What should I do in this situation? Need help with software update situation for Note 9

[Sean311]

I live in Canada and just received a refurbished Galaxy Note 9 today which I purchased from Best Buy Canada marketplace. I tried setting up the phone and updating the software to Android 10 but it says that the software is up-to-date even though it is on Android 9 with a security update from February 1, 2019. I referred to Samsung and they told me to try contacting Sprint as the phone was originally sold by them (which I didn't understand since the phone is unlocked). Long story short they both agreed that they won't be able to assist with my software update problem and that I should contact the seller on Best Buy marketplace. I did that and their response was that I could come to this website and find instructions to manually update the software. The phone was around $500 CAD and I know there is always a chance of bricking the phone by manually updating software, I just wanted to know if it would be best to return the phone or to give the manual updating a try. I know if I brick it I'm out what I paid so I'm just wondering if it is worth the risk. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I have never rooted or manually updated an Android phone before, the only tinkering I used to do was jailbreaking iPhones back in the day.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Phones that were originally sold by a carrier typically have to be on that carrier's network to receive the official system updates, even if they've been carrier-unlocked. If you're unable to update using Smart Switch, then you could consider getting the cheapest prepaid/pay-as-you-go Sprint plan and use that SIM specifically when you want to update the phone.

 

[mustang7757]

I live in Canada and just received a refurbished Galaxy Note 9 today which I purchased from Best Buy Canada marketplace. I tried setting up the phone and updating the software to Android 10 but it says that the software is up-to-date even though it is on Android 9 with a security update from February 1, 2019. I referred to Samsung and they told me to try contacting Sprint as the phone was originally sold by them (which I didn't understand since the phone is unlocked). Long story short they both agreed that they won't be able to assist with my software update problem and that I should contact the seller on Best Buy marketplace. I did that and their response was that I could come to this website and find instructions to manually update the software. The phone was around $500 CAD and I know there is always a chance of bricking the phone by manually updating software, I just wanted to know if it would be best to return the phone or to give the manual updating a try. I know if I brick it I'm out what I paid so I'm just wondering if it is worth the risk. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I have never rooted or manually updated an Android phone before, the only tinkering I used to do was jailbreaking iPhones back in the day.

If you flash through odin the stock firmware you won't brick your phone , its pretty much fool proof from that happening with stock firmwares

 

[Sean311]

Thanks for that tip, any link to instructions for flashing through Odin? Thanks again

 

[Sean311]

Thanks for the reply, I don't think I can purchase a plan with Sprint since I am located in Canada and they are based out of the US but I appreciate the tip. Will try flashing to stock firmware through Odin and hopefully that will do the trick.

 

[mustang7757]

This is the steps :

Windows computer needed

Latest Odin can Google it and download should be 3.13.1 or 3.14.1

Download samfirm v0.4.1 tool , extract it with 7zip.

You will extract files for Odin once download with 7zip and will do same for firmware with 7zip .

There will be 4 files after you extract the firmware

BL

AP

CP

CSC

Each of those files will go in Odin when you open to the corresponding slots

BL

AP

CP

CSC USE HOME CSC FIILE TO SAVE DATA

Home data slot dont put nothing

connect your phone with cable to computer , once the files are in its slots hit start, once done you'll see pass in Odin and it will reboot

My picture shows circle on what you need to do

Put your model number,region select check for updates , then download the Rom , extract the Rom with 7zip


In the samfirn tool put
Your model number
Your region , example t-mobile =TMB

 

[Sean311]

Thanks for providing that, really appreciate it. I have downloaded both Odin and SamFirm, I extracted the SamFirm.exe file and have opened it but I am not sure where I can locate the BL, AP, CP and CSC files you mention.

 

[mustang7757]

Thanks for providing that, really appreciate it. I have downloaded both Odin and SamFirm, I extracted the SamFirm.exe file and have opened it but I am not sure where I can locate the BL, AP, CP and CSC files you mention.

Look for the file in recent downloads or libraries in the computer and extract it

 

[Sean311]

I extracted the SamFirm.exe file, do I extract some other files within the SamFirm folder?

 

[mustang7757]

I extracted the SamFirm.exe file, do I extract some other files within the SamFirm folder?

Once you extract , open the file and look for samfirm application and drag to your home screen or task bar at bottom that way you can open the tool later

I put the the arrow in my screen shot

 

[Sean311]

Okay, I have it extracted and saved to my task bar, now where do I get those BL, AP, CP and CSC files you mention?

 

[mustang7757]

Okay, I have it extracted and saved to my task bar, now where do I get those BL, AP, CP and CSC files you mention?

Do the same for the firmware file , extract it where you downloaded and put to desktop for easy access

 

[Sean311]

Sorry but where in the screenshot you sent is the firmware file? Also how do I find out what region my phone is?

 

[mustang7757]

Sorry but where in the screenshot you sent is the firmware file? Also how do I find out what region my phone is?

Which carrier and model number ?

I'll link a example screen shot in a second

 

[Sean311]

The phone was originally with Sprint in the USA, not sure if it matters but I will be using it on Rogers network here in Canada. Model number is SM-NU960U

 

[mustang7757]

The phone was originally with Sprint in the USA, not sure if it matters but I will be using it on Rogers network here in Canada. Model number is SM-NU960U

Ok so we stick with sprint no.problem

 

[mustang7757]

So once you download the firmware and extract it should be in libraries >documents


This is example firmwares in my screen shot (not yours)

 

[Sean311]

Okay thanks, I am just in the process of decrypting the firmware.

 

[mustang7757]

In samfirm tool
This what you put
1.model
2.region
3.check for updates
4.download

I put exactly like yours so follow this

 

[mustang7757]

Okay thanks, I am just in the process of decrypting the firmware.

Ok perfect