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Help recovering files from an s3

Hey all! My friend has an s3. He is in a different state so I can't experiment on it quite yet.
He has a lot of files he needs to recover from the internal storage. He already has the sd data.
The issue is that the phone will not fully boot. It gets a little past the verizon logo and crashes.
He has tried wiping cache, and booting without the sdcard in.
What can we do to get those files for him?
Verizon said they can't use their diag machine since the device needs to fully power on for them to service it in that fashion.

Is it possible to flash the stock system partition without overwriting data via Odin?

Bump

tr4nqui1i7y said:
Hey all! My friend has an s3. He is in a different state so I can't experiment on it quite yet.
He has a lot of files he needs to recover from the internal storage. He already has the sd data.
The issue is that the phone will not fully boot. It gets a little past the verizon logo and crashes.
He has tried wiping cache, and booting without the sdcard in.
What can we do to get those files for him?
Verizon said they can't use their diag machine since the device needs to fully power on for them to service it in that fashion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tr4nqui1i7y said:
Is it possible to flash the stock system partition without overwriting data via Odin?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really kind of a tough situation.
Can he get into recovery mode? If so maybe he can pull data from it that way. There's a few ways to do it. It's hard to tell unless I see what the phone does when it boots.
Sorry for the late reply, hardly ever check these forums anymore.

BadUsername said:
Really kind of a tough situation.
Can he get into recovery mode? If so maybe he can pull data from it that way. There's a few ways to do it. It's hard to tell unless I see what the phone does when it boots.
Sorry for the late reply, hardly ever check these forums anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know he can get to stock recovery, because he's wiped cache that way. I don't believe that he is rooted or anything. I won't know for sure until I'm in person. The issue is that he thinks Verizon wants him to send the phone to them. He used a free upgrade. They sent him the replacement phone with a return box, so he's still not sure at the moment. And I haven't used an upgrade in about 4 years so I don't remember ever having to give back a device.

tr4nqui1i7y said:
I know he can get to stock recovery, because he's wiped cache that way. I don't believe that he is rooted or anything. I won't know for sure until I'm in person. The issue is that he thinks Verizon wants him to send the phone to them. He used a free upgrade. They sent him the replacement phone with a return box, so he's still not sure at the moment. And I haven't used an upgrade in about 4 years so I don't remember ever having to give back a device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If he has USB debugging enabled be can use ADB to pull the SD card folder onto his computer in recovery mode.
Otherwise can't do much with stock recovery, if he's rooted you may be able to load TWRP from download mode and boot immediately into recovery mode.

BadUsername said:
If he has USB debugging enabled be can use ADB to pull the SD card folder onto his computer in recovery mode.
Otherwise can't do much with stock recovery, if he's rooted you may be able to load TWRP from download mode and boot immediately into recovery mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's got the SD data. We're working on the /data/ partition now. I think it's mainly notes and pics if I'm not mistaken. I'm really hoping that he's rooted and just forgot or something.

We can make it into odin mode.

You don't need root.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
---------- Post added at 06:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:59 AM ----------
I can probably help you out.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

whodisname said:
You don't need root.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
---------- Post added at 06:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:59 AM ----------
I can probably help you out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking of trying to flash stock via Odin to see if that will make it boot. Otherwise, it may have to go jtag route.

I am going to attempt to ODIN on it. Unfortunately I don't know what version of android he was on.
Which ODIN files would you recommend? Preferably one that won't need me to wipe the data partition. Also, please provide links if possible. I have found some stuff on my own, but a lot of links are dead.

tr4nqui1i7y said:
I am going to attempt to ODIN on it. Unfortunately I don't know what version of android he was on.
Which ODIN files would you recommend? Preferably one that won't need me to wipe the data partition. Also, please provide links if possible. I have found some stuff on my own, but a lot of links are dead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Odin will wipe everything. Every .tar file I've come across essentially just return the phone to a completely stock state.
Wish I had old stuff but I don't. What have you found?

BadUsername said:
Odin will wipe everything. Every .tar file I've come across essentially just return the phone to a completely stock state.
Wish I had old stuff but I don't. What have you found?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I had found one that said it wasn't​ going to wipe data. I'll try to find the link again today. They were saying it was like doing an ota update and it would leave data in place.

tr4nqui1i7y said:
Ah, I had found one that said it wasn't​ going to wipe data. I'll try to find the link again today. They were saying it was like doing an ota update and it would leave data in place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O wait I think I vaguely remember, but that we when the bootloader was unlocked, like 5 years ago.
Make sure you post the for here and I can try to help you, but if it's an older version it won't. You need to make sure the Odin file is the same or newer than your current bootloader.

