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How to Boot Samsung Devices into Download Mode or Odin Mode

All Android devices have a bootloader, fastboot, and recovery mode. While the bootloader or fastboot mode allows us to flash firmware and recovery files, you can wipe your device and flash OTA ‘update.zip’ via the recovery mode. Every user must know about the methods to boot into them. Today, we’ll see how we can boot into the Samsung Download Mode using hardware keys. Not just that, you can also use the Samsung Download Mode tool called 300K Tool and ADB command to get into the Bootloader or Odin Mode and Recovery Mode without keys.

What is Download Mode on Samsung?

While most Android devices have a regular bootloader and fastboot mode, OEMs like Samsung, Nokia, and LG phones come with the Download Mode. Having booted your phone in the Fastboot mode, you can flash stock firmware and factory images. However, you can’t execute Fastboot commands in the Download Mode. All devices with the Download Mode support firmware flashing via manufacturer-specific official tools like Samsung Odin, LG Flash Tool, Nokia OST Tool, etc.

The Download Mode on Samsung Galaxy devices is also known as the Odin Mode. When put in this mode, your Samsung phone or Tab can install firmware files BL, AP, CP, and CSC via the Odin Tool. By flashing the firmware files to your device, you can recover your phone from a boot loop, update or downgrade software, and restore it to stock. While Nokia phones often get stuck in the Download Mode after a software update failure, there’s no such issue on Samsung devices. While the Download Mode on Nokia devices supports Fastboot commands, Samsung devices don’t.

Enter Download Mode on Samsung Devices

There are 3 ways to boot Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets into the Download or Odin mode.

  1. Using hardware key combination
  2. Samsung 300K Tool or Samsung Download Mode tool
  3. Using ADB command

The last two methods can boot your device into the Download Mode without pressing the keys or buttons. Also, learn how you can turn the Safe Mode on and off on your Samsung device.

1. Samsung Download Mode Key Combinations

This is probably the most popular way to enter Odin Mode on Samsung devices. It was the universal method until all Samsung phones and tablets had the Power, Home, and Volume keys. However, with the departure of the Home button and with the introduction of the Bixby button on some Galaxy devices, the hardware key combination to get into the Download Mode has not only changed but also varies from device to device.

On Samsung Devices with Home, Power, and Volume Keys

Older phones like Samsung Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S7/S7 Edge, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy Note 7, etc. have Power, Home, and Volume buttons.

  1. Turn off your phone or tablet.
  2. Now press and hold the Home + Volume Down + Power keys simultaneously for 2-3 seconds.galaxy s7 edge download mode
  3. Release the keys and then press the Volume Up key to continue to the Download Mode.

On Samsung Devices with Power and Volume Keys

Smartphones like Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018), etc. have just the Power and Volume (Up & Down) buttons. If you own one such Samsung device, follow the steps below.

  1. Power off your Galaxy device.
  2. Hold the Volume Up + Volume Down + Power buttons at the same time for 2-3 seconds.Samsung download mode keys Galaxy A8

On Samsung Devices with Power, Bixby, and Volume Keys

Samsung smartphones like Galaxy S8, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 9, etc. come with Power, Volume+, Volume-, and Bixby keys. On such devices, you can get into the Download Mode as follows.

  1. Turn off your smartphone.
  2. Press and hold the Volume Down + Bixby + Power keys together for 2-3 seconds.galaxy s8 download mode keys
  3. On the next screen, you will be prompted to press the Volume Up button. Just do it.

On Samsung Devices with Volume and Power-cum-Bixby Keys

On Galaxy devices like the Galaxy S22, S21, Note 10, Galaxy A90, Galaxy A80, Galaxy A70, Galaxy A50, Galaxy A40, etc., Samsung has merged the Bixby and Power keys. To boot such devices into the Download Mode, follow these steps:

  1. Power off your device.
  2. Connect it to a PC using a USB cable.
  3. When the charging animation stops, press and hold the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time.
  4. When you see the Samsung logo, release the buttons.
  5. Your Samsung device will boot into the Recovery Mode. You can use the Volume up/down key to navigate and the Power button to select options in the Recovery Mode.
  6. Highlight the Reboot to bootloader option in the recovery menu and press the Power key.

    galaxy s21 ultra recovery mode

    Galaxy S22 Ultra recovery mode

  7. Your Samsung device will boot into the Download Mode.

Samsung Galaxy S22/S23 Download Mode

I recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra but when I tried to boot my phone into the Download Mode, the Volume Up + Power button combination didn’t work for me. Samsung is changing the way we used to enter the download and recovery mode on Samsung devices.

