How to force download Android 10 update on Samsung Galaxy Note 9 [One UI 2, firmware version DSLB, DTA1 and DTA4]]

While it might no longer be the most powerful Galaxy Note device, the Galaxy Note 9 is still one of the few handsets which are getting a taste of what Android 10 is like. Last year’s Samsung flagship is sure to get the jump to the latest mobile OS from Google and the South Korean company has already commenced the One UI 2 beta program for Galaxy Note 9 users in Korea.

The stable Android 10 update for the Note 9 is available as build DSLB and DTA1 in Europe and DTA4 in the US; the full software versions being N960FXXU4DSLB and N960FXXS4DTA1 in Europe, and N960USQU3DTA4 in the US.

Related:

How to install One Android 10 One UI 2 update on Galaxy Note 9

Warning!

Do not try anything given on this page if you do not completely know what you are doing. In case any damage occurs, we won’t be held responsible. make sure you match the model no. of your device with the model no. of the download file.

Compatibility

This guide is compatible only for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 handset. Do not try this on any other device as you might end up damaging your device and permanently brick it.

Backup!

Ensure that you back up all the important data (including photos and videos, contacts, music, videos, files, etc.) on your Galaxy Note 9.

Downloads

Below are the download links of the stable Android 10 update for the Galaxy Note 9, both for the US and Europe.

Galaxy Note 9 Android 10 firmware

  • For Europe/Asia/Australia, unlocked model SM-N960F:
    • Version DSLB (For Germany, but works fine for all the regions in Europe, Asia, Australia, and more; Released on Jan 2, 2020)
    • Version DTA1 (For Germany, but works fine for all the regions in Europe, Asia, Australia, and more; Released on Jan 19, 2020)
  • For carrier locked US model SM-N960U:
    • Version DTA5 (Comcast firmware, should work for all the carriers including T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, etc. but you may lose carrier-specific features if any; Released on Jan 27, 2020)
  • For unlocked US models SM-N960U1:
    • Not released yet

Instructions

Step 1: Make sure you have enabled ‘OEM unlock‘ under the Developer options in the Settings app.

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, 3.13.3).

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 the screen goes off.
  2. Connect the device to PC using the USB cable while pressing and holding Volume down + Bixby buttons together until you see the Warning screen (image).
  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 then 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 the BL tab, and select the file beginning with BL text.
  • Click on the AP tab, and select the file beginning with AP text.
  • Click on the CP tab, and select the file beginning with CP text.
  • [Different!] Click on the 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.

Info: When you load files, Odin checks the md5 sum of the 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

Step 11: Click on the Options tab, and make sure the Re-partition checkbox is NOT selected. Don’t use the 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 the installation is finished, after which your device will reboot automatically. You’ll get the 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 the 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 in the comments section below.


Once you install the Android 10 firmware on your Note 9, it will reboot. It will take it time restarting, so be patient, and when it’s done, it will start optimizing apps, after which you will have Android 10 running on your device.

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Posted by
Ajaay

Ambivalent, unprecedented, and on the run from everyone's idea of reality. A consonance of love for filter coffee, cold weather, Arsenal, AC/DC, and Sinatra.

8 Comments

  1. Beta 3 is out now. How soon can we get it?

  2. I need Zip File For N960u1…..please

  3. Hi Ajaay. How long should it be at the blue installing system update screen with the circle spinning in the little android? It’s going on 20 minutes now and I’m getting concerned.

  4. hello ajay can you please help me, i have followed exact same steps but my phone screen shows secure check failed (Bootloader)
    During the download mode when the software is being installed its also stuck on system.img in ODIN

  5. it stuck for in the blue screen for like 30 mins.. i tried again twice, but still the same. what should i do?

  6. doing that with odin makes samsung offical aps , like secure browser, secure folder , samsung health uneuseful. thats right?

  7. I’m so tempted to try this….

  8. I just tried it now, I made sure I followed ever step and it worked for me. So cool!!!!

Comments are closed.