@BadUsername I found this, which has the crappiest hosting servers I have ever seen. You can only download one file a day, so I need to keep changing my IP if I need more than one file from it. here
This is the no-wipe file i was referring to. I am just not sure if it is an android version that his device will accept. I am not sure if Odin allows you to go forward and backward. Here

tr4nqui1i7y said:
@BadUsername I found this, which has the crappiest hosting servers I have ever seen. You can only download one file a day, so I need to keep changing my IP if I need more than one file from it. here
This is the no-wipe file i was referring to. I am just not sure if it is an android version that his device will accept. I am not sure if Odin allows you to go forward and backward. Here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just open up download mode and post what it says in the top left corner.
Also that file you posted first is the newest one, assuming it's legit it would work. That would for sure wipe everything.
Bottom one is old, probably won't work. Odin should just fail and not let you flash it. If it did work, it would fail at the bootloader stage and brick your phone anyway.

BadUsername said:
O wait I think I vaguely remember, but that we when the bootloader was unlocked, like 5 years ago.
Make sure you post the for here and I can try to help you, but if it's an older version it won't. You need to make sure the Odin file is the same or newer than your current bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I was afraid of. I have no idea how updated he kept the device. And since I can only get into stock recovery and download mode I can't learn much about the device. I wish I could just adb in and grab the data partition off of it. Verizon is hounding him to send the device back or they will charge him $500 or something absurd. Which seems extra crazy since he has had that device since it was released. I thought for sure he would own it by now. Verizon has never asked me for a device back.
Have you found any helpful odin stuff out?

BadUsername said:
Just open up download mode and post what it says in the top left corner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I won't be able to see the device until tonight. I will try to see if he is around the device now so he can let me know. His house has terrible reception and no wifi so I am trying to gather everything before the next time I go there.

@BadUsername Do you know if there is a list of odin files anywhere? This sub seems so disorganized imo. I can't find a helpful sticky or anything.

tr4nqui1i7y said:
I won't be able to see the device until tonight. I will try to see if he is around the device now so he can let me know. His house has terrible reception and no wifi so I am trying to gather everything before the next time I go there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can still pull nearly everything off the phone with adb from download mode if USB debugging was enabled, you can literally pull every partition and extract what you need.
You can load a very old version of cwm recovery through Odin and flash aroma file manager if you are rooted, if you can get into recovery. Then you can move whatever you want to an external SD card.
Other than that you're likely stuck.

Repair firmwares??

So im wondering if anyone has repair firmwares for the USA SM_G955U. i recently installed a U2QK4 update OTAusing ADB from the ATT section and everything went bad from there. I was told i may not be able to downgrade but thats not the problem. I CANT DO ANYTHING WITH MY PHONE NOW! IT HAS NO RECOVERY AT ALL IT JUST FLICKERS THE BLUE SCREEN WITH THE ANDROID AND A TEXT APPEARS OCCASIONALLY ON THE FLICKERING SCREEN WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF FAILS. THERE IS NO UPLOAD MODE AT ALL. I CAN ONLY ACCESS DOWNLOAD MODE WHICH MAKES NO SENSE TO FLASH ANYTHING CAUSE NOTHING WORKS. THE ONLY THING THAT IS FLASHABLE ON NON-MODDED AND MODDED ODIN IS CP! I DONT EXACTLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT HAPPENED. EVERYTHING WAS OPERABLE AND THEN THE PHONE ENCRYPTED ITSELF,REBOOTED ANDA BLUE SCREEN WITH A CARD WAS FLASHING AND ALL WENT TO HELL. TRIED REBOOTING AND THATS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN! I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THAT ON A PHONE BEFORE!
ITS BEEN DAYS SINCE THIS HAPPENED AND I WAS TOLD THE FIRMWARE WAS BEING UPDATED FROM THE OP AND STILL NOTHING! I DONT THINK PEOPLE SHOULD POST THINGS TO FLASH WITH JUST A WARNING ON HERE, THEY SHOULD TEST IT BEFORE POSTING BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE ME GET CURIOUS AND WANT TO FLASH THINGS,BUT, THE POSTER DOESNT HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT DOES!NOT HIS FAULT AS I AM TO BLAME,
ILL SAY IT HERE AGAIN SO PEOPLE DONT THINK IM BLAMING ANYONE,
I I AM TO BLAME!!!!
OKAY, BUT, NOW I AM STUCK WITH A $950 PAPERWEIGHT! AND HONESTLY I WANTED TO BRICK IT, BUT, I THOUGHT WARRANTY OR INSURANCE WOULD COVER IT IN WHICH THEY WONT BECAUSE ATT IS GETTING CRAPPY WITH THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE. IT SEEMS I HAVE BEEN LEFT IN THE DARK WITH NO CLUES OR HELP.
SORRY FOR CAPITAL LETTERS FORGOT TO TURN IT OFF AND AM NOT ABOUT TO RE-TYPE.
IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO OR HOW TO FIX THIS PLEASE HELP.
(AND GETTING A NEW PHONE WONT HELP, SO THAT RESPONSE IS SHOT)
LOOKING FOR A FIX. THANKS IN ADVANCE

Please, don't SHOUT!

dalanik said:
Please, don't SHOUT!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha I didn't know text could be so loud shoot I even hurt my ears while I typed this hahaha

podagee said:
Haha I didn't know text could be so loud shoot I even hurt my ears while I typed this hahaha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Few things:
U2QK4? I don't think that's a model number for a firmware... We certainly haven't seen a U2 g955/0u firmware yet...
And sammobile has it as u1aqk3 for vzw so tmb should be u1qk4.
Can you double check what you flashed?

