Unlike other countries, US region carriers have more control over the OTA updates, which they utilize to roll out their regular features. Even though it may be helpful most of the time, The updates consume lots of time. Samsung already takes additional time compared with the Stock Android version; Carrier modifications will take extra time. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes with an Android 10 version. As per Samsung’s new OTA updates rule, they will roll out Four years of updates instead of three. Samsung is already rolling out Android 12 to eligible mobiles. In this list, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 T-mobile USA got Android 12 based One UI 4.1. You can constantly update your mobile using the standard OTA method. When you can’t do the regular OTA, you can use the below Odin-based manual to update your mobile.
Reason for Custom UI Delay
There are plenty of features added to Android 12. Since Samsung uses a custom skin OS, They have to work a lot compared with Stock Android versions. Compared with the initial release of One UI, Successor versions came with many valuable features. In settings, you can constantly update your mobile using the OTA Software update option. But, you can use this ODIN-based manual method when you can’t do that. You can also use this method to Unbrick your mobile.
Direct Google Play Store Security patch updates, Enhanced Privacy, and Improved Gestures are some noticeable features in the Android 12 version. When you have root access on your mobile, You should follow a unique method to flash the firmware. If you follow the below ODIN method, you will lose root access.
How do Mobile Purchase and OTA Updates Work in US Countries?
Unlike in other countries, getting new mobile with installment is not complicated in the US. You can get both your mobile plan and your mobile under one payment. So, With a single monthly price, We can make our mobile payment. But the problem is your mobile is carrier-locked. You can’t use other Mobile operators for some time, or you have to unlock your mobile manually with the help of a mobile operator. Also, The OTA updates happen via a respective carrier. So, You may get delayed updates compared with the International version of mobiles.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G SM-N981U T-Mobile USA Android 12 One UI 4.1 Official Stable Stock Firmware Flash
Official OTA Method
Suppose you want to update a security patch to the current month. Don’t go for the manual method. Try this Automatic method.
The process is straightforward;
-
Go to your device setting menu and scroll down to the bottom
-
Tap on “Software Update”
-
You may have to refresh the page to start the OTA upgrade process.
Manual Method (SM-N981U, SM-N981U1– T-Mobile USA)
Note
- Check Your Device Mobile No. If you flash Different model numbers, you will lose some features based on your region.
- Battery Percentage Above 50.
- Backup Your Device.
- Some features may not work in the following firmware. You should update your mobile after the flash. I mentioned below what features may not work as per the carrier.
Using ODIN Method
-
Enable USB Debugging Mode and OEM Unlock; you’ll find these options at Settings >>> Developer options. If you didn’t see the developer options on your settings menu, then go to about >>> build number; click on the “Build Number” row about ten times regularly to activate “Developer Option” on your device.
- Download the Samsung USB driver and install it on your PC.
- Download Patched ODIN and install it on your PC. Don’t use other ODINs, and it will not work correctly. We are using third-party software flashing.
- Download Firmware From the below links, For Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G SM-N981U T-Mobile USA Official Firmware.
- Select recent firmware. When selecting firmware, refer- How to choose the correct firmware.
- You should download two files from the below links. One is an unbranded firmware, and the other one is your respective carrier firmware. Please don’t mix the firmware; we picked the correct Unbranded firmware that will work flawlessly with your carrier.
T-Mobile USA
- SM-N981U1 (Unbranded)
- SM-N981U (T-Mobile USA)
Flashing Firmware
- Now you have two firmware files one is Unbranded, and another one is your carrier firmware.
Step 1: Flash Unbranded Firmware
- Switch off your Mobile. Enter into Download mode->Volume Down+ Power Button and Connect Your Mobile To PC via USB Cable; after Samsung Logo Appear, Release all keys.
- After entering into Download Mode, it will say Warning; press the Volume Up button to continue.
- Launch Odin Application.
- It Will Show the message added.
- If you did not get this message, Repeat the above steps.
- After Getting Added Message Select, AP/PDA Button then Browse for the Unbranded Firmware file selects it. Un-Tick the Auto-Reboot.
- Press Start and wait for the tasks to complete. We Disabled Auto Reboot in ODIN. Do; after the process completion, It will still be in Download Mode.
- After completing the process, Press the Volume Down+ Power button to exit Download mode. When the screen goes off, Immediately Press the Volume Up + Power buttons to boot into Recovery mode.
- In the recovery mode, Go to Wipe Data/ Factory Reset and Reset your mobile.
- You should set up your mobile and log in with your account details. After fully setting up your device, boot into recovery mode.
Step 2: Flash Carrier Firmware
- Switch off your Mobile. Enter into Download mode->Volume Down+ Power Button and Connect Your Mobile To your PC via USB Cable. After Samsung Logo Appear, Release all keys.
- After entering into Download Mode, it will say Warning. Press the Volume Up button to continue.
- Launch Odin Application.
- It Will Show the message added.
- If you did not get this message, Repeat the above steps.
- After Getting Added Message Select, AP/PDA Button, then Browse for the Carrier Firmware file. Un-Tick the Auto-Reboot.
- Press Start and wait for the tasks to complete. We Disabled Auto Reboot in ODIN. Do; after the process completion, It will still be in Download Mode.
- After completing the process, Press the Volume Down+ Power button to exit Download mode. Immediately Press Volume Up + Power buttons when the screen goes off to boot into Recovery mode.
- In the recovery mode, Go to Wipe Data/ Factory Reset and Reset your mobile.
- You can see your carrier Boot Logo, When Startup. You should set up your mobile and log in with your account details. After fully setting up your device, boot into recovery mode.
