[Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Questions & Answers] IT_Architect:
Purpose: The Google Play Store policy change in March has destroyed this critical functionality for many. Prior to that, using Pie produced very poor quality recordings compared to Oreo. This is how I restored call recording functionality. I will add any noteworthy contributions to this first post to make this easier than it has been for me. Many people have pulled their hair out with me to come up with this. This is simply a consolidation or our trials and errors.

This only works on Note 9 models SM-N960U and SM-N960U1 phones with boot loader version 1. To determine if you can use this procedure:

1. Go into Settings/About Phone to find the model number. It must show SM-N960U or SM-N960U1

2. Then click on "Software Information". On the "Build number", the 5th character from the right must be a 1. If it is not, this procedure will not work for you. If you don't own the phone yet, make ensure it is a 1 before you buy it.

For the SM-N960U model, this procedure will replace your carrier-specific firmware with US Unlocked firmware. It is not possible to prevent the carrier-specific firmware from updating to Pie and forcing other unwanted changes on your phone because it does not have the Blue "Software Update" program (com.wssyncmldm). When you finish, the model number will be changed to SM-N960U1. This process is reversible by flashing the phone with carrier firmware and using the standard ODIN version for that firmware.

The ramifications of moving from the carrier firmware to US Unlocked firmware are:

1. You will be able to flash to and remain on Oreo vs. being forced to Pie.

2. No carrier specific apps are flashed. (USERDATA which some refer to as bloatware)

3. Depending on whether the carrier's service is standards-based or not determines whether or not US UNLOCKED firmware will be able to make their services available.

- Verizon: No VoWiFi (Wi-Fi Calling). Everything else, including HD Voice and Carrier Aggregation work fine. My old phone didn't have it and coverage was never a problem, but if you travel, Wi-Fi calling means you have free calling to and from the US from anywhere you have an Internet connection. That could be prove quite valuable even if later you plan to get a local SIM.

- T-Mobile: Everything works except for roaming US Cellular's network. They have good coverage as of late, and the cheapest and 2nd fastest data.

- Sprint: Some users state that they retained Wi-Fi calling but I haven't heard many confirmations. I would guess if they have that, they also have VoLTE. I haven't heard about carrier aggregation, but if they do in fact have the other two, they probably have it as well. Again, my confirmation has been weak here.

- AT&T: No VoLTE or Voice over Wi-Fi. I haven't heard about carrier aggregation but it clearly doesn't play well with US UNLOCKED.

- after flashing U1 firmware. Wi-Fi calling is useful where you have no cell reception but you do have Wi-Fi and can save you a TON of money in roaming charges or purchasing an International plan. If you cannot get Wi-Fi calling and this is a requirement, you may want to cut out Android, carrier, and phone manufacturer altogether and read If they ever destroy this ability again at the end of this post.

4. You will need to download any carrier specific software you want from your carrier.

:eek:DANGER! On the "Build number" you are about to flash, ensure the 5th character from the right is a 1. If you flash one of the newer "U1" Pie updates that has a version 2 boot loader, you will never again be able to flash any version of Oreo, because they are all on version 1. You cannot flash a boot loader back to version 1.

Preparation Considerations:

- WARNING: If you use SmartSwitch to backup your phone, DO NOT press the update button when doing your backup!!! If you do, and it updates your boot loader to a newer version, it is the same as bricking the phone for someone who needs call recording because you can never be able to return to Oreo 8.1. OTOH, SmartSwitch is the only backup program for a non-rooted device that can restore almost everything back the way you had it. Download the setup.exe for the SmartSwitch for Windows, and the APK from APKPure.com. I copied both to a folder on my SD card so that I will always have a matched pair and I can restore without connecting to update software to execute the restore, and you may not want newer versions in the future. Install SmartSwitch on Windows and the phone. Before you do the backup, disconnect and forget Wi-Fi. The reason you want to do this is when you restore the phone and settings, it will also set up Wi-Fi like you had it and it will connect. The problem with that is by default SmartSwitch will start updating everything to the latest before the phone is in a position for you to stop it from happening. With no SIM or Wi-Fi, the phone interface settles first. Then you can put in the SIM and go to the play store and turn off Auto updates and notifications. The SIM doesn't become a problem as rapidly.

- I also recommend using pre-2019 Helium Backup apk and installing it as well as the Windows app version as well on your PC. Helium is more complicated to use, but is very flexible for restoring single apps such as using ADB, which works on any Android phone. Another reason you need it is SmartSwitch will only restore to a Samsung device. A Samsung device might be available or what you want when you need to do a restore. I have only 6 weeks with the Note 9 and have used Helium on my previous phones, so I'm still evaluating if Helium is what is best for the Note 9 and Oreo.

- Consider making a Downloads directory on your SD Card with sub-directories with .apk files that you will want to have available during or after setup, or are in danger of being ruined by an application upgrade so that you can readily restore them if necessary. For instance, mine contains a pre-March 7, 2019 version of SmartSwitch, old version of Helium, Automatic Call Recorder v5.43.11 or earlier, Automatic Call Recorder Pro v5.43.11 or earlier, etc.

