yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Caquin:
Note 8 Verizon with Pie trying to get unlocked Pie firmware

Hi all,

So I got a refurb Note 8 and it immediately requested updating to Pie. I allowed the update. I have followed instructions to go from Vzw firmware to unlocked firmware, but I keep getting a fail.

After following steps with Samsung Kies removal, ADB setup on both PC and device

I used PrinceCosmy and downloaded the Vzm lite Pie firmware. I placed each hash file BL, AP, CP, and CSC, but did not place anything in the UMS nor did I use the Home_CSC hash file.

I keep getting a fail. Don't know why. between each attempt I have Factory Reset and set up ADB all over again.

Anybody have any ideas?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
Are you using the modded or patched ODIN 3.13.3? Do you have USB Debugging enabled in the Developer Options?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Caquin:
Fixed, thank you Jcsww

I simply looked at the directions for flashing Unlocked firmware from carrier firmware, which was to use PrinceComsy. I'm robotic with directions.

But you are right, patched Odin was what was needed.

Thank you, JCSWW. Fixed it right up and it is working great.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Caquin:
Note 8 Verizon: I have another question. After successfully flashing unlocked firmware Pie for Verizon lite, I no longer have Video/Wifi calling. I tried Shortcut Master lite methods but failed to launch.

From my research, this has been a problem. Is there any solution to regaining those features on Pie unlocked firmware?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jschramm:
I have followed this procedure before on a different phone but having problems this time. Odin is getting stuck on SetupConnection.. and not flashing device. Any ideas?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
Is your device in Downloader Mode? Have you installed the drivers for your device in Download Mode?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jschramm:
Thanks, must have been a driver issue.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] formalize:
I really dont understand why I'm having problems flashing the XAA unlocked to my Verizon Note 8. Per alot of googling, I've tried so many combinations of usb cables, usb ports, versions of odin, usb drivers, uninstalling smartswitch/kies, the 3 latest Pie firmwares from Sammobile in the SM-N950U1 unknown XAA section. It seems half the tutorials on google are already 2 years old and outdated. So as I sit here I'm on the Verizon Note 8, with the latest software updates from Verizon, Ive tried 3 different downloaded versions of Prince Comsy odin, and ive tried changing the UMS/PATCH from 0 to 1 and back in the ini file. It seems the most popular error I get is Complete(Write) operation failed. Perhaps im doing something wrong? I load the odin with the right click run as admin, load up the correct downloaded firmware, NOT using the Home CSC, start the phone and get the first screen about downloading OS, i hit up volume and it says Downloading... then i plug it in, get the blue light in odin, and hit start, then i get that error. Everyone else has no problems it seems, what am I doing wrong?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
Is the bootloader version for the XAA firmware the same or newer than the firmware currently on your device?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] formalize:
This must be something I've overlooked, it seems my phone is 6 and the firmware is 5. Good call. I don't see a 6 for unlocked XAA, is there one available or am I somehow screwed?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
Not that I am aware of. You might need to wait for the next XAA update to come out before you can successfully flash it.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] DeeXii:
Does this still work on modern firmware? (OREO)

If so, what is the current process to change from a TMB N950U to SPR N950U?

Thanks!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] DeeXii:
I just tried this but when I got to the last "Finally" part and flashed the SPR firmware I ended up still with TMB booting.

Which is odd cuz XAA booted just fine and no TMB branding to be found.

Just a note: I am trying to go from TMB to SPR.

Thanks!

Update: I tried again, and on that last "Finally" step, it says "Mismatched Carrier ID"
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
Are you flashing with your Sprint SIM in the device? Are you using the modded or patched Odin?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] OnnoJ:
As of today there is unbranded XAA FW for N950U1 available: N950U1UES6DSG2 . Got OTA update, so you could fast download via Samfirm...
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] shutfu:
Hello. I have an ATT Note 8 with baseband version N950USQU2BQJA

I would like to flash it to either sprint carrier-specific or the unlocked XAA sprint firmware. I am not new to using odin or flashing phones, but this is the first time that ive encountered such a wide array of firmware choices and I'm very confused about which version firmware I need to flash to, or if it matters. Obviously I need at least bootloader v2, but does the last 4 characters matter in the end? I start with the "For use with BQJA..." but which firmware/combination file/xac_home_csc or whatever do I need to accomplish this? Should I do OTA update to the latest first? I'm still on 7.1.1.

