Hi all I am currently thinking of importing the N950N 256gb Note 8 to here in the UK and have a few questions about the firmware. Sorry if its been answered elsewhere but there are a lot of threads asking slightly different things.
1) What differences are there between the N950N and the N950F versions of the software at the base level – ignoring things like Korean bloatware etc – I read somewhere the camera has a compulsory noise that can’t be turned off? (which is really annoying) Just wondering whether to stick with stock N. I presume all the stuff like 4G/LTE works with an O2 sim as the hardware is covering this.
2) From all the threads I have read you can’t put the N950F firmware on without using TWRP? (TWRP via ODIN then Firmware via TWRP)
3) What does TWRP do to the phone? Does it trip Knox? I presume this affects Samsung Pay which I am not bothered about but does this affect anything else? Android Pay for example? What about banking apps (ie Halifax, HSBC, Co-op, Natwest etc all have their own apps)?
4) Once I have the N905F firmware would I get OTA updates as normal?
Just curious, why do you want to use F firmware on the N?
Yes, you can not flash stock F firmware on a N, Odin won't allow you to do it but you can use TWRP. You would have to convert the F firmware to a Zip to flash it or flash one of the custom F roms.
Installing custom recovery like TWRP will trip Knox, you will never be able to use Samsung Pay. Secure Folder won't work either. It will also break Samsung Health but that can be fixed. Android Pay & banking apps should work fine with root hide. OTA updates will no longer work.
shouren04 said:
Just curious, why do you want to use F firmware on the N?
Yes, you can not flash stock F firmware on a N, Odin won't allow you to do it but you can use TWRP. You would have to convert the F firmware to a Zip to flash it or flash one of the custom F roms.
Installing custom recovery like TWRP will trip Knox, you will never be able to use Samsung Pay. Secure Folder won't work either. It will also break Samsung Health but that can be fixed. Android Pay & banking apps should work fine with root hide. OTA updates will no longer work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reply
Basically I prefer having a silent shutter for taking quick and discrete street photography and the last thing I want is big sound every time I take a shot. From what I read that basically means the N firmware is a no no due to Korea having some ruling about it. In the UK this is as easy as having the phone in silent mode - I am currently using a Galaxy S6 with 128gb of memory and really like the idea of having a idea of large onboard storage with little hassle over memory cards hence looking at the Note 8 from Korea which not only has the bigger memory also is cheaper than the 64gb version here in the UK.
To be fair I don't use Samsung Pay as the UK support is currently not here with limited banks supporting it (or vendors accepting it) nor do I need Secure Folder so thats fine really. Samsung Health I used a bit on the S6 but not essential. If hiding root works for Android Pay and Banking Apps then it might not all that bad to be honest to have to trip the Knox (Obviously the warranty will go with it)
The OTA updates would have been nice to have as it would save me having to mess with manually updating over each time a new firmware update came out.- If I was to install F over the N could I then use ODIN afterward or would I be stuck using TWRP due to it detecting the Hardware?
Also I presume you can't add the F software onto the N9500 variant via Odin?
vizardo said:
Thanks for reply
Basically I prefer having a silent shutter for taking quick and discrete street photography and the last thing I want is big sound every time I take a shot. From what I read that basically means the N firmware is a no no due to Korea having some ruling about it. In the UK this is as easy as having the phone in silent mode - I am currently using a Galaxy S6 with 128gb of memory and really like the idea of having a idea of large onboard storage with little hassle over memory cards hence looking at the Note 8 from Korea which not only has the bigger memory also is cheaper than the 64gb version here in the UK.
To be fair I don't use Samsung Pay as the UK support is currently not here with limited banks supporting it (or vendors accepting it) nor do I need Secure Folder so thats fine really. Samsung Health I used a bit on the S6 but not essential. If hiding root works for Android Pay and Banking Apps then it might not all that bad to be honest to have to trip the Knox (Obviously the warranty will go with it)
The OTA updates would have been nice to have as it would save me having to mess with manually updating over each time a new firmware update came out.- If I was to install F over the N could I then use ODIN afterward or would I be stuck using TWRP due to it detecting the Hardware?
Also I presume you can't add the F software onto the N9500 variant via Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I see, in that case you really don't need to switch to the F firmware. I have a F from the UK & stock it did not have the toggle to turn off the camera shutter like my US Tmobile Note 5 did stock. Not sure if muting sound entirely muted the camera shutter as well but I do not like that method & have heard that does not work on some variants like you mentioned.
I purchased the F/Exynos mainly for the ability to install custom recovery & root. With root I simply deleted the shutter.ogg sound file (well I actually renamed it to shutter.bak), that took care of the shutter sound. Later on when I installed a mod to give me tmobile carrier features, that then added the camera shutter toggle.
I don't care for Samsung Pay either, not even Android Pay. I do miss Private Mode on my Note 5 which was replaced by Secure Folder but I can live without. Getting Samsung Health to work just requires a simple change in the build.prop. I forgot that root will also break Secret Mode in the Samsung browser but you can still use that in Chrome. Not a big deal, just mentioning it while I'm at it. I'm not sure if root hide will allow Secret Tab to function but I don't think it will get Secure Folder working. I haven't tried root hide yet.
Once you install TWRP OTA updates won't work. So installing a F firmware with TWRP won't change anything. And Odin won't let you flash firmware that is not for the phone. It does not matter if a different firmware is already on the phone. For some reason if you ever wanted, you can however flash your original firmware to get back to stock & OTA will work again but once you have tripped Knox by installing TWRP that is permanent.
shouren04 said:
Ah, I see, in that case you really don't need to switch to the F firmware. I have a F from the UK & stock it did not have the toggle to turn off the camera shutter like my US Tmobile Note 5 did stock. Not sure if muting sound entirely muted the camera shutter as well but I do not like that method & have heard that does not work on some variants like you mentioned.
I purchased the F/Exynos mainly for the ability to install custom recovery & root. With root I simply deleted the shutter.ogg sound file (well I actually renamed it to shutter.bak), that took care of the shutter sound. Later on when I installed a mod to give me tmobile carrier features, that then added the camera shutter toggle.
I don't care for Samsung Pay either, not even Android Pay. I do miss Private Mode on my Note 5 which was replaced by Secure Folder but I can live without. Getting Samsung Health to work just requires a simple change in the build.prop. I forgot that root will also break Secret Mode in the Samsung browser but you can still use that in Chrome. Not a big deal, just mentioning it while I'm at it. I'm not sure if root hide will allow Secret Tab to function but I don't think it will get Secure Folder working. I haven't tried root hide yet.
Once you install TWRP OTA updates won't work. So installing a F firmware with TWRP won't change anything. And Odin won't let you flash firmware that is not for the phone. It does not matter if a different firmware is already on the phone. For some reason if you ever wanted, you can however flash your original firmware to get back to stock & OTA will work again but once you have tripped Knox by installing TWRP that is permanent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Many thanks, I generally use Chrome or Firefox so I am not too fussed with the default browser
There are 2 variants on the Wonda Mobile website that seem like a good deal both 256gb with one the HK/China version Dual SIm (with the non rootable Snapdragon I believe) and the Single sim Korean Exynos version that I have been querying about. Its a shame either road root or just installing TWRP seems to break something!
One more thing - do all the usual Samsung account settings still work??
vizardo said:
Many thanks, I generally use Chrome or Firefox so I am not too fussed with the default browser
There are 2 variants on the Wonda Mobile website that seem like a good deal both 256gb with one the HK/China version Dual SIm (with the non rootable Snapdragon I believe) and the Single sim Korean Exynos version that I have been querying about. Its a shame either road root or just installing TWRP seems to break something!
