Hey guys, here we are today to share the simple process of flashing firmwares, kernels and other images using Odin Flashing Tool. Samsung users with more than little Android experience would easily understand what is Odin. But for those who don’t know about Odin, this is the best place to know it from starch. To our surprise, most of the users who already used Odin in the past also making mistakes in the flashing process which result in a bricked device.

Odin is a Windows based one-click tool that is used by the Samsung internally to flash firmwares, kernels etc. However, the tool is leaked over the Internet making it available to all the people. Odin is used to flash firmwares, kernels, ROMs and other files which are in the.tar and.tar.md5 format. The tool is a Standalone executable package which doesn’t need any special extensions, it’s quite simple in the design itself. As the name itself suggests, Odin is the God and helps to recover your device from hazards.

Most Android users don’t stick to single Rom or firmware always. Most of the people frequently change the firmwares, try new custom ROMs or flash kernels to improve performance. If you’re a developer, then the number of flashes will be ridiculously more when cooking a new ROM or kernel. Odin is a life saver when it comes to restoring your bricked devices. Sometimes, the partition table of the device itself gets corrupted resulting in a semi-hard or hard-brick in the worst scenario.

However, there is no sign of them on my Samsung Galaxy Core Prime phone. I attempted to install are showing there, but still not on the phone, except for Skype which since the attempt to install from Google Play I have successfully installed from Galaxy apps. Then, your apps will be downloaded. Downloading Apps on Your Samsung Galaxy Core Prime. Use the Google Play™ Store app to download apps to your Samsung Galaxy Core Prime™. Watch this video to learn how. Length: 2:18.

Odin has the ability to restore the partition table using.pit file which contains the partition information of the device. So without any further ado, we will see how to flash firmwares using Odin. Odin is supposed to work on Samsung devices only, don’t use this guide on any other devices. Be extra cautious when you choose the firmware builds as flashing wrong firmwares might result in a bricked device. Make sure whether you’re flashing a compatible firmware or not before starting the process. Flashing firmwares may void your device warranty either temporarily or permanently. You alone are responsible for any consequences that might occur during the process.

DroidViews or any of its community members shall not be held responsible for any damage to your device. Icon-quote-right Getting Prepared Charge Your Device.

Well, flashing a stock firmware on Samsung Android devices is very easy but it might turn into a nightmarish experience if you are not careful enough with all prerequisites and installation steps. Suppose you are installing a firmware and the battery juice drains away during the procedure, your phone or tablet might be hard-bricked.

So make sure that your device is fully, or at least 60% charged! Enable USB Debugging This is a very important thing to be done before you try flashing a firmware or recovery file. USB Debugging mode makes Android devices receptive to download and send data over USB cable connection. If you do not know how to turn debugging mode ON, do this: • Go to Settings>About Device.

• Scroll down to find Build number and tap it 7 times. • You will see a toast message that “Developer mode has been enabled” on your device.

• Now go back to the Settings screen and you will find a new item called Developer options there. • Tap it and go to USB debugging option and enable it. Install the Samsung USB Drivers Most probably, you might already have Samsung USB drivers or Samsung Kies installed on your computer. But if you have not yet installed any of them, it’s high time to do it now.

In case you have installed Samsung Kies, make sure the program is closed while you use Odin or flash the firmware or it might interfere with the procedure. Backup Your Apps and Data Usually, flashing a firmware, rooting and installing a custom recovery leave your phone’s apps, data, and settings untouched. However, in some cases, it might get wiped.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you backup your apps, contacts, messages, photos, videos and any other important data stored on the internal storage of your phone or tablet. We have gathered together that can help backup your device data easily. Download Odin Tool Now download the recommended Odin tool for flashing firmware on your Samsung device. As you know that there are several Odin versions available but considering the rate of success, you should use Odin3 v3.09 (for JellyBean and KitKat) or Odin3 v3.10.6 (for Lollipop). Download the Firmware for Your Device Make sure to download the correct firmware for your Samsung Galaxy smartphone or tablet.

Please note that a correct firmware is one that matches your device model and the country/region from where you purchased and using it. To do so, find out your device model by going to Settings>About device >Model Number and note it down. Next, you’ll need to find out the CSC code of your device. CSC codes are region and carrier/network operator specific. If your phone is not SIM-locked or carrier-branded, you can install any unbranded firmware that matches your device model regardless of CSC match. However, if your Galaxy device is carrier branded, you must install a firmware that matches your device’s CSC or it will be bricked. You download firmwares for all Samsung Galaxy device from one of the following sources: • • • Reboot Your Galaxy Device into the Download Mode On most Android devices we need to get into the Bootloader/Fastboot mode to flash factory images or firmwares.

Samsung Galaxy devices feature a Download Mode that prepares your device to receive data from your computer via a dedicated flashing tool called Odin. Here’s how you can boot your Samsung phone or tablet into the Download Mode. Turn off your device and then press and hold Volume Down + Home + Power buttons simultaneously for 2-3 seconds.

When you see the warning screen with an exclamation sign, press the Volume Up key to enter Download/Odin mode: After pressing the Volume Up key, you device will get into the Odin mode and it simply means that you can proceed with installing your firmware, CF-Auto-Root or CWM/TWRP recovery file. Here is how Download mode screen on Samsung devices looks like: Please note that you can flash only with.tar or.tar.md5 extension using Odin.

Install Stock Firmware on Samsung Galaxy Devices • We assume that you have already downloaded the firmware for your Samsung device. If it is a zip file, extract it to get the firmware file with.tar.md5 extension. If you want to flash a custom recovery like CWM or TWRP, it might have either.tar or.tar.md5 extension. • Download the latest Odin zip file (we use version 3.09) and extract the file on your PC. You will get the following files in the folder: • Odin3 vx.xx.exe • Odin3.ini • Double-click the Odin3 vx.xx.exe file. This will open an Odin window. • Now turn off your phone or tablet, and boot it into the Download Mode (see the method above).

• Connect your Samsung device to the computer using the USB cable provided by the OEM. • As soon as you connect the device the ID: COM port on Odin will turn Blue or Yellow depending on the Odin version. You’ll also see “Added!!” message to indicate successful connection.

• In case your phone is not detected by Odin as shown above, try the following things: • Reboot your phone and turn off USB Debugging and turn it on again. • Uninstall and reinstall the Samsung USB Drivers or Kies. • Reboot your PC and change the USB cable and ports in case the problem occurs even after installing the drivers. • Try a different USB cable.

• Now click the AP button (in case if you are using Odin3 v3.09 or 3.10) or the PDA button (in case you are using an older version) on Odin. • Navigate to the firmware or recovery file and select the file with.tar/.tar.md5 extension. • In case you got a multi-file firmware with AP, BL, CP, CSC, and. PIT files, you must add the firmware components to corresponding slots in Odin like shown below. • In the Options section, make sure that only the Auto Reboot and F.

Reset Time boxes are checked and everything else is unchecked. (Do not, in any case, check Re-Partition box unless you have a. PIT file to flash, or it will lead to major problems including a corrupt partition table, if you don’t know what you’re doing.) • Before initiating firmware/recovery installation on Odin, compare all highlighted fields as shown in the above screenshot with your Odin screen. • If everything looks okay, just click the Start button on Odin to start the installation with might take a few seconds (for CF-Root or recovery file) to 2-4 minutes (for firmwares). • A successful Odin flash is indicated by PASS! Message on Odin and then your device will restart immediately after the process is completed.

