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Updating/Flashing my S8+ from Verizon (Carrier Unlocked)

Solved
Used patched version of odin to flash the samsung unlocked firmware (G955U1) from the firmware servers. No more Verizon Splashscreen and spay/bixby work fine
I've been using android devices all my life and have rooted every single device I've owned in the past (probably 4-5 devices). I know the risks and I know how to flash my device and such but I got my S8+ from verizon about 3 months ago before the international unlocked version was released. I only bought it from verizon because their phones are carrier unlocked by default. I use google's project fi.
Verizon is somewhat good with bloatware I can disable or uninstall all of their applications and I haven't found my device to be slowed or burdened by their addons so I never felt the need to root my device which was nice but I got the Bixby update today and I cannot use it unless I update my system software. Tried to update it and it attempts to connect via verizon and ultimately fails saying it cannot connect to the update server. I expected this -- I think it's due to me not using verizon and not having the phone registered with their service.
Want to use Bixby and also would like to flash a stock updated (latest stock version) ROM as I don't care for any new features or custom ROMs because this phone is perfect as it is so far.
Phone software/model specs:
model is SAMSUNG-SM-G955U
kernel version 4.4.16 march 11th, 2017
sev 8.1
android 7.0
aspv march 1st, 2017
knox 2.8
If I follow my usual rooting route properly is it safe to root my phone? Asking because S8+ root is relatively new. I won't ever sell the phone so I don't care if the warranty goes void or something like that.
Essentially looking to turn my Verizon version into a completely US unlocked phone with a stock clean ROM. Is there any possible way I can perform this and still be able to use Samsung Pay? Not a necessity but I do enjoy it.

No root is out

joshclouds said:
No root is out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, If I flash the newest version of the samsung firmware onto my device (force update it) will SPay and Bixby still work? And my Knox will be fine?

Both should be intact and working as far as my knowledge goes Bixby for sure spay shouldn't be affected. Let me get this straight you have a Verizon s8+ flashing the unlocked firmware correct?

joshclouds said:
Both should be intact and working as far as my knowledge goes Bixby for sure spay shouldn't be affected. Let me get this straight you have a Verizon s8+ flashing the unlocked firmware correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the S8+ G955U. It's verzion and has the ****ty verzion startup screen and sound it's just annoying. I really want to use Bixby voice as I just got the update from samsung but it says I have to have the newest samsung firmware to use it. I cannot update my phone normally because I don't use verizon I use google fi. So I want to try to flash the standard US carrier unlocked firmware onto my phone from sammobile (not the verizon variant). Is this safe?
the firmware list I'm choosing from: (spaces added so because account is not old enough to post links)
www . sammobile . com/firmwares/galaxy-s8/SM-G955U/
Which one on that list should I use? Obviously I'd choose the first one which is the Verizon firmware but I really would like to just have pure Samsung unlocked stock firmware so I don't have verizon apps & the verizon startup screen.

That's a tough decision I too have a Verizon s8 and it was plagued with the bloat and the splash screen when booting but I used a package disabler to get rid of many if the unwanted and unnecessary packages I didn't like as for using Bixby and getting rid of the splash screen.... It is safe to flash unlocked firmware many people have done this and there is a thread here on xda somewhere all about carrier switching the s8+ to the unlocked firm I could find it if you'd like?

joshclouds said:
That's a tough decision I too have a Verizon s8 and it was plagued with the bloat and the splash screen when booting but I used a package disabler to get rid of many if the unwanted and unnecessary packages I didn't like as for using Bixby and getting rid of the splash screen.... It is safe to flash unlocked firmware many people have done this and there is a thread here on xda somewhere all about carrier switching the s8+ to the unlocked firm I could find it if you'd like?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you could get that thread for me that'd be perfect. Thanks for the help. Really wishing I waited the extra 3 weeks and bought the unlocked version instead.

Updating because I was able to solve it myself. I used a patched version of Odin to bypass the model mismatch error and flashed a new system image and csc (G955U1 model image) that wasn't for my G955U Verizon model.
Bixby works, KNOX is fine, SPay is solid. Verizon splash screen is gone and the phone (from the settings point of view) has no carrier and is fully unlocked and void of bloatware.

