There has been a bit of an absence in posting here on Everything N9, and thats partly because we have all updated to PR 1.1 on the Nokia N9. Many readers may have it already, and some may be waiting. We at Everything N9 have written up this guide, to help you update to PR 1.1
First, the main disclaimer. This is a potentially dangerous procedure. The following guide is written for entertainment purposes only, and we at Everything N9 (and writers) are not responsible for any damage that may occur to any equipment, property, personal health, pets, or Angry Birds savegames, through the process of undertaking, or attempting to undertake, the below processes.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let's get onto the nitty gritty on how to update your Nokia N9 to the latest firmware version. This process holds true for any future firmware updates. There are 3 ways this update can be done, and they rate from easiest to hardest.Use method 1 first, then second, and only use method 3 as a last resort
First things first. Take a backup of all your data. This is done through Settings -> Sync and Backup -> Backup. Once the backup has been done, copy the files across to your computer. These will be in a .backups folder. There is the chance you will lose your data on your phone when doing a firmware update on your Nokia N9, so copy across anything else you may need. The PR 1.1 Update for the Nokia N9 will remove all your applications. These will have to be reinstalled. Ensure you unplug the phone after the backup, and before any PR 1.1 updates.
METHOD 1: OVER THE AIR (OTA) UPDATE
The easiest of the methods. Quite simple, once undertaking the backup, you may have received a software update alert on your phone. Chances are if you already have seen this alert, you are already on PR1.1, but just in case, follow this video:
METHOD 2: NOKIA SOFTWARE UPDATER
First download the Nokia Software Updater here: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Mobile-Phone-Tools/Nokia/Nokia-Software-Updater.shtml
Install the Nokia Software Updater. Plug your Nokia N9 into the computer, and ensure you select "Sync and Connect". The Nokia Software Updater should pick up your phone. If you get this screen, you can update your phone through the Nokia Software Updater. The download is 1.1GB, so ensure you have a good internet connection. Clicking "Install" will allow you to install PR 1.1 on the Nokia N9.
If however you get this screen, it means you can't upgrade through the Nokia Software Updater. If this is the case, you have to use option 3.
OPTION 3: FIRMWARE FLASHER
This option is by far the most risky. I highly recommend you do this option only if you are competent at using the command line, and can restore a dead phone in case things go wrong. I highly recommend you wait until option 1 or 2 becomes available, and that you do not follow the below. This is very risky, and can result in a dead Nokia N9. Run this correctly, and it should work. Incorrectly, and it could be catastrophic. We bear no responsibility if this results in a dead phone. Please note too that this method is not an official update. It is a hack, and could void your warranty.
Download Navifirm: http://www.symbian-toys.com/navifirm.aspx
Download the flasher: http://tablets-dev.nokia.com/maemo-dev-env-downloads.php?f=WinFlasher_3.12.1.exe . Install the flasher.
On your Nokia N9, go to Settings -> About Product, and take note of the numbers following PR_. In the picture I have shown below, mine is PR_005. I have already updated, so ignore the 40-4 part. On your Nokia N9, it will have 34.4.
Open Navifirm, and select "Production External" from the top left drop-down box.
In "Products", select "Nokia N9 (RM-696)"
In "Releases", select "40-4"
In "Variants", locate your country, phone colour, and capacity. If your country is not listed, then that is fine, select the generic firmware (the one located at the top). The country relates to region specific firmwares. More often than not there is no difference other than default language etc. *Ideally*, try and find a firmware where after PR_, it has the same numbers as you have, however this may be hard to do.
In "Files", untick everything except the 1.1GB file. This is the firmware you will need to download.
Click "Browse" to state where to download the file to. I recommend for ease of use, download the firmware to the same location that you installed the flasher.
Click "Download" to begin to download the firmware.
Open the Flasher through Start -> All Programs -> Nokia -> Flasher. Type in the following:
flasher -F <firmware image>.bin -f -R
Replace <firmware image> with the name of the firmware file, DFL61……. Ensure that you type it with the capitals and lower cases exactly.
