How to install the application through the recovery menu. Install firmware, updates, kernels and more on an Android device using ClockworkMod

What to do if an Android smartphone suddenly starts to freeze and behave as if it wants to live its own life? How to reflash Android? This question is asked by many users of modern gadgets of various brands - from the top Samsung and Sony to the now gaining popularity of the Chinese Xiaomi (more often in colloquial speech - Xiaomi) and Meizu.

Possible ways to solve problems

One of the easiest tips would be to factory reset your device. Indeed, in this case, no third-party intervention is required - all settings and resets are done at the software level. But such a trick will only work if the malfunctioning of the smartphone is caused only by software and clogged memory. After resetting the settings, and in frequent cases, overwriting the content, the device turns on like a new one.

What is "Recovery" and what it is eaten with

Many immediately give up their positions and throw out a white flag, rushing to contact service centers. But any experienced user will tell you that you should not do this. After all, you can save yourself extra nerves and money by just following the simple steps from this instruction.

"Recovery" is a smartphone software based on the Android OS, which is something like a "BIOS" on a PC. That is, with the help of "Recovery" you can do a complete reset of the smartphone to factory settings, you can also install operating system updates and just flash it. When buying in a store, the user most often receives a device with a factory "Recovery" menu, which is slightly limited in functionality and will not allow you to successfully flash the operating system.

If we talk about "custom" (translated from English custom - "made to order") "Recovery", then it will allow you to more fully "communicate" with the phone system, make backup copies of firmware and restore them, as well as make a more complete and deep reset of the device.

How to enter the "Recovery"

To flash the device through "Recovery", you must first get into this very menu. It is as easy as shelling pears to do this, especially since on many devices the input combination is exactly the same. So, if the smartphone has a physical central button or the “Home” button (most often found on older Samsung and LG devices, but it may also appear in more modern devices), you need to hold down the “Home” buttons on the gadget turned off and "Volume +", then, without releasing them, press the power button.

The device will turn on in the desired mode. If you have a more modern device without a physical Home button, you need to repeat the process described above, but using only the Volume + button and the power button. If the desired result was not achieved, you should refer to the extended list of ways to enter the "Recovery" menu for different manufacturers.

What else is needed

In order to understand how to reflash Android, you first need to download the firmware for your device. Most often, firmware files are hidden from public view for security purposes and the safety of the manufacturer's data. That is why ordinary users create backup copies of their operating systems and form databases of stock firmware from them, links to which can be found on specialized sites. It is the firmware file itself, which is in the archive with the * .zip extension, that will be needed to understand how to restore Android through Recovery.

There are times when the old stock firmware is tired, and you want something new. That is why there are always craftsmen who create custom firmware, “cutting out” the excess from them or, conversely, adding something new. In such cases, it will not be possible to use the standard "Recovery", and here the very custom CWM Recovery (ClockWorkMod Recovery) or

Installation or TWRP

It is not necessary to install "Recovery" on "Android" through a computer, most often, on the contrary, it is easier to use stock. All you need to do is download the necessary file, again located in the *.zip archive, and place it on the smartphone's external flash card.

After that, going into the stock "Recovery", you need to select the item "Apply update from external storage" and select the same file with custom "Recovery" in the list that opens. After confirming the selection, the installation process will begin, after which the device will prompt you to reboot. Process completed.

How to flash "Android" through "Recovery"

Turning directly to the process of installing the firmware itself, I would like to say that all unofficial files of the Android operating system created directly by users of certain devices should be installed at your own peril and risk. If, nevertheless, the decision to install a non-native version of the software is made, you should make sure that the firmware is “written” for the phone that you plan to reflash.

If we are talking about stock firmware, then you should not bother installing CWM Recovery or TWRP. All manipulations that need to be done are limited to downloading the factory firmware file and placing it on an external memory card. After that, the process is similar to installing a custom "Recovery". That is, you need to go to the stock "Recovery" menu, select the "Apply update from external storage" item, then specify the firmware file directly and confirm the action. After the process is completed, you need to take one more step that will help you avoid freezes and “glitches” when you turn on and operate the device. Immediately after the end of the firmware, you need to select the menu item "Wipe data / factory reset" and confirm the action. This will clear information about the previous software and files that were present on the device before the firmware process.

