Odin (firmware flashing software)

Odin is a utility software program developed and used by Samsung internally which is used to communicate with Samsung devices in Odin mode (also called download mode). It can be used to flash a custom recovery firmware image (as opposed to the stock recovery firmware image) to a Samsung Android device. Odin is also used for unbricking certain Android devices.[1] Odin is the Samsung proprietary alternative to Fastboot.[2]

Odin
Developer(s)Samsung
Stable release
3.14.1 / February 2020 (2020-02)
Operating systemWindows
Available inEnglish

There is no account of Samsung ever having officially openly released Odin,[3] though it is mentioned in the developer documents for Samsung Knox SDK[4] and some documents even instruct users to use Odin.[5] Some other docs on Knox SDK reference "engineering firmware",[6][7] which presumably can be a part of the Knox SDK along with Odin. Publicly available binaries are believed to be the result of leaks. The tool is not intended for consumers, but for Samsung's own personnel and approved repair centers.[8]

Usage
Download mode on a Samsung device

Although none of the publicly available downloads are authorized by Samsung itself, XDA-Developers consider the files offered on their Forum (Patched Odin 3.13.1) the safest option.

For the usage of Odin, the phone needs to be in Download mode. For this, some key combination need to be pressed, such as Power + Volume Down + Home.[9]

Heimdall
Graphical user interface for Heimdall running on Ubuntu

Heimdall is a free/libre/open-source, cross-platform replacement for Odin which is based on libusb.[3] The name Heimdall, like Odin, is an allusion to Norse mythology; both Odin and Heimdall are among the deities of the Norse pantheon.[10]

References
  1. "How to Save a Bricked Android Smartphone". TechPP. 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  2. Tamma, Rohit (2015). Learning Android forensics: a hands-on guide to Android forensics, from setting up the forensic workstation to analyzing key forensic artifacts. Donnie Tindall. Birmingham, UK. p. 115. ISBN 978-1-78217-444-8. OCLC 910639389.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. Drake, Joshua J. (2014). Android hacker's handbook. Zach Lanier, Collin Mulliner, Pau Oliva, Stephen A. Ridley, Georg Wicherski. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley. p. 488. ISBN 978-1-118-60861-6. OCLC 875820167.
  4. "Knox Glossary of Terms and Acronyms" (PDF). Samsung.com. Santa Clara, California: Samsung. 2013-10-17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-10-30. Retrieved 2019-07-04.
  5. "How Can I Change or Download the Device Firmware?". Samsung Enterprise Alliance Program. Archived from the original on 2018-06-13.
  6. "How Can I Check If My Device Firmware is an Engineering or Commercial Build?". Samsung Enterprise Alliance Program. Archived from the original on 2018-06-13.
  7. "How Can I Make My App Work Properly on a Device with Engineering Firmware?". Samsung Enterprise Alliance Program. Archived from the original on 2018-06-13.
  8. Crider, Michael (5 February 2018). "How to Manually Update Your Samsung Phone with Odin". How-To Geek. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  9. Dumitru, Bogdan. "Boot any Samsung Devices into Download Mode". Odin. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  10. "Heimdall". Retrieved December 15, 2021.
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