All going well, you should see this screen:
If you do not see the above, you have typed in something incorrectly, or the firmware file is not in the Flasher folder.
Plug in the Nokia N9, it should automatically detect the Nokia N9, and begin to update your phone.Do not use your phone whilst this process is happening, do not disconnect the phone, and definitely do not cancel the flasher.
Once you have updated to PR 1.1, restore your backup, get installing some apps, and enjoy PR 1.1 
Any comments or questions on this article can be posted below.
Please note: Prior to undertaking any modification detailed above, understand that there are risks involved. Whilst every modification has been tested to work on the author's Nokia N9, there are no guarantees it will work on a different Nokia N9 or other mobile phone. EverythingN9 will not take responsibility for any effects of a mod, including hardware or software damage, telecommunication charges, or legal implications.
47 comments
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Jakub Caban
November 16, 2011 at 7:31 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Actually I've used another method (that worked much before update would pop for the on-air update):
- Enter Developers mode
- Run terminal app
- in terminal:
devel-su- enter password (rootme as default)
- type:
apt-get update- wait. If you get any warnings about some locks, try again – sometimes you have to wait for a few minutes for this command to work.
- type:
apt-get install mp-harmattan-001-pr- If everything goes right you will have like 650 package updates – simply press Enter and everything will run.
What is interesting – it didn't removed any of my apps!
But of course this method is somehow develish and probably dangerous. But works
Shaun
November 16, 2011 at 9:24 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Interesting method. Thanks for the tip Jakub. I will test it, and if it works, I will update this post.
Shaun
November 16, 2011 at 9:48 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Just tried to Jakub, on my own personal N9 it said it couldnt find such a package, but during an apt-get update there were several repositories that appeared to be offline. may be a country specific method. Will see if there are any other N9's that work with this method before we make it official.
sw17
November 29, 2011 at 11:41 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I got 'failed to fetch [ the maemo/nokia.com/harmattan…packages.gz'
Then a 'couldnt find package mp-harmattan-001-pr' error
Shaun
November 30, 2011 at 8:41 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Same error I received. It only appears to work for some people.
love n9
November 17, 2011 at 12:27 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
i have some questions
1.does flashing n9 using method 3 work in windows 7 pro 64 bit?
2.when we plug in n9, do we need to switch it off first?
3.can we flash our n9 using any firmwares in the list? or just only firmwares with same color and storage as mine?
thanks
Arie
November 17, 2011 at 7:11 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
1. yes, i flashed it from a windows 7 pro 64 bit device
2. i don't think so, maybe, I don't remember if I did or not.
3. it has to be the exact same firmware and color and storage as yours.
Shaun
November 17, 2011 at 10:59 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
1. Flashing should work under Windows 7 64bit. If the flasher does not detect the phone once it is plugged in, you may need to download the libusb drivers for your phone. Ensure the phone is switched off. Cancel any flashing going on. Plug the phone into the USB port, and then do the following steps: http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=849980&postcount=20 . Ignore the first and third line, and replace N900 with N9.
2. Highly recommended phone is switched off.
3. Definitely only use a compatible firmware. Size and colour at minimum. Try and get one for your region, if there is none for your region, use the generic one as mentioned in the post.
MrMI
November 20, 2011 at 7:16 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Updated today my N9 with the instructions above – result 99%. After downloading the backup to the phone I found out, that major part of the downloaded 3rd party apps were gone – at least no icons left…
After downloading and installing them again via Ovi Store and my-meego.com it seemed like they had not been removed totally… all the settings / information made with / in those particular apps were still there – just not visible…
At the moment the phone works like a charm – so it seems everything went ok!
Thank you!!
Arie
November 21, 2011 at 12:29 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Glad you could get it to work!
Héctor Cantú
November 23, 2011 at 1:17 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Great!!! Im from Mexico and my carrier wont make the update so i try the option 3 and it totally work. Now is really smooth. Thank You a lot for this.
Methodz
November 25, 2011 at 10:07 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Thank You guys soooo much!!! This totally made my Thanksgiving weekend. I luckily stumbled onto this site with a bit of googling. Keep up the good work and happy thanksgiving.
