1. Hello XDA, how would we go about determining what bootloader version the S7 or S7 Edge has (v2 or v3)
2. Does it require root to do this?
3. Can we determine bootloader versions by looking at the download screen?
Thank you
Edit 1:
would the below pic show the bootloader version? would B2 mean bootloader version 2 and B4 mean bootloader version 4?
Kinda late but at least a solution.
If you have a S7, the 5 number of the firmware version is the bootloader version. Check the website updato if you want to download or find any samsung firmware, or type in TWRP's console in recovery "getprop ro.bootloader"
He is on a snapdragon model...no TWRP. Your five number is the fifth digit from the end of the firmware version. But B2 and B4 refer to the bootloader binary version numbers. All US Carriers are on B4, except for Sprint.
He has the 'U' model or firmware flashed on his phone in the picture. Phone still needs to be unlocked, but he did write a nice guide for enabling additional LTE bands.
So I got an ATT S8 the G950U version. I unlocked it via ATT with their unlock code.
since then using it on Indian carrier Airtel. I am not been able to get any software updates. Whenever I check for the updates it says its up to date. But its stuck at build number G950USQU1AQC9 and security patch of 1 march 2017.
How do I update this? Do I need to flash ATT software via ODIN? but I need to retain the unlocked status.
You wont get OTA unless you have an ATT sim in it i Think. Just flash G950U1 firmware which is the unlocked version sold by samsung.
I bought a sprint s8 and flashed G950U1 firmware and using on Airtel. Moreover you wont have any carrier bloatware.
It seems Smart Switch also updates when applying initialize. Not connecting your phone before starting up SS gives you the option to input model - and serial #.
And to my knowledge, once unlocked (free to use any SIM) stays unlocked.
suryakiran_r said:
You wont get OTA unless you have an ATT sim in it i Think. Just flash G950U1 firmware which is the unlocked version sold by samsung.
I bought a sprint s8 and flashed G950U1 firmware and using on Airtel. Moreover you wont have any carrier bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you flash it with Odin? AFAIK its the only way for snapdragon models. Been away from android tinkering for a long while. Can you point me to relevant threads?
P.S. Are you able to get OTA now?
I have a similar issue but in the UK. Can't see OTA updates and it says up to date in Smart Switch. Is flashing the stock firmware risky or break knox? What are my options?
Search Updato.com for the latest G950U1 firmware. (XAA version is the best region to use in your case). Use THIS version of Odin to flash: http://dl.psouza4.com/android/Odin3_v3.12_PrinceComsy.zip
You will not get updates normally if you don't. Your phone is trying to contact AT&T servers but you don't have their sim card so it's not going to let you download it.
joe3681 said:
Search Updato.com for the latest G950U1 firmware. (XAA version is the best region to use in your case). Use THIS version of Odin to flash: http://dl.psouza4.com/android/Odin3_v3.12_PrinceComsy.zip
You will not get updates normally if you don't. Your phone is trying to contact AT&T servers but you don't have their sim card so it's not going to let you download it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be careful, the latest u1 firmware is a rev2 bootloader. It will probably be rootable like the n8 one is but no one has confirmed yet. There are also no ready to flash rooted ROMs with it
Root is worthless anyway.
I got the official Oreo on the u firmware, does anyone else have it and what are your thoughts i.e. Battery and screen on time, it seems a little faster to me.
cmlucht said:
I got the official Oreo on the u firmware, does anyone else have it and what are your thoughts i.e. Battery and screen on time, it seems a little faster to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just flashed the stock Oreo G935UUEU4CRG2 firmware (Vzw) today. I will run it bone stock for a week and report back. I should be able to tell if there's a significant difference in battery life and performance from the stock V firmware because I've never rooted my S7 edge and have run the stock Verizon firmware since new. With this Oreo U firmware, I do hate how Samsung Pay has that quick launch edge feature at the bottom of the homescreen that can't be removed.
I am very interested in the U version of the firmware . I have the Verizon Galaxy S7 Edge G935V w/ Android 8.0 but use it on Straight Talk with their AT&T sim card.
I had to change it from CDMA to GSM, also had to add a new APN for Straight talk.
It works but the phone is missing LTE bands 12 and 17. Band 17 is used in my area and without it the phone connects
to a different band and its weak in my area.
I am trying to learn if I can put the G935U (AT&T) firmware on the G935V and will I get band 17.
I know band 17 is in my area because of my previous phone of a week ago, Nexus 5.