One more thing - do all the usual Samsung account settings still work??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you need the dual sim N would be the better choice IMO. With HK/China Snapdragon variants, they usually can be bootloader unlocked unlike the Snapdragons in the rest of the world. But development on them is usually slower. There was recently a post about getting root & TWRP installed on the 9500. Said to be working but others are questioning the process to do it. I haven't paid much attention to it though. Generally anything available for the F will usually work fine on the N so in the future if you want to install custom roms or mods you would be ok.
Yeah blame Samsung for making it harder for us to get what we want. But at least we still can, that may not be the case in the future. For instance, this is the first time I have had to purchase an international phone because Samsung US variants are locked down. All of my past Android phones have had custom recovery & root.
As far as Samsung accounts, yes it works fine. Able to log in, use Samsung's app store, Samsung themes. Not sure about Samsung Cloud, I don't use any cloud services. But I have tried Samsung Link Sharing (large file sharing) & it seems to be a type of cloud service. However my Smart View (screen mirroring) is not working, I'm not sure if that is a result of root though. I never tested it when I was stock. I have read complaints about others having the same issue stock. My Note 5 is rooted & it works just fine. I never use screen mirroring so I don't really care but it would be nice to figure out how to get it working.
vizardo said:
Hi all I am currently thinking of importing the N950N 256gb Note 8 to here in the UK and have a few questions about the firmware. Sorry if its been answered elsewhere but there are a lot of threads asking slightly different things.
1) What differences are there between the N950N and the N950F versions of the software at the base level – ignoring things like Korean bloatware etc – I read somewhere the camera has a compulsory noise that can’t be turned off? (which is really annoying) Just wondering whether to stick with stock N. I presume all the stuff like 4G/LTE works with an O2 sim as the hardware is covering this.
2) From all the threads I have read you can’t put the N950F firmware on without using TWRP? (TWRP via ODIN then Firmware via TWRP)
3) What does TWRP do to the phone? Does it trip Knox? I presume this affects Samsung Pay which I am not bothered about but does this affect anything else? Android Pay for example? What about banking apps (ie Halifax, HSBC, Co-op, Natwest etc all have their own apps)?
4) Once I have the N905F firmware would I get OTA updates as normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 - not much difference, but the F software comes with dual-SIM capability which the N software lacks. As the hardware is actually identical (as I confirmed by mistakenly tearing my N950N apart when I thought that I had an antenna issue), you could actually buy the N, buy a dual-SIM tray on eBay and in theory convert the phone into a true dual-SIM model with a 950F-based ROM although I do not know how to 'add' or double up the IMEI for the second SIM as my understanding (again I may be wrong here) is that phones sold as dual-SIM models have two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM slot. Your camera shutter sound rumor is correct - the Korean CSC's don't enable the menu to turn that sound off, though it can be deleted without changing CSCs. I would check with your specific carrier's model in your country and see if they enable it. If so, you could always flash their CSC to the Korean phone which would give you the menu. This would be especially fine if you live in the UK since the 950F is hardware identical to the 950N so there wouldn't be the weird issue I've been running into with my 950U USA T-Mobile CSC patch that I have a hunch is related to the way the CSC is sending instructions to the modem.
2 - Odin will not flash firmware between variants. TWRP is definitely the only way to do this right now, though there's no real drawback if you're using an imported phone and didn't expect to have warranty support in-country to begin with.
3 - TWRP is a replacement recovery firmware which is used to quickly and easily backup/restore any partitions on the phone (boot loader, modem, data, system, cache, EFS, etc), as well as flashing custom ROMs, kernels, mods, root apps, pretty much anything you can think of.
4 - OTA updates only work on essentially unmodified stock everything. If the phone says that it's software status is "custom", OTA updates will not function. However, there are 2 main considerations here. On the one hand, if you are running another variant's firmware you are going to be flashing ROMs for that variant anyway, and you can always manually update your boot loader and modem with Odin since Samsung firmware downloads come in separate files right from Sammy these days. Super easy to flash only the BL and CP (bootloader and modem respectively), then just reflash TWRP if it was overwritten.
Many thanks both - definitely things to consider here. Not done any flashing or rooting since I put Cyanogenmod on an old Note 10 tablet and before then a Note 3 and the old Desire series for Cyanogenmod again (I recall Clockworkmod was involved as well). But its good to know I can update parts with Odin or TWRP as required.
I am hoping tripping Knox won't affect Android pay or banking apps much (as I don't actually keep them in the Knox folder or anything like that - just use them normally) but as stated I could use the root hide to cover this.
I suppose OTA is a luxury as the Samsung ones on my S6 were slow enough but at least convenient due to its autonomy. I am usually of the mind if it don't break then don't fix it but don't mind delving into things if necessary so I reckon I won't touch the update stuff too much unless I have issues - though will get everything as up to date as possible from day 1 and when Oreo drops.
Really appreciate all the responses here - really helpful!
vizardo said:
Thanks for reply
Basically I prefer having a silent shutter for taking quick and discrete street photography and the last thing I want is big sound every time I take a shot. From what I read that basically means the N firmware is a no no due to Korea having some ruling about it. In the UK this is as easy as having the phone in silent mode - I am currently using a Galaxy S6 with 128gb of memory and really like the idea of having a idea of large onboard storage with little hassle over memory cards hence looking at the Note 8 from Korea which not only has the bigger memory also is cheaper than the 64gb version here in the UK.
To be fair I don't use Samsung Pay as the UK support is currently not here with limited banks supporting it (or vendors accepting it) nor do I need Secure Folder so thats fine really. Samsung Health I used a bit on the S6 but not essential. If hiding root works for Android Pay and Banking Apps then it might not all that bad to be honest to have to trip the Knox (Obviously the warranty will go with it)
The OTA updates would have been nice to have as it would save me having to mess with manually updating over each time a new firmware update came out.- If I was to install F over the N could I then use ODIN afterward or would I be stuck using TWRP due to it detecting the Hardware?
Also I presume you can't add the F software onto the N9500 variant via Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just turn off the shutter sound in settings. You don't need to do anything else!
- R. Kruse Ludington:
Galaxy Note 8<-5<-3<-S3<-Nexus; Droid X; HTC HD2<-Touch Pro 2<-Tilt<-8525; O2 XDA II<-XDA
KruseLudsMobile said:
Just turn off the shutter sound in settings. You don't need to do anything else!
- R. Kruse Ludington:
Galaxy Note 8<-5<-3<-S3<-Nexus; Droid X; HTC HD2<-Touch Pro 2<-Tilt<-8525; O2 XDA II<-XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't do that if you don't have the option to. Not all Note 8s have the ability to do that (as well as other features) & it's not just the Note 8, many Galaxy phones in the past as well. It depends on the carrier variant & the region the phone originates. I some countries itxs illegal to turn off the shutter sound. If it were that easy, there wouldn't be so many threads about it. If you search for shutter sound either here on XDA or Google, you'll find many threads for different phones.
I have the phone now and downloaded the F firmware for the UK - however TWRP doesnt seem to want to flash the zip and keeps coming up with zip invalid format?
I grabbed the firmware using Samfirm so it should be fine? Am I missing a step??
vizardo said:
I have the phone now and downloaded the F firmware for the UK - however TWRP doesnt seem to want to flash the zip and keeps coming up with zip invalid format?
I grabbed the firmware using Samfirm so it should be fine? Am I missing a step??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If that zip contains several .tar.md5 files that is the stock firmware for use in Odin. TWRP can't flash that.
You need to download a custom zip. Any of the ROMs in this section will work as they are made from F firmware as the base.
I figured out this best way to sort the shutter sound was to simply root with Magisk and use Root Explorer to rename the shutter sound as per Shouren04's solution. Not the most elegant method but works fine - not sure what file the fast multi image shutter speed is though as that still sounds.
Magisk seems to not break Android Pay so can confirm this works and I paid for something today.
