If you already have a backup, restoration is straightforward:
Important: After restoration, perform a factory reset from recovery, then flash the same stock firmware (Android 7.0) via Odin to re-sync the modem.
If you have no backup, you face a much harder path:
NV (Non-Volatile) data resides in the EFS (Encrypted File System) partition of the phone’s chipset—typically the Shannon 333 modem on the Exynos 7420 platform. Unlike user data or system apps, NV data stores permanently assigned hardware identifiers and calibration parameters, including:
Think of NV data as the phone’s DNA. Without it, the device cannot authenticate with mobile networks, secure Bluetooth pairing fails, and even Samsung’s own diagnostics reject the hardware.
| Myth | Fact |
|-------|------|
| Flashing stock ROM restores IMEI | No – stock ROM never touches EFS unless you use CSC (not HOME_CSC). |
| You can generate IMEI from serial | No – IMEI is independent, stored only in NV + printed on box. |
| Zero IMEI = hardware damage | Not always – often just corrupt NV data. |
| Any QCN file works | No – Exynos doesn’t use QCN, only .nv_data.bin. |
The Samsung SM-G920F—known to the world as the Galaxy S6—was a relic. Its owner, a freelance photojournalist named Lena, refused to upgrade. It had the perfect curved back, a crisp AMOLED display, and most importantly, a golden 32GB chipset that had survived war zones, monsoons, and three cracked back panels.
But tonight, the phone was dying. Not a cracked screen or a dead battery kind of dying. A silent, clinical death.
The screen flickered to life with a warning Lena had never seen: "Unknown Baseband. No Service."
Her phone had become an expensive, shiny brick.
“It’s the NV Data file,” said Malik, the wiry repairman in the back of a dusty electronics shop. He spoke like a pathologist delivering a verdict. “Your phone’s lost its memory of who it is.”
Lena frowned. “The storage? My photos?”
“No. Worse.” He rotated the phone. “Every phone has a radio heart. A Qualcomm modem. Inside that modem is a tiny, encrypted folder called the NV Data—Non-Volatile Data. It’s the phone’s birth certificate. Its IMEI. Its calibration for 4G bands. The serial number for its own soul.”
He plugged the dead phone into a diagnostic tool. Red text flooded the screen: NV Corruption Detected.
“How did it happen?” Lena asked.
“You dropped it, probably. Or a sudden power loss during a firmware update. The file is fragile. One wrong bit, and the phone forgets how to talk to cell towers. It’s amnesia for the radio.” He sighed. “Officially? Samsung says the mainboard is trash. Replace it.”
Lena’s gut tightened. Replacing the board meant losing the golden chip—the one that held two years of unpublished photos from a conflict zone. Photos she hadn’t backed up. sm-g920f nv data file
“Unofficially?” she pressed.
Malik leaned in. “Unofficially, you can rebuild the NV Data file. But it’s like raising the dead. You need a ghost copy.”
For the next two hours, Lena watched Malik work. He didn’t use magic; he used forensic patience. He extracted a full EFS backup—a cryptic folder of .bin and .img files—that Lena didn’t even know she’d made three years ago during a paranoid late-night backup.
Using a tool called Octoplus Box, Malik began the resurrection.
At the final command—Write NV Complete—the phone vibrated. A tiny, hopeful shudder.
The Android lock screen appeared.
And in the top-left corner, where "No Service" had glared like a curse, the letters flickered... then held steady.
"4G"
Lena exhaled. She dialed her own landline. The phone rang.
Malik wiped his tools. “The NV file is a ship’s log. Lose it, and you’re adrift. Back it up, always.” He handed the phone back. “Your ghost is now flesh again.”
Lena nodded, clutching the golden chip. She went home and backed up every photo to two drives and the cloud.
But she never forgot the lesson: inside every flawless piece of glass and metal lies a tiny, fragile file—just a few hundred kilobytes—that holds the power to make a smartphone nothing more than a paperweight.
The "SM-G920F NV data file" refers to critical calibration and configuration data for the Samsung Galaxy S6 (International model). This data is stored in the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory), which contains unique device information like IMEI, serial numbers, and radio frequency (RF) parameters.
If your device is showing symptoms like "IMEI Null," "Baseband Unknown," or network connectivity issues after a bad flash or water damage, you likely have corrupted NV data. Understanding the NV Data File
What it does: It stores basic configuration and radio parameters that are not lost when the phone is powered off.
