Stuck in download mode after installing TWRP

I tried to migrate from an Android 12 stock-ROM to /e/ OS 1.5 Android S. But I didn’t succeed because I got a problem after installing TWRP. I’m stuck in the device download mode and a little bit helpless.

My device:
Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Exynos) SM-G975F beyond2lte (not branded)

How I prepared my device:

  • Activated developer options
  • Enabled OEM Unlock option and USB-Debugging
  • Unlocked the bootloader

How I prepared my computer (Windows 10):

  • Downloaded and installed ODIN 3.14.4
  • Downloaded and installed Samsung USB Drivers 1.7.56.0
  • Downloaded TWRP image twrp-3.7.0_9-1-beyond2lte.img.tar (from twrp.me/Devices/Samsung)

I entered download mode of my device and connected it with my PC
Odin confirmed with “Added!!”
I choosed “AP” and the TWRP-image
The only options marked were “Auto Reboot” and “F. Reset Time”
I started Odin and it confirmed installation with a green “PASS”.

And now the device is only booting in download mode showing this error:
ODIN MODE (AVB Fail)
recovery: Error validating footer (8)
recovery: Error verifying vbmeta image: invalid vbmeta header (6)
VBMETA G975FXXUGHVJ5, 58118957R

Did I choose the wrong TWRP-image?
The instructions told me to install the img.tar-file. Not the img-file.

Has anyone some suggestions what to do?

Thanks a lot

Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/ the unGoogled mobile OS and online servicesphone

According to the official TWRP install documentation : Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Exynos)

Don’t forget to flash the provided custom vbmeta.img.tar (in CP) along twrp.img.tar (in AP)

See the maintainer instructions In https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/recovery-official-3-6-1-x-twrp-for-galaxy-s10-e-5g-exynos.4180287 for this device.

Thanks Piero. Flashing vbmeta.img.tar together with twrp.img.tar worked.
TWRP was properly installed.

With TWRP I then installed the /e/ OS image e-1.5.1-s-20221102231515-dev-beyond2lte.zip
… and ended up in the next bootloop. The device only boots into the Samsung boot screen.
Recovery (Volume up + Bixby + Power) doesn’t work. Only download mode.

I will retry everything according to the TWRP install documentation and the maintainer instructions you mentioned.

You might go back on the instructions page, Install /e/OS on a Samsung Galaxy S10+ - “beyond2lte”, to Pre-Install Instructions and double check the exact workflow. This generation of Samsung (on which I do not have first hand experience) seems to have caught out some users with the more securely locked bootloader !

A brief mention is here Know your hardware Samsung #Recent generation

Using TWRP, you need to format /data, reboot to recovery again to wipe the other needed partitions, before installing /e/OS

[HOWTO] an Unified Install Guide Project for /e/

Have you tried using the recovery-e instead of TWRP ?

After several weeks with endless research and testing I succeeded.
My Galaxy S10+ is now on /e/OS 1.6 S !
The /e/OS community was very very helpful :blush:

My fault was to first update my device to the latest stock ROM-version.
So the solution was to downgrade:

  • At samfw.com I got the Spanish firmware AMO G975FXXSGHVI4 from September 2022
  • I flashed it with Odin 3.14.4
  • After reboot I activated developer options, USB debugging, OEM unlock
  • Then Odin again: I installed twrp-3.7.0_9-0-beyond2lte.img.tar (in AP) and vbmeta.img.tar (in CP)
  • And then followed this brilliant Howto at step 8)
  • After reboot finally the dancing “e” …

Many thanks to everybody