How To Guide SM-S918U S23 ULTRA/918U1 UNITED STATES FIRMWARE FLASHING

[bassman418]

I want to know why I haven't gotten Android 14 beta already...... wtf
Link please......

 

[iBowToAndroid]

Damn I was really hoping to see like 20 more of the same screenshot

 

[butchieboy]

So those of you on locked U, does it seem that the carriers are all in line with the same build number?

 

[butchieboy]

My friend on Verizon got S1AWBL

 

[lowkey74]

Just finished installing the AT&T ota for March on the locked phone

 

[butchieboy]

OP UPDATED with locked S1AWBM

 

[butchieboy]

Op updated with S1AWBL firmware

 

[wr3cckl3ss1]

Op updated with S1AWBL firmware

It would nice if we caught the OTA links....i got one update.zip.....dont know if it could be worth something to someone. Have the complete update ziip for AWA6 -Jan. Let know me know if you need it. It's uploading right now @butchieboy

*Side note* why do these files have to be 8...9 gb wtf

 

[butchieboy]

The firmware is already posted. Update.zip usually wipes device doesn't it? With posted firmware you have a choice to keep data.

 

[wr3cckl3ss1]

Yeahs that true. I only mentioned the update.zip cuz it's better than having to mess with a 8 to 9 gb file. But either way. We're all good here.

 

[sysopkotton]

Sim unlocked T-Mobile on U1, CSC changed to XAA got my icon's back.

 

[sysopkotton]

Well there's not a toggle per se there are some tiles for 5G and Volte. Now I barely seen the tile for volte once since I triggered it.... And the 5G one stays persistent through reboots

You can get to this menu using the Samsung band selection app.

 

[butchieboy]

OP updated, TMB Unlocked March security patch

 

[uicnren]

So, I have a slightly off-topic question.

I have an S23 Ultra, unlocked but running AT&T SIM. Currently on AWBM.

I prefer using the Google phone app as opposed to Samsung. Does anyone else use Google phone app and have voicemail available natively in the Google phone app (voicemail tab)? With my Pixel 7 Pro (unlocked, purchased directly from Google), and the same SIM card, I have the voicemail tab in the Google phone app. Not on the S23 however. Which sort of leads to the question if I flash the AT&T firmware, would this possibly enable it?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[sysopkotton]

So, I have a slightly off-topic question.

I have an S23 Ultra, unlocked but running AT&T SIM. Currently on AWBM.

I prefer using the Google phone app as opposed to Samsung. Does anyone else use Google phone app and have voicemail available natively in the Google phone app (voicemail tab)? With my Pixel 7 Pro (unlocked, purchased directly from Google), and the same SIM card, I have the voicemail tab in the Google phone app. Not on the S23 however. Which sort of leads to the question if I flash the AT&T firmware, would this possibly enable it?

Thanks for any insight.

I don't think flashing the AT&T firmware will change anything... I have TMB and use the Google phone app, no tabs available on the U or U1 firmware. You can pin voicemail on your favorites.

 

[treahuggs]

So what im understanding is there is virtually zero reason to flash any different firmware if you dont care about update timings?
Flashing Unlocked doesnt allow us to unlock the bootloader as American users right?
Still no way to unlock bootloader to install TWRP, get Root?
Does USA Samsung devices ever get these features? Im fine waiting a month or two but a year would be kinda crazy.

First ever Samsung device, I would like to have TWRP, Titinauim Backup, System wide Ad Blocker, complete debloat (not disabled, actually removed). The ad blocker is the biggest thing. However from what I am understanding reading around, us american slubs dont get to have any of this.


Thanks guys!

 

[iBowToAndroid]

So what im understanding is there is virtually zero reason to flash any different firmware if you dont care about update timings?
Flashing Unlocked doesnt allow us to unlock the bootloader as American users right?
Still no way to unlock bootloader to install TWRP, get Root?
Does USA Samsung devices ever get these features? Im fine waiting a month or two but a year would be kinda crazy.

First ever Samsung device, I would like to have TWRP, Titinauim Backup, System wide Ad Blocker, complete debloat (not disabled, actually removed). The ad blocker is the biggest thing. However from what I am understanding reading around, us american slubs dont get to have any of this.


Thanks guys!

Correct, to all.

Your only hope is to not do any updates (or at least not past bootloader rev 1), and then hope that in the future, there's a paid service to get a bootloader unlock token via some inside source, as currently exists for other models

 

[EtherealRemnant]

The ad blocker is the biggest thing.

Use Adguard private DNS.

AdGuard DNS — ad-blocking DNS server

Create your ad-blocking DNS server that will protect your personal data, prevent tracking and allow you to control access to specific content on the Internet.

adguard-dns.io

Method 2

About the best you can get without root. I'm not holding out hope for root any time soon and I'm not going to avoid updating my phone in hopes of an exploit being found.

 

[lexcyn]

So what im understanding is there is virtually zero reason to flash any different firmware if you dont care about update timings?
Flashing Unlocked doesnt allow us to unlock the bootloader as American users right?
Still no way to unlock bootloader to install TWRP, get Root?
Does USA Samsung devices ever get these features? Im fine waiting a month or two but a year would be kinda crazy.

First ever Samsung device, I would like to have TWRP, Titinauim Backup, System wide Ad Blocker, complete debloat (not disabled, actually removed). The ad blocker is the biggest thing. However from what I am understanding reading around, us american slubs dont get to have any of this.


Thanks guys!

The only reason (at least for me) to flash the U1 from my W version is so I can unlock all LTE/5G bands (except mmWave since we don't have that hardware). But it also helps that the U1 version gets updates way faster.

 

[EtherealRemnant]

Can someone tell me if you lock the U1 CSC to XAA, is there any downside? I want my phone to stop rebooting when I change SIM cards, I can't stand AT&T's animated 5G logos (whoever devised those should be fired), and I'm tired of having to re-enable RAT selection and bands when switching SIMs. Also, what's the best what to do this? I haven't had a Samsung in many years, CSCs are new to me.