Where can I find Galaxy Firmware downloads?

[EpicSurvivor]

Curious if anyone knows of another site other than Sammobile for Firmware update download?

I wanted to flash my Galaxy s6 to an older Update. I found a site but its not free and it takes 10 hours to Download. I don't mind 2-3 hour cap limit for Free user but I don't want to pay money for it.

Thanks!


Moved from OT

AT Moderator ElFenix

 

[ultimatebob]

Samsung wants you to get your Android updates from your cell phone service provider.

Why can't you download them on your own? Because some of the cell phone service providers like to remove features from the phone (Samsung Pay comes to mind) that they don't want to support or so they can sell you service upgrades for things like Wi-Fi tethering.

If you want to install your own firmware updates, you usually need to root the phone first.

 

[EpicSurvivor]

Samsung wants you to get your Android updates from your cell phone service provider.

Why can't you download them on your own? Because some of the cell phone service providers like to remove features from the phone (Samsung Pay comes to mind) that they don't want to support or so they can sell you service upgrades for things like Wi-Fi tethering.

If you want to install your own firmware updates, you usually need to root the phone first.

Nah just need Odin on your PC and the Firmware file on your PC just a few clicks and less than 5 minutes to flash the Phone.

Android don't give the Option to Downgrade after an Update has being done, there is no way possible only way is to Flash the Firmware which is what I am trying to do.

Thank you for trying to help.

 

[Platypus]

I'd be careful trying to downgrade your device on certain carriers in the US, unless you have a firmware file for the same build you're trying to downgrade.

Samfirmware used to be the best source but they've gone to shit over the last few years. I think it's probably fine on the paid tier though. You can look around on XDA too.

 

[Platypus]

Specifically I think Verizon is the one you need to watch out for. YMMV on ATT and Sprint, their enforcement was so arbitrary back on those days.

 

[EpicSurvivor]

I'd be careful trying to downgrade your device on certain carriers in the US, unless you have a firmware file for the same build you're trying to downgrade.

Samfirmware used to be the best source but they've gone to shit over the last few years. I think it's probably fine on the paid tier though. You can look around on XDA too.

Yeah I searched for close to an hour and Sammobile is the only one I found that doesn't have like 10 hour download cap and isn't sketchy.

Flashing a phone isn't a big deal, its super easy. Just want a specific Firmware update and SamMobile doesn't have that one.

This other site has it but it takes 10 hours to download 2GB file because they want you to pay and its $6 for just 1 week. That's a Huge rip off.

Well thanks anyway. I guess I'll be keeping my phone as is then.

lastly as I forgot. I have checked all yesterday on XDA but found nothing, I am actually a Junior member there (like 5 post)

Thanks again.

 

[Platypus]

Yeah I'm very familiar with how the devices work, I gave a Black Hat talk on the phone in question

 

[EpicSurvivor]

Yeah I'm very familiar with how the devices work, I gave a Black Hat talk on the phone in question

I understand.

Yeah I am on a Galaxy s6 (Verizon) I shouldn't have installed the last 2 updates this year, lots of people having severe battery problems, I went from 5.5/6 hours SOT to barely able to get 3 hours SOT.
I just flashed it to November 2017 Security update but would like to go back to September and Sammobile doesn't have it.

I will say that the November Update I flashed on it 2 days ago is giving me way better results than the update It replaced, I am going back to having 5.2 hours SOT time. But I am super picky and I Know I got the little over 6 hours before, just want that sweet spot.

 

[Platypus]

I understand.

Yeah I am on a Galaxy s6 (Verizon) I shouldn't have installed the last 2 updates this year, lots of people having severe battery problems, I went from 5.5/6 hours SOT to barely able to get 3 hours SOT.
I just flashed it to November 2017 Security update but would like to go back to September and Sammobile doesn't have it.

I will say that the November Update I flashed on it 2 days ago is giving me way better results than the update It replaced, I am going back to having 5.2 hours SOT time. But I am super picky and I Know I got the little over 6 hours before, just want that sweet spot.

Understood, it's possible you can flash at least the ROM back, but the bootloader likely wont allow itself to be downgraded, and it may be looking for a particular boot image signature as well, which means you may very well be stuck at the revision you're at. Verizon are notorious for making Samsung enforce downgrade protection and secure boot.

I'd be cautious about trying to downgrade without a good copy of the current build you're on to flash over it, lest you be unbootable otherwise. Good luck

 

[EpicSurvivor]

Understood, it's possible you can flash at least the ROM back, but the bootloader likely wont allow itself to be downgraded, and it may be looking for a particular boot image signature as well, which means you may very well be stuck at the revision you're at. Verizon are notorious for making Samsung enforce downgrade protection and secure boot.

