yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Ganibal_Lector:
Hi! Could someone kindly advise me how that was done on my phone.

I've bought a S8+ G955U and originally it was Verizon. I still can see VZW carrier in the boot mode. However in the menu of the phone it is said G9550 (which suppose to be Chinese unlocked version).

And now is the most interesting part:

AP: G9550ZCU1AQH6

CP: G955USQU1AQGL

CSC: G9550ZCU1AQH6

So CP is originally from 955U and AP and CSC is from Chinese version. In the same time Knox is still 0x0. Can anyone explain me how that can be done and is it possible just to flash it with a TGY (Hon-Kong firmware)? As far as I understand Odin should not allow to do that, however it was somehow done for Chinese firmware. Thanks in advance.

P.S. I asked the same question in Verizon S8+ part of the forum, however guess someone here could explain it to me as.well. Sorry if I breached any rules of forum.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] derekdauzat:
trying to flash firmware to go from g955u1 XXA to att g955u stock

both odins did the same thing... doesn't change from {file analysis} it just sits there??? please help

BL_G955USQS2BQL1

AP_G955USQS2BQL1

CP_G955USQS2BQL1

CSC_OYN_G955UOYN2BQL1

UMS_ USERDATA_ATT_G955USQS2BQL1

note.. the userdata zip.. i unzip and had a tar.rar i removed the .rar

not sure if that is a issue.. idk..
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
I believe the carrier switch method was used to get a mixed CSC/PDA on your phone. You could go through the same carrier switch steps on page 1 to set it to your desired CSC etc. Though you will need the new Factory bin (combination file). I believe its linked around page 43/44 of this thread.

---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:59 PM ----------

Why are you using the UMS file? Im no expert at this, but from all the reading i've done. I've never seen anyone use the USM file to be flashed.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] derekdauzat:
Noob probably

I just read that I need the userdata in this section

page 1-20 I believe .. but idk.. it's been a while since I fooled with Samsung.. I been with oneplus for the last few years.. I did bootstrap on note 3, also did nexus,htc M8, droid 3, htc thunderbolt... back in the day..

I just want the phone to be stock att s8+ with all the att poo... (volte)ect.. and receive ota..
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
Try without flashing UMS. use the normal ODIN not COMSEY. You may have to use the update combination file as per my previous post.

Again im not expert. Im new to the samsung world. im coming from the Nexus world which im quite familiar with.

For full disclosure. Im in this thread because ever since i converted my G955W to G955U1, XAA my google photos app wont sync my photos at all. Coincidence? perhaps. But at this point im pulling my hair as ive tried everything but cant seem to fix that issue. Everything else is running fine on the phone.

---------- Post added at 03:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:31 PM ----------

OMFG. it turned out to be related to the SD card in the phone. While i was not using the SD in the phone for storing pictures or anything.I think what happened was that as android creates some folders on the SD card, as part of its OS function. Folders like "Android" I think the old data in that folder was perhaps somehow conflicting with the phone after i had factory reset/flashed a new firmware.

The moment i ejected the SD card, google photo app instantly showed me all my backed up pictures. Sync is also working. I formatted and reinserted the sd card and all is good now!.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Ganibal_Lector:
The interesting thing that it is not only about CSC.

As I said the phone identifies itself as an SM-G9500 (not a G955U).

I have just ran through the whole thing, but could not understand (Sorry for that) how does it exactly works with a combination file.

Do I get it right?

1. I have to download both firmwares (one should be for G955U Verizon and another for 9550 Hong Kong (TGY))

2. Then I should change the carrier for TGY (that is where my biggest doubts, as it is not the carrier but the region, and the Canadian firmware will not content it).

3. I should flash the phone with an TGY AP and CSC, but keep original VZW CP.

4. After I should get VZW carrier back and it should work as an combination of 2 firmwares? The thing is I don't really need VZW as I am using different GSM carrier in Europe. However I guess it should stay as the phone was originally Verizon and without Verizon's CP it simply may not work. Am I right? For the Canadian firmware it is clear, as it contents the same regions of CSC, but in my case it has completely different CSC and AP.

Another question. As I understood if I have VZW carrier in boot loader I should have a Verizon boot screen, software etc. However I don't have it as I have Chinese firmware (it doesn't simply content it). Is it possible to switch to TGY with a factory binary provided above? Is there such option or I should find some other factory binary specifically for TGY (9550 version )?

Does anyone else here met such combinations (Chinese / Verizon) and tried to deal with that? Maybe my question will look a little dumb, however I really try to figure out what can be done and how can I flash Hong Kong firmware without bricking the phone, as I can see that Chinese guys somehow did it before.

