Android recovery mode allows you to boot Android devices into a dedicated recovery console for performing advanced recovery and maintenance tasks. In this post you will learn the steps to start Android in Recovery Mode.
What is Android Recovery Mode
Android recovery mode is a light weight program stored on all Android devices in an alternate bootable partition, separate from the main Android OS. Android recovery program is designed to provide Android device users with a set of special tools for running maintenance and troubleshooting tasks on their device.
Accessing recovery mode is not an everyday affair, this mode is only meant to be used when you have the need to perform certain tasks on the device like installing OS updates/apps from a computer or SD card, clearing cached files and factory resetting Android in case the problem on your device proves difficult to troubleshoot.
Recovery Mode Options
Once you boot your device into recovery mode, you will have a range of options to choose from. These options may vary a bit depending on the device but they generally include the following.
- Reboot now: Choose this option to restart the device in normal mode.
- Apply update from ADB: This option is mostly used by Android developers who can use the Android Debug Bridge to plug an Android device into a PC and run commands from there.
- Wipe data/factory reset: Choosing this option will wipe out all data on your device including photos, music, apps, and practically everything, so make sure that you backup your Android device before going with this option.
- Wipe cache partition: The cache stores temporary files that can be safely deleted without losing any personal data or settings.
- Reboot bootloader: Used to root your device
- Power down: Shuts down the device
- View Recovery logs
How to Start Android in Recovery Mode
Now that you have an understanding of Android recovery mode, let us take a look at how to boot Android into Recovery mode, on some of the most commonly used Android phones.
The key combination to start Android phones into Recovery mode varies from device to device. We are providing below the procedure to boot into recovery mode for some of the most commonly used Android phones.
In case your device is not in the list of manufacturers covered in this post, you can do a quick Google search using the keywords how to boot <device name> in recovery mode.
Recovery Mode on Nexus Devices
1. First turn off your phone (in case it is on). Normally you can do this by holding down the Power key and selecting Power off from the Power options Menu on the screen (See image below)
Another way of doing this is by pressing the Power key and holding it down until the device turns off. You will find this option useful in case the touch screen on your device has become unresponsive.
2. Press and hold down both Power and Volume down buttons at the same time
Note: On some Nexus devices you may have to hold down the Power button and the Volume up + Volume down buttons at the same time.
3. Your phone will now boot with an Android logo laying on its back (See image below)
4. Next, use the Volume down Key to navigate to the Recovery Mode option. Usually, pressing the Volume down button twice will take you to the Recovery Mode Option.
5. Press the Power button to accept the Recovery Mode option
6. You will first see the white Google logo appearing on your screen, followed by a No command screen (See image below)
7. Hold down the Power button and press and release the Volume up button to get into Android recovery mode.
Note: You may have to Press and Release the Volume up button a few times, till you get into the Recovery mode.
8. You will see a bunch of recovery options for you to choose from.
Recovery Mode on Samsung Galaxy Devices
1. Turn off your device
2. Press and hold Power + Home + Volume up buttons, all at the same time
3. Keep holding down the three buttons, until the Samsung device logo appears and the phone restarts
4. You will see a blue Android screen with a white Android logo
5. Your phone will stay on this screen for a while.
6. Wait until the Blue Android screen disappears and you will soon be in Recovery Mode with a list of recovery options to choose from.
Recovery Mode on Moto G, Moto X & Droid Turbo
- Turn off your phone
- Press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time
- Hold these buttons down for about five seconds and then release the Power button
- The phone will turn on and you will be presented with a list of options.
- Using the Volume down button navigate to Recovery (may also appear as Recovery Mode), and select it by pressing the Volume up button (on Droid Turbo select it using the Power button)
- You will now see a No Command screen
- When this happens press the Volume up button and the Power button at the same time for about 5 – 6 seconds and then release the Power button.
- You will now enter Recovery Mode
Use the Volume buttons for navigating and the Power key for selecting any recovery option that you want to apply on your device.
Recovery Mode on HTC One Phones
- First disable Fastboot by going to Settings > Power (this may appear as Battery) and disable Fastboot.
- Turn off the phone
- Press and Hold Power + Volume down buttons until you see a menu
- Use the Volume down key to navigate to Recovery option and press the Power button to accept this option
- You will now see a screen with an exclamation mark and the phone will be stuck on this screen.
- Next, press the Power and Volume up button at the same time to get into Recovery Mode
Recovery Mode on LG Phones
- Turn off your phone
- Press and hold the Power + Volume down button until you see the LG logo
- Release the Power button for a second and press it down again
- You will the option to factory data reset.
You will not see any other options in LG recovery mode, you can only factory reset the phone in recovery mode on LG.
Custom Android Recovery
Since Android is an open source program, you can find a number of custom Android recovery programs designed by members of the open source community.
You can use custom recovery programs like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) to get additional features that you will need not find in stock Android recovery mode as described above.
- Advanced Backup/Restore options
- Apply software updates, even though your device manufacturer or the carrier has not approved them yet.
- Select specific data for deletion instead of wiping out the whole device data
- Root your phone and more