Would you know if it can be done, and where would I find recent info how to do this
along with what bands and features would be offered or not available.
Thanks,
Ken
tx_dbs_tx said:
I just flashed the stock Oreo G935UUEU4CRG2 firmware (Vzw) today. I will run it bone stock for a week and report back. I should be able to tell if there's a significant difference in battery life and performance from the stock V firmware because I've never rooted my S7 edge and have run the stock Verizon firmware since new. With this Oreo U firmware, I do hate how Samsung Pay has that quick launch edge feature at the bottom of the homescreen that can't be removed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my G935V, flashed with U Nougat firmware I have received the Oreo U upgrade.
It works great, the only issue is that it reverted the LTE bands to the typical V version bands. I had to re-activate the other LTE bands, just because... I can. My provider is still a Verizon MVNO, and VoLTE is working.
What I like about the Oreo is the Bluetooth codecs - besides the aptX and Samsung HD (UHQ) now Google provided native support for LDAC (Sony). I couldn't wait to get that, because I really wanted my Sony's MDR-1ABT headphones to be used in their full glory (LDAC codec).
PS: To appreciate the quality difference you need to listen to FLAC files.
KenKK said:
I am very interested in the U version of the firmware . I have the Verizon Galaxy S7 Edge G935V w/ Android 8.0 but use it on Straight Talk with their AT&T sim card.
I had to change it from CDMA to GSM, also had to add a new APN for Straight talk.
It works but the phone is missing LTE bands 12 and 17. Band 17 is used in my area and without it the phone connects
to a different band and its weak in my area.
I am trying to learn if I can put the G935U (AT&T) firmware on the G935V and will I get band 17.
I know band 17 is in my area because of my previous phone of a week ago, Nexus 5.
Would you know if it can be done, and where would I find recent info how to do this
along with what bands and features would be offered or not available.
Thanks,
Ken
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ken, first check out the supported bands between the Verizon and the AT&T S7 edge in the link below. It will confirm the discrepancy in supported bands between the two models.
https://www.phonemore.com/compare/p...5v-vs-samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-sm-g935a/3296028
Then go to this link and download, extract and Odin flash the AT&T "U" firmware and see if that will open up the AT&T bands for your Verizon S7 edge. It very well might. I think you should also choose the option in Odin to "Clear EFS" before you flash so that it can be rewritten fresh upon bootup with your AT&T sim card. Do this and report back your results. Good luck.
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=0A1AF06A906411E89F15FA163EE8F90B
Thank you for your reply.
I am downloading the firmware G935U (AT&T) firmware now. Its going to take several hours because I am not a member of that download site.
I did he A/B comparison and both phones seem to be identical except for the band coverage. The AT&T has band 12 which from my reading
is 700MHz and it includes the segment band 17 has so if I understand it right if I have band 12 I should be in good shape.
It also seems to have all the bands of the 935V except for band 13. The 935A has actually more bands of coverage.
Could you clear something up for me. Once I do this I am reading I can't go back to the Version S7 Edge G935V.
However would I be able to convert it to one of the other carriers like T-mobile ?
You are the first that stated to check the EFS box.
With ODIN I will be choosing all 4 files but making sure I do NOT choose the HOME file, is that correct?
After flashing are there any other special instructions I need to do or will the phone right after flashing just
need to go through the normal setup along with possible adding the same APN config I am using with it on Straight talk w/ the straight talk AT&T sim?
thank you,
Ken
tx_dbs_tx said:
Ken, first check out the supported bands between the Verizon and the AT&T S7 edge in the link below. It will confirm the discrepancy in supported bands between the two models.
https://www.phonemore.com/compare/p...5v-vs-samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-sm-g935a/3296028
Then go to this link and download, extract and Odin flash the AT&T "U" firmware and see if that will open up the AT&T bands for your Verizon S7 edge. It very well might. I think you should also choose the option in Odin to "Clear EFS" before you flash so that it can be rewritten fresh upon bootup with your AT&T sim card. Do this and report back your results. Good luck.
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=0A1AF06A906411E89F15FA163EE8F90B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KenKK said:
Thank you for your reply.
I am downloading the firmware G935U (AT&T) firmware now. Its going to take several hours because I am not a member of that download site.
I did he A/B comparison and both phones seem to be identical except for the band coverage. The AT&T has band 12 which from my reading
is 700MHz and it includes the segment band 17 has so if I understand it right if I have band 12 I should be in good shape.
