Download Recovery Modes are Crucial on Samsung Galaxy Devices, but Some May Not Know How to Access Them. Here’s a Brief Explanation.
Download Mode/Odin3 mode helps you flash firmware, bootloader, and other files using your PC using the Odin3 tool after booting into download mode on your device.
Recovery Mode enables flash zip files, clearing phone cache/wiping factory data/Dalvik cache. Custom Recovery allows for Nandroid backup, mod flashing, and restore from backup.
If your phone is stuck in bootloop or unresponsive, try accessing download or recovery Mode. Clearing cache and Dalvik cache may fix the issue, If not, flashing Stock Firmware after booting into download mode is recommended.
You probably know about download and recovery mode. Now, let’s learn how to boot into these modes.
Download Recovery: Newer Devices (Starting from Galaxy S8)
Enter Download Mode
To enter download mode on Samsung Phone: Power Off the Phone and Hold the Volume Down, Bixby, and Power Buttons Together. When Warning Message Appears, Press Volume Up to Proceed.
Recovery Mode
Completely turn off the phone. Now press and hold the Volume Up + Bixby + Power button. Keep the keys pressed unless your phone takes you into recovery mode.
Method for New Home/Bixby Buttonless Phones (Galaxy A8 2018, A8+ 2018, etc.)
Enter Download Mode
To Enter Download Mode on Galaxy Devices, Power Off Your Phone and Hold Volume Down, Bixby, and Power Buttons. Press Volume Up When Warning Appears.
Entering Recovery Mode on Galaxy Devices
To Access Recovery Mode on Galaxy Devices, Power Off Your Phone and Hold Volume Up and Power Buttons. Phone Will Boot Up in Recovery Mode.
Steps to Enter Download Mode
This method usually works for most Galaxy devices:
- Turn Off Your Device by Holding Down the Power Key or Removing the Battery.
- To Turn On Your Device, Hold Volume Down, Home, and Power Buttons.
- A warning message should appear; press the Volume Up button to proceed.
Accessing Download Mode on Galaxy Tab Devices
- Completely Power Off Your Device by Pressing and Holding the Power Key or Removing the Battery.
- To Turn On Your Device, Press and Hold Volume Down and Power Buttons.
- You should see a warning message; press the Volume Up button to proceed.
For devices like the Galaxy S Duos:
Try this to enter Download Mode:
- Power off your device completely by either holding down the power key or removing the battery.
- To Turn On Your Device, Press and Hold Either the Volume Up and Power Keys or the Volume Down and Power Keys.
- You should now see a warning message; press the Volume Up button to proceed.
For devices similar to the Galaxy S II SkyRocket or variants from AT&T:
Follow these steps to enter Download Mode:
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- Completely Power Off Your Device by Pressing and Holding the Power Key or Removing the Battery.
- To Connect Your Phone, Hold Down Both the Volume Up and Volume Down Keys Simultaneously. While Holding Them Down, Plug in the USB Cable.
- Continue Holding the Buttons Until the Phone Vibrates and turns On, and Do Not Release Them Before Then.
- Viewing Warning Message? Press the Volume Up Button to Continue.
Universal Download Mode for Samsung Galaxy Devices
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- This method should work if the above methods fail but requires some effort. You will need to install Android Adb and Fastboot drivers. Follow our easy guide here.
- Open your phone’s settings and enable USB debugging mode in the developer options.
- Connect your device to your PC and grant permission for debugging when prompted on your phone.
- To Open the Fastboot Folder and Right-Click on the Empty Area Within the Folder, Hold Down the Shift Key on the Keyboard.
- Select “Open Command Window/Prompt Here.”
- Enter the following command: adb reboot download.
- Press the Enter Key and Your Phone Will Boot into Download Mode Immediately.
How to Access Recovery Mode:
The following method typically works for most Samsung devices:
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- To Access Recovery Mode, Turn Off Your Device and Hold the Volume Up, Home Button, and Power Key at the Same Time Until the Recovery Interface Appears.
- If This Method Fails, Turn Off the Device Completely and Turn it On by Holding the Volume Up and the Power Key Simultaneously.
- Once you see the Galaxy logo, release the keys and wait for the recovery mode to appear.
- Congratulations! You Have Successfully Entered Recovery Mode and Can Now Flash, Backup, or Wipe Your Phone.
- The above method should work without issue for Galaxy Tab devices too.
Method for Multiple Samsung Phones (AT&T Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note, etc.
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- Turn off your device either by removing the battery or holding down the power button for a moment.
- To Power On Your Device, Hold the Volume Up, Volume Down, and Power Key at the Same Time.
- Once the Galaxy logo appears, release the keys and wait for the recovery mode to display.
- Congratulations! You Can Now Use Recovery Mode to Flash, Backup, or Wipe Your Phone.
Method for All Samsung Galaxy Devices to Access Recovery Mode:
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- If the previous method fails, Android ADB & Fastboot driver installation can be an alternative, but it needs more work. Check out our full and straightforward guide here.
- Enable USB Debugging Mode in Developer Options in Your Phone’s Settings.
- Connect the Device to the PC and Grant Debugging Permission When Prompted on Your Phone.
- Access the Fastboot Folder Created Using Our ADB & Fastboot Drivers Guide.
- To Open the Fastboot Folder, Hold the Shift Key on the Keyboard and Right-Click in an Empty Area Within the Folder.
- Select “Open Command Window / Prompt Here“.
- Input the command “adb reboot recovery“.
- Once you press Enter, your phone will immediately boot into download mode.
If the key combination doesn’t work, use the universal method instead.
Feel free to ask questions concerning this post by writing in the comment section below.
