ODIN is a firmware flashing software used to install Stock ROM, Custom ROM, root install, and other Samsung device software modifications. You're probably told of the ODIN tool if you have a Samsung Android device and plan to root or customize the Samsung device because ODIN is the tool you need to do this. You can do a great deal otherwise, for example, by installing the fresh Stock ROM in a Samsung device with ODIN software, if your phone gets bricked. We shall first understand what the Odin software is, the benefits of Odin, where to find Odin and finally in this tutorial.
Odin is useful because it's official Samsung software that the phone or tablet recognizes as being authorized to load bootable files into the device. Although some Samsung devices can be rooted or otherwise modified without it, many techniques and repairs require it.
However, keep in mind that using Odin on your own could result in your phone getting bricked. Many Android enthusiasts have successfully utilized it, but if you use the wrong firmware file or interrupt the flashing process, the phone may not be able to boot again. It's also possible that installing the Odin program will violate your warranty, even if you send your phone to Samsung for a more formal remedy. You'll probably lose all of your personal data and apps if you flash a new ROM onto your phone... But you presumably already knew that.
This is most likely why you desire Odin in the first place. Odin files range in size from massive multi-gigabyte firmware files (an Android phone's core operating system) to minor updates to other critical systems like the bootloader or radio. The most of the time, you'll be using Odin to flash either a stock, unmodified software image or a slightly customized one with features like root access.
Again, the biggest distributors for these files are user enthusiast sites like XDA. Users will typically locate the software, upload it to a file hosting service such as AndroidFileHost, and then create a new forum post to advertise it and include a link to the file hosting site. Another key feature of these postings is that they allow you to verify that the file you're utilizing is compatible with your device.
Before you download and flash a file, there are a few things you should look for:
Device compatibility: Double-check that the file is designed to be flashed on your exact device and variation. Not all "Samsung Galaxy S8" handsets are created equal: Regional variances in processors, radios, and other technology can be minor or significant. To be sure, look up the complete model number...and if you're not sure, don't flash.
Carrier compatibility: Some Samsung phones are exclusively compatible with certain mobile carriers, while others are compatible with numerous carriers. As a result, some phones are incompatible with certain firmware. You can usually figure this out based on the model number of your phone.
Downgrade barriers: If a software update is very comprehensive, flashing an older version of the phone's software may not be possible. Checking other users' reports is pretty much the only method to find out. If you're trying to downgrade the program, do a lot of reading in related discussions before moving on to the next step.
Odin compatibility: Older versions of the Odin application may be unable to flash the most recent firmware files, therefore you may need to wait for the most recent version to be released before proceeding.
After you've double-checked everything, double-check it again. I can't stress this enough: mismatched files will almost certainly wreak havoc on your phone when flashed. Download the file if you're certain you've done everything correctly. They're usually posted as a ZIP or RAR archive, which you should extract to a convenient location on your desktop.
STEPS IN USING ODIN TO FLASH A DEVICE
Turn your phone off, then restart it in “Download mode.” This is a unique pre-boot mode that prepares the device for new software installation. It takes a precise combination of button pushes to enter this mode; for older Samsung phones, it was frequently Power+Home+Volume Down, held for five seconds. It's Power+Bixby button+Volume Down on the Galaxy S8 and Note 8 series. A short Google search should provide the correct mix for your model.
It's important to note that "Download mode" is only available on Samsung smartphones, and it's not the same as "Recovery mode," which is available on all Android devices. Each will have its own button sequence on your phone or tablet. Although they may appear to be the same, recovery mode usually has a list of user-accessible options, whereas download mode is simply a screen where the phone waits for USB input.
Now that you're in Download mode, use your USB cable to connect your phone to your PC.
At this point, your options will vary. For a full stock ROM flash, you’ll be pressing each of the following buttons:
- BL: the bootloader file.
- AP: “Android partition,” the main operating system file.
- CP: the modem firmware.
- CSC: “Consumer software customization,” an extra partition for regional and carrier data.
Select the corresponding by clicking each button. Step Two: Locate the md5 file in the ROM or any software that you downloaded. Your package may or may not include all four file formats, depending on what you're doing. Ignore it if it doesn't. Make sure you're putting the correct file in the correct field. Toggle the checkboxes next to each file that has been loaded. Larger files, particularly “AP,” may cause the software to freeze for a minute or two as it loads the file.
Depending on whether you're flashing a stock ROM, a new bootloader, or a modem file, this step can take a long time. Check the file's instructions for specific instructions based on the post from which you downloaded it. If you're not sure which md5 file goes where, don't continue any further.
If everything appears good, press the "Start" button to start the flashing. Transferring all of that data could take a long time, especially if you're using USB 2.0. In the “Log” or “Message” field, the files will flash over, and a progress meter will display near the ID:COM area.
A "RESET" button will appear above ID:COM once the process is complete. When you press it, your phone will reboot and load the latest software. Congratulations!
The steps outlined above are generic. If the instructions for your individual device and flashing software differ, feel free to make changes, especially if you're trying to flash a customized version of the phone's software that didn't originate from Samsung.