OTA no longer works but will simply flash the normal N rom once the next update comes out with ODIN and then reinstall TWRP, Magisk and resort - Samsung updates are slow enough to not warrant being a pain
Oddly enough there are fewer camera modes on the new Note vs my older S6 - I quite liked the video collage it made without resorting to another app!
Thanks for all the help
vizardo said:
I figured out this best way to sort the shutter sound was to simply root with Magisk and use Root Explorer to rename the shutter sound as per Shouren04's solution. Not the most elegant method but works fine - not sure what file the fast multi image shutter speed is though as that still sounds.
Magisk seems to not break Android Pay so can confirm this works and I paid for something today.
OTA no longer works but will simply flash the normal N rom once the next update comes out with ODIN and then reinstall TWRP, Magisk and resort - Samsung updates are slow enough to not warrant being a pain
Oddly enough there are fewer camera modes on the new Note vs my older S6 - I quite liked the video collage it made without resorting to another app!
Thanks for all the help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Burst shots sound should be shutter_multiple.ogg & video sounds should either be cam_start.ogg & cam_stop.ogg or camcorder_start & camcorder_stop.ogg.
Best way & is the method I'm using is to add this csc string to get the shutter sound toggle which turns off all those sounds for me.
<CscFeature_Camera_ShutterSoundMenu>true</CscFeature_Camera_ShutterSoundMenu>
But if you are using a fully stock rom, your cscfeatures.xml file might be encrypted as was mine. I'm using tmobile csc so I am no longer using the stock encrypted cscfeatures.xml.
Of if you flash a custom rom you should be able to add the csc string without any problem.
Related
Well this took some figuring out, as many said it had to be rooted first
well NO it does not
Now this only work on the SM-900F with the bootloader unlocked basicallysold in the EU to any Network and branded
eg Vodafone.Orange,O2,Three(as long as there is no three Logo if so the bootloader is locked)
so here is what you need
the Latest version of Odin
The latest Version of kies as it is needed (Yes i said that )
Now Your countrys unbranded rom this can be tricky to find but for example the UK its BTU
they also can be found on here in the stock Firmware section ( i'm sure some one will post a link as they have got berried somewere)
But they can be found on sammobile.com
now download the rom
Now if you have never used odin before please read up on this first i'm not going to do a Noobs guide
Now do a Factory wipe and wipe the cache in recovery mode first
Open odin and pit the phone into recovery mode with out it rebooting
Flash the stock rom
Now long gone are the days of multiple csc so here is how to fix
Now before some one jumps in and says Oh XDA do a app to sort this (Only works on rooted phones)
Now after the rom has flashed let the phone Boot
Now Google apps may fall over here but the factory wipe sorts them out
Now nearly there, as we all no if you plug your phone into kies it does not like it
Well this time as long as you have got the right rom it will show a long line of rom info
Now for the fun bit open kies and connect your phone
then klick tools and pic firmware upgrade and initialisation Kies will come up with a warning screen
Just click next and watch the magic happen
Kies will see that you have a stock BTU rom on But the CSC is something else so
It re downloads the rom and clears the previous CSC out
I did use the xda phone info to check the CSC and on mine it should before Kies VOD/BTU
After Kies it showed BTU
Now kies says i Have a BTU phone and the firmware is upto date
I have done six differant phones now on verious networks and they work
the Three ones are hard but rolling the rom back to the first one cleared the Bootloader then i flashed the stock rom
There was no rooting or Knox tripping or custom roms used
Pure Samsung roms
This was only done to remove bloatware
A lot of the G900F branded ROMs (such as EE) are now BNL9, and there doesn't appear to be an unbranded BTU for BNL9 that I can find on SamMobile -- is it therefore not possible to change CSC without tripping Knox now?
arghness said:
A lot of the G900F branded ROMs (such as EE) are now BNL9, and there doesn't appear to be an unbranded BTU for BNL9 that I can find on SamMobile -- is it therefore not possible to change CSC without tripping Knox now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Knox will only trip if you use a Custom rom
if your on EE and on 4.4.2 install the first 5.0 rom from sammobile and follow the Kies above
if you have installed 5.0 from EE you can roll this back Using kies see bellow
Enter your phones model and serial number with out it plugged in it will then offer you what roms were installed pick the last 4.4.2 then follow the onscreen instructions
after its rolled back follow the above
I only no this works via 4.4.2 and going up to 5.0 that triggers kies to change the csc over
after you have done this putting the first 5.0 in Kies will even update the phone or you can via the wifi update
I have done six phones now and all is well and Samsung told me how to do this so no warranty other then the ee is void
make sure you use Sammobile only roms
"This was only done to remove bloatware"
nothing youve described removes bloatware, jus changes the bloatware on it, BTU still has chaton ant+ and loads of other crap, to debloat you do need root, but not to debrand, but then again we all knew that cause we read the firmware thread where this has been mentioned three times minimum
-PiLoT- said:
"This was only done to remove bloatware"
nothing youve described removes bloatware, jus changes the bloatware on it, BTU still has chaton ant+ and loads of other crap, to debloat you do need root, but not to debrand, but then again we all knew that cause we read the firmware thread where this has been mentioned three times minimum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were not on about the Bloat manufactures put on, this is Debranding removing the pointless junk networks add that the user can not remove or dissable
most of what you have said can be disabled in Application manager
if the user chooses when there on BTU to root its alot safer on a BTU stock rom then a Network rom
eg on Vodafone if you remove the RCS program you will not be able to send a txt using the default messages apk as Vodafone has removed this
Rooting is not compulsary in debranding and if your simply doing this to sell on the phone then there is no need to, and should only be done if this is what you want to do
But my method is just the first step in getting a Clean phone ready to Root this prevents any issues in the rooting Proses
i have fixed many phone on Network roms that people have mad a mess off
Plus when it come to re selling a phone a unbranded fetches more money and if Knox has not been triggared then the warrenty still stands
Lte network selection
ok I have a question guys
I have a g900f but in the network selection there is no Lte or 4G selection, my phone was using Malaysian firmware ( I didn't check if it does have Lte network selection) and then I flashed XSG (united Arab Emirates) firmware, so If I flashed unbranded firmware like Poland or UK .......... can I get the Lte network selection or no ???!!!!
how I can get 4G with out root or custom rom
Northern.dj said:
Were not on about the Bloat manufactures put on, this is Debranding removing the pointless junk networks add that the user can not remove or dissable
most of what you have said can be disabled in Application manager
if the user chooses when there on BTU to root its alot safer on a BTU stock rom then a Network rom
eg on Vodafone if you remove the RCS program you will not be able to send a txt using the default messages apk as Vodafone has removed this
Rooting is not compulsary in debranding and if your simply doing this to sell on the phone then there is no need to, and should only be done if this is what you want to do
But my method is just the first step in getting a Clean phone ready to Root this prevents any issues in the rooting Proses
i have fixed many phone on Network roms that people have mad a mess off
Plus when it come to re selling a phone a unbranded fetches more money and if Knox has not been triggared then the warrenty still stands
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TBH i never new rooting caused any issues, not for people of intelligance anyway. but anyway, in the EU knox doesnt void warranty
Not every one that come on here is flaunt with rooting, or knows how to
or even wants to
this is why they have there own section and stops the Noob bashing
after all we all started some were
My Method simply does what it says with our rooting :good:
It stops some apps that I use from running (banking, in particular). Other than that I'd definitely root for the better Tasker functionality it offers (my older phones used for various other things around the house are all rooted but I want banking on my primary device)
Rooting for some has its Good points
But its better on a vanilla rom which has all the nasty Network traps removed, so then its then only manufacture apps
Plus if there is any issues with a Root then the developer can take a look
also you get the firmware updates still, but you will need to do a Factory wipe to remove the root
For some just braking away from the chains of the Network is enough
in the UK Networks have no idea
arghness said:
It stops some apps that I use from running (banking, in particular). Other than that I'd definitely root for the better Tasker functionality it offers (my older phones used for various other things around the house are all rooted but I want banking on my primary device)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got banking app working on rooted phone with rootCloak exposed module[emoji6]
Talex416 said:
Got banking app working on rooted phone with rootCloak exposed module[emoji6]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RootCloak doesn't work for my bank. RootCloak Plus did for 1 version, but an update to the banking app broke it again and it was never fixed.
