Software:Android recovery mode

From HandWiki
Short description: Mode on Android operating system for installing system updates and wipe data
Not to be confused with Fastboot mode or Odin mode.
A Redmi A5 booted into recovery mode

Android recovery mode is a mode of Android used for installing updates and wiping data.[1][2] It consists of a Linux kernel with ramdisk on a separate partition from the main Android system.

Recovery mode can be useful when a phone is stuck in a bootloop or when it has been infected with malware.[3]

In 2026, Samsung removed a significant number of features from their recovery mode menu.[4]

Enablement

The way of entering recovery is different for every vendor.[5]

Examples:[6]

Features

Features of the recovery mode usually include:

  • Applying updates using the Android Debug Bridge
  • Applying updates from the SD card
  • Hard resetting
  • Mounting partitions
  • Running a system test

Custom recovery

A Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite, booted into ClockWorkMod Recovery.

The pre-installed recovery mode on Android can be replaced by other software, such as TWRP or OrangeFox. It can include features such as:[7]

  • Full backup and restore functionality
  • Applying unsigned update packages
  • USB mass storage access to SD cards
  • Full ADB access, with ADB running as root

See also

References

  1. ↑ Morgillo, Ivan (2016). Learning embedded Android N programming: create the perfectly customized system by unleashing the power of Android OS on your embedded device. Stefano Viola. Birmingham, UK. pp. 171. ISBN 978-1-78528-328-4. OCLC 957278992. 
  2. ↑ Tamma, Rohit (2015). Learning Android forensics: a hands-on guide to Android forensics, from setting up the forensic workstation to analyzing key forensic artifacts. Donnie Tindall. Birmingham, UK. pp. 61–63. ISBN 978-1-78217-444-8. OCLC 910639389. 
  3. ↑ Hill, Simon. "How to Use Android Recovery Mode" (in en-US). Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-android-recovery-mode/. Retrieved 2022-05-17. 
  4. ↑ Schoon, Ben (2026-02-27). "Samsung Galaxy update removes Android recovery menu tools, including sideloading" (in en-US). https://9to5google.com/2026/02/27/samsung-galaxy-update-android-recovery-menu-removed/. 
  5. ↑ Gordon, Whitson (2021-08-14). "What to Do If Your Phone Won't Turn On" (in en-au). https://au.pcmag.com/mobile-phones/88830/what-to-do-if-your-phone-wont-turn-on. 
  6. ↑ Hoffman, Chris. "How to Factory Reset Your Android Phone or Tablet When It Won't Boot" (in en-US). https://www.howtogeek.com/130611/how-to-factory-reset-your-android-phone-or-tablet-when-it-wont-boot/. 
  7. ↑ Skulkin, Oleg (2018). Learning Android Forensics: Analyze Android Devices with the Latest Forensic Tools and Techniques, 2nd Edition.. Donnie Tindall, Rohit Tamma (2nd ed.). Birmingham: Packt Publishing Ltd. pp. 63–65. ISBN 978-1-78913-749-1. OCLC 1082187226. 



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Android_recovery_mode&oldid=4299320"