How to update the radio module on Android: a complete guide with risks and solutions

The radio module in smartphones based on Android is responsible for communications: mobile data, calls, SMS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Over time, its firmware becomes outdated, which leads to signal problems, connection interruptions, or slow network performance. Updating the radio module can solve these problems, but the process requires caution - incorrect actions can turn the phone into a “brick”.

In this article we will analyze all current update methods (from official to manual), we will explain when it is really necessary, and when it is better to refrain. You will also learn how to check the current version of the radio module, where to download the correct firmware files, and what to do if the connection is lost after the update. The material is suitable for most brands - Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, OnePlus and others, but taking into account their features.

⚠️ Warning: The process of updating the radio module may void the warranty and damage the device. If you are not confident in your skills, contact a service center. Some manufacturers (for example, Samsung) block manual updating via Odín on new models.

What is a radio module and why update it

Radio module (or modem) is a chip + software that controls all wireless interfaces of the smartphone. Its firmware (firmware) is updated less frequently than the main Android OS, but plays a critical role:

• 📶 Improving signal stability: fixes bugs with connection interruptions in the metro or on the outskirts of cities.
• 🚀 Support for new standards: for example, adding 5G or improved VoLTE for models 2020–2023.
• 🔋 Optimizing power consumption: reduces battery consumption when actively using the mobile data.
• 🛡️ Fixing vulnerabilities: closes gaps that can be exploited to intercept data.

However, updating the radio module only for the sake of updating is not worth it. This is when you really need it:

• ❌ The phone does not catch the network where other devices work stably.
• ❌ Frequent call drops or “disappearing” SMS.
• ❌ mobile data works at speed 2G, although the operator supports 4G/5G.
• ❌ In the system logs (##4636##) errors like Radio off or Modem crash.

If there are no problems, it’s better not to risk it. Incorrect update can lead to:

• 🔴 Loss of IMEI (the phone will become “invisible” for operators).
• 🔴 “Brick” of the device (complete boot failure).
• 🔴 Disruption of GPS or Bluetooth.

How to check the current version of the radio module

Before updating, you need to find out the current firmware version of the radio module. This will help you choose the right file for the upgrade and avoid conflicts. Verification methods depend on the manufacturer:

Method 1: Through the engineering menu (universal method)

1. Open the application Phone and enter the combination:

##4636##

2. In the menu that opens, select Phone information.

3. Scroll down to the block Baseband version —this is the version of the radio module. For example:

• Samsung: G975FXXU7FUE5
• Xiaomi: V13.0.9.0.SKFMIXM
• Google Pixel: g5123-00117-221019-B-8980335

Method 2: Through Android settings

Go to Settings → About phone → Software information. Look for the lines:

• Baseband version (for Samsung, LG).
• Modem firmware version (for Xiaomi, Redmi).
• Baseband (for Google Pixel, OnePlus).

Method 3: Via ADB (for advanced users)

Connect the phone to PC with installed ADB tools and run the command:

adb shell getprop gsm.version.baseband

The response will be a line with the version, for example:

g5123-00117-221019-B-8980335

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei or Honor) the version of the radio module may be displayed in encrypted form or not in standard menus. In this case, use specialized applications like DevCheck or CPU-Z.

Official ways to update the radio module

The most The safest way is to use the tools provided by the manufacturer. They minimize risks, but are not available for all models.

1. Update via OTA (over the air)

Many manufacturers include radio module updates in standard OTA packages. To check for updates:

1. Go to Settings → System → Software update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. If an update is available with marked Modem or Baseband —install it.

✅ Pros: maximum security, maintaining the warranty.

❌ Cons: updates are released rarely and may not solve your specific problem.

2. Through the manufacturer's proprietary utilities

Some brands offer desktop apps for manual updating:

Brand	Utility	Supported models	Link to download
Samsung	Smart Switch	Galaxy S/A/Note/J/Z/Fold from 2018	Samsung official website
Xiaomi	Mi Flash Tool	All devices on MIUI	en.miui.com/a-234.html
Google	Android Flash Tool	Pixel 3 and later	flash.android.com
OnePlus	Oxygen Updater	OnePlus 6 and newer	oxygenupdater.com

🔹 Instructions for Samsung Smart Switch:

1. Install Smart Switch on PC.
2. Connect your phone via USB (turn on USB debugging to developer settings).
3. In the app, select Update → Update.
4. If a modem update is available, confirm the installation.

What to do if Smart Switch doesn’t see the update?

