Samsung Install

Installing a custom recovery

Samsung devices come with a unique boot mode called Download Mode which is very similar to Fastboot Mode on some devices with unlocked bootloaders. Heimdall is a cross-platform, open source tool for interfacing with Download Mode on Samsung devices. The preferred method of installing a custom recovery is through this boot mode. Rooting the stock firmware is neither recommended nor necessary.

1. Download and install the Heimdall Suite
   • Windows: Extract the Heimdall suite and take note of the directory holding heimdall.exe. You can verify Heimdall is working by opening a command prompt in this directory and typing heimdall version. If you receive an error, be sure that you have the Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable Package (x86/32bit) installed on your computer.
   • Linux: Pick the appropriate installation package based on your distribution. The -frontend packages are not required for this guide. After installation, heimdall should be available from the terminal; type heimdall version to verify installation succeeded.
   • Mac: Install the dmg package. After installation, heimdall should be available from the terminal; type heimdall version to verify installation succeeded.
   • Building from source: The source code for the Heimdall Suite is available on Github. For more details about how to compile the Heimdall Suite, please refer to the README file on Github under the relevant operating system directory. You can also refer to the Install and compile Heimdall instructions on this wiki.
2. Download recovery — visit TWRP site to check for the latest version of recovery for your device (if your device can be found there). For general info about recoveries click here.
3. Power off the {{{device_name}}} and connect the USB adapter to the computer but not to the {{{device_name}}}, yet.
4. Boot the {{{device_name}}} into download mode. {{{device_download_mode_steps}}} Accept the disclaimer on the device. Then, insert the USB cable into the device.
5. Windows (only) driver installation – Skip this step if you are using Linux or Mac

   A more complete set of the following instructions can be found in the Zadig User Guide.

   1. Run zadig.exe from the Drivers folder of the Heimdall Suite.
   2. Choose Options » List All Devices from the menu.
   3. Select Samsung USB Composite Device or MSM8x60 or Gadget Serial or Device Name from the drop down menu. (If nothing relevant appears, try uninstalling any Samsung related Windows software, like Samsung Windows drivers and/or Kies).
   4. Click Replace Driver (having selecting “Install Driver” from the drop down list built into the button).
   5. If you are prompted with a warning that the installer is unable to verify the publisher of the driver, select Install this driver anyway. You may receive two more prompts about security. Select the options that allow you to carry on.
6. At this point, familiarize yourself with the Flashing with heimdall notes below so that you are prepared for any strange behaviour if it occurs.
7. On the computer, open a terminal (or Command Prompt on Windows) in the directory where the recovery image is located and type:

   Tip: The file may not be named identically to what’s in this command. If the file is wrapped in a zip or tar file, extract the file first, because heimdall isn’t going to do it for you.

8. A blue transfer bar will appear on the device showing the recovery being transferred.
9. Unplug the USB cable from your device.
   • NOTE: Be sure to reboot into recovery immediately after having installed the custom recovery. Otherwise the custom recovery will be overwritten and the device will reboot (appearing as though your custom recovery failed to install).
10. Manually reboot the phone into recovery mode by performing the following. {{{device_recovery_boot_steps}}}
11. The {{{device_name}}} now has a custom recovery installed. Continue to the next section.