podagee said:
So im wondering if anyone has repair firmwares for the USA SM_G955U. i recently installed a U2QK4 update OTAusing ADB from the ATT section and everything went bad from there. I was told i may not be able to downgrade but thats not the problem. {screaming redacted }
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. A good, new odin that will flash an official package.
https://odindownload.com/download/Odin3_v3.12.3.zip
2.Not the latest firmware, but a solid base (which you can then use to OTA updated to the latest patches)
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s8/SM-G955U/ATT/download/G955USQU1AQC9/129108/
Download both, use the former to flash the latter. Let us know how it goes!
EDIT: AND IF IT DOESN'T WORK! Please attach a screenshot of Odin and a picture of your phone (if you can). It'll help us get you squared away.

partcyborg said:
Few things:
U2QK4? I don't think that's a model number for a firmware... We certainly haven't seen a U2 g955/0u firmware yet...
And sammobile has it as u1aqk3 for vzw so tmb should be u1qk4.
Can you double check what you flashed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure norbarb, the provider of the U2BQK4 firmware knew that it was for the N950(note 8) and posted it in his adb update thread. I bought a new motherboard and will not ever update from that person again because of what has happened. I am not bashing him I just don't want to go through this mess again. and so far I've gotten a bootloader's to flash by using the.elf files from a u2b file from the note 8. Still no recovery and stuck at the bootloader's screen. Can still get into download mode.
The quickest fix I know is for a new motherboard.
Thanks guys

podagee said:
I'm pretty sure norbarb, the provider of the U2BQK4 firmware knew that it was for the N950(note 8) and posted it in his adb update thread. I bought a new motherboard and will not ever update from that person again because of what has happened. I am not bashing him I just don't want to go through this mess again. and so far I've gotten a bootloader's to flash by using the.elf files from a u2b file from the note 8. Still no recovery and stuck at the bootloader's screen. Can still get into download mode.
The quickest fix I know is for a new motherboard.
Thanks guys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't be able to flash n8 firmware on a s8. Secure boot / Knox would stop you

partcyborg said:
You wouldn't be able to flash n8 firmware on a s8. Secure boot / Knox would stop you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well idk know ALL I KNOW IS HE PROVIDED A U2BQK4 FILE AND I CANT FIND IT ANYWHERE ELSE EXCEPT ON A NOTE 8 !

podagee said:
Well idk know ALL I KNOW IS HE PROVIDED A U2BQK4 FILE AND I CANT FIND IT ANYWHERE ELSE EXCEPT ON A NOTE 8 !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol no need to capslock everywhere. Just download and flash stock and it will be fine. You can get to download mode right?
---------- Post added at 10:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 PM ----------
eregev said:
1. A good, new odin that will flash an official package.
https://odindownload.com/download/Odin3_v3.12.3.zip
2.Not the latest firmware, but a solid base (which you can then use to OTA updated to the latest patches)
https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s8/SM-G955U/ATT/download/G955USQU1AQC9/129108/
Download both, use the former to flash the latter. Let us know how it goes!
EDIT: AND IF IT DOESN'T WORK! Please attach a screenshot of Odin and a picture of your phone (if you can). It'll help us get you squared away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All due respect but aqc9 is ancient and full of bugs that will make your experience with your phone sub par. Just go to updato.com and download the latest version for your carrier and device. By default updato is slow but if you use a download manager it flies. I can get 3MB/s easily

i honestly dont think people read in these forums. But everyone surely knows everything.
I am starting to get annoyed with that. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
1. i have flashed a rom provided by norbarb in the AT&T forums(he took it down) G955USA1US2BQK4,
2. after installing that update, phone went haywire, encrypted and erased everything except download mode,
3. ABSOLUTELY NO RECOVERY AT ALL,
4. nothing will flash over, NOTHING!! phone error: SW REV ablFAILED 1>binary >2 ODIN error. FAIL(AUTH) and FAIL dismatch model in non-modded ODIN and modded odin.
5. i got a bootloader to flash using abl files from a U2b (meaning bootloader 2) from another file U2BQK5 provided from a third party pm.
6. stuck in a bootloop at bootloader screen,
7. STILL NOTHING FLASHES OVER.
8. EDL cable needed per eli, went ahead and ordered another motherboard.
IF ANYONE CARES OR DECIDES TO BADGER ABOUT REPAIR FIRMWARE, PLEASE CHECK OUT GSM FORUMS, THERE ARE OTHER FORUMS WITH USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT REPAIR FIRMWARES.
thank you all for your help. i just went ahead and ordered another motherboard cause i found it easier and less stressful to deal with less people who do not read the OP.