At the end of these steps, select the "Reboot system now" menu item. The device will reboot and the process of setting up the smartphone from scratch will begin. If the power-on process is delayed and the device logo “hangs”, it is worth remembering whether the reset item was completed after flashing.

Custom versions of Android

How to flash "Android" through "Recovery", in principle, is understandable. It remains to figure out what to do with OS versions written directly by device users. The answer is simple: the process must be repeated by performing the same manipulations in the custom "Recovery". The only difference is that the firmware file itself can now be placed not only on an external memory card, but also on the internal memory of the device. This adds convenience in the event that a flash card is simply missing. In this case, you will have to select the item "Apply update from internal storage".

It is also worth noting that in CWM Recovery and in TWRP the “Wipe data / factory reset” item has been replaced with two separate items: “Wipe data” and “Wipe cache”. After installing "Android" through "Recovery" (namely, the custom version) it turned out, in the modified ClockWorkMod or TeamWin menu, you need to select the "Wipe Dalvik cache" sub-item, which will significantly increase the chances of successfully turning on the device with the new operating system.

Restoring stock firmware

If you didn’t like it or didn’t take root, there is always the opportunity to return everything to its place. Many people ask themselves: "How to restore Android through Recovery, namely the stock version?" The answer lies in the paragraph above. Roughly speaking, returning everything back to normal happens in the same way as making the original changes.

All you need to do is download the firmware from the manufacturer to a flash card or internal memory, then select the appropriate "Recovery" menu item and do a full reset of the settings / content. In principle, nothing complicated.

It seems that understanding how to flash Android through Recovery is not so difficult. But if some points are not clear, or there is no confidence in your knowledge, it is better not to get involved in such processes. But even if something does not work out, you can always restore the device firmware through the corresponding menu item. The main thing is to make a backup copy before flashing Android through Recovery. To do this, you will need a custom "Recovery" and a little patience, because the firmware backup process takes a lot of time.

In case something went wrong, you can always turn to knowledgeable people. At least an authorized service center will definitely help. The main thing is not to lose heart and confidently move forward. This is the only way to achieve any results. Good luck with the flashing!

Installation of modified firmware is carried out through custom recovery - the installer program in the phone. One such program is clockworkmod or CWM for short. What features and features of the flash driver, you will learn from this article.

What is CWM Recovery

CWM is a kind of modified "recovery mode" with enhanced features, in comparison with the official version, which is used by electronics manufacturers. Installation restrictions have been lifted, allowing owners to install third-party firmware and other modifications - kernels, patches or applications.

In the presence of CWM recovery, users should be more careful in choosing the installed firmware and add-ons. Since incorrect actions will lead to software damage to the device, sometimes without the possibility of lifting it at home or at a service center.

What CWM recovery can do

1. Install images of custom firmware, kernels, add-ons, patches and programs.
2. Create complete "casts" of the system or save only certain sections.
3. Restore a previously saved image or a specific partition.
4. Mount a specific partition, mark up a memory map to create additional areas.
5. Clear user data, erase information from a specific section.

Navigating in CWM recovery

The appearance of CWM is close to the standard "recovery mode". Visual differences lie in the color scheme. Management is also standard: the volume buttons allow you to scroll up and down, the power button - to select an item. At the same time, there is a version of CWM touch, where input is performed through the touch panel.

CWM recovery partitions

1. Reboot system - restart the system.
2. apply update.zip from sdcard - install the archive with the image / update that is on the memory card.
3. wipe data/factory reset - delete user information.
4. wipe cache partition - clearing the cache in the internal memory section.
5. install zip from sdcard - install an archive from a memory card.
6. backup and restore - saving an entire system image or only a specific partition. Restoring a previously created image or partition.
7. mounts and storage - contains mount points for the system, drives and other partitions. More tools for cleaning and formatting.
8. advanced - additional tools. The section contains items for clearing the Dalvik cache, rebooting recovery, and more.

Partitions CWM recovery version of Touch

install zip - a section with options for choosing to install a system image, update, or install from external memory.

wipe data/factory reset - section allows you to erase user data. Often needed to install a new mod or to reset and reconfigure the system.

wipe cache partition - delete the cache partition.

backup and restore - the section contains items for saving system / partition images, as well as returning a backup in case of unsuccessful manipulations with the system or in case of a rollback from one firmware to another.

mounts and storage - contains settings for mounting and cleaning partitions.

advanced - includes the functions of switching to recovery or bootloader, turning off the device, clearing the cache, etc.