Alberiocygnus
December 2, 2011 at 1:48 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Still no OTA or NSU update in USA. Purchased from Expansys, Australian version (I guess). Is anyone else in the same boat as I am? Any suggestions? Thanks much.
N9/Black/16GB
Current version: 10.211.34-1.299.1_PR_299
Arie
December 2, 2011 at 1:53 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Flash it using Navifirm.
Alberiocygnus
December 3, 2011 at 4:40 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Just flashed using the tutorial here. Everything works great.
Thanks for all the inputs and a great website!
Oswald
December 3, 2011 at 12:27 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Just updated my N9 yesterday following this tutorial, I was tired to wait for it via OTA here in Los Angeles.
The phone is running perfect and smoother!!! =D
Vellamoose
December 6, 2011 at 3:06 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I tried this steps and it didnt work on the update part.
But now i reckon I have created an issue instead, me camera flash doesnt work no more during pic taking in the dark & i see "!" next to the flash icon. Same for filming.
Red light ok except the camera flash.
Anyone can help?
vellamoose
December 6, 2011 at 5:30 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Hi guys, i have some probs after i did the following.
1) I tried Shaun's method to no avail so I gave up
2) I then tried Jakub Caban's method and it did not succeed either
But after all that i realised for now:
I cant DL anything from Nokia Store…i.e i tap on the DL button, no go.
Nothing happens at all.
Reboot the phone a couple of times but still no go
Also, realised that the flash on me camera is gone.
Red light still works but no flash in camera or video mode.
I get this "!" next to the flash icon everytime i take a shot.
Can someone pls help me tks
Shaun
December 6, 2011 at 4:33 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Doesn't sound good. Were these issues occuring before attempting the PR 1.1 update? Attempting an update shouldn't cause these things to happen. You may have to factory reset your phone.
Go to settings -> sync and backup -> backup. Copy these backup files in the "backup folder" onto your computer. Then go to settings -> reset -> clear device. This will put it back to stock.
If the above fails, attempt the firmware flash instructions I have given, but only at your own risk. Failing this, may be a case for warranty.
vellamoose
December 6, 2011 at 4:47 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Hi Shaun, everything was working fine before i attempted the update.
I've yet to receive the actual update PR1.1
U think waiting for it and installing it will solve my prob or it's better to just do a reset?
Wat ya reckon?
Shaun
December 6, 2011 at 5:43 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Definitely reset. There are no guarantees that the update will fix that problem. It may be that the apt-get install mp-harmattan method that you tried (if it was this one) may have updated a package and did not update the rest of the packages, which caused the camera to stop working.
Once you have restored the device to how it should be, it's up to you if you want to try again. The firmware flash method is guaranteed to work… assuming all instructions are followed perfectly. It does have the potential to brick your device though, so you may want to hold off. Up to you
vellamoose
December 6, 2011 at 6:46 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Hi Shaun, i have done the reset n the prob still exists.
Sigh…..looks like i hv to send my phone to nokia
Shaun
December 6, 2011 at 7:16 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
That sucks. A last resort may be a firmware flash, but if it is too daunting, then returning the phone to nokia is the best alternative
Alberiocygnus
December 6, 2011 at 2:35 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Hello All,
I may be wrong in my observation, but I feel the N9 battery has been draining faster since I updated to PR 1.1. Has anyone else also noticed this? Or am I imagining things?
Thanks.
Shaun
December 6, 2011 at 4:37 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I'm at constant war with the battery life on PR 1.1 myself. Has anything changed between the upgrades? Some things I found help battery:
-Switch to 3G or ideally 2G only. Not on dual
-Do not use skype
- Disable push notifications
- Screen brightness to lowest
Anonymous
December 9, 2011 at 2:31 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Hi Shaun, yes i've been told by the customer svc at Nokia today that this software update does make the battery and they have whispered to me that the new PR 1.2 will have this issue resolved.
Just not sure if I'm still using this phone by then.
