Database Users

[Q] Quick Question If Someone Has a Moment, Please

I just swapped from my Amaze 4g, to a used Note 3, and I'm a little lost as far as where I should start.
It says that it's on 4.4.2, and that I cannot update due to a modified system.
Basically, I would like to get updated to 5.1.1 (or as close as is official for the Note 3), and root it.
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Samsung devices, and because I purchased this from ebay, I don't know how to tell the exact state that the former user put it in (I expected they would return it to stock prior to selling).
It's currently a T-Mobile branded, SM-N900T, on 4.4.2, build is KOT49H, security software MDF v1.0 release 2. Kernel is 3.4.0-660648.
It is supposedly unlocked for carriers, though I have not attempted a SIM card use yet, until I can tell that what I have is a valid device and the IMEI is checked out.
Any thoughts on how to validate the IMEI, and sort out how to get my new phone up to date would be appreciated. As I stated, I expected the vendor would have returned it to stock, but that is clearly not the case, so I don't want to accidentally boot loop it by doing something I shouldn't. I have not owned a Samsung before, so I want to be careful on how it differs from my Nexus 7, Amaze 4g, and Droid X, as they're all obviously very different in the OS area.
Thank you for the help1

Download tbe stock 4.4.2 rom and use odin to install. Then you will get the OTA updates.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

There is no stock 5.1.1 for note 3, only cm12.1/ aosp. Latest is 5.0 and you can use odin to flash. Maybe it's rooted that's why you can't update.

bladebarrier said:
I just swapped from my Amaze 4g, to a used Note 3, and I'm a little lost as far as where I should start.
It says that it's on 4.4.2, and that I cannot update due to a modified system.
Basically, I would like to get updated to 5.1.1 (or as close as is official for the Note 3), and root it.
...
Thank you for the help1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some apps to install from Play Store...
Phone INFO Samsung - this will tell you all about your phone and the firmware etc.
Root Checker Basic - tells you if you are rooted or not.
SuperSU - this is so valuable you should buy the Pro licence. Chainfire does some great work for our phones.
TWRP - I have the zip version on my extSDCard and an Odin version on PC in case I have to rebuild from a Stock firmware. CWN works OK but most ROM builds seem to be for TWRP I think and a backup from one will not work on the other.
I don't know your previous phone so you probably need Odin v3.09 - this sits on PC and lets you flash firmware to the phone. (connected by USB)
For which you need Samsung USB drivers so the PC will recognise the phone. Install on PC before connecting phone.
Then do some browsing and find the processes to root your phone and install the ROM you want. If you just want Stock and access to all your phone, you can root it after flashing the original v5.0 download (from Sammobile or similar site - note on Sammobile you need a free account to DL) and then install Custom recovery (if wanted - it WILL trip the Knox flag but that may not matter given it's 2nd hand and might already be tripped anyway)
Read, make SURE you understand what is being said BEFORE you do anything - ask if you don't.
Good luck...

N9005 Lollipop brick
Hi All, just need a huge help here, a friend of mine has been using a N9005 which was auto restarting, she went online and downloaded this firmware...N900AUCUEOC1_N900AATTEOC1_N900AUCUEOC1_HOME.tar.md5....2.5GB in size...and flashed it, but the phone is stuck in boot loop even after recovery wiping data and cache, the phone can boot into download mode but re flashing the firmware always fails.....is there a solution for this.....please help

Thank you all for the info, especially the detailed info from Journyman16. I checked, and it is flagged as custom, which is fine, so I'm going to go ahead and try to return to mostly stock, update it, and root it.

