In this guide, we will show you a nifty workaround that would help you fix the “Only official released binary are allowed to be flashed” error while trying to flash a file in Download Mode on your Samsung device. When it comes to flashing custom binaries, then Samsung has taken a completely different route. As opposed to every other Android device, present there, you cannot simply boot your device to Fastboot Mode and then flash the file via the Fastboot Commands.
Instead, the flashing takes place in the OEM’s own dedicated Download Mode [even though the device does have a Fastboot Mode]. Furthermore, as opposed to flashing via Fastboot Commands, this task is done via the Odin Tool. Not only this, even the file format is different- as opposed to the usual ZIP or IMG, here the files are in a TAR format. And even that was not enough, you might occasionally come across an issue or two while carrying out these tasks.
One such issue is the “Only official released binary are allowed to be flashed” error while trying to flash a file in Download Mode on a Samsung device. Apart from that, even the Odin Tool straightaway showed the Fail message. The error message signifies that you could only flash official files released by Samsung and I was flashing the TWRP which is not from Samsung. However, I have flashed tons of non-Samsung files, including TWRP, in the past, and never did I ever come across this issue once.
So why was this case now all of a sudden? Did Samsung stopped the provision of flashing non-official files via the Odin Tool or the error message is a false positive, not related to this issue? More importantly, how could you rectify it once and for all? In this guide, we will be addressing all these questions and also list out a nifty workaround that should help you rectify this problem. So without further ado, let’s check it out.
Fix Samsung Only official released binary are allowed to be flashed
This issue happens when you have just returned to stock from a custom ROM [in other words, flashed the stock firmware via Odin] and are currently offline aka not connected to the internet. After this, you booted to the Download Mode and proceeded ahead to flash a file via Odin. If you take this course of action then there are high chances of you being greeted with this error message.
So what was the missing piece in the jigsaw? Well, it was the fact that we did not connect our device to the internet after flashing the firmware but instead proceeded ahead to flash another file. Since we were offline, the OEM Unlock toggle stood hidden from the Developer Options and this is the reason behind this issue.
Yes, we get that the bootloader is already unlocked on your device, but still, until and unless the OEM Unlock option is visible, the flashing will fail [irrespective of the fact that your bootloader is already unlocked beforehand]. So on that note, here’s how you could rectify this issue:
- To begin with, connect your device to the WiFi.
- Then go to Settings > About Phone > Software Information.
- Now tap on Build Number 7 times. This will enable Developer Options.
- Wait for around 15 seconds and then go to Developer Options.
- You should now see the OEM Unlock option, enable it [See NOTE].
- Finally, boot to Download Mode and flash the required file via Odin.
NOTE If you still don’t see the OEM Unlock option after waiting for around 15 seconds, then disable Developer Options and close it from the Recents menu as well. Now wait for around 30 seconds and re-enable Developer Options. You should now see the OEM Unlock option. Enable it and get the required task done.
What about the North American Regions?
As you might be aware, there is no known way to unlock the bootloader of the North American (Canada and the USA) editions of the Galaxy devices, you wouldn’t get this error message in the first place. However, it is not a reason to rejoice as those users wouldn’t be able to carry out any tweaks on their device because unlocking the bootloader is the gateway to welcome any and every type of tweak. But if that gateway is locked from the OEM itself, then there’s nothing much that a user can do from its end.
On that note, we round off this guide on how you could fix the “Only official released binary are allowed to be flashed” error while trying to flash a file in Download Mode on a Samsung device. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.