[Q] How to change firmware from asia to America - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

long story short; I'm planning on buying a Sam galaxy S II from china.
If I end up with a "asia region firmware", is it possible to change it to another firmware/region risk-free?
Edit:
also is it possible to unlock it in case it was locked?
thanks

It is possible to Unlock.
It is possible to flash any region firmware over any region firmware.
Regards.

Still the same i9100 phone, so you can put any firmware made for i9100.

Hi,
This is not working for me. I tried to flash XWKF3 over the ZCKG4 with Odin but that ended up in a brick phone. Got ZNKG5 downloaded and saved the phone but still on chinese firmware (with no app-market).
Have anyone done a firmware upgrade on a chinese SGS2? I would really like to get EU version with APP-market support, the phone is useless for me otherwise. (and I cant read chinese...)

Either you made a mistake when flashing the KF3 firmware by Odin or you flashed a wrong firmware. Make sure the firmware is full, it will be sized around 300 MB.
Regards.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1184476&page=3
read this thread .
jje

Id just like to get my 2 cents worth in here so please correct me if im wrong,but ive been reading many failed attempts at this and heres what ive been thinking.
For example the galaxy s2 has this version that we have and also a 4G S2 released in canada.many galaxy models have 3G and 4G versions.Also we see Samsung releasing phones for for china or korea only.Is it possible that the Asian area also works on a different format frequency.For example an S2 firmware wouldnt be compatable with the 4G unit would it??.maybe the same type of thing is happening here cos i cant see anyone having any success with flashing between these two specific regions.Maybe there is a batch of chinese made phones made especially for the aisian region only because of this that makes it non compatable internationally like 4G- 3G regions.

from what i know the 4g s2 from canada is just a naming gimmick by the carrier there. it's still the same s2.

Ok, i read the other threads. apparently in this case failure is more common than success. so I guess I don't buy it in china.

