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.
The regulations won’t come from S. Korea in the case of Samsung. And I doubt any other big market for Samsung is going to regulate them as well.
It’s just a fucking shit show. I specifically gotten my s24u because of good lock and the BT stylus. Shouldn’t have trusted the Koreans when they’re already boring cyberpunk dystopia before anyone else