If you own a Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, or Galaxy S23 Ultra, follow the steps below to boot your phone into the Download Mode. The method also works on the Galaxy S22, S21, and Galaxy Note 20.

  1. Turn off your Galaxy S23.
  2. Hold the Volume UP + Volume Down keys simultaneously and connect the phone to your computer using a USB cable. Keep the buttons pressed for 5-7 seconds.
  3. You’ll see a Warning screen as shown below.samsung download mode warning screen
  4. Press the Volume Up key to enter the Download mode.download mode screen on samsung

Using the Volume Up + Volume Down keys only

In case the Power button on your Samsung phone or Galaxy Tab is not functioning, you can boot it into the Odin mode using the volume keys only.

  • Turn off your Samsung device.
  • Press and hold the Volume Up+ Volume Down keys simultaneously.
  • Then plug the USB into your device.
  • Ensure the USB cable is connected to a power source such as a charger or a PC.
  • Keep the buttons pressed until you see the Warning screen and then press the volume up key to get into the Download mode.

2. Boot into Samsung Download Mode without Keys

There are actually 2 methods to get into the Download Mode without pressing the hardware keys on your device. Both these ways require a computer and a USB cable.

Enter Samsung Download Mode via ADB Command

One of the many things that we can do with ADB commands is to make your Samsung Galaxy device boot into the Download mode using your computer. The best part of the game is you can do that without pressing any key. This method works for all Android devices.

  1. Install the latest Samsung USB driver if you don’t have it installed already.
  2. Download the latest Platform Tools (ADB and Fastboot tools) for Windows, Mac, or Linux and save it on your desktop.
  3. Extract the downloaded zip.
  4. Open the extracted platform-tools folder.
  5. Launch the command prompt. Place the mouse cursor at an empty spot inside the folder windows. Press the Shift key + right-click on the mouse and select Open PowerShell window here from the context menu. Alternatively, you can type “cmd” in the folder address bar and hit the Enter key to launch the command window.
  6. Enable USB debugging on your Samsung device.
  7. Connect your device to the computer via a USB cable and make sure your device screen is unlocked while you execute the commands.
  8. Now, type the following command in the command window to check your device is properly connected.
    adb devices
  9. If you get a string of alphanumeric values (the serial number of your phone) in the command window, it means ADB has recognized your device.adb command to boot into samsung download mode
    Windows: adb reboot download
    macOS & Linux: ./adb reboot download
    
  10. That’s it! Your Samsung Galaxy device will reboot into the Download Mode.

    samsung download mode

    Samsung Download or Odin mode

You are now all set to flash the stock Samsung firmware using Samsung Odin. If you haven’t downloaded the firmware yet, you can use the best Samsung firmware download tool named Frija.

3. Samsung Download Mode Tool

I really don’t have any idea why the developer named it like that but Samsung 300K is a great tool. It is a very small portable utility that makes your Samsung device reboot into the Download Mode with just a single click. Samsung 300K is a tiny executable (EXE) software that can boot your Samsung Galaxy phone into the Download Mode in a single click.

  1. Download Samsung 300K Tool.zip.
  2. Turn off the antivirus program on your Windows PC. Your antivirus software might report that the file has a virus but ignore it.
  3. Now, unzip the file and open the extracted folder.
  4. Turn on USB debugging on your Samsung device and connect your phone to the computer.
  5. Double-click the Samsung 300K Tool.exe file to launch the program.

    samsung download mode tool 300k

    Samsung 300K Tool

  6. Now click the big Resistance icon on the left side of the program window.
  7. The tool will reboot your phone or tablet in the Download Mode.