Vellamoose
December 9, 2011 at 2:29 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I went to NokiaCare here in Singapore today to get some stuff resolved on my N9 and they installed the update for me though I've not received the notification message on my phone.
Yes, like many, I've been waiting for this update like forever.
So now I got it.
According to the cuntomer svc, they are releasing the release based on batch, those made earlier will receive earlier and those made later will receive it later.
But, he did mention that all one has to do is bring their phone over to NokiaCare & they'll install the new update for them even if they've not received the notification message F.O.C
This is what I know now that I've collected it back & yes, it is a known fact that this new update tends to make the battery warmer than normal.
This software update info is for Singapore only not sure about the rest of the world though.
Note, when I called their hotline, the customer svc on the phone said wait!
When I went to the NokiaCare shop, they didn't.
So folks in Singapore, here's your chance.
I did mine at Vivo City & received it back in less than 3hrs.
Bob
January 20, 2012 at 6:19 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
PR 1.2 on the way apparently, but I still can't get 1.1. Even tried the Nokia helpline and i spent an hour on the phone, paying for the phone call till they told me they couldn't help. What a rubbish company, issue and update then don't let you have the update.
Shaun
January 28, 2012 at 5:51 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I feel your pain too. I spent an hour on the phone to Nokia about an app that was purchased, but when redownloading, it said it wasn't purchased. Your best bet may be to flash
Curtis
February 10, 2012 at 5:11 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
hi there, i'm from South Africa and im tierd of waiting for the update. my current software version is V 10.2011.34-1.331.1_PR_331 i need help as in step-by-step instructions please. i couldn't find my country in navifirm thats as far as i got. please get bak to me
Arie
February 11, 2012 at 2:26 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
There is no South African version of PR1.1 on Navifirm that I am aware of… Open your sim card tray and give me the numbers on it, it should start with a 059 and have 4 numbers or letters or a mix of that on there. Then I can help you more easily. Also if you want a quicker response email me at arie@everythingn9.com
Curtis
February 13, 2012 at 1:31 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Thanks for getting back to me, the number is 059K9G3
Arie
February 13, 2012 at 5:29 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
On navifirm that says it's MTN ZA, there is a download for PR1.0 for your firmware but not one for 1.1. This means that you have to flash it with another regions firmware if you want to have pr1.1.
curtis
February 13, 2012 at 5:35 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
which region must i use? is it worth the risk?
Arie
February 14, 2012 at 1:05 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I'm not certain which region to use, the only risk I can think of would be reflashing later PR versions… I want to do more research before I give you a certain answer.
curtis
February 14, 2012 at 2:58 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
ok thanks
Arie
February 14, 2012 at 7:03 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I did my research, flash your N9 to a later version… Now one thing you need to do is make sure that it is a later… To do that go to your phone and go to settings > about product, you'll see a number there it'll say PR XXX, can you tell me that number?
curtis
February 14, 2012 at 2:31 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
PR_331
Arie
February 16, 2012 at 2:34 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
Ah ok, do you have a 16 or 64gb N9? Just download a European firmware for it from there and follow method 3 to flash it onto your N9.
curtis
February 16, 2012 at 2:28 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
16gb hw wil i knw which european firmware to download?
Arie
February 17, 2012 at 12:25 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
In the files look for a firmware 059J203… That should work.
curtis
February 17, 2012 at 12:33 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
ok thanks alot for all of your trouble
Curtis
March 22, 2012 at 11:07 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
how big is the file after download?
Arie
March 23, 2012 at 1:25 am (UTC 10) Link to this comment
1.x Gb
starky
March 23, 2012 at 9:50 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
the flasher doesnt detect my n9 when i plug it in i have tried reconnecting and switching usb ports
anjar yogi
April 28, 2012 at 7:53 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
HOW to software with flasher if N9 is death???
thanks
anjar yogi
May 2, 2012 at 8:07 pm (UTC 10) Link to this comment
I have a problem after upgrade software N9
"WARNING!!! YOU have modified the device……..
reinstall a nokia authorized operating system"
how to get my phone is Normal again?????