Recovery is an essential part of hacking an Android phone. Recovery is a partition that boots independently of the Android OS, enabling you to access, change or replace any of the Android system files—when flashing a ROM you’ll boot to recovery to replace every system file, for example.
When you root your phone or tablet a custom recovery will be installed as part of the process. This has a greater number of features than the stock recovery, and enables you to flash zip files, create backups and fix any errors caused by your device modifications.
Boot into recovery on a Samsung Galaxy device
Shut down the device, then boot it again holding down the power, volume up and home buttons simultaneously until the device has finished booting into recovery.
This technique works on all Samsung Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S3, S4, S5 and Note range.
Boot into recovery on an HTC One
To boot into recovery on HTC smartphones including the One and Desire ranges you must first power down the device.
Next, holding the volume down key, and keep it held down while you press the power button. The device will then boot into Fastboot mode. Press the volume down button again to cycle through the menu until the Recovery option appears. Press the power button to select this.
Boot into recovery on a Sony Xperia device
Turn off your Xperia smartphone. Power it up again and when the LED turns pink press and hold the volume down key until recovery boots.
Boot into recovery on a Google Nexus phone
Power down your Nexus phone or tablet.
Next, holding the volume down key, and keep it held down while you press the power button. The device will then boot into Fastboot mode. Press the volume down button again to cycle through the menu until the Recovery option appears. Press the power button to select this.
Boot into recovery on a Moto X, Moto G or
Moto E
Switch off your Moto smartphone or tablet.
Next, holding the volume down key, and keep it held down while you press the power button. The device will then boot into Fastboot mode. Press the volume down button again to cycle through the menu until the Recovery option appears. Press the power button to select this. Your Moto X, G or E will now boot into recovery mode.
Boot into recovery on an LG G2 or G3
Power down the phone then hold down the power and volume down keys together to restart it.
When the LG splash screen appears release the buttons, then press them again. You should now see the Factory Hard Reset screen. Press volume down to confirm—so long as you have got a custom recovery installed you will not factory reset the device. Instead it will boot straight to recovery.
Needless to say, you shouldn’t attempt to boot into recovery on an LG G2 or LG G3 without having flashed a custom recovery first. This can cause you to lose your data.