The only way I got my banking app running on my S3 and S5 was using this method by HiddenRambler...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=49296437&postcount=8
May be of some help to someone who hasn't come across it or tried it yet.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app
Another interesting development! You can flash the firmware from the U model of the S7 Edge to the AT&T model. Do not know if this is possible for the T-Mobile, Verizon, etc. models. It should be. If anyone tries it and finds out, let me know and I’ll update the post accordingly.
Edit: Root is possible using previously posted method for 935A. Working on a method that doesn't require the engboot file for the U firmware but no promises yet.
The major advantage here to some will be that there is less bloatware. There is zero carrier bloat. None. Nada. Zip. The Samsung bloat is still there, however you can uninstall (yes, uninstall, not disable) most of it. There are 4 it seems that remain and can’t be uninstalled. These are Samsung Pay, Galaxy Apps. Clock, and Calendar (S Planner).
The menus are different. I think the menus are an improvement to be honest. Everything is there aside from the AT&T specific stuff (since this is the U firmware, it's not carrier specific). If you rely on AT&T specific items/bloat, they are not present here.
Frequently asked things I have tested:
Hotspot – Working fine here.
Samsung Pay – Bit the bullet and tested because I knew it would be asked, even though I don’t care to use Samsung Pay. My device was rooted previously. I flashed this and am no longer rooted. Samsung pay works fine. Tested it at the store this morning. IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE PLEASE UPDATE ME, AS THIS SEEMS TO BE THE MOST ASKED QUESTION.
Update - I have now heard from 7 other users besides myself confirming that Samsung Pay works in store and haven't heard a single report of it failing so far. I'm now confident to call this working across the board, however do keep in mind there's always a risk.
Everything else seems to work as normal. User experiences are different. You may use things that I don’t, so you may find something that’s broken. If you do, please let me know and I’ll update this post for everyone. Please note the firmware also installs Instagram and Whatsapp by default in addition to Facebook, and they are both removable. Facebook however, much like on the AT&T version, is not. You can still turn it off though.
How to install:
Put your phone in download mode.
I personally had success with this version of Odin: http://www.mediafire.com/download/2t2sjqxtogbkafk/odin_3.12.3.rar
However another user couldn’t get it to work and used this version: http://d-h.st/gsDA
Flash the 4 files in this zip to your phone using Odin. All 4 of them: https://www.mediafire.com/?fm3oxddajta1k07
Put the BL in the BL slot, AP in it's slot, and so on. Flash all 4 at once through Odin.
When using the second version of Odin, I encountered an issue where the phone would crash during setup just after the wifi screen. If you have any problems with either, please report back and let me know. Either way, this seems safe to try on the AT&T version of the S7 Edge. I am able to go back to the stock AT&T firmware I’ve uploaded in my other thread just fine. So if this doesn’t work for you, it’s possible to go back. I have went back and forth 4 times now, and met with success going to and from the stock AT&T firmware to this one each time. However as always, try at your own risk.
Again, since many people are asking about carrier specific features - This is the SM-935U firmware. U meaning unlocked. It's not carrier specific. Anything AT&T does to modify the firmware WILL NOT BE PRESENT.. Use this solely if you want a more pure Android experience. No carrier bloat, being able to remove almost all Samsung bloat completely without having to root to do so, and getting updates before carrier specific models. If you rely on AT&T specific modifications to the S7 Edge, this is not for you unless/until someone finds a way to add them (which then defeats the purpose of the U firmware, meaning you might as well stick to the stock firmware).
FAQ
1. Does Samsung Pay work? – Yes. As long as you don’t root the 935U firmware (which is possible using the method currently available for the 935A) Samsung Pay works fine.
2. Does it have Enhanced LTE? – No. Enhanced LTE is a carrier specific feature. This is the U (unlocked) firmware. Anything unique to any carrier is absent. Period. Confirmed by testing against an actual SM-G935U.
3. Does it work with any other carrier than AT&T? – I have had people reporting success with T-Mobile and Verizon versions of the 935. I do not have one, so going from what they say – it works, but attempt at your own risk or search for their posts and ask them personally.
4. How does it perform compared to the 935A firmware? – It benchmarks noticeably higher. It also has a measurable advantage in terms of battery life. It performs better stock than the 935A rooted and tweaked, and when the U firmware is rooted and tweaked, it performs even better still. It’s all around superior to carrier specific firmwares.
5. Can you uninstall the Samsung bloat? – All but 3 apps. Yes, uninstall, not disable, and no, you don’t need to root the U firmware to do it.
6. Can I still revert back to my stock firmware? – Yes. If you have the stock firmware, it’s easy to flash back to it. It won’t trip knox or break Samsung Pay.
7. Will you be modifying it to have the AT&T features? – Likely not. That would entirely defeat the purpose of going to the U firmware. If you want the carrier bloat and features, you’re ahead to just stick to the carrier firmware.
8. Does this work for the regular S7 or the S7 Active? – I have no idea. I don’t own either phone, and cannot test it. I’m going to assume not. If you are brave and test it, do let us all know.
9. Do you have access to the S7 flat or S7 Active U firmwares? – No.
10. It shows the security patch from May. Is it out of date? – As of 7-7-2016 I have an actual 935U as well as my 935A with the U firmware. Neither has an update currently, so it seems the May security patch is the latest out for the U model so far. If I get an update on my actual 935U, I will let you know if it shows on the 935A with the U firmware or not.
And for those wondering about all the U files floating around...
gtg465x said:
For what it's worth, I downloaded three versions: the one from the first post, one labeled an ATT version posted by someone else in the thread, and an XXA one from SamMobile that was a different size zip file, and all three zips contained the exact same firmware, as verified by md5 check, but the SamMobile version was missing the CP and CSC files and was compressed differently.
Here are the md5s of the various firmware files:
AP_G935UUEU2APEH_CL8086184_QB9638174_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
md5: 0d736fd16ea372e21019a5640b54d965
BL_G935UUEU2APEH_CL8086184_QB9638174_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
md5: bd4d93a5387abcac2ba8737a95989fa3
CP_G935UUEU2APEH_CL8086184_QB9638174_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
md5: abf5821c3edeed42b752329b301ab01e
CSC_OYM_G935UOYM2APEH_CL8086184_QB9638174_REV02_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5
md5: 7aa4025b7a02dfee0d0470cd3ddc98d2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are a few screenshots. I hadn’t installed all my stuff yet, however I had uninstalled several of the Samsung bloat apps already.
great write-up
Dumb question but this will only work on the edge and not flat AT&T variant, correct?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
brianray14 said:
Dumb question but this will only work on the edge and not flat AT&T variant, correct?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea to be honest. I only have the AT&T Edge. But I will update the post if anyone tries it!