Note: If you encounter a FAIL! message instead of PASS!, remove the battery from the device and reinsert it, restart Odin (preferably a different version) and repeat the process once again carefully. If you want to diagnose the issue, take a look at the Odin log in the Message box. Fixing Bootloop After Installing the Firmware In some cases, installing the stock firmware might result in a boot loop. It means that when the device reboots automatically, it’s unable to get past the Samsung logo animation.

If your device is stuck on the boot animation, or if you are facing overheating, battery drain, lag or slow performance or some other misbehavior, we recommend performing a data/factory reset via the stock recovery. Please head over to our detailed tutorial for the steps to perform: That’s it. Flashing firmwares on Samsung devices using Odin is simple, Right? Leave your experiences and issues with the tool in the comment section below. This is also what i’m doing. Wipe/data factory reset.

It is saying MDM doesn’t allow this and reboots itself to get back stuck on samsung logo. I have successfully installed the firmware a few times and when it auto-restarts, it goes in blue screen saying “installing system update” and reaches around 35% and then just stops. Next message automatically pops up saying “erasing” which means it’s not getting the firmware update to install properly.

I’m just stuck at samsung logo otherwise if i give a normal restart. What must i do? My phone is not rooted. It says Official as well. Hi, pls i need help!!!!!!!!!!!

My samsung s6 edge was not coming on, tried the hard factory reboot, it came on then wiped the cache, tried rebooting it but was going to set up wizard, then tried the hard factory reset to wipe data and factory reset, reboot it again but still showing set up wizard. Along the line i went on my power button, home button and volume down, it gave me a warning sign and then i just clicked my home power for everything and it took me straight to odin mode, downloading, do not tun off target.

It has been like this for over an hour, pls what do i do? I tried turning it off but its not responding to anything i do. Rakesh my friend! It actually failed and the worst part was, i forgot using kies or smart switch for backup! I was frustrated, and then i left it charging.and then i somehow thought about the usb driver, then i plugged the cord while the phone was off at the netbook, yes i was having a problem with odin3.9 because i cant press the start button, its beyond the screen so i used the odin3.10, then after i plugged the phone with usb while off, it charged, then it actually restarted the phone, till the updating phone appears, i was glad, i only wished it would succeed even just restoring my kitkat version custom device.but it didnt! It actually upgraded to lollipop and an official device at that! I dont know what happen but i am so happy right now, thanks a lot!

Keep getting this error 🙁 Added!! Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable.

Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable.

Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin engine v(ID:3.1101). File analysis. Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) •.

Thanks Rakesh. All looks great! I was about to flash the s8 noble nougat experience ROM on my s6 edge today just doing the back up. Have you tried it? Is it any good?

I have got 3gb RAM on my device is it good enough for that ROM? Also to mention since I rooted my mobile some banking apps won’t work on it. Is there a way to hide that it’s for rooted?

Is it true that my device now is more vulnerable against threats and phishing since it’s got rooted? If yes than what protection you recommend to protect my device without making it slow. Thank you so much Regards Roland •. I have a Galaxy s6 edge+ stuck on a downloading screen becuse it failed. Here is the log, what could be the issue?

Enter CS for MD5. Binary Check MD5. Do not unplug the cable.

Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin engine v(ID:3.1100). File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Sboot.bin NAND Write Start!!

Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed.

(succeed 0 / failed 1) •. I have a Galaxy S7 from Verizon (SMG930V).

Trying to downgrade from Nougat back to an older version. Was trying to install v6.0.1 2016-06-13 (G930VVRU2APE1) and got below error. Maybe I can’t go all the way back to original and need to get a later version of 6? Tried with 4 different versions of Odin and got the same error. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully.

Odin engine v(ID:3.1101). File analysis. Set PIT file. DO NOT TURN OFF TARGET!! Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Emmc_appsboot.mbn NAND Write Start!!

Lksecapp.mbn xbl.elf FAIL! (Auth) Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) •. Hello Rakesh, A time ago I tried to root my Samsung Galaxy S5 (GM-900F) but that didn’t went well.

Dbhelper Close. But luckily i managed to put back the orginally setup(I thought so). But now since i have a new phone i wanted to reset all factory settings.

But after done that i got the ” Recovery is not seandroid enforcing” error message showing up while trying to startup the phone. So i tried to install the stock firmware again using your tutorial. But my Odin 3.12 keeps saying FAIL! I dont know what to do anymore, do you have a clue on how i can get this phone working again?

This is the log of the operation: Added!! Enter CS for MD5.

Do not unplug the cable. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin engine v(ID:3.1203). File analysis. Erase Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Aboot.mbn sbl1.mbn rpm.mbn tz.mbn sdi.mbn NON-HLOS.bin boot.img recovery.img system.img.ext4 modem.bin cache.img.ext4 hidden.img.ext4 FAIL!

(Size) Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) I hope you can help me!

Joei van Leusden •. I’m trying to bring back to life a bootlooping SM-G900P (never been flashed, no custom ROM, never rooted...) Installed drivers, downloaded from sammobile the correct stock firmware. Once connected via USB, display shows: ODIN MODE PRODUCT NAME: SM-G900P CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official SYSTEM STATUS: Official REACTIVATION LOCK (KK): Off KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0x0 QUALCOMM SECUREBOOT: ENABLE (CSB) RP SWREV S1, T3, R1, A3, P1 SECURE DOWNLOAD: ENABLE UDC START Odin 3.09 acks the device, but never does anything past the last log entry: Added!! Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. G900PVPU1BOA6_G900PSPT1BOA6_G900PVPU1BOA6_HOME.tar.md5 is valid. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully.

Odin v.3 engine (ID:5). File analysis. Nothing further happens until I disconnect USB, then Odin displays “Fail” Any ideas? Addional information. Now im getting this log in ODin. Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable.

Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin engine v(ID:3.1101). File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. There is no PIT partition.

All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) when i try using the pit partition u gave withe the latest firmware u sent,i get this message. ID:0/011>Removed!!

Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully.

Odin engine v(ID:3.1101). File analysis. Set PIT file. DO NOT TURN OFF TARGET!! Re-Partition operation failed. All threads completed.

(succeed 0 / failed 1) Another issue came up, Whenever i turn on the cellphone in odin mode i see the odin mode with the addional message of knox (that i sent before-las reply) But when i turn it on normally i only see static and a freeze screen,(no message saying a firmware issue was enconteredLike it did before) – so now i can only see image in odin mode. Plus, when i normally turn on the cellhphone, Wont turn on, i have to unplug the battery and then plug it to usb cable and it will turn on.(if the batery is on and i plug it in, wont turn on) thanks so much have a great day •. Hi, I have bad news, its seems that the cellphone does not comunicate with odin, somehow i installed this i317UCUBMK6_ATTBMK6. It was fractioned into several files, each file had a name to put it in Bl,Ap,CSC, Pit etc. That was before you sent me the link, so now when i turn on my cellphone, it shows me some additional messages: Odin Mode product n: SGH-I317 Custom binary download: yes (55 counts) current binary: samsung official.

System status: Custom //the additional message is this// Knox Warranty void: 0 AP SWREV: A2 I try to install any of the other firmwares that i have dowloaded that failed in SBoot, but does not even pass nand write and the fail is too fast.(for example, the blue bar on the cellphone that showed the download process in odin mode does not even appear) same thing happens when i try with the link youve sent! Thanks so much for your help again. //actual log// Removed!! Enter CS for MD5.

Do not unplug the cable. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin engine v(ID:3.1101). File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Boot.img NAND Write Start!!

System.img FAIL! Complete(Write) operation failed.

All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) •. Hi mr Rakesh, i need your help.

