Guide to Update Note 8 Firmware Manually using ODIN or Smartswitch

The latest firmware for Galaxy Note 8 users is Android Pie 9. The update brings a new & revamped One UI for Samsung users. This new user interface and other new features were beta-tested for months. Other users who manually install the firmware on their Android phones can return to stock after custom firmware or removing the root. If you can’t wait for an OTA update on your Note 8. This guide can update Note 8 firmware using ODIN or Smartswitch. You can also use this guide to fix the bootloop if your Note 8 is stuck at the boot on the Samsung logo.

The update brings up a new UI along with performance improvement. It is sized just below 2 GB. So ensure you have enough space to accommodate the latest Android update on Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Samsung has a separate Android testing program for its devices. So we can expect a pretty stable update even on Note 8.

Guide to Update Note 8 Firmware Manually:

First, let us discuss the easy way to update Note 8 firmware. This can be done by entering the settings and checking for the OTA update, as Samsung has already started rolling out OTA updates for its Note 8 users. Maybe you are also lucky to get the update.

1. To check if you have received the OTA update of Android Pie on your Note 8, head on to the Settings of your phone.
2. In settings, locate and open Software Update.
3. If it’s there, click on “Download and Install“. In Android Oreo, you will see an option to download updates manually.
4. Now, your phone will download the Android Pie upgrade and install it on your phone.

Another thing that you should keep in mind is that this is a big update, almost 2 GB. So, for it to function efficiently and effectively. It is recommended to factory reset your Note 8 before or after installing the Android Pie update on Note 8.

How to Update Note 8 to Android 9 Pie Using Odin:

Suppose you haven’t got the Android Pie update via OTA update. You can install and update Note 8 firmware manually using this guide. Using this method, we will use ODIN to install Android Pie on your Note 8. ODIN is an official tool for flash firmware and custom recoveries on Samsung smartphones. However, the process is not based on some space science. You can quickly get it done, even if it is your first time. Just follow the steps, and you will be good to go. If you are uncomfortable with ODIN, you can use smartswitch to update Note 8 to Android 9. If your phone is not rooted, you can just wait for the OTA update to arrive on your phone.

One thing that you need to keep in mind is that ODIN only works on Windows. There is not any version that works for Linux or MAC. So, if you use MAC or Linux, you might need to borrow a Windows-running laptop. You can also try installing Windows on a virtual machine, but it is not recommended as it is slow and takes ages to load a single program.

Prerequisites:

You will have to take care of some prerequisites before you move on to the guide.

• First, you must download and install Samsung drivers for Windows on your computer.
• Download ODIN 3.13.1.
• You will also have to download Android firmware for your Samsung Galaxy Note 8. (Enter your Note 8 model number and look for Android Pie 9 firmware for your country. Android 9 Pie is the latest firmware for Note 8. You will find more details on how to find the appropriate firmware for your phone below)
• Make sure your phone is charged and its battery is above 50%.
• Turn on USB Debugging on your Note 8:
  • Go to Settings -> About Device -> Tap on Build number 7 times.
  • Now Go back to Settings -> Developer Options -> Turn on USB debugging.
• Back up all the data present on your using this guide. (Optional)

First of all, you will have to install Samsung drivers for Windows on your PC. You need to have these drivers on your phone for your PC to recognize your phone. If you have previously connected your phone to your PC and transferred some data, then your laptop will probably have these drivers.

Now comes the part where you must find the appropriate firmware for your Note 8. You can install any firmware from any country if your phone is carrier-free. If your phone is branded like Vodaphone, AT&T, Sprint, etc. Then, you will have to install the specific firmware concerning its country and brand. If you flash unbranded on the branded phone, your phone won’t work, and you will have to reinstall the appropriate firmware. If you install the latest version of precisely the same firmware that is on your phone. If the country and firmware are the same, then the data on your phone won’t be lost.

How to Update Note 8 Firmware Manually to Android Pie 9 by flashing firmware:

In the guide below, you need to be careful with the steps. Perform them as mentioned:

1. First of all, turn off your Samsung Galaxy Note 8.
2. Now go to Download Mode by pressing and holding the Bixby, Power, and Volume down buttons. Release the buttons when you see a warning on the screen.
3. Press the Volume up button to proceed to Download Mode.
4. On your PC, open ODIN and connect your phone using a USB data cable. You will see “Added” in the ODIN logs.
5. You will see your phone has a connection with your PC. The ID:COM on ODIN will change to blue. (If the colour didn’t vary, the PC failed to recognize your phone. Make sure you have installed the correct drivers and the drivers were installed successfully. Sometimes, the fault lies in the USB cable)
6. In ODIN, you will see several tabs, and you will have to select files for each tab. Click on CP and locate and select the CP file from the extracted firmware. Click on AP and select the file with AP in the name. Similarly, add the BL file in the BL tab.
7. One thing is to be considered. If you want to factory reset while you update Note 8 to Android Pie. Select the CSC file in the CSC file. Otherwise, load the HOME_CSC instead.
8. Make sure F.Reset.Time and Auto-Reboot options are checked in the ODIN. Suppose there is any other option checked. Uncheck it.
9. Now everything is ready, press the “Start” button. The whole process will take around 5-9 Minutes. Once done, your phone will reboot.

Important Note: Do not disconnect your Note 8 while flashing is in the process, even if it takes a long time. If flashing fails, use some other version of ODIN and repeat the process. In some firmware, you will find only the AP file; in some versions of ODIN, you will discover PDA instead of AP. If only one AP file exists in the extracted firmware, Just load the AP and flash the firmware.

Guide to update Note 8 to Android Pie 9 using smart switch:

This is the easiest way to update Note 8 to Android Pie 9. It has a limitation, though, it will only work if there exists an Android Pie 9 firmware for Note 8 in the SmartSwitsch library. The good thing about SmartSwitch is that it works on Linux, MAC, and Windows.

Beware that this method will delete all the data present in your Note 8. So, once you have installed SmartSwitch on your PC. Connect your phone and back up all your data using SmartSwitch.

Now, if you want to update Note 8 firmware to Android Pie 9, follow the steps below:

1. First of all, install SmartSwitch on your computer.
2. Directly connect your Galaxy Note 8 using an original data cable.
3. SmartSwitch will recognize your phone and display its details.
4. Using the Emergency Software Recovery and Initialization option, you must install stock firmware on your Note 8.
5. In this menu, you have to select Software Update & Initialization.
6. Now, you will see the list of available firmware for your phone. If you find Android Pie in it, like it.
7. Now, follow the onscreen instructions. Once the whole process is complete, your Note 8 will reboot.
8. Now, you can restore the backup you made using SmartSwitch to get all the data back on your phone.

That is all on how to update Note 8 to Android Pie 9. I have covered all the methods possible to update to Android Pie 9. Suppose you have any questions or queries regarding any of the methods above. Feel free to ask me in the comments.

Suppose you have received an official Android Pie on your Galaxy Note 8. Do share with us your experience with it. Let us know about the things that you liked and the things you didn’t like.