Thank you!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
There is no Sprint XAA. If you see any carrier branded XAA firmware, they are not what you want. You need to flash to the non-carrier XAA first, then to the Sprint firmware. I would recommend using firmware with the lowest number bootloader that your device has, just in case you decide you want to go back. Never use the HOME_CSC when cross flashing! Doing so will not convert the device properly.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] shutfu:
thank you! i was on the right track. So since i have 2BQJA, i would flash to

and then to i'm guessing BQJB from the older version section listed below

or to the XAA unlocked here
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
You can flash to a newer bootloader, just not to an older one. Never use a HOME_CSC when cross flashing. There is another CSC included that you need to use that will wipe the device, which is needed for a proper conversion. Flash to XAA, skip through the setup, enable USB Debugging again, then flash the Sprint firmware you want.

The last 4 characters are more or less the important information for those looking to have the latest update for the firmware they are on. When flashing, the bootloader version is the most important number. As long as the bootloader for the firmware is the same or newer than the device currently has, it will flash.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] shutfu:
i flashed to the sprint carrier specific firmware and its way more laggy and CPU is in constant overheat status
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] mobifree:
I have a 950W (from Canada)

I am looking to flash the ATT firmware as I'm using exclusively with ATT, but VoLTE and VoWIFI don't work with the Canadian firmware.

I'm already on Pie and the OP has Oreo files.

Can I go backwards (flash the ATT oreo files, despite having Pie on my device?)

Or are there other specific files I need to flash?

Thanks in advance!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
Even if you flash to the AT&T firmware, VoLTE and WiFi Calling will not work because AT&T restricts those features to devices only directly sold by them.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] mobifree:
Are you serious?

That sucks.

My biggest problem is sometimes incoming calls go straight to voicmail after 1 ring with the Canadian ROM.

Hoping the flash to the U1 improves it even with out VoLTE & VoWIFI.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
Yeah. I figured that out with my girlfriend's device I converted. AT&T uses the devices IMEI to verify it was purchased directly from them. If it wasn't, then they purposely disable these features. Even getting them to lock in a device IMEI for her old phone only worked for so long, because their system does scan for device changes regularly.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] sam298:
AT&T wifi calling and volte works on both unlocked and other ones such as Tmobile versions in postpaid as well as prepaid ATT accounts. If it is not working, it is a sim issue. Get a new sim and activate it for volte. If you have another volte working phone, you can insert the sim and activate too. Unlocked S8, Note 8 and newer samsung phones are authorized in AT&T network and so if you call them, they should be able to solve it.

Verizon - only volte works on unlocked - if you flash verizon firmware to unlocked, wifi calling and volte works - but video calling works only on phones purchased from verizon.

I am not sure about Canadian version 950W. Above works if you have US unlocked note 8 950U1.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] mobifree:
I loaded the ROM from for the 950U1 on my 950W and it does NOT work.

It's not a SIM card issue as WIFI calling works perfectly fine on my iPhone 8+.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Tonyy1206:
Has there been updates for n950u1?

I've been on N950U1UEU5DSC1 March security update. Haven't recieved no update. Orginal software is tmb n950u

Unable to flash firmware through Odin due to charging port doesnt work. needs to be replaced.

Any ota zip I can flash? Via sd card
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] UltraNoob:
Are you on Rogers?

If so unfortunately volte/wifi calling will not work.