I have a SGH-I317 it was stuck in the samsung logo and then black screen, so i tried installing a firmware and now i get the message “firmware update encountered an issue.please select recovery mode on kies and try again.” I have tried using kies, wont load a emergency firmware. I tried using odin, downloading the supposed right firmware for the model im telling you. Odin engine v(ID:3.1101).

Firmware name: KIES_HOME_I317UCAMA4_I317ATTAMA4_578342_REV04_user_low_ship.tar.md5 this is what im getting, Added!! Enter CS for MD5.

Do not unplug the cable. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully.

Odin engine v(ID:3.1101). File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Boot.img NAND Write Start!!

Recovery.img system.img modem.bin cache.img hidden.img sboot.bin FAIL! Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) can you help me out please •. Hi mr Rakesh, i need your help. I have a SGH-I317 it was stuck in the samsung logo and then black screen, so i tried installing a firmware and now i get the message “firmware update encountered an issue.please select recovery mode on kies and try again.” I have tried using kies, wont load a emergency firmware. I tried using odin, downloading the supposed right firmware for the model im telling you.

Odin engine v(ID:3.1101). Firmware name: KIES_HOME_I317UCAMA4_I317ATTAMA4_578342_REV04_user_low_ship.tar.md5 this is what im getting, Added!! Enter CS for MD5.

Do not unplug the cable. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin engine v(ID:3.1101).

File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Boot.img NAND Write Start!! Recovery.img system.img modem.bin cache.img hidden.img sboot.bin FAIL!

Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) can you help me out please •. Hi Rakesh, I have a Note II 1317M, originally a Bell carrier phone but my phone is unlocked and I am now on the Koodo network. It had randomly reset itself a bunch of times in the last few weeks.

It was also slow, so I did move a bunch of files off a few weeks ago, and that helped. Finally, a few days ago, the phone was stuck in boot screen, so i tried to flash it many times based on your instrux, but all times I got the same error – see error code below. I tried different usb cables, different ports, and diff versions of ODIN (9, 10.6, 3.04, 11.1), all getting the same fail message.

Thanks in advance for your help. Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. I317MVLUDNH3_I317MOYADNH3_I317MVLUDNH3_HOME.tar.md5 is valid. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin v.3 engine (ID:5).

File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start.

Sboot.bin NAND Write Start!! Complete(Write) operation failed.

All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) •. Hi Rakesh, How are you?

Need urgent help. MY Note 2 got stuck on Samsung logo after turning off automatically.

It was not rooted. I tried deleting cache, no go. Did try factory rest using the hard reset feature, still it didn’t work. Took it to Samsung store, they said its in dead boot sleep mode and kept the phone overnight to try doing software install(not sure if they even tried).

Next morning they said its not working and motherboard needs to be replaced. I went online and looked at your blogs and came across this article. I have since downloaded a firmware for GT- 7100 from ().

And tried Odin 3.0.9 and.0.4 but it keeps saying com port fail. I have uninstalled kies as well and tried gain. Still the same error. Is this time to buy a new phone or can you please help? What am i doing wrong? Phone is in download mode as well. Hi, can i have some help here?

I own a Note tablet P600,(from Belgium) now with Lollipop, but i would like to put 4.4.2 again on it, because i can not use my usb dac (dragonfly) anymore, since update to lollipop. So i read the manual right above here, i downloaded the software P600XXUDOE_P600PHNDOF1_HOME.tar.md5 and got the pit-file from the tablet (out.pit) but when i checked the pit-button, there’s a message ‘for engineers’, i put the file in it anyway. I checked repartition and F.reset time. There was a fail message, but i forgot taking a screenshot, sorry. The tablet is still working.

What was i doing wrong? I’m having a strange issue. I have an s5 that I have been running note 5 software on for some time.

My bootloader and modem are still the bog1 firmware and I have been trying to revert back to stock to upgrade the bootloader and modem to the marshmallow 6.0.2 version. I use odin and says pass every time but I check my status and binary still say custom. I used the bok4 version booted fine but my status still says custom and I cannot update. My phone will not let me revert back to stock for some reason I’m completely lost.

I have been flashing for some time without problems and always been able to revert back to stock. It will not let me for some reason. I reflashed several stock firmwares always a pass but same result I cannot get back to official status. I want to run a s7 rom but I cant get my bootloader updated to mm. When i flash 6.0.2 cpca it just sits at the Samsung screen forever booting. The lollipop roms take but odin still fails to update the modem and bootloader they just stay at the bog1 version.

Never had a phone refuse to go back to stock and official firmware •. Help!!, i am installing the stock firmware to a galaxy s6, and its been 3 hours since i start, i dont know if thats normal, in the message section of odin just says NAND write start!! But nothing happens, i dont know if its normal that is taking so long, or should i unplugged the phone and start over, or wait more time, please if you could help me. This is what it says in the message section: Added!! Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. G920PVPU1AOCF_G920PSPT1AOCF_G920PVPU1AOCF_HOME.tar.md5 is valid.

Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin v.3 engine (ID:6). File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start.

Sboot.bin NAND Write Start!! Hi I tried this several times and keep ending up with this result; it concerns a S4 mini GT-I9195.

It is stuck and the only option is to enter download firmware ‘Odin’ mode. Plse your advice! Enter CS for MD5. Binary Check MD5.

Do not unplug the cable. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin engine v(ID:3.1100). File analysis.

Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Aboot.mbn NAND Write Start!! Complete(Write) operation failed.

All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) •.

Hi everyone, I AM DEVASTATED. I need help!!! I had a Z5 Premium and I just bought a NOTE 5 SM-N920W8 yesterday morning in Canada Vancouver BC and my provider is Bell Mobility and I paid them 950$ up front. After one day using the phone, I downloaded the “King Root” APK on my phone and tried rooting. 22% through the process, the phone restarted and got stuck in the Booting page saying sansung galaxy note 5 with a red massege on top left saying: “KERNAL IS NOT SEANDROID ENFORCING”. I tried going to the recovery, doing a factory rest and then doing a system reboot but didn’t work. Still showing the same thing I tried the method Above and got FAILED.

My log is this: Added!! Enter CS for MD5. Binary Check MD5. Do not unplug the cable. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin engine v(ID:3.1100).

File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Sboot.bin NAND Write Start!! Complete(Write) operation failed.

All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) I used Kies – Kies3 – Smart Connect to try to do a Firmware Upgrade Initialization but ones I put my model number it asks for my Serial number and once I put it, it says S / N incorrect. I’m going NUTS.

I always had sony before and I’m not familiar with Samsung. After one day owning the device, this happens. Right now it’s long weekend and everywhere is closed. Idk if they would find out I was trying to root and lose my warranty if I take it to samsung and be like idk I was just doing a OTA system update and after finishing installing, the phone did a restart and this happened. I also called a couple of cell phone repair shops but they said they can try but will not promises anything.

Please give me some tips in any way that you think. I’m thinking of asking my buddy’s girl friend to take my phone to Samsung like it’s her own phone and saying it happened in OTA update bullshit I had in mind so that kind of decreases the chance of them thinking it was a root attempt as girls don’t root their phone. Let me know what you think or whats best to do. I’m also doing a factory rest on my laptop in case it’s a bad driver installation and redoing the method above. Hey, I just flashed a stock firmware using odin. I tried both versions of ODIN (latest and old) and still it is failing.

Tried to update it using Kies3 but again it is showing some error. I think the problem is with the stock firmware. AP: G900HXXU1ANCD CP: G900HXXU1ANCD CSC: G900HODDU1ANCD And these are the info which I got from KIES while trying to update the firmware using the default method. PDA:PC8 CSC:OL1 PHONE: 0K8 INU. I couldn’t find the exact stock firmware for my device. Can you please tell me the nearest alternate firmware. Guide: Step 1: DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL KIES.