Ok, everything went well. I had to do two attempts at rooting, but I think it's just one of those things where sometimes it doesn't restart into the process every time.
All seems good. I'm on 5.0, rooted, busyboxed, and smooth sailing.
Thank you all, again, for the tips. The Note 3 is running very well. Thank you to all of the devs that have made this process so refined. I've donated to you before, and did so again today. It's outstanding to have such well versed coders, on XDA, helping out the community.

mjmbirige said:
Hi All, just need a huge help here, a friend of mine has been using a N9005 which was auto restarting, she went online and downloaded this firmware...N900AUCUEOC1_N900AATTEOC1_N900AUCUEOC1_HOME.tar.md5....2.5GB in size...and flashed it, but the phone is stuck in boot loop even after recovery wiping data and cache, the phone can boot into download mode but re flashing the firmware always fails.....is there a solution for this.....please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have never learned not to ask in others posts? What does your problem has to do with this topic at all?
When you need help. Just click on Q&A then Create a new thread. How hard is it?

NOOB REQUEST - How to upgrade from 4.4.2 to Lollipop

Hey guys,
So I am a relative NOOB - I flashed my girlfriend last phone, ZTE Blade 2 and loaded a custom ROM made from a guy in Brazil that actually worked really well off the paltry 4GB storage it had. Eventually got it to read the 8GB SD card as internal memory - but this was 3 months ago and involved a lot of trial and error before figuring it out - thanks to XDA of course.
So I bought her a new S5 sealed form Korea - SM-G900A AT&T version.
Firmware version: 4.4.2.
I tried to run an OTA update to Lollipop and said it couldn't find anything
Then I realized it was rooted, and I thought maybe that is what is preventing the OTA update. So yesterday I unrooted the phone and loaded STOCK Samsung from:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2785363
Ran the OTA update request, still nothing.
Thinking as its an AT&T phone it may not run the OTA update on my countries networks - South Africa.
Thinking 2 stratergies going forward:
1 - Download the OTA Lollipop 5.1.1 version and forcing it to update without rooting the phone.
As described here:
http://www.droidviews.com/install-rooted-lollipop-on-att-galaxy-s5-sm-g900a/
Problem is I don't trust other sites and had good experiences with XDA so if someone could provide me a link to a XDA thread that hosts an OTA Lollipop update I would appreciate it.
Install Lollipop OTA on AT&T Galaxy S5
Make sure your AT&T Galaxy S5 is 100% stock Android 4.4.4 KitKat firmware.
Now download the Lollipop OTA package: OTA_S5_5.0.zip | Mirror
Copy the OTA zip file to the external SD card of your phone.
Enable USB Debugging on your phone as precaution.
Now turn off your device and reboot into the stock recovery. To do so, hold the Volume Up+Home+Power keys together while the device is switched off. As soon as you see the Samsung logo, release the Power key and keep the other two keys pressed until you see the recovery menu.
Using the volume keys, scroll to apply update from external storage option and select it by pressing the Power key.AT&T-Galaxy-S5-stock-recovery
Navigate to the OTA update Zip package and select it.
Confirm installation when prompted.
When the file is flashed, go back to the main menu and select “reboot system now” option.
2 - Rooting the phone and upgrading the ROM to Lollipop.
As described below - problem is I don't want to void the warranty (could be void considering was rooted when received) nor brick the phone.
I prefer lower risk option UNLESS someone has a secure method of doing it? Any advice appreciated
Install Pre-Rooted Lollipop on AT&T Galaxy S5
If you want to enjoy root privilege on your AT&T Galaxy S5 running Android 5.0 Lollipop firmware, the following instructions would help you do that.
Warning!
You can use this method regardless of what firmware or build version your phone has. However, you must be rooted to be able to use the FireFlash app! Flashing the pre-rooted firmware provided below will not trip the KNOX Warranty Void flag. The procedure given below is considered risky. Follow it on your responsibility!
Preparations
To gain root access on your AT&T Galaxy S5 running KitKat, you can try Towelroot.
Enable USB Debugging on your Galaxy S5. This step has nothing to do with the method given below but it could be a lifesaver if anything goes wrong.
Install Chainfire’s FireFlash app on your AT&T Galaxy S5. Since this new app is only available for beta-testers currently, go to the Google+ page and join the Android-FlashFire community. You must be signed into Google+ using the same Gmail ID that you use on the Google Play Store. Having joined the community, click the Play Store link to download FireFlash Beta app.
Download the stock rooted Lollipop firmware for the AT&T S5: G900A_OC4_Stock_Rooted_ROM_wOA1_BL.zip (Note: The ROM is currently not available.)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Please advise on the best way going forward. I have about 3GB left on my data to play with so the next ROM I download I want to be my last.

