Sprint began pushing the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge 5.1.1 OTA update few days ago, but in case OTA installation failed you, you can now download the full firmware in Odin flashable TAR format, to manually install the Sprint 5.1.1 update all by yourself — with the help of PC Odin software, of course. If you rooted your device earlier, and thus had changed the system partition, or had a custom recovery like TWRP installed, then this OF7 Odin TAR full firmware is big help for you. The OF7 update for both Sprint S6 and Sprint S6 Edge has hit the for download today.

There are two methods for upgrading to 5.1.1. Take note of this carefully please if you are interested in downgrading back to Android 5.0 in future — for whatever reason that may be. The first method is our traditional one, using the Odin PC software, that requires no preparation. Just follow the guide under method 1 and you’ll be done. But, you will not be able to downgrade back to Android 5.0, ever! If rooting Sprint S6 and Sprint S6 Edge on 5.1.1 update is your concern, it’s already available! So don’t worry about that.

But, if you want to downgrade back to Android 5.0 in future, then follow method 2. Under this method, we use the FlashFire android app, linked below in method 2 guide, and you need root access for this, also linked in guide below.

Before you hit up the download and begin installing the update, know that once you install the 5.1.1 update using Odin, you won’t be able to downgrade back to Android 5.0 ever. If you wanna downgrade, use the method 2 given below.

How to update Sprint Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge to Android 5.1.1 OF7 build

Downloads

Looking for root? By the way, if you need to root your device after updating to Android 5.1.1, just check the root page we linked above.

Supported devices

  • SPRINT GALAXY S6 and S6 EDGE, model no. SM-G920P and SM-G925P respectively
  • Don’t try this on any other Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge device than model no. G920P or G925P
  • Don’t try on any other device whatsoever!

Instructions

Disclamer: Installing an official firmware through Odin doesn’t void your device’s warranty, but it remains an unofficial process and thus you need to be cautious of it. In any case, you only are responsible for your device. We won’t be liable if any damage occurs to your device and/or its components.

Backup important files stored on your device before proceeding with the steps below, so that in case something goes wrong you’ll have backup of all your important files. Sometimes, Odin installation may delete everything on your device!

METHOD 1 - USING ODIN PC SOFTWARE

This is a very simple method to upgrade to Android 5.1, as it requires no preparation. Just install and you are done. But, you won’t be able to downgrade back to Android 5.0! If you want that, use method 2 given below, right after this method.

The guide applies to both S6 and S6 Edge.

  1. Download the Odin software and firmware file from above relevant for your device — Sprint S6, or Sprint S6 Edge.
    (Note: If you want the ability to downgrade to 5.0, don’t use this method. Instead, look for method 2 on this page.)
  2. Install Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge drivers (method 1 there!) first of all. Double click the .exe file of drivers to begin installation. (Not required if you have already done this.)
  3. Extract the firmware file now. You can use a free software like 7-zip for this. Install 7-zip, then right click on firmware file and under 7-zip, select ‘Extract here’.
  4. You should get the a file in .tar.md5 format now. We will be loading this file into Odin, to be installed on your Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge (in step 10 below).
  5. Extract the Odin file. You should get this file, Odin3 v3.10.6.exe (other files could be hidden, hence not visible).
  6. Disconnect your S6 from PC if it is connected.
  7. Boot Galaxy S6 into download mode:
    1. Power off your S6. Wait 6-7 seconds after screen goes off.
    2. Press and hold the three buttons Volume Down + Power + Home together until you see warning screen.
    3. Press Volume Up to continue to download mode.
  8. Double click on extracted file of Odin, Odin3 v3.10.6.exe, to open the Odin window, as shown below. Be careful with Odin, and do just as said to prevent problems.
    Odin 3.10.6
  9. Connect your Galaxy S6 to PC now using USB cable. Odin should recognize your S6. It’s a must. When it recognizes, you will see Added!! message appearing in the Log box in bottom left, and the first box under ID:COM will also show a no. and turn its background blue. Look at the pic below.
    • You cannot proceed until you get the Added!! message, which confirms that Odin has recognized your device.
    • If you don’t get Added!! message, you need to install/re-install drivers again, and use the original cable that came with device. Mostly, drivers are the problem (look at step 2 above).
    • You can try different USB ports on your PC too, btw.
      Odin 3.10.6 Added message
  10. Load the firmware file into Odin (that you got in step 3 above). Click the AP button on Odin and the select the .tar.md5 file you got in step 3 above, upon doing extracting the downloaded .zip file.
    • Info: When you load files, Odin checks the md5 of firmware file, which takes time. So, simply wait until that’s done and the firmware file is loaded. Don’t worry if Odin gets unresponsive for a while, it’s normal. Binary size will also show up in Odin.
      Odin 3.10.6 Firmware loaded after md5 check
  11. Make sure Re-partition checkbox is NOT selected, under the Options tab. Don’t use PIT tab either. Go back to Log tab btw, it will show the progress when you hit start button in next step.
    Re-partition Remains Off
  12. Click the Start button on Odin now to start flashing the firmware on your Galaxy S6. Wait till installation is finished, after which your S6 will reboot automatically. You’ll get PASS message as show below upon successful installation from Odin.
    • If Odin gets stuck at setup connection, then you need to do steps 6 to 12 again. For this, close Odin, disconnect your device, remove battery, insert it back after 5-6 seconds and then start from step 6 again.
    • Or, if you get FAIL in the top left box, you need to try flashing again, as stated just above.
      Odin 3.10.6 Pass Message Appears
  13. First start of the device may take time, so wait patiently again. Check the Settings > About phone to confirm new firmware.

