S9 update to 4.0

[Nico1]

Hello,

I have a Samsung S9 plus running 3.7.3 and I got informed that the update to 4 is available. When I press on download I get a warning that my phone will have to be factory reset in order to apply the update and that all data on the phone will be lost. This is due to a change in file system. Is it correct that I have to wipe my entire phone to get to 4,0?

[Manoj]

@Nico1

I get a warning that my phone will have to be factory reset in order to apply the update

@Manoj

(Devices marked with an ‘*’ have an issue with FDE encryption which requires format before the OS can be upgraded. This essential means there would be data loss. If we are able to build a A15 build for these devices, the user will have to manual install it and that would require first taking a backup of all data.)

Yes, it means you will have to factory reset your phone to get that update.

[wojtek2]

I have the same issue with my Samsug Galaxy S9. What does it mean in this context that I have to do “factory reset”? I am a non-technical person and its’ not obvious for me. How to do factory reset when I have /e/OS version: 3.7.1-s-20260416608787-official-starlte ?

Additionally, my worry is that If I will do factory reset, I assume that my phone will be empty and there will be no button called “update to /e/OS 4.0”. So how will I do an update when my phone will be empty?

I have already made backaup of all my files on the phone, and notes are in my Murena account so I guess they are safe (I have checked it by logging in to my Murena account from the computer and web browser and everything is there).

Please give a hint for a non-technical person how to proceed.

Regards!

[piero]

@wojtek2

If I will do factory reset

Your device will be as a never used e-3.7.1-s or more probably as a never used e-4.0-a15

[aibd]

@piero is correct, of course.

Just to precis your question you are asking for specific reassurance re

@Manoj

which requires format before the OS can be upgraded.

Before apply the download critical or not?

You can Format data from Settings > System > Reset options. (Also, alternatively, after boot into e-Recovery.)

If Format data before; the Updater of the new “clean” system will find the Upgrade, even if you have to press Refresh to find it again.

[wojtek2]

Thank you! It worked!

I did Format data from Settings > System > Reset options

This resulted in formatting the phone. The phone looked like a fresh one. The “Update” button was active and I was able to update may phone to 4.0.

[El_Rapha]

Hum, I don’t understand this discussion because, I did the upgrade to V4 on my S9 and the factory reset has been done during the upgrade. I didn’t do the factory reset before to upgrade.
You just have to launch the upgrade, wait and lose your data

[Rob1971]

I also have the same issue, S9 update to V4.0, requiring factory reset.

So the 4.0 Update automatically performs the Factory Reset ? no need to do that separately ??

Is there an easy way to backup all your apps and its data, or must I note what apps I have installed and reinstall them (and backing up any data for each, if I can), seems a job and a half !

”(Devices marked with an ‘*’ have an issue with FDE encryption” … is this due to the phones age, and will this be an ongoing issue for it, and should i get a more recent phone to stop the requirement to do a Factory Reset occurring again for a reasonable period ??