According to tipster Ice Universe, Samsung has disabled Odin, a proprietary firmware flashing tool typically used to install stock firmware, install custom ROMs, and restore devices. It also appears that Samsung has removed “Download Mode,” which acts as a gateway for Odin. This change appears to have been made in the latest One UI 8.5 firmware and currently affects the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and recently launched Galaxy S26 series.
AFAIK Knox would trip a fuse if you installed custom firmware and would prevent you from using banking apps and the like permanently but you were still able to flash the firmware.
No banking, no Google Pay and things like 2FA apps like Authenticator if I recall right. A nightmare just for 2FA if you don’t have a charged 2nd phone. if you suddenly left your wallet somewhere and have to pay a purchase at the supermarket with a full cart.
I just wanted to be able to record both sides of calls which is legal in my country, without having to use the official Phone app which warns participants with a forced beep and a voice note that the call is being recorded. Any alternatives?
2FA apps should work fine, like aegis, google authenticator, microsoft authenticator, authy, etc. maybe samsung’s own one wouldn’t, if they even have one, but no one should use that anyway
why is that a problem?
I definitely remember the bit about the fuse. I can’t recall if you could flash the firmware or not. You might be right about that. I never owned an S4. I went to HTC after my S3. I regret that. Pretty phone, but what a clustertruck inside.