Sometimes Samsung servers delay the distribution of updates. Try:

1. Connect through another region (use VPN).

2. Clear Smart Switch cache (%LocalAppData%\Samsung\SmartSwitch\).

3. Wait 1-2 days and check again.

⚠️ Attention: Proprietary utilities can reset network settings after updating. Save your operator's APN in advance (they can be found on the provider's website).

Manually updating the radio module: step-by-step guide

If official methods do not help, you can update the radio module manually. This method is suitable for experienced users and requires an unlocked bootloader (bootloader).

1. Preparing the device

Before you start:

Make a backup copy of your data (photos, contacts, SMS)

Check the battery charge (at least 60%)

Install drivers for your model (Samsung USB Driver, Xiaomi Driver, etc.)

Download the correct version of the radio module firmware

Unlock the bootloader (if required)-->

🔹 Where to download radio module firmware:

• 📱 Samsung: sites SamMobile, Sammobile Firmware (look for files marked CP or Modem).
• 📱 Xiaomi: forums XDA Developers or 4PDA (firmware section for your model).
• 📱 Google Pixel: official repository Google Factory Images (look for the file in the archive radio-*.img).
• 📱 OnePlus: site Oxygen Updater or OnePlus Community.

⚠️ Attention: Never install the firmware of the radio module from a different model or region (for example, files for Galaxy S22 SM-S901B will not be suitable for SM-S901U). This will lead to a broken connection or a brick.

2. Firmware via Odin (for Samsung)

Instructions for devices Samsung with processors Exynos or Snapdragon (except for models for the USA/Canada):

1. Download Odin3 (version 3.14.4 or later) and the radio module firmware (file with extension .tar.md5).
2. Run Odin as administrator.
3. Turn off the phone and switch it to mode Download Mode (press Volume Down + Power, then Volume Up).
4. Connect the device to the PC. A message should appear in Odin Added!.
5. Press CP and select the radio module firmware file.
6. Uncheck Auto Reboot (important!).
7. Press Start and wait for completion (green status PASS!).
8. Manually reboot the phone by pressing Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds.

3. Firmware via Fastboot (for Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi)

For devices with an unlocked bootloader:

1. Unpack the archive with the firmware and find the radio module file (usually radio.img or modem.bin).
2. Transfer the phone to mode Fastboot (press Volume Down + Power).
3. Connect to the PC and run the command:

fastboot flash radio radio.img

For some devices (for example, Xiaomi), an additional command may be required:

fastboot flash modem modem.bin

4. After completion, restart the phone:

fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: On devices Xiaomi with a processor MediaTek (series Redmi Note 10/11), the firmware of the radio module may require Mi account authorization. Without it, the phone will be blocked!

4. Firmware via TWRP (for custom firmware)

If custom recovery is installed on your device (TWRP), you can flash the radio module through it:

1. Download the radio module file in the format .zip (for example, from XDA).
2. Reboot to TWRP (press Volume Up + Power).
3. Select Install and specify the path to the file.
4. Confirm the firmware by swiping.
5. After completion, execute Wipe → Dalvik/Cache and reboot.

🔹 Important: Firmware via TWRP is only suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader and may conflict with official updates.

What to do if there is no network after updating the radio module

If after the firmware the phone stops receiving the network, do not panic. In 80% of cases, the problem can be solved without contacting service.

1. Checking IMEI

First make sure that the IMEI has not been reset. To do this, enter:

*#06#

If instead of the number it is displayed Null or Unknown, use one of the recovery methods:

• 🔄 For Samsung: flash the full stock firmware via Odin (files AP + BL + CP + CSC).
• 🔄 For Xiaomi: use Mi Flash Tool with option Clean All.
• 🔄 For Qualcomm smartphones: restore IMEI via QCN file (backup required).

2. Reset network settings

Go to Settings → System → Reset → Reset network settings. This will delete saved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, but often solves problems with mobile communications.

3. Manually adding APN

If there is a network, but the mobile data does not work:

1. Go to Settings → Mobile network → Access points (APN).
2. Click Add and enter the parameters of your operator (they can be found on the official website).
3. Save and select a new APN.

4. Checking the antenna (hardware problem)

If none of the methods helped, perhaps there was a failure during the firmware that damaged the hardware. Signs:

• The phone does not see none network (even manually).
• In the engineering menu (##4636##) is displayed Radio off.
• After reboot, the IMEI is reset again.

In this case, diagnostics are required at a service center.