It also seems to have all the bands of the 935V except for band 13. The 935A has actually more bands of coverage.
Could you clear something up for me. Once I do this I am reading I can't go back to the Version S7 Edge G935V.
However would I be able to convert it to one of the other carriers like T-mobile ?
You are the first that stated to check the EFS box.
With ODIN I will be choosing all 4 files but making sure I do NOT choose the HOME file, is that correct?
After flashing are there any other special instructions I need to do or will the phone right after flashing just
need to go through the normal setup along with possible adding the same APN config I am using with it on Straight talk w/ the straight talk AT&T sim?
thank you,
Ken
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can go back to the stock verizon firmware.
There's two csc files in the firmware pack CSC_HOME will not wipe everything and the regular CSC wipes everything. You need to choose the regular CSC so it wipes everything. So backup your internal storage if needed. You may or may not need to manually enter your straight talk APN. Your SIM and APN should be detected upon first boot. Just make sure you choose the regular CSC file and not the CSC_HOME. You want to wipe everything and start fresh. If your APN doesn't automatically populate after flashing the rom then enter it manually. You should have no problems with this version of the U firmware.
G935V to G935U (AT&T)
If its written I have not found it yet but it would be nice to have a before and after as far as what you will gain and what you will loose after the firmware flash. It would cut down
on all the follow up questions, especially for me.
After flashing, you said I can return to stock firmware. Its strange I am reading you cannot return due to a BL that will not be compatible anymore with the Verizon firmware.
The G935V has been taking updates when it was on Verizon. Will this continue after changing it from a G935V (Verizon) to a G935U (AT&T) while on Straight Talk with their AT&T sim?
Does this G935U (AT&T) flash change any specific characteristics of the phone like its serial number and model #? I ask because the Samsung Smart Switch program besides
backing up your phone can also return it to stock (in case something corrupts it) and I am wondering if I give it the current serial# and model number G935V, will there be any problems since its model number firmware will be different.
I was advised when using ODIN under "Options" to check "Phone EFS Clear" . Does this still sound right. All other settings should stay as is.
Thank you,
Ken
tx_dbs_tx said:
Yes you can go back to the stock verizon firmware.
There's two csc files in the firmware pack CSC_HOME will not wipe everything and the regular CSC wipes everything. You need to choose the regular CSC so it wipes everything. So backup your internal storage if needed. You may or may not need to manually enter your straight talk APN. Your SIM and APN should be detected upon first boot. Just make sure you choose the regular CSC file and not the CSC_HOME. You want to wipe everything and start fresh. If your APN doesn't automatically populate after flashing the rom then enter it manually. You should have no problems with this version of the U firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Q: After flashing, you said I can return to stock firmware. Its strange I am reading you cannot return due to a BL that will not be compatible anymore with the Verizon firmware.
A: When you flash a different U.S. firmware it has a bootloader included in the firmware. They can be flashed between the different U.S. firmware with no issue. the only time you may not be able to flash a firmware and bootloader is when you attempt to "downgrade your firmware to an earlier version.
Q: The G935V has been taking updates when it was on Verizon. Will this continue after changing it from a G935V (Verizon) to a G935U (AT&T) while on Straight Talk with their AT&T sim?
A: Yes, but the updates may not come as often as the carrier version of the firmwares such as Verizon, sprint, T-Mobile or AT&T. But you will get updates. It seems the carrier firmware will bring more frequent security patch updates than the "U" firmware.
Q: Does this G935U (AT&T) flash change any specific characteristics of the phone like its serial number and model #? I ask because the Samsung Smart Switch program besides
backing up your phone can also return it to stock (in case something corrupts it) and I am wondering if I give it the current serial# and model number G935V, will there be any problems since its model number firmware will be different.
A: No. The model#, IMEI, etc will not be affected. Only the software version will be affected as well as carrier specific update compatibility will be lost due to the "U" firmware.
Q: I was advised when using ODIN under "Options" to check "Phone EFS Clear" . Does this still sound right. All other settings should stay as is.
A: Yes. If you are having issues with network configs, you can choose to wipe efs so that it will rebuild upon first boot of the new firmware. This is only recommended if you have issues connecting to the network. Otherwise don't do it.
Since I'm on a roll I have another quesiton,
I dd a side by side comparison on this site
https://www.phonemore.com/compare/p...5u-vs-samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-sm-g935a/5532054
The phone called G935U has several more bands than the 935A (AT&T). Would this be a different G935U flash as compared
to the G935U (AT&T) ? If so would that not be the firmware to go with? It covers CDMA as well as GSM with the extra GSM bands.