Question about 6.0.1 Update for Verizon S5 that is on Straight Talk

Hi all,
A couple quick questions here. I've done some reading up, but most of the information is more in depth than I need at the moment so I'm looking for some quick answers.
My SO has a Verizon S5, that has a locked bootloader, is not rooted, and is still on 5.0.
She swapped carriers a while back, so is no longer on the Verizon network. The IMEI is clean, and her Verizon account is fully paid, and everything on the phone works fine, aside from it being stuck on 5.0.
It will not update via the automated system, because I assume it's trying to reach out to straight talk for the update and gets a response that it's on the newest version.
I downloaded the Verizon OTA update file (approximately 1 gb) for 6.0.1. It's named update.zip to allow for automated updating.
Here are my questions:
1. Would it be ok to just slap the update file on her phone and let it auto-update using the built in software?
2. Are there any major downsides to updating to marshmallow, considering it's an official release on the correct version of that phone?
3. Will root be needed prior (I'm assuming not) for using the OTA update file?
4. Will her information stay intact; email accounts, contacts, apps, samsung account, etc?
5. While root would be nice for locking down some of the bloatware after, it isn't a deal breaker, simplicity is the key here as she is not an advanced user, but would updating via the OTA file remove all possibilities of rooting the device after (it seems to be the impression I get, as her bootloader is locked)?
Thank you very much for your assistance!

Hi bladebarrier, I actually just did the same thing a few weeks ago with a used S5 from Verizon going to Straight Talk.
1. Would it be ok to just slap the update file on her phone and let it auto-update using the built in software?
I'm unsure if that would work, someone else may be able to answer as to that method, however I used the Odin tool v3.11.1, downloaded the PD1 image from here. There are some good video tutorials on YouTube and on writeups on this forum as well regarding how to flash the Marshmallow update using Odin.
2. Are there any major downsides to updating to marshmallow, considering it's an official release on the correct version of that phone?
No downsides that I've noticed and seems to have slightly better battery life.
3. Will root be needed prior (I'm assuming not) for using the OTA update file?
You do not need root to flash it if using the Odin tool.
4. Will her information stay intact; email accounts, contacts, apps, samsung account, etc?
Yes, but it's always a good idea to make a backup of everything.
5. While root would be nice for locking down some of the bloatware after, it isn't a deal breaker, simplicity is the key here as she is not an advanced user, but would updating via the OTA file remove all possibilities of rooting the device after (it seems to be the impression I get, as her bootloader is locked)?
The only thing that the locked boot loader affects for now is the ability to flash custom ROMs. I was able to downgrade to 5.0 Lollipop which you can still root, even after upgrading, however I decided to just go back to Marshmallow and wait for an exploit to be found, if one ever is.

jesimpki89 said:
Hi bladebarrier, I actually just did the same thing a few weeks ago with a used S5 from Verizon going to Straight Talk.
1. Would it be ok to just slap the update file on her phone and let it auto-update using the built in software?
I'm unsure if that would work, someone else may be able to answer as to that method, however I used the Odin tool v3.11.1, downloaded the PD1 image from here. There are some good video tutorials on YouTube and on writeups on this forum as well regarding how to flash the Marshmallow update using Odin.
2. Are there any major downsides to updating to marshmallow, considering it's an official release on the correct version of that phone?
No downsides that I've noticed and seems to have slightly better battery life.
3. Will root be needed prior (I'm assuming not) for using the OTA update file?
You do not need root to flash it if using the Odin tool.
4. Will her information stay intact; email accounts, contacts, apps, samsung account, etc?
Yes, but it's always a good idea to make a backup of everything.
5. While root would be nice for locking down some of the bloatware after, it isn't a deal breaker, simplicity is the key here as she is not an advanced user, but would updating via the OTA file remove all possibilities of rooting the device after (it seems to be the impression I get, as her bootloader is locked)?
The only thing that the locked boot loader affects for now is the ability to flash custom ROMs. I was able to downgrade to 5.0 Lollipop which you can still root, even after upgrading, however I decided to just go back to Marshmallow and wait for an exploit to be found, if one ever is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for your thorough response. It sounds like it will be a nice smooth flash, and I will use the full Odin version instead of the OTA file, to ensure it goes through comfortably.

