How To Enter Download Mode on Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ [Flash With Odin]

There is a reason why you might want to go to download mode on your Samsung Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8 Plus. Download mode is an advanced mode for Samsung devices where users can flash system images on their phones. Through download mode, users can flash a stock firmware, recovery and more.

Samsung Galaxy S8’s download mode is very popular among users who are experienced with Android OS. It is the way to go if you want to flash a stock firmware, reset your phone to stock or fix a bootloop or a bricked phone.

On previous Samsung phones such as Galaxy S7 (Edge), S6 (Edge), Galaxy Note 5 and basically every phone besides the Galaxy S8 and S8+, the combination to go to download mode was volume down, home and power keys. You would turn off the phone, press these keys at the same time and your phone would boot into download mode.

How To Enter Download Mode On Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Samsung removed the home button on the S8 and S8 Plus. This means that the old combination of going to download mode doesn’t work with the new flagships. Since the home button is no longer available, Samsung replaced it with a brand new key to go to download mode.

With the release of the Galaxy S8, Samsung introduced Bixby, its own artificial assistant. To make it easier for users to launch the AI, Samsung added a new button under the volume keys – the Bixby button. When this key is pressed, Bixby gets activated. Samsung has used this button on the new combination to go to download and recovery mode.

How to boot Galaxy S8 into download mode?

1. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus. Make sure the phone is completely off.


2. Press the volume down, Bixby, and power keys at the same time and keep them pressed until the phone goes to download mode.


3. The screen will show a warning. To go to download mode, press the volume up key one more time.


4. Now it will say “Downloading. Do not turn off target”.

That is it. Your S8 or S8+ is in download mode. You can now flash a stock firmware or other image files using Odin. To get out of download mode, press the volume down, Bixby and power keys at the same time until the screen turns off. Then simply press the power button to turn the phone on as usually.