yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] Dyonas:
Oh that'll be ideal! Yes, O2 and I think all UK networks use bands n28a and n28b but at the least they all use n78 for 5G. Would this method do anything to affect service like fingerprint reader or stop banking apps working? That's the main reason I would just accept it as is, I rely on those too much. The rest below isn't super relevant to this I'm just trying to piece together what this phone is exactly and I think I just figured it out last night.

The firmware states it's G996U but the XAA label in the firmware points to an unlocked model from Samsung direct which should be G996U1. I believe it's a G996U1 that was used with eSIM on VZW and changed to G996U by that. It has no carrier branding or bloatware. The seller was trusted and high rating (ebay...) and I know the phone is fine but their suggestion for updating to Android 13 was to "search online" how to do it.

It was only last night when I sat down to do that properly that I found that XAA should be a U1 and I was looking for XAA on U. No wonder I got 0 results. The weird thing is that it says it is up to date yet the last Android security patch was 1st October. If nothing else I want the latest firmware for security updates. Anyway, rambling thoughts. Thanks for this. I'll look into it.

Edit: I downloaded Android 13 U1 firmware. In download mode it says clearly, "CARRIER: VZW" just to add to the confusion.

Edit 2: You beautiful, beautiful person. I did it and all is good. I flashed the U1 Android 13 firmware then followed the guide. I'm indoors as it's coming up on 1am here and the signal is not great indoors for 5G but I still just saw it go at 145Mbps compared to 20 - 40Mbps (4G) earlier. Thank you SO MUCH!
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] btlalum:
You're surely welcome...glad it worked out. Now if only EE will add 5G to their PAYG for when I'm in the UK. 🤔
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] Hardwareman25:
SAMSUNG S21+ 5G G996U1 BINARY 5 UFS DUPM FILE NEEDED PLEASE
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ricoo87:
How did you solve it? Thanks.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] gerrard7788:
I just bought a s21+ unlocked amazon renewed phone. When I got it it was running Android 12, October 2022 security patch. So I tried doing an OTA and found, strangely, that no updates were available (had a s20 FE already running on Android 13). When I started diving in a little bit more I found that the model was SM-G996U, which corresponded to the carrier versions of this phone, not the unlocked ones. Software version is G996USQS5CVI8. Went like crazy looking for a solution to get the latest software version and found this post. So I wanted to check with you if, by flashing this software version (https://www.sammobile.com/samsung/g...M-G996U1/XAA/download/G996U1UEU6EWD1/1748677/) which I understand is the XAA U1 firmware, the phone would still remain carrier unlocked after flashing, as I'm planning to use it in Argentina. Thank you all in advance for any help you can provide!
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
If it was network unlocked correctly, then yes, it will remain
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] gerrard7788:
Thank you! I believe the case is similar to what @Dyonas posted recently. The phone shows XAA/XAA,XAA/VZW in the service provider software version. Is there anything in particular I need to consider for this process? It's the first time I'll do something like this so not sure if there is some kind of tutorial.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
No, not really.

Although, download speeds on SamMobile are like dial-up, unless you pay for a premium subscription.

SamFw.com is much better
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] gerrard7788:
thank you so much once again! just a few extras before I start, do I need to activate USB debugging and any other developer mode option before getting to download mode and connecting to my pc? should I use HOME CSC? in this link it says not to use it but I saw some posts here that say to use it.

Thank you!
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
1. No, you don't need Debugging as flashing firmware is not done via Debugging

2. Yes, you can use HOME CSC if you wish, to avoid a factory reset
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] gerrard7788:
Got the phone in download mode and connected to the pc. Odin recognized it, but when I hit start it gets stuck in SetupConnection. Any ideas why this may happen?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
USB error. Need to change port and/or cable
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] gerrard7788:
just tried again and got FAIL! SHA256 is invalid error. looked it up and it turns out I need the patched version of odin to flash a U1 software on a U phone. will give this a try now