Odin looked like it wanted to wipe the apps, so I ended up using the stock recovery/installer that's built in, and placing the OTA update file on the external SD card.
That worked like a charm. It took a bit, as expected, but all of the apps and info were ok after.
The only thing I can't sort out is why I can't find an option for the "Themes" setting in touch wiz. Any suggestions? I realize I could have her go to a third party launcher, like nova, but I have all of the theme options on my note 3, that's ported to MM note 5, and the theme option is still right there in the settings list, per normal. Maybe I'm just not seeing it, but I couldn't find an option on her S5 during 5.0, or now on 6.0.1. Is that something they never updated for the older phones?

Guide to unroot and install Nougat on Galaxy S7

Note - this is for the SM-G930A AKA AT&T model only. Unrooting and flashing firmware works the same way for other carriers, but with different files.
Hi everyone, I just thought I should share how I went about unrooting my S7. I initially rooted it while it was running Nougat already, and I liked the extra customization options. However, I found after several months of using it that the only real feature that I personally liked about having a rooted S7 was the ability to "try" paid apps for free using Lucky Patcher.
The downside of rooting, for me anyway, was severely slow laggy touch inputs and general phone performance. Sometimes - especially after a reboot - I experienced slightly better performance, but overall it just got too annoying. The app that gave me the most trouble was Google Maps. That's why I decided to cut my losses and unroot; I'd figured out which apps I actually wanted to buy since I'd already used them for a while (I will miss free in-app purchases though ).
So after some Googling and reading up, I decided to try for myself. I was already running baseband version G930AUCU4BQA4 before I rooted, so I thought maybe I could just flash stock Nougat and be done. However, all the guides I read say to flash a stock firmware, so that's what I did to be safe.
So first I downloaded the stock firmware for my phone from a website called rootmygalaxy, on the Download Stock ROM For AT&T Galaxy S7/S7 Edge (SM-G930A/SM-G935A) page (being a new user sucks).
After that, I used the stock, unpatched version of Odin v3.12.3, (from Odin's website) to flash the stock firmware onto my phone. It should be noted that the steps you take to flash a firmware to download mode should be 1. Open Odin, 2. Put phone in download mode, 3. plug the phone in. I had some failures in Odin because I was doing that wrong. Steps one and two are probably interchangeable, but just make sure plugging in the phone is the last thing you do. Also, make sure you have ticked USB Debugging and OEM Unlock under developer options before you do any flashing.
Once that was complete, I rebooted my phone and set up Android 6.0.1 on the phone. After a full 24 hours, I still couldn't get any OTA updates, so I decided to manually flash Nougat because it is so much better than Marshmallow.
This guide on the website droidviews called Install Android 7.0 Nougat on AT&T Galaxy S7/ S7 Edge (SM-G930A/ G935A) was very helpful.
Take note of the fact that the guide references baseband versions by the last 4 characters, i.e. G930AUCU4BQA4 becomes just BQA4. I checked my baseband version, which ended in APJ4. According to that guide, all I had to do was flash APK1 and then I'd be set to update to Nougat, so that's exactly what I did.
After again flashing via the 4-file method with Odin, I set up the phone again so I was back at the home screen. I downloaded both the APK1 and the .zip file containing Nougat while my phone was charging (from 90%, my phone was at ~50% by the time I had Nougat up and running), and I placed the .zip Nougat update onto an SD card that I usually keep in the phone. Once APK1 was set up, I put the SD card back in, rebooted into Recovery Mode, and waited until the manual screen came up. Then I simply chose update from SD card, chose the .zip file I'd placed in there, and waited. After a while, I was greeted by a new setup screen. I set up Nougat and now it's running just fine.
The only issue I'm seeing is that I'm still not getting any OTA updates. I hope that doesn't continue, but if it does I can just update via .zip or something.
Thanks for reading!