This would be very similar to my G935V which offers CDMA and GSM.
Do I have it right NO CDMA capabilities on the G935U (AT&T) firmware?
Thank you for your replies its been very helpful. Its been a mystery trying to find out
what features you end up with with G935U and if their is a non provider version like in the above link.
Thank you
Ken
tx_dbs_tx said:
Q: After flashing, you said I can return to stock firmware. Its strange I am reading you cannot return due to a BL that will not be compatible anymore with the Verizon firmware.
A: When you flash a different U.S. firmware it has a bootloader included in the firmware. They can be flashed between the different U.S. firmware with no issue. the only time you may not be able to flash a firmware and bootloader is when you attempt to "downgrade your firmware to an earlier version.
Q: The G935V has been taking updates when it was on Verizon. Will this continue after changing it from a G935V (Verizon) to a G935U (AT&T) while on Straight Talk with their AT&T sim?
A: Yes, but the updates may not come as often as the carrier version of the firmwares such as Verizon, sprint, T-Mobile or AT&T. But you will get updates. It seems the carrier firmware will bring more frequent security patch updates than the "U" firmware.
Q: Does this G935U (AT&T) flash change any specific characteristics of the phone like its serial number and model #? I ask because the Samsung Smart Switch program besides
backing up your phone can also return it to stock (in case something corrupts it) and I am wondering if I give it the current serial# and model number G935V, will there be any problems since its model number firmware will be different.
A: No. The model#, IMEI, etc will not be affected. Only the software version will be affected as well as carrier specific update compatibility will be lost due to the "U" firmware.
Q: I was advised when using ODIN under "Options" to check "Phone EFS Clear" . Does this still sound right. All other settings should stay as is.
A: Yes. If you are having issues with network configs, you can choose to wipe efs so that it will rebuild upon first boot of the new firmware. This is only recommended if you have issues connecting to the network. Otherwise don't do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
G935U Product Code USC vs. G935U (AT&T
Last night I flashed my G935U. It took 3 tries with the 3rd working after switching to a different ODIN reversion.
The phone works fine, no issues except I am disappointed I lost all the CDMA capabilities should I want to try straight talk with a Verizon sim.
After I flashed the file from the updato.com site I searched and found another G935U with Product Code USC. USA
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=05B44581906411E89F15FA163EE8F90B
A little more research and I found this is the unbranded version (correct me if I am wrong) The unbranded version appears
to retain CDMA plus have more GSM bands than the G935U (AT&T)
Could anyone offer some details on this firmware and could I have flashed this instead of the G935U (AT&T) to have retained
the CDMA and get more GSM bands.
Thanks, Ken
tx_dbs_tx said:
Ken, first check out the supported bands between the Verizon and the AT&T S7 edge in the link below. It will confirm the discrepancy in supported bands between the two models.
https://www.phonemore.com/compare/p...5v-vs-samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-sm-g935a/3296028
Then go to this link and download, extract and Odin flash the AT&T "U" firmware and see if that will open up the AT&T bands for your Verizon S7 edge. It very well might. I think you should also choose the option in Odin to "Clear EFS" before you flash so that it can be rewritten fresh upon bootup with your AT&T sim card. Do this and report back your results. Good luck.
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=0A1AF06A906411E89F15FA163EE8F90B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my experience flashing another version will not add the bands. My case - I have flashed the "U" version on my "V" branded S7 Edge and the bands remained for Verizon. The modem firmware will read something that is flashed in the modem hardware and activate only those bands. There is a way to force other bands (see below).
More so, having the "U" Nougat, with modded LTE bands, I got the "U" Oreo upgrade from Samsung. After the upgrade to the "U" Oreo, the LTE bands reverted to the "V" ones (I had to re-enable them again).
I did "force" in the NV the new bands on my V using QPST and QXD professional Qualcomm tools, but since I don't really have a T-Mobile SIM I can't verify if the change works or it is something hardware (like RF amps) that is really missing.
How to: https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/how-to-add-rf-lte-frequency-bands-to-t2886059
The stock value for the "V" hardware, in the NV cell #6828 is 4190. That corresponds to LTE bands 2,3,4,5,7,13 (check with the LTE calculator).
I have changed the value to 2062440470751 that corresponds to bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,20,25,26,29,30,38,39,40,41 (close to what U would have natively). Again, I couldn't test if the software change is sufficient for them to actually work, but I have a feeling it does not.
