[Samsung Galaxy A32 5G] GalaxyA325G:
Recently I had to replace my Samsung Galaxy A32 5G under warranty (losing all my sdcard0 data) because my previous unrooted free T-Mobile A32-5G was frozen, so what I want to do for the future is document, in words, the exact steps to copy data off and to unfreeze & reload new firmware onto the unrooted T-Mobile SM6U I have, for me in the future (if needed) and for others (if they need it).

For the hardware modes below, I'm heavily borrowing from this YouTube video titled

Samsung a32 5g Hard Reboot - Download Mode​

But I'm doing all the steps myself and writing them up step by step so they are extremely clear to anyone (and I'm adding information).

Wake

Click power button to wake the phone (assume this fails)

Shutdown or Restart

Hold both volume down & power button to shutdown/restart (assume this fails)

Fastboot Mode

Connect the A32-5G to the Windows PC via USB

C:\> adb devices

C:\> adb reboot-bootloader

In red, "fastboot mode... " shows up on the phone

You can now run fastboot commands, such as:

C:\> fastboot flashing unlock

Debug Mode (mandatory)

Settings > About phone > Software information > Build number (press 7 times)

This enables Developer mode (if you don't already have it enabled)

Settings > Developer options > USB debugging = on

Settings > Developer options > Disable adb authorization timeout = on (otherwise authorization is revoked in 1 to 7 days)

Settings > Developer options > Default USB configuration = Transferring files

Settings > Developer options > Stay awake = off (but know this exists to turn it on if your screen becomes cracked)

Debug Mode (optional)

Settings > Developer options > Wireless debugging = on

Settings > Developer options > Quick settings developer tiles > Wireless debugging = on (that adds a brand new tile to your pulldown area)

Permanently add that new "Wireless debugging" tile to the front of your swipe-down quick tiles since this button goes off whenever Wi-Fi is turned off

Android Recovery Mode

Hold both volume down & power until the screen cycles past the poweroff/restart screen to a black screen and then hold both volume up & power until the phone cycles past the "Secured by Knox" screen and keep holding until you see Android Recovery mode which has the following options, selectable by your volume button and executed when you press the power button with any selection below highlighted.

The screen will be black with orange writings saying "Android Recovery Mode" and the following options...

Reboot system now

Reboot to bootloader

Apply update from ADB

Apply update from SD card

Wipe data/factory reset

Wipe cache partition

Mount /system

View recovery logs

Run graphics test

Run locale test

Power off

Repair apps

Recovery mode (using the PC)

C:\> adb devices

C:\> adb reboot recovery

That will put your phone into recovery mode

Download mode (aka Odin mode)

With the phone turned off, press & hold the volume up & volume down & power buttons and plug in a USB cable from the PC at the same time as you're pressing the three buttons to put the phone into Download Mode (also known as Odin Mode).

The screen will turn light blue saying...

Warning A custom OS can cause critical problems in phone and installed applications.

If you want to download a custom OS, press the volume up key.

Otherwise press the volume down key to cancel

Volume up = Continue

Volume down = Cancel (reset phone)

Side key = Show Barcode {IMEI, SN, Device ID}

See also this article which others have recommended:

What is Download (Odin) Mode in Samsung and How to Boot your Galaxy Device into it Nov 27, 2022 by Dhananjay Bhardwaj

In summary, my last A32-5G was toast because I didn't know to access it from the computer with USB debugging on, nor did I know how to reload the firmware, so I don't want that ignorance to happen to me or to anyone else moving forward - which is why this thread is created so we can all pitch in.

What we need to add to this are the steps to access an A32-5G phone to mirror it over USB using FOSS scrcpy tools when the screen is unresponsive, or at least to copy the data off the sdcard0 but that will be only for those who already had the foresight to set USB debugging on permanently.

1. First let's outline all the ways to get the Galaxy A32-5G into debug mode, odin mode, download mode, factory reset mode, android recover mode, etc. - all of which I tried today.

2. Then let's run through a firmware recovery process using Odin & Samfw - which I have never done so I rely heavily on others.

Note the "official" ODIN is here for flashing stock firmware.

3. Then let's recover Samsung firmware again, this time using Odin & Frija - which I have never done but I will try soon.

4. Then let's cover how to mirror your screen over USB (and later, over Wi-Fi) - which I do all the time.

5. And then let's cover how to mount the Android file system

(both sd cards) over Wi-Fi as Windows drive letters using WebDAV - which I do all the time.

6. Then let's add a section on how to recover your old adb authentication keys if they have expired so that you can again trust the computer.

Linux = ~/.android/{adbkey,adbkey.pub,adb_known_hosts.pb}

Windows = C:\Users\you\.android\{adbkey,adbkey.pub,adb_known_hosts.pb}

macOS = ?

Android: /data/misc/adb/adb_keys

7. I don't know if the A32-5G SM6U can be rooted yet, but if it

can be rooted, I'll likely add a section on how to root it after that.

This is required reading to understand the terminology, all of which is new to me (and likely to those of you who read this).

And this is required reading for the OEM Unlock option.

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If you've enjoyed it or it has helped you, a thumbs or or thanks is always appreciated! Feel free to share and link to this thread for newbies to messing with Android devices like I am.