where did you get the nougat.zip?

Help me with flashing stock firmware

Hi
I got my wife a Samsung S8, SIM free as it was cheaper to buy the phone out right and get a 3 SIM only deal.
Only problem is because we got the phone from a online retailer, 3 won't activate the wifi calling.
So I have decided to flash the 3 S8 firmware via odin to my wife's phone but before I do that I have a few questions so I know I don't mess things up.
I will list the questions in number form so could you list the answers in number form with answer matching the question number, so I know what people are talking about.
1. When I glanced at Sammobile, I saw nothing mentioned about 3. Only thing I saw was H3G does this mean 3....if not what is 3 software listed as.
2. Will flashing this firmware wipe or factory reset her phone. (I know that I need to back things up anyway)
3. Will doing this Firmware flash void her insurance. As it's official Samsung software, I didn't think so but I want to be sure.
4. After the update will her phone be locked to 3.
5. Has anyone got any tips and guides which can help with this.
6. I hear that you can google blocked doing this type of thing, how do you get around getting blocked and if I do, how do I unblock a google blocked phones.
7. Will flashing 3 firmware actually give me wifi calling in the end.
8. After I have installed the firmware....will I receive future android/ Samsung updates. E.g. android 7 to android 8 updates, security patches and bug fixes
Thanks guys I will leave those questions for now....if I have anymore I will add them on another comment.
Hope you can help me I have attached some stuff I saw on the net incase it helps in anyway

Owenboy89 said:
Hi
I got my wife a Samsung S8, SIM free as it was cheaper to buy the phone out right and get a 3 SIM only deal.
Only problem is because we got the phone from a online retailer, 3 won't activate the wifi calling.
So I have decided to flash the 3 S8 firmware via odin to my wife's phone but before I do that I have a few questions so I know I don't mess things up.
I will list the questions in number form so could you list the answers in number form with answer matching the question number, so I know what people are talking about.
1. When I glanced at Sammobile, I saw nothing mentioned about 3. Only thing I saw was H3G does this mean 3....if not what is 3 software listed as.
2. Will flashing this firmware wipe or factory reset her phone. (I know that I need to back things up anyway)
3. Will doing this Firmware flash void her insurance. As it's official Samsung software, I didn't think so but I want to be sure.
4. After the update will her phone be locked to 3.
5. Has anyone got any tips and guides which can help with this.
6. I hear that you can google blocked doing this type of thing, how do you get around getting blocked and if I do, how do I unblock a google blocked phones.
7. Will flashing 3 firmware actually give me wifi calling in the end.
8. After I have installed the firmware....will I receive future android/ Samsung updates. E.g. android 7 to android 8 updates, security patches and bug fixes
Thanks guys I will leave those questions for now....if I have anymore I will add them on another comment.
Hope you can help me I have attached some stuff I saw on the net incase it helps in anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Firstly, there are Dozens and dozens of flash guides all over the web on flashing a SS phones with ODIN, 2nd'ly, its one of the easiest phones to flash..
Before you do anything download and install the latest SS USB drivers.. plug your phone in so they are detected.. then goto>settings and turn ON USB debugging in developer options.. plug in phone again.. so the device is detected again, then unplug... this installs the (A)ndroid (D) ebug (B)ridge driver, leave USB Debugging ON..
Your questions:,,
1) Yes H3G is 3UK... also EE use wifi calling..
2) Yes, it will wipe her phone... When you download your H3G firmware.. there are 2 CSC files in the folder.. I recommend using CSC... do not use HOME_CSC
3) No it will not void the warranty... its only when you trip KNOX by rooting, or custom roms that you invalidate warranty... Stock is fine
4) Yes it will... you will have to get an Unlock code to SIM unlock her phone.. SIM Unlock.. is not Flashing a rom.. What makes SS devices so cool.. is that you can flash any stock rom from any provider.. and it doesnt affect the bootloader, so you could flash an unbranded (open), EE or O2 rom on your 3 SIM locked phone..
5) Theres so many on the web and on XDA for SS phones and ODIN flashing, just type "Galaxy S8 back to stock" into search. My advice.. READ READ and more READ the guides ALL THE WAY Through, before you do ANYTHING AT ALL.. and make sure the phone you have has no SIM locks or security locks on it before you start.
6) Never heard of this... its only a stock rom your flashing, youll be fine
7) If 3 support Wifi Calling and the Rom your flashing has it coded in, then Yes it should work fine. EE also support Wifi calling
8) Yes... its a STOCK Rom with a STock recovery and STOCK Knox... so you will recieve updates according to when they are rolled out by that prvider... So, if its a 3 Rom, youll get updates when 3 push them out... if its an O2 rom, youll get them from O2.. and so on.... That is why soo many people flash Unbranded/Unlocked Open Roms... because unlocked phones have, in the past, gotten updates first and factory unlocked phones / roms dont come with Bloatware / carrier rubbish apps installed ..
Remember.. Just READ everything
Hope this helps

