am still a bit unclear. Do you mean that i cannot flash that firmware? Or that i can flash that firmware with no problems?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Oh sorry I mean I don't think you will have problems also after you do the carrier switch you can flash any firmware
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
It will take a bit but I'll upload the latest version....it works with the latest firmware on 2nd bootloader regardless of what others say...you can check out my Note 8 thread

---------- Post added at 06:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:48 AM ----------

Yes you can....the unlocked firmware will remove bloat though and some carrier functionality may be lost...such as VVM...you can regain those features by flashing USERDATA file if you wish...Sprint works awesome on unlocked firmware....you can also use shortcut master lite to enable features if you search the threads...
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
What is the file named?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
Here is the link the folder the updated binary is being uploaded to...

https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=233771

It may take a while...I am going to sleep so I shared the folder instead of the file link...it may take a few hours...as long as it is not interrupted...cat has stopped uploads in the past...lol

---------- Post added at 06:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:55 AM ----------

Look back a few posts...lol
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
I cant find it I looked also does it say the estimated time for it to upload?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
I think it has about 30 min left...my upload is about 2mbs - 3mbs...android file host does not give eta like mega does....sorry...just keep watching it'll show

---------- Post added at 07:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 AM ----------

It's live..you would probably need the updated XAC HOME_CSC file as well but you can get that from updato or sammobile...goodnight

Here is your link: http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=0DD151A5C78711E7B8ECFA163EE8F90B
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
Binaries are updated as well and many users will get stuck if they use links in OP after updating to firmware with bootloader 2...we noticed it on the Note 8 so I made sure to include all updates within the guide. Same as the XAC Home_csc I believe...everything is just smoother when it is updated the same....less confusing...
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] djteotancolis:
Hi,

Sim invalid means the phone unlock has not gone through. Did you buy the phone yourself or did someone else sell you the phone?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Michael4407:
Excuse me for asking again, although my CSC code is SPR, but i'm not using a Sprint SIM (i am living in another country, after all, so my carrier is different entirely), should i proceed with Carrier Switching before flashing a G955U1 XAA firmware? Or am i able to just flash the G955U1 firmware straight away, without any carrier switching?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
When you change the csc code from the factory binary it sticks no matter what firmware.

---------- Post added at 04:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:42 PM ----------

You aren't even required to flash the XAA firmware...
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
You can flash the unlocked firmware straight away...no need for carrier switching....carrier switching is for changing from one carrier to another...follow the flashing unlocked guide...
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Yianaki:
How close does the factory binary version and CAD firmware version have to be to do the change carrier steps? The Updated Factory Binary is G955USQU2AQK2 and the closest CAD firmware i see is G955WVLU1AQJ4. Then the closest USA unlocked firmware is G950U1UEU2AQK2. I have a Verizon phone on ATT network. So was going to flash unlocked and see if it works normally, if not was going to flash to ATT. If for some strange reason things aren't working out or I want to sell the phone or something can I go back to Verizon firmware where i started. Just looking for options and to have a backup plan. Do I just need to find a similar firmware number ? Date of release? what do I need to look for in order for the flash to take. Is it just a guess, does it just need to be somewhat close.

I am going to try out the unlocked version I know it has been said to just flash unlocked directly right above. But wouldn't it be best to change the service provider to XAA in case it causes issues in the future, by using the change carrier steps? Does the provider use that Service provider info, does the samsung update process use it at all?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
There is verizon firmware with the second bootloader

Search for G955USQU2 and for the CAD search for G955WVLU2

---------- Post added at 10:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ----------

You're going to have to wait till canada gets the 2nd bootloader
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Yianaki:
My verizon S8 plus is on Build Number NRD90M.G955USQU1AQK3 Oct 1 security patch not the most current version. Does that effect what you mentioned above I think the U1 denotes one bootloader?

Do I currently have any options currently could I install the USA XAA firmware directly using the November Unlocked firmware G955U1UEU2AQK2 i think it was mentioned i could go directly to that. If it didn't work out well would I be able to go back to Verizon firmware G955USQU1AQK3 using odin, or the newest version.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
U1 does denote the bootloader U2 means you have the second bootloader. Also once you go to the second bootloader you can't go back to a build with the first one.

