Enter Download Mode Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+ | How to?

Enter Download Mode Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+ | How to?

You can learn how to enter download mode on the new Samsung Galaxy S8 through this easy yet detailed article. To start off, this time around, Samsung has finally given up the home button for on-screen replacements. However, to access download mode on previous Samsung phones, the home button played a vital role. To address that, Samsung is now making use of the extra Bixby button on the left to boot the phone into download mode. We have given the exact procedure below so be sure to read it properly and then implement on your own device. The process of entering download mode on the Samsung Galaxy S8 is very easy, we have detailed steps given right below.

Download Mode comes in handy when you want to connect your phone with Odin, root your device or install custom recovery or any other updates or system tweaks. Getting your device into Download Mode is no big deal, but we still get questions from many readers on how to do it. In case your phone is not detected by your computer at all, please make sure you have all the Galaxy S8 USB drivers installed.

What is Download Mode / Odin Mode?

Samsung devices have a factory unlocked bootloader, unlike most other OEMs that launch phones with a locked up bootloader. This makes it very easy for every Samsung device user to plug in their phone with their computer and start using Odin — this free utility allows you to flash stock firmware, modified custom recovery and install system patches.

Odin is an internal tool at Samsung that allows them to flash various firmware and files on to the Samsung phones and tablets. There are many releases of Odin available online, and you can download them all here: Download Odin (All Versions). After the phone is connected to your PC in Download Mode, Odin will detect the device and if the connection is successful, it will set up a communication portbetween the phone and the computer. That will allow you to flash different packages on the Samsung Galaxy S8.

A word of caution, do not mess around with Odin while in the Download Mode of your phone. It can cause serious damage to your device, beyond repair. And not to forget, anything you do in Download Mode is not covered in your official Samsung device warranty. Therefore, we recommend you use a specific guide or a detailed tutorial rather than experimenting on your own.

You can also use Odin to downgrade your Galaxy S8 from a specific Android release or build number to another one. This comes in handy when a newer firmware causes slow downs, long boots or even crashes.

Just by accessing the Download Mode, you will not lose your warranty by Samsung. However, if you flash custom files like a ROM or root package which Samsung doesn’t officially intend, your warranty will be void. These custom files are generally those which are created by third-party developers and are not signed by Samsung. We think this is the only downside once you try to customize your phone through Download Mode and we also warn of this in every post we cover.

NOTE: Screenshots below may be of a different Samsung device, but should have similar screen on your phone as well. The following steps can be used to enter Download / Odin mode on the Samsung Galaxy S8 – all variants.

How to Enter Download Mode on Galaxy S8

Here is a quick step-by-step instruction on how to enter Download Mode on your Samsung Galaxy S8 phone. If this is your first time with a Samsung Android phone, follow the following carefully:

Step 1 – Turn OFF your Galaxy S8.

Step 2 – Now press and hold the following buttons on your phone together: Volume Down + Bixby Button + Power.

Step 3 – After the Samsung phone name logo, you will see a screen with a warning sign as shown below. Proceed ahead by pressing the Volume Up button.

Step 4 – Then you will be shown a screen similar to as shown in the photo below. This is the Download Mode aka ODIN Mode for flashing firmware files using the Samsung flashing tool called ODIN.

That’s it. You are now in the Download Mode. If you want to get out of it, simple hold the Volume Up and Power buttons for a few seconds (around 10 sec.) and your phone will reboot normally.

Enter Download Mode Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+ | How to?