That’s it. Enjoy the Android 5.1.1 OF7 update firmware, on your Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge!

If you need any help with this, let us know via comments below and we will try our best to help you out.

METHOD 2 - USING FLASHFIRE ANDROID APP (NEEDS ROOT)

This method retains your device’s ability to downgrade easily when needed.

The guide applies to both S6 and S6 Edge.

  1. Download the firmware file from above as relevant for device — Sprint S6, or Sprint S6 Edge.
    (Note: If you DO NOT want the ability to downgrade to 5.0, then don’t use this method. Instead, look for method 1 on this page that is far easy and doesn’t require root access for updating, but you will lose ability to downgrade.)
  2. Extract the firmware file now. You can use a free software like 7-zip for this. Install 7-zip, then right click on firmware file and under 7-zip, select ‘Extract here’.
  3. You should get the a file in .tar.md5 format now. We will be loading this file into Odin, to be installed on your Galaxy S6 (in step 10 below).
  4. Connect your Galaxy S6 to PC, and transfer the tar file to phone. Remember the location where you save it.
  5. Make sure you have root access. You can use PingPong root if your current firmware is supported. Otherwise, use cf-auto-root.
  6. It’s good to set the ‘Screen timeout’ to 10 minutes under Settings > Display.
  7. Disconnect the phone, and download the Flashfire android app that we will use to flash the firmware in tar format:
    1. Login into Google using the same Gmail ID that you are using on phone. Go to Google+ page and join the community.
    2. Next, sign up here to be able to install the app from play store and receive updates.
    3. Use the play store link provided thereafter to get to pay store page of the app and install it. It may take hours before it shows up for you in play store. You can only wait.
  8. Open the Flashfire app. Provide it root permissions by tapping on Grant on the pop-up that shows up. And tap on Agree button on the Disclaimer pop-up that comes only one time. (Tip: Read the Instructions section, it’s helpful.)
  9. Tap on + sign, select ‘Flash firmware package’ and then select the firmware tar file you got from step 3 here.
    FlashFire Firmware partitions
  10. A pop-up will appear about md5 checksum, simply tap on OK button. Now, FlashFire will bring up of selection all available partitions in the .tar in a list you want to install on device. Select all partitions except Modem and Preload/Hidden partition. Then tap on the right checkmark button at right top corner.
    → Take care to NOT select Preload/Hidden and Modem partition, otherwise you could brick your device.
  11. On main screen, tap on EverRoot, and un-tick all options. Hit checkmark button, of course, then.
  12. Leave the process cache option as it is.
  13. Okay, you are all set to drop down the lightening. Hit the FLASH button at bottom now to start flashing process. Tap on OK to confirm.
    Important! Btw, it seems Flashfire reboots the device before completely finish the process. To prevent that, there’s a small trick, keep hitting volume up/down every few seconds. Take care of this!
  14. If you find an issue wherein you get stuck with the setup, then just do the factory reset from the recovery mode. Here’s how:
    1. Power off your S6.
    2. Press and hold Power + Home + Volume Up until you see Samsung’s logo. Release the buttons then and you will see blue screen. Wait for like 20-25 seconds and you will boot into recovery mode soon. You’ll find 3e recovery written at the top, that’s stock Android recovery.
    3. Use volume buttons to move the selection highlight to wipe data/factory reset option, and then press power button to select it. Confirm with Yes on next screen. When done, you will be back at recovery’s home screen.
    4. Select Reboot system now to restart the device. It will work alright this time around.

That would be it. Soon enough, you would have the Android 5.1.1 OF7 update firmware running on your Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge. Enjoy! And do share this page with anyone who you think would find it useful.

If there is anything you wanna ask to us in this regard, sure let us know via comments below.