I can't wait to try this... i am gonna install the stock 935a firmware you posted first to see which one i am gonna like better my bets on the 935u though that mobile data toggle icon alone is swinging my vote
Cool, thanks! Would love to have this option for flat S7 as I only have interest in debloating at this stage
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
malcomp87 said:
I can't wait to try this... i am gonna install the stock 935a firmware you posted first to see which one i am gonna like better my bets on the 935u though that mobile data toggle icon alone is swinging my vote
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
935U is also showing better geekbench scores and so far the battery drains less. (nothing disabled, testing it just as it comes aside from uninstalling the Samsung bloat that's uninstallable. Nothing disabled, greenify not installed.)
brianray14 said:
Cool, thanks! Would love to have this option for flat S7 as I only have interest in debloating at this stage
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd love for it to work too! And on the Active! So if anyone tries it and confirms or denies that it works for sure I will let you all know!
i ended up using the modded odin(2nd one). mainly because i had it already loaded up because i ended up having a faulty cord when trying your odin version. so im sure your version odin wouldve worked also if i had my good cord at the time.
Tried 5x keeps failing
Venom0642 said:
Tried 5x keeps failing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm that shows that the hash file failed verification it seems, but also verified it before that. Weird. Have you tried re-downloading it? Or if you like, I'll post the program that allows you to download the firmware straight from the source. However it downloads extra files and I'll have to tell you which to use. Let me know.
Venom0642 said:
Tried 5x keeps failing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try the other version of Odin I linked out of curiosity? Some reported failures with the first while it works for others of us.
Symphony0fLife said:
Hmm that shows that the hash file failed verification it seems, but also verified it before that. Weird. Have you tried re-downloading it? Or if you like, I'll post the program that allows you to download the firmware straight from the source. However it downloads extra files and I'll have to tell you which to use. Let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried tool where i download it myself and it fail 3x then i download it yours and still failed, so not sure why is doing this.
Running On Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge G935A Wicked Dark Carnage Edition Theme
Can't wait to see if anyone can get this on the T-Mobile variant...
Venom0642 said:
I tried tool where i download it myself and it fail 3x then i download it yours and still failed, so not sure why is doing this.
Running On Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge G935A Wicked Dark Carnage Edition Theme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is strange! have you previously rooted the device? Just wondering. So far everyone I've confirmed this with was previously rooted, maybe that's part of it?
cybrwulf said:
Can't wait to see if anyone can get this on the T-Mobile variant...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The file is actually for T-Mobile believe it or not! However since I don't have a T-Mobile device myself I was hesitant to state it works. But I am sure someone will try it at some point!
Symphony0fLife said:
That is strange! have you previously rooted the device? Just wondering. So far everyone I've confirmed this with was previously rooted, maybe that's part of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
never rooted but worked with second option odin, its booting now!
Venom0642 said:
never rooted but worked with second option odin, its booting now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know! That's the reason I posted both odin files. I and others had success with the first, and others still failed there and the second worked. Enjoy!
Honestly this sounds too good to be true. Remove the carrier bloat, potentially get better speed and better batter and have zero downsides. I definitely didn't want to root, because I want to use Samsung Pay, but if I can remove all the AT&T and Samsung stuff I don't use and still use Samsung Pay, that's a win win win.
Hi
I used 3.12 odin at the beginning, it complains sha-256 is not valid. Then I search internet and xda has a new fixed 3.12 version in the root package which could by pass this check. If you have not rooted, I guess you have to use the one in the root package.
By the way, samsung pay works if you jave not rooted
Hi! Former Note 4 owner here, about to switch from One Plus 3T to Note 8. It has been a sweet ride with the OP3T but I am getting Note withdrawal already ! I just realized I buy (and lose) cheap styluses (styli?) every other week as I spend a lot of time editing pictures on the fly for our home business FB and IG ads.
Have a simple question:
In my country we have 2 variants available, N950F and the Korean N950N. almost same price, gladly both Exynos which is what I want. However, I would like to know if there is any advantage for any of them regarding system updates timing from Samsung, security updates and the like. Also, any chances of Oreo being rolled out for one of them earlier than the other?
I dont feel a need to root at the moment although just in case I would like to know if there are any major differences or ease of doing that for any of them . I did some research before posting the question and looks like N950F has more dev support but correct me if I am wrong.
I just need to decide on this "XDA world problem" to pull the triger. No one I know understand my conundrum and they look at me like I am from Mars.
Garoto1973 said:
Hi! Former Note 4 owner here, about to switch from One Plus 3T to Note 8. It has been a sweet ride with the OP3T but I am getting Note withdrawal already ! I just realized I buy (and lose) cheap styluses (styli?) every other week as I spend a lot of time editing pictures on the fly for our home business FB and IG ads.
Have a simple question:
In my country we have 2 variants available, N950F and the Korean N950N. almost same price, gladly both Exynos which is what I want. However, I would like to know if there is any advantage for any of them regarding system updates timing from Samsung, security updates and the like. Also, any chances of Oreo being rolled out for one of them earlier than the other?
I dont feel a need to root at the moment although just in case I would like to know if there are any major differences or ease of doing that for any of them . I did some research before posting the question and looks like N950F has more dev support but correct me if I am wrong.
I just need to decide on this "XDA world problem" to pull the triger. No one I know understand my conundrum and they look at me like I am from Mars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updates will be released in tandem. One after other. So not much delay
950N , yes I said it.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Limeybastard said:
950N , yes I said it.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol...you might as well give OP a reason why you suggest one over the other
sefrcoko said:
Lol...you might as well give OP a reason why you suggest one over the other
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It believe you have better color options and memory?plus made in Korea. LOL
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
n950n = no possible OEM jail time issue. F's are a hit or miss. Uk seem ok but the rest of asian and Oceania seem to have the dreaded 7 day jail time.
bober10113 said:
n950n = no possible OEM jail time issue. F's are a hit or miss. Uk seem ok but the rest of asian and Oceania seem to have the dreaded 7 day jail time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Why is there no possibility of "jail time" on the SM-N950N? Kindly elaborate.
MrElectrifyer said:
Really? Why is there no possibility of "jail time" on the SM-N950N? Kindly elaborate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because the OEM unlock is there by default. My first attempt at a note 8 was a dual sim 950F and OEM unlock was not there. Not being able to root/flash twrp for 7 days and possibility of jail time every time a new rom or csc is flashed is not my cup of tea.
bober10113 said:
because the OEM unlock is there by default. My first attempt at a note 8 was a dual sim 950F and OEM unlock was not there. Not being able to root/flash twrp for 7 days and possibility of jail time every time a new rom or csc is flashed is not my cup of tea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well then, that makes me better appreciate my 256GB SM-N950N.
I was on the lookout for the 256GB SM-N950FD 'cause I wanted a globally unlocked, Multi-CSC supported, and unbranded bloatware-free Exynos device with support for OTAs. The Dual SIM support is a welcome added bonus. However, never came across a 256GB version of the SM-N950FD, only 64GB version, which I'm not willing to settle for, especially as I plan on keeping this device (my first ever Samsung Smartphone) for the next 5+ years (unless something a whole lot more useful becomes available) and I'm using it more and more as a full-fledged Pocket PC.
After you've rooted, do you always clean install via Odin in order to install the monthly security updates? Or how do you update the device? Please and thank you.
MrElectrifyer said:
Well then, that makes me better appreciate my 256GB SM-N950N.
I was on the lookout for the 256GB SM-N950FD 'cause I wanted a globally unlocked, Multi-CSC supported, and unbranded bloatware-free Exynos device with support for OTAs. The Dual SIM support is a welcome added bonus. However, never came across a 256GB version of the SM-N950FD, only 64GB version, which I'm not willing to settle for, especially as I plan on keeping this device (my first ever Samsung Smartphone) for the next 5+ years (unless something a whole lot more useful becomes available) and I'm using it more and more as a full-fledged Pocket PC.
After you've rooted, do you always clean install via Odin in order to install the monthly security updates? Or how do you update the device? Please and thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for monthly updates, no need to be rooted.
If you root then chances are you have twrp and probably are on a custom rom. the dev which makes the rom will update their Rom(monthly?) and then just flash that in twrp.
only thing you need to do is maintain your bootloader and modem up to date via odin. never flash these 2 firmwares that might be provided within roms or as seperate files as they are almost always for n950F.
