Update Galaxy S9 SM-G960U (USA) to Android 10 (manually) [One UI 2.1 Official]

From this guide, you will be able to download the One UI 2.1 Android 10 update for the Samsung Galaxy S9 G960U (Spint, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile, Comcast, and Xfinity) and install manually. A detailed tutorial along with necessary tools are given below with which you can easily install the official firmware using Odin flash tool. This space is for those who want a manual software installation on their Galaxy phone; read ahead!

Galaxy S9 G960U One UI 2.1 update is now available for installation, and here is where you can flash it manually. After updating the Galaxy Note 9 a few days back, Samsung has finally launched a new build for Galaxy S9 G960U. Unlike the monthly security patches, this build carries a major skin update, jumping from One UI 2.0 to One UI 2.1. If you are looking forward to a quick manual flash, we recommend downloading the complete firmware package and follow the guide ahead!

Initially, Samsung wasn’t keen on rolling One UI 2.1 for its older Galaxy S9 lineup. But after backlash from loyal clients, the company finally released it. The OS is still on Android 10, but the changes on top of everything is Samsung’s proprietary skin. Some brand new features, like Music Share, Quick Share, improved Camera app, etc. are also present. We will be discussing everything with details below and followed by the tutorial; continue reading!

• See also: Download Google Camera port for Galaxy S9 [all variant] | HDR+ working

Samsung Galaxy S9 G960U One UI 2.1 Update

Based on Android 10, this new firmware brought many UI tweaks on-board and updated the One UI (Samsung’s proprietary skin) from 2.0 to 2.1. Being a decimal bump, One UI 2.1 has tons of refreshments over the previous build.

Here are some of the key highlights of what’s new on One UI 2.1:

1. One UI 2.1: This latest UI carries various changes such as better icon placements, font size refinements, and other tweaks to improve the overall design. New notification pull-down button to improve accessibility as well.

2. Quick Share and Music Share: Quick Share is similar to AirDrop, which will let you send files to other compatible devices. On the other hand, music share lets you play music on Bluetooth devices.

3. Live Caption Mode: This is an exciting feature in One UI. Live Caption Mode gives you subtitle of whatever your device is playing, translates podcasts and other content into subtitles for easier referencing.

4. AR Emoji Update: AR emoji is to have some fun with your photos and videos. It got refined with the new build in One UI 2.1. It’s a feature that hasn’t been much discussed, but it still serves its purpose.

Like this One UI 2.1 official firmware for Samsung Galaxy S9 G960U? We love it too, and we know you are looking forward to installing it on your phone. Please read the important information below before starting the tutorial.

Supported devices

Here are the supported models of all Galaxy S9 handsets for this update:

1. SPR: Galaxy S9 SM-G960U with product code SPR from Spint (cdma)
2. VMU: Galaxy S9 SM-G960U with product code VMU from Virgin Mobile USA
3. TMB: Galaxy S9 SM-G960U with product code TMB from USA (T-Mobile)
4. VZW: Galaxy S9 SM-G960U with product code VZW from USA (Verizon)
5. CCT: Galaxy S9 SM-G960U with product code CCT from Comcast
6. CHA: Galaxy S9 SM-G960U with product code CHA from Xfinity Mobile

Software update timeline

The full update timeline is given below with the software information, models, download links for an upgrade, or downgrade, along with a detailed tutorial link to install the firmware. Go through the tables, check out the model number, read the important information, and proceed to the guide.

Galaxy S9 T-Mobile update

Download Samsung Galaxy S9 SM-G960U USA (T-Mobile) Official Firmware:

Galaxy S9 Spint (cdma) update

Download Samsung Galaxy S9 SM-G960U Spint (cdma) Official Firmware:

Galaxy S9 Virgin Mobile update

Download Samsung Galaxy S9 SM-G960U Virgin Mobile Official Firmware:

Galaxy S9 Verizon update

Galaxy S9 Comcast update

Galaxy S9 Xfinity update

Based on your device model, download the firmware file from the above-given links.

WARNING: All the custom ROMs, Official Firmware, How-to guides, tutorials, roots, hacks, and tricks mentioned on our site belong to the respective developers. We are not responsible if anything goes wrong with your device. Perform it at your own risk.

Backup your Android device

Before proceeding to the tutorial to install, we strongly recommend you to backup your important data and files from your phone. Because flashing an official firmware will erase everything from your device. We don’t want you to lose anything by following our tutorial. In that case, you can check out our list of backup app that may help you:

Samsung users can use Samsung Smart Switch to backup data on the computer. Samsung Smart Switch even allows the users to move data from one device to another of different variant (like moving data of Galaxy S9 to Galaxy S10).

Once you are sure that you made a complete backup of your necessary documents, you can move ahead to the tutorial below and update Galaxy S9 SM-G960U to the latest official update manually.

Samsung Galaxy S9 USB Driver

Before starting the tutorial, we suggest you to backup your essential documents from the device and make a copy of it to your computer. On performing our experiment, your device will get wiped, and you will lose everything from the phone. We don’t want that. In that case, we have a list of applications that may help you in creating backup within the phone. Later on, you can copy the files to the computer for a safe side.

Tools that required for firmware installation

1. Odin flash tool: Download Samsung’s Odin flash tool here.
2. Samsung USB driver: Download Samsung USB Driver.
3. USB Cable: You must have the official USB cable of your device – the one that provided by Samsung.

Things to Remember

1. Make sure your phone has at least 80 – 85% charge. If not, please do charge it before starting the experiment.
2. This tutorial may WIPE OUT all your DATA. Make sure to create a Backup of everything before starting the tutorial.
3. You need to enable USB Debugging mode to connect your Android phone to computer. (Settings > About Phone > Build number > Tap it 7 times to become developer; Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging.)

Ready now? Let’s proceed to the tutorial below and update Galaxy S9 SM-G960U to Samsung’s official firmware manually via Odin.

HOW TO: Install Galaxy S9 SM-G960U update

We have mentioned full step-by-step instructions on how to install Samsung Galaxy S9 SM-G960U official firmware manually. If you are entirely new to flashing a Custom ROM or an Official Firmware, please read the entire tutorial once before actually performing it on your device.

Proceed to the installation tutorial from the link below.

Please read the tutorial from the link above to install Official Firmware on Samsung Galaxy S9 SM-G960U manually. The procedure has been described properly with screenshots. If you got stuck somewhere, drop your comment below, and we will help you as soon as possible.

Rooting Warning: Flashing new firmware revokes root access. So, if you want your root access back, follow the guide below and install Magisk:

• Magisk ROOT: Download Magisk ZIP and root!

Custom Recovery Warning: Once you install new firmware, you will lose your custom recovery (in case you had that). It gets replaced with the stock recovery that comes with the firmware. So, if you want your custom recovery back, follow our TWRP guide below:

• HOW TO (Custom Recovery): Install TWRP Recovery (latest) on any Android device!

Are you having fun playing with the system upgrade? You can try out some Xposed modules, or you can even try Magisk modules to modify your device in the way you like.

In case, if you want to customize your Android using Substratum, here’s the tutorial for you:

• Substratum theme engine tutorial – (Install it on any device)

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