NightOrchid said:
Firstly, there are Dozens and dozens of flash guides all over the web on flashing a SS phones with ODIN, 2nd'ly, its one of the easiest phones to flash..
Before you do anything download and install the latest SS USB drivers.. plug your phone in so they are detected.. then goto>settings and turn ON USB debugging in developer options.. plug in phone again.. so the device is detected again, then unplug... this installs the (A)ndroid (D) ebug (B)ridge driver, leave USB Debugging ON..
Your questions:,,
1) Yes H3G is 3UK... also EE use wifi calling..
2) Yes, it will wipe her phone... When you download your H3G firmware.. there are 2 CSC files in the folder.. I recommend using CSC... do not use HOME_CSC
3) No it will not void the warranty... its only when you trip KNOX by rooting, or custom roms that you invalidate warranty... Stock is fine
4) Yes it will... you will have to get an Unlock code to SIM unlock her phone.. SIM Unlock.. is not Flashing a rom.. What makes SS devices so cool.. is that you can flash any stock rom from any provider.. and it doesnt affect the bootloader, so you could flash an unbranded (open), EE or O2 rom on your 3 SIM locked phone..
5) Theres so many on the web and on XDA for SS phones and ODIN flashing, just type "Galaxy S8 back to stock" into search. My advice.. READ READ and more READ the guides ALL THE WAY Through, before you do ANYTHING AT ALL.. and make sure the phone you have has no SIM locks or security locks on it before you start.
6) Never heard of this... its only a stock rom your flashing, youll be fine
7) If 3 support Wifi Calling and the Rom your flashing has it coded in, then Yes it should work fine. EE also support Wifi calling
8) Yes... its a STOCK Rom with a STock recovery and STOCK Knox... so you will recieve updates according to when they are rolled out by that prvider... So, if its a 3 Rom, youll get updates when 3 push them out... if its an O2 rom, youll get them from O2.. and so on.... That is why soo many people flash Unbranded/Unlocked Open Roms... because unlocked phones have, in the past, gotten updates first and factory unlocked phones / roms dont come with Bloatware / carrier rubbish apps installed ..
Remember.. Just READ everything
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much. I will make sure to do my research. I have used odin before so I have some experience using the tool but not for big things like this. Last thing I used it for was to download TWRP to my rooted tablet.
I will also pull out her memory card so she can save her photo......she will be pissed about the wiping the phone part but if we want wifi calling then needs are a must.
Anyway of backing up her phone on a level where I can just put in her user name and password it will literally restore back to the point of the last back up....eg install all her the apps and themes the way she had them before the firmware update.
It's really important I nail this, as this is the first time we have gone SIM free and I don't want to be going back to paying extra for contracts just because we need the wifi calling. (And we both hate the three in touch app)....so my success with this will be important for the next phones we buy.

