The Android 9.0 Pie One UI update is finally making rounds to a handful of Samsung devices. Samsung modifies the stock experience that Android is known for. The modifications, however, are more than welcome, as they bring handy features and applications that are not found on stock builds. After the Samsung Galaxy S9, Note 9 and Note 8, it is time for the S8 and S8+ to enjoy the new One UI Pie update.
Both the Galaxy S8 and S8+ have received their first leaked One UI firmware builds based on Android 9.0 Pie. The build number for the Galaxy S8 (SM-G950U) is G950USQU5DRL6 and for the Galaxy S8+ (SM-G955U) is G955USQU5DRL5. The update is available for all Snapdragon variants of the phone and includes all U.S. mobile operators (carriers) such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile.
At the moment of speaking, the update comes in the form of stock OTA zip files which can be installed through stock recovery. The update is available only for Snapdragon devices, while Exynos devices such as SM-G950F, SM-G950FD, SM-G955F, and SM-G950FD have to wait a little more. Below you can find the full detailed guide on how to update your phone to Pie One UI.
Contents
How to install Pie One UI firmware on Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus
Note: This is a leaked update coming directly from Samsung. Based on reports from users who have already installed the update, everything seems to be working fine, with a few issues here and there. However, we still warn you that you proceed at your own risk. We are not responsible for any issues that might happen or if you brick your phone.
Download Panel
a) Snapdragon:
Samsung Galaxy S8 (SM-G950U):
- Android 8.0 Oreo Firmware | G950USQU5CRK1
- Android OTA 8.0 Update ZIP | CRK1 to CRL1
- Android 9.0 Pie OTA Update ZIP | CLR1 to DRL6
Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955U):
- Android 8.0 Oreo Firmware | G955USQU5CRK1
- Android OTA 8.0 Update ZIP | CRK1 to CRL1
- Android 9.0 Pie OTA Update ZIP | CLR1 to DRL5
b) Exynos:
Samsung Galaxy S8 (SM-G950F):
- Android 8.0 Oreo Firmware | G950FXXU4CRL3
- Android 9.0 OTA Update Zip | Download
Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955F):
- Android 8.0 Oreo Firmware | G955FXXU4CRL3
- Android 9.0 OTA Update Zip | Download
Preparations
- Odin 3.13.1 flashing tool | Download
- Install proper USB and ADB drivers | Download
- Charge your phone to at least 70%. In case the phone freezes and gets stuck, it will not shut down.
Installation Process
To update your S8 to Pie, your phone needs to have the stock CRK1 firmware (Snapdragon) or CRL3 (Exynos). From there you can flash the OTA update to be able to enjoy the One UI experience on your S8 and S8 Plus. If you already have the CRK1/CRL3 firmware, then skip the first tutorial and jump to part 2.
Part 1:
- Firstly, download Odin 1.13.1 tool from the download link above. We will use this tool to flash the required firmware in order to use the update file. If you already have the required firmware jump to step 7.
- Download the required firmware for your phone’s model. Extract the zip file. You will get six different files. You will use only four of those files.
- Take your phone, press and hold the power button and select “Power Off”. Once the phone has shut down, press and hold the volume down, Bixby and power keys at the same time. Release them when the phone goes into Download Mode. The phone will tell you that you are about to go into Download Mode. Press the volume up button to confirm.
- Launch the Odin tool on your computer. If all the correct USB drivers are properly installed, the box under ID:COM will turn blue. This means that Odin recognizes the phone and it is ready to flash the firmware.
- Please be warned that this will erase everything on your phone, so make a backup before you perform this step. Click on BL and select one of the six files that starts with BL. Do the same thing for AP, CP, and CSC. Leave USERDATA empty. Once you have selected all the files, click the start button.
- Wait for Odin to flash the firmware. The phone will reboot automatically once everything finishes.
Part 2:
Snapdragon:
- Press and hold the Power button and tap on “Power Off”. This will turn off the phone.
- Press and hold the volume up, Bixby and power buttons at the same time. This will put your Galaxy S8 in recovery mode. (It should be a stock recovery, not a custom one).
- While in recovery mode, select “apply update from SD card“. You can move up and down using the volume keys and select options using the power button.
- Then find CRK1 to CRL1 update file and select it. The phone will begin with the installation process of the OTA update. Wait for the phone to restart.
- Once the phone boots up, repeat the process. Go to recovery mode and select “apply update from SD card” again. This time select and flash CLR1 to DRL5/DRL6, depending on which phone you have.
Exynos:
- Press and hold the Power button and tap on “Power Off”. This will turn off the phone.
- Press and hold the volume up, Bixby and power buttons at the same time. This will put your Galaxy S8 in recovery mode. (It should be a stock recovery, not a custom one).
- While in recovery mode, select “apply update from SD card“. You can move up and down using the volume keys and select options using the power button.
- Find the OTA ZIP update file and swipe to flash it. The phone will begin with the installation process of the OTA update. Wait for the phone to restart.
Wait for the phone to restart one last time. Once it boots up, it will have the brand new Pie One UI update with new features such as Intelligent Scan, full-screen gestures and Dolby Atmos software.