Thanks to everyone who can assist with that.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] bauwoo:
Hi, I'm trying to flash the Unlocked Firmware on my Canadian Bell S8+ using Odin PrinceComsy.exe and G955USQU1AQGL_G955UOYN1AQGL_XAS. I'm currently on G955WVLU2AQK7. When I try to flash all the files in Odin, I get a success 0 / failed 1. USB debugging is enabled in Dev Options. What am I doing wrong?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
Why are you flashing XAS and not XAA?

Anyways follow the steps for carrier switch on the first page. Once that is done then do the steps for flashing the unlocked firmware. I think you should flash XAA . I just flashed my Canadian videotron s8+ to unlocked XAA yesterday.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] bauwoo:
Why would you do XAA instead of XAC?

Update 1: Still getting a failed 1 flashing the binary files with 3.12.7

Update 2: Figure it out. Was a new trying to flash without a passcode...... it's been awhile. Thanks for the reply though. Still curious about my question though about the XAA and XAC. I'm on a Canadian network. Is there a benefit of being on XAA?

Update 3: Decided to go for the XAA but now I can't flash anything again because of SW REV CHECK FAIL : [abl]Fused 2 > Binary 1.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] longhao:
the Factory Binary for bootloader v2 of S8+

hi bro,i find you hive update the factory binary for bootloader v2 of s8,but do not update this for S8+ ,can you share it now?

---------- Post added at 10:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 AM ----------

maybe the problem is the Factory binary.,i find you are using the fireware G955WVLU2AQK7 belong to bootloader v2. but this guide do not give factory binary for bootloader v2
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
You missed my point. Your phone can never be truly XAA/XAA/XAA. It will be XAA/XAA/XAC after the flash. XAA gets the software updates the fastest.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
the factory bin for the S8+, v2 bootloader is linked in post# 444
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] bauwoo:
Update 4: Got the XAA installed last night with the latest build of it. December 4th build I believe doing the Unlocked Firmware method. The Carrier Switch method isn't necessary going from Stock Carrier to Unlocked XAA if you're on a G955W. Thanks for all the info though. Shows on my phone XAA/XAC so I'm guessing that's right since I have no bloat on my phone. hehe.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
See i had that XAA//XAC show also on the phone. I dont think that is fully correct and the phone is in a limbo state right now!!! normally there should be 3 codes like XAA/XAA/XAC. when your phone boots. Do you get a SPRINT notification saying something like "check device status odmam" ?

you may also notice that the standard codes that you can enter on the phone pad like *#06# (to get the IMEI) or *#1234# (to get CSC,PDA info) may not work on your right now. please check and let us know.

---------- Post added at 11:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------

PS, i think Canadian S8 doesnt have any bloat to begin with! Im curious to know these things from you because after the initial flash i noticed quite a few odd behaviours on my phone.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Ganibal_Lector:
Will it work if let's say I will change not to another carrier, but to another region? In example given Canadian firmware wad used to apply required carrier (and they all exist under XAC option, guess it is some part for all US carriers in US firmwares). What if instead of Canadian firmware I will use TGA (Hong Kong) firmware (actualy only that CSC part which is required before changing the carrier) and change the carrier to TGA, and after I will flash the Hong Kong firmware without CP? Most probably using Prince Cosmo to avoid verification between device and corresponding firmware parts)?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
Sorry I don’t know for sure so that don’t want to give you the wrong advice.

I really thought this forum would be more active and we would get more help here but unfortunately that is not the case.

---------- Post added at 02:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------

I’ve read about these other features like native call recording, screen recorder, smart call etc. Why aren’t these feature enabled in the unlocked US XAA firmware? Can they be enabled via ADB? Or perhaps modify the firmware before flashing it to the phone?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
If you didn’t do a carrier switch than your phone still is using the sales code for the original Canadian carrier.

Please let me know if your phone outputs the CSC,PDA when you enter *#1234# in the phone dialler.

Also, from what I know. When properly flashed, UNlocked firmware does not show the “carrier service information” section in the about menu of the phone. If you see the section that lists the XAA/XAC in the about section of your phone, then I think your phone is not properly flashed.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
I had flashed my G950W, November update to G955U1 XAA December update and done a carrier switch using the v2 factory binary.

Is it still possible for me to go back to my starting build I.e November update of G950W? Can the factory binary still be used now that I’m on a newer build and want to back?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] bauwoo:
I tried but the binary flash isn't up to date with the new bootloader so reverting back to an older firmware isn't possible yet.