Step 2: Let it set Drivers etc, and reboot computer. Step 3: Obtain your devices serial number and model number (in settings app) Step 4: In Kies, click “Tools”, then “Firmware Upgrade & Initialisation”, enter your model number, then serial number, and continue. Step 5: Put your device into Download mode (Power + Vol Down + Home, wait for screen then press Vol UP to confirm and continue download mode) Step 6: Click “Start Upgrade”, wait for Kies to download 100%, browse to “C:Users[your username]AppDataLocalTemp” (if you cant see AppDat, enable “Show hidden files, folders and drives” — google it) Step 7: Click the “Date Modified” tab to organize the list from most recently added, look for a.tmp file that is large in size (1GB+), copy it to desktop. YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE KIES FINISHES THE INSTALLATION.

YOU HAVE 1-3 MINUTES. Step 8: Open the.zip file, extract all files to the desktop. You should see 4 large.tar /.tar.md5 files that corrolate with BL / AP / CP / CSC. You will need all 4 files.

Step 9: Close Kies and make sure there are no Kies processes. Step 10: DOWNLOAD, INSTALL & RUN ODIN. Step 11: In ODIN, disable “Auto Reboot” in “Options”, load all 4 files in their respective “Files” Section (Example: Click the “AP” button, and browse to the AP_blah blah_user_low_ship.tar.md5, then click the “BL” button, and browse to the BL_bahblah_user_low_ship.tar.md5 etc). Click Start, and WALAH. Tested on Note 5.

You may also have to add the PIT file, and enable Re-Partition, as per the guide above. Hi, Ive been trying to root and unlock my samsung galaxy S4 active(sgh-I537).Unfortunately it came with lollipop 5.0.1 ATTUCUCOC6.Now it has updated OTA to COC7.Every unlocking company has refunded my money,cant unlock.FastGsm cant usb unlock it,I tried.No root will root it. Can I easily use my odin 3.0.9 and flash it back to 4.4.3 or 4.4.2 kitkat.??or has the latest OTA blocked this avenue too??If anyone knows which build of kitkat will let me root it with towelroot,then im sure i can usb unlock it.Thanks for any info. Well, sadly, guys, nothing I’ve tried on any tech sites has allowed me to root my SM-N910C 5.1.1. The closest I got was using chainfire’s version but then my Note 4 would reboot almost exactly every 3 minutes. BusyBox and RootChecker Pro both showed my device was rooted, but it wouldn’t stop rebooting.

Now I flashed back to N910CXXU1COH4_N910COLB1COH3_N910CXXU1COH4_HOME.tar.md5 and will leave it alone until someone perfects the rooting process for 5.1.1. If anyone has suggestions, hints, or knows what I’m missing during the rooting process (and I’m certainly not a NOOB to custom ROMs and/or Kernels) I’d much appreciate ideas? Cole • Pingback: () •.

I’m trying to reinstall the original firmware. Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. T110XXUANI7_T110OLBANI2_T110XXUANI7_HOME.tar.md5 is valid.

Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin v.3 engine (ID:3). File analysis. Get PIT for mapping.

Firmware update start. Timh.bin NAND Write Start!!

Obm.bin DTim.Recovery FAIL! Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed.

(succeed 0 / failed 1) •. I’m facing some problem. My samsung Tab 3 Lite SM-T100 stuck on start up screen, keep on flashing and unable to turn off. I tried the ODIN with T110XXUANI7_T110OLBANI2_T110XXUANI7_HOME.tar.md5 and get the following: Added!! Enter CS for MD5.

Do not unplug the cable. T110XXUANI7_T110OLBANI2_T110XXUANI7_HOME.tar.md5 is valid. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin v.3 engine (ID:3).

File analysis. Get PIT for mapping.

Firmware update start. Timh.bin NAND Write Start!! Obm.bin DTim.Recovery FAIL!

Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) I’m from Malaysia.

So i’ve went through all the comments to see if i could follow off of someone else solution. But no, nothing works! So what happened with me is i attempted a root.

I can’t remember what exactly i used, but it failed in odin, so i decided to just try again some other day, but when i went to restart my phone, NO OS! All i get is download mode and recovery mode, and sometimes the connect to kies screen. I’ve been looking for solutions for about 5 days now, trying this and trying that, still nothing. This is the first i decided to make a post because i’m truly getting sick of this. I have downloaded 4 of the same stock versions from 4 different places, ive tried multiple odin versions, ive tried applying the firmware through CMD, even tried putting it on my SD card to try the “apply update from external memory” option in recovery mode.Last but not least i tried Kies firmware upgrade.

(the device never showed up in emergency devices, tried multiple cables and reinstalling the drivers to see if it changed nothing) The firmware upgrade got far! I was sooo hopeful it would work but then at 75% downloaded, the download either stopped or speed finished, and then asked me for a recovery key that i apparently set but never did I had to cancel the update, tried a second time, same thing. So now that you know some background info and that NOTHING is working for me, heres some extra details to see if you could help me. I’m using a AT&T Galaxy S5 with the model number of SM-G900A (obviously) I was on the latest AT&T software update when i attempted a root, aka 5.0 i think maybe 5.1 or 5.0.1??

The only official stock firmware i could find was 4.4.2 kitkat for my phone is downgrading a no no even though i technically have no firmware on my phone right now? I am UNABLE to get into the phone to change any settings. I only have access to download and recovery mode. I have my 64gb SD card inside my device as i am attempting to do all this. I have tried with it out of my device as well. Should i remove SIM?

The errors i keep getting on odin v3.09 using a firmware titled “G900AUCU1ANCE_G900AATT1ANCE_G900AUCU1ANCE_HOME.tar.md5” is the following everytime. Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. G900AUCU1ANCE_G900AATT1ANCE_G900AUCU1ANCE_HOME.tar.md5 is valid. Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin v.3 engine (ID:3).

File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Aboot.mbn NAND Write Start!!

(Auth) Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed.

(succeed 0 / failed 1) And on my GS5 it says the following: ODIN MODE PRODUCT NAME: SM-G900A CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official SYSTEM STATUS: Official REACTIVATION LOCK(KK): OFF KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0x0 QUALCOMM SECUREBOOT: ENABLE (CSB) RP SWREV: S1, T2, R1, A3, P1 SECURE DOWNLOAD: ENABLE UDC START SW REV CHECK FAIL: [aboot]Fused 3 >Binary 1 USB debugging was on before i rooted btw. Am i missing something?!I have literally spent so much time on this, and it has tired me. Do i have to send this to a “Service Center”? And if so, please explain what i need to google in order to find one or how to send it to them. I’m up for anything!

If you need any further info i will provide you with it! I’m up for Skype/Teamspeak meetings too if necessary. I’m ready to get this phone fixed! I have tried 3 different versions of odin without success.

Here is the error log i’m getting. Pls help: Added!! Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. G870AUCU1ANE4_G870AATT1ANE4_G870AUCU1ANE4_HOME.tar.md5 is valid.

Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin v.3 engine (ID:4). File analysis. Get PIT for mapping. Firmware update start. Aboot.mbn NAND Write Start!! (Auth) Complete(Write) operation failed.

All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1 •. Hi Naveen, Thank you for your sharing I use firmware: N8000XXUDNE5_N8000OLBDNE3_THL N8000XXUDNE5_N8000OLBDNE3_N8000DXUDND1_HOME.tar.md5 However, I’ve follow all steps and remove the battery but it still doesn’t work for my GT-N8000 The messages from ODIN 3v1.85 are as follow: Added!! Enter CS for MD5. Do not unplug the cable. N8000XXUDNE5_N8000OLBDNE3_N8000DXUDND1_HOME.tar.md5 is valid.

Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully. Odin v.3 engine (ID:5). File analysis. Get PIT for mapping.

Firmware update start. Boot.img NAND Write Start!! Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1) Please advice.

• Pingback: () •. Great guide everything went well. My only issue is now when I install apps that need root such as Titanium backup, coolify, etc the are stuck on “asking for root rights” And nothing else happens. I suspect root rights are not being granted.

I installed the latest super su as directed. I did a factory reset tried to re-install the same apps but the same situation remains.

When I try to launch the app requesting super user after a while a get FC. What do I to fix super user rights to be granted?

Thanks, So I just simply use Odin to flash the device with stock firmware what about the root, will the device remains rooted?(rooted with superuser). And device returned to stock recovery? After selling the phone and if new owner want to root, can he use Odin to flash what ever recover he likes and re-root the device udu g superuser? I am asking all this because I am thinking of selling my phone and at the same time want to give as much info as I can to the new owner just in case he wants to root the device and install custom rom. Ok i am a complete newb at all this i have never rooted or jailbroken a phone before To be honest i am kinda bricking it as so many people have had issues.

I have a galaxy note 2 n7100 android 4.4.2 in the uk on EE PAYG not bothered about warranty cos i aint got none lol but i cannot afford to replace my phone if this goes wrong. How do i backup my stock firmware before i start the process of rooting? What version of ODIN do i use? What else will i need to download before i begin?

Where do i get it all from i want to be prepared for everything. Is there anything that could go wrong that i would be unable to fix no matter what?

Please Advise ASAP Many Thanks • Pingback: () •.

Microsoft loves mobile, as long as you're using an iOS or Android device. In fact, turning your Android into a Microsoft centric phone is pretty easy. Microsoft's new mobile effort revolves around bringing the best of Windows 10 to Android and iOS.

Now that, it's time to start embracing Microsoft's new goal; making Android and iOS better for Windows users. Timeline, Cloud Clipboard and Continue on PC are all Windows 10 features that aim to tie your Android or iOS device to your PC further, and vice versa. I recently went out and purchased a with the intention of turning it into my new Windows phone. Now, calling it a Windows phone isn't entirely accurate since it's not running Windows; so I like to call it a Microsoft phone. It's a smartphone that's loaded up with Microsoft software and services, and outside of live tiles and UWP apps, it has everything my Lumia Windows phone had, and that's fantastic. Microsoft has made switching from Windows phone to Android or iOS incredibly easy, so much so my Android phone feels even more connected to my Windows 10 PC than my Windows 10 Mobile device ever did. Things such as Microsoft's own,,, and bring all the features and functions I need out of the Windows experience on my phone.

I've even reprogrammed the dedicated Bixby button to launch Cortana instead, using an app called. When I press the dedicated button, it launches the Cortana app.

If I hold the button down, it takes me immediately to voice mode where I can say commands and have Cortana do things. It's super handy having a dedicated Cortana button on the side, as it makes adding things like reminders or checking the weather super convenient.

Using Edge on Android is a nice addition, as it syncs your bookmarks and form data across your PC and phone. I don't care that it's using the Chrome engine underneath, because I don't have an issue with Chrome's engine. I use Edge because it uses my Microsoft account to sync data, not because of the underlying engine. Being able to continue files and web pages on my PC from my phone is also super convenient, more so than I was originally expecting.

More to come This will improve over time, too. With in Redstone 4, apps and things you copy will also be transferable across devices. Right now too, which will undoubtedly be coming to Android phones; allowing you to share files, photos and more instantly between your PC and phone directly from the Share UI on Windows 10. The only things I need from Microsoft to complete my Microsoft experience is a dedicated Phone and SMS app. Once I'm able to make cellular calls or send SMS texts from a dedicated app on my PC and phone that sync that data across devices, my Microsoft smartphone experience will be complete. It'd also be nice to see a Movies & TV app on Android or iOS, but that's not a priority for me. The beauty of Android is that it's an open platform.

Sure, most Android phones come bundled with Google services, which isn't ideal if you're someone who isn't into Google's ecosystem; but the good news is you can essentially replace all of that with Microsoft's own offerings. You can set Edge as your default web browser, Microsoft's Launcher as your default home experience, OneDrive as your photos cloud backup solution, Outlook as your default email and calendar client, and more. You can also download package disablers, which I don't actually recommend unless you know what you're doing.

Package disablers allow you to disable some software and services that Google and OEMs bundle onto Android devices. For example, I used a package disabler to disable some of the things Samsung includes on the Galaxy S8, including Samsung Cloud, TouchWiz, Bixby and even Samsung's built-in keyboard. I don't want or use Samsung's services. Of course, most people, even Microsoft users, won't want to disable these. I also personally like to disable pretty much everything Google on my Android, outside of Google Play Services and the Play Store.

I disabled everything from Chrome to the Google Assistant, as Microsoft offers alternatives in that regard. If Microsoft has an app that does something Google or Samsung offers, then I'm absolutely going to be disabling the Google and Samsung offering in favor of Microsoft's. Windows 10 Mobile is no longer the best choice for Microsoft fans If you're still using Windows 10 Mobile because you think Windows phone still offers the optimal 'Microsoft' experience, it's time to re-evaluate that thought process. Microsoft has put so much work into making Android and iOS 'the' platforms for Microsoft software and services on mobile that Windows 10 Mobile simply doesn't hold a candle to the integrations and features Microsoft apps have on other platforms anymore. Redstone 4 will see this trend continue. Microsoft is building features into Windows 10 on PC that tie directly into the apps and services available on iOS and Android. This is not something that is happening on Windows 10 Mobile.

As we have reported in the past, Microsoft is leaving Windows 10 Mobile behind with feature2, with no new features in development. Windows 10 Mobile doesn't have an ecosystem to support it anymore. Sure, Windows 10 Mobile still works today, and it will continue to work for a long time.

However, Microsoft anymore. That focus is now on Android and iOS, and that's incredibly exciting. If you've decided to remain on Windows phone, just know that your tight integration between your PC and phone is now matched on rival platforms, and will quickly find that over time, Android and iOS phones will have better integration compared to what Windows 10 Mobile can offer.

Honestly I've found most of your acticles borderline annoying for quite some time, this one is in fact a repeat of one I used awhile back to microsoft my LG with limited success (decided to go back to 650 until it breaks). If you guys want to be really helpful, why not write an app to do all this stuff for us. Download all the microsoft apps, install and set them all as default to be specific. More people use samsung, but I would love an LG one. Not saying I would pay for it, but I would part with a few bucks if you could find a way to make it use my onedrive backup to transfer all my data. Especially my contacts and sms messages, never could get those to migrate properly. Folks, I missed my live tiles and it is on our two Android MotoZ Play phones.

It is called Squarehome 2, and is available in the Playstore. It gives us the tiles and they move the same way and can be sized just like WinMobile 10 (WM10). IT is free and if you really like it you can pay one time $3.99 for the key to open the advanced features that are there for only two weeks. I love having my Apps in a separate page that slides out with a swipe from right edge to the left just like WP10. I despise the Android launchers.

But I am glad to see this article. Doing as this article suggests, AND installing Squarehome 2 will amaze you. IT is all the best of the WM10 experience.

Here is the link: I have nothing to do with them, just a user. Zac, thanks for this article and it absolutely belongs on Windows Central because how else are Windows users going to find it? I don't prowl around on Android or Apple sites and I'm sure I'm not alone.