Risks and how to minimize them

Updating the radio module is not a harmless procedure. Here are the main risks and ways to avoid them:

Risk	Cause	How to avoid
IMEI loss	Incompatible firmware or recording failure	Use only official files for your model/region
Device brick	Interrupting the firmware process	Flash with a full battery and a stable USB connection
GPS malfunction	Conflict between versions of the radio module and the main firmware	Update the radio module only after updating Android
Locking the bootloader	Firmware on a locked bootloader	Unlock the bootloader before starting procedures

🔹 Additional precautions:

• 🔋 Always check MD5 hash downloaded firmware (for example, via 7-Zip or HashMyFiles).
• 📡 Before flashing the firmware, disable your antivirus and firewall on your PC - they can block utilities like Odin.
• 📱 On devices with Dynamic Partition (Android 10+) do not flash the radio module separately - use the full firmware package.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra c Exynos 2200), updating the radio module may require a special authorization key from the manufacturer. Without it, the firmware will fail with an error SW REV CHECK FAIL.

Updating the radio module on popular models: features

Each manufacturer brings its own nuances to the update process. Let's look at the most common brands.

Samsung Galaxy (Exynos/Snapdragon)

🔹 Features:

• For models USA/Canada (for example, SM-S901U) a utility is required Samsung Firmware Tool instead of Odin.
• On devices with One UI 5.0+ it may be necessary to disable OEM Unlock in the developer settings before firmware.
• Flashing the radio module separately from the main firmware is possible only on models up to Galaxy S21. New ones require a full package.

Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco

🔹 Features:

• For firmware via Fastboot you need to authorize your Mi account (you need to wait 7-15 days after unlocking the bootloader).
• On devices with MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 11) the radio module is flashed with the command fastboot flash modem modem.bin.
• After the update, a reset may be required via Mi Flash Tool with the option Clean All and Lock.

Google Pixel

🔹 Features:

• Official images the firmware contains the radio module in the file radio-*.img.
• On Pixel 6/7 with the chip Google Tensor firmware of the radio module is possible only through Android Flash Tool.
• After the update, flashing may be required bootloader (file bootloader-*.img).

OnePlus

🔹 Features:

• For models OnePlus 8T and newer the radio module is updated only through Oxygen Updater or Local Upgrade.
• On devices with ColorOS (for example, OnePlus Nord 2) firmware is required via Oppo Flash Tool.
• After updating, it may reset Wi-Fi MAC address —it will have to be restored via QCN.

⚠️ Attention: Details of the process may vary depending on the region and firmware version. For example, Samsung often blocks manual updating of the radio module on devices sold through telecom operators (for example, AT&T or Verizon).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about updating the radio module

Is it possible to update the radio module without unlocking the bootloader?

On most devices - no. Exceptions:

• Some models Samsung (up to Galaxy S10) allow you to flash the radio module via Odin without unlocking.
• Device Google Pixel can be updated via OTA or Android Flash Tool without unlocking.

On Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme and other brands, unlocking is required.

How to roll back a radio module to a previous version?

To rollback:

1. Download the old version of the radio module firmware (for example, from XDA or 4PDA).
2. Flash it in the same way as the new one (via Odin, Fastboot or TWRP).
3. If there is no network after the rollback, reset the settings (Wipe Data in Recovery).

⚠️ On Samsung the rollback may block the device due to Knox.

Why did the phone begin to discharge faster after updating the radio module?

Possible reasons:

• The new version of the radio module actively scans networks (especially if support is added 5G).
• Conflict with the main firmware (for example, the radio module is from Android 13, and the system is from Android 12).
• Failure of the modem processor (solved by flashing the firmware).

Solutions:

• Disable 5G in the mobile network settings.
• Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruption).
• Roll back to the previous version of the radio module.

Is it possible to update the radio module on a phone with custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)?

Yes, but with reservations:

• Use a radio module compatible with the version Androidon which the custom one is based firmware.
• On some firmware (for example, LineageOS), the radio module is updated only through TWRP.
• After the update, you may need to flash vendor and firmware from stock firmware.

🔹 Important: On Xiaomi with custom firmware, updating the radio module often leads to loss of IMEI. It is recommended to make a backup copy persist And nvram.

Where to find radio module firmware for a rare model?

If there are no files for your model on official resources, try:

• 🔍 Forums XDA Developers (section of your device).
• 🔍 Telegram chats dedicated to your model (for example, @SamsungGalaxyS22Chat).
• 🔍 Sites like Firmware.mobi or SamMobile (paid access).
• 🔍 Groups on 4PDA (look for topics marked [Firmware]).

⚠️ Be careful: files from unofficial sources may contain malicious code. Always check MD5 and reviews from other users.