partcyborg said:
Lol no need to capslock everywhere. Just download and flash stock and it will be fine. You can get to download mode right?
---------- Post added at 10:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 PM ----------
All due respect but aqc9 is ancient and full of bugs that will make your experience with your phone sub par. Just go to updato.com and download the latest version for your carrier and device. By default updato is slow but if you use a download manager it flies. I can get 3MB/s easily
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i can but nothing will flash

podagee said:
yes i can but nothing will flash
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My friend. You keep saying you download stuff from PM or from other sources yet it doesn't seem like you have bothered to try any of the links I or others on here have posted for you. Especially trying the latest Odin can help with software mismatch errors.
---------- Post added at 05:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:41 AM ----------
partcyborg said:
Lol no need to capslock everywhere. Just download and flash stock and it will be fine. You can get to download mode right?
---------- Post added at 10:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 PM ----------
All due respect but aqc9 is ancient and full of bugs that will make your experience with your phone sub par. Just go to updato.com and download the latest version for your carrier and device. By default updato is slow but if you use a download manager it flies. I can get 3MB/s easily
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you're right it is ancient BUT it does have a direct update path straight to last month's security patch. And, maybe most importantly, OP could be using an older ODIN and hasn't tried the new one so I figured an older firmware has best shot at being compatible, he can OTA from there.

eregev said:
My friend. You keep saying you download stuff from PM or from other sources yet it doesn't seem like you have bothered to try any of the links I or others on here have posted for you. Especially trying the latest Odin can help with software mismatch errors.
---------- Post added at 05:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:41 AM ----------
No you're right it is ancient BUT it does have a direct update path straight to last month's security patch. And, maybe most importantly, OP could be using an older ODIN and hasn't tried the new one so I figured an older firmware has best shot at being compatible, he can OTA from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey bro, just to clarify with you i have flashed every file that there is from the links provided and from the forums i have about 8 copies of each file haha looks like i wont be running out soon. seems like the reason it crashed is the memory test that the rom i flashed inflated too much. i think it damaged my board which is okay i have another coming.

podagee said:
hey bro, just to clarify with you i have flashed every file that there is from the links provided and from the forums i have about 8 copies of each file haha looks like i wont be running out soon. seems like the reason it crashed is the memory test that the rom i flashed inflated too much. i think it damaged my board which is okay i have another coming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Say what now? What made you think it was the memory test? What made you think it was the board or an actual hardware issue with the phone? A memory test can't 'inflate' anything much less can it damage your memory or the actual board.
I had a problem with my device from a badly restored backup where my modem would crash the machine to upload mode moments after booting on anything but a stock rom, and even that the radio didn't work and it would rebolt about 30 times to get to a state where it finished booting at all.
Needless to say I fixed it (I'm still here) but I essentially had to implement my own repair procedure and after about 30 hours total of working in it over two days I managed to get it working enough that I could get a rooted os booted and could then do another restore with a good backup.
If you problem sounds similar (iirc it was in the same general area) and it is then I'm afraid you wasted your money, as all you need is a restore of those partitions outside the rom part of your nvram.

partcyborg said:
Say what now? What made you think it was the memory test? What made you think it was the board or an actual hardware issue with the phone? A memory test can't 'inflate' anything much less can it damage your memory or the actual board.
I had a problem with my device from a badly restored backup where my modem would crash the machine to upload mode moments after booting on anything but a stock rom, and even that the radio didn't work and it would rebolt about 30 times to get to a state where it finished booting at all.
Needless to say I fixed it (I'm still here) but I essentially had to implement my own repair procedure and after about 30 hours total of working in it over two days I managed to get it working enough that I could get a rooted os booted and could then do another restore with a good backup.
If you problem sounds similar (iirc it was in the same general area) and it is then I'm afraid you wasted your money, as all you need is a restore of those partitions outside the rom part of your nvram.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been messaging with Eli and he said an EDL cable would fix the problem as it needs the deep flash. What would be your suggestion? I have been trying everything and I noticed somewhere saying windows 8 had problems with Odin software so I am currently installing a fresh copy of windows 10. Any suggestions would be appreciated

podagee said:
I've been messaging with Eli and he said an EDL cable would fix the problem as it needs the deep flash. What would be your suggestion? I have been trying everything and I noticed somewhere saying windows 8 had problems with Odin software so I am currently installing a fresh copy of windows 10. Any suggestions would be appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Snapdragon right?

partcyborg said:
Snapdragon right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes snapdragon G955U AT&T

podagee said:
I've been messaging with Eli and he said an EDL cable would fix the problem as it needs the deep flash. What would be your suggestion? I have been trying everything and I noticed somewhere saying windows 8 had problems with Odin software so I am currently installing a fresh copy of windows 10. Any suggestions would be appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.
I thought windoze 10 was the "worst" because of the driver signing gotcha . This was true of me and my alibaba smart watch . For me, I had to resurrect an old h.d. with windoze 7 . . .

old_fart said:
.
I thought windoze 10 was the "worst" because of the driver signing gotcha . This was true of me and my alibaba smart watch . For me, I had to resurrect an old h.d. with windoze 7 . . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah windows 7 is the best but I kinda like the metro theme with 8 and 10, though 8 is bad........

partcyborg said:
Say what now? What made you think it was the memory test? What made you think it was the board or an actual hardware issue with the phone? A memory test can't 'inflate' anything much less can it damage your memory or the actual board.
I had a problem with my device from a badly restored backup where my modem would crash the machine to upload mode moments after booting on anything but a stock rom, and even that the radio didn't work and it would rebolt about 30 times to get to a state where it finished booting at all.
Needless to say I fixed it (I'm still here) but I essentially had to implement my own repair procedure and after about 30 hours total of working in it over two days I managed to get it working enough that I could get a rooted os booted and could then do another restore with a good backup.
If you problem sounds similar (iirc it was in the same general area) and it is then I'm afraid you wasted your money, as all you need is a restore of those partitions outside the rom part of your nvram.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
still waiting on a reply from you

Messed up phone.

