Samsung's creativity
If you're an avid Samsung user, you might be familiar with Odin. No, it doesn't have anything to do with Norse Mythology. It's actually the Windows program the South Korean tech company created to flash firmware images to Android-based phones and tablets. Even until now, Samsung has kept this software for internal use in order to keep modifications on their devices at bay. This in mind, running custom ROMs on your Samsung gadget may be a little difficult without the help of Odin.
Most trusted rooting tool for Samsung
At first glance, Odin's interface looks pretty simple but it may be a little bit confusing if you don't have an idea of what you're looking at.
Despite Samsung's "inclusivity" to the program, it's not that difficult to get Odin. You can easily Google its official page to reach the website where you can get a legitimate download file. It has different versions available depending on the Samsung device that you need to use it on.
After setting up the program on your Windows machine, make sure you have all the prerequisites for you to Stock ROM. Install KIES on your system or Samsung USB drivers. Secure a working USB cable and of course, your Samsung Android device. Once you have all these, you are now ready to process custom recovery.
Connect your Android device using the USB cable and the program will assign an ID to it which you can see on the top right side. On the log tab, you will see all the activities that took place while installing ROMS. Right across you will see four buttons; BL, AP, CP, and CSC.
BL stands for Bootloader, which you can use to install one on your device. AP or Application Process refers to the OS your device is running on. It's commonly used to install Samsung Official firmware. CP means Core Processor which simply pertains to your modem. You can use this button to flask individual sections for your device's hardware. Lastly, CSC is short for Consumer Software Customization. This contains all the software packages available for your country or region.
Apart from learning Odin's interface, you should also remember a few important things before using the platform. Here are some important things to remember. Back up all your information
Install the latest USB drivers
Get the latest version of Odin. Check if your USB data cable has at least 50-60% power strengthHave the correct Android ROM files (PIT and TAR) /Custom ROM / Stock ROM. Pick the correct ROM, Files, and tutorials to follow.There are tutorials you can find online that will help you use Odin correctly. How-tos and troubleshooting guide can be found on their page. You may also access the forum which you is linked to their official website to get help from the community.
Where can you run this program?
Because it's a Windows-based tool, Odin is only available on the Microsoft operating system. While you can't get the program on Samsung's official website, there are communities and forums that can provide you with a safe download file. It also has its own official website where you can get it. No need to pay for anything since these websites offer it for free. It supports all Samsung device models and is used by techs on Samsung service centers for installing Stock ROMs.
Is there a better alternative?
Despite being a reliable tool to root Samsung devices, Odin's biggest and most obvious limitation is its exclusivity to gadgets from the South Korean tech company. Luckily, there are other programs you can use to root other Android devices as effectively.
KingoRoot is a root program for Android that you can get free of charge. It's fast and has better protection for battery life. It has a 1-click rooting feature. You can also unroot a rooted device with just a simple click. Moreover, it has two versions available to cater better to your needs. It's compatible with almost all Android devices including Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG, Sony, Huawei, and more.
Root Master is a risk-free root tool for Android. It has a simple and easy to understand interface that allows you to root with one step right on your device. It's compatible with Android 1.5 to 5.0. Its download file is relatively smaller than other rooting apps.
Our take
The fact the Samsung itself created Odin especially for their devices is enough reason for you to trust this software with rooting your phone or tablet. It's free and there are available resources online to walk you through using it. Whether you need to install custom ROM or unbrick your Android device, Odin is the most efficient tool there is.
Should you download it?
Yes, absolutely! If you're looking for the perfect tool to root your Samsung phone, Odin is the best choice. Of course, make sure to do your research first and download the program from reliable websites. Or better yet, download it from its official website itself. However, if you're using an Android device from a different brand, there are other root tools that are just as reliable.