Where to download CWM recovery

The utility is available as part of the program. A suitable CWM package is often attached to the instructions for a specific device model, for example, on the XDA resource. Downloading CWM from the official site is no longer available.

Ways to install CWM recovery

If available, installing CWM is possible using the Rom Manager program or other analogues that allow you to set a custom recovery mode. At the same time, this method is highly undesirable, since it often leads to a hang during the boot process of the device or other problems. The reason is the lack of compatibility of the program with a specific device. Therefore, it is better not to use this method of installation if there is no exact evidence that the method is working.

In a previous article, I talked about . Today we will continue this topic and talk in detail about custom recovery modes, their advantages over stock ones, and how to install them.

What is custom Recovery

Custom recovery is essentially an extended version of the recovery mode in smartphones and tablets. Its main advantage over stock is the presence of such features that manufacturers usually hide from users in order to protect their devices from “experimental lovers”.

With custom recovery, you can:

• Make backup copies of various sections of the device’s memory or the entire firmware and restore them accordingly (Backup and Restore items)
• Install unofficial firmware (Custom Rom)
• Install unofficial add-ons and patches through the “install zip from sdcard” item
• Format various sections of memory (Among them are such sections as: boot - boot partition, system - system partition, data - user data, cache - application cache, sdcard - memory card)
• Create new partitions on the memory card

The most common custom recovery versions are CWM (developed by ClockworkMod) and TWRP (developed by TeamWin). Both of these consoles have almost the same functionality, and the choice of one or another recovery is usually determined by which one is easier to install, or by the banal absence or presence of device support.

How to install CWM Recovery

Installation via RomManager

The easiest way to install CWM is to use the RomManager application. This application can be installed for free from Google Play, and you can flash CWM from it by selecting “Flash ClockworkMod Recovery” in the main window. From there, you can also reboot the device into recovery mode by selecting the “Reboot into Recovery” item. Keep in mind, RomManager requires Root to work. You can read how to get it.

Attention! Before installing the recovery via RomMnager, be sure to check if your device model is in the list of supported ones here https://clockworkmod.com/rommanager. With thoughtless actions, you can turn your device into a “brick”!

Installation via Fastboot mode

The “classic” way to install recovery is to flash the recovery.img file directly into the Recovery partition of your device through FastBoot mode. This method, unfortunately, cannot claim to be universal, because it needs an unlocked bootloader. But, firstly, it is far from possible to unlock it on all devices, and secondly, not all devices have a Recovery section.

However, if your device meets all the necessary requirements, you can safely use the further instructions.

How to install TWRP Recovery

Installation via TWRP Manager

The simplest TWRP, by analogy with CWM, can be installed using a special TWRP Manager application. Here you will also need Root rights.

Installation via ADB

Similar to FastBoot, TWRP can be installed via ADB

1. Download and install Android SDK including Android SDK Tools, Android SDK Platform tools and Google USB Driver
2. Download the Recovery.img file can be downloaded from the TeamWin website (http://teamw.in/twrp_view_all_devices) by selecting your device from the list.
3. Rename it to twrp.img and copy it to the root of your device's SD card
4. Connect your device to your computer via USB
5. Launch the Windows Command Prompt by typing “cmd” in the “Run” field in the Start Menu
6. In the window that opens, enter "cd C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools\adb"
7. Enter the following lines:
   su
   dd if=/sdcard/twrp.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p34
8. Reboot your device

Also, TWRP can be installed via FasBoot, in exactly the same way as I described for CWM.

What to do if your device is not in the list of supported

Most often, in the absence of official developer support, volunteers build their own versions of CWM. The methods of installing them can be very different, it can be installation from an SD card, firmware via Flashtool or Odin (in the case of Samsung devices). On devices with a locked bootloader, installation can also be performed through third-party applications.

You can find out if it is possible to install custom recovery on your device and how to do it in special branches on the Russian-language portal w3bsit3-dns.com, or the global English-language portal

ClockworkMod Recovery is a recovery for android devices, an alternative to the factory one, with many useful features: creating backups, restoring the system from a backup, installing firmware and much more.