I too have a 256gb version and it has been nothing but smooth sailing!
bober10113 said:
for monthly updates, no need to be rooted.
If you root then chances are you have twrp and probably are on a custom rom. the dev which makes the rom will update their Rom(monthly?) and then just flash that in twrp.
only thing you need to do is maintain your bootloader and modem up to date via odin. never flash these 2 firmwares that might be provided within roms or as seperate files as they are almost always for n950F.
I too have a 256gb version and it has been nothing but smooth sailing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the information. I don't have a custom ROM (frankly, I really like Samsung's feature-packed stock ROMs), I rooted so that I could switch the CSC to the Canadian Fido CSC (FMC) to enable WiFi Calling and also native call recording. Unfortunately, haven't figured out how to get either of those working yet, but also using Magisk root for other handy root applications like Titanium Backup, DisableService, etc., all while keeping Safetynet happy
In this situation, how would you suggest I do the updates without losing system data? Is there a way via PrinceComsy Odin? Thanks in advance.
MrElectrifyer said:
Thanks for the information. I don't have a custom ROM (frankly, I really like Samsung's feature-packed stock ROMs), I rooted so that I could switch the CSC to the Canadian Fido CSC (FMC) to enable WiFi Calling and also native call recording. Unfortunately, haven't figured out how to get either of those working yet, but also using Magisk root for other handy root applications like Titanium Backup, DisableService, etc., all while keeping Safetynet happy
In this situation, how would you suggest I do the updates without losing system data? Is there a way via PrinceComsy Odin? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
updates meaning CSC ? just flash the note 8 CSC pack from tkkg1994
you can also manualy extract the files to your device(dont forget to set file and folder permissions after. I acctualy post updates for the Canadian xac region file in that dev,s thread so he can incorporate them in his flashable zip.
Regarding csc options for wifi calling, unfortuantely Fido is Rogers. they blacklist foreign imei codes. meaning that you need a device sold by them which is total BS.
this is the only "downside" of having a non-carrier branded device
bober10113 said:
updates meaning CSC ? just flash the note 8 CSC pack from tkkg1994
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again for the information. Sorry for not being clear, I meant entire firmware updates, like the security updates and the upcoming Oreo update. How would you flash them on the SM-N950N without losing data? I once attempted updating via Odin with HOME_CSC of the SM-N950N in the CSC slot, but it factory reset my Note 8. I then re-attempted with the HOME_CSC of the SM-N950W (the Canadian Note 8), but Odin threw back an error. Again, I'm not on a custom ROM, only changed the CSC.
MrElectrifyer said:
Thanks again for the information. Sorry for not being clear, I meant entire firmware updates, like the security updates and the upcoming Oreo update. How would you flash them on the SM-N950N without losing data? I once attempted updating via Odin with HOME_CSC of the SM-N950N in the CSC slot, but it factory reset my Note 8. I then re-attempted with the HOME_CSC of the SM-N950W (the Canadian Note 8), but Odin threw back an error. Again, I'm not on a custom ROM, only changed the CSC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stock csc firmware will wipe your fone at first but once its changed then it should not wipe after. it wipes when carrier/region is switched. flashing stock firmware from an F device to a N is not going to work.
logically is you flash the next korean full firmware update(bl,ap,cp,csc) it shouldint wipe. anyways if i remember right once csc was switched on your 1st attempt then it shouldint wipe on your subsequent tries. only thing that dies wipe is when sim triggers region to change.
if you have trwp then flash the CSC pack. it won t wipe that im sure of.
bober10113 said:
...it wipes when carrier/region is switched...
only thing that dies wipe is when sim triggers region to change.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So given that logic, it would always wipe my Note 8. 'Cause after flashing the official SM-N950N (SKC) firmware via Odin (which makes it now the SKC CSC), I again changed CSC to FMC via @Tkkg1994's CSC Selection tool. Attempting to flash future updates would again trigger a CSC change from FMC to SKC, right?
bober10113 said:
if you have trwp then flash the CSC pack. it won t wipe that im sure of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand and can confirm that. However, that's used after flashing the official firmware updates, which results in a wipe in Odin as it's changing from FMC back to SKC, if I understood correctly. I'm looking for a way to avoid the wipe when doing the firmware update.
just don't flash csc part in odin next update. always use the CSC packs. of course since you flash AP then you have to reflash twrp each time and prolly have to format storage?
but all things put aside, you really should try his Iron man rom! make a trwp backup of your current state incase you want to go back.
So what about SM-N9500, the last update I received had Android January Security fix.
I jave the F edition.
Never went to jail. Flashed over 30 times different roms.
Maroc_Specops said:
I jave the F edition.
Never went to jail. Flashed over 30 times different roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are part of the 1%
maybe not literally 1 per cent but alot of F owners have had issues with "jail" time. there is a whole thread dedicated to the OEM unlock issue.
---------- Post added at 04:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:47 AM ----------
itsmohsink said:
So what about SM-N9500, the last update I received had Android January Security fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your on chinese snap dragon. totally different beast.
not sure if that makes updates come faster or not.
n950n just got an update 1 day before the Fs.
the rest are trailing at lest 10 days behind.
so id say the update speeds is:
Ns
Fs
U's
0's
W's
time = X quantity of space... lol
Ok... So where to begin...
I've searched the threads for a few days now and tried several flashing methods and tools, but I'm having no luck. So please bare with me, and I will get into it...
I recently purchased a new Note 9 international unlocked model. I was super excited and ready to get it running. Except, I started it up and then no Bixby Voice. Unlike most, I prefer to use it and find it helpful to me regularly, so I'd like to keep it. Anyway, when pressing the button I received the much noted "Bixby Voice is not available in your country" message. Well, I found from Samsung support live chat, that this is because of two reasons. One, I currently live in Japan. Two, the phone is a Singapore model phone. My immediate thought was "Oh, ok well, I'll just flash it with another country's firmware then". Seemed easy enough. I flashed it with firmware baring an OXM csc, and after booting up I noticed the the VoLTE feature that was not select-able before was now able to turned on. "Ooow, extra win!" I thought, but of course same issue with bixby. So I searched and found a csc for a location that has bixby is available and is also a carrier unlocked Exynos chipset firmware (XEU). I flashed this, but guess what... still no Bixby Voice. Frustrated, I began looking into changing the Sales code. Using the *#272*IMEI# code and found that MM1 was the sales code for some reason. I changed this to XEU and the phone rebooted. I restored and then tried Bixby Voice again... same. Except, I noticed I also lost the VoLTE option completely. It doesn't even show in the menu bar anymore. I tried the code again to change the sales code back, but now I get error "Connection problem or invalid MMI code." So now, I lost that too. "To hell with it", I thought. I'll flash it back to the old firmware... nope. Now I get:
SW REV. CHECK FAIL. DEVICE: 2, BINARY: 1
This will sometimes change slightly if I try to flash a single part of the new firmware, BL, AP, CSC, etc...
I have done some research and found via the serial number that the firmware I should have installed is: N960FXXU1ARH5_N960FOXM1ARGD_N960FXXU1ARGC_N960FXXU 1ARH5_XSP (according to the Chimera Mobile tool)
I've obtained this, but I still get the same Revision error. I found that the one last one I successfully flashed is a newer version than the others. So now what can I do? Is it possible I can just manually manipulate the CSC details? I rooted the phone and got ES Explorer going, set all the access rights to R/W but I cant find the /System/CSC folder that people keep going on about. Did they do away with that on the Note 9?
It looks like I also have some regional troubles with the Play store too.
WTH... I'm really not sure what to do here. Can anyone please help? I'll be satisfied if I can just get it back to the stock firmware...
