Using Heimdall to flash files to your Android device can be confusing if you are a Mac or Linux user. Heimdall is an alternative to Odin, which is Windows based. Odin is a little more straight forward and I found Heimdall pretty confusing.
Most the time, you can flash files to your Android device using a custom recovery like CWM or TWRP. However, if you have a file that can only be flashed with software like Odin, it is very frustrating if you are a Mac or Linux user. If you need to flash a file this way, it’s not too difficult. Just be aware that you can hard-brick your phone, so you should only flash files with Odin or Heimdall if you are comfortable taking this risk.
Using the Heimdall GUI on a Mac is pretty easy once you’ve done it once. Here’s how to do it. If you get confused, you can watch a video that describes a similar process.
Step 1: Download Heimdall
Download the latest version of Heimdall from http://glassechidna.com.au/heimdall/
Install Heimdall: requires reboot.
Step 2: Detect Phone and Download PIT File
You do not need Samsung drivers on a Mac like Windows. Word of caution: avoid downloading PIT files from the internet. Always create your own from your phone.
- Turn your phone off. Put into Download Mode. Ex: Samsung you power on with the Power Button + Volume Down
- Choose the Utilities button at the top of the screen
- Click “Detect”
- Click “Save As” and name your PIT file something like “S4.pit”
Step 3: Flash Files
- While still in Download Mode, switch to the “Flash” button at the top of Heimdall
- Browse for the PIT file you created above
- Click the “Add” button.
- Choose the Partition Name dropdown and select the type of file you have. Ex: MDM is for modems
- Click the “Browse” button just below the Partition Name and find the file you want to flash
- Click “Start”, let it run, and you are done
That should be it. This worked for me when recently updating basebands.