Galaxy Note 8 firmware download: Android 9 Pie available [DSB2 | N950FXXU5DSB2]

Galaxy Note 8 firmware

Android 9 Pie download

Update [February 15, 2019]: Samsung released the Android Pie update for the Galaxy Note 8 users today. The update comes as software version DSB2, a short form of the full version N950FXXU5DSB2 — and even better thing is that the Pie update is now available as firmware too.

So, in case you haven’t received the Pie update from Samsung for any reason as an OTA, you no longer need to wait for it. You can simply download and install the Pie firmware now. Download link for the N950FXXU5DSB2 Pie update firmware is given in the table below, while you can find the guide to install it too on this page.

Update [January 26, 2019]: Added CRL2 firmware for the unlocked Galaxy Note 8. The full version is N950U1UEU5CRL2. You need this firmware in order to install the official Android Pie beta update ZSAB on the unlocked Note 8 (works on carrier variants at T-Mobile and Sprint, too).

Update [December 21, 2018]: A leaked OTA update based on Android Pie and One UI is now available for the Galaxy Note 8, model no. SM-N950U. If you one, see our guide here to install the leaked Android Pie One UI update on your Galaxy Note 8.


Here are some free and fast download links for the Galaxy Note 8 firmware files. There hasn’t been any huge OTA release for the Note 8 yet, which comes with Android 7.1.1 out of the box and should receive Oreo as its first big update. Check this page for more Note 8 Android 8.0 news.

Using the firmware, which is a stock Samsung ROM basically, containing the OS and everything software, you can easily reset your Galaxy Note 8 to the factory reset condition. This is useful because if you get a soft-brick Note 8 because of any bad installation of apps or software, you can easily install the firmware for your model no. to get it back to stock in working condition.

One UI Galaxy Note 8

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Firmware

Update [March 19, 2018]: The Android 8.0 firmware for the Galaxy Note 8 is now available. Hence, it is easy to update manually to Android Oreo on your Galaxy Note 8, model no. SM-G950F. The Oreo firmware comes as software version N950FXXU3CRC1. See below for the download link of N950FXXU3CRC1, and the guide to install it.


All the Galaxy Note 8 models in the US come with the same model no. now, but their firmware are available separately. But because their firmware are cross-compatible, meaning you can flash a firmware meant strictly for T-Mobile Galaxy Note 8 on AT&T Note 8, and that won’t cause any problem — your AT&T SIM would work just alright. Nonetheless, we have still segregated firmware for respective carrier models, because we can, and it feels safer too.

Read: Download Galaxy S8 Oreo update (US)

How to identify firmware exactly meant for your carrier in the USA?

Well, the US Galaxy Note 8 comes with model no. SM-N950U for all carriers (SM-N950U1 is an unlocked device), so you have to find the SM-N950U firmware that ends with the code of your carrier. The carrier codes are as follows:

  • ATT for AT&T
  • SPR for Sprint
  • TMB for T-Mobile
  • VZW for Verizon Wireless
  • USC for US Cellular

The other firmware are as per your device’s model no., as usual, so no code-finding-in-firmware-name-exercise required for models other than SM-N950U (US model).

Note: Do not install SM-N950U1 firmware on SM-N950U device, or vice-versa. Also, Canadian Galaxy Note 8 comes with model no. SM-N950W.

It’s common to not find a lot of firmware files for AT&T model of Samsung devices. Well, that’s the case with Samsung’s Note 8 too, and thus you won’t find a particular firmware for AT&T variant above, but we do have one firmware for the AT&T Galaxy Note 8, given below.