I bought my S8 from my local Microsoft Store so they installed a lot of that software for me. Sadly, they did not disable Bixby and that is the single most annoying thing on the S8, showing up every time I open the camera and making me avoid that handy button on the left side. That is why I loved your article showing me a way to disable Bixby and reprogram that button. If Microsoft is going to make Microsoft phones out of the S8 and Razer and sell them in their stores, they should go all the way and make this Bixby fix themselves. Thanks again for showing me how to fix the one remaining thing I dislike about the S8.

Very nice article. I have migrated from 980XL to S8+. I also have used a disabler to help in making outlook front and center. The outlook part would be totally successful in my estimation if I could snooze reminders. Still hoping to find solution on that one. Challenges ahead are.

Snooze on Outlook. No support of SD Card on OneDrive. No support for SD Card on Groove Music. Not a subscriber, want to play my collection from local and OneDrive.

No Android Auto support for groove music. That being said I am thrilled to have this phone. A gigantic step up. I very much appreciate having Google Maps and chrome. Chrome was my preferred browser on windows. Hi Zac, I recently have acquired a galaxy s8+ and did pretty much everything you did and Microsofted as much of the phone as possible.

It's mostly gone well. I would be interested to know if you did anything else other than what you stated in your article. I too found the Samsung sms and dialer apps awful on this device. I've replaced the sms with textra which seems to be a very good replacement (I missed the dark theme and mute options on 950xl which this solves) but yet to find a decent dialer. Tried drupe but I'm not sold on that. Did you use the MS next lock screen or work out how to use that to override system lock screen? The Samsung always on is quite nice, similar to glance but would be nice if it displayed events/meetings.

Would be interested in yours/others opinions or recommendations. The galaxy note 8 sounds very tempting.

I've decided to stay on windows 10 mobile for a while longer. Reasons for this.

The Microsoft Phone is still a relatively new experience, whilst windows 10 mobile has been on the market for a while now, and I feel, is less beta, and more robust. To me it even seems to mature nicely over time, whilst a 'microsoft phone' will, as I see it now, still have to mature, like the early days of windows phone. Then there's the familiarity of the ecosystem that just grows on you over time. This allows room to focus on getting more things done, rather than needed to invest more time in the new and finding your workflow. And ofcourse the community grows as time passes, which makes troubleshooting more famiilar, whilst android on a 'mcrosoft time' will also mean more time needed to search and find your new network for troubleshooting and dealing with two ecosystems, android for phone, and windows for pc. My experiende is that is double the work and double the investment when it comes to troubleshooting, a fact of life in the long run.

Microsoft has had a spotty record during the windows phone days when it comes to durabilty and longevity in its product cycle and servicing. Windows phone 7 to 8, the discontinuation of groove music, to name but a few come to mind. It is still far from clear how long microsoft will an can maintain their servicing on iOS and android, how long android and iOS will tolerate their apps (thinking about YouTube bottlenecks on windows phone) on their platform. It isn't clear what microsoft will do to protect its customers with using their products on a now-windows platform.

And the iphone a galaxy note devices are not exactly cheap investments. Both my 1520 and 950XL are great hardware devices on their own, and have great camera's. I think for me the snapdragon 800 and higher chipssets have been an amazing milestone for amazing pc power in your pocket devices. It can off course only get better, and the galaxy note 8 has will likely be even more icing on the cake. The last thing that has me delayed in switching is that the mobile to pc connection that cortana shows, isn't the posterchild I have seen it could be. The main reason is that microsoft still fails in one big area, and that is region and language support. It is getting better, microsoft has made promises in the past, but as long as the isn't ramped up and becomes a priority, integration between pc and phone won't matter, much, and the experience will still be a fragmented one for more regions globally, today.

The promises are amazing, but still far away, half baked, shy from reality. Good, thoughtful, informative article. When my 950 eventually goes, I'll have to decide if or why I would use MS services anyway. My data on Sky, er Onedrive, is one thing, yes, I have years of free gigabytes amassed and I'm not relinquishing that. And Onedrive doesn't offer free unlimited photo storage like google. So, frankly, MS has screwed me and every other loyal fan, putting me into a situation like this, guessing how to cobble together a kludge of a mobile OS solution to approximate bits of WM10. Screw me (again, and again) MS?

No more, screw you MS! Let someone else buy into your lies and generate revenue for you using Bing, et al. Whilst entrenching users on ios and android even more and providing profits to Apple and Google, that's a solid long term business strategy. Do we see Apple and Google do this? Nope, we do not.

I understand why Microsoft has taken that route, it makes sense if Microsoft was a company without a universal app platform. But as it stands, they are and are going to risk years of work of unifying the windows core and UX for short term gain.

That is THE most retarded thing ever for any company to do. It completely eviscerates any possible foothold for a growth transition and long term vision. But they will keep chasing those stock market figures. All the while Apple and Google solidify their foothold on the consumer and enterprise space. Microsoft still has to improve their MS Launcher.

I am having a better experience with Launcher 10. It is absolutely awesome. I am in the process of switching too. I bought a Blu HD1 phone from Amazon for $50 and I intend to get a high end phone after I am satisfied with the Android experience and I can ditch my L950. I haven't switch yet (I am still using my L950 as my main phone) until I see how to use only Outlook (nothing from Google) to manage all my contacts, how to restore my WhatsApp backup and how to copy all my sms and calls logs. Then that will be it. If somebody had done any of those, please let me know.

I've also swapped, it's a decent replication of Windows Mobile, though most clearly lacking in live tiles on the Microsoft Launcher. There are other basic issues such as: 1. Bad syncing in some areas (e.g. Contacts sync but whether they are linked is not). Replicated features that remain separate (e.g. To-do list on Microsoft Launcher and Cortana are separate; news on Microsoft Launcher, Cortana, MSN News are separate, yes, 3 separate Microsoft news features!).

Notifications are synced across devices but the dismissal of notifications is not (e.g. You get an email notification on your phone and computer due to sync, but if you read the email or dismiss the notification on a computer, that isn't accounted for on the phone). The Weather app on the Microsoft Launcher screen is super simplistic and bare, and can't be linked to MSN Weather.

To me, the Microsoft experience on w10m is still absolutely far from being levelled on android. It seems to me that the blog has been hurt about all the mobile mess and silence from MS, and now they are contradicting themselves about what is the best 'Microsoft phone'. Come on, only a few months ago you named the Lumia 950XL, then the Elite x3, then the Lumia 950xl again.

Yes, I get it, Microsoft has been developping on other platforms for a while, but it is way too early yet. Live tiles, seamless and not confusing configuration, essential and consistent settings fast to be used over the whole plaform, battery and memory never becoming an issue, a familiar and unified set of tools to develop for every UWP device (xamarin isn't equally effective), a friendly way of resetting the phone keeping all my preferences, start screen etc. All the story about the 'continue on phone' thing is a bit overestimated I think. I open office and there is my last file, and the same happens with photos, onedrive, activities and so on.

I will stick with my beautiful, altough not perfect 950 and when, in a few years, the Microsoft mobile 'focus' will be satisfying again I will reconsider maybe. If they still focus on android, google services will better be completely ditched in favour of Microsoft services. So, if the MS puzzle will become complete and truly consistent it might be worth it to embrace multiple OSs, as Zac Bowden is actually doing now.

Otherwise, I am saying it for the first time in my life, the best shift to do will probably be the shift to Apple with EVERY device, then I guess I will say 'bye bye' to this blog. Yes, because they have always understood the game earlier to be honest anyway: the consistent platform (related to the sense of feeling home), the attention to details, the importance of keeping the position in every tech sector included their weaker divisions, simply by pushing reliability! It would be sad for me mostly because I feel home with Microsoft (xbox, surface etc.) and because I find them maybe the keenest group of democratic tech innovation on earth. I will stay tuned to the next moves, no more room to fail in MS I guess.