---------- Post added at 05:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:09 AM ----------

Is this the updated Binary? https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=817906626617956652

Update 6: I moved back to Dec 4th Canadian Bell firmware to restart the process from scratch using the Carrier Switch method with the posted Binary in the the first thread. Then I tried with the Binary I found in the same root directory as the other one but with a Jan. 5th upload. Both did not work and someone earlier stated that it could have been because of the updated recovery v2. Just need a working Binary I think that works with Dec. 4th firmwares and above.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] lew1s:
Hi, I have Galaxy S8+ locked to UK Vodafone. How can I SIM unlock to all networks? I see that this guide is just for some networks. I know how to use ODIN and flashing but need proper guide to unlock SIM on this. Thanks
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
I’ve said this so many times here now. The the updated binary for v2 with December update is on page 45 of this thread.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
This guide has nothing to do with sim unlocks. This is for flashing firmwares from different carriers etc. It doesn’t sim unlock the phone. It says that right on the first page man.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] lilbeast:
So i have the samsung drivers and removed any samsung software from my pc. im doing the unlocked firmware part of this guide. in Odin prince i get FAIL (Auth) error and it fails ?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
Are you flashing the latest unlocked firmware?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] lilbeast:
im using the unlocked firmware post in the guide?? or is there a newer one.

yes im using the princecomsy verison of odin.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
No, you have to download the newest unlocked firmware first and use that. You are likely on a newer build already and thus trying to flash an older unlocked firmware from the first page and that’s probably the cause of your error.

Get the firmware from here http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model

---------- Post added at 08:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:07 PM ----------

You would probably need the firmware dated December 27 2017.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] lilbeast:
that makes sense

now look for latest USA(XAA) for G955U right ?

because the guides link to the unlocked firmware is under G955U1?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
Well the U1 is the unlocked firmware so you would be looking for G955U1. The December build is G955U1UES2AQL1
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] lilbeast:
USA(USC)

or

USA(XAA)
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
XAA is the carrier free one. So that.

---------- Post added at 08:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:34 PM ----------

I'm brand new at this samsung flashing also and just did my flash last week. I also suggest you read up more on it.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] bauwoo:
PAGE 45

Got it all done last night. For anyone who missed it......... ^
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
If im currently on the december build of G955U1, XAA can i flash back to my original build of G955W November build? I believe both are on V2 bootloader so should be fine?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
You're correct. If it says 2XXXX it's bootloader 2.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
Just to confirm im looking to go back from G955U1UES2AQL1 to G955WVLU2AQK7 (my original phone PDA/CSC))

I should be flash that using regular Odin?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Regular Odin yes you can go to AQK7
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
Can this factory binary be used for both G955U and G955U1? Im kind of asking this a bit too late as i already used it for carrier switching my G955W to G955U1 few days ago and it seemed to have worked fine. I'm Just now realizing if i had made a mistake and it worked due to pure luck or if the file works for both firmwares?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Mike15678:
The factory binary works on both unlocked firmware and phones, in addition to standard carrier firmware and phones.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Mike15678:
The guide has been updated to support users who are on Bootloader v2, in addition to users who are on Bootloader v1!

Enjoy.

P.S. Please let me know if there are any issues, since I want to make sure everyone can follow the guide easily.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] sna:
I have a Xfinity S8+ and using on ATT. I'm trying to flash to XAA/XAA/CCT or XAA/ATT/CTT. The phone is currently on August security patch with build U1AQGL. So I download v1 bootloader factory binary (U1AQCF), XAC (U1AQEJ), and ATT (U1AQJC). I loaded the factory binary under AP in regular Odin 3.12.7 and it failed. Was wondering how to get factory binary to work and also what to do with all the other XAC & ATT files. Thank you!
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
I assume you tried the factory bin flash using the regular ODIN and not the Comsey version?

---------- Post added at 02:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:47 AM ----------

---------- Post added at 02:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:13 AM ----------

When flashing to a different firmware e.g unlocked, or lets say going back to stock from unlocked. Is it preferred to remove the sim card beforehand from the phone or it doesnt matter?

---------- Post added at 02:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:15 AM ----------

Is there anyone here who has recently flashed to G955U1 December build. im experiencing a strange issue with Google photos sync related to the SD card. I've asked on many forums and cant seem to be getting any help.Not sure where else to go.

Looking for someone who is willing to do some simply checks/tests to verify my issue.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] sna:
Yes I was using regular. Was I suppose to use Comsy?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] qwas12:
Thanks for the detailed explanation OP. I have ATT S8 plus I would need to flash so that I can use it across Sprint. Dont have an active att sim to get OTA. I am fine with the ATT bootloader, what is the easiest way to get it to working on Sprint. Following prerequisites and unlocked version will do?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
No, you used the correct one.