Android 11 back to Android 10

Is it still possible to go back to an earlier version of Android?
It used to be possible to do so by flashing the bootloader from an earlier version of Android.
A guy called freeza used to make bootloader packages back in the galaxy note 4 days.
Is it still possible?
Galaxy Tab S7

jhill110 said:
Is it still possible to go back to an earlier version of Android?
It used to be possible to do so by flashing the bootloader from an earlier version of Android.
A guy called freeza used to make bootloader packages back in the galaxy note 4 days.
Is it still possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Samsung phones, likely yes, maybe with some hacks. For Xiaomi phones, no and never.

jjgvv said:
For Samsung phones, likely yes, maybe with some hacks. For Xiaomi phones, no and never.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea about Samsung phones (looking at Knox).
But it is definitely possible to go back on Xiaomi phones and it is pretty easy to do so, don't spread misinformation.

You need authorized EDL I think? It can be bypassed? Or again test points?

jjgvv said:
You need authorized EDL I think? It can be bypassed? Or again test points?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my Poco F2 Pro (Xiaomi Redmi K30 Pro) it is as simple as flashing a fastboot ROM in a bootloader, can even change regions that way.

Ok Mi A3 can not downgrade, idk why K30P can

If your phone is a Huawei device, you may take advantage of a PC utility, HiSuite, in order to downgrade your device with ease.

James_Watson said:
If your phone is a Huawei device, you may take advantage of a PC utility, HiSuite, in order to downgrade your device with ease.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sure, but Huawei never have Android 11(EMUI 11 is still Android 10) so his phone is probably not a Huawei.

jhill110 said:
Is it still possible to go back to an earlier version of Android?
It used to be possible to do so by flashing the bootloader from an earlier version of Android.
A guy called freeza used to make bootloader packages back in the galaxy note 4 days.
Is it still possible?
Galaxy Tab S7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have gone back to android 10 from 11 with ODIN.

Samsung SM-970U S10e snapdragon downgrade ?

Hi I have a samsung SM-970u ( s10e snapdragon TMO) is there a way to make a downgrade form android 11 to android 10 ?

I...wondered the exact same thing....
but even with an unlocked bootloader it doesn't seem possible if your bootloader version is too high...it was possible when Android 11 first came out but versions may have changed now. I tried flashing with odin myself but I'm getting sw rev check fail... even with an unlocked bootoader.
I'd love to be wrong cause I want stock android 10 but i can't find info otherwise.

Deathlan said:
Hi I have a samsung SM-970u ( s10e snapdragon TMO) is there a way to make a downgrade form android 11 to android 10 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's your current Build/Baseband?

I was wondering if I can downgrade from 12 to 9.
But as I'm reading a lot of posts, I'm guessing it will be next to impossible?
Build: SPA1.210812.016.G970FXXUEGVA4
Baseband: G970FXXUEGVA2

Cilvaring said:
I was wondering if I can downgrade from 12 to 9.
But as I'm reading a lot of posts, I'm guessing it will be next to impossible?
Build: SPA1.210812.016.G970FXXUEGVA4
Baseband: G970FXXUEGVA2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can never officially downgrade more than one version.
The only possibility would be to unlock the phone's bootloader and flash a custom ROM based on Android 9. But I do not even know if it is theoretically possible to run an Android 9 ROM on an Android 12 bootloader

iBowToAndroid said:
You can never officially downgrade more than one version.
The only possibility would be to unlock the phone's bootloader and flash a custom ROM based on Android 9. But I do not even know if it is theoretically possible to run an Android 9 ROM on an Android 12 bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I've learned the phone has a version of the bootloader.
In my case that's version 14 (resp. E because it's hexadecimal)
I found that f.e. Android 11 was released in versions that had different bootloader versions (9, A, B, C, D & E).
So I was only able to install the Android 11 that came with bootloader version E.
And as it stands now, it seems like it's impossible to downgrade the bootloader which in the end makes it a huge pile of s**t on Samsung's or even Google's end.
It's kinda the Apple way of doing things and not letting you do what you wish...

Cilvaring said:
It's kinda the Apple way of doing things and not letting you do what you wish...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kind of. Except:
1. Apple doesn't let you downgrade firmware at all
2. Apple doesn't offer unlockable bootloaders and therefore there's no possibility of a custom ROM

Cilvaring said:
From what I've learned the phone has a version of the bootloader.
In my case that's version 14 (resp. E because it's hexadecimal)
I found that f.e. Android 11 was released in versions that had different bootloader versions (9, A, B, C, D & E).
So I was only able to install the Android 11 that came with bootloader version E.
And as it stands now, it seems like it's impossible to downgrade the bootloader which in the end makes it a huge pile of s**t on Samsung's or even Google's end.
It's kinda the Apple way of doing things and not letting you do what you wish...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a cruel lesson. Android becomes more Apple than Android with each upgrade.
Literally the first thing I do on a new Samsung is package block OTA updates.
I have two N10+'s, one running on 9, the other 10.
They will stay on that firmware.