You can't install the USA XAA firmware after installing U2AQK2
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] cam30era:
You are currently on BL1. The unlocked firmware you reference is currently BL2. There is currently no carrier firmware using BL2, although we anticipate VZW will release Odin file soon with BL2. So if you flash the unlocked firmware, you will have to wait.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BigBadger:
I was sent of on a business trip and just got back. I will attempt to use your copy of you upload it.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] amieldl143:
Does anyone have blv2 oreo update.zip for g950u1 unlock
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] jt1998:
welcome back! uploading the Canadian firmware files now. I'll let you know when it's up and I'll provide the link. Its a big 6gb folder so it'll be a little bit...
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] cmiller1591:
Bought the phone myself directly from Sprint. It was on a lease and when I switched to Tmobile the balance was paid off and the sim unlock was requested. I've since called many times in the last month or more to verify if the sim unlock was actually completed and they always say it shows unlocked in their system. I've asked if I needed to enter a code or anything on the phone to physically unlock it and can never get a straight answer from those idiots.

Everywhere I've had the imei checked though it says it's cleared. So are you saying the phone needed to be physically unlocked and sprint failed to give me the info on how to do that?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] djteotancolis:
Possibly, was the device active for 50 days on the account as they are known to not unlock devices even if they are paid off. best would be to buy the unlock service from Ebay for $10. I did it that way and have no issues. It was difficult dealing with Sprint.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Where's the link to them?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] jt1998:
no link yet as it hasn't finished uploading. 2nd attempt as 1st one stopped halfway. I'm at work now too.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Also we only really need the HOME_CSC file
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] jt1998:
Keeps crashing when trying to upload the big 6gb AP file. Here's the other files though. I'll keep trying.

https://mega.nz/#F!T9BEiA4D!9XCt5rkPJcN9xRNlY_aFIw
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Is this from the 2nd bootloader canada odin files?

For example G955WVLU2?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] jt1998:
No, 1st bootloader
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Yianaki:
My verizon S8 plus is on Build Number NRD90M.G955USQU1AQK3 Oct 1 security patch. I have tried to flash the Unlocked firmware on multiple computers desktop/ laptops that I have used to flash non samsung devices previously , I don't seem to be getting anywhere with this device. No matter what I am trying i get the message below. Odin Comey sees my device but is unable to flash.

<ID:0/005> Odin engine v(ID:3.1207)..

<ID:0/005> File analysis..

<ID:0/005> SetupConnection..

<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

I am following the steps on the first page with the newest XAA Dec firmware I downloaded with date of Nov 29th G955U1UEU2AQK2 it seems many posts say to use the XAA SM-G955U1 firmware on my verizon carrier device SM-G955U (are the two device firmware's interchangeable or is that my problem)? It has been said at various times in this thread you can just flash the XAA using "Flashing Unlocked Firmware" steps. People replied back that I should be able to flash the newer XAA on to my devices older firmware. Should I upgrade to some newer firmware on my phone , an older firmware is that possible, I seem to be still on the 1 bootloader version.

Am I completely on the wrong track here I really feel like I am totally missing something important. I bought this Verizon phone for my wife to use on ATT because it was cheaper, thought it would be really easy to flash. Speed is really slow when network is congested. Can anyone point me in the right direction or send me to a site with general odin info that could shed some light on my problem. I have not used Samsung device in a long time and I am not very familiar with Odin or what I am doing wrong.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Yes G955U and G955U1 are interchangeable.

You use odin 3.12.7 for the factory binary put the AP file in the AP slot

Here's a link to the canadian home csc.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-Kp4aJsfti2ZXZ0X191eGRoems/view

Put this in the csc slot with comsey odin after rebooting into the bootloader and follow the rest of the instructions
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
We need the 2nd bootloader canada firmware not the 1st one
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] jt1998:
My reply with 1st Canadian firmware was for an earlier poster who may have had a bad download. I don't have or ever said I had the 2nd bootloader version. Sorry for any confusion.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Ok
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Yianaki:
Unlocked firmware finally installed on Verizon S8 Plus

:good: Thanks so much BlueFox721 and xdanilva for all your help, I finally got the Unlocked firmware installed on my wife's s8 Plus. LTE works correctly now and so does text messaging. The October Firmware I had updated to wasn't letting me do anything with the phone for some reason.

