Boot any Android Device into Recovery Mode

Every Android device comes with a recovery pre-installed on their devices, It’s called the stock recovery. To access it one has to boot their device into the recovery mode. After booting into the recovery mode, you can troubleshoot, perform a hard factory reset, wipe cache partition or apply updates via ZIP or stock firmware.

You just have to press a particular key combination which your device’s manufacturer has set to boot into it or use ADB to boot into the recovery mode. However, the key combinations are different for different brands, that’s why we tested all the combinations and finally came up with this guide.

The stock recovery is powerful but it has very limited features. You can’t flash a custom ROM, root script or mods using a stock recovery that’s why a majority of users flash a custom recovery on their device. It doesn’t matter if your device has a custom recovery or stock recovery, the key combinations would be the same for both.

Contents

Booting into Recovery Mode for Different Brands
Entering Recovery using ADB

Booting into Recovery Mode for Different Brands

To further help you save time, we’ve decided to modularly create our list such that you can simply read the steps specific to your manufacturer without having to bother about other devices which wouldn’t really be of interest to you. In case you’re curious, feel free to check out the instructions for the rest of the devices as well.

Is your device manufacturers not listed above? You can either contact us and request a guide or should consider using the universal method to boot into recovery mode.

Samsung

Key combinations: Power Button, Volume Up Button, and the Home Button

Entering Recovery Mode on a Samsung Device is quite unique to the manufacturer, as no other use their specific combination of keys to do so. This also answers why all Samsung phones have a hard Home Button. In case your Samsung Phone does not have a hard Home Button as in the case of Samsung Galaxy S9 series or the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, simply use the Bixby Button instead. Follow the steps below:

First, switch off your Samsung Device by pressing and holding the power button for a while. The phone shall vibrate to indicate a successful shutdown.
Press and hold the Power Button, Volume Up Button, and the Home Button simultaneously. Use Bixby Button if your phone doesn’t have a home button.
Your device will boot into System Update mode. You can let go of the buttons now. The device should say that there is no command.
Wait on the same screen for a while. Your Samsung device will soon enter Recovery mode shortly after. This can easily take up to thirty seconds. On a few older devices, you may be presented with a menu to enter Recovery Mode at this stage. Simply scroll using the volume keys and use the Power Button to select.

Google

Key combinations: Power Button and the Volume Down Button

Most manufacturers tend to make entering the Recovery Mode tricky, but not difficult. But with Google Devices, be it Pixel or Nexus, you practically have to jump through hoops to get around to it. This may require a fair amount of practice, but once mastered, it will allow you to access Recovery Mode.

Begin by shutting down your Google device entirely by pressing and holding the Power Button. Wait for the device to vibrate to signal a successful shutdown.
Press and hold the Power Button and the Volume Down Button simultaneously. Your phone should enter the boot menu shortly.
You’ll be presented with a variety of modes to Boot into. Let go of the buttons now. Use the volume buttons to navigate to Recovery Mode and use the power button to select it.
The device will now show the Google Logo or the Android Diagnostic Mode logo depending on the device with ‘No Command’ written below it. Press and hold the Power Button. While doing this, quickly tap and release the Volume Up button.
Your device will shortly enter Recovery Mode with all the corresponding options presented to you.

This method may take a few tries to perfect given how difficult it is. If you make a mistake, don’t worry. Just shut down the device and try again. Alternatively, you can also simply use the ADB boot directly into Recovery to save a lot of time and effort.

Motorola

Key combinations: Power Button and the Volume Down Button.

Entering the Recovery Mode on your Moto Device is quite simple. All you need to do is press a specific combination of two buttons together until your device boots into said mode.

First, power off your Moto Device by pressing and holding the Power Button. Wait for the device to vibrate to indicate a successful shutdown.
Once the phone is off, simultaneously press and hold and the Power Button and the Volume Down Button.
The phone will soon boot into Recovery Mode. Use the volume buttons to scroll between all the modes and use the Power Button to select the appropriate option. It’s as simple as that.

LG

Key combinations: Power Button and the Volume Down Button.

LG devices take a simple approach to entering Fastboot Mode like most other manufacturers. Simply follow the instructions below to access said mode.

First, power off your LG Device by pressing and holding the Power Button. Wait for the device to vibrate to indicate a successful shutdown.
Once the phone is off, simultaneously press and hold and the Power Button and the Volume Down Button.
The device will soon boot into Recovery Mode. Use the volume buttons to scroll between all the modes and use the Power Button to select the appropriate option. It’s as simple as that.

OnePlus

Key combinations: Power Button and the Volume Down Button.

