How to Boot Samsung Devices into Download and Recovery Mode

What is Download mode?

Download mode, also known as Odin mode, is a mode for SAMSUNG devices only. It is a state that allows you to flash firmware through Odin or other desktop software. The mode allows Samsung users to flash stock firmware, modem, bootloader, pit files, and sometimes the root package files or custom recovery files with the help of their PC. For this purpose, users can utilize the tool named as Odin3. Hence, this mode is also known as the Odin3 mode.

To use the download mode or flash files with the help of your PC, all you need to do is boot into the download mode, connect your Samsung device to your PC, and flash the desired file using Odin3.

What is Recovery mode?

Recovery mode is useful when you require flashing zip files directly on your phone. Most of the time it is possible only by having a custom recovery installed on the phone / device. With the help of the recovery mode, users are able to clear their phone’s cache, wipe factory data, as well as wipe Dalvik cache. If you have custom recovery installed on your phone / device, then it enables you to have an android backup, flash zip files like mods, custom ROMs etc., and also restore the system from the backup that you created.

How to boot Samsung into Download mode?

On most of the Samsung devices, the following steps would suffice:

• Turn off your device
• Turn the device on by pressing and holding Volume Down + Home Button + Power Key.
• If you see a warning, press Volume Up to continue.

For Galaxy Tab devices, follow the following steps:

• Turn off your device
• Turn the device on by pressing and holding Volume Down + Power Key.
• If you see a warning, press Volume Up to continue.

For Galaxy S Duos devices, follow the following steps:

• Turn off your device
• Turn the device on by pressing and holding Volume Up + Power Key or Volume Down + Power Key.
• If you see a warning, press Volume Up to continue.

For Galaxy S II Sky Rocket, follow the following steps:

• Turn off your device
• Next, press the Volume Up & Down Keys, both at the same time and while still holding the keys, plug in the USB cable to your phone.
• Do not leave the buttons until the phone starts.
• If you see a warning, press Volume Up to continue.

How to boot Samsung into Recovery mode?

For most of the Samsung Devices, the following steps should suffice:

• Turn off your device
• Turn the device on by pressing and holding Volume Up + Home Button + Power Key.
• You should see the Recovery interface now.
• For some devices, turn off completely, now turn on your device by pressing and holding Volume Up + Power Key.

When you see the Galaxy logo, stop pressing the keys, and wait for the device to display the recovery mode.

Congrats! You’re now in recovery mode. You can flash zips, create backups, or wipe your phone using recovery mode.