UPDATE: patched version of odin did it. I was able to flash the U1 version of the software in my s21+ U version phone. Thank you so much!!
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
You need patched Odin for ALL flashing. It's been that way ever since the S8
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ahmed.i.hasan:
Hi, I was trying to flash my S21+ 5G (T Mobile) with the international version using Odin. But I am having SHA256 invalid error. Do I have to sign out my google account in my phone as suggested by Odin? Any help?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
You can't flash international firmware to a USA phone
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ahmed.i.hasan:
Can I at least get rid of the carrier bloatware? It’s really annoying!
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
Well of course you can. It states so right in the first post - that's the entire purpose of this thread
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ahmed.i.hasan:
Understood! One more question! If switch from U firmware to U1 is there any chance of getting SIM locked?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
Nope
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ahmed.i.hasan:
Bro, I’ve successfully flashed my phone with U1 firmware. Thanks to you. But the service provider version still remains TMB! Why is that happened?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
Because a simple flash doesn't change that value
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ahmed.i.hasan:
Am I okay with this? Can I change the CSC? I am from Bangladesh. If I can change the CSC into BNG, I will get the call recording feature which is absent in US firmware.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
With what?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ahmed.i.hasan:
Can I change the CSC? I am from Bangladesh. If I can change the CSC into BNG, I will get the call recording feature which is absent in US firmware.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
No, you can't change a US phone to a Bangladeshi CSC. If you want Bangladeshi software features, buy a Bangladeshi model
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] sraenn:
i have a simple one for you.

i have galaxy S21+ carrier unlocked and rooted, working fine, in fact magisk ****ed it up at one point and i had to flash everything again. its fine, still.

but - i want android 10, now my phone is still 11. i dont like all the new **** they added with 11.. do you know any smart way to just grab 10 to put it on there? even just the vanilla/stock version of 10? there never were many roms for this model...
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
If you have a U, U1, or W model and are still on bootloader 1, then yes, you can go back to Android 10
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] sraenn:
it is and it is, question is where does one even find android 10 images? whether that be a custom rom or just stock/vanilla..

so sick of not being able to use the version of an app that i want to, heh
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
www.samfw.com
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] sraenn:
have you.. been to that website lately? it doesnt work, its blank =D
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
I use that website every single day, as part of my job. And yes, it was down for a short period of time earlier today. It's been back up for a long time
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] sraenn:
its been down displaying a Nginx message each time ive looked including right now, around 9pm pacific time usa. oh well, i'll just check every so often. if thats somewhere i can get android 10, then thanks xD

EDIT; that website works fine, its just clicking on the link from THIS forum site for some reason caused a problem. i googled it then clicked on it from there and now there is joy. heh

it seems like that site has images of all the packages associated with many different models but the s21+ is too new to ever had an android 10 image on it.. so i guess i dont see how that site can provide me android 10 to put on here. sorry if im missing something. 11 was earliest thing ever released for s21+
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
Oops, yes, you're correct
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] boinero:
Hello Op, please I'm having trouble knowing the right software to download using Odin via SAMFW, My model number is SM-G996U and my confusion is the different CSC such as TMB,ATT SPR, etc. on the list. I'm not in the US and I bought the phone brand new yet the software has been stuck at 2022 update.

I just want to flash the software with latest firmware/unlocked.

Please your input would be appreciated.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] weedolo9y:
I have the sm-g996u Verizon wireless 21+ I havnt rooted a phone since the galaxy s7 but it seems like the process is the same. I would need to first unlock the bootloader than flash vzw firmware then install magisk? Looking at youtube and other sources there are so many things that come into play I just want to get the right one. Any help would be appreciated thanks in advance!
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
You can choose any version you want - doesn't matter. That's already fully explained in the OP

The basic process might still be the same, but bootloader unlocking is NOT. All North American devices come bootloader unlocked, and are not unlockable for free by the end user. 3rd party companies or individuals can do it for a fee, but only if the device is running firmware from Feb 2021 or older
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] weedolo9y:
And I suppose there is no way to downgrade to older firmware? I'm just screwed at this point?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] boinero:
Alright thank you, have downloaded one of the files, about to flash..
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
No, you can't downgrade the bootloader level on a Samsung
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] samsunguser21:
I have this version i.e SM-G996U which is unlocked, I wanted the call recording capability.