Any user of a device running on the Android OS, who is just starting to delve into the essence of this operating system, visiting various forums, blogs and websites someday, but will definitely come across a rather strange and mysterious name - ClockworkMod Recovery. Most often, it is mentioned when it comes to replacing the kernel, flashing a smartphone or tablet, and other “hacker” frauds.

Many are probably worried about the question, what kind of ClockworkMod Recovery is, and also, what is it for and what to do with it? These are the questions I will answer in this article, in the form of a complete instruction manual for ClockworkMod Recovery.

In short, ClockworkMod Recovery, or as it is also called CWM, is an alternative recovery for devices running on the Android OS. The ClockworkMod Recovery user manual consists of several sections:

1. Recovery. What is it?
2. What is ClockworkMod Recovery and what is it for?
3. Installing the ClockworkMod Recovery utility.
4. Launch the ClockworkMod Recovery utility.
5. Analysis of the ClockworkMod Recovery menu.
6. System restore, as well as creating backups using CWM.
7. The main features of ClockworkMod: install updates, firmware, kernels and other items on Android devices.

recovery. What is it?

All devices running on the ANDROID OS have a factory recovery, which, if necessary, can be loaded when you turn on your smartphone or tablet using a special key combination. The factory utility, as a rule, can clean up the system, as well as install OS updates from the update.zip file.

What is ClockworkMod Recovery and what is it for?

ClockworkMod Recovery is a utility for working with the system, an order of magnitude more powerful than the built-in factory one. Thanks to it, you can create full backups of the Android operating system, and also install various software and all kinds of kernels and firmware on the device, and much more that factory recovery does not perform. ClockworkMod Recovery is installed instead of the factory menu, in a special section of the device's internal memory.

There are situations, seemingly hopeless, in which ClockworkMod Recovery can help. For example, if a smartphone or tablet, for whatever reason, cannot boot, this utility will help restore the operating system, with all its applications and settings.

The following are some of the most important operations that can be carried out using ClockworkMod Recovery:
1) Connect to PC via USB cable when using removable storage mode.
2) Install unofficial kernels and custom firmware.
3) Install factory system updates, as well as various fixes and additions.
4) Restore the device using the previously created copy.
5) Work with the ADB program by connecting your device to a PC using a USB cable.
6) Perform a full backup of the current firmware, as well as its parts, such as settings, applications and OS.
7) Create and edit partitions on the device's memory card.
8) Reset to factory settings (Wipe - data / factory reset), reset battery statistics (wipe battery stats), clear dalvik-cache (wipe Dalvik-cache) and clear the cache (wipe cache).

The ClockworkMod Recovery utility was developed and subsequently created by developer Koushik Dutta aka Koush. For most devices running on the Android OS, there are versions of CWM.

Install ClockworkMod Recovery

It can be noted that for most devices, installing the ClockworkMod Recovery utility is a fairly simple procedure. To do this, you just need to download and install the program from the Market and run it. The first item on the menu will be - installing ClockworkMod. For other smartphones and tablets, there are other separate utilities that are similar to the one used on the Iconia Tab. Well, or you can install ClockworkMod Recovery on them, but only with the help of the ADB program, which is an integral part of the Android SDK and you can download it.

Launch ClockworkMod Recovery

You can upload your device to ClockworkMod Recovery in several ways.
1) Using the ROM Manager program, you will need to select the item called "Load Recovery Mode" in the menu.
2) Using a specific key combination when turning on the Android device. Most often, the combination depends on the brand and model of the tablet or smartphone. But in most cases, this is a combination of pressing the volume down rocker and the power button at the same time.
3) Using the ADB program. When setting up the connection of your device to a PC using this program, in order to boot the device, you will need to enter the “command”: adb reboot recovery.

ClockworkMod Recovery menu analysis

When you boot your tablet into the ClockworkMod Recovery utility, first of all you will see its main menu:

The screenshots were taken in ClockworkMod recovery 3.0, one of the most popular and widespread. In other versions, including newer ones, the menu may change slightly, but, nevertheless, its main functions, as a rule, remain unchanged.
On many devices, moving through the menu items is done using the volume rocker. And in order to select a specific item, use the power button. But in some Android devices, other keys may be used, for example, to return to the previous menu.

