What My Device
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 & SPen (2015)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 & SPen (2015)

Tools and Drivers

WARNING!
Unlock the Bootloader procedure on the phone will erase all of your data.
All described operations you are doing at your own risk.
If want to save your data do a backup before starting.
The battery should be at least 50% charged before the start.

Steps to unlock bootloader on Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 & SPen (2015)

Step 1: Enable The Developer Option and OEM Unlock

To enter the process of unlocking, you are required to enable the developer option first and then OEM unlock.

  • Go to settings on your phone.
  • Connect Wi-Fi or make your phone connect to the internet.
  • Update to latest software version.
  • Locate the About Phone - Build number and then tap on it several times until the Developer option get enabled.
    • build number
  • Get back to the main Settings and then tap on Additional Settings->Developer Option.
    • build number
  • In Additional Settings, just tap on OEM Unlocking.
    • If the OEM unlocking toggle is missing:
    • Make sure that your Samsung Galaxy device is connected to the internet and re-check. The device needs to communicate with Samsung servers for identification.
    • Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 & SPen (2015) devices that are sold in the USA with a Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC come with non-unlockable bootloaders (officially). And so, the OEM unlocking option does not exist on such devices.
Step 2: Unlocking Bootloader on Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 & SPen (2015)

Boot into Download Mode using ADB Commands

  • Make sure about the drivers, install properly on the computer. And also, take a backup of the necessary data.
  • Connect your Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 & SPen (2015) to your computer and choose transferring files via USB in your device.
  • Launch the Mini ADB & Fastboot (where ADB is installed).
    • adb command
  • Issue the following ADB command to ensure that your computer can communicate with your device over ADB:
    • adb devices
  • Press "Allow" on your device if prompted to Allow USB Debugging.
    • allow Debugging
  • Boot Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 & SPen (2015) into Download mode, type the following command:
    • adb reboot download
  • After you have done this, your device should show a blue-colored "Warning" screen as shown in the image below.
    • samsung download mode
    1. Volume up: Continue
    2. Volume up long press: Device unlock mode
    3. Volume down: Cancel (restart device)
  • Long press and hold the Volume Up key to enter Device Unlock Mode on your device.
  • The phone will reboot and erase the data; now disconnect the USB Cable.
  • Samsung VaultKeeper will relock the bootloader of your Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 & SPen (2015) if you factory reset your device.
  • Now, wait until the process gets completed and your device is completely rebooted.