- You can Check the Firmware Details->Settings->About->Version.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G SM-N981U T-Mobile USA Android 12 One UI 4.1 Features
One UI 4.1 is created based on Android 12, and Samsung Always Adds extra features to the OS. I listed Both Regular Android 12 Features and Some Exclusive UI Features. We already covered Exclusive One UI 2.0 features only available on Samsung Devices.
Customization
- With new image categories, we can setup up five different types in the Dynamic Lock Screen.
- With newly added features, Now you can Pin or Reorder Samsung Internet tabs.
- Enhanced Bixby Routines features are available.
- We can arrange the New icons and Lock screen widgets based on our routines.
- Now you can add some limited widgets like usage time in the Lock screen.
- Interactive preview available when setting a wallpaper.
- You can adjust the Always On Display and Lock screen easier compared with the Android ten slide.
- We can add a call background to see a picture or video when we make or receive a call.
- We can use two different Digital Wellbeing for personal and work profiles.
Home screen and Lock screen
- Like Tap on, You can Turn off the screen by double-tapping on a Home or Lock screen space. To enable this feature go to Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures.
- Now you don’t have to search the available widget on Home Screen. You can create widgets by long-press the app and moving the widget to the home screen.
- On the Lock screen, tap the clock area to see additional widgets like calendar, weather, and music.
Calls and chats
- With the new update, we can see individual contact conversations separately in the notification panel. Currently, it works with Messages and your favorite chat apps.
- The identification and Remove duplicate contacts stored in the same account in Contacts. The storage period for deleted contacts has been extended from 15 to 30 days.
- Now you can edit multiple linked contacts from a single screen.
- A trash folder is added in Messages to store recently deleted messages for 30 days.
Pictures and videos
- With improved autofocus and auto exposure, you can take pictures quicker.
- The Basic Edit feature is added within Gallery. Now, You can view, edit, and share pictures and videos more easily from the Gallery.
- With new search features and categories in the Gallery, You can find pictures and videos more quickly.
- Now you can reverse the editing of photos even if you save the current settings.
Settings
- Settings are optimized as per the user’s feedback, and it has a new, more straightforward look and feels. Your Samsung account is shown at the top, and Home screen settings are now easier to access.
- With the enhanced Search feature in the settings, you can easily find new Search features. You’ll get better results for synonyms and common misspellings, and you can tap on tags to see groups of related settings.
- With Quick settings, buttons have been reduced to provide only the most commonly used features. You can also add buttons to create your own customized quick panel.
Samsung Keyboard
- I Improved the keyboard layout with identified input to provide a larger space bar when entering web and email addresses.
- You can reorganize Keyboard settings, so it’s easier to access frequently used settings.
- Now Samsung Keyboard can support up to 370 input languages.
- Samsung Keyboard can now detect where to paste the copied images and texts based on the cursor position.
- Now when you use a text-based emoticon, Your mobile will suggest the correct Emojis.
Productivity
- It will recommend new routines based on your daily life and usage patterns. When you don’t like new habits, Bixby Routines provides a setting to return everything to the way it was before the practice.
- We can hide the status and navigation bars for a more immersive experience during webpages translation in the Internet apps and quickly translate webpages.
- When your mobile finds you are dealing with too many pop-ups or notifications, It will prompt you to block websites.
- Now you don’t have to separate cloud storage apps to access your file. You can browse and select cloud drive files from the file selection screen in My Files.
- You can now delete cache files in My Files without a separate app to free up storage space quickly.
- Instead of showing separate tabs or boxes for the same Events with the same start time are displayed together in the month and list views in the calendar.
- You can use your phone or tablet app icon layout in Samsung DeX to know where everything is.
- You can open the touchpad from the navigation bar on your phone or tablet, along with the navigation keys.
Media and device control
- Now you can see the full media controls and change the playback device from the Notification bar.
- Identify and improve your digital habits.
- You can get weekly reports based on your activity and Improved Digital Wellbeing features.
Accessibility for everyone
- The enhanced Accessibility feature can give you audible feedback for your inputs even if Talkback is turned off. So, You can get feedback for pre-installed settings; You can get the dynamic response for your keyboard inputs.
Stronger privacy protection
- When the app doesn’t use the special permission for a long time, It will revoke the consent.
Additional improvements
- Like in old times, In Clock, you can hear the alarm’s time and preset name read aloud when an alarm rings.
- Some apps need to be updated separately after the One UI 4.1 update to get the latest features.
- Select the Gallery or My Files, tap Share, and select the app copy to share the SD storage permission adequately.
- Wi-Fi Direct is no longer available. You can use Nearby Share instead, and you can still receive files using Wi-Fi Direct.
- We can’t use Chromecast using Smart View. We have to use Google Home instead.
Wrap Up
Selecting the correct firmware is the Major step in this process. Based on your country or region, choose the firmware. It is a Manual ODIN process; You can flash the latest version. But if you use the sideload method, you should flash the next version of your mobile firmware, or the process may brick your device. There are plenty of features added. Improved gestures are one of the best features of this version. If you can’t find your region, you can flash the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G SM-N981U T-Mobile USA Android 12 firmware near the area. But, It should be within the same model number. After the flash, you can contact your Mobile Operator and configure your Network settings. There is a reason for Custom skin OS manufacturers not doing regular patch updates. As per company stats, Only a tiny percentage of people are worried about software updates.
Samsung Exclusively added some extra features compared with One UI 2.5. If you are already using Custom ROM, use this new OS for some weeks, which will surely give you a unique experience.
Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.
Leave a Reply