Android: what is recovery? - Importance and benefit

Many Android devices have a so-called "recovery mode", which is deeply anchored in the Android system. You can find out what the recovery mode is and what you can benefit from it in this practical tip.

Recovery mode on the Android device

The recovery mode is a maintenance mode that you can use, for example, to backup your Android user account or to troubleshoot problems. "Recovery mode" is useful for you if you want to access the Android system of your smartphone or tablet in addition to the conventional settings. Since the recovery system is located on a separate partition next to the actual operating system and is therefore intact even after a virus attack, this is often used to repair the system.

• The recovery mode is a small and independent operating system that is set up in its own partition in many Android smartphones and tablets.
• The user interface usually consists of a white and blue text console and a black background. Due to its simplicity and a similar structure, the Android recovery mode can be compared to the BIOS of Windows computers.
• In addition to the pre-installed maintenance mode, "StockRecovery", there are a large number of freely available recoveries on the Internet. The currently best known and most popular, which is also compatible with most Android devices, is the so-called "ClockWorkMod Recovery".
• The commands in maintenance mode are in English, regardless of the language of your user account. Therefore, only use the recovery mode if you are familiar with the commands there. Otherwise, you can do significant damage to your Android system.

Start maintenance mode on Android

Not every Android smartphone and tablet has a recovery mode. However, large and well-known manufacturers such as Samsung, Google and HTC have integrated a maintenance mode into their devices. Here you should note that the recovery mode can be started differently depending on the manufacturer. We show you for the most common manufacturers how to get into maintenance mode.

• Samsung: First make sure your device is turned off. Now press and hold the volume up button, the home button and the on / off button to activate the maintenance mode.
• Google: Turn off your Nexus device and press the volume down button [Volume Down] and the [Power] button. Your Nexus smartphone or tablet will then activate maintenance mode within a few seconds.
• HTC: Again, you need to switch off your device beforehand to go into recovery mode. As with the Nexus devices, press and hold the [Volume Down] and [Power] buttons until the Maintenance Mode interface appears.
• Despite the same manufacturer, the activation of the maintenance mode can vary. It is therefore best to take a look at the operating instructions for your device to find out how to get into recovery mode.

Selection options in recovery mode

Six to nine different selection options are available in the "Recovery mode". This is how you restart your device using the maintenance mode, reset it to the factory settings, format the cache partition of the system or carry out an update from the external memory, the cache and a computer. We have summarized the most important commands for you below.

1. "reboot system now": With the "reboot system now" command, your Android device is immediately restarted from recovery mode.
2. "wipe data / factory reset": The "factory reset" puts your device in the factory state. This process deletes all data such as settings, applications and contacts on your device. Caution is advised here, as you can no longer undo this process.
3. "wipe cache partition": Temporary stored data of the system and applications are stored in the cache partition. The cache usually contains data that accelerate certain accesses and tasks. You can run this command without deleting personal or other important data.
4. "apply data update from ADB": The "Android Debug Bridge" (short: "ADB") is the interface between your Android device and a computer. As soon as you have connected both devices via a USB cable, they can communicate with each other, for example to install ROMs or applications. You need administration rights for this function and your Android device must be rooted.
5. "Apply update from external storage": With this command you add updates or custom ROMs to your operating system from a storage medium such as a microSD card. If you have selected this option, the system then searches for suitable updates or ROMs.
6. "apply update from cache": This function also requires both administration rights and a root. Use this option to install updates that are in your cache. This function is almost identical to "Point 4" and "Point 5", but differs in terms of the storage medium.

To get full access to the functionality of the "Recovery mode" of your Android device, you have to root it first. In another practical tip, we will therefore explain to you how to root your smartphone or tablet under Android.