Make these slight adjustments to the excellent procedure listed in the first post here: XDA: Confirm These Steps to Downgrade US Unlocked SM-N960U1 from Pie to Oreo

1. Prior to step 7, perform a factory reset from within Settings/General Management -> Factory data reset. If you do not, after flashing the phone, it will force a SIM or Wi-Fi connection to make you log in as a theft protection measure, during which time your phone will begin performing updates before you are in a position to implement measures to stop them. When you perform the factory reset from within Settings/General Management, it had to have been performed by someone who was logged into the phone and thus allows you to skip installing a SIM or enabling Wi-Fi during initial setup script, which in turn enables you to prevent any updates from occurring until you have made your changes.

2. Prior to 13, Do as minimal setup as possible, making sure you turn Wi-Fi off and Skip Wi-Fi. You will not be doing a restore, setting security, or setting up any accounts.

2. After 13.

a. Follow the steps shown here YouTube: HOW TO STOP FORCED OTA UPDATE NOTIFICATION from 0:25-1:49 to change app settings for both Software Update apps found in Settings/Apps and from menu select "Show System Apps". In "Battery", turn off "Allow background activity". In "Notifications", turn off everything. In "Apps that can change system settings" turn it off, but do not go past that point in the video or reboot as the video states to do afterward.

b. Back in Settings/Apps and on menu select Show System Apps. Go into Security Policy updates. In "Battery", turn off "Allow background activity". In "Notifications", turn off everything, and On lock screen set it to Do not show notifications. In "Apps that can change system settings" turn it off. *If this process runs, it aligns the phone's policy with that of the Play Store. It will not automatically update offending software, such as your call recorder, but it will list it. If it lists it, you are toast because the new policy, now implemented on your phone, will cause the now non-compliant previously useful software to hang when you try to use it. I know of no other option than to re-flash your phone and do a restore from a backup or start from scratch.

3. Reboot the phone and go into Settings/Apps/Show system apps, and ensure the Blue Software Update still shows disabled.

4. Prior to 15 install the SD card and install the SmartSwitch apk that was downloaded earlier to your SD Card using the Samsung My Files file manager.

*The following three item numbers must happen rapidly: (Have your play store credentials handy.)

5.. Insert the SIM to gain Internet access, not Wi-Fi if possible.

6. Go to the Play Store and immediately go into into Settings on the left side menu and turn off:

a. Automatic updates.

b. All Notifications

7. Go to your phone in Notifications and cancel all updates. Note: You will want any app updates to happen manually. Some will be affected by the March 2019 Play Store Policy changes that will ruin their functionality. The app developers usually will mention if there are functionality changes due to the new policy in the description area for their apps. When you go into play store and select My Apps, it will show you which ones need updating and you can decide which ones you can update and retain their functionality.

Restore Call Recording. (I use Automatic Call Recorder by Appliqato, but you can make adjustments based on the same logic.)

a. DO NOT download your software from Google Play. Sideload Automatic Call Recorder by Appliqato, sideload version 5.43.11 from an .apk from a Helium or some place like apkpure.com.

b. If you have a Pro license, restore that will need to come from a backup of version 5.43.11 or earlier. You cannot buy a Pro license any other place than the play store at the moment, and the one from Google will be too new.

Reboot and ensure all of your settings are still intact and fix any that are not. On the Blue Software Update icon, it should show a status of disabled next to it.

Going forward:

1. Backup your device with a program that can restore a single application. I've been using Helium, previously named Carbon. It is clumsy, but it makes compact backups into ZIP files, and the backup are stored as .apk files, so you can simply side load to do a restore of the app and data. Make SURE you tell it to include the applications because by default it expects to download the latest version from the play store which is NOT what you want. SmartSwtich is for changing phones or full restores. It is not a substitute for Helium.

2. Backup the PC area where the software to restore your device, firmware, and APKs are to restore your device.

3. Do not use the play store unless you have to. I've been using APKPure, but there may be other good ones also. This enables you to get older versions, which is critical for many critical apps. As I mentioned earlier, you cannot do effective call recording with the current call recording software from the play store. Look for dates prior to 2019. This also pertains to using SIP/VOIP clients because they don't allow them to access your phone book to dial with, and thus cannot keep a useful local log either. Having the APKs enables you to reinstall at any time. What you need may no longer be available from the play store in the future.

If they ever destroy this ability again, for $15/mo. to CallHippo and a data-only SIM, you can send Google, Android, and control on your life by your wireless vendor packing, plus you will have your recording, calling logs, and Voice over Wi-Fi via VOIP anywhere you can get a data connection, plus it is backed up forever. No more number porting, and if something happens to your phone, simply need to buy another phone. The only capability it needs is a data connection, so even a computer, tablet, or SIP phone will work. There are many other advantages as well. Multiple devices can respond to the same number and multiple people can answer and be talking on the same number. The only thing any of them will see is a secure connection to your VOIP vendor.