When I try to start up my phone I get a screen like the ones you see on broken TVs where it's kind of a fuzzy mess and normally end up on the kernel panic thing. I can't get my phone into recovery mode or anything. I rooted my phone a while back and accidentally lost it through an unroot tool, ever since my phone has been unstable but now this has completely ruined it. If someone could shed some light on how to fix it that would be perfect, thank you.

Cal17 said:
When I try to start up my phone I get a screen like the ones you see on broken TVs where it's kind of a fuzzy mess and normally end up on the kernel panic thing. I can't get my phone into recovery mode or anything. I rooted my phone a while back and accidentally lost it through an unroot tool, ever since my phone has been unstable but now this has completely ruined it. If someone could shed some light on how to fix it that would be perfect, thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you get into download mode?
More details as to Model, Country, Carrier, You want it rooted or not to enable us point you in the right direction.

muntaha_v3 said:
Can you get into download mode?
More details as to Model, Country, Carrier, You want it rooted or not to enable us point you in the right direction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Model - g955u
Country - US
Carrier- VZ
I don't want it rooted.

Cal17 said:
Model - g955u
Country - US
Carrier- VZ
I don't want it rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download this file https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s8/SM-G955U/VZW/download/G955USQU1AQK3/195747/ and extract to a folder on your PC.
Download the patched ODIN from somwhere on this forum.
Goto Download mode. Connect to PC. Open up Odin, select the appropriate files and flash.
Am at work so keeping this short. Will post a detailed process later if required.

muntaha_v3 said:
Download this file https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s8/SM-G955U/VZW/download/G955USQU1AQK3/195747/ and extract to a folder on your PC.
Download the patched ODIN from somwhere on this forum.
Goto Download mode. Connect to PC. Open up Odin, select the appropriate files and flash.
Am at work so keeping this short. Will post a detailed process later if required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I flashed the firmware and I'm still having the same issue.
EDIT: Everything seems to be working now! Thanks <3
Edit 2: Never mind, phone is still ****ed the same amount.

SM-G955U1. XAA version. Bootloop problem, any help?

MY BAD, PLEASE MOVE THIS TO THE CORRECT SECTION. I'M REALLY SORRY.
Hello!, my mother bought this phone for her in the US and from day 0 it has been having problems. She couldn't use wifi or bluetooth for example, and sometimes it just kept restarting till it worked again, but without any connectivity functions, except mobile data.
I tried to fix this updating the phone using Samsung Smart Switch to the last build (AQL1) but now the phone is stuck on the boot screen no matter what I do.
Tried flashing with Odin, it worked, but the phone is still on boot loop. I read somewhere in this forum that you can install an older version of the bootloader to take the phone out of this hell and I did it, using the build AQK2 bootloader but no luck, same problem.
Also, the phone doesn't have USB debugging enable nor OEM unlock either. I can access both recovery and download mode though.
At this point I'm out of ideas, can someone help me with this one?
Thanks in advanced.
fefin

fefin said:
MY BAD, PLEASE MOVE THIS TO THE CORRECT SECTION. I'M REALLY SORRY.
Hello!, my mother bought this phone for her in the US and from day 0 it has been having problems. She couldn't use wifi or bluetooth for example, and sometimes it just kept restarting till it worked again, but without any connectivity functions, except mobile data.
I tried to fix this updating the phone using Samsung Smart Switch to the last build (AQL1) but now the phone is stuck on the boot screen no matter what I do.
Tried flashing with Odin, it worked, but the phone is still on boot loop. I read somewhere in this forum that you can install an older version of the bootloader to take the phone out of this hell and I did it, using the build AQK2 bootloader but no luck, same problem.
Also, the phone doesn't have USB debugging enable nor OEM unlock either. I can access both recovery and download mode though.
At this point I'm out of ideas, can someone help me with this one?
Thanks in advanced.
fefin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you reached out to Samsung yet?

Mr. Orange 645 said:
Have you reached out to Samsung yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for answering. Where I live there is not a single Samsung Service, only at like 1800km from here, that's why I'm trying to solve this by myself but seems that this is a hard one... I hope someone can help me to deal with this as it was a big investment :/
Thanks again!, if someone knows a way to help please tell me.
fefin

fefin said:
Thanks for answering. Where I live there is not a single Samsung Service, only at like 1800km from here, that's why I'm trying to solve this by myself but seems that this is a hard one... I hope someone can help me to deal with this as it was a big investment :/
Thanks again!, if someone knows a way to help please tell me.
fefin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean have you called or emailed Samsung?