Entering Recovery Mode on OnePlus is as simple as 1 and 2. Simply hold two buttons and you’re there. There’s no need to bend over backwards to achieve this mode. Follow the instructions below:

First, power off your OnePlus Device by pressing and holding the Power Button. Wait for the device to vibrate to indicate a successful shutdown.
Once the phone is off, simultaneously press and hold and the Power Button and the Volume Down Button.
The device will soon boot into Recovery Mode. Use the volume buttons to scroll between all the modes and use the Power Button to select the appropriate option. It’s as simple as that.

Nokia

Key combinations: Power Button and Volume Up Button

Entering the Recovery Mode on a Nokia device is quite simple as it uses merely two buttons for the same. However, the catch here is that it must be connected to your PC first. Follow the steps below to enter Recovery Mode:

Begin by switching off your Nokia device by pressing and holding the power button. Wait for the vibration which indicates a successful shutdown.
Now connect your device to your PC via a USB cable. The battery charging logo should appear now.
Press and Hold Power Button and Volume Up Button for a while.
The phone will now boot into Recovery Mode. You can Release the buttons and unplug your phone from your PC now.

Essential Phone

Key combinations: Power Button and Volume Down

The Essential Phone has a rather sadistic approach to entering the Recovery Mode. You cannot enter it directly and must first boot the phone into Fastboot Mode and then proceed to do a couple of tricks requiring the dexterity of an adept developer to access it. Follow the steps below:

First, switch off your Essential Phone completely and wait for it to vibrate to confirm a complete shutdown.
Now press and hold the Power Button and Volume Down Buttons together to enter the Fastboot mode.
Once in this mode, use the volume buttons to scroll to Recovery and select it using the power button.
Now, wait until the Essential Phone logo shows up on screen. Now, press and hold the power button. While at it, quickly tap and release the Volume Up Button.
After going through all this trouble, the device might let you enter Recovery Mode.

This method is not only long, but it also requires a fair bit of practice. In case you can’t get it down the first time around, you can simply retry from the same screen. However, if you end up somewhere unintended, it’ll be a long process to reach the splash screen through Fastboot Mode again. You can keep trying until you succeed, or you can simply use the ADB to bypass all of this trouble and access the Recovery Mode directly.

Xiaomi

Key combinations: Power Button and the Volume Down Button.

Xiaomi encompasses a long list of brands under its flag such as Mi, Redmi, and more. However, the method to enter the Recovery Mode on all of these devices remains the same and is relatively simple even though it takes you through the Boot Menu. Follow the steps below:

First, switch off your Xiaomi device and wait for the device to vibrate. This will indicate a complete shutdown.
Now, simultaneously press and hold the Power Button and the Volume Down Button.
Your device will soon enter the Boot Menu. Simply use the Volume Down button to scroll to Recovery. Press the Volume Up button to select the highlighted mode.
Your device will now boot into Recovery Mode.

All things considered, it is still simpler than the methods used by other phones to enter the Recovery Mode.

HTC

Key combinations: Power Button and the Volume Down keys.

HTC phones do not have a direct method of accessing the Recovery Mode. However, they do have a well laid out and simple to use Boot Menu from which you can enter said mode. Simply follow the steps below:

Switch off your HTC Phone and wait for the device to vibrate.
Now simultaneously press and hold the Power Button and the Volume Down keys.
The Boot Menu should soon appear. You can now use the Volume Keys to navigate this menu and select Recovery by pressing the Power Button.
Your phone will now enter Recovery Mode. Navigation and Selection remain the same as the Boot Menu.

Lenovo

Key combinations: Power Button and the Volume Up Button

Accessing the Recovery Mode on Lenovo devices is extremely simple. It is as simple as pressing and holding a combination of two buttons to access it. Follow the instructions below:

Switch off your Lenovo device completely by pressing and holding the power button. Wait for the device to vibrate as a signal of a successful shutdown.
Now press and hold the Power Button and the Volume Up Button simultaneously for a while.
Your device will now enter the Recovery mode. You can let go of the buttons now. Use the volume keys for navigation and power button for selection.

Sony

Key combinations: Power Button, Volume Up or the Volume Down

While entering the Recovery Mode might be a test of your Dexterity in a few other phones, Sony intends to change the game a little and test your Timing and Reflexes for once in a button mashing minigame of sorts. Again, this will require some practice, but it won’t be as difficult as the others. Follow the steps below:

Switch off your Sony phone completely and wait for the vibration.
Now here comes the tricky part. Get ready to mash some volume buttons at intense speeds as soon as the signal arrives.
Begin powering the phone on again by pressing and holding the Power Button. The phone will vibrate as a signal for you to get ready.
As soon as the LED on your phone lights up to any colour whatsoever, start mashing either the Volume Up or the Volume Down button as rapidly as possible.
If done correctly, you’ll pass the minigame and the phone will boot into Recovery mode. If you fail, you’ll have to restart your device and try again. Alternatively, you can simply use the ADB to save you time and effrot.