Note: If you entered the Download Mode on your Samsung device by mistake, you can exit by holding the Volume Down + Power buttons simultaneously for 7-8 seconds.

Read Next: CSC or HOME CSC – Which File Should You Flash in Odin?

17 thoughts on “How to Boot Samsung Devices into Download Mode or Odin Mode”

  1. I recently downloaded Frija- v 1.4.2 from this web site.
    I have been trying to use this program but without success. I have the following problems
    1                     I am trying to download the firmware for My Samsung Tab S3 SM-T210 but the program just closes every time I click on ‘check update’.
    2                     I am unsure that I have the correct data for the CSC etc as the names used in the instructions do not match what is in the Tablet.
    3                    I have included an image of the data from my Tab 3
     
                      Please can you clarify what data refers to what is required in Frija.
     
     
    Thanks in advance if you can help me.
    Chris Gibbons
     

    1. Hi Chris, can you please tell me the country where you are using your Galaxy Tab 3? I just checked the firmware update in Frija with SM-T210 under model and BTU (United Kingdom) under CSC and it found the latest available firmware for the Galaxy Tab 3.
      You can dial *#1234# on the dialer pad to find out the device’s CSC.

      Steps given here: https://technastic.com/frija-samsung-firmware-download-tool/

      Please let me know! 🙂

      1. Thanks for getting back to me. I am in the UK and Hve resolved the issue by using Samfirm software which found the firmware files and down loaded them no problem.
        when I tried the same data on the Frija program evey time I pressed the check update button the program finishes(crashes). I have attached a picture of the screen for you.
        I have tried running it in administator role and I have just tried it again having recently remove Kies from My PC, and got the same result. Incidently I am running Win 7 on the PC.

  2. hello . i tried using adb tool but turns out im always stock to samsung logo. please help. thank you. mine’s galaxy tab 8.9 (korean)

    1. Hi Erylle,

      The ‘adb reboot bootloader’ command works on all Android devices universally. Did you try the hardware key combination? Always make sure your device is completely turned off while you use the key combinations.

      1. Hi, its like my Samsung j530f has a problem with the down volume key, and it shows custom binary lock by frp lock,
        I’m looking forward to try the method you showed here, don’t know if it will as the phone can’t boot

  3. Hello,

    I tried using “adb reboot bootloader” on my S6….but it won’t go to Download Mode…It just reboot the phone….
    My problem is the Home button is not working…That is why I need to use the ADB command…
    Kindly help…

    1. Hi Hirman, I till have a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and I just tried it to confirm that ‘adb reboot bootloader works’ and it did boot my phone into the download mode. If the ADB command is not working for you for some weird reasons, you should try 300k Tool.

  4. Hi, any idea how to flash the bricked Samsung SM-T217s Tab 3 7.0, I keep getting error “there is no PIT partition “when flashing the device via Odin.

      1. Hi Rakesh, thank you for quick response. I couldn’t find any PIT file for my Samsung Tab 3 70 SM-T217s and I couldn’t find any PIT file from stock firmware, I have tried with a different computer now have another error “complete (write) operation failed”. Do you have /know a link so I can download the PIT file and stock firmware for SM-T217s?

        1. Hi Kent, I just added the PIT file for Samsung Tab 3 70 SM-T217S. You can download it from above. Also, I am also adding the steps to flash PIT in Odin.

      2. Hi Rakesh, thank you for quick response. There is no PIT file for Samsung Tab 3 70 SM-T217s and I couldn’t find any PIT file from stock firmware, I tried with a different computer now have another error “complete (write) operation failed”.

    1. Hi,

      Sorry for the belated response. What’s the current status of your device?

      Holding the Power button for about 20 seconds might force your Samsung device to boot normally.

  5. Hi Rakesh,
    I am currently on the TWRP Logo Bootloop… I cant execute key combinations to get into Download Mode..
    Do you have any idea what have happened to my Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G…
    I am planning to use 300K Tool

    Please..

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