Galaxy A5 (2017) - Only official released binaries are allowed to be flashed

/e/OS Devices Samsung
, ,
1

I bought a new phone specifically to use the /e/ OS. Very excited about the project!

I was shocked to find it seems Samsung has locked the firmware down to only official versions.

I followed the steps here https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/wiki/en/wikis/device/a5y17lte/install until I reached step 4 of Installing a custom recovery. Here is the output of the terminal

heimdall flash --RECOVERY "/home/user/Documents/E Foundation/twrp-3.2.3-1-a5y17lte.img" --no-reboot
Heimdall v1.4.1

Copyright (c) 2010-2014 Benjamin Dobell, Glass Echidna
http://www.glassechidna.com.au/

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:
http://www.glassechidna.com.au/donate/

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...
ERROR: Failed to receive session end confirmation!
Releasing device interface...

Phone output
OOIN MODE
…
CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official
…
FAP LOCK: OFF
Secure Download: Enabled
…
Only official released binaries are allowed to be flashed(RECOVERY)

I found a possible solution online but it’s a bit hacky.


UPDATE: The above method didn’t work.

Has anyone else come across this issue?

2

@rhunault it would be best, if this problem cloud be verified and mentioned on the installation page https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/wiki/en/wikis/device/a5y17lte/install - just as you did with the kiwi-unlocking issue.

1 Like
3

Here is some more information on why the issue may be happening.

I was attempting to install twrp using linux heimdall. Perhaps I was locked out as the device detected I was not using samsung’s own Odin tool on windows. I will now wait 7 days and attempt to flash twrp using windows and Odin.

4

I’ve used heimdall on Linux 18.04 to flash my a5y17lte, updating heimdall to last version as explain on this post Installing last heimdall version on xenial linux, and no problem for me following the /e/ gitlab procedure you have mentionned.

1 Like