iBowToAndroid said:
Kind of. Except:
1. Apple doesn't let you downgrade firmware at all
2. Apple doesn't offer unlockable bootloaders and therefore there's no possibility of a custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well yes, but the fact that google's core apps are not open source and more and more APIs or libraries are only available on phones that have certain pre-installed google apps takes a big piece of liberty out of android.
My bet also is, it won't get better since google just won't stop generating money in new ways day after day.
But: Android still is a whole lot better than the half-eaten piece of fruit. No doubt.
blackhawk said:
It's a cruel lesson. Android becomes more Apple than Android with each upgrade.
Literally the first thing I do on a new Samsung is package block OTA updates.
I have two N10+'s, one running on 9, the other 10.
They will stay on that firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear you.
Was running a S7 with Oreo before I switched to the S10e now and it will stay on Oreo until it dies as a backup phone.
Sadly the seller of the S10e already had updated it to 12, so I'm stuck with at least 11 due to the bootloader.

Cilvaring said:
I hear you.
Was running a S7 with Oreo before I switched to the S10e now and it will stay on Oreo until it dies as a backup phone.
Sadly the seller of the S10e already had updated it to 12, so I'm stuck with at least 11 due to the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android 11 was one reason I bought a new N10+ about 5 months ago versus a N20U. I thought new N10+ be running on 9 but it ended up loaded with 10 due to the manufacturing date. It turned out ok.
I learned the hard way with Samsung and upgrades 6 years ago... and was about as happy as you.
Unfortunately many of the resellers will load whatever is the latest OS version when they test out a phone.
It's more than just a little aggravating. Forget the Google bs hype... I still remember the horror of MS Vista
Hopefully you'll find workarounds to iron out the rough edges or if it really gets on your last nerve return or resell it. Life's too short to live with a phone you hate.

Manually Install Android 12 on Note 20 Ultra Live Demo Unit running Android 10

Hi, so I have a Note 20 ultra Live demo unit N985F/DS. I make calls, everything is working. However it's on android 10 and not getting any prompts for updates. I want to manually install android 12 and would like to know how to go about it and if it being an LDU has any complications to it. Thanks for any help in advance

EliDevp said:
Hi, so I have a Note 20 ultra Live demo unit N985F/DS. I make calls, everything is working. However it's on android 10 and not getting any prompts for updates. I want to manually install android 12 and would like to know how to go about it and if it being an LDU has any complications to it. Thanks for any help in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
grabaste el imei? esos telefonos vienen con imei 0000000, donde lo conseguiste?
Translated by GT: did you record the imei? those phones come with imei 0000000, where did you get it?

EliDevp said:
Hi, so I have a Note 20 ultra Live demo unit N985F/DS. I make calls, everything is working. However it's on android 10 and not getting any prompts for updates. I want to manually install android 12 and would like to know how to go about it and if it being an LDU has any complications to it. Thanks for any help in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually had bought my note 20 Ultra that was stuck in demo mode then after getting it out of demo mode found out it was blacklisted. Had to get IMEI changed. Now everything works yet i have similar problem regarding android security/firmware updates. Oden was used to fix it so that it works, yet I'm not rooted nor did Knox get tripped, & the device comes up as official. I'm running 11 on 3.1ui & would like to upgrade to 12 as you on 4.0 or 4.1. I Believe all i need to do is flash the new firmware via Oden or bootloader, but I'm not entirely sure if same applies to you. -S.

Saintn said:
I actually had bought my note 20 Ultra that was stuck in demo mode then after getting it out of demo mode found out it was blacklisted. Had to get IMEI changed. Now everything works yet i have similar problem regarding android security/firmware updates. Oden was used to fix it so that it works, yet I'm not rooted nor did Knox get tripped, & the device comes up as official. I'm running 11 on 3.1ui & would like to upgrade to 12 as you on 4.0 or 4.1. I Believe all i need to do is flash the new firmware via Oden or bootloader, but I'm not entirely sure if same applies to you. -S.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your not gonna get much help here with a black listed device. We do not condone imei changing and such either. Your best bet is gonna be looking off site

Neither do I nor was I implying to do such a thing. I just didn't have a choice after getting screwed for almost a G$ online. I just added that in due to me having similar experiences with a device that was not only locked in Demo mode soon arrival but then found to be a thousand dollar paper weight. For I got double slapped!
Aside from that. Perhaps you could point me in the right direction in terms of how to get proper updates.

