Samsung is now, finally, publishing Android 9.0 Pie update to T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active. This is a major jump up for the rugged device as new factory firmware brings in a more recent Android revision and various new features as well as enhancements. Disappointingly however, the update has arrived considerably late especially if compared to other S8 Active variants which were updated months before. Nonetheless, new software is here and you can download the complete firmware for your phone right ahead. This tutorial applies only to T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active.
Samsung shifted to a whole new skin with Android Pie. Moving away from Samsung Experience, the brand now calls its proprietary skin as One UI. The name is inspired from the fact that the skin is geared towards making large phones such as Galaxy S8 Active to easily be used with one hand. In addition to that, all Samsung apps have been revamped and the new update should perform considerably better in all aspects. For download, read right ahead.
Disclaimer: Please use this guide at your own risk. We, at TeamAndroid, would not be held responsible if you brick or generally mess up with your device. Further, the firmwares, system files or apps used are property of their respective owners.
Android 9.0 Pie Firmware Details:
This update is a major one. It carries new Android Pie revision and with that, it also comes with Samsung’s latest One UI 1.1 software skin. After installing, you would be able to notice all changes immediately.
This firmware tutorial applies to only T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active variant. The specific model number supported through this guide are mentioned ahead.
- Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active G892U
To make sure you own the correct Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active model / variant, go to Settings > About phone > Model number.
You might find these following T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active related articles interesting:
- Install Android Pie: How to Install Android Q on Computer.
- Custom ROMs: For a complete collection of Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active custom ROMs, click here!
If you plan on rooting this phone or are still confused for why to root T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active, read: Benefits of Rooting Your Android Device.
Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active USB Drivers
You will need to connect your Android phone with the computer. For that, please make sure you have installed the USB drivers for Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active properly. If not, you can download the latest official drivers from our Android USB Drivers section here:
Download Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active USB drivers!
All set and ready? Good. You can now continue reading below and update T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active to Android Pie official firmware update.
How to Install Android Pie on T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active
Ahead, we have a detailed step-by-step procedure through which you can update Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active to Android Pie build. The firmware is an official one signed by Samsung and we will utilize latest ODIN to flash it onto T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active.
Please read every line carefully and make sure you read the tutorial once before actually performing on your device.
To Remember:
- This tutorial is only for Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active. Please don’t try this on any other variants of the phone.
- Firmwares used in this post are official releases by Samsung for the T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active.
- Make sure you backup all your data in your phone before proceeding.
Complete Step-By-Step Instructions:
Step 1 – Download Android Pie update from the following links for your specific T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active model to your computer and extract the zip file.
- T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active G892U: G892USQU5CSG7
Step 2 – Download Odin which will help you to install Android Pie update on Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active.
Step 3 – Switch OFF your phone. Now go to Download Mode. How? Press and hold the Volume Down + Bixby buttons together, and then press the Power button till you see the construction Android robot and a triangle. Press Power again to confirm to enter into Download Mode.
Step 4 – Make sure you have your T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active USB drivers installed on your computer.
Step 5 – Open ODIN on your computer. Connect your phone to your computer while your phone is in the Download Mode.
Step 6 – If your phone is connected successfully, one of the ID:COM boxes will turn yellow with the COM port number. This step might take some time.
Step 7 – Now select the files that you have to flash/install on your phone. These files are to be found from the extracted files in Step 1.
- Click on ‘AP’ and select file with ‘AP’ in its name.
- Click on ‘CP’ and select file with ‘MODEM’ in its name. Ignore this step if there is no such file.
- Click on ‘CSC’ and select file with ‘CSC’ in its name. Ignore this step if there is no such file.
- Click on ‘PIT’ and select the .pit file. Ignore this step if there is no such file.
- Click on ‘BL’ and select file with ‘BL’ in it’s name. Ignore if there is no such file.
If you are using an older version of ODIN or flashing a firmware which doesn’t have the above mentioned file name format then look below for the abbreviations to the old name format. Do note that only file name changes, the functionality and back end process remains the same so don’t worry.
- AP = PDA
- BL = Boot Loader
- CP = Modem
Step 8 – In ODIN, check the Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options. As for the Re-Partition option, check it ONLY if you selected a .PIT file in the above step.
Step 9 – Now click on the Start button in ODIN. Installation process will start and would take a few minutes to complete.
Step 10 – After the installation is completed, your phone will restart. After you see the home screen, unplug your phone from the computer.
That’s it. Your Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active has now been updated to Android Pie firmware update. Go to Settings > About phone to verify.
Backup and Other Important Tips
Please take a look at the following tips and important points you need to take care of. These are important, as we don’t want anyone losing their personal data or apps.
Always backup your important data that you might need after you install a new custom ROM, an official software update or anything else. Make a backup for just in case, you never know when anything might go wrong. Read: How to Backup Android Apps, Text Messages, WhatsApp, Call History.
Samsung users can also back up data using Samsung Smart Switch to your computer. Smart Switch helps to move data across different Android devices i.e moving Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge backup data to Samsung T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active.
If you already have a custom recovery (ClockworkMod, TWRP etc.) installed on your phone, we strongly recommend a backup using that as it creates a complete image of your existing phone set up. [Tutorial: How to Backup Android Phone using TWRP]
A few more optional tips that you should remember:
1. Having problems connecting your Android phone to the computer? You need to enable USB debugging mode. See here: How to Enable USB Debugging — for Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Marshmallow, Nougat and Oreo.
2. Make sure your Android device is charged up to 80-85% battery level. This might help you: How to Check Battery Percentage. Why? Because, if your phone goes off suddenly while installing a custom ROM, flashing an official firmware update or installing mods etc. — your phone might get bricked or go dead permanently. No one wants that, right?
3. Most of the tutorials and how-to guides on Team Android are for factory unlocked Android phones and tablets. We recommend NOT to try our guides if your phone is locked to a carrier, unless we have specified the carrier name or device model.
If you run into any problems, feel free to drop us a comment below and we will reply you back ASAP with the fix or the solution to your problem.