Decoding SW REV. CHECK FAIL. DEVICE: 2, BINARY: 1 come out to: Software Revision check fail, you have 2 and it's expecting 1.
That does indeed sound like you've installed a newer version and it's not letting you roll back the device. You may now need to wait for Singapore's stock firmware to be updated to the same or newer and get a copy of that.
who uses bixby use google assistant for peats sake!!!"!!!!
willhemmens said:
Decoding SW REV. CHECK FAIL. DEVICE: 2, BINARY: 1 come out to: Software Revision check fail, you have 2 and it's expecting 1.
That does indeed sound like you've installed a newer version and it's not letting you roll back the device. You may now need to wait for Singapore's stock firmware to be updated to the same or newer and get a copy of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi willhemmens! Thanks for replying back.
I was also speculating the same thing about having to wait for the revision, but I know the people here are significantly more knowledgeable, so I thought I'd try to pick some brains. My first though was that there must be something in one of the package files that identify to the phone what "version" it is, and then perhaps that can be modified and then re-packaged. But if that were the case, this would be the best place on the planet to verify that. I have tools to un-package and repackage, maybe I'll make a duplicate copy and tinker around in it.
It looks like everyone is complaining about it. It's been a while since I rooted a device (7 years maybe?), so I hadn't realized Samsung took a dump in the downgrade pool. I also found some other new 'glorious' features they've graced us with-after the fact of course. Now, when I un-root... it's still flagged as modified! Woohoo. ....Fricken' KNOX. Now all of the nifty Samsung apps are blocked. Is it just me, or has Samsung turned a little extra Ass-hat recently?
Anyway, I guess I'll have to deal with this lame iOS quality version of Oreo until then... By the way, off the top of your head do you know where I can go to keep an eye out for that update to happen? All I know is SamMobile.com
Thanks again.
mikey_sk said:
who uses bixby use google assistant for peats sake!!!"!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mikey! Yeah, I suppose your right. I've just been using it a lot and have gotten accustomed to it. Plus I enjoy creating my own custom Bixby voices, attitudes, and responses. Bixby on my Note 8 has split personality.
Luckily she doesn't randomly laugh in the dark like Alexa. If she did she'd fly out the window like a Note 7.
csc was omc and now odm.
bober10113 said:
csc was omc and now odm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI Bober10113! Thanks for your reply. I was able to find my way there, but It seems the csc feature files are encrypted now. I'm still looking through the threads for something about how to decrypt/encrypt them, but I haven't found anything yet.
VetteMike69 said:
HI Bober10113! Thanks for your reply. I was able to find my way there, but It seems the csc feature files are encrypted now. I'm still looking through the threads for something about how to decrypt/encrypt them, but I haven't found anything yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I just found a video on YouTube where Yakapa40 is able to unpack the xml files using some "cscfeature" executable.
@yakapa40
Is there any chance you might be willing to share your "cscfeature.exe" file for unpacking the feature XML files in the CSC?
VetteMike69 said:
Actually, I just found a video on YouTube where Yakapa40 is able to unpack the xml files using some "cscfeature" executable.
@yakapa40
Is there any chance you might be willing to share your "cscfeature.exe" file for unpacking the feature XML files in the CSC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah sorry, nevermind... I was able to make a ps1 for it instead. I'm good one decoding and encoding the XMLs now.
@VetteMike69
if you need it , you have an automatic encode/decode feature here in post 5 : https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/n960f-n960n-n960u-n960u1-n960w-n9600-t3833721
regards
edit : sorry no licence , but you can make your own patch file
yakapa40 said:
@VetteMike69
if you need it , you have an automatic encode/decode feature here in post 5 : https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/n960f-n960n-n960u-n960u1-n960w-n9600-t3833721
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you made the exe with freeware(advance bat to exe converter)that only works on your PC. read the software policy.. its clearly written that what you compile only works on 1 computer.
anyways for everyone else, here is a proper tool:
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhXVLDDj8g3Agdl8B0jk3H1dqccrXw
bober10113 said:
you made the exe with freeware(advance bat to exe converter)that only works on your PC. read the software policy.. its clearly written that what you compile only works on 1 computer.
anyways for everyone else, here is a proper tool:
https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhXVLDDj8g3Agdl8B0jk3H1dqccrXw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi bober, don't know where else to post this, so posting it here...I have seen a bunch of your posts and it seems you've figured out a way to use Canadian CSC on the 960 F/DS...i have a few questions:
1- First step is install TWRP?
2- then root?
3- do I have to change the actual firmware of the device? Mine is a singapore unit
4- Once I change CSC, how are updates handled after that if I want to keep using stock firmware?
5- If I can't do OTA, then how will I update to the latest version and security patches? Do I download these for the Canada version? or the Singapore version?
Any help would be highly appreciated!!
hkalltheway said:
Hi bober, don't know where else to post this, so posting it here...I have seen a bunch of your posts and it seems you've figured out a way to use Canadian CSC on the 960 F/DS...i have a few questions:
1- First step is install TWRP?
2- then root?
3- do I have to change the actual firmware of the device? Mine is a singapore unit
4- Once I change CSC, how are updates handled after that if I want to keep using stock firmware?
5- If I can't do OTA, then how will I update to the latest version and security patches? Do I download these for the Canada version? or the Singapore version?
Any help would be highly appreciated!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think you should weigh in what you want to achieve by changing csc and if it really is worth rooting for.
i rooted for custom roms, sound mods and just sheer control over my device.
but this comes with a price:
no samsung pay ( yet)( can always unroot)
tripped knox fuse, so probably no warranty. depends.(once tripped, this cannot be reverted)
misc apps detect root and might no longer root.(can always unroot)
so you should read up and get informed on what you need and if you need root/twrp.
concerning updates once rooted:
either use custom roms. BL and CP can be manually updated via stock firmware while custom rom keeps the system up to date.
or flash full stock firmware each time then re-root.
in both cases above, firmware files to be used are for exynos F devices. forget the canadian firmware, you cant flash that since it's for snapdragon devices.
yakapa40 said:
@VetteMike69
if you need it , you have an automatic encode/decode feature here in post 5 : https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/how-to/n960f-n960n-n960u-n960u1-n960w-n9600-t3833721
regards
edit : sorry no licence , but you can make your own patch file
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Click to collapse
Hi @yakapa40!
Thank you, this looks like it'll be a bit more convenient than the one I made previously. I'll put it on record for next time. Luckily I was able to find what prevented me from flashing the older revision CSC and modify that. So now I was able to use Odin to drop down my PDA and CSC while keeping the newer Bootloader and Baseband. I guess it's a bit of a Frankin'-Firm now. Whats weird though, is that now my knox sometimes shows tripped and sometimes doesn't; sometimes root checker fails and sometimes it passes.
I wonder if I grazed on something that's related to the knox handler... Nagh... probably just wishful thinking. Still weird though.
bober10113 said:
i think you should weigh in what you want to achieve by changing csc and if it really is worth rooting for.
i rooted for custom roms, sound mods and just sheer control over my device.
but this comes with a price:
no samsung pay ( yet)( can always unroot)
tripped knox fuse, so probably no warranty. depends.(once tripped, this cannot be reverted)
misc apps detect root and might no longer root.(can always unroot)
so you should read up and get informed on what you need and if you need root/twrp.
concerning updates once rooted:
either use custom roms. BL and CP can be manually updated via stock firmware while custom rom keeps the system up to date.
or flash full stock firmware each time then re-root.
in both cases above, firmware files to be used are for exynos F devices. forget the canadian firmware, you cant flash that since it's for snapdragon devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi @hkalltheway!