NightOrchid said:
Firstly, there are Dozens and dozens of flash guides all over the web on flashing a SS phones with ODIN, 2nd'ly, its one of the easiest phones to flash..
Before you do anything download and install the latest SS USB drivers.. plug your phone in so they are detected.. then goto>settings and turn ON USB debugging in developer options.. plug in phone again.. so the device is detected again, then unplug... this installs the (A)ndroid (D) ebug (B)ridge driver, leave USB Debugging ON..
Your questions:,,
1) Yes H3G is 3UK... also EE use wifi calling..
2) Yes, it will wipe her phone... When you download your H3G firmware.. there are 2 CSC files in the folder.. I recommend using CSC... do not use HOME_CSC
3) No it will not void the warranty... its only when you trip KNOX by rooting, or custom roms that you invalidate warranty... Stock is fine
4) Yes it will... you will have to get an Unlock code to SIM unlock her phone.. SIM Unlock.. is not Flashing a rom.. What makes SS devices so cool.. is that you can flash any stock rom from any provider.. and it doesnt affect the bootloader, so you could flash an unbranded (open), EE or O2 rom on your 3 SIM locked phone..
5) Theres so many on the web and on XDA for SS phones and ODIN flashing, just type "Galaxy S8 back to stock" into search. My advice.. READ READ and more READ the guides ALL THE WAY Through, before you do ANYTHING AT ALL.. and make sure the phone you have has no SIM locks or security locks on it before you start.
6) Never heard of this... its only a stock rom your flashing, youll be fine
7) If 3 support Wifi Calling and the Rom your flashing has it coded in, then Yes it should work fine. EE also support Wifi calling
8) Yes... its a STOCK Rom with a STock recovery and STOCK Knox... so you will recieve updates according to when they are rolled out by that prvider... So, if its a 3 Rom, youll get updates when 3 push them out... if its an O2 rom, youll get them from O2.. and so on.... That is why soo many people flash Unbranded/Unlocked Open Roms... because unlocked phones have, in the past, gotten updates first and factory unlocked phones / roms dont come with Bloatware / carrier rubbish apps installed ..
Remember.. Just READ everything
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi....i seem of got myself in a pickle.
I read countless amounts of guides and watch loads of videos but still not gone right. (Phone isn't broken thankfully)
Basically I do everything guides tell me, but it's when I press start on odin the problem happens. It doesn't fail but it doesn't progress....on the text box it stops at a point that says Nand START (something like that) but doesn't get past that point....i sat for an hour the first time I tried it and 30 mins every time after that. Another thing it does is at the top where you get the green loading bar....that part goes white and says something like select Partition (not near my pc at the mo and when I was with the pc my wife had my phone, so couldn't take a photo)
I have 3 solutions that could be causing the problem but I just want to get a second opinion.
1. I read everywhere about device drivers and I was under the impression that they downloaded automatically when I plugged the phone to the pc....is there secondary drivers I need to download (sorry for the basic question)
2. My odin wasn't the latest version....i was using odin 3.09 and now there is odin 3.13 (I think) will using the latest version stop this problem.
3. I wonder if my antivirus is blocking it....do antivirus's ever get in the way of flashing firmware.
Hope some can help before tonight

