[Snapdragon Note 8 N950U1] Get Pie on N950U1 Now. - Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Guides, News, & Discussion

Ok. I know the models N950U and N950U1 can swap firmware. So since Sprint had released Pie for N950U on its network, I got to thinking if that firmware can be flashed via Odin on N950U1.
The answer is Yes! I successfully flashed the N950USQU5DSC1/N950UOYN5DSC1 OS: Pie(Android 9) on my N950U1. And without the Sprint bloats.
After some discussions with @Mr. Orange 645 , I felt I needed to put some caveats in this post. So anyone attempting this should be reminded of some inherent risks.
1. There's a possibility that your OTA updates could be broken.
2. If you do get updates via OTA it will include Sprint bloats and stuff.
3. You will have to flash via Odin PIE for N950U1 when it's out.
4. Use only the files included in the Sprint PIE firmware. Do not mix with other files.
5. And something could always go wrong and you end up bricking your phone. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOUR PHONE BRICKING TOLERANCE IS LESS THAN 0.1%
6. A full factory reset is a must
This is simply really. Use the regular Odin 3.13.1 and select BL, AP, etc. But only IGNORE the Home_csc file and the User_Data file. Don't flash these.
Also, do not mix any other CSC files. Flash only the files you see in the Sprint PIE firmware.
If you do it right, your N950U1 will boot to Pie without any Sprint apps or other bloat.
Importantly Knox is not tripped. Phone status still official. In download mode Knox still reads 0x0.
OTA still works (at least it still connects to server and returns a result). However, if there is an update and you installed it, I can't say the effect it will have on the phone.

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More pics

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jopancy said:
This is simply really. Use the regular Odin 3.13.1 and select BL, AP, etc. But only IGNORE the Home_csc file and the User_Data file. Don't flash these.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just be aware that this (only partially flashing a firmware update) will most likely break OTA updates on your device. As a consequence you will always need to use ODIN to flash future updates unless you flash the full set of files again.

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Of course this won't trip Knox. It's all official firmware. And it will break OTAs, so when you want to update, you will have to use ODIN.
My suggestion is:
1. Wait for the official OTA. It should be pushed soon since the carriers have released Pie. OR
2. Follow my guide to get the Pie beta for the U1. OR
3. Just flash the full carrier firmware and deal with the bloat.

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Mr. Orange 645 said:
Of course this won't trip Knox. It's all official firmware. And it will break OTAs, so when you want to update, you will have to use ODIN.
My suggestion is:
1. Wait for the official OTA. It should be pushed soon since the carriers have released Pie. OR
2. Follow my guide to get the Pie beta for the U1. OR
3. Just flash the full carrier firmware and deal with the bloat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course some will wait for the official OTA. But for people like me who want to see what Pie has to offer NOW, this is a way of doing that. Official OTA updates can be reinstated when PIE for N950U1 is out and is flashed via Odin.
People got the unlocked version because they didn't want the bloat that comes with carrier branded firmware.

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jopancy said:
Of course some will wait for the official OTA. But for people like me who want to see what Pie has to offer NOW, this is a way of doing that. Official OTA updates can be reinstated when PIE for N950U1 is out and is flashed via Odin.
People got the unlocked version because they didn't want the bloat that comes with carrier branded firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PIE is available now for people to see what it has to offer on the U1 without mix matching firmware files and breaking things.
Yes I know why people buy the U1. I've had several of them myself since the S8+

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Mr. Orange 645 said:
PIE is available now for people to see what it has to offer on the U1 without mix matching firmware files and breaking things.
Yes I know why people buy the U1. I've had several of them myself since the S8+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stop writing contradictory things and creating panic where there is non. How many people got to join the Beta? Moreover the beta is now closed. N950U1 has to wait for the official PIE when most of the carriers have done their test. And that could be weeks. Like I explained if one cannot wait, this method is an option to get pie now. You agree that both N950U1 and N950U has the same Hardware, so what is to break? I could point you to older posts where some have flashed different carrier firmware on their phones without issues. I have been using Sprint PIE Firmware on N950U1 without issues, Samsung pay works, Secure folder works, not a single issue.
If you are afraid to 'break things' then you shouldn't even be on xda.

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jopancy said:
Stop writing contradictory things and creating panic where there is non. How many people got to join the Beta? Moreover the beta is now closed. N950U1 has to wait for the official PIE when most of the carriers have done their test. And that could be weeks. Like I explained if one cannot wait, this method is an option to get pie now. You agree that both N950U1 and N950U has the same Hardware, so what is to break? I could point you to older posts where some have flashed different carrier firmware on their phones without issues. I have been using Sprint PIE Firmware on N950U1 without issues, Samsung pay works, Secure folder works, not a single issue.
If you are afraid to 'break things' then you shouldn't even be on xda.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you know what the word contradictory means. I never said anything contradictory, nor am I creating panic. I believe I have a little more experience at this than you do. And I'm trying to help you out as well as others. Have you even read my guide?

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Mr. Orange 645 said:
I don't think you know what the word contradictory means. I never said anything contradictory, nor am I creating panic. I believe I have a little more experience at this than you do. And I'm trying to help you out as well as others. Have you even read my guide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have read your guide. In fact, it is one of the reasons I felt what I did could work. I only posted the results of following your guide. So I am confused at why you are so critical.
N950U1 is supposed to work on ANY carrier. Including Sprint. So it should follow that Sprint firmware could be flashed on N950U1.
For all it's worth, you should see my post as a confirmation of your guide.
And OTA isn't broken. I tested it and it works. See pics.

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jopancy said:
Yes I have read your guide. In fact, it is one of the reasons I felt what I did could work. I only posted the results of following your guide. So I am confused at why you are so critical.
N950U1 is supposed to work on ANY carrier. Including Sprint. So it should follow that Sprint firmware could be flashed on N950U1.
For all it's worth, you should see my post as a confirmation of your guide.
And OTA isn't broken. I tested it and it works. See pics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused as to why you are determined to take what I'm saying so personal. I'm not being critical.
And again, yes, the devices are identical hardware-wise and you can cross flash carrier firmware on the U1 and U1 firmware on the carrier models. That's not the question.
I was merely pointing out that mixing firmware files (using some from U1 and using some from U) can break things, including OTAs. That's not being critical, that's letting you and everyone else know the downside. The only person who's been critical is you, telling me I shouldn't even be on XDA, merely because I dared to tell you a con to mixing firmwares.
By the way, your screenshot proves nothing. That just means you CHECKED for an OTA. When I say OTAs will be broken, I mean even if your phone recognizes there's an update available, it won't be able to apply it, as the OTA update checks to make sure you're on a specific firmware version.
As I said before, I personally helped someone do EXACTLY what you did through PM, and he went back to regular firmware because his OTAs were broken and he didn't want to have to use ODIN each time he wanted to update.