I needed to update the firmware using the newer Binary Flash with the second boot loader that BlueFox721 just uploaded. Only then was I able to install the newest Carrier Unlocked XAA firmware I downloaded from updato.com

I used the xaa unlocked usa firmware:

Galaxy S8+	SM-G955U1	7.0	November 29, 17	USA (XAA)	G955U1UEU2AQK2

Just followed the Carrier Switching steps up to "adb reboot bootloader" step, with the Newer Binary Flash BlueFox721 uploaded HERE. After the "adb reboot bootloader" command, I stopped using the Carrier Switching steps and just went on to "Flashing Unlocked Firmware" steps and flashed the XAA firmware i downloaded.

Again thanks for all your help you don't know how long I was trying to get this done and getting nowhere, was bothering me personally. I thought it was going to be so simple.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
You're welcome
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BigBadger:
Moto X user in a new Galaxy

Since I am coming back to this after a few days I thought it might be good to start fresh. Here is my 'story':

I purchased an unlocked Sprint S8+ and dropped in an AT&T SIM. That worked but the Sprint branding and bloatware irked me.

I followed the OP instructions to apply the carrier switching process but had the problem with the Kernel Panic message in the middle of typing in the code in the Factory Binary. Blew past that and flashed the AT&T firmware anyway. I then had to leave on a business trip and need the phone working - which it was - so I left it alone. Here is where I am now:

MODEL: SM-G955U

BASEBAND: G955USQU1AQC9

BUILD: NRD90M.G955USQU1AQC9

SERVICE PROVIDER SW VER.: SAOMC_SM-G955U_OYN_ATT_01679889db32354b494936ATT/ATT/SPR

My carrier is AT&T. I want to be able to get the latest updates OTA and also to be able to use Android Pay. Based on what I have read here, I may not be able to get OTA updates. Android Pay seems to be working (I was able to add my cards). I can and have lived without AT&T bloatware.

It sounds like I want to do what I need to make the phone think it is AT&T but then flash the USA unlocked firmware. Does that seem right?

I'm coming over from the Moto X world and I must be getting too old for this. :) I really confused about what I need to do. So many different files to deal with. I haven't really decoded the file names yet either. My phone is working so maybe I should leave well-enough alone. The tinker force is strong though. I'm not ready to go with a custom ROM yet. Have been doing that for years on the Moto X line but am ready (for the time being) to stick with stock firmware now that I am on a 'current' phone. My last phone was a 2015 Moto X Pure.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BigBadger:
I used the Phone Info app from the app store and it seems to think my phone is fully AT&T now. I suppose that is fine except that I will not get the OTA updates?

Brand: samsung

Phone Model: SM-955U

Device Type: dream2qltesq

Product Code: SM-G955UZKAATT <--

Active CSC Code: ATT <--

CSC Country: USA/US

Mobile Operator: AT&T / 310410
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
The phone info can only read ATT/ATT not the last one. Try to redo the carrier switching steps with your sim card out and change the efs imei code to XAS

And flash whatever firmware you want

Then after you flash that firmware put your sim card in again and I think you'll be fine

You will not get ota updates
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BigBadger:
You are referring to step #34 in the carrier switching steps?

34) *LOOK A TINY BIT BELOW!* Type in "echo "XXX" > /efs/imei/mps_code.dat" (the quotation marks that surround the X's are used, but not the ones that surround the whole command... you know that by now- right?) and REPLACE XXX with your preferred CSC code.

And you say to use XAS (Sprint) instead of ATT? My carrier is AT&T.

echo "XAS" > /efs/imei/mps_code.dat

I had not thought to remove the SIM card during the process. Is that a 'given' that is not listed in the steps?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Somebody recommended me to do that before it might help

Oh wait I mean XAA if you dont want bloat at all
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BigBadger:
Removing the SIM card seems to have resolved my problem. I have changed carrier code and flashed the unlocked XAA firmware so no bloat! Thanks so much everyone.

Now to figure out how to know about updates and side-load them manually.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Turn your phone off. Boot into recovery mode hold Power + Bixby + Volume Up. Select sideload from adb.