Bober10113 is absolutely right on this. Really, you need to know what exactly you are rooting the device for. If you don't have a set reason, it may be better not to root it. You can flash stock firmware and CSC all day long without needing a root. But if you want to customize the features (there's not really a lot right now by the way) and setup custom menus, layouts, or run CFW... Then you'll have to go the way of rooting. But again, there is currently no definitive way to "untrip" your knox. As he said, you can "unroot" but you cannot "technically" regain your unmodified status; even though you can revert back to a stock rom. By loosing this status you loose access to Pay, Secure Folder, and a few other things. I think there is a mod out there to get Samsung Health working again, but as far as I'm currently aware, that's the only one you can re-gain. Most of them validate against your knox value.
Regarding your questions.
YES! You should always install TWRP first before doing any 'messin'. This is your ultimate line of recovery and the best mulligan your gonna get from your device. Always follow the two step wonder on this:
1. Install TWRP
2. Boot into TWRP and create a full backup of your partitions (Before anything else). I do this to the SD card in the tray. That way it's always handy.
After this, feel free to play around, but keep in mind what versions/revisions your flashing. If you jump to a new one, it's not easy to downgrade -it'll take hours to download and rewrite the firmware you need and trick the phone into thinking it's flashing the latest update.
Regarding a changed CSC and the updates... You should have no problem getting updates. But Samsung sends out updates to devices based on the CSC. So, if you flash the CSC, the updates you get will come at the same time interval of the country and location of the CSC that you flashed. For example, you have a Sin model with Sin CSC just like me, but if you flash to a UK CSC, then you will get your updates at the same time that the UK get their updates. Etc, Etc...
For the OTA Updates, if your on a stock firmware you should get these fine. If they do not automatically update you can just tap the update button manually in settings to check for new updates and then download them. Some have said you need to turn off automatic updates, and some say you do not. This, I'm not 100% sure on this one. Also, you can manually update by flashing the newest version through Odin as the come in. Usually SamMobile.com is good about keeping up to date firmware that you can download with all 4 packs, nicely labeled for you.
Hopefully that helps you out a bit.
VetteMike69 said:
Hi @hkalltheway!
Bober10113 is absolutely right on this. Really, you need to know what exactly you are rooting the device for. If you don't have a set reason, it may be better not to root it. You can flash stock firmware and CSC all day long without needing a root. But if you want to customize the features (there's not really a lot right now by the way) and setup custom menus, layouts, or run CFW... Then you'll have to go the way of rooting. But again, there is currently no definitive way to "untrip" your knox. As he said, you can "unroot" but you cannot "technically" regain your unmodified status; even though you can revert back to a stock rom. By loosing this status you loose access to Pay, Secure Folder, and a few other things. I think there is a mod out there to get Samsung Health working again, but as far as I'm currently aware, that's the only one you can re-gain. Most of them validate against your knox value.
Regarding your questions.
YES! You should always install TWRP first before doing any 'messin'. This is your ultimate line of recovery and the best mulligan your gonna get from your device. Always follow the two step wonder on this:
1. Install TWRP
2. Boot into TWRP and create a full backup of your partitions (Before anything else). I do this to the SD card in the tray. That way it's always handy.
After this, feel free to play around, but keep in mind what versions/revisions your flashing. If you jump to a new one, it's not easy to downgrade -it'll take hours to download and rewrite the firmware you need and trick the phone into thinking it's flashing the latest update.
Regarding a changed CSC and the updates... You should have no problem getting updates. But Samsung sends out updates to devices based on the CSC. So, if you flash the CSC, the updates you get will come at the same time interval of the country and location of the CSC that you flashed. For example, you have a Sin model with Sin CSC just like me, but if you flash to a UK CSC, then you will get your updates at the same time that the UK get their updates. Etc, Etc...
For the OTA Updates, if your on a stock firmware you should get these fine. If they do not automatically update you can just tap the update button manually in settings to check for new updates and then download them. Some have said you need to turn off automatic updates, and some say you do not. This, I'm not 100% sure on this one. Also, you can manually update by flashing the newest version through Odin as the come in. Usually SamMobile.com is good about keeping up to date firmware that you can download with all 4 packs, nicely labeled for you.
Hopefully that helps you out a bit.
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Click to collapse
phone info tool and other root detect apps are notorious for reporting wrong Knox status.....
he wants a csc from a snapdragon to a exynos. so flashing csc from SD in odin is ill advised. so it will require root and files be either manualy modded or i have updated tkkg1994 csc pack to work on note 9. ive only added canadian region.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AhXVLDDj8g3AgdkwkPIxwDu5ZFASuQ
in twrp backup:
EFS
carrier files
then flash zip.
i wont be held responsible for anything. Ive tested on my N960N.
should work on any F or FD/DS too.
all credits to tkkg1994.
bober10113 said:
phone info tool and other root detect apps are notorious for reporting wrong Knox status.....
he wants a csc from a snapdragon to a exynos. so flashing csc from SD in odin is ill advised. so it will require root and files be either manualy modded or i have updated tkkg1994 csc pack to work on note 9. ive only added canadian region.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AhXVLDDj8g3AgdkwkPIxwDu5ZFASuQ
in twrp backup:
EFS
carrier files
then flash zip.
i wont be held responsible for anything. Ive tested on my N960N.
should work on any F or FD/DS too.
all credits to tkkg1994.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help guys! The only reason I wanted root was for having VoLTE and Wifi calling working in Canada. One more reason is titanium backup so I can back up the device completely so it's easy to restore. Finally, I was curious how the scene is now and what else I can play with in magisk, as I've never used it. Thanks!
hkalltheway said:
Thanks for the help guys! The only reason I wanted root was for having VoLTE and Wifi calling working in Canada. One more reason is titanium backup so I can back up the device completely so it's easy to restore. Finally, I was curious how the scene is now and what else I can play with in magisk, as I've never used it. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well then root might be food for you.
have a read at Dr Ketan roms thread for the root procedure and details of what it involves.
hkalltheway said:
Thanks for the help guys! The only reason I wanted root was for having VoLTE and Wifi calling working in Canada. One more reason is titanium backup so I can back up the device completely so it's easy to restore. Finally, I was curious how the scene is now and what else I can play with in magisk, as I've never used it. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is your carrier?
because Rogers blacklists non carrier phones. i believe bell might also do that too. So even if all is there and options appear, your phones imei code will be blocked from enrolling for wifi calling.
bober10113 said:
what is your carrier?
because Rogers blacklists non carrier phones. i believe bell might also do that too. So even if all is there and options appear, your phones imei code will be blocked from enrolling for wifi calling.
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Click to collapse
I'm currently with fido but thinking of switching to freedom mobile. Still too worried about all this rooting stuff that it seems the best thing to do is stay away from now and choose from one of the 2:
1- use wifi calling / VoLTE by getting the rogers/fido phone directly; that phone will not have dual sim capability
2- forget wifi calling / VoLTE and use this dual sim version, which has a lot of advantages while traveling
Seems like I'll stick to the 2nd option for now. Thanks for the help!
Looking to confirm a few things before I take the dive.
The phone shipped with Android 9, but I've already updated via OTA to Android 10 once the SIM card was installed. Are there any precautions I should observe before proceeding?
Are there any side-effects? I know that rooting will trip Knox. Does that also affect the fingerprint sensor or call recording utilities like Skvalex? Or, for example, on my HTC phones, there was always a problem with decreased volume.
Can I use different firmware? My S10 came as a Factory Unlocked BSKO (G973FXXU3BSKO, United Arab Emirates), but could a different firmware be used to change the CSC, for example using the US firmware? The non-US label is triggering my OCD.
Is it possible to just manually change the CSC without using different firmware? Some posts here suggest that it's not possible, but there are some articles that suggest it is.
Would changing the CSC (if possible) really have any practical benefit?
Is there a power utility that will properly reboot the phone based on a selection of Rooted, Non-rooted and TWRP?
Thanks in advance!