Whatever submenu you are in, in order to return to the previous menu, you can use the item +++++Go Back++++++

Let's move on to the purpose of the main menu items:
1. reboot system - directly, reboot the device.
2. apply update.zip from sdcard - without a doubt, the item that is used most often.
Thanks to it, it becomes possible to install official and custom firmware, as well as themes, kernels and other software, which must be in the update.zip file, and you must move it to the root of the memory card. For example, in the file manager of a device running on the Android OS, this is the /sdcard folder.
After you have selected this item, you will automatically be taken to the next menu, in which you must confirm your choice by clicking on Yes - Install /sdcard/update.zip

3. wipe data / factory reset - a complete reset of settings, cache and data. That is, after you use this item, the device will return to the state it was in when it was sold in the store. CWM will clean up the /data and /cache partitions in the internal memory of the device. And everything will also be deleted from the ".android_secure" system folder located on the memory card, including the sd-ext partition.
4. wipe cache partition - cleaning temporary data accumulated during the use of the system and various programs, that is, cleaning the / cache partition located in the internal memory. Most often, this item is used before starting the installation of a new firmware or kernel.
5. install zip from sdcard - installs a zip file from a memory card. After you select this item, you will automatically be taken to the following submenu:

And his paragraphs mean this:
1) apply /sdcard/update.zip - well, this item is fully consistent with the second item of the main menu "apply update.zip from sdcard".
2) chooze zip from sdcard - this item is needed in order to select a .zip file on a memory card for installation.
This item is also similar to menu item 2 and is used to install various firmware, kernels, and other modifications. But there is still a difference in it - installation can be done absolutely from any file with the zip extension, having any name, and located anywhere on the memory card. After selecting this item, you will see the entire list of folders and files on the device's memory card, from which you need to select a .zip file for further installation.

3) toggle signature veritification - enable and, accordingly, disable file signature verification.
With Signature check: Enabled enabled, installation of firmware that has not been signed by the developer will become impossible. And most of the unofficial firmware, just the same without the signature of the developer.
4) toggle script assert - enable and disable the assertion script.
This item is needed for internal use in ClockworkMod Recovery, that is, you will not need it, so it's better not to touch it at all.
5) +++++Go Back+++++ - well, this item, as described above, is needed in order to return to the previous CWM menu.
6) backup and restore - this item is needed when creating and restoring device backups. Also, one of the most basic points of CWM. Thanks to him, you can make a complete backup of the tablet system, including all applications along with data that are located in the internal memory of the device. This procedure is also called "Nandroid backup", which means "System Snapshot". This is necessary in order to return the smartphone to its previous state. It looks like this:

And the points mean this::
Backup - the implementation of creating a backup copy of absolutely all sections located in the internal memory of the device.
A copy after creation will be located on the memory card. Initially, the backup name consists of the time and date it was created. But it can be renamed. But it should be remembered that the name must consist of numbers and Latin letters, spaces and Russian letters are not allowed.
Restore - the implementation of the restoration of all partitions, after selecting a specific backup.
After selecting this item, you will see the entire list of available backups located on the memory card. To restore, you just need to select one of them.
Advanced Restore - this item means restoring only a specific partition from the backup you choose.
The choice of any individual partition you wish to restore is up to you: system, cache, sd-ext, data, or boot. More details can be seen in the screenshot below:

7) mounts and storage - an item that allows you to mount individual partitions, as well as format them and mount the device as a USB drive when connected to a PC. Once mounted, folders and partitions become available for use.

This menu contains several items.:
1. mount /system - mounting the system partition;
2. unmount / data - unmounting a partition with data;
3. unmount /cache - unmounting the cache partition;
4. mount /sdcard - mounting the device's memory card;
5. mount / sd-ext - mount Linux, namely, the ext partition on the memory card, if it exists;
6. format boot, format system, format data, format cache - formatting partitions corresponding to the names.

Important! Be extremely vigilant with these menu items. For example, formatting the system partition will completely destroy your OS, that is, the current firmware. And after you format the boot partition, the device will not boot.

Format sdcard - formatting the device's memory card;
format sd-ext - formatting the Linux partition on the memory card;
mount USB storage - connecting the device to a PC, in the removable device mode.