Moto one 5G Ace 2021 from Moto G7

I used a rooted Moto G7 on T-Mobil for quite a while. But it is now giving me some issues and I'm considering buying a 2021
Motorola One 5G Ace | 2021 from Amazon​For $299
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08NWD7K8H/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
I have a few questions.
1. Anyone using T-Mobil with this phone? Any problems? Special simcard for 5G or will my G7 simcard work?
2. Bugs or problems with the Motorola one 5G 128GB?
3. Does it come with android 10 or 11?
4. How easy to root?
Thank you.

maybeme2 said:
I used a rooted Moto G7 on T-Mobil for quite a while. But it is now giving me some issues and I'm considering buying a 2021
Motorola One 5G Ace | 2021 from Amazon​For $299
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08NWD7K8H/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
I have a few questions.
1. Anyone using T-Mobil with this phone? Any problems? Special simcard for 5G or will my G7 simcard work?
2. Bugs or problems with the Motorola one 5G 128GB?
3. Does it come with android 10 or 11?
4. How easy to root?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Not on t-mobile.
2.I didn't find any bugs. I bought the retail us version.
3.It comes with 10. I am running 11 from Canada.
4. Root is easy, but not complete. You also need to get r/w access which is complicated but easy. Also any debloating requires the use of pm from an ADB shell or as a terminal command. There are good guides here on how to do all of this.
Custom ROMs are available, more on the Telegram channel.

Thank you Retief.
I went ahead and bought one and am setting it up.
One problem I'm facing is the touch screen is too sensitive. If I tap too forcefully near the top of a screen everything gets minimized (I forget the correct name for it). It's most annoying. Any ideas? Sensitivity controls?
Also, any way to get rid of the notch?
Thanks.

Mine is a usa T-mobile motorola moto one 5g ace, android 10, software variant t, model number xt2113-2, purchased April 20, 2022 from a T-mobile store. My old sim card would not fit. It's loaded with bloatware. I am also trying to root but its going to take some time to gather up all the correct programs and files so it doesn't brick. There's a Noob guide on this forum that offers great advice on how to root. I'll read it 5 more times before I do anything. If you do manage to root your phone please let us know how you did it.

I am rooted, r/w access obtained and debloated. I used the three guides on here.

RETIEF said:
I am rooted, r/w access obtained and debloated. I used the three guides on here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's terrific RETIEF.
Which 3 guides in here?
Did you hit any problems and if so how did you solve them?
Thanks.

The guides are in the guides section. The ones by Artcul8madness worked. Now that there is a working twrp, other methods are possible. You must unlock the bootloader first! I had no problems following the guides.

Thanks. Still a risky thing with bootloops, etc. I think I'll wait for the ota updates to Android 11 or 12.

I picked up one of these earlier this week (variant XT2113-2, 128GB just like yours) and am using it on T-Mobile in the US. It's working really well, no issues so far, and the 5G feels incredibly fast (it's my first 5G device - if speedtest.net is reliable, I'm consistently seeing >125Mbps download speeds in Los Angeles).
I specifically bought this phone to use with LineageOS, and the bootloader unlocking procedure and rooting went very smoothly. No issues at all so far with the device, LineageOS, or the unlocking/rooting.
Just as an aside, I opted for a used model off of Ebay, and they're going for between $150-$200 with the 128GB of storage ROM if you'd like to save some money.

Thank you for getting back to me. I too am well pleased with the phone and its performance.
I have been afraid to root it yet because of problems I read about.
1. How —exactly— did you root it?
2. Ive used lineageos on a previous phone. How well is it working for you on this phone?

maybeme2 said:
Thank you for getting back to me. I too am well pleased with the phone and its performance.
I have been afraid to root it yet because of problems I read about.
1. How —exactly— did you root it?
2. Ive used lineageos on a previous phone. How well is it working for you on this phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies for the delayed response, I thought I was set to receive email notifications for replies! I actually rooted it while flashing LineageOS - I first unlocked the bootloader by following the instructions on the LOS install page (https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/kiev/install), then flashed Lineage Recovery via fastboot. From there, I rebooted into Lineage recovery (NOT the OS/system, it'll overwrite the new recovery), flashed the LineageOS ROM, then followed that with GApps and Magisk.
See the link I posted, you'll root it at step 6 under "Installing LineageOS from recovery". Download Magisk from here: https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk, rename the .img file it gives you to a .zip, and you'll be able to flash it at Step 6 above via sideloading or over a microsd, same with google apps.
Lineage is working well so far! The only quirk is that the lockscreen likes to randomly wake up, but I'm not sure if that's just my secondhand phone's fault. Wifi calling and VoLTE all work on TMobile.
Let me know if I can be of any more help!

Thank you for getting back to me. You are very kind and helpful.
When I get enough courage I'll follow in your steps.