When I traveled recently to EU, I have used cellmapper to check the LTE bands. I never saw B20, even if, on the map of that country, B20 was available in that rural location. I had only 3G.
G935U vs G935U
I posted the wrong link
This is the one I have my question on
https://www.phonemore.com/compare/p...5u-vs-samsung-galaxy-s7-edge-sm-g935a/5532054
This compares a G935U vs. a G935A
To get to the chase, what firmware would I flash to get the features of the G935U (left picture)
I just flashed my phone with the G935U (AT&T) and although it works fine with no AT&T bloatware it is missing
some of the GSM bands of the G935U (Left picture) and all of the CDMA bands.
Thank you,
Ken
Like I said above, the different firmware does NOT change the LTE bands.
KenKK said:
Last night I flashed my G935U. It took 3 tries with the 3rd working after switching to a different ODIN reversion.
The phone works fine, no issues except I am disappointed I lost all the CDMA capabilities should I want to try straight talk with a Verizon sim.
After I flashed the file from the updato.com site I searched and found another G935U with Product Code USC. USA
https://updato.com/firmware-archive-select-model?record=05B44581906411E89F15FA163EE8F90B
A little more research and I found this is the unbranded version (correct me if I am wrong) The unbranded version appears
to retain CDMA plus have more GSM bands than the G935U (AT&T)
Could anyone offer some details on this firmware and could I have flashed this instead of the G935U (AT&T) to have retained
the CDMA and get more GSM bands.
Thanks, Ken
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
G935U with Product Code USC is the "U.S. Cellular" network. I believe the way it works is the software will use the installed SIM to configure the network compatibility mode that will be available in network settings. The true "U" model of the S7 edge will have hard coded support for whichever bands samsung determines for that model number. The different versions of the "U" firmware are specific for whichever carrier/network the phone will be used on. I'm not sure which firmware would allow both GSM and CDMA networks to function simultaneously, but there is an app in google Play store called "network mode" and you could give it a try and see if it will open up simultaneous GSM/CDMA support in your network settings. I do know that Sprint's firmware does have GSM and CDMA support and I'm familiar with that because I have had sprint for nearly 10 years and have a lot of experience with the samsung software as I've built several ROM's including port ROM's over the past few years. Try the Sprint "XAS" firmware. That's the global version.
I understand that the fifth digit from the right is supposed to be the bootloader version, but in this case Sprint's newest firmware (G935PVPSACSF1) has a letter "A" which doesn't correspond to any T-Mobile firmware version that I could find (the latest being G935TUVS9CSC1 at 9)... How would I go about flashing and switching my firmware from my up-to-date S7 Edge from Sprint to T-mobile in this case?
Thank you!
Halgmor said:
I understand that the fifth digit from the right is supposed to be the bootloader version, but in this case Sprint's newest firmware (G935PVPSACSF1) has a letter "A" which doesn't correspond to any T-Mobile firmware version that I could find (the latest being G935TUVS9CSC1 at 9)... How would I go about flashing and switching my firmware from my up-to-date S7 Edge from Sprint to T-mobile in this case?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incase you are mistaken, this forum is for international s7 edge exynos variant..
The correct forums for asking are these :
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-s7-edge/help/
https://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-s7-edge/help/
Btw as I know, you cannot flash earlier bootloader version, even if you could safely flash firmwares between different network providers.. but it maybe different for your device. Ask in the correct forums I posted above. Good luck
Sent from my S7 Edge using XDA Labs
I understand that the fifth digit from the right is supposed to be the bootloader version, but in this case Sprint's newest firmware (G935PVPSACSF1) has a letter "A" which doesn't correspond to any T-Mobile firmware version that I could find (the latest being G935TUVS9CSC1 at 9)... How would I go about flashing and switching my firmware from my up-to-date S7 Edge from Sprint to T-mobile in this case?
Thank you!
Halgmor said:
I understand that the fifth digit from the right is supposed to be the bootloader version, but in this case Sprint's newest firmware (G935PVPSACSF1) has a letter "A" which doesn't correspond to any T-Mobile firmware version that I could find (the latest being G935TUVS9CSC1 at 9)... How would I go about flashing and switching my firmware from my up-to-date S7 Edge from Sprint to T-mobile in this case?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need to download the firmware with the same bootloader of A = 10. You can get the firmware from HERE. The directions from THIS THREAD should give you the files and general instructions. Your SM-g930 file would be the t-mobile firmware you downloaded.