Huawei

Key combinations: Power Button and the Volume Up Button

Entering Recovery mode Huawei phones is quite simple. Just follow the steps below:

Begin by completely shutting down the Huawei phone.
Once the phone has shut down, simply press and hold the Power Button and the Volume Up Button at the same time.
The device will now boot into Recovery Mode. You can let go of the keys now. Navigate with the volume keys and select the desired option with the power button.

Asus

Key combinations: Power Button and the Volume Down Button

Entering the Recovery mode on Asus phones is quite simple. This involves entering the Recovery mode through the Boot Menu. Follow the steps below:

Completely shut down your Asus device and wait for the vibration. That’s the indication that the phone has completely shut down.
Simultaneously press and hold the Power Button and the Volume Down Button.
Your phone will now enter the Boot Menu. Use the volume keys to scroll to Recovery and select it using the Power Button.
Your phone will now boot into Recovery Mode.

Oppo

Key Combinations: Power Button and Volume Down Button

Oppo phones have placed the Recovery Mode right in the palm of your hands, which is not only generous of them but is also quite surprising, considering the things which we have to do in order access the same for other manufacturers. Simply follow the instructions below:

Completely shut down your Oppo device and wait for the vibration. That’s the indication that the phone has completely shut down.
Simultaneously press and hold the Power Button and the Volume Down Button.
Your phone will now enter Recovery Mode. You don’t need to use the physical buttons for navigation. You can simply tap on the desired option to access it.

VIVO

Key combinations: Power Button and Volume Up Button

Entering the Recovery Mode on VIVO phones is quite simple. They use a combination of two buttons to achieve the same. In order to enter this mode on your VIVO phone, simply follow the instructions below:

Completely shut down your VIVO device and wait for the vibration. That’s the indication that the phone has completely shut down.
Simultaneously press and hold the Power Button and the Volume Up Button.
Your phone will now enter Recovery Mode. Use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select the option you want to choose.

While this list does not contain all smartphone manufacturers, it does give you a fair idea of how to access the Recovery mode on the more popular and widespread devices. In case your manufacturer isn’t listed here, you can simply use the Android Debug Bridge to access the Recovery mode on your device. Hopefully, this guide has helped you in understanding how to enter the Recovery Mode for your specific device.

Entering Recovery using ADB

The universal way of entering the Recovery Mode on any Android Device is through the Android Debug Bridge. However, using this method requires knowledge of how to work around the ADB. While we have included the commands required to access the recovery mode for any device, using any other commands might result in some irreversible changes to your phone. Hence, we would like to recommend that you follow these steps closely.

Before we get into entering Recovery Mode through the ADB, there are a few requirements for this to work. They are as follows:

Device Drivers (Most of the devices install the drivers when plugged.)
Android SDK Platform Tools
Enable USB Debugging:
- First, Enable the developer options. (Go to Settings > About Device > Build Number and tap it 7 times.) It should be enabled.
- Then go to Developer options > USB Debugging and enable it.
- On connecting the device or while executing the ADB commands, you’ll get a popup on the device asking for debugging permissions, Allow it.

Once you’ve ensured that you have met all the requirements, simply follow the steps below to reboot into Recovery Mode. Make sure that you meet all requirements, otherwise, this will not work.

Plug your Android Device to your PC using the USB cable.
Launch your Command Line Interface. It may be called Command Prompt, Powershell, bash, Terminal, or something else entirely depending on your Operating System.
Before you reboot your devices into Recovery Mode, check whether the system detects them at all by typing in the command adb devices. This will list down all the devices connected to the PC with USB Debugging enabled.
If your device is detected, it’ll show up in the list of devices connected. If it’s not recognised, make sure that all the requirements are met. If it is, proceed to the next step.
Type in the command adb reboot recovery. This will cause the device to reboot into Recovery Mode.

This method will reboot all connected devices into Recovery Mode as long as USB Debugging is enabled. So make sure that you disconnect any devices you don’t want entering Recovery Mode, or simply turn off USB Debugging for them.

There’s another special boot mode called the Fastboot mode (bootloader mode) which works even if there’s no operating system on the device or if the device gets bricked. It’s generally used to unlock the bootloader, unbrick devices and is used when the Android OS can’t be booted. Want to get in there? Check our guide Booting into fastboot mode.