Related

[Q] I9300 vs I9300T model

Hi guys,
Sorry guys for what might appear to be a noob question, but is there any major differences between the I9300 and I9300T model? and more importantly, will I9300 ROMs work on a I9300T model S3? or is the difference so minor that it won't really matter?
I have only just noticed that my model had the T. If someone could clear that up or shed some light on the matter, it would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance
I flashed it with the I9300 Italian latest rom with no issues at all. So I think they are the same, I think the network locked ones come with T, I got mine unlocked at the store where I bought it. It was Vodafone stock.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Barracuda77777 said:
I flashed it with the I9300 Italian latest rom with no issues at all. So I think they are the same, I think the network locked ones come with T, I got mine unlocked at the store where I bought it. It was Vodafone stock.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing there must be some hardware difference. A different model number usually (always I think) indicates some hardware difference. Just adding a letter though, is usually the smallest difference of all.
The i9300 is capable of being locked, or at least it would seem to be considering it has menu functions for it. Could be wrong on this though, maybe it can't.
The T model is tuned to favour the 850mhz band. There is a difference in hardware but very minor. Other than that they are the same.
Just Google i9100 i9100t (S2 model) and you will find alot of info. Something about different sar value.
Anyway, as for flashing you'll have no problems. Firmwares are interchangeable. Same with the S2 but on the S2, it was better to flash a T modem afterwards for optimum reception.
Sent from my GT-I9300T using xda premium
I'm really curious about this coming from a gti9100T to a gti9300T I have found zero difference in using Tmodems vs any other
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
sxi200 said:
The T model is tuned to favour the 850mhz band. There is a difference in hardware but very minor. Other than that they are the same.
Just Google i9100 i9100t (S2 model) and you will find alot of info. Something about different sar value.
Anyway, as for flashing you'll have no problems. Firmwares are interchangeable. Same with the S2 but on the S2, it was better to flash a T modem afterwards for optimum reception.
Sent from my GT-I9300T using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok. The only reason I ask is because I was on Sammobile and noticed this warning which stated "Do not flash I9300T roms with your GT-I9300 device!" so was wondering if firmwares were truely interchangeable.
I've been on Slim ICS on my I9000 for a while and was looking forward to flashing it on my S3, but was unsure if it would be compatible. I've tried asking in the thread but haven't got a response and thought that mayb someone else in the community could just confirm this for me.
but also from the little reading I've done, it appears that I can flash any I9300 custom ROM on my T model S3 and will just need to flash a T modem later. If someone could just confirm this, it would make my decision to flash a custom ROM a lot easier
Thanks
ActionBastardDV said:
Hi guys,
Sorry guys for what might appear to be a noob question, but is there any major differences between the I9300 and I9300T model? and more importantly, will I9300 ROMs work on a I9300T model S3? or is the difference so minor that it won't really matter?
I have only just noticed that my model had the T. If someone could clear that up or shed some light on the matter, it would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T model of the S2 had a chip in line where the non-T model had just straight through wires. I was speculated that this was some sort of band filter that attenuated the non-850Mhz bands to favour the 850MHz range.
From experience I can say that, on Telstra, the S2 T model occasionally had crap reception where a non-T model right nex to it was fine. I believe this was in areas where the Telstra 850MHz network was unavailable and it was using on of their 2100MHz towers. Eventually, afer a lot of troubleshooting and flashing different ROMs and modems, I sold the T and got the non-T model.
I would NOT under ANY circumstances get another T model unless one of these useless clowns (Samsung, Telstra, Vodafone and the likes) actually tells me in writing what the difference is.
I did a hardware comparison with my friends GS3.
He has the I9300 and I have the I9300T.
Once both phones were flashed to the same ROM (Vodafone New Zealand) using ODIN, the only difference I could find (including the hardware that were listed) was the bootloader.
I just used first 3 apps I could find when I searched "hardware info" in the Google Play Store.
They all gave me the same results saying that the only difference was the bootloader.
Also we are both on the same network (2Degrees) which uses 900Mhz.
I have yet to have a close look at attenuation to see if there is any real difference though.
charsleysa said:
I did a hardware comparison with my friends GS3.
He has the I9300 and I have the I9300T.
Once both phones were flashed to the same ROM (Vodafone New Zealand) using ODIN, the only difference I could find (including the hardware that were listed) was the bootloader.
I just used first 3 apps I could find when I searched "hardware info" in the Google Play Store.
They all gave me the same results saying that the only difference was the bootloader.
Also we are both on the same network (2Degrees) which uses 900Mhz.
I have yet to have a close look at attenuation to see if there is any real difference though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh ok, that's quite interesting. I'm not very familiar with bootloaders (it was never an issue on the I9000 for me and so don't have much experience with it), but when you say the difference was the bootloader, what do you mean exactly?
you mentioned that you both FLASHED to the same ROM (Vodafone NZ), was that through ODIN or through CWM? As I've mentioned in the OP, my main concern is whether or not I am able to flash a I9300 ROM on my I9300T S3.
I'm no rush atm, as I'm waiting for a stock Aus VAU firmware to be released as a precautionary measure before I start getting into the custom ROMS, but just wanted to know so I can start researching which ROMs to flash once I'm ready
If you could confirm whether your I9300T model was able to flash a regular I9300 custom ROM, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you've got any recommendations as to which ROMs are good, that would be helpful too.
Cheers
ewok666 said:
The T model of the S2 had a chip in line where the non-T model had just straight through wires. I was speculated that this was some sort of band filter that attenuated the non-850Mhz bands to favour the 850MHz range.
From experience I can say that, on Telstra, the S2 T model occasionally had crap reception where a non-T model right nex to it was fine. I believe this was in areas where the Telstra 850MHz network was unavailable and it was using on of their 2100MHz towers. Eventually, afer a lot of troubleshooting and flashing different ROMs and modems, I sold the T and got the non-T model.
I would NOT under ANY circumstances get another T model unless one of these useless clowns (Samsung, Telstra, Vodafone and the likes) actually tells me in writing what the difference is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I ordered mine online and didn't realise it was going to be a T model S3. If I had known, It would have most likely affected my decision to purchase the phone. From my experience on the I9000, it's always so much easier to have the full international version (more compatible ROMs, more options, more support etc) and having any variants (not sure how much of a variant the T model is) is always abit more troublesome
I'm just hoping that the I9300T is compatible with the vast majority of custom ROMs out there for the I9300, otherwise I'll be hating life for the next 2 years
you mentioned that you both FLASHED to the same ROM (Vodafone NZ), was that through ODIN or through CWM?
If you read on, just after I say that, I say "using ODIN", so yes I did it through ODIN.
If you could confirm whether your I9300T model was able to flash a regular I9300 custom ROM