  • AT&T Note 8 firmware – version N950USQU1AQIA – filename: N950USQU1AQIA.zip (code: ATT)
  • More AT&T firmware will be added here when available. For other S8 sets, look below.
Model Date Software version | Android version Free Download Link
SM-N9500 16 Jun 2018 N9500ZHU2CRD5 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N9500ZHU2CRD5_N9500ZZH2CRD5_TGY.zip
SM-N9500 09 Feb 2018 N9500ZHU2BRB1 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N9500ZHU2BRB1_N9500ZZH2BRB1_TGY.zip
SM-N9508 03 May 2018 N9508ZMU2CRD5 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N9508ZMU2CRD5_N9508CHM2CRD5_CHM.zip
SM-N9508 15 Jun 2018 N9508ZMU2BRA2 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N9508ZMU2BRA2_N9508CHM2BRA2_CHM.zip
SM-N950F 15 Feb 2019 N950FXXU5DSB2 | Android 9 Pie N950FXXU5DSB2_N950FOXM5DSB2_INS.zip
SM-N950F 08 Jan 2018 N950FXXU5CSA3 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950FXXU5CSA3_N950FOXM5CRHA_INS.zip
SM-N950F 15 Apr 2018 N950FXXU3CRE5 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950FXXU3CRE5_N950FOXM3CRE5_BTU.zip
SM-N950F 15 Mar 2018 N950FXXU3CRC7 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950FXXU3CRC7_N950FOLN3CRC7_XSA.zip
SM-N950F 02 Mar 2018 N950FXXU3CRC1 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950FXXU3CRC1_N950FOXM3CRC1_TUR.zip
SM-N950F 08 Feb 2018 N950FXXU3BRB5 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950FXXU3BRB5_N950FOWA3BRA3_CDR.zip
SM-N950F 26 Jan 2018 N950FXXU3BRA8 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950FXXU3BRA8_N950FOXM2BRA1_ATO.zip
SM-N950F 24 Apr 2018 N950FXXS3CRD8 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950FXXS3CRD8_N950FOXM3CRC8_BTU.zip
SM-N950F 04 Apr 2018 N950FXXS3CRD2 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950FXXS3CRD2_N950FOXM3CRC1_TUR.zip
SM-N950N 26 Mar 2018 N950NKSU3CRC2 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950NKSU3CRC2_N950NOKR3CRC2_LUC.zip
SM-N950N 13 Feb 2018 N950NKSU3BRA1 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950NKSU3BRA1_N950NOKR3BRA1_LUC.zip
SM-N950U 15 Dec 2018 N950USQS5CRK1 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950USQS5CRK1_N950UOYN5CRK1_TMB.zip
SM-N950U 20 Apr 2018 N950USQU4CRD7 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950USQU4CRD7_N950UOYN4CRD7_VZW.zip
SM-N950U 01 Jun 2018 N950USQU3CRC2 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950USQU3CRC2_N950UOYN3CRC2_USC.zip
SM-N950U 12 Jan 2018 N950USQU3BRA9 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQU3BRA9_N950UOYN3BRA9_TMB.zip
SM-N950U 05 Dec 2018 N950USQU3BRA5 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQU3BRA5_N950UOYN3BRA5_VZW.zip
SM-N950U 11 Dec 2017 N950USQU2BQLA | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQU2BQLA_N950UOYN2BQLA_TMB.zip
SM-N950U 25 Oct 2017 N950USQU2BQJA | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQU2BQJA_N950UOYN2BQJA_USC.zip
SM-N950U 14 Sep 2017 N950USQU1AQI9 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQU1AQI9_N950UOYN1AQI9_USC.zip
SM-N950U 08 Sep 2017 N950USQU1AQI5 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQU1AQI5_N950UOYN1AQI5_TMB.zip