Download sdk platform-tools plug your usb into your computer (if you can't sideload un plug your phone and plug it back in or type adb kill-server then adb start-server) and type adb sideload example.zip
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BigBadger:
So from here on out, updates are just side-loading a single monolithic file? That is what I am used to on the Moto X.

Is there a good way to get notified of the updates?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
I don't think you can get notified of updates

And you can't sideload updates either actually because you switched to unlocked
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BigBadger:
No OTA and no side-loading up updates? So, cruise along on this Nov 2017 7.0 until there is maybe an 8.x to upgrade to?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Well you can update to oreo beta 4 but it doesn't have the november security patch it has the october one
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BigBadger:
I am in no hurry. ;) I'm just happy to be on a current phone instead of one 2-3 years old.

Thanks for your help. I know I need to spend more time reading through the forums to catch up.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
You are welcome!
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
You can add fota to your apn and see if you get OTA updates...works on some Note8
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Download the BQK5 firmware here flash AP, BL, CP and HOME_CSC if you dont want to wipe your phone. CSC if you want to wipe your phone. Flash this firmware with odin 3.12.7

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e9eT8P5Zp-bNJVhJzGP1LXyAPtbMwI-j/view

Then download this (don't unzip it) https://samsung.firmware.science/download?url=48926/1488/SS-G955USQU2BQK5-to-U2ZQKO-UP

Download sdk platform tools. Unzip it. connect your phone to your computer. Put the ota zip file in the platform tools folder.

Power off your phone

Hold Power + Bixby + Volume Up

Once you're in recovery choose adb sideload updates

Open a command window in platform-tools type adb sideload filename.zip and you will have to wait patiently.

---------- Post added at 05:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:31 AM ----------

How do you add fota to your apn?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
https://xdaforums.com/galaxy-note-8/how-to/guide-enable-hotspot-t3675986/page1

Go to op...
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
S

Nevermind also what can a native hotspot do?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] BlueFox721:
Native - as in already there, being blocked by carrier....hotspot - share your 4g LTE with the world man...lol...does not work with every carrier....some carriers still need to be done with the adb method...but this way just adding dun....and freezing or disabling the carrier tether provisioning app (verizon or t-mobile) and good to go....works best on Sprint and unlocked devices S8, S8+, & Note8...
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
I don't have a data plan I use my phone on wifi. So I guess that's cool?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] AxlxA:
That makes sense. Too bad I can't find the SM-G955A firmware. not even on sammobile.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Mike15678:
The model number for the firmware is "SM-G955U". The CSC is "ATT". Here's a link to the firmware: http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=EF1356CA26EE11E7963AFA163EE8F90B.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] AxlxA:
Awesome!

my device is being delivered today. I'm just doing all the relevant research to make it work on AT&T. Probably the CSC code is on unlocked until I turn the phone on with my at&t sim and use it a bit.

I'm assuming whenever I do any of these steps, the device gets wiped? So i dont need to worry about setting up the phone/saving files since it's new.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Mike15678:
Yes, your phone gets wiped, therefore you don't have to complete the setup.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] thecrunked:
I'll chime in on Pros/Cons for flashing a stock AT&T S8+ to the Unlocked firmware

Pros:

No Carrier Bloat

Caller ID

Spam Protection

Better Battery Life

More System Storage Space

Cons:

No VoLTE

No Wifi Calling

No Video Calling

No Visual Voicemail built into the dialer app (but if you get the at&t visual voicemail app, it works just fine)

My take:

I switched to unlocked firmware last week and I'm happy so far. I don't really care about volte or wifi calling, maybe your situation is different. I get a lot of robo calls (like 3+ a day) so the caller id and spam protection is a godsend. Also I hate at&t and seeing their logo when i boot my phone and all of their stupid buggy garbage apps i can't get rid of in my app drawer slightly raises my blood pressure every single time i look at them.

Other things to consider

-typically at&t takes extremely long (in relation to other carriers/unlocked) to push out updates, too early to tell how that will play out though

-flashing is not permanent and does not void your warranty, the only negative is that you have to wipe your phone and re set it up and customize things the way you like it