I'd be cautious about trying to downgrade without a good copy of the current build you're on to flash over it, lest you be unbootable otherwise. Good luck

I understand, but my downgrade flash was successful, I am getting way better results with the downgrade to the older update with the flash than the last update by Samsung.

Its an older device, I kinda know my way around it, and flashing is very simple. the trick is more about getting the Proper Firmware downloaded from a reliable source since there are too many fake sources that give you counterfeit Firmware to install virus and tracking codes into your phone.

As you know Flashing is just loading the right files to Odin, and waiting 5 minutes after that.

I really wish I could get an older Firmware for my Phone, would love September 2017 Update but Sammobile doesn't have it the other site wants $6 for it and that's a rip off even if its legit.

Anyway thanks again for trying to help. I'll keep looking.

 

[EpicSurvivor]

I can confirm after rolling back from June 2018 Update and Flashing back to November 2017 Update my OST was a little bit over 6 hours. I did this by charging the phone to full in the morning and letting the battery run dry while keeping the screen on using an App also by automatically playing Youtube for hours at the time.

I am sure the battery would last slightly less if it were counting idle time but its only counting straight up OST the full time. Still big advantage with the Flash to older Security Update/Firmware Update.
I was going to take a screenshot and post it but I forgot and the battery ran out. Will do another test tomorrow to confirm this is accurate and will try to post a screenshot if I don't forget to do it again.

Many Thanks.

 

[killster1]

I can confirm after rolling back from June 2018 Update and Flashing back to November 2017 Update my OST was a little bit over 6 hours. I did this by charging the phone to full in the morning and letting the battery run dry while keeping the screen on using an App also by automatically playing Youtube for hours at the time.

I am sure the battery would last slightly less if it were counting idle time but its only counting straight up OST the full time. Still big advantage with the Flash to older Security Update/Firmware Update.
I was going to take a screenshot and post it but I forgot and the battery ran out. Will do another test tomorrow to confirm this is accurate and will try to post a screenshot if I don't forget to do it again.

Many Thanks.

so was the point of this to give you more battery life? i am wondering! i am always trying to upgrade to latest and was so happy to finally get to oreo with my galaxy s7's (tho one did not update ota not sure why) SO what was your OST (On screen time im guessing?) before the update?

 

[EpicSurvivor]

so was the point of this to give you more battery life? i am wondering! i am always trying to upgrade to latest and was so happy to finally get to oreo with my galaxy s7's (tho one did not update ota not sure why) SO what was your OST (On screen time im guessing?) before the update?

OST=On Screen Time was 5 to 6 hours but after this years update (Final Update for Galaxy s6) the battery drained faster as it lasted only 3 hours OST.

Basically I don't flash any Custom Roms what I do is Revert the Security Patch update back to an older point if I am having trouble with the latest update, like in my case. So for example Android 7.0 Nougat has several Updates. One can be March 2017, then June 2017, and so on the entire year. What happened was that the last couple of updates drained the battery on the Galaxy s6 tremendously, many say its on purpose so you would discard this old phone and buy a new one, but who really knows.

So I looked online and found the November 2017 update to Replace the April or May 2018 update that was causing the battery drain, hence the need to FLASH it manually using your Computer and Odin. Since Samsung phones do not give you the option to rollback to a previous version of an update through the phone nor can they be uninstalled once installed.

If you are not having any problems with your phone this is probably not necessary specially being that you already received the Oreo Update on your Galaxy s7. In my case the s6 isn't going to get Oreo but there are ways you can Flash it to get Oreo or any older Version on it. I just want 7.0 since its the most stable and better looking for my phone.

Sorry for making it over complicated hehe.

 

[killster1]

ok then i understand 3 hours is unusable. i heard the s6 had battery issues might be the actual battery it self (and cracking open the phone and switching batteries would have been first on my list before downgrading. I love oreo so far. i have purchased 6 galaxy s7 in past few years and none of them have been more than 150$. Buy them for the kids, for parents, grandparents, use one myself until i find a affordable upgrade (note 8 would be nice for 300ish )

 

[EpicSurvivor]

ok then i understand 3 hours is unusable. i heard the s6 had battery issues might be the actual battery it self (and cracking open the phone and switching batteries would have been first on my list before downgrading. I love oreo so far. i have purchased 6 galaxy s7 in past few years and none of them have been more than 150$. Buy them for the kids, for parents, grandparents, use one myself until i find a affordable upgrade (note 8 would be nice for 300ish )

Yea I wouldn't mind a galaxy s7 my self. I just got over 5 hours OST on my S6 so its still going good. I paid $90 for it on eBay early 2017

 

[thilanliyan]

Dont forget, you'll also be losing security patches if you downgrade. I think it's worth the extra security to lose a bit of screen time.