Flashing Stock Firmware XSA to Imported Note 8 Dual Sim

LTechNerd on 30/12/2017 - 12:23

So I recently purchased the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (Dual Sim) Version from Amaysim eBay.

I was aware that Samsung Pay wouldn't work straight out of the box because it is from another country, and so I was planning to use Android Pay instead. However, I am looking to flash the stock XSA Firmware to enable Samsung Pay. I haven't received the phone yet, still waiting on shipping.

I have a couple of questions:
1) Has anyone successfully flashed their Dual Sim Note 8 to the XSA Firmware without any issues?

2) Does anyone know if the warranty is void if I flash stock firmware?

3) There are four different XSA firmware all with various CSC codes on the Sam-mobile Website. Which one would be the correct firmware the flash?

4) Is there any other information I should be aware of before I flash?

I found a couple of videos and forum pages on how to flash stock firmware, but I am still hesitant because I know it is possible to brick my device or erase the IMEI number.

Here is the forum I am planning to follow.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/how-to/offici…

Mobile

Comments

  • voltagex on 30/12/2017 - 13:44
    +1

    Did it with an S8+ using Odin.

    Technically it won't set any warranty bit but they will know it's from a different country via the IMEI. When I import phones I don't count on any local warranty.

    If you want Telstra "HD" voice you probably want a Telstra firmware, otherwise any XSA should work.

    Don't make my mistakes: https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/6pecql/other_i_for…

    • TechNerd on 30/12/2017 - 16:51

      Thanks, I will take that into consideration (Use CSC image and not HOME_CSC).

      Was your S8+ Dual Sim, Does the phone still support dual sim functionality after the flash?

      • voltagex on 30/12/2017 - 16:53
        +1

        Yes, it's the dual SIM, the second SIM options still appear but I'm using a 256GB microSD instead.

  • Sage on 30/12/2017 - 13:57
    +1

    There's no warranty if it's already imported.
    I'd say go ahead and flash, with the way it works you install a backup system so there's practically no risk. I use the XDA forums and find the guides and resources very valuable.

    As for Samsung Pay, I never got it working but since I'm with Commonwealth I use their app for NFC payments.

    For the XSA firmwares I'd use the latest one, CSC N950FOLN2BQKG.

    • TechNerd on 30/12/2017 - 17:02

      Alright, I will download and use that XSA Firmware then.

      Also are you referring to using something like NANDroid when you say install a "backup system." Doesn't this require you to root the device aswell? I dont intend to root the device, just flash a stock firmware.

  • chuneeperformance on 30/12/2017 - 17:35

    Android pay with XSA didn't work for me… With 8+.. Anyone got theirs?

    • TechNerd on 30/12/2017 - 17:48
      +1

      Android Pay should work on any android phone regardless of region. Only Samsung Pay is Region Locked. Some one correct me if I am wrong.

  • chuneeperformance on 30/12/2017 - 18:09

    Nope mine didn't work for Android pay.xsa firmware too

    Saying mine is rooted

    • TechNerd on 30/12/2017 - 22:16

      Hmmm… Interesting. Never thought this would be a problem with flashing stock firmware. How is a flashed device with stock firmware registered as being rooted?

      So not only is their a chance that Samsung Pay wont work but Android Pay wont work either.

      • chuneeperformance on 30/12/2017 - 22:24

        yeah, i had international s8+. as soon as i xsa australian firmware..BAAM.. and the compatability is gooone :(

  • koalafied on 07/01/2018 - 14:38

    Also interested in flashing AU firmware for Samsung Pay. I just bought the 128GB Midnight Black for $1001 from eBay. Will wait for arrival and check if it works first though

    • TechNerd on 07/01/2018 - 17:16

      Still have not received mine from Amaysim yet. It is supposedly still in transit in Melbourne, according to Toll/DPEX. I called them and they said ETA is 9th Jan, so exactly 2 weeks since date of purchase.

      I've recently started to use Android Pay on my Galaxy S6, it works better than I expected and is supported at most retail outlets that I shop at. Might continue using it on the Note 8 if it works out of the box. Really dont want to risk bricking the device by flashing to XSA, especially after waiting so long to get it.

      • koalafied on 09/01/2018 - 03:50
        +2

        Have some bad news, turns out I bought the wrong Note 8. It's an SM-N9500 (HK/China model) which has the Snapdragon 835 as opposed to global model with Exynos 8895 chipset. Both have their pros and cons https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/help/snapdrag…

        The model you bought from amaysim has the Exynos though.

        These are the issues…

        1. "The N9500 is the HK/China model so the Snapdragon bootloader will never see an unlock. (the S7s are still locked). Exynos bootloaders are not and have never been locked.
          If you want development forget the Snapdragon and go Exynos"

        2. "Flashing TWRP and root will trip Knox on Exynos. Flashing samfail(root) on Snapdragon will not trip Knox, but no TWRP because of locked bootloader. XDA also says that the phone will only charge to 80% once rooted, and because of limitations with the root, you won’t be able to use Magisk."

        3. When you trip Knox, a small chip on the motherboard essentially destroys itself (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/EFUSE)

        Samsung Knox devices use an e-fuse to indicate whether or not an "untrusted" (non-Samsung) boot path has ever been run. The e-fuse will be set if the device is booted with a non-Samsung boot loader, kernel, kernel initialization script or data.

        Rooting the device and installing a non-Samsung Android release will therefore set the e-fuse. Once the e-fuse is set, a device can no longer create a KNOX Container, or access the data previously stored in an existing KNOX Container. This information may be used by Samsung to deny devices that have been modified in this manner.

        For some devices it is possible to clear the e-fuse by flashing a custom firmware.

        tldr; Samsung will void warranty for the device if you trigger Knox, and the Samsung Pay and Secure Folder will be disabled.

        However, flashing firmware won't trigger Knox but I'm not sure if I still want to risk it after reading all that. THIS may come in handy though https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-8/themes/g95-de…

        • TechNerd on 09/01/2018 - 08:43
          +1

          Yea definitely not risking it now. Cheers for the info. Pretty sure I can live without Samsung Pay.

  • koalafied on 28/03/2018 - 22:42

    Just thought I'd update this post, NAB just rolled out Samsung Pay and I tried it on my N9500. Works perfectly!

    Some parts of the app is in Chinese but adding card info etc is in English, glad I didn't flash or root the device

  • TechNerd on 06/04/2018 - 15:26

    Update for those who want to flash Stock Oreo XSA firmware to their Note 8. I just flashed my Note 8 to the official Australian XSA Oreo Firmware, because the OTA Oreo Update was taking too long. It was easier than expected and everything works perfectly fine. Samsung Pay works now aswell. Here is the video I followed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnYF-OLVnDY

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join