How to use Android Recovery Mode to fix your phone or tablet

Android Recovery Mode lets you carry out maintenance on your phone, including pushing through updates and performing hard resets, so it can be a useful option if all else fails. However, different kinds of Android phones have different ways of getting into Recovery Mode, so the task can be a little bit fiddly. We’ll help you figure out how to get into Android Recovery Mode, and also explain your options once you’re in, so you can make educated decisions as to how to fix your phone or tablet.

How to enter Recovery Mode

Getting into your Android phone’s recovery mode is a bit different for each model. Look for the brand and style of device you’re using below for the appropriate guidance.

On a Google Pixel device

1. Hold down the Power key and select Power off. If the touchscreen is unresponsive, then you can simply keep holding down the Power key for several seconds until the device turns off.
2. Press and hold the Power key and the Volume down key (if you have a Pixel 6 or later) or the Volume up key (if you have a Pixel 5 or earlier), and keep them pressed for up to 30 seconds. You should see a bunch of information about your device, and Start at the top of the screen, and if the phone restarts, you may need to try again.
3. To navigate through the menu options, you use the Volume up and Volume down keys. The Power key is used to make a selection. Press Volume down two or three times and you should see Recovery mode at the top right. Press the Power key to select it.
4. The white Google logo will pop up, followed by the Android mascot on his back again with the words No command underneath.
5. Press and hold the Power key and then press the Volume up key once while still holding down the Power key.
6. You should see the Android system recovery options pop up at the top of the screen. Use the Volume keys to highlight the options and the Power key to select the one you want.

On Samsung Galaxy devices

1. Hold down the Power key and select the Power Off option. If the screen is frozen or unresponsive, you can hold down the Power key for several seconds until the device switches off.
2. If you have a Galaxy S20 / Note 20 or later, press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons. Release them when you see the Samsung logo. You can select the option you want from the menu using the Volume keys to highlight and the Power key to select.
3. With the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 or earlier, press and hold the Power key, the Volume Up key, and the Home or Bixby button together. Release when you see the Samsung logo.

On Motorola devices

1. Hold down the Power button and turn your phone off.
2. Press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously until the device turns on.
3. You can use Volume Down to highlight Recovery Mode and the Power button to select it. Depending on your model, you may then have to enter your password and choose a language to enter recovery mode.

On OnePlus devices

1. Hold down the Power button and select Power Off to turn your OnePlus off.
2. Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons together.
3. You can use the Volume buttons to highlight an option and the Power key to select it.

Recovery mode options

Depending on what type or model of Android phone or tablet you have, you will see different options for recovery mode. However, all devices will have the following standard options:

• Reboot system now: This will restart the device normally.
• Apply update from ADB: The Android Debug Bridge allows you to plug your device into your PC and issue commands from there. It’s designed for developers and requires you to install the Android SDK (software development kit). If you’re interested, you can find out more at the Android developer website.
• Wipe data/factory reset: This will wipe all of your data — photos, videos, music, apps, everything — and return your phone to its original factory condition. This will also wipe the cache partition. This is irreversible, so be doubly sure it’s what you want, and it also won’t solve hardware problems (like condensation in a lens, or an ailing battery).
• Wipe cache partition: Data related to app installations is kept in your cache partition, so you can delete these files without changing your overall settings or personal customizations. Wiping the cache partition can solve a host of issues, and you won’t lose any data or settings, so there’s no real risk involved. We recommend this as a fix for a lot of common Android problems. NOTE: Since it released Android 7.1, Google has removed the wipe cache partition option for devices that get seamless updates. You should be able to do the same thing by going to Settings > Storage and tapping on Cached data while your phone is turned on.

A word of warning about Factory Reset Protection

Unless you’re on an incredibly old Android phone or tablet, Factory Reset Protection (FRP) will automatically be switched on. All that means is that after resetting your device, you’ll need to log back into your Google account. 

This might frustrate you, but it’s in place as a security measure. By requiring your username and password before letting you access the device, FRP acts as a deterrent for theft. If anyone steals your phone, they can perform a factory reset, but they still won’t be able to gain access to the data stored on it. However, it’s worth keeping in mind if you plan on wiping your phone before selling it or passing it on to someone else. To avoid FRP, make sure that you go to Settings > Accounts and remove your Google account before performing a factory reset.