Owenboy89 said:
Hi....i seem of got myself in a pickle.
I read countless amounts of guides and watch loads of videos but still not gone right. (Phone isn't broken thankfully)
Basically I do everything guides tell me, but it's when I press start on odin the problem happens. It doesn't fail but it doesn't progress....on the text box it stops at a point that says Nand START (something like that) but doesn't get past that point....i sat for an hour the first time I tried it and 30 mins every time after that. Another thing it does is at the top where you get the green loading bar....that part goes white and says something like select Partition (not near my pc at the mo and when I was with the pc my wife had my phone, so couldn't take a photo)
I have 3 solutions that could be causing the problem but I just want to get a second opinion.
1. I read everywhere about device drivers and I was under the impression that they downloaded automatically when I plugged the phone to the pc....is there secondary drivers I need to download (sorry for the basic question)
2. My odin wasn't the latest version....i was using odin 3.09 and now there is odin 3.13 (I think) will using the latest version stop this problem.
3. I wonder if my antivirus is blocking it....do antivirus's ever get in the way of flashing firmware.
Hope some can help before tonight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi again everyone.
I feel like I am talking to myself here. I have managed to sort it.
I downloaded some secondary device drivers for her phone and then update odin to, Odin v3.12.7 and it worked first time.
I also used the original charging cable instead of the official charging cable for the gear 360 camera.
To restore her data, I backed up to samsung cloud in the settings, signed her in and restored the date I backed up....didn't originally think it would be any good but I am impressed.
Result is I have a phone that has wifi calling and I read somewhere that if you take the SIM out of your phone when you download the firmware it doesn't SIM lock the phone.....and it seems to have worked. (Not sure how true it is or if I was just lucky)
Hope this thread helps, I want to cover a few different things in it and learn something on the way.
(Thanks to the person that commented and supplied most of the info in this thread)
#happywifehappylife

Hi everyone.......again.
My last post I promise.
I wrote a bit of a guide for myself for when I need to do this again. I thought would post it here so people can see it and use it if they wish.
(The notes before the method is apart of my guide. Hope it all helps)
Notes Before The Method
the cable you are using to connect to the pc should be the original charging cable. (If you don't have the original then use the one your using and see if it works but try to find a official Samsung charging cable)
Your phone needs to be at least at 60% battery.
Older phones sometimes don't work with newer versions of Odin so if this is happening download a older version.
If it's a new phone and you want to personalize it from scratch then no need to back up and restore any data.
After removing your memory card, plug it into your computer using a memory card extension and copy photos to your computer. Just in case the phone formats the memory card when entered back in to the phone, after the firmware is installed.
Method
1. Go to Sammobile via Google chrome in incognito mode. (If you don't do this they will re-direct you to a sign up page, everytime you press download)
2. Download Firmware, find this by picking the lastest firmware thats with your network and match the Baseband version or the last part of build number. (found in system info in the settings)
3. Install the latest version of Odin and install secondary device drivers on your pc/Laptop.
4. (On your mobile) back up your data in the samsung cloud.
Setting>Cloud and Accounts>Samsung Cloud>Backup settings> Back up.
If you have a memory card, move all your photos ect, to it and remove it from your phone.
5. Go into setting and tap build number 7 times to unlock developer options. After unlocking it, enter developer options and enable usb debugging.
Setting>developer options>USB Debugging.
6. Once the firmware file has stopped downloading on your pc extract it and send send it to your Downloads File.
7. Open Odin and load each part of firmware in the right box e.g. AP with AP, BL with BL, CSC with CSC ect (Do not load up Home CSC this is used for when your moving a branded device to another brand, E.g. EE to 3)
8. Before you plug your phone up to the computer. Turn your phone off and enter Odin mode(Download mode). Each device has a different way of doing this so just google how to do it on your specific device.
9. Once your phone is in download mode plug it into the computer and press start. This should take a few minutes but some files may take longer.
10. Once the Odin confirms the process is done, by showing the pass sign unplug your phone and turn it on. (First time you turn it on May take a minute or two to load. )
11. Enter your google email and password, and restore all your data on google.
12. Then enter your Samsung user and password, after that press restore and choose the date you backed up on before you flashed your phone (at point 4)
13. Enjoy....your all done.