You can use Galaxy S9 recovery mode to flash new ROMs, clear Galaxy S9 cache partition, and to check recovery logs.
Although Galaxy S9 recovery mode was designed for some advanced users, you may need some of the features, especially clearing the cache partition to fix some problems after a major update.
This Galaxy S9 guide explains to you the functions of Galaxy S9 recovery mode, the way to reboot Galaxy S9 or S9+ into recovery mode, usage of the recovery mode, and methods of clearing Galaxy S9 cache partition.
What is Galaxy S9 recovery mode?
All Android phones have a special mode: recovery mode, which allows you to fix any Android problems and perform some actions (for example, patch the system) to the Android system without loading Android OS.
In the phone storage layout, there is a special partition for recovery. This partition is protected from Android OS and other partitions.
Galaxy S9 is not an exception.
If you think you never used Galaxy S9 recovery mode, you are very likely wrong.
When you install updates (including monthly security updates) for Galaxy S9 and S9+, you may notice the phone will reboot twice automatically.
During this updating process, Galaxy S9 or S9+ would reboot into Galaxy S9 recovery mode first to apply the update, then reboot into Android OS so that you can use Galaxy S9 and S9+.
Of course, Galaxy S9 recovery mode offers more functions including:
- To apply Android OS update
- To reset (factory data reset) Galaxy S9 or S9+.
- To wipe/clear Galaxy S9 cache partition.
- To boot into bootloader (download mode).
- To flash official or third-party ROMs for Galaxy S9 and S9+.
- To mount /system partition manually.
- To check recovery logs.
- To run graphics test.
Although Galaxy S9 recovery mode is seldom used for most Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners, you may need to reboot into Galaxy S9 recovery mode to fix some problem with your S9 or S9+.
In fact, most Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners reboot the phone into Galaxy S9 recovery mode to clear the cache partition to fix some issues after a major Android update.
You should not confuse Galaxy S9 recovery mode with Galaxy S9 safe mode, which is a special mode of Android OS.
How to reboot into Galaxy S9 recovery mode?
The key combination to reboot into Galaxy S9 recovery mode is Bixby button+ Volume up + Power. Please refer to Galaxy S9 layout page for the location of these buttons.
You may follow these steps to reboot Galaxy S9 or S9+ into Galaxy S9 recovery mode.
Please note, it is also possible to reboot the phone into recovery mode with ADB commands.
Step 1: Power off Galaxy S9 or S9+
You can press and hold the power button for more than 2 seconds to get the power button options as shown below.
Tap Power off to power off Galaxy S9 or S9+.
Step 2: Press and hold 3 buttons: Bixby button, volume up key and power button
After Galaxy S9 or S9+ is powered off, you need to press and hold the following 3 buttons as shown below:
- Bixby button.
- Volume up button.
- Power button.
You should hold the first two buttons first, then hold the power button.
If you hold power button too early, Galaxy S9 or S9+ may reboot normally into Android OS.
Step 3: Wait for one or two minutes
You need to press and hold the 3 buttons until you see the Galaxy S9 splash screen.
You can release your fingers from the buttons after you get the splash screen.
Then you have to wait one or two minutes until you get the recovery menu.
You can (and have to) ignore the process of installing system update and the dead Android. But you cannot skip them.
Step 4: Use Galaxy S9 recovery mode menu
Without doing anything, you should get the Galaxy S9 recovery mode menu, as shown below, in about 1 to 3 minutes.
How to use Galaxy S9 recovery mode?
In Galaxy S9 recover mode, you can navigate the menu with volume up and down keys.
If you need to make a selection, you need to use the power key.
You cannot use touch gestures in Galaxy S9 recovery mode.
How to clear cache partition on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
If you find Galaxy S9 or S9+ behaves erratically, especially after an update, you may try to clear cache partition to solve many issues.
Very often, clearing Galaxy S9 cache partition usually is the last resort before factory resetting the phone when you encounter some problems with Galaxy S9 or S9+.
To clear Galaxy S9 cache partition, you just need to reboot the phone into Galaxy S9 recovery mode.
As shown in the Galaxy S9 recovery mode menu, you can navigate to wipe cache partition with volume keys.
Then use the power button to select wipe cache partition.
It will then ask you to confirm the selection.
You just follow the instructions to clear Galaxy S9 cache partition.
How to exit Galaxy S9 recovery mode?
In the Galaxy S9 recovery menu, you need to navigate to reboot the system now (the first one) with volume up and down keys, then use the power button to select it.
Galaxy S9 or S9+ will exit recovery mode and reboot into Android OS.
If you are not patient, you can also just hold the power button for more than 5 seconds to exit Galaxy S9 recovery mode and Galaxy S9 or S9+ will then be rebooted normally.
Will clearing Galaxy S9 cache partition affect my data or settings?
No, wiping Galaxy S9 cache partition does not affect any of your data and settings.
The system will rebuild the cache partition automatically after it is wiped. None of user data or settings is saved in Galaxy S9 cache partition.
But you should always back up all important data even you do not clear Galaxy S9 cache partition.
Can you reboot Galaxy S9 or S9+ into Galaxy S9 recovery mode? Do you know how to clear Galaxy S9 cache partition to fix problems of Galaxy S9 or S9+?
If you have any questions or encounter any problems on Galaxy S9 recovery mode in Galaxy S9 and S9+, or on wiping Galaxy S9 cache partition in Galaxy S9 and S9+, please let us know in the comment box below.
The community will help you find the answer.
For the user guide for new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 new features guides page.
For using Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 how-to guides page.
For using Galaxy S9 camera, please check Galaxy S9 camera guides page.
For accessories for Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 accessories guides page.
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