Yes, I9300 ROM's can be flashed on to the I9300T. They use the same hardware AFAIK.
The only thing you need to worry about is flashing the right modem, but if your network uses the standard 900Mhz band, then you'll be right.
When I got mine they didn't tell me it was the T model, but after flashing a stock ROM instead of the branded ROM, it was fine and I didn't notice any problems.
All you need to do is flash a I9300 stock ROM then flash CF-root using ODIN to root the phone, then you can use CWM to put any ROM you want on the phone.
EDIT:
A bootloader is basically the stuff that interfaces with your hardware right at the start.
You should never touch this because if you screw up your bootloader then you can kiss your phone goodbye.
Flashing custom ROM's is safe because they never touch the bootloader, thats an entirely different procedure using ODIN.
The only reason I want to touch the bootloader is because I want to know the difference between the I9300 bootloader and the I9300T bootloader.
charsleysa said:
If you read on, just after I say that, I say "using ODIN", so yes I did it through ODIN.
Yes, I9300 ROM's can be flashed on to the I9300T. They use the same hardware AFAIK.
The only thing you need to worry about is flashing the right modem, but if your network uses the standard 900Mhz band, then you'll be right.
When I got mine they didn't tell me it was the T model, but after flashing a stock ROM instead of the branded ROM, it was fine and I didn't notice any problems.
All you need to do is flash a I9300 stock ROM then flash CF-root using ODIN to root the phone, then you can use CWM to put any ROM you want on the phone.
EDIT:
A bootloader is basically the stuff that interfaces with your hardware right at the start.
You should never touch this because if you screw up your bootloader then you can kiss your phone goodbye.
Flashing custom ROM's is safe because they never touch the bootloader, thats an entirely different procedure using ODIN.
The only reason I want to touch the bootloader is because I want to know the difference between the I9300 bootloader and the I9300T bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I must have missed the fact that you mentioned you used ODIN, but thanks for confirming again.
I've done some reading through XDA already and I've gathered that some people have been flashing regular I9300 ROMs on a T model S3, but that's only through looking at their sig, which may or may not always be up-to-date, so again, thanks for confirming that too
It also appears some people using the T model have been using the regular modem, and with better results too. I'll probably try experimenting between the 2 variations of the modem and finding the best fit for myself
I think Chainfire's CF-Root is compatible for both I9300 and I9300T models, so I should be ok to root and just get straight into the custom ROMs without flashing a stock I9300 first
and thanks for that brief bootloader explanation. seems like if I get CF-Root running, I should be good to go with the custom ROMs so won't look into it too much, but it's good to have a better understanding of it.
Many thanks for all your help so far
ActionBastardDV said:
yeah I ordered mine online and didn't realise it was going to be a T model S3. If I had known, It would have most likely affected my decision to purchase the phone. From my experience on the I9000, it's always so much easier to have the full international version (more compatible ROMs, more options, more support etc) and having any variants (not sure how much of a variant the T model is) is always abit more troublesome
I'm just hoping that the I9300T is compatible with the vast majority of custom ROMs out there for the I9300, otherwise I'll be hating life for the next 2 years
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. Let me explain what I've noticed and hopefully clear things up.
I had the S1 non T and flashed the guts out of it.
Then got a T model S2. Running Optus sim. Got poor reception when I flashed an international rom + modem. Turned out all I had to do was flash a T modem anytime I flashed any custom or i9100 rom. But, as mentioned I could flash anything I wanted.
Now, I have a T model S3 with the same setup, and thought it would be like the S2. Turns out that it doesn't require a T modem for good reception. I use the lf5 modem and its just as good if not better than the T modems I've tried.
So, for the S3 flash any rom you want. If it does suffer poor reception there are plenty of T modems available in xda in cwm and Odin format. But don't think you'll need to.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
sxi200 said:
Ok. Let me explain what I've noticed and hopefully clear things up.
So, for the S3 flash any rom you want. If it does suffer poor reception there are plenty of T modems available in xda in cwm and Odin format. But don't think you'll need to.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't upgrade to the S2 so was not familiar (or even aware) of there being a T variant. As such, was not sure how much of an impact that would have when flashing roms. I just knew that a lot of people had issues when flashing the I9000 roms on a variant of the S1.
But now that I know that any S3 custom rom should run fine on my T model S3, I'll start flashing once a stock AUS VAU firmware has been released (in case anything happens). I'm also using this time to see if there are any hardware faults with my device, rather than running a custom rom and finding an issue, and not be sure if it was there with the stock firmware or not.
And again, many thanks for clearing that up. I can now start searching through XDA for roms (that appear stable) and then flash once that stock firmware is released
ActionBastardDV said:
Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't upgrade to the S2 so was not familiar (or even aware) of there being a T variant. As such, was not sure how much of an impact that would have when flashing roms. I just knew that a lot of people had issues when flashing the I9000 roms on a variant of the S1.
But now that I know that any S3 custom rom should run fine on my T model S3, I'll start flashing once a stock AUS VAU firmware has been released (in case anything happens). I'm also using this time to see if there are any hardware faults with my device, rather than running a custom rom and finding an issue, and not be sure if it was there with the stock firmware or not.
And again, many thanks for clearing that up. I can now start searching through XDA for roms (that appear stable) and then flash once that stock firmware is released
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem.
Earlier I saw a thread where a Vodafone Aus firmware had been added. It was in cwm format so all that needs to be done is flash and unroot + clear counter. Phone would then be stock.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Telecom
Hi
I bought a Galaxy S3 from Telecom NZ, and it is a 9300T.
Can I install the vodafone NZ rom, with Odin?
Cheers
Jon
jonny_winters said:
Hi
I bought a Galaxy S3 from Telecom NZ, and it is a 9300T.
Can I install the vodafone NZ rom, with Odin?
Cheers
Jon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I have an NZ I9300T and the Vodafone NZ ROM works fine when you flash (install as you say) it with ODIN.
Thanks for your fast reply mate!
One more question. I have rooted my phone, do I just download the NZ vodafone Rom, and flash it using Odin? That simple?
Sorry if I seem stupid lol. New to android after 3 years of Apple.
Again thank you for your help
Note: I have already download the rom was approximately 750mb in size.
Jon
jonny_winters said:
Thanks for your fast reply mate!
One more question. I have rooted my phone, do I just download the NZ vodafone Rom, and flash it using Odin? That simple?
Sorry if I seem stupid lol. New to android after 3 years of Apple.
Again thank you for your help
Note: I have already download the rom was approximately 750mb in size.
Jon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
now start odin
reboot ur phone in download mode
volume down + home + power
connect cable
click on pda
select .tar file
u got in the download
and flash
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Will this enable me to get better support via samsung kies? Currently my mates on vodafone and 2 degrees get updates, and I can't.
Cheers