My best W10 Phone experience is still my 950 XL. I have an older iPhone and carry a Galaxy note with me as well, Arrow-Microsoft Launcher and Launcher 10 are nice, but it is not the same experience for me on my 950XL, launcher 10 and others are close but doesn't give you the full live tile experience that I use it for, weather, News, fuse, calendar, text, email, live tiles just work better on my 950XL. I only need you use the Note for a few apps i rarely need to use on android. My point, like others have stated, is that user experience is subjective to only the individual. My friends love and wish they could have Cortana and the live tiles work on their iPhone like it works on Win10m, but they like their iPhone.

Those who like the google echo system will swear android is awesome. In my opinion currently the best iOS experience is on an iphone, the best Android experience is on and Android, and the best Windows Phone experience is on a Windows Phone. Of course each would need to run on the best hardware. Regardless of the projected future experiences, My best Windows 10 Phone experience is still on My Lumia 950XL, yours and other will be yours. Hopefully the rumors are true that Microsoft will release Surface Mobile device that makes phone calls that will truly enhance my mobile experience. That's all very interesting Zac, NOT!

You see, the thing is, it's still fugly as crap and boring as bat poop. I'm typing this from my X3, waiting for my new 950 to arrive, have my 640xl primed, and use my 950xl regularly.

All of them smoke the rubbish OS of Apple and Android. I can do everything on these awesome devices, and when I find help buying Groove off of MS, and winning the rights to WM in a poker game with Shitya, I'm going to continue to develop the OS with Richard Branson. Zac, I'm so glad about your new phone.

I think it would be best for you to start writing for android central now because I really don't care about your Android experience. I have Lumia 950 and Cortana integrated into the system so you should realize that it won't be and it's not the same experience to have Windows 10 mobile or Windows 10 on all devices vs. Have 'android phone with Microsoft launcher missing live tiles, SMS, etc.

' It will never be the same experience, not with Redstone 4 or 5. - you should remember that. The strategy of Microsoft is not to lose the consumers but to get the Android and iOS consumers to consider the Windows 10 platform as the best solution across all devices. Surface Pro with LTE is on its way and until the Redstone 4, we are going to see some other new devices from Microfost as well. Then I will ask you who even need Samsung?? In the meantime, the official support( which means regular updates) for Lumia 950 and some other w10mobile devices will continue until 2020.

In another word, my experience and sync between my windows 10 PC, laptop, and L950 are much better than yours. Live with that. Jumping into the fray, I think what the author is merely trying to do is to distinguish between MSFT lovers and Windows Phone lovers. If you fall into the former group, then Android/iOS phones loaded with Microsoft apps meet the bill. If you are the latter, he is pointing out that you are probably being ill served by your choice, but it IS your choice. That said, remember that while MSFT is more or less abandoning Windows 10 Mobile, it is working on making Windows 10 a scalable OS, which will work on any form factor, using only the software components the particular form factor requires to operate properly and provide a good user experience.

If that indeed happens, together with UWP apps, there will be little distinction between Windows 10 on the desktop, tablet and smaller devices such as phones or phablets. Without pulling 'Andromeda' out of my derriere, this seems to me to be the long game. So, in the end, what I imagine happening is MSFT is betting that by putting its apps across Android and iOS, users will be so enamoured with them that when they are complete with their new CoreOS, it will be a no brainer to get people onto MSFT devices, for the simple reason that integration will perfect and total. Stop trying to sell me on MS with Android. If I move to Android - I dump EVERTHING MS.

Why not discuss in this forum why Google Search, Gmail, Docs, Drive, etc is better for Android user as well? How about on a Chromebook? Is Android better with a Google Ecosystem or MS Ecosystem? There is not 'must have app' that MS provides. What I would like to hear about is build quality - is the S8 a tough phone like Nokia products.

My Desktop at home is for gaming, at work - for work. Work also uses Iphones. Google is better for Android the same way Microsoft is better for Windows. There is cross-functionality between the two, but it really leaves you with a 'cross platform feeling'. You can tell that each side optimized everything for their side, but made concessions so it will 'work' with the other guy's stuff.

It is very much like the Apple/Microsoft problems iPhone Windows users face, just with less animosity between the companies. If you use a Microsoft email account (Outlook, Hotmail, Live) then you will want to use the Outlook app on Andorid for that, and the Gmail app for Gmail. While both can connect to the other guys service, they also have a long history of breaking the connectivity between the app and the other service. Chromebook is a waste of money unless you want a young child to 'have a computer'. Chrome OS is a browser based operating system. Think of it as IE or Edge as your entire operating system. Everything you do is done in IE/Edge.

You would be better off with an Android tablet. Android kind of requires you to 'use' their stuff. Take contacts as an example.

You are coming from Microsoft-land to Google-land. Your contacts are stored in Outlook.com (People). You can import them into Google contacts, but now you have two separate lists. If you change a phone number on Outlook, it won't change on Google. Some programs like Nine (third party Android email app) hot-sync the contacts for you. So you use Nine as your email client and it runs on the Microsoft side, then syncs everything with the Google side. This is important because non-Microsoft apps will look to Google Contacts for contact information (i.e.

Texting app, phone dialer etc.). Supposedly, Android Oreo addresses this, but I cannot install it yet to test. It does it by allowing you to make a default app choice. Again, I can't say how well it works because my phone does not support that OS yet.

The other big problem on Android is security. If you buy a Pixel or Nexus phone, you will get security updates as soon as Android finishes them. If you are on any other phone, that time frame goes from weeks, to months, to never. It all depends on how quickly the phone manufacturer comes out with their version of that security update, if they decide to do one at all. Skipping an update is not uncommon where you will get every other one. Android really is the wild west all over again. No, it's not really a big deal.

The whole KRACK thing was way overblown. Loads of iOS devices aren't getting a fix either, because it's only fixed in iOS 11.

10.3.3 remains unfixed. Krack is only an issue for wifi clients. It cannot be exploited remotely by random people on the internet, attacking your router IP address.

So it would be your neighbors - or whoever is in range of your wifi signal - who could use it. They could then get your router password and connect to your LAN.

Wifi Routers are only vulnerable if they connect to another router AS A CLIENT. IOW, 2 routers in bridge mode. Again, an attacker needs to be in range of your wifi signal. Normal home use, the router is immune. The Windows Mobile feature that I haven't been able to replicate on either of my Samsungs is the comprehensive outlook mail experience, particularly with our Exchange Mail accounts. I've tried all of the leading Android Mail clients, including Outlook for Android, and I just can't get all the functions I had with my HP Elite x3, can't get the conversation-threading to display and sequence properly.

So I keep my back up HP Elite x3 on wifi as a backup and it's like night and day how much better it handles email. I do like the Microsoft Android Launcher better than the rest, even though the Nova Launcher is more customizable. Overall, things are definately moving in the right direction, with Edge and OneDrive really impressive.

Now if I could find a way to strip out all the rest of the Android Bloat and Rot! The ONE thing keeping me from switching to Android at this point is the fact that the Groove app doesn't support local files.

This may seem trivial to most people but I have a huge music collection (50+GB) that I listen to for hours a day. It's the number one thing I use my phone for. After the nightmare of Xbox Music, I came to love Groove and have not found any other app that offers its features, i.e. Seamlessly syncing my many playlists of local content across mobile, desktop, and Xbox. If Microsoft at last updated the Groove app on Android to support local files, I would switch immediately.

