This page provides download sources and instructions for the official stock firmware for every Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra variant. Whether you need to unbrick your device, restore to factory state, downgrade, or prepare for rooting, you will need the correct stock firmware for your exact model and region.
Identify Your Model and Region
Before downloading, you must know your exact model number and CSC region code:
Model number: Settings → About Phone → Model Number (e.g., SM-S938B)
CSC code: Settings → About Phone → Software Information → Service Provider SW Ver. The three-letter code after the slash is your CSC (e.g., XSG = UAE, INS = India, BTU = United Kingdom, TMB = T-Mobile US).
Galaxy S26 Ultra Variants
- SM-S938B — International / Exynos or Snapdragon (depending on region), used in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa
- SM-S938U — United States (carrier locked or unlocked), Snapdragon
- SM-S938U1 — United States (factory unlocked), Snapdragon
- SM-S938N — South Korea, Snapdragon
- SM-S938W — Canada, Snapdragon
- SM-S9380 — China / Hong Kong, Snapdragon
Critical: Never flash firmware from one variant on another. SM-S938B firmware will not work on SM-S938U and vice versa. Flashing wrong variant firmware can hard-brick your device.
Where to Download Stock Firmware
SamFW.com (Recommended)
Free, fast downloads with no speed limits. Shows all available firmware versions for every model and CSC combination. Simply enter your model number, select your CSC, and download the latest or any previous version. The site also provides firmware changelogs and file sizes.
Frija (Desktop Tool)
A Windows application that downloads firmware directly from Samsung's official FUS (Firmware Update Server). Always gets the latest version available on Samsung's servers. No registration required. Enter model number and CSC, click Check Update, then Download.
Samloader (Command Line)
Open-source Python tool that downloads from Samsung's servers. Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Best for scripting and automation. Install via pip: pip install samloader, then run: samloader download -m SM-S938B -r XSG.
SamMobile.com
Large firmware database with detailed firmware information. Free downloads available but with speed limits on the free tier. Premium membership removes speed limits. Good for finding older firmware versions that other sources may not have.
Firmware File Contents
After downloading and extracting the ZIP file, you will find these files:
- BL_*.tar.md5 — Bootloader. Controls the boot process and security checks.
- AP_*.tar.md5 — Application Processor. Contains boot image, system, vendor, recovery, and VBMETA. This is the largest file (5-7 GB).
- CP_*.tar.md5 — Communication Processor (Modem). Contains cellular baseband firmware.
- CSC_*.tar.md5 — Consumer Software Customization. Region-specific settings, APN configs, carrier apps. Flashing CSC performs a factory reset.
- HOME_CSC_*.tar.md5 — Same as CSC but preserves user data (no factory reset).
How to Flash Stock Firmware
See our complete Flash Tool & How to Flash guide for step-by-step Odin instructions. Quick summary:
- Install Samsung USB drivers on PC.
- Boot phone into Download Mode (Vol Down + Vol Up + USB cable).
- Open Odin, load BL/AP/CP/CSC files.
- Click Start, wait for PASS.
Firmware Version Format Explained
Samsung firmware versions follow this pattern: S938BXXU1AXA1
- S938B — Model number
- XX — Multi-CSC (region-independent part)
- U1 — Bootloader version (important: cannot downgrade bootloader)
- AX — Year and month (A=2026, X=November... Samsung uses its own encoding)
- A1 — Build revision
Bootloader downgrade protection: Once you flash firmware with bootloader version U2, you cannot go back to U1. The bootloader only moves forward. If you try to flash older bootloader firmware, Odin will fail or the device will not boot. Always check bootloader versions before downgrading firmware.
Common Use Cases
Unbricking: Flash complete stock firmware (BL + AP + CP + CSC) to recover from bootloop, soft brick, or stuck logo. Use CSC for full wipe.
Preparing for root: Download firmware to extract AP file for Magisk patching.
Restoring after root: Flash stock AP to restore original boot image. Use HOME_CSC to keep data.
Updating manually: When OTA updates fail, download the target firmware and flash via Odin with HOME_CSC.
Changing region/CSC: Flash firmware with a different CSC to change region settings, default apps, and carrier configuration.
Firmware reference by XDA Unlocker Team. Last updated: July 2026.