Why don't my s3 get updates?

Hi i've only had one update on my s3 and everyone had like 2-3 one of wich fixed the laucher re-draw... I tried to search for a reason on the forum but I didn't find any.
It's an unbranded i9300
Baseband: i9300ublf2
Build number: IMM76D.I9300UBALF3
thanks for the answers !
It can depend on the country and when your carrier pushes them to their server for update. Or are you rooted with a different Kernel? In that case you will no longer get updates to your phone from the carrier.
If all else fails, meh, don't worry. Just look for an official update release! Use ODIN and flash it to your phone. The country of origin won't matter as long as the rom is for the S3 i9300! I actually find this better.
I'm in canada and only rooted.
My carrier won't send the update since it doesn't carry the phone...
I thought I'd get them directly from Samsung but I guess not,..
If you bought the phone in retail than you'll get the updates directly from Samsung.
However your region is still of importance. Use Odin with http://samfirmware.com and be happy (Flashing Original Rom's does not void your warranty)
Thanks I think i'll have to do that!

[Q] Upgrading firmware with Odin

Hi guys I just wanted to know if what I'm about to do is the correct method to upgrade my firmware from gingerbread to ics.
I bought my phone ( i9100 ) from Hong Kong and I live in a different country. So when there was an update for its firmware, i was unable to receive it even after checking for updates through system. So what I'm about to do is use Odin and download a firmware from samfirmware under HK's firmware and put it in the PDA part of Odin and run it.
Is this method correct? Or am I suppose to do something else? My phone is not rooted and I dont intend for it to be just yet and I'm also wondering if I use HK's firmware, will it affect my network coverage? Because being in a different country and having a different assigned network and all might cause a few problems with its radio or something?
Please advice thanks
Hi yes that's how I upgraded my firmware that method will work. Be sure to factory reset first though. As for your carrier concerns I can't answer sorry. The beauty with this though is that you can re-flash a different firmware if it doesn't work. All the best
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
AYKJ said:
Hi guys I just wanted to know if what I'm about to do is the correct method to upgrade my firmware from gingerbread to ics.
I bought my phone ( i9100 ) from Hong Kong and I live in a different country. So when there was an update for its firmware, i was unable to receive it even after checking for updates through system. So what I'm about to do is use Odin and download a firmware from samfirmware under HK's firmware and put it in the PDA part of Odin and run it.
Is this method correct? Or am I suppose to do something else? My phone is not rooted and I dont intend for it to be just yet and I'm also wondering if I use HK's firmware, will it affect my network coverage? Because being in a different country and having a different assigned network and all might cause a few problems with its radio or something?
Please advice thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Your method is correct. You shouldn't have signal issues.
Before flashing you must go through the flashing guides.
2. If you are living in another country and don't have plans of going to Hong Kong or your phone is out of warranty (this doesn't matter), you can flash any firmware for your present location. It will work very fine.
Swyped from my Samsung Galaxy SII

[Q] Differences in firmwares ?

