Galaxy S8 Oreo beta users: Do NOT flash ‘latest’ software through Smart Switch
I woke up this morning to an email from a Galaxy S8+ user running the Oreo beta in India, saying that there’s a new update for his device on Samsung’s Smart Switch software. I fired up my PC in excitement, thinking it might be the final release of Oreo. But as it turns out, Smart Switch is trying to revert devices on the Oreo beta back to not just an official build of Nougat, but one that isn’t even the latest Nougat firmware available. The most recent Nougat build for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in India is XXU1AQL5, but according to Smart Switch, it’s XXU1AQK7.
Oreo beta users need to stay away from Smart Switch
I’ll get straight to the point here: If you are a beta tester and see an update for the Galaxy S8 or S8+ on Smart Switch, do not install that update. Going back to an older version of Android means all your data gets wiped, which is something the final release of Oreo won’t do. It’s unclear why Samsung’s official desktop client is notifying Oreo beta testers that a “new software update is available” and trying to pass off an older firmware as the latest version. But it could spell trouble for some, as excited users may just hit the update button on Smart Switch without reading the not-so-fine print about a device’s data getting wiped upon returning to stable software from a beta release.
We’ll let you know once Samsung starts seeding the official Oreo update to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, which may happen before the month is over. For now, stay away from Smart Switch unless you want to go back to Nougat and stop using the Oreo beta (which may or may not be causing issues on your S8 or S8+).
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This is bollox … why are you printing this crap … genuine beta software testing versions can only be downloaded OTA … what a load of b***** this has been the same for months… every one knows this !!!
It says on the beta FAQ that this happens, have you actually read it? I mean seriously, Samsung beta team ALSO says it in community when people ask.
Yes, was just trying to warn folks here to be careful with that, since some might just flash the firmware thinking it’s official Oreo and lose data as a result. The one who tipped us was about to make the mistake, and would have seen his data get wiped if we hadn’t replied to him. Also, the FAQ doesn’t say Smart Switch will install an older version of stable software, does it?
I got OTA update last night, still shows beta flash on startup.
New version G950USQU2ZRAE
S8 US Sprint
This might make sense that Samsung want us to return back to stock Nougat to be able to get Oreo Official update. Perhaps, they will only give us update from Nougat to Oreo (Oreo beta to Oreo might have some troubles). Just a guess, off-course anything is possible for them.
It will go Oreo beta to Oreo, not nougat to oreo for official builds
No, beta users don’t have to roll back. It’ll go from beta to official Oreo.
Smart Switch does not even Work on a U.S. S8 or S8+ So we have nothing to worry about.
Works on my S8 here in US.
I hope I had read this article 2 weeks ago… hahaha, I had this problem.
Anyway, thank you!
Haha, exactly why we put this up. I was about to make the same mistake myself!
Thank you 😀
In all fairness, the official way to revert back to N is to download the “update” from Smart switch, and they explain this to you. so anyone on the Beta should know already that smart switch should not be used.
Yes, but putting up an older firmware as the latest seems odd. Also, beta’s over and update’s incoming, so it’s easy to get excited and hit the flash button without reading anything. 😛
why portrait photography Android phone O for 8 S not added ?
Because the S8 doesn’t have dual cameras, and it was only a rumor that portrait mode would be added with Oreo, not an official confirmation or indication from the company.