I'm planning to flash SM-G996U1 (G996U1UEU9EWI2/G996U1OYM9EWI2/G996U1UEU9EWI2), which has XAA CSC, will it restore the call recording feature if I add INS CSC from SM-G996B's firmware as well or will it brick the phone?

Will it hamper any network capabilities?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] stephenblank60:
I bought a s21 plus but not getting 5g what can I do

Ps: device is an at&t unlocked version
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
First, make sure that the device actually supports the 5G bands and frequencies of your provider. Then, change the CSC to match that of the US carrier who shares most of the 5G bands and frequencies of your provider.

If that still doesn't work, then post elsewhere, as this is off-topic for this thread
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] djearthquake333:
Good time guys! I have G996U1 with XAA region (buying in Ukraine, out of hand). Some body knows, when i can take One UI 6? Maybe you have some information 🤷
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
Only Samsung themselves can answer that. Flash U firmware if you don't want to wait
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] mashal21:
hi my s21 plus is the u1 version but im on android 13 still want to flash the u version of android 14 will i lost my sim unlock?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
Ask the person who unlocked it
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] mashal21:
was already unlock when i bought it

Sent from SM-G996U1 using ReLabs
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
Then obviously you need to ask the seller
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] kokona000:
Im on G996U and mine is showing XAA XAA XAA XAA what should i do. please reply
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
You haven't stated what your problem/issue is
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] sonerturko:
İ have u1 but its network locked
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
Flashing firmware won't fix that. You'll need to have it unlocked by a professional 3rd party company
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ruggb:
It is a wondeer anyone can get the phone that they think they bought. No one, except the OP seems to know what the difference is between a U and a U1, and a Model number and the Manufacturers Part Number (MPN). +++ THAT INCLUDES SAMSUNG SALES EXPERT and SAMSUNG TECHNICAL SUPPORT who I just chatted and spoke with. TS tried to tell me a U was purple and a U1 was gray - REALLY! I knew most of this, but my recent S21+ purchase of an MPN listed as an XAA says the model is a U1, but an IMEI query says the MPN is a VZW. Sure enought, per the OP, the f/w was changed to a U1, but it remains locked to VZW. It is going back - after struggling for 2 weeks to get my ATT SIM to connect.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
Yep, super common scam that online sellers will pull. The lack of bloatware tricks the buyer into thinking it's truly unlocked, when it really isn't
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] yygemmi770:
Before giving up hope, call Verizon and see if they say the unit is unlocked or not. If they say it is, then read this https://xdaforums.com/t/verizon-s21-ultra-locked-and-not-unlocking.4365517/
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ruggb:
I went to VZW website and what I found said they did not unlock phones. The proof that it is still locked is that it won't connect to the network with my ATT card but does with my wife's VZW card. The problem with a carrier unlocked phone, whoever does it, is that it won't update firmware on any other network even though it will function as a phone. What I bought, according to the ad, was a factory unlocked phone. I didn't get that and it wasn't even unlocked. Someone had manually updated the f/w to a U1 and maybe that made it look like a factory unlocked phone. It is still a VZW phone and it is locked, and I don't want a carrier phone even if it is unlocked. You can't believe how many wrong ads are out there till you start questioning the seller. And they still give you wrong answers. But with the info in my previous post, you can tell if something is wrong. Many ppl are selling carrier phones ending in U and claiming they are factory unlocked XAA phones. Hopefull, they just don't know any better and are not trying to scam ppl.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ruggb:
UPDATE: I have sent them all back and bought a NEW FACTORY SEALED SM-G996U1.

HOWEVER,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,FOUR IMEI checks say it is a VZW phone, and Samsung says it is VZW locked.

I haven't unsealed it yet, but who am I to believe?????????

If the Model is a SM-G996U1, how can that be a VZW phone, shouldn'tt it be a SM-G996U if it is a carrier phone?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
Sellers lie all the time, and Samsung's customer service is also rather incompetent.

Use this site's free Samsung info checker - if the Part Number ends in XAA, then it's a factory unlocked model. But if not, then it's a U carrier model

https://sickw.com/
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ruggb:
My phone can send/rcv SMS & MMS. but can't make/rcv voice calls.

