Last Updated on September 20, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Samsung Galaxy ExpressThe Google Android operating system that gets shipped on many a mobile device from a range of manufacturers is safe to use without antivirus, provided you don’t have root access.

Root access on Android is the same as being in control of the administrator’s account. Like with all operating systems, it’s only when you use the administrator account that installing malware or a common virus is a problem because that’s when it can make changes to the system with all those extra permissions it’s been granted.

Without access to the root file system though a malware application won’t be able to do any damage because it’ll still be imprisoned inside its own app sandbox and unable to move out of it. This is why Google Android only want you to install official software updates from signed zip files that come directly from them via your manufacturer and carrier network.

But what also should be understood by the average user is that Google Android is based on the Android Open Source Project. It’s the same kernel that is then adapted. Since it’s the same kernel, developers can play around with the AOSP code and create new custom software which can then run on your device. These bits of custom software are commonly referred to as custom ROMs.

Custom ROMs are the main focal point of custom recoveries. Because you can’t actually install custom software from a stock recovery environment, it requires a custom recovery for you to be able to get them installed. Technically you could also do it with root access via a root application if you wanted, but a custom recovery is the only way to flash these unsigned zip files yourself, which is why they also prove useful for getting root access as well: it’s the only way to get root access if you want to do the flashing yourself without relying on a one-click rooting tool to modify the recovery image to allow for the flashing for you.

Details of Note

  • The custom recovery images available in this guide are only to be installed on the Samsung Galaxy Express smartphone. Most devices have a custom recovery image developed specifically for it, and you shouldn’t install one that is intended for another device unless advised it is okay by a professional.
  • The codename for the Samsung Galaxy Express TWRP Recovery image is “expressltexx.” You will see that codename in the TWRP image file path and also from your About Device menu so you know you are flashing the right file on the right device.

Files Required

How to Install TWRP Recovery on Samsung Galaxy Express

Note: The Odin flashing tool is really easy to use, but it only works on the Windows operating system. You won’t get the flashing tool to load on a Mac or Linux computer. It doesn’t really matter what version of the Windows operating system that you’re using as long as it is something above Windows XP.

1. Download and install the Samsung USB drivers on the computer if you don’t have them already.

2. Download the firmware (.tar) file from the links above directly to the computer. Extract the file by right-clicking on it and choosing the option to extract. When you do, you’ll see the tar.md5 file inside. That’s the file you’ll be using to do the flashing.

3. Download the Odin flashing tool. It doesn’t really matter what version, but the latest is the most up to date so grab that one. Extract the Odin file and then double-click on the Odin executable file (.exe) that is found from within the Odin folder after extraction. You should now have the Odin interface open on the computer and waiting for you to connect to it.

4. Boot the Samsung mobile device into the Download Mode by first powering it down and then rebooting by holding the Volume Down + Home + Power keys at the same time.

5. A yellow warning triangle will come up on the device’s display. At this time you need to press the Volume Up button. You’ll then see the device getting into the Download Mode. It’s then ready for the flashing.

6. When in Download Mode, connect the Samsung mobile device to the computer with the USB cable.

7. If you have installed the USB drivers correctly, the Odin flashing tool should detect your device. You can tell this by observing the ID: COM port lighting up with a color, usually yellow or blue.

It doesn’t matter what color, it’s the lighting up that counts.

8. After the device is picked up by Odin, click on the PDA or AP button, depending on what button your version of the Odin flashing tool has.

9. Navigate to the stock ROM folder and upload the tar.md5 file to this location in Odin.

10. Without changing any of the default settings, click on the Start button in Odin, and the flashing then begins.

11. Wait until Odin shows a Pass message before disconnecting your device.

You can now close the Odin flashing tool and continue using your computer if you like.

That’s all.