SM-N950U 07 Aug 2017 N950USQU1AQH7 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQU1AQH7_N950UOYN1AQH7_USC.zip
SM-N950U 03 May 2018 N950USQS4CRE1 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950USQS4CRE1_N950UOYN4CRE1_USC.zip
SM-N950U 06 Feb 2018 N950USQS3BRB4 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQS3BRB4_N950UOYN3BRB4_SPR.zip
SM-N950U 05 Feb 2018 N950USQS3BRB1 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQS3BRB1_N950UOYN3BRB1_VZW.zip
SM-N950U 20 Jun 2018 N950USQS3BRA8 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQS3BRA8_N950UOYN3BRA8_USC.zip
SM-N950U 07 Dec 2017 N950USQS2BQL5 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQS2BQL5_N950UOYN2BQL5_VZW.zip
SM-N950U 16 Jun 2017 N950USQS2BQK2 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950USQS2BQK2_N950UOYN2BQK2_VZW.zip
SM-N950U1 11 Jan 2019 N950U1UEU5CRL2 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950U1UEU5CRL2_N950U1OYM5CRL2_TMK.zip
SM-N950U1 20 Apr 2018 N950U1UEU4CRD7 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950U1UEU4CRD7_N950U1OYM4CRD7_USC.zip
SM-N950U1 05 Mar 2018 N950U1UEU3CRC1 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950U1UEU3CRC1_N950U1OYM3CRC1_USC.zip
SM-N950U1 15 Jan 2018 N950U1UEU3BRA5 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950U1UEU3BRA5_N950U1OYM3BRA5_LRA.zip
SM-N950U1 02 Nov 2017 N950U1UEU2BQK1 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950U1UEU2BQK1_N950U1OYM2BQK1_USC.zip
SM-N950U1 08 Sep 2017 N950U1UEU1AQI5 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950U1UEU1AQI5_N950U1OYM1AQI5_USC.zip
SM-N950U1 10 Aug 2017 N950U1UEU1AQH9 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950U1UEU1AQH9_N950U1OYM1AQH9_USC.zip
SM-N950U1 03 May 2018 N950U1UES4CRE1 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950U1UES4CRE1_N950U1OYM4CRE1_USC.zip
SM-N950U1 14 Jun 2017 N950U1UES2BQL2 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950U1UES2BQL2_N950U1OYM2BQL2_USC.zip
SM-N950W 16 Jun 2018 N950WVLU4CRD5 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950WVLU4CRD5_N950WOYV4CRD5_XAC.zip
SM-N950W 03 Apr 2018 N950WVLU3CRC2 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950WVLU3CRC2_N950WOYV3CRC2_TLS.zip
SM-N950W 16 Jan 2018 N950WVLU3BRA5 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950WVLU3BRA5_N950WOYV3BRA5_XAC.zip
SM-N950W 25 Oct 2017 N950WVLU2BQJA | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950WVLU2BQJA_N950WOYV2BQJA_XAC.zip
SM-N950W 08 Sep 2017 N950WVLU1AQI5 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950WVLU1AQI5_N950WOYV1AQI5_XAC.zip
SM-N950W 07 Aug 2017 N950WVLU1AQH7 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950WVLU1AQH7_N950WOYV1AQH7_XAC.zip
SM-N950W 03 May 2018 N950WVLS4CRE1 | Android 8.0.0 Oreo N950WVLS4CRE1_N950WOYV4CRE1_XAC.zip
SM-N950W 05 Feb 2018 N950WVLS3BRB1 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950WVLS3BRB1_N950WOYV3BRB1_GLW.zip
SM-N950W 16 Jun 2017 N950WVLS2BQK1 | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950WVLS2BQK1_N950WOYV2BQK1_XAC.zip
SM-N950X 13 Jun 2017 N950XXXU1AQH6_LLK | Android 7.1.1 Nougat N950XXXU1AQH6_LLK_N950XPAP1AQH6_LLK_PAP.zip

