You can download the Samsung Galaxy S8+ SM-G955U firmware by using the SamFirm_Reborn Tool, Bifrost – Samsung Firmware Downloader Tool, or Frija.

Samsung purposefully makes it difficult to download and install the firmware manually compared to other smartphone manufacturers that run the same Android operating system. Even if you were to manage to download firmware from Samsung, they ensure that the files are encrypted to prevent everyday webmasters and readers from being able to use them. Many sites have managed to decrypt these files, but it’s asking a lot of those searching for them to trust what the websites have done. That is why you should prefer tools that are dedicated to downloading and decrypting the firmware files for you. And there are a couple of reliable ones — SamFirm_Reborn and Samsung Firmware Downloader — that have been developed by experienced and recognized developers whose work is on GitHub and XDA Developers.

Here are the most reliable tools for downloading Samsung firmware files, such as what you want for the Samsung SM-G531F so you can install them with Samsung’s proprietary flashing software, Odin.

See also: How to Extract boot.img from Samsung Firmware

1. SamFirm_Reborn

SamFirm_Reborn is a tool developed by XDA Recognized Developer Ivan Meler and is a very reliable tool for downloading firmware files that are ready to be flashed. SamFirm_Reborn is open source software and comes with a command-line for adminsitrators who prefer to use it. But for everyone else, there is an easy-to-use GUI as you would expect from any noteworthy tool for everyday users.

You can use SamFirm_Reborn for any Samsung galaxy device. All you need is your device’s model number and region and to enter that information into the GUI, where it asks for the information. The tool is then capable for downloading for you the decrypted firmware file you’re looking for.

Download: SamFirm_Reborn

2. Bifrost – Samsung Firmware Downloader

Samsung Firmware Downloader is a tool developed by Zachary Wander also of XDA Developers. Zachary originally developed Samloader, a solution for downloading Samsung firmware files directly from the command line. The only requirement of Samloader was Python 3, meaning you didn’t even need a Windows operating system. But the command line isn’t for everybody; many aren’t comfortable unless they have a GUI to work with. And that’s what Samsung Firmware Downloader offers.

The Samsung Firmware Downloader is feature-rich, offering users the chance to check for updates, decrypt firmware files, and of course, a downloader to download the firmware. There is also a history section, which Zachary says may be removed in the future. For now, history shows a complete list of firmware versions available for a model and region.

Download: Bifrost – Samsung Firmware Downloader

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How to Extract boot.img From Samsung Firmware

You can extract a boot.img from Samsung firmware using the free 7zip open-source file archiver which can extract and compress many different file formats. Download 7zip and then do the following:

  1. Rename the .tar.md5 to .tar.
  2. Open the .tar file and unpack boot.img.lz4.
  3. Unpack boot.img.lz4 file.

2. How to Update Firmware on Samsung Phone

The most recent versions of Android will update automatically in the background for you. However, you can also navigate to Settings > System Updates > Check for updates, and your smartphone will update if new software is found. The third way is the manual way and for that, you need to use Samsung’s proprietary flashing tool called Odin.

3. How Long Does Samsung Firmware Update Take

Most Samsung firmware is flashed in five to ten minutes. The exact time varies because each file size is different. Naturally the larger the file, the longer you can expect to wait. And the later the version of Android, typically the larger the file will be. So these times are not dropping as the years go on but rather probably rising.