For those who aren't already aware, anyone can now download firmware for almost any Samsung device any time that they want, via SamFirm or Frija. There are threads and info about them here on XDA so I won't waste time explaining - do a search if you're not already familiar with these tools. But for some reason, AT&T doesn't allow their firmware to be publicly available (for any of their devices). I pay for a subscription to a website that gets the official releases (usually) before they hit SamFirm/Frija, and also gives me access to AT&T firmware. So I'm providing it here as a favor to anyone who would make use of it.
Manual Odin flashing in this case would be designed for those of you who:
- want to flash AT&T firmware onto a T-Mobile or Metro device that has been SIM unlocked, in order to have AT&T's customizations and enhancements
- want to manually update to a newer version on your device, either because you don't want to wait for the OTA or because OTAs aren't working on their device (usually because you're using it on a different carrier because AT&T requires an active AT&T SIM to be inserted in order for their devices to successfully check for an OTA update)
This is not a "beginner's guide to Odin flashing"-type post/thread, so I won't list basic, step-by-step flashing instructions. My threads are geared towards those who already know what they're doing. If you're new to manually flashing Samsung firmware, I recommend you consult one of those "beginner's" guides- there are tons of them here on XDA.
Happy flashing!
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=305872
(Quebec tends to be the fastest download mirror, if it gives you that option)
Notes:
- DON'T QUOTE THE OP WHEN YOU REPLY, kthx
- I have lots of threads just like this one for other Samsung flagships, if it interests you.
- My zips are compressed extra small for space and bandwidth savings. The default Windows extractor can't handle it, so you'll need a 3rd party tool like 7zip, WinRAR, etc
- My naming method for folders on AFH is: build - bootloader - Android version
So "SAT - 1 - 9.0" means the full build number ends in SAT, it's bootloader version 1, and it's Android 9.0. When bootloader and Android versions increment, the first build to have those changes will have its folder notated appropriately.
- HOME CSC file keeps data intact; using the other CSC will wipe data. Flashing USERDATA will also wipe data
**I do not have one of these devices and this has not been 100% verified, until someone actually tries it. Until it's been verified, you're responsible for backing up your data, taking precautions to avoid an FRP lock, etc
- From what I've seen so far, there are some builds that only AT&T will get, some that only T-Mobile and Metro will get, and some that all 3 carries will get. Since T-Mobile (use region/CSC TMB) and Metro (use region/CSC TMK) firmware can be freely downloaded by anyone at any time from SamFirm/Frija, I won't be posting their unique builds here. I also won't be posting any builds that all 3 carriers get. U firmware is identical for the 4 base files (AP, BL, CP, CSC) for each individual build, no matter which carrier it comes from. So if you download 2 different carrier versions of the exact same build, the 4 base files will be identical. Where the firmware differs is in the USERDATA file - that's where the carrier bloatware and customizations reside. So that means that any U firmware version (no matter the carrier) can be flashed to any U device (no matter which carrier's firmware it's running) at any time.
So I'll only be posting AT&T-exclusive builds and even then, I won't post every single one. I don't have unlimited bandwidth on my subscription site, and it takes a lot of time and effort to download the files, extract them, create the HOME CSC, zip them all back up, and upload them to AFH. I'll try to post at least one build per month though
- Switching from one carrier's firmware to another carrier's will require use of the USERDATA file, and also a factory reset. If you just want to manually update instead of waiting for an OTA, then you only need to flash the 4 base files (use HOME CSC if you want to avoid a factory reset).
Manual Odin flashing in this case would be designed for those of you who:
- want to flash AT&T firmware onto a T-Mobile or Metro device that has been SIM unlocked, in order to have AT&T's customizations and enhancements
- want to manually update to a newer version on your device, either because you don't want to wait for the OTA or because OTAs aren't working on their device (usually because you're using it on a different carrier because AT&T requires an active AT&T SIM to be inserted in order for their devices to successfully check for an OTA update)
This is not a "beginner's guide to Odin flashing"-type post/thread, so I won't list basic, step-by-step flashing instructions. My threads are geared towards those who already know what they're doing. If you're new to manually flashing Samsung firmware, I recommend you consult one of those "beginner's" guides- there are tons of them here on XDA.
Happy flashing!
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=305872
(Quebec tends to be the fastest download mirror, if it gives you that option)
Notes:
- DON'T QUOTE THE OP WHEN YOU REPLY, kthx
- I have lots of threads just like this one for other Samsung flagships, if it interests you.
- My zips are compressed extra small for space and bandwidth savings. The default Windows extractor can't handle it, so you'll need a 3rd party tool like 7zip, WinRAR, etc
- My naming method for folders on AFH is: build - bootloader - Android version
So "SAT - 1 - 9.0" means the full build number ends in SAT, it's bootloader version 1, and it's Android 9.0. When bootloader and Android versions increment, the first build to have those changes will have its folder notated appropriately.
- HOME CSC file keeps data intact; using the other CSC will wipe data. Flashing USERDATA will also wipe data
**I do not have one of these devices and this has not been 100% verified, until someone actually tries it. Until it's been verified, you're responsible for backing up your data, taking precautions to avoid an FRP lock, etc
- From what I've seen so far, there are some builds that only AT&T will get, some that only T-Mobile and Metro will get, and some that all 3 carries will get. Since T-Mobile (use region/CSC TMB) and Metro (use region/CSC TMK) firmware can be freely downloaded by anyone at any time from SamFirm/Frija, I won't be posting their unique builds here. I also won't be posting any builds that all 3 carriers get. U firmware is identical for the 4 base files (AP, BL, CP, CSC) for each individual build, no matter which carrier it comes from. So if you download 2 different carrier versions of the exact same build, the 4 base files will be identical. Where the firmware differs is in the USERDATA file - that's where the carrier bloatware and customizations reside. So that means that any U firmware version (no matter the carrier) can be flashed to any U device (no matter which carrier's firmware it's running) at any time.
So I'll only be posting AT&T-exclusive builds and even then, I won't post every single one. I don't have unlimited bandwidth on my subscription site, and it takes a lot of time and effort to download the files, extract them, create the HOME CSC, zip them all back up, and upload them to AFH. I'll try to post at least one build per month though
- Switching from one carrier's firmware to another carrier's will require use of the USERDATA file, and also a factory reset. If you just want to manually update instead of waiting for an OTA, then you only need to flash the 4 base files (use HOME CSC if you want to avoid a factory reset).