How to download the correct firmware file

This is an important part!

Be sure to check and find the correct model no. of your Galaxy Note 8. Then, based on your device’s model no., look for the appropriate firmware build from above.

You can identify the model no. using an app called Droid Info, or simply check it on its packaging box, or under Settings > About. Another solid trick would be to look at the packaging box of your device (in case you can’t power on the device because it is bricked).

Now that you know the model no., download the latest firmware from above for that model no. exactly.

Next, install the firmware on your Galaxy Note 8 by following the guide linked right below.

How to install a firmware

First, read our disclaimer, then take backup and then follow the guide below to install the firmware.

Disclaimer: Installing an official firmware through Odin doesn’t void your device’s warranty, but it remains an unofficial process and thus you need to be cautious of it. In any case, you only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Backup, backup, backup! Create an appropriate backup of contacts, pictures, videos, songs and other important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have a backup of all your important files. Sometimes, firmware installation may delete everything on your device! Like, when you change the CSC of your device, knowingly or not.

Step-by-step Firmware Installation Guide

Let’s see how to install the firmware on your Galaxy Note 8. Make sure you have more than 30% battery on your device.

Step 1. Make sure you have downloaded the firmware on your PC. Search our site for it if you don’t have it already.

Step 2. Install Samsung USB driver (method 1 on the linked page) first of all. Double-click the .exe file of drivers to begin the installation. (Not required if you have already done this.)

Step 3. Also, download Odin PC software (latest version).

Step 4. Extract the firmware file now. You can use free software like 7-zip for this. Install 7-zip, then right click on firmware file and under 7-zip, select ‘Extract here’. You should get files in .tar.md5 format now. (You may a bunch of files, and you will find text like AP, BL, CP or CSC etc. written at the beginning of those files.) We will be loading this file into Odin, to be installed on the device.

Step 5. Extract the Odin file. You should get the Odin exe file (other files could be hidden, hence not visible).

Step 6. Disconnect your Galaxy device from PC if it is connected.

Step 7. Boot your device into download mode:

  1. Power off your device. Wait for 6-7 seconds after screen goes off.
  2. Press and hold the three buttons Volume down + Bixby + Power together until you see the Warning screen.
    • If your device has a home button, use Volume down + Home + Power buttons combo.
    • If your device doesn’t have a home or Bixby button, then use Volume down + Volume up + Power buttons combo.
  3. Press Volume Up to continue to download mode.

Step 8. Double click on Odin .exe file (from step 5) to open the Odin window as shown below. Be careful with Odin, and do just as said to prevent problems.

Odin-3.10.6

Step 9. Connect your device now using the USB cable. Odin should recognize your device. It’s a must. When it recognizes, you will see Added!! message appearing in the Log box in the bottom left, and the first box under ID:COM will also show a no. and turn its background blue. Look at the pic below.

Odin-3.10.6-Added-message

  • You cannot proceed until you get the Added!! message, which confirms that Odin has recognized your device.
  • If you don’t get Added!! message, you need to install/re-install drivers again, and use the original cable that came with the device. Mostly, drivers are the problem (look at step 2 above).
  • You can try different USB ports on your PC too.

Step 10. Load the firmware files into Odin. Click the AP button on Odin and the select the .tar.md5 file from above. See the screenshot below to find how the Odin window will look like after you have loaded the files.

  • Click on BL tab, and select the file beginning with BL text.
  • Click on AP tab, and select the file beginning with AP text.
  • Click on CP tab, and select the file beginning with CP text.
  • [Different!] Click on CSC tab, and select the file beginning with HOME_CSC text. If HOME_CSC file isn’t available, then select the file beginning with CSC text.

About CSC file: Using the HOME_CSC file won’t reset your device, and data on the phone shouldn’t be deleted. However, when we select regular CSC file, and it results in CSC on the device being different than that in CSC file, your phone will be formatted automatically. You can even choose to ignore loading the CSC file, that may do alright too. But if it doesn’t work out, repeat the whole process and select CSC file this time around.

  • Info: When you load files, Odin checks the md5 sum of firmware file, which takes time. So, simply wait until that’s done and the firmware file is loaded. Don’t worry if Odin gets unresponsive for a while, it’s normal. Binary size will also show up in Odin.

odin load files

One firmware file? If you got only one firmware file after extracting the zip, the it’s okay too. It would begin with AP, and has to be loaded to the AP tab in Odin. Ignore other tabs in Odin. That’s it.