---------- Post added at 04:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:41 AM ----------

Why does ATT have its own boot loader? What’s special about that?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
No AT&T doesn't have it's own bootloader it has a wipe command in both of their Csc files or their userdata file maybe.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
I know this is not directly related to this thread but my problems only started after the G955U1 flash, hence im posting here an an FYI for others and also possibly get some help from other who might be seeing the same problems as me.

Along with my google photo sync problem, previously reported here, im also noticing that the Galaxy apps application is not realizing that there are updates available for the various installed samsung apps.

if I check under galaxy apps > my apps > updates. it shows nothing

however if go under Galaxy apps> All> it shows me that various apps need updating.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] sna:
So if Odin wasn't the reason for the fail, any idea what was? I re-download the factory binary again and same error so don't think it's a corrupted file.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
is it not possible for you to first update your phone to the latest stock firmware so that it is on bootloader v2 to begin with and then you can use this guide for further flashing/carrier switching?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] xdanilva:
Use Odin 3.12.7.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
Im trying go back to stock G955W from G955U1. I've already done the carrier switch step to revert my original CSC code. Now using normal Odio 3.12.7 to flash standard firmware but getting a SHA 256 failed hash error when i press START in odin. Should i attempt with Comsey odin?

Both firmwares on V2 bootloader

UPDATE: Comsey Odin worked.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Mike15678:
Yes, you use standard Odin. What error appears under Odin's log that prevents you from flashing it?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Mike15678:
Can you recall if these problems occurred when you were connected to 4g or when you were connected to Wifi?

I have a feeling these issues occur since your phone is SM-G955W, yet you tried flashing a U.S. unlocked firmware. I can only verify compatibility with U.S. SM-G955U's.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
yes it happens on both wifi and cellular data. I even re-flashed my phone without and sim card in the phone, only used wifi for the setup and was able to recreate this problem still.

Well heres an update. Hesitantly i decided to flash back to my original firmware and guess what. I can still reproduce the problem. Im clueless now and dont know why for the past 3 months that i've had this phone, i did not run into this problem before. I copy video files to my sd card in the past many times and never had this problem before. Just to note that when i flashed back to my original firmware, i did not restore any backup or anything. Created a new Google account to test with etc to make sure everything was setup from scratch. I have tested with multiple SD cards and different video files etc.

After all the testnig, i think there is some issue with google photo app, on how it tries to read/handle data on SD card. Though i even tried several older versoin of the google photo app but had the same problem.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Mike15678:
With standard Odin (not Prince Comsy's since you're now going to reflash the same firmware), place all of your Canadian firmware files in their appropriate slots and then go into the "Options" tab and make sure that the "Auto Reboot", "NAND Erase", "Re-Partition", and "F. Reset Time" are ticked. Next, click "Start" and wait for it to flash. Finally, setup your phone once again. Do you still experience problems?

The reason I'm having you do all of this is because your NAND might've become a bit weird, considering how you tried flashing firmware for a phone from a completely different region (even though I know they both have Snapdragon). Disregard what I said in the PM's; phones actually don't perform a NAND Erase unless you tell them to. I just tested it out.
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] alirz:
Thanks, However i just flashed back to the G955U1 firmware(as thats what i want to stay on and use) and currently restoring my backup. I had given up on all my testing. The steps in this guide had never mentioned to make sure NAND erase was to be checked. Do you really think NAND could have something that my multiple flashes and factory resets would not have cleared out by now?

I really dont want to have to do this all over unless there is a very strong reason that NAND erase will fix something.

NOTE: When I had flashed the original G955W earlier today, standard odin would give me "hash SHA 256 failed" error and woud not flash my normal firmware. I tried different cables, usb ports, re-downloaded the fw etc. At the end i had to use COMSEY ODIN to flash my original G955W firmware. you think there is a big different which odin is used to flash the standard firmware?
[Samsung Galaxy S8+ Guides, News, & Discussion] Mike15678:
I strongly believe that something is wrong with your NAND, therefore I recommend what I listed above (after you read this whole entire post). In the end if it doesn't solve your problems that you've mentioned, nothing bad would happen.

The reason you had to use Prince Comsy's Odin to flash back to SM-G955W is because SM-G955W and SM-G955U1 are two different model numbers, therefore an Odin error in standard Odin will occur.

I also do hope you realize that SM-G955U1 is U.S. unlocked firmware and may not be compatible with any carriers, if you live in Canada.

If you are on SM-G955U1 right now and want to re-flash again (with the specific instructions I gave you), just make sure you use the SM-G955U1 firmware files, and not the Canadian ones.