This phone, an S21+, has an entry in About phone that has

Model code = SM-G966UZSAXAA == factory unlocked

>> so much for IMEI check sites indicating it is VZW -

HOWEVER, Service provider software version =

SAOMC_SM_G996U1_OMY_XAA_14_0007

XAA/XAA, XAA/VZW

Not sure why there is VZW in there.

Bottom line, I can't make/rcv voice calls. It says it is not connected to the network. yet when I go to Mobile networks and open Network operators and tap AT&T it says registered on network and won't register on VZW or TMB - because it is an ATT SIM, I'm guessing

Anybody have any idea why?

H2O Wireless has no clue.

Note: it also doesn't work on an S10+ where it previously worked.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ruggb:
This phone, S21+, has an entry in About phone that has

Model code = SM-G966UZSAXAA == factory unlocked

>> so much for IMEI check sites indicating it is VZW -

HOWEVER, Service provider software version =

SAOMC_SM_G996U1_OMY_XAA_14_0007

XAA/XAA, XAA/VZW

Not sure why there is VZW in there.

Bottom line, the phone can send/rcv SMS & MMS but can't make/rcv voice calls.

Anybody have any idea why - H2O Wireless has no clue.

Note: it also doesn't work on an S10+ where it previously worked.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ruggb:
APPARENTLY, SAMSUNG has a problem. The box is a U1, the phone screens say it is a U1 and XAA (factory unlocked). However, the IMEI says it is VZW locked. That is also strange because TMB says it is compatible with their network, which is wouldn't be if it were locked to VZW. And why can I text with it on ATT if it is locked to VZW.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
You are now way off topic for this thread
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] ruggb:
can I ask what this means?

XAA/XAA, XAA/VZW

I am trying to understand how I can make/rcv sms and mms but not calls
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
Then please start your own thread - you're much more likely to get more precise and directed responses that way
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] yygemmi770:
There are a few potential points here:

1. You may need to enter in the APN settings for H20 as they may not auto populate from the SIM and this may be why you aren't able to make or receive calls.

2. the "VZW" is in the spot known as the "Sales Code", this means it was originally a VZW unit and was simply flashed to U1 firmware.

3. If you are able to send and receive text messages, then the unit does not appear to be locked.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] fredo9509:
i have an U1 version with CSC TMB/TMB,TMB/VZW , if i flash XAA CSC with U1 firmware i will have XAA/XAA,XAA/XAA?

I do get otas, but i want to change that, also after one ui 6.0 update i cant use otg, only charge phone, i have tried even clear data/cache on USBsettings system app and nothing, tried several usb cables an nothing, no wired DeX working or ssds and pendrives
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
No
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] fredo9509:
thanks, anyway, i have to flash to fix the other problem
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] darbaz009:
Hello, I need some help here please;

I bought this used S21+ 5G and the buyer said it was imported from overseas (I live in Algeria).

The model number is SM-G996U and i checked the IMEI everything was fine

My first question is the CSC is USC and my Algerian SIM card works perfectly, how is that?

Second question is the phone is stuck on Android 13 and it hasn't gotten any updates since 2022.

I want to flash it manually but i don't know which firmware to choose, my phone's bootloader level is 5 and all the available USC firmwares are either 9 or A. How can I flash it without losing my data or my Algerian sim card functionality?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
You can choose any 9 or A firmware, it doesn't matter
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] darbaz009:
Will it be compatible with my Snapdragon version or my network providers?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
If you flash G996U firmware to a G996U device, I think you already know the answer
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] darbaz009:
I'm afraid I don't, I'm guessing all that matters is the correct CSC? But still i don't get it and i'm not a US citizen
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
I can see that you haven't read anything in the OP. Or maybe it's a translation issue, since being a citizen has nothing to do with this process either.

The OP states very clearly that you can flash ANY firmware of that model - even the CSC doesn't matter
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] darbaz009:
I really appreciate your response. I'm gonna proceed with the latest firmware and see what happens. Thank you!
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
You're welcome :)
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] dgk5116:
So i have a new to me s21+, U1 version. I am a newbie at flashing but have already flashed one firmware that did not solve my problem.

