Freeze in Downloading Mode (Samsung A5 2017)

Hello!

I am trying to install /e/ on my Samsung A5 (2017) from a laptop on Debian (stretch) following these instructions:
https://doc.e.foundation/devices/a5y17lte/install (Accessed 2020-04-05)

I have installed and tested heimdall as instructed, but the flash in download mode (“Installing a custom recovery”, step 4) has lead to the appearance of a long white bar under the text “Do not turn off target” with a tiny light blue section at the end of it (presumably a nearly-completed progress bar). Here is the output from heimdall:

[BEGINNING OF OUTPUT]
Heimdall v1.4.1

Copyright © 2010-2014 Benjamin Dobell, Glass Echidna
[There was a link here, but the forum didn’t like it.]

This software is provided free of charge. Copying and redistribution is
encouraged.

If you appreciate this software and you would like to support future
development please consider donating:
[There was a link here, but the forum didn’t like it.]

Initialising connection…
Detecting device…
Claiming interface…
Setting up interface…

Initialising protocol…
Protocol initialisation successful.

Beginning session…

Some devices may take up to 2 minutes to respond.
Please be patient!

Session begun.

Downloading device’s PIT file…
PIT file download successful.

Uploading RECOVERY
100%
RECOVERY upload successful

Ending session…
Releasing device interface…

[END OF OUTPUT]

The device has been frozen in that state for a little while now. After a minute or two I unplugged the device (heimdall had finished). I tried to turn it off a few times but it didn’t respond, even when the power button was held for several seconds. I plugged the device back in and retried the flash. Here is the output from that attempt:

[BEGINNING OF OUTPUT]
Heimdall v1.4.1

Copyright © 2010-2014 Benjamin Dobell, Glass Echidna
[There was a link here, but the forum didn’t like it.]

This software is provided free of charge. Copying and redistribution is
encouraged.

If you appreciate this software and you would like to support future
development please consider donating:
[There was a link here, but the forum didn’t like it.]

Initialising connection…
Detecting device…
Claiming interface…
Setting up interface…

Initialising protocol…
ERROR: Protocol initialisation failed!

Releasing device interface…

[END OF OUTPUT]

I have little experience with this stuff (this is the first time I’ve installed a new OS on my phone). Please let me know how I can fix this.

Thanks!

I just recently went through this process with the same device. Same thing happened at the end of the heimdall process:

Ending session…
Releasing device interface…

[END OF OUTPUT]

At this point I let it sit in download mode for a few minutes waiting for something to happen and it didnt just like you described and so i thought maybe I had to manually reboot, so I held Vol up + Home + pwr until it restarted into recovery and then continued on with the installation instructions and it turned out perfectly. Maybe now the heimdall process is done you just continue on with the rest of the process. Hope that helps you.

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It works! Thank you so much!

I had to hold Vol down + Home + Power until the screen went black first, then switch to holding down Vol up + Home + Power to enter recovery. The install was the same from there.

Any fun things I should try with the new OS are welcome (message me).

(Side note: Gotta hand it to the /e/ community, that was fast.)

2 Likes

Time is relative! I’ve been patient for four months … ;-\

1 Like