That said, I know I may be waiting a long time (maybe forever). I am a lifelong user and fan of MS services and devices. I made the switch from Lumia to Galaxy S8+ about 3 months ago and I have to say, I am enjoying it!

The phone is stunning and I get great battery life. I have disabled or swapped all Android services and have installed MS apps in their place. Again, I am really enjoying the MS apps on Android, they are smooth and have great UI. The one thing I am missing is an SMS app from Microsoft. The one they have produced is only available in India?

For such a long time, I said I would never swap my Windows Phone but I think MS made that decision for me. Personally, I have not regretted the move as I still use the MS services that I am invested in. The problem with Samsung, shared by Windows 10 itself, is the pre-installation of crapware on the platform. Samsung literally fill their devices with programs that Android already has or software you don't need.

It reduces the performance and confuses the interface. I suppose this is a testament to the success of the platform. It is precisely the dominance of a platform that pushes corporations to put crapware on devices.

Windowsphone remained largely free of crapware you could not uninstall which highlights the poor sales. Of course there was plenty of complete dross in the Store!

I agree a 'bit'. Part of the disconnect is that Samsung's versions are often designed around specific features in the hardware that enable more features for things like the Pen on the Note 8 and taking advantage of deeper camera features than the base Android Apps offer.

There are also some base Android Apps that are really awful - and have been forever and seem to mainly get worse, and with a lot of things I truly hate on base Android - Samsung replaces these Apps, and they are truly better. There are other 'little' things that are superfluous and 'crazy making' - which are probably the things you are noticing as well, but those can be replaced or removed. You can download Google Maps data for offline use. Unfortunately you can't select a whole state with a single tap. You fit the area you want to download in the window they give you and tap download.

You can also name it if you want. I guess the idea is you can have a smaller file size and only get what you need, but I'm one of those people that wants the full state and doesn't want to shuffle a window around repeatedly just to download a large area. An option to download the map data for a particular route would be awesome. You don't have to tap or look at your phone to use the Google Maps. You can use Bixby, Cortana, or OK Google to have it get you directions just by talking to your device. I haven't found a way to export Bing Maps favorites to Google Maps, but you could open 2 browser windows, open the locations in Bing, and transfer them manually into Google. It's not ideal and could take time, but it would be a solution.

Yep, and even with all the UI and App changes you make, it doesn't fix the OS model issues of Android that are an array of really bad designs that is highly not-secure, has instability, poor performance, and a rather long list of things from allowing runaway processes/Apps to even how Memory is managed and the risk of losing data from Apps - things that do not exist in the Win10/WM world. It is also a bit sad that a 'mobile OS' requires more RAM than the desktop version of Windows 10 for plausible performance. This is why Microsoft really needs to go back to the Android Subsystem project from WM10, and release a better Android than Android - that is effectively running Windows - but still lets users change the launcher/shell, while keeping Android Apps managed by the OS in ways that Android simply does not and cannot do. Testing shows that most Android software would even run faster due to NT kernel sitting under it with better scheduling and access to drivers that are far more optimized. There are a LOT OF ANDROID FANS that would love a more secure, more stable and faster device that lets them run all their Android Apps - and they can even ignore the user level features of Windows that Android doesn't offer, or offer well.

I am amazed almost daily in inconsistencies in base Android and Google made software for Android - It is just beyond amazing that so many people that never used Windows Phone/Mobile have no idea how much harder and how clunky things are in Android. Just yesterday, was helping a friend with Google Cardboard - and the UI is not only really bad in the VR Apps, especially without an external controller, but even the launcher itself locks and doesn't rotate to display properly in landscape - which is a WTH moment. (So even with things that have an interesting or clever idea behind them are implemented like a CS 101 student that hasn't had a simple design or UI/UX class.).

Ya, that is also a bit of irony, as Cortana truly is an 'assistant' that really can and does things for users- where Google Now/Assistant are fancy voice web search technologies with a few side tricks. I use Cortana a lot more than average, but I think that is really sad. I have either bluetooth, built-in Mics or $5 USB microphones in all desktop devices and invoke her to send emails, texts, respond to them, add things to remember for me, create content of information for me - all while I am walking around my office or doing other things. Then when sitting at a desktop or using my phone in a place voice isn't an option, I am so used to just typing and having her do what I ask. Hit Windows Key and start typing: 'Remember that my neighbor's dog name is Spot' then when pulling up in my car, hit bluetooth or say 'Hey Cortana' and ask - 'What is my neighbor's dog name?' (Which is a data storage feature that Microsoft doesn't even tell users about. (Names are something I mentally throw away, and Cortana saves me more than I would like to admit.) Also the fact this information travels with me on any device is kind of important and a bit cool as it is free form information storage that just works.

There's ONE known (and long lived) bug on the Outlook app on Android that keeps me from going back to the Microsoft ecosystem. It's that dumb. I use Gmail to send and receive from and to 4 different email addresses (including my outlook.com and gmail.com addresses). I can also do that on outlook.com and it works from outlook.com and the Windows 10 app but not the Android app which only shows Microsoft addresses and aliases. The techs told me it's a bug being worked on but as long as it's there, I'm not switching ecosystems. Which is a shame because I would very much like to.

Now I know I could use Gmail and be on the Microsoft ecosystem for the rest but right now I have all my stuff in one place. So that's how it's going to be until Microsoft gets their act together. I have the S8+ with AT&T. While I have loaded the Microsoft experiences, I still find some items frustrating. The hardare is really nice but I still find the OS lacking for my needs and still don't feel confident I know when emails, messages and calls are missed. I am still learning so it may be a case of not understanding the device or configurations yet as I am only two weeks in. Here are my initial issues.

The Samsung version is nearly useless as it does not allow you to choose what apps you want notifications nor does it show next appointment unless you double tap and swipe for it. Instead you get useless icons on your screen that say nothing.

Also unless you use the built in calendar and contacts app in addition to outlook, the phone OS does not acknowledge Outlook as the default Calendar, contacts, etc. If you don't use and sync them as well then the phone will not display your contacts and will say you have no appointments. The phone app icon from the samsung app does not show any indication of missed calls or voicemail when pinned to the home page.

I have to open it to see what I have missed or click on the voicemail icon to see if anything is on the visual voicemail page. I truly hope Microsoft develops something to replace the Samsung Dialer and contacts list. Widgets are just not as good as tiles 5. Since I have to run multiple email programs because of the issues mentioned above, I get multiple chimes for the same incoming email/appointment reminders and such and not yet figured out how to disable. Plus since I have multiple email programs sync so I am sure I am suffering more battery drain and storage issues.

Also since the OS is open, there is no one true support site like I had with Microsoft. For the first time in my life, I feel like an old man baffled with technology and this is not a fun feeling. I will say a major positive is having real apps and not the half baked apps that were way behind iOS/Android. So that is a plus. To be honest you may be right. If the integration is this poor, I may have to abandon the M Launcher and just use the gmail email and calendar program.

I am too embedded in Microsoft services to jump because my company and my home are all based in those programs. But I may just kill outlook and run with the embedded experiences since they seem to play well with exchange and live mail etc. I miss the integration of just plugging in my live credentials and everything just working. Now I have to setup photo backup with onedrive, my phone config with samsung backup, and all the other programs.

Also frustrating that Facebook does not sync with the contact list so I now have a lot of just phone numbers in my contacts that used to sync with Facebook. Miss the sync profile pics as well. Honestly had Microsoft issued their phone before Android and had the app experience first, I think it would be Droid that would be headed for the scrap heap.

While being open source, it just is not as clean and polished and integrated like WP.