Galaxy Alpha Upgrade to 5.1

[crosstiger]

Hey guys I’m in a slight dilemma,

 

I’m using my galaxy alpha since nearly one year now and I’m pretty upset how Samsung handles updates. Android 5 is actually available for some Alpha's but apparently not for all. Here in Germany if you bought a Alpha with o2 or Vodafone branding you already received Android 5. But not if you got a device with Telekom or none branding at all (like me). Now, I want to upgrade my Alpha to 5.0 or 5.1 not only because of some new features and look, but also to fix some security issues (like stagefright).

 

There are two things I want to talk about. First the installation of an official Rom and second an unofficial. Now, the "official" I’m talking about is a Rom that is already available for the Alpha but from a different country (without any branding). See here http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/SM-G850F/

 

In particular I was thinking of the French 5.02 Rom released in April 2015. But there are some things I was wondering about:

 

- If I install a Rom from a different country, could I get some issues with stuff like phone calls and mobile data as the device (may?) try to use the French mobile network and not the German one?! (I live close to the French border.)

- Do I receive future updates? If yes, from a French vendor?!

- What's the deal with the "PDA" and "CSC" number? I've found a similar number in the device info of my Alpha (G850FXXU1BOA2). But that number is not in the list. Even not for a Android 4.4.4 Rom.

 

The unofficial Rom is a Resurrection Remix. See here http://forum.resurrectionremix.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=prtsikt0k4ejnvk508afaejra2&topic=2037.new#new , and here for the xda device thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-alpha/development/rom-resurrectionremix-v5-4-5-t3117915

 

What do you guys think I should do to get Android 5? There is no official version of cyanogenmod available. I have the feeling Samsung completely skip Android 5 for my device and may go directly to Android 6. I heard rumors that 6 is in development for the A-Series and the Alpha.

 

Thanks

[crosstiger]

Well... I'm one step smarter now.

 

I've read the whole xda post regarding the Resurrection Remix for the Alpha and apparently it require the stock 5.0 Rom to be installed. Mainly because of the modem. Well... to bad if you don't receive the Stock 5.0 ROM!!! :angry:

It was at first a bit confusing because the main thread of RR says that you only need cm11 or Stock 4.x.x Rom preinstalled. But apparently this doesn't count for the Alpha.

 

Now, I still could install a Stock 5.02 Rom from another country. Maye this one http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/46564/G850FXXU2COD4_G850FOXACOD4_XEF/ But I still don't know if I would get any issues with phone calls....

[crosstiger]

Ok guys,

 

I managed to upgrade to official Android 5.0.2. I used the "Nordic countries" firmware found here http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/download/55954/G850FXXU2COI3_G850FNEE2COI1_NEE/ If you also want to upgrade your Alpha but don't receive the automatic update here are some useful links...

 

Installation guide I used. It's very good http://www.android.gs/install-official-android-5-0-2-lollipop-update-for-international-galaxy-alpha-g850f/

Odin 3. I used Odin 3.10.7 http://odindownload.com/SamsungOdin/

 

Just remember. This is only for the SM-G850F model!!