Mr. Orange 645 said:
I mean have you called or emailed Samsung?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I haven't, I will give a try soon through web chat.
I mean, this shouldn't be happening, it's a brand new phone, all over the internet are people with the same problems as me and looks like so far there is no solution.
Maybe it's a faulty phone/hardware? My knowledge is not enough in this matter.
See you!,
Federico.

I need a couple things from you
1. What model does it say on the back of the phone i understand you posted it in the header but please for safety sake .
2. Go into download mode for me so i can see what carrier it lists
3. Try wiping data cache in recovery
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

allenjthomsen said:
I need a couple things from you
1. What model does it say on the back of the phone i understand you posted it in the header but please for safety sake .
2. Go into download mode for me so i can see what carrier it lists
3. Try wiping data cache in recovery
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for answering!, here it goes:
1. It says SM-G955U1
2. Carrier: XAA
3. Done, still the same.
An update from my last post:
After a few bootloops the FRP screen showed up, as the phone can't use wifi yet I managed to access using mobile data and enabled the USB debugging, but after trying to enable wifi the phone froze and went on bootloop again, so still the same but with the USB debugging enabled. I'm currently on the build AQK2.
Thanks again, and I hope we can fix this.
Update 2:
I cleared the cache, after a few bootloops the phone actually boots (gets to the lock screen), and it restarts again while the message "Android is starting" is loading, so now it's a different type of bootloop I guess. It does the same even in safe mode.
I will turn it off for now.

fefin said:
Thanks for answering!, here it goes:
1. It says SM-G955U1
2. Carrier: XAA
3. Done, still the same.
An update from my last post:
After a few bootloops the FRP screen showed up, as the phone can't use wifi yet I managed to access using mobile data and enabled the USB debugging, but after trying to enable wifi the phone froze and went on bootloop again, so still the same but with the USB debugging enabled. I'm currently on the build AQK2.
Thanks again, and I hope we can fix this.
Update 2:
I cleared the cache, after a few bootloops the phone actually boots (gets to the lock screen), and it restarts again while the message "Android is starting" is loading, so now it's a different type of bootloop I guess. It does the same even in safe mode.
I will turn it off for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok i want you to do a couple things for me
1.Download this file http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=F837B5F2EC0611E7A5F9FA163EE8F90B this is the latest update for the G955U1
2. extract the zip file using 7zip so you have 5 .tar.md5 files
3. go to the CSC_OYM_G955U1OYM2AQL1_CL12513005_QB15986651_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 and right click on the file and goto 7-zip and then click open archive
4. you will see a file called DREAM2QLTE_USA_SINGLE.pit i want you to extract it to the folder you have Odin in if not quick search forums for it
5. Open odin and go to the the pit tab it will do a pop up just click ok and ignore
6. click the pit button and find the pit file that you extracted and select it
7. now go to options tab
8.check to make sure you have auto reboot, re-partition, and f reset timer checked
9.Load BL,AP,CP,CSC in respective slots on right side
10. click start and let the phone flash, as soon as it is done hold volume up bixby and power button wait for recovery to load and wipe data and factory reset.
11. reboot and let it boot if you are still in a bootloop after these steps pm me and i will help you the last way i know how to fix these phones.

allenjthomsen said:
Ok i want you to do a couple things for me
1.Download this file http://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=F837B5F2EC0611E7A5F9FA163EE8F90B this is the latest update for the G955U1
2. extract the zip file using 7zip so you have 5 .tar.md5 files
3. go to the CSC_OYM_G955U1OYM2AQL1_CL12513005_QB15986651_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 and right click on the file and goto 7-zip and then click open archive
4. you will see a file called DREAM2QLTE_USA_SINGLE.pit i want you to extract it to the folder you have Odin in if not quick search forums for it
5. Open odin and go to the the pit tab it will do a pop up just click ok and ignore
6. click the pit button and find the pit file that you extracted and select it
7. now go to options tab
8.check to make sure you have auto reboot, re-partition, and f reset timer checked
9.Load BL,AP,CP,CSC in respective slots on right side
10. click start and let the phone flash, as soon as it is done hold volume up bixby and power button wait for recovery to load and wipe data and factory reset.
11. reboot and let it boot if you are still in a bootloop after these steps pm me and i will help you the last way i know how to fix these phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly it didn't work. The phone is still loading till "android is starting" sign and then restarting again.
I will write you so you can help me through pm, could this be a faulty hardware?

I'd like to know the other solution too.

