OTA and Non-OTA Firmware for N986U and N986U1

[dottat]

I just bought two Note 20 Ultra 5G phones on ebay from two different sources. They were both in great condition so I was lucky about that.

The first one I got was a N986U model and the other was a N986U1 model. I did all the software updates I could for both. The N986U model got three updates and ended up going from Android 12 to Android 13.

My issue: The N986U1 model only got one update which I guess was a security update because it stayed at Android 12.

Questions:
1) Is firnware OTAs being late a common problem with the N986U1 and other Samsung factory unlocked models?
2) Is an Android 13 firmware OTA just late for N986U1 or is it never coming?
3) Should I send the N986U1 model back and try to get a N986U model?

You do realize you can convert that to the u model with a software flash right? That's how I have had mine for 2 years. Bought as a U1 model and odin flashed U firmware. Takes ota updates just like normal too.

 

[romano_ezzat]

See Post #2 and #3 for the Links to the Firmware
ALL of the firmware posted here can be flashed on any N986U/N986U1 Device. The firmware is NOT carrier dependent and is only listed next to some of them in order to have an idea if you might get OTA when you flash it

Understanding Firmware naming:
N986USQU1ATGM
N=Note
986U or F etc, the model of device
SQ, FX etc = CPU and model specific
U,S,E = Update, Security, Engineering, respectively
1,2,3,4,5 etc = bootloader revision (This is important! You cannot go to a previous revision)
A,B,C,D = Android version
T, U = Year (T=2020, U=2021 etc)
A,B,C etc = month (January A - December L)
1 - 9 and then A - Z =build compilation. This basically means how many builds there are in a month. They start at 1 and go to Z
So N986USQU1ATGM would be
N968-U-SQ-U-1-A-T-G-M
N968U (Note 20 Ultra Carrier version), SQ (Snapdragon), U (Update), 1 (Bootloader version), A (Build 10), T (2020), G (July), M (22nd build)

How to enter Download Mode:
Turn off the device.
Connect USB cable to your PC (Leave it disconnected from the phone)
Press and hold down the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons. While they are still pressed, plug in the USB cable into your phone.
The phone will go into download mode press volume up. In Odin you will see that phone is added.

Dirty Flash:
I would only do this if you are having to manually update to the newer firmware and would not do it if you are coming/going to U/U1 or from beta firmware or if you are on an old firmware. I'd also highly recommend doing a back up prior to the doing this
Load these into Odin
BL
AP
CP
HOME_CSC
Do NOT flash CSC or USERDATA, either of these WILL wipe your device
This is a "dirty flash" and these can sometimes cause issues. Keep in mind if things start going sideways and stuff starts not working right, your first step to a solution will be to wipe the device.


Tips on flashing U1 Firmware:
You will have to wipe, can NOT dirty Flash going between U and U1 firmware
Use the patched ODIN linked in post #2 or #3, Odin3_v3.13.3b (They are exactly the same)
Have an active US Carrier SIM installed to get carrier features


If you get your CSC Stuck on XAA/XAA/(Insert your carrier here), and can not get Carrier options back.
Go to the tutorial that @borijess put together HERE

Plz help
I have N986U unlocked at&t
Am out of united state
I need to flash android 13
Can u assist me which firmware i can flash
And keep it unlock because i don't use at&t network
Thanks

 

[romano_ezzat]

You do realize you can convert that to the u model with a software flash right? That's how I have had mine for 2 years. Bought as a U1 model and odin flashed U firmware. Takes ota updates just like normal too.

Plz help brother
My Note 20 ultra stuck on Android 12
It's unlocked at&t
Model N986U
I need to flash android 13
Which one can i flash it
And if i flash android 13 will lock again on AT&T?

 

[romano_ezzat]

Plz help brother
My Note 20 ultra stuck on Android 12
It's unlocked at&t
Model N986U
I need to flash android 13
Which one can i flash it
And if i flash android 13 will lock again on AT&T?

Any answer???

 

[warriorvibhu]

Plz help brother
My Note 20 ultra stuck on Android 12
It's unlocked at&t
Model N986U
I need to flash android 13
Which one can i flash it
And if i flash android 13 will lock again on AT&T?

Sim lock/ unlock is different from firmware and no if your phone is unlocked, then flashing another firmware will not Sim lock it. Please spend time on reading through forums before flashing, it will help avoid issues.

 

[warriorvibhu]

Got android 13 one UI 5 update today bringing the baseband to following version :
N986U1UEU3GVK5
Mine is an unlocked version on TMobile - Tmb/Tmb/xaa

 

[bassman418]

My old Note 20 ultra just received 5.1 on Verizon

 

[stek-kravari]

Plz help brother
My Note 20 ultra stuck on Android 12
It's unlocked at&t
Model N986U
I need to flash android 13
Which one can i flash it
And if i flash android 13 will lock again on AT&T?

If your phone is unlocked its better to flash this U1 firmware, its unlocked no carrier branding firmware. After flashing the firmware go to About phone and check "service provider software version". If it still says "SAOMC_SM-N986U1_OYN_ATT" you can use SamFw_Tool to change CSC to XAA for free. If SamFw_Tool isn't working for you contact this guy, he uses paid tools and helped me in the past with my samsung phones. Here is his discord: instrumental#2075

 

[bassman418]

deleted

 

[Selfesteem5]

Hi, did I download an official update for my phone to android 13
N986USQS2EULF‬‏
If it is downloaded, please add links to download the official version that does not cause data loss

 

[mohak bahel]

Hi,guys i have N986USQS2DUJA VERSION and doesn't have updates officially and i want to update it newer version can i do it????

 

[mohak bahel]

Hi,guys i have N986USQS2DUJA VERSION and doesn't have updates officially and i want to update it newer version can i do it????

Will someone let me know to to update .I have N986USQS2DUJA and it it android 11 officially it doesn't have update but i want to update to android 13 how can i do it please helppppppp guyssss?????

 

[Venom0642]

Will someone let me know to to update .I have N986USQS2DUJA and it it android 11 officially it doesn't have update but i want to update to android 13 how can i do it please helppppppp guyssss?????

Just odin latest Firmware go to SamFirm, then just odin latest U carrier.

 

[Venom0642]

Will someone let me know to to update .I have N986USQS2DUJA and it it android 11 officially it doesn't have update but i want to update to android 13 how can i do it please helppppppp guyssss?????

Download latest March atch Android 13

Download Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G SM-N986U (TMB) N986USQS3HWB7 in Samfw - Samsung firmware download

Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G SM-N986U (TMB - United States) N986USQS3HWB7 T(Android 13) samsung firmware download all model, lastest, fast update, completely free and fast speed in Samfw.com ✅

samfw.com

 

[mohak bahel]

Just odin latest Firmware go to SamFirm, then just odin latest U carrier.

You mean to say that i should install N986USQS3HWB7 INTO my phone N986USQS2DUJA ?? WILL IT WORK ??

 

[Venom0642]

You mean to say that i should install N986USQS3HWB7 INTO my phone N986USQS2DUJA ?? WILL IT WORK ??

Of course it will work, that's latest update that all Note20 Ultra are on.

 

[Selfesteem5]

Why is no one helping me? I want to update my device without erasing data. I want an official Android 13 ROM
noet 20 Ultra - N986USQS2EULF