Why it's needed: Repairing "Security Damage" errors or "NV Data Write" failures often requires restoring this specific file. If you already have a backup, restoration is
Common partitions: On the SM-G920F (Exynos chipset), this data is closely linked to the EFS and sec_efs partitions. How to Address NV Data Issues
If you are looking to repair or restore this data, here are the standard professional methods used in the mobile repair community: Tool/Method Z3X Samsung Tool Pro Professional Repair Used to write NV data and fix "Security Damage Error (1)". Octoplus Box Professional Repair
Commonly used for fixing "IMEI Null" and repairing networks on SM-G920F. Samsung Odin Firmware Flashing
Sometimes, flashing a full 4-file factory firmware can restore baseband if the hardware is intact. Recovery Mode Basic Troubleshooting
Can be used to "Wipe Cache Partition" if the phone is stuck restarting but doesn't have deep security damage. Next Steps for Repair
Understanding and managing the SM-G920F NV data file is critical for maintaining the network and security integrity of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
. These files, stored in the device's Non-Volatile (NV) RAM, hold vital calibration and identity information, including the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and network configuration data. What is the SM-G920F NV Data File?
The NV data file is a partition that stores hardware-specific information that must persist even when the device is powered off or factory reset. For the Go to product viewer dialog for this item. , it specifically manages:
IMEI Information: Unique identifiers that allow the phone to connect to cellular networks.
Radio Frequency (RF) Calibration: Settings that ensure the device communicates correctly with different carrier frequencies.
Security Certificates: Data required for the device to pass security checks during boot and network registration. Common Issues and Errors
Loss or corruption of NV data can lead to severe functionality problems. If you encounter the following, your NV data may be compromised:
"Security Damage Error (1)": A frequent error during firmware flashing or rooting that indicates corrupted security parameters.
Corrupted IMEI: The device may show a generic IMEI (often starting with 35000000000009), preventing it from making calls or using mobile data.
NV Data Write Error: Often occurs when using repair tools like Z3x, indicating the system cannot write to the NV partition.
Null Baseband: The phone fails to recognize its own modem, leading to "No Service". How to Repair or Restore SM-G920F NV Data Important : After restoration, perform a factory reset
Fixing NV data issues usually requires professional service tools such as Z3x Samsung Tool Pro, Chimera Tool, or specialized firmware files.
In the context of the Samsung Galaxy S6 (SM-G920F) NV (Non-Volatile) data file
refers to critical configuration data stored in the device's permanent memory. Below is a technical summary regarding its function and the common repair procedures associated with it. Overview of SM-G920F NV Data
The NV data file is a critical component that stores hardware-specific calibration data and network parameters. In Samsung devices like the , this data is typically housed within the EFS (Encrypted File System) partition. Key Functions : Stores the device's unique IMEI number
, Baseband version, serial number, and network calibration settings. Storage Medium
: Unlike older models using eMMC, the Galaxy S6 series utilizes UFS 2.0 FBGA95 memory chips. Criticality
: Corruption or loss of NV data usually results in "IMEI Null," "Unknown Baseband," or "Not Registered on Network" errors. Common Technical Issues Security Damage Error (1)
: Often occurs during firmware flashes or root attempts, indicating a failure to write to the NV data partition. Corrupted IMEI (350000...)
: A generic IMEI value that appears when the original NV data is wiped or inaccessible. NV Data Write Error
: A specific failure log seen in professional repair tools (like ) when attempting to restore network functionality. Repair and Restoration Procedures
Technical recovery typically requires professional-grade service tools and specific firmware files: NV Data Write/Repair : Tools like are used to "Write NV Data" using backup files (often in formats) to restore original network certificates. Patch Certificate
: After repairing the IMEI or NV data, a "Patch Certificate" operation is often required to allow the device to register on cellular networks. Odin Flashing : For software-level corruption, technicians use
to flash the correct PDA and CSC versions, though this rarely fixes hardware-level NV data loss without a dedicated backup. Chip-Off Recovery
: In cases of severe hardware failure, the UFS chip is physically removed and read using a J-Tech or DediProg reader to extract raw partition data. Samsung Galaxy S6 G920F | Samsung Business Saudi Arabia Samsung Galaxy S6 G920F | Samsung Business Saudi Arabia. samsung.com
su
dd if=/dev/block/sda5 of=/sdcard/efs_backup.img
Then pull the file via adb pull /sdcard/efs_backup.img.
Store the backup outside the phone – on a PC, cloud, or external drive. The internal storage is erased during many repairs.