I will tell you all what todo as a last resort.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO THIS I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY IF YOUR DEVICE STOPS WORKING OR DOES NOT TURN ON!!!
Follow all previously said steps i outlined but when you go into the options tab select nand erase all also then flash device.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app

try installing PartCyborgRom

@fefin -Sorry to hear that you're having issues - But I'd like to clear one thing up - Your comment that this is an issue "all over the internet" sim isn't true... I don't know how many Millions of S8 / S8+ have been sold - But your post is the first that I've ever heard of anything like this... I concur with the recommendation that you call or Chat with Samsung Technical Support - Preferably before you find the phone completely unable to Boot into Download Mode - Get Samsung to help you - or you may risk voiding the warranty if Samsung determines that you are ultimately responsible for the state of the phone ??
Sent from my SM-G955W ??

allenjthomsen said:
I will tell you all what todo as a last resort.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO THIS I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY IF YOUR DEVICE STOPS WORKING OR DOES NOT TURN ON!!!
Follow all previously said steps i outlined but when you go into the options tab select nand erase all also then flash device.
Sent from my SM-G955U1 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help! Much appreciated.
DR25 said:
try installing PartCyborgRom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your suggestion, I will look into it.
shaggyskunk said:
@fefin -Sorry to hear that you're having issues - But I'd like to clear one thing up - Your comment that this is an issue "all over the internet" sim isn't true... I don't know how many Millions of S8 / S8+ have been sold - But your post is the first that I've ever heard of anything like this... I concur with the recommendation that you call or Chat with Samsung Technical Support - Preferably before you find the phone completely unable to Boot into Download Mode - Get Samsung to help you - or you may risk voiding the warranty if Samsung determines that you are ultimately responsible for the state of the phone
Sent from my SM-G955W
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for answering!, sorry for my late response.
Well, if you check samsung's official forum there are a few threads with 15+ pages of people complaining about wifi issues (https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/forums/v3_1/forumtopicpage/board-id/GS8QA/thread-id/862/page/1 and https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/forums/v3_1/forumtopicpage/board-id/GS8QA/thread-id/30601/page/1) about bootloop problems, (https://us.community.samsung.com/t5...id/GS8QA/thread-id/3920/highlight/true/page/1) also there is a post on another webpage talking about bootloops on this model and how to fix them (https://thedroidguy.com/2017/12/sol...p-issue-s8-turns-screen-remains-black-1079013).
I know it's not representative, as you said, millions of phones has been sold, but what I meant when I said "all over the internet" is that you can easily find people with this same problem. This shouldn't be happening, not on any phone even less on such an expensive phone.
I think the phone is officially dead, I took it to a well known local technician and even him couldn't fix it. My nearest official samsung service is 1600km away. On the other hand, my aunty got for herself an S8 and it's working perfect, so it's just bad luck for my mom I guess.
The phone had issues since she bought it (wifi and bluetooth didn't worked at all, but she is not really a tech person so she thought it was fine), the phone was working with some bootloops from time to time and after a while it fell from and got a little crack on the top but it didn't change the behavior of the phone, it was still ****ed up. That's the thing, because of the crack I'm pretty sure they won't take it back or even try to fix it (for free at least), they will say the problem is because of the fall. I'd been reading a lot about this and seems that I'm pretty screwed D:
I will sell the phone for parts. At least I will recover 60% of the initial investment.

fefin said:
That's the thing, because of the crack I'm pretty sure they won't take it back or even try to fix it (for free at least), they will say the problem is because of the fall. I'd been reading a lot about this and seems that I'm pretty screwed D:
I will sell the phone for parts. At least I will recover 60% of the initial investment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have some 'proof' the problem existed, before the crack, and can prove when the crack occurred, or reasonable determinate approximation, small claims court will vindicate you, and Samsung will have to pay.
Sad to say would take a little time of yours to get them there, but it is an easy process, and with reasonable ability to determine/evidence those two things, a sure win.
But still a PITA.