The device either has to be purchased through them or from Samsung directly within Canada for it to work. I'm not sure about Bell/Telus

I tried as well with no luck.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] andrewNY:
Yes, N950U1 is on the July 2019 patch now. (N950U1UES6DSG2)

Not sure about availability of OTA zips though.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] shutfu:
is there a newer canadian home_csc avialable for bootloader version 5 or 6? im trying to change the CSC on a note 8 that uipgraded to bootloader v6 but in the factory binary IME menu, the only choice is tmobile
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Romans8vs1:
I used the method in the OP to change my Verizon note 8 to an international BQL2 and I've loved it. I'd like to upgrade to one of the newest updates.

Can I just follow the OP instructions like I've never flashed anything before?

Thanks in advance for any guidance!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] bober10113:
international? U and U1 firmware are not international
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Romans8vs1:
Maybe not international then, but I went from Verizon to Unlocked BQL2. I'd like to go to an unlocked version of Oreo from where I am.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Um3r32:
Will this relock my phone?

Hello, I recently bought a note 8, its a N950U XAA/XAA/TMB one. I was wondering if I flash the XAA firmware, will the phone relock? I need to know this as I am in Pakistan and I won't be able to get it unlocked if that's the case. And which firmware should I flash through Odin? Do you you have any link for bootloader > or = 5? My baseband is N950USQS5CRK2. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
No! Flashing firmware does not alter the SIM lock status of the device.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Um3r32:
Thanks, now that it's out of the way, where can I find the firmware for my device? Someone told me that even though i am on N950U, I should flash the N950U1 XAA firmware, is that true?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
Yes. All U, U1, and W firmware have the exact same hardware. SamFirm and Updato are usually good bets for the firmware you are looking for.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Um3r32:
ok, just one last question, will upgrading directly from oreo N950U to pie N950U1 will have any problem? thankyou for bearing with me :D
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
No, because flashing properly will wipe the device, which is needed for a successful conversion.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Um3r32:
Thanks, i'll flash and update
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] shayubobo:
Please i have N950USQS5CRK1 Tmobile on android oreo. I want to flash unlock firmware from updato to android pie which is N950U1UES6DSG2 pie. Is this possible please?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] jcsww:
Absolutely.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] winnie143:
I want to use jio sim in my Samsung note 8 am n950u

I have recently purchased Samsung Note 8 SM_N950U T-MOBILE FROM US and I m unable to use volte or jio call service please help me
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] x_Thane:
Doesn't it mean you can't go back? Thats one potential problem. I can't go back on my v5 bootloader on my Note 8, which i assumed gets changed when updating the firmware? I'd love to go back to Oreo.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Fafa46:
Hello recently update my note 8 baseband N950USQU1AQI5 to N950USQS5DSF5 (Pie) currently it's now embedded to Sprint as I get a boot up logo and few other sprint Apps, is there another safe alternative firmware I can load that will be Free of carrier and support international languages too, basically like a Global version. Unlike the current one now on which is for US region mainly. Thanks..
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] louforgiveno:
https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=3942403

Sent from my God Mode 8
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] x_Thane:
Your right, i forgot. Though I think only Android 7 is rooted with that method last time i checked. I wonder if there is a less permanent way of going forward?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] louforgiveno:
Yup, only root on Nougat....i was pointing this out as a way to go back to oreo (i think)

***edit....confirmed V5 bootloader and lower.

Sent from my God Mode 8
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] louforgiveno:
Sent from my God Mode 8
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] louforgiveno:
I think my mistake was jumping in to a convo you were having with someone else....

I see now that you were pointing out and upgrade to v6 doesn't allow going back to oreo

So in all you were correct in your advice to them.

Sorry for the confusion

Sent from my God Mode 8
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] tgttom:
Hello !!

I have a note 8 (Sprint) with Android 9.0. I want to know if I can flash it with a SM-N950U1 firmware?? I want to have a unlocked firmware.

Also, Can I flash it with any SM-N950U1 Firmware? or Do I need a specific version?