8) advanced - use of advanced CWM functions.

This menu also consists of several items:
1. Reboot Recovery - rebooting the device again in recovery;
2. Wipe Dalvik Cache - the implementation of cleaning the Dalvik cache - a virtual Java machine used to run various applications. Most often, this menu item is used before starting the installation of custom firmware.
3. Wipe Battery Stat - reset battery statistics. This item is most often used to reset incorrect battery meter information.
4.Report error. This item allows you to report an error to the developers of the ClockworkMod utility. In this case, the error log is written to the device's memory card and can be sent using the ROM Manager program.
5. Key Test - using this item you can check the functionality of the device buttons. It works as follows: when you press a button, its code is displayed on the screen.
6. Restart adb - restarting the ADB server. This item can be used if the device has stopped responding to the commands of the ADB program when connected to a PC via a USB cable.
7. Partition SD Card. With this item, you can create partitions on the device's memory card. That is, you can create /sd-ext and /swap partitions on the memory card. The /sd-ext partition is needed for use by certain firmware, in case of a lack of internal memory of the device. And the / swap partition is needed in order to speed up the Android device.
8. Fix permissions. This item will help fix the access rights to sections and files. That is, there is a return to the factory state of access rights to files and folders of the system, in the event that changes were made due to incorrect operation of various root applications, which could lead to failures and freezes in the device.

System restore and backup using CWM

Well, you already know that thanks to ClockworkMod it becomes possible to create full backups of the device's firmware. This utility creates snapshots of all sections that are in the internal memory of the device, as well as the ".androidsecure" folder, which is located on the memory card. Moreover, a “snapshot” is taken of both the OS, along with its settings, and installed applications.

Create a backup copy (Nandroid Backup):

- Open the item "backup & restore".
- Select "backup".
- Confirm your choice by clicking on "Yes".
- After creating copies, exit CWM using the item "reboot system now".

After that, go to the clockworkmod/backup folder. It will contain the full backup. Its name, as already mentioned, will consist of a date and time, but you can give a different name to the file. In no case do not use Russian letters.

Restoring a device from a backup using CWM:
- Reboot your device in CWM recovery.
- Click on "Backup & restore".
- Select "restore".
- Now you need to select the required backup from the list.
- Well, confirm the choice by selecting "Yes".

After the recovery is completed, exit CWM using the Reboot system now item.

Note:
Some individual applications from a CWM backup, SMS, as well as WiFi settings, while not touching the current firmware, can be restored using an application or program.

The main features of ClockworkMod: install updates, firmware, kernels and other items on Android devices

All potential firmware, custom kernels and other applications and add-ons that can be installed on a device using CWM are packaged in zip files.
Before installing anything on your smartphone or tablet, make a backup copy of the original firmware in order to do everything as it was if necessary.
Make sure your device battery is fully charged and disconnect it from PC and charger.
Copy the file you want to flash to the root of the memory card, but never unpack it, and also make sure that its name consists only of Latin letters and numbers.
If you are interested in installing a full firmware, then do a full cleanup using the "wipe data / factory reset" item.

Only after that proceed to the firmware:
- Insert a memory card into the device.
- Restart your device in CWM.
- Select "install zip from sdcard".
- Open the item "choose zip from sdcard".
- In the window that opens, find the file. It should be at the bottom, right after the list of folders, if any, of course.
- Confirm your choice using "Yes".
- After completing the firmware, return to the previous menu using the item "+++++Go Back+++++"

The Android operating system is very stable, but in some cases, problems may arise with it. They are usually associated with the work of the current firmware. There are many ways to flash; in this article, we will look at how to flash Android through Recovery.

There are several basic ways to enter this mode:

How to get ROOT rights: Video

Firmware with ROOT access

Let's figure out how to install the firmware through it. First of all, you need to find and download the new firmware version as an archive.

The gadget will reboot and 8 items will appear in front of the user. Each of them is responsible for a specific operation. For example, if you go to "Wipe / Factory reset" - the system will be reset to factory settings (in some cases, simply by activating this item, you can avoid the need to change the firmware when the device began to work incorrectly). "Install" makes it possible to install files when it is impossible to do this from the shell itself.