Hi,
I'm new to android, and for the past few days I've been reading a lot form this forum to get some idea.
I've noticed that there are many different firmware versions (almost as if each country & each custom ROM has a different one), e.g. my phone is XXBLH1, my country's (Israel) standard ROM is JKBLH3, and there are many more such as XXBLG8, XXBLFB etc.
As far as i understood there should be no problem flashing a different one for my phone when changing ROMs. But still what are the differences between them, why are there do many? Is there any restrictions on which are compatible to change mine, for example, JKBLH3 is ok but XXBLFB is not? If so, is there a way to know this from the version code itself, meaning everything starts with 'J' is not for you?
Thanks in advance for your replies,
Dan
bysdan said:
Hi,
I'm new to android, and for the past few days I've been reading a lot form this forum to get some idea.
I've noticed that there are many different firmware versions (almost as if each country & each custom ROM has a different one), e.g. my phone is XXBLH1, my country's (Israel) standard ROM is JKBLH3, and there are many more such as XXBLG8, XXBLFB etc.
As far as i understood there should be no problem flashing a different one for my phone when changing ROMs. But still what are the differences between them, why are there do many? Is there any restrictions on which are compatible to change mine, for example, JKBLH3 is ok but XXBLFB is not? If so, is there a way to know this from the version code itself, meaning everything starts with 'J' is not for you?
Thanks in advance for your replies,
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's a very good question, I never understood that either, I think those letters differ from country and from modem version in the specific country.
Also I don't think that is a problem to flash other official ROMS, because I have a S3 that was with branded firmware from the operator and I flashed it with official international unbranded firmware for my phone model (GT-I9300) and it works pretty nice
Also another question I will be capable to receive updates from samsung with my official ROM right? thanks
These codes are used to differentiate between different regions.. All the firmwares are almost the same except small region specific customizations.. Some apps would work for some regions some might not..Also there are some region specific customizations such as language..
You can install any firmware made for international galaxy S3 without any major problems..
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Hi!
As what i know, there are a lot of firmwares out there because they differ in their unit. Let'e take for example, a korean S3, they cannot take in an I9300 firmware because of the regional basis and their "specifications"..
Also, firmwares differ also in ways such as updates.. let's say firmware X was released last June but it lags so bad.. so sammy release firmware Y.. something like that
I hope this could help you.. this is the simplest explanation my brain could process
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
just to add, firmware variants may also be due to the legal implication of particular countrries and/or regions as we saw several small updates rolled out a few months ago due to the "search for all" function in which Samsung and Apple had conflict in within the courts...however, such updates were not applied to the NZ firmware as far as I am aware...also...since OP is from Israel, there are also variations in the keyboard that are available...examples such as chinese input method differs between Taiwan firmwares and China firmwares eventhough both countries speak chinese lol...

[Q] GT i9100 from Claro to ???

Hi,
I am not brand new and have usually been able to find what I need on my own. This time it's not so easy.
I bought a GT i9100 from EBAY. It had a broken lcd. I replaced it, turned it on and noticed it had CLARO version of ANDROID. So I flashed with Odin to an official GT i9100 ROM from SAMMOBILE that I have used on many GT i9100's. Then I connected to KEIS(KIES) and was notified of a firmware update which put me on 4.1.2 baseband I9100xxms2. BUT it is sim locked??? I thought these were International versions with no locking?? I know I could probably use GALAXSIMUNLOCK which I used once before but would rather try to complete the FLASH to International version if my understanding of that is correct.
Does anyone know of a ROM/KERNEL that would achieve this?
Thanks, Steve
Claro's firmware are all branded and it's devices are all network locked to any carrier but claro (obviously).
Hence you need to root it and unlock it, you can do this with any firmware, stock or custom.
And stay away from kies, use odin.
Sent from the little guy

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