Baseband:N950USQS5DSE9 /Android 9.0
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] Fafa46:
Hello I could use similar help too, after updating my Note 8 950u to android, I now have a 'Sprint" boot logo and few apps, is there an Os for me to load that's free of carrier and for global version? As I am in Africa region? 950USQS5DSFS is my current os though previous was 950USQU1AQ15
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] H0l@l@:
Flashing SM-N950U XAA for use in Europe

Dear all,

This post is awsome and I get through most of it, but I feel still lost on figuring out how to properly update my partner's SM-N950U to Android 9 Pie in the best way possible so that she could use it flawless in France... despite it was designed for the US market (but the SM-N950U is compatible with all radio bands used in Europe).

We bought this phone from an online chinese retailer of Shenzen and it arrived with the following configuration:

phone name: SM-N950U

kind of peripheric: greatqlte / greatqltesq

product name: greatqltesq

product code: SM-N950UZKAXAA

firmware CSC: XAA

actual CSC: XAA

available CSC: ATT, BST, CCT, GCF, SPR, TMB, USC, VMU, VZW, XAA, XAS

CSC country: US

Bootloader: N950USQS5CRG9

PDA version: N950USQS5CRG9

CSC version: N950UOYN5CRG9

Baseband version: N950USQS5CRG9

Android version: 8.0.0 / SDK 26 (Oreo)

When my partner started her phone, she started receiving update but finally got stuck on Android 8 Oreo. No issue to make the phone work with a french mobile operator but no VoLTE nor wifi call (and I can easily compare with another Note 8, but european version with a portuguese CSC, that works flawless with VoLTE & Wifi calls with a french SIM).

I had a look on Frija and could easily get SM-N950U ROM for some US mobile operator (VZW and CCT) but no XAA firmware available on this model. I could otherwise get the SM-N950U1 XAA ROM but I guess it's not compatible.

So what would you suggest in such a case? Is there any risk (outside of getting operator's bloatware) to flash an US operator's rom over a XAA firmware?
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] H0l@l@:
I found my response: https://xdaforums.com/general/help/to-flash-n950u-n950u1-firmware-t3706699

So question closed.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] markfothebeast:
I'd like to report my successful firmware change. I understand that this tutorial is a bit outdated. Having such a bad case of ADHD, I had to read over the details many times on several websites to ensure that I wasn't going to destroy my phone. The one thing that I was confused about in the initial post that I don't recall being mentioned is locating the BL (Bootloader) version. I wasn't quite sure which version I had but I did understand that I can only flash the bootloader to the same or a newer version. It is however mentioned randomly throughout this giant post but I will mention it again.

Locating the Bootloader version in your current firmware (example)

; N950USQS6DSH4. The bold 6 as shown = Bootloader Version. Yours could be a 5 which means you can flash to an Android version with a 5 or 6 (at this time) but not a 6 to a 5. At least that is my understanding.

Here's why I've decided to flash my firmware; My Verizon SM-N950U had been working fine for nearly 2 years with a Straight Talk (Verizon CDMA) SIM on Android 8.0 (Oreo). OTA updates DID NOT work using a Straight Talk SIM so I decided to use Samsung SmartSwitch on PC to update to the latest firmware which was 9.0 (Pie) on 10-15-2019. After the update to Android 9.0, my SMS and group texting no longer functioned regardless of which text app was being used. The APN settings were correct and the only thing I could imagine is that the integration of Verizon in the operating system was causing the issue. After successfully flashing to the carrier-free (XAA) version, I'm happy to report that everything is working properly. I did have an error when attempting flash the firmware that I was able to solve as described below.

DETAILS:

Device:

Note 8 SM-N950U (Verizon)

Previous Firmware:

N950USQS6DSH4 (Verizon for SM-N950U)

Firmware Successfully Flashed:

N950U1UES6DSH4 (XAA - Carrier free for SM-N950U1)

Odin Version:

Odin3 v3.13.1_3B_PatcheD (With Odin3.ini set to "UMS/PATCH=1")

-AP, BL, CP, and CSC (CSC_OYM_N950U1OYM6DSH4) were simply loaded in to Odin. I used nothing more than the files that were included with the zipped N950U1UES6DSH4 (Excluding CSC HOME).