So my service provider software version has tmb/tmb/tmb/tmb

I also bought my wife an S21+ (both refurbished, both unlocked)

The one verizon feature that is important to us is wifi calling.

my wifes had it from the minute we booted hers up, but her software provider version just happened to have vzw/vzw/vzw/vzw.

Again, newbie at all this but i have come to the conclusion i need to switch the sotware provider version to a Verizon firmware, sound like the firmware for the U model.

so do i:

load the firmware for U1 with the CSC file (not home CSC) which will wipe the phone.

reboot with sim in

then flash teh U firmware with CSC file (not home csc) and the userdata file??

any help would be appreciated.

i've downloaded both the U1 and U version using frija and like i said tried flashing the U1 version using the home CSC but TMB is still in the software provider version and still no wifi calling.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
If the phone already has U1, then you can skip loading U1 firmware.

The rest of the process is correct
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] Hosted25:
Please I'm using S21+ and when I connect to smart Switch my firmware CSC is ULJ, I'm in Nigeria 🇳🇬 my phone is unlocked to any carrier.

I want to ask if I can download another csc like or just download G996U1
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
1. No, that is not the CSC. That is the last 3 characters of the Build Number and Baseband Version

2. Yes, you can flash G996U1 if desired
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] Hosted25:
Thanks for this reply,

And my phone model is SM-G996U

And

I check samfw and sammobile I didn't see firmware for Model SM-G996U with XAA csc but I saw one with Model SM-G996U1 XAA, I was wondering is it's possible to flash with this Model SM-G996U1 XAA
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
The very first post of this thread contains the answer to that question
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] Hosted25:
it seen like i dont understand him a bit,

just want to know yes or no if possible, please, my phone stuck on android 12 OneUI Four . Zero
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
I will copy and paste the relevant portion of the first post:

"any U or U1 firmware version can be flashed to any U or U1 device at any time, assuming that you're not trying to downgrade the bootloader"
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] Hosted25:
Downgrade means, from android 12 to 11
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
No, that is not what "the bootloader" means
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] Hosted25:
I will be glad if you can enlighten me more about bootloader downgrade, I don't want to do mistake in flashing this phone.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
Since you're going up in software and not down, you have nothing to worry about
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] waayo69:
hi, quick question before i try to convert CSC, will there be a difference in network speed if i change from U to U1? I'd like 5G to be stabe (or even able to toggle it).
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] matti88:
No one here has any way to predict what the effects will be, of you modifying the software. All you can do is try it and see what happens
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] krisology:
Yep that one works in stock dialer. I've read that the csc dialer code doesn't work anymore for Android 11?

*#1234# should too right? I can't get that one to work, error.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
I have no idea about "csc dialer code". When you said dialer codes weren't working, I assumed that you meant any/all of them.

Yes,*#1234# should work also. At least, I haven't heard of them removing/discontinuing that one
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] manty1:
Please, cloud somebody advise me if it possible to change firmware from G996U1 to SM-G9960 (Hong Kong version). I have S21+ from USA (G996U1) and would like to switch to G9960 . Both phones are on Snapdragon. Is this possible? Thank you in advance.
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] @esop:
If I have a Verizon S21+ and I flash it to a XAA U1 Firmware, will it allow me to use it on another carrier or will it be sim locked?
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
It'll still be locked. Flashing U1 will never automatically SIM unlock a device, no matter which model or carrier
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] equake:
How are folks getting the VZW generic U fw? I can manually input the PDA/CSC/Phone for Frija but its kludgy at best since we are assuming its identical to other carrier FWs. Auto used to work with S20 and older models but has changed with this model, anyone know why?

my 2 cents
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] iBowToAndroid:
It's not "kludgy" at all. You know what they say when you assume. As long as you're typing in the actual correct builds instead of guessing, it works perfectly fine
[Samsung Galaxy S21+] equake:
That is what I'm getting at, where do I find a list of builds for a carrier like VZW, TMO etc? Any links would be helpful. Thanks.