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How to access and use Android recovery mode
Sometimes, things go wrong with Android devices, causing your experience to be less than ideal. It might be related to a change you made or a newly installed system update causing issues. The built-in Android recovery mode lets you quickly fix many of these problems you might encounter. Budget-friendly Android phones can also access this feature, making it a universal solution regardless of your device. Whether you want to perform a simple factory reset or clear the system cache, this guide shows you how to access the Android recovery mode feature.
How to boot into Android recovery mode
Getting your device to the Android recovery main menu is simple when you know how. However, depending on your device manufacturer, the process may differ slightly but should generally be the same. The best method to get to the Android recovery menu is to turn off your device and then long press a button combination.
To boot your device into Android recovery mode, do the following:
- With your Android device on, long press the power button.
- Tap the Power off option. When your device is turned off completely, move to the next step.
- Hold the volume down and power buttons simultaneously to enter the bootloader menu, sometimes called Fastboot Mode. The easiest way is to long press the volume down button, and then long press the power key while still holding them. If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, long press the volume up and power buttons to go to the recovery menu screen.
- Navigate the menu with the volume keys to select the Recovery Mode option.
- Press the power button to confirm your choice. You'll notice a No command message and an Android icon with a red exclamation point. This is what you want to see at this point.
- While briefly holding the power button, quickly press the volume up button.
- You now have access to the Android recovery menu screen.
- Navigate the menu with the volume keys and confirm your choice with the power button.
If you're familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB) commands, quickly access your recovery menu using the following shortcut. Enter the adb reboot recovery command to launch the recovery mode when connected to a computer. You don't need to press a key combination or scroll through the bootloader menu for the Recovery Mode option.
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The common Android recovery mode features
Now that you can access the Android recovery mode screen, it's time to learn some of its core features. Many Android recovery mode features are standard, so you'll see them regardless of your manufacturer. Some devices have unique features that are not found elsewhere. For example, you might see the Repair apps option on a Samsung Galaxy phone. In the sections below, we briefly cover what each feature does so that you know what to expect.
"Reboot system now" quickly restarts your device
When you use this option, your device reboots like usual, and you'll be on your lock screen in no time. Simply put, this allows you to return your phone to its normal state.
"Reboot to bootloader" is useful for advanced commands
You may have been in the bootloader when you selected the Recovery Mode option the first time. If you plan to use more advanced features after this, such as Fastboot commands, reboot into the bootloader first.
"Enter fastboot" is where you can use Fastboot commands
This allows you to open the separate fastbootd menu, which helps you install custom firmware or ROMs without requiring a custom recovery. This feature is primarily for advanced users and has a particular use case. When you select this option, you can reboot your device, return to the recovery screen, reboot to the bootloader, or power off again. However, you'll usually use the regular bootloader or Fastboot mode for most of your needs.
"Apply update from ADB" is an advanced way of installing updates
This is helpful if your device manufacturer lets you download firmware updates. Using this feature, you can bypass the built-in system update process. If you know how to use ADB commands, sideloading a system update is a fast and reliable method to update your device.
"Apply update from SD card" installs updates stored on the device
Similar to the Apply update from ADB option, this lets you install updates from your on-device storage. If you're uncomfortable using ADB commands and your device manufacturer allows you to download system update files, this is a great way to update your device manually.
"Wipe data/factory reset" removes all on-device data and accounts
This is one of the most used options since it allows you to perform a full factory reset on your device. It does the same thing as the Settings app when your device is turned on but in recovery mode. Suppose your device doesn't boot into Android, but you can still access the recovery menu. In that case, a factory reset could bring it back to life. As long as you can access the recovery menu, you can factory reset your device whenever needed.
"Wipe cache partition" helps if your apps crash a lot
You might see this on some devices, such as Samsung Galaxy phones, allowing you to wipe your system cache. When many apps are installed, your system cache or temporary app files can bog down your device. This is especially true the longer you use it without clearing the cache. The option allows you to start fresh, which can often fix crashing apps or ones that were slow to open.
"Mount /system" is perfect for advanced users
This allows you to mount your device system file to view them and make any necessary changes. The feature is helpful for advanced users. Only use this option if you know what you're doing, as it mounts the /system partition of your device. However, your system files are only altered if you change them manually. Selecting the feature won't harm your device.
"View recovery logs" keeps track of your user actions
This one is useful if you spend more than a few minutes using the recovery mode feature. You can view a temporary log with a timestamp of your actions during that recovery session. It can be helpful if you need to remember what you did earlier, especially when installing system image files.
"Run graphics test" can identify display issues
This option runs your device through a quick test to ensure its on-device graphics and display function as they should. It also runs through recovery mode-related visual tests, which take a few seconds to complete. It might look like it's wiping your device data or installing an update, but it isn't doing that.
"Run locale test" is another visual method to test your display
This simple visual test shows various on-screen languages your device can display. It is an extension of the Run graphics test option. It allows you to see different languages displayed with various default messages.
"Power off" is a simple but useful option
If you don't plan to use the device after this, the option puts it into a powered-off state. You likely won't use this option much on your primary device, but it's there if you need it.
"Repair apps" can help fix any app that may not be working correctly
You'll find this on many Samsung devices. It allows you to reoptimize your apps, just like after installing a system update. Doing so is helpful if your apps slow down or give you other issues. Optimizing your apps using this method can return them to peak performance. As a bonus, it may fix problems with your installed apps.
The Android recovery mode on your device gives you peace of mind
Your Android device may not always boot up correctly, and your apps can occasionally act up without warning. System updates are also known to cause more harm than good in some cases, causing battery drain or other system-related issues. The Android recovery mode feature helps when you encounter these problems. If you can't boot to your Android lock screen, a factory reset from the recovery menu might do the trick. Before it gets this far, learn how to back up your Android phone to keep your data safe and sound.