Step 11. Click on Options tab, and make sure Re-partition checkbox is NOT selected. Don’t use PIT tab, ever.

Go back to the Log tab now, as it will show the progress of the firmware installation when you hit the start button in the next step.

Odin options auto reboot

Step 12. Verify that everything is okay as mentioned above. When satisfied, click the Start button on Odin now to start flashing the firmware on your device.

Wait till installation is finished, after which your device will reboot automatically. You’ll get PASS message as shown below upon successful installation from Odin.

Odin-3.10.6-Pass-Message-Appears

Some errors you may run into, and with respective solution.

  • If Odin gets stuck at setup connection, then you need to do this all again. Disconnect your device, close Odin, boot device into download mode again, open Odin, and then select the file and flash it again as said above.
  • If you get FAIL in the top left box, then also you need to flash the file again as stated just above.

Done!

Need help? Sure, let us know via comments below.


Firmware Benefits

You can use the firmware for a variety of purposes, which includes:

  • Fix your Galaxy Note 8 if it’s giving you force closes errors and restarts randomly.
  • Unbrick your Galaxy Note 8 if it’s bootlooping and stuck at logo when restarting.
  • Go Back to Stock on your Galaxy Note 8 — helps when looking to sell the device, or fix installing OTA updates if broken.
  • Restore Galaxy Note 8 to factory state.
  • Upgrade your Galaxy Note 8 to newer Android version.
  • Downgrade your Galaxy Note 8 to lower build no. at same Android version.
  • Unroot your Galaxy Note 8.
  • Remove custom recovery like TWRP and CWM, if installed, on your Galaxy Note 8.

To perform any of the above, simply install the firmware meant for your device, as per its Galaxy Note 8 firmware in Settings > About device.

Posted by
Kapil Malani

A die-hard Liverpool FC fan, Kapil is a big fan of Batman, Android and street Cricket. In that order, probably. Email: [email protected]

2 Comments

  1. you have uploaded firmware’s for Samsung S8+ and not Note. poor people have to go through this process.

  2. Hi, thanks for the detailed instructions. I got a Pass at the end, but it finished too quickly and I’m still on version 7.1.1. I have a SM-N950U and was trying to go to version 9 (Pie). Download used: N950USQU5DSC1_SPR.

    Logs:
    Added!!
    Enter CS for MD5..
    Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
    Please wait..
    Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
    Leave CS..
    Enter CS for MD5..
    Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
    Please wait..
    Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
    Leave CS..
    Enter CS for MD5..
    Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
    Please wait..
    Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
    Leave CS..
    Enter CS for MD5..
    Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
    Please wait..
    Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
    Leave CS..
    Odin engine v(ID:3.1203)..
    File analysis..
    skip file list for home binary
    abl.elf.lz4
    bksecapp.mbn.lz4
    xbl.elf.lz4
    tz.mbn.lz4
    hyp.mbn.lz4
    devcfg.mbn.lz4
    pmic.elf.lz4
    rpm.mbn.lz4
    cmnlib.mbn.lz4
    cmnlib64.mbn.lz4
    keymaster.mbn.lz4
    apdp.mbn.lz4
    msadp.mbn.lz4
    sec.dat.lz4
    NON-HLOS.bin.lz4
    storsec.mbn.lz4
    boot.img.lz4
    recovery.img.lz4
    system.img.ext4.lz4
    persist.img.ext4.lz4
    dqmdbg.img.ext4.lz4
    modem.bin.lz4
    adspso.bin.lz4
    cache.img.ext4.lz4
    Home Binary Download
    SetupConnection..
    Initialzation..
    Get PIT for mapping..
    Firmware update start..
    SingleDownload.
    RQT_CLOSE !!
    RES OK !!
    Removed!!
    Remain Port …. 0
    All threads completed. (succeed 1 / failed 0)
    Added!!
    Removed!!
    Added!!

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