Problem Flashing Firmware with Odin

(SOLVED)

Initially, I had received a write error and failure in Odin during attempted firmware flashing.

The fix for this issue was to restore the phone completely.

Odin3 v3.13.1_3B_PatcheD was then able to successfully flash N950U1UES6DSH4 (XAA) over the cruddy, bloatware induced Verizon firmware.

Result

Well, do I love or hate the XAA version of Pie? I miss my Oreo. But it sure is nice not having that Verizon bloatware crawling up my ass. Everything such as MMS and group messaging now function. I would take the XAA carrier-free version of Android 9.0 over the Verizon Android 9.0 any day.

If I stated anything incorrectly, please correct me. I figured I'd try to explain a little more detail for the next guy that was in my position.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] H0l@l@:
Thanks guy for your post and to take the time to report your successful firmware change.

I didn't took the time yet to report my findings (shame on me!) so I'll report what I found out:

- Firstly, indeed, you need the Odin3 v3.13.1_3B_PatcheD version as the non patched version fails on the CRC check of the ROM performed before flashing

- Secondly, regarding the ROM:

- Frija seems to be today by far to be the best solution over any ddl-based websites. As it relies directly on the samsung's firmware server, I could download the ROM I needed in a few minutes (with a fibre connection) vs ddl links which take days if you don't pay. You can find the threat on this tools here: https://xdaforums.com/s10-plus/how-to/tool-frija-samsung-firmware-downloader-t3910594

- The XAA version of the firmware (XAA = generic non linked with a carrier) is with the SM-N950U1 profile - so you can replace SM-N950U firmware with SM-N950U1 XAA firmware without any problem

- And to finish, it is indeed key when you flash the firmware to have the most direct link between your Note 8 and your PC's USB interface otherwise it will fail. In my case I used a high-end Windows 10 Tablet equipped only with USB-C plugs. If I connect my Note 8 through an USB-C dock equipped with standard USB 3 plugs it does not work. I had to use the USB-C to USB adaptor shipped with the Note 8 to plug directly the USB cable of my Note 8 to the USB-C plug of my laptop. The write speed was blasting fast as the 4Gb firmware's files flashing was performed in less than 5 minutes.

After around one month of testing, my Note 8 with the SM-N950U1 XAA firmware works perfectly with the french carrier I'm using (Bouygues Telecom). Despite displaying only LTE and not 4G+ (or LTE+) it indeed has LTE+ speeds (as tested with speedtest.net), VoWifi and VoLTE works and I was able to properly install Google's message app to enable RCS messaging. So I'm very happy and it's thanks to you guys, as without a threat like this one I would not have found out how to do it.

In the end I just feel that the Samsung's policy to curtain the markets through technical means is very questionable. I don't feel it legitimate to constrain final users to rely on leaked tools to be able to properly use their device. In today's globalised economy one should be free to use a device bought in a country in another one without having to figure out how to hack non-contractual technical restrictions.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] markfothebeast:
I will have to checkout "Frija". I had just realized that the "XAA" firmware I flashed which was downloaded from "Updato.com" is actually TFN (TracPhone)! It works but the APN settings are blocked. Ughhh.. And I don't want to root. I no longer trust that website. What a bunch of bull****. I'm going to give your suggestion a shot.
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] markfothebeast:
Holy ****! I That Frija software is a miracle. I didn't have to get down on my knee's and S some D's to download a frickin' firmware file and it appears to be downloading the proper ****! I love you man!
[Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion] H0l@l@:
Thanks but what I did is just pasting a link, all the merit is for the team who developed that piece of software!

But fundamentally, this situation is not normal. Samsung has no right to curtain that way the update of his phones. I guess this is the reason why they don't take any action against the developers who leak and patch internal tools or develop software who directly access their databases.

This situation is just creating security risks and venture opportunities for people that take advantage of it.