[GUIDE]--Unlocked OREO(CSB2) on Cricket/ATT wireless

SO i just wanna start by saying i did not make these files. I simply arranged them together to help out those on cricket wireless like i am and needed Volte working. So here we go.
I also know there are other tutorials with similar things but this is a simple more straight forward process who dont wanna go through all that and wanna just flash in odin.
Required for this
Galaxy S8
ALL FILES NEEDED WILL BE INSIDE 1 FOLDER JUST EXTRACT AND YOUR GOOD TO GO( THE FILE IS 3.87GB)
Unlocked firmware CSB2(in one of the links below)
Odin patched 3.13-Thanks to REALBBB and BLUEFOX721(in one of the links below)
At&T User Data file(in THE FILE)
DOWNLOAD
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VEaOuO-boVbgVFeR_VMtxpfY20nFhL2N <<<UNLOCKED FIRMWARE AND USERDATA FILE
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15ZQN1Epy8d81N_GNUP2M3gXQPL02kIGL/view?usp=sharing <<<PATCHED ODIN
:::WARNING:::, THIS WILL WIPE ALL DATA ON THE PHONE, PLEASE BACKUP ANY DATA BEFORE THIS PROCESS. I HAVE NOT PROVIDED ANY ADB FILES OR ANY OTHER THING AS I AM SIMPLY DOING A FLASH. IF YOU NEED THOSE FILES PLEASE LOOK ELSEWHERE.
IF YOU DONT WANNA WIPE USE THE HOME CSC AND IT WILL KEEP ALL YOUR INFO ON THE PHONE BUT DOING A DIRTY UPDATE CAN CAUSE ISSUES SOMETIMES.
1. UNZIP THE FILE and you will see 3 folders in it, the UserData file/Patched Odin/Full Oreo Firmware.
2. launch The patched Odin
3. Put you galaxy s8 into download mode by turning the phone off. Then Hold the bixby button and the Volume down button and push the power button.
It will show the download mode and you will then push the Volume Up and you will enter download mode. Plug in your phone thats in download mode now to your computer.
4. Go to ODIN and then select BL, AP, CSC>>>(select the non home CSC), CP and direct each one of those to the corresponding files. SO BL GETS BL FILE, CP GETS THE CP AND SO ON. Make sure to select the NON HOME CSC file. Shut down odin and restart it again as you will need it later. Unplug the phone.
DO NOT SELECT THE USERDATA FILE YET, THAT WILL BE LATER.
5. Once you are ready make sure your phone shows on the ID:COMM up top. If it does go ahead and click START. Depending on your computer this can take anywhere from 4-20 minutes. SIT BACK AND RELAX TILL ITS DONE.
6. Once the phone is done it will restart. (it will say updating system and likely get not that high % and then say erasing-this is normal). Let it load back up to the WELCOME screen. Once it gets to that screen turn the phone completely off again and put it back into download mode(shows how to above in step 3).
7. Launch ODIN again or go back to odin if you already restarted it from the earlier step. Plug the phone back into the computer again once its in download mode.
8. Make sure the phone shows up in odin by looking at the ID:COM, if it does then go down the USERDATA spot and select it and direct it to the userdata file(USERDATA_AIO_G950USQS5CSB1_CL15104926_QB21778972_REV01_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5) in the USERDATA folder you extracted. Once your sure the phone is showing in the ID:COM and you selected the userdata file go ahead and click start. This process should only take around 3-6 minutes or so.
9. Once the process is complete it will restart at which this time you can unplug the phone. It will take a bit to load up because it fully erased the phone again. IT will likely say updating system and then get to a certain percentage and stop and say erasing(this is normal).
10. You now have an unlocked firmware cricket phone with the Cricket Splash screen and working Volte. setup the phone and enjoy OREO.

Thanks, but the download doesn't work - invalid decryption key.

vortmax said:
Thanks, but the download doesn't work - invalid decryption key.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll check it out, it's my personal one so I'll see what's going on.
I just updated the link, please see if that works for you

Thanks op for this. I'll have to try it. Does wifi calling also work? Thanks

xdame said:
Thanks op for this. I'll have to try it. Does wifi calling also work? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wifi calling wont work due to it only being on certain phones.

t12icky0 said:
wifi calling wont work due to it only being on certain phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://www.cricketwireless.com/sup.../wifi-calling/customer/compatible-phones.html
According to this page Galaxy S8 is supported. Could you try it?

xdame said:
https://www.cricketwireless.com/sup.../wifi-calling/customer/compatible-phones.html
According to this page Galaxy S8 is supported. Could you try it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine shows the Wi-Fi calling greyed out. Might just be me though. Not sure how to enable it on my end.

I can access the Wi-Fi calling stuff via a tasker but it seems too not wanna turn on.

Ok it shows it's turned on, but I'm not sure how to really tell or how to test out.

When you turned it on, did you get a window to put in your 911 address?

xdame said:
When you turned it on, did you get a window to put in your 911 address?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did not give me any option at all you do anything. The video shows what it did for me. I have volte working, just not Wi-Fi calling.

t12icky0 said:
Ok it shows it's turned on, but I'm not sure how to really tell or how to test out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
t12icky0 said:
It did not give me any option at all you do anything. The video shows what it did for me. I have volte working, just not Wi-Fi calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for trying.
I can't even get past Odin. Keeps giving me a fail msg
---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ----------
Have you ever tried flashing cricket firmware?

xdame said:
Thanks for trying.
I can't even get past Odin. Keeps giving me a fail msg
---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 PM ----------
Have you ever tried flashing cricket firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the new aio unlocked crd4 firmware(cricket firmware) to do this. I just haven't updated the thread yet with that firmware. What fail message is it giving you?

When I click start, it stops in a Fail.
I do find the instructions a little confusing.

xdame said:
When I click start, it stops in a Fail.
I do find the instructions a little confusing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What does the fail say? Everything should be straight forward. Load the files into the proper spots. Then click start.

t12icky0 said:
What does the fail say? Everything should be straight forward. Load the files into the proper spots. Then click start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll have to try again later today.
I desperately need wifi calling and hopefully it will work

Could you make this for the note 8

Darrylbeck said:
Could you make this for the note 8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a note 8, so can't do that. It honestly wouldn't be any different from this except you would need the unlocked firmware and att user data for the note 8.

Updated thread with crd4. I have the cre2 firmware and will test it out tonight to see if I can still use the Userdata method. If I can I will update the thread with the cre2 firmware.

CRE2 works correctly with VOLTE and visual voicemail working. I still cant get WI-Fi calling to work as its greyed out on my phone. If someone figures that out let me know and ill update the thread. I'm uploading the CRE2 files right now and they should be available within an hour of making this comment.
thread has been updated with multiple links now and updated firmware.