For the firmware, you need to go to the “Install” section (it is located in the extreme left corner), select the place where the firmware was downloaded, and start the process.

After a while, the system will report a successful completion, then you will need to exit the “Install” mode and select the “Reboot” mode. There, click on the "System" item: if the whole operation was carried out correctly, the device will boot successfully.

Flashing Recovery Mode

Now consider the question of how to flash Recovery on Android. To do this, you need to install the so-called CWM Recovery. The easiest way to do this is with a special utility, which can be found in the same Google Play store at this link. In this case, superuser rights are also required. Having launched the program, you only need to follow its instructions by clicking "Next". If CWM Recovery is already installed on the system, then the utility will simply ask you to select the appropriate item that performs an action related to firmware or reset to factory settings.

Any device with Android OS starts in Recovery mode. This is a standard feature. However, with the factory option, you can perform too narrow a range of tasks. So, this is resetting the phone to the initial settings, clearing the cache, as well as updating the system from the update.zip file. Obviously, users who are expanding their knowledge in the IT field are very unhappy with such a meager list. This is where specially developed Recovery Modes come to the rescue. CWM Recovery is a popular tool among Android users and a worthy factory replacement.

Why do I need CWM Recovery mode

Clockworkmod Recovery (CWM) is a famous factory recovery alternative developed by Koushik Dutta. You can install it on most Android devices. CWM Recovery helps even in situations that sometimes seem hopeless to an ordinary owner. That is why it is necessary to know about its existence, as well as be able to use it.

CWM mode has many options

What exactly does the utility do:

1. Installs unofficial custom firmware and kernels.
2. Installs factory system updates, OS additions and patches.
3. Connects to a computer via USB in removable storage mode and to work with the ADB program.
4. Creates a full backup of the current firmware and its individual parts (system, settings, applications).
5. Restores a device from a previously created backup.
6. Resets to factory settings (Wipe - data / factory reset), clears the cache (wipe cache), clears the dalvik cache (wipe Dalvik-cache), clears battery statistics (wipe battery stats).
7. Creates partitions on the memory card and formats them.

CWM: installation instructions

ClockworkMod is sewn into the internal memory of the device in place of the factory mode. In some cases, work is carried out on the gadget itself with access to Root-right, and in others - on a PC.

The article covers such basic methods as Rom Manager, FastBoot, Rashr and Odin. For many devices, the companies themselves release separate utilities, for example, Acer Recovery Installer for Acer devices. CWM is embedded in the device memory on these devices also through the ADB software, which is suitable for devices with the HTC manufacturer.

Rom Manager: Root rights and sewing

Rom Manager is a utility created by CWM developers. It is available for download on the Google Play Market. Allows you to install CWM Recovery on the device itself without using a computer and a USB cable. Before using it, you need to root the device, that is, get administrator rights.

Getting Root rights

The procedure is straightforward and is easily carried out using special software. Take Framaroot as an example. With its simple and intuitive interface, everyone can handle it even without instructions.

Launch Rom Manager

Now is the time to use the program:

Video: how to flash Recovery with Rom Manager

Although the method is easy, there is a drawback in it: it is not suitable for all devices, as already indicated earlier. Before you start using this method, it would be logical to first determine that this program is compatible with the gadget. The list is available on the official Rom Manager website.

FastBoot Mode: The Complicated Method

The method of installing CWM using FastBoot will require skill from the user, as it is much more complicated than the previous one. It does not run on the device, but on the computer. It is recommended to use it only if you already have skills in such operations. Before the installation itself, you need to download certain files to your computer or laptop. This list also includes the Android SDK platform available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Preparatory stage

What you need to have before installing CWM using FastBoot mode:

1. Windows computer and USB cable to connect the device to the PC.
2. USB drivers for correct device detection. They can be downloaded from the official website of the manufacturer.
3. Android SDK platform.
4. recovery file.

The Android SDK utility will help you install the required Android SDK Tools and Android SDK Platform tools:

What else needs to be done before starting the firmware itself? Judging by the list above, you need a recovery-clockwork.img file. This is one of the key tools for further work. Downloading it is not difficult, but this is not the end of the matter. It is important to place this file in the platform-tools folder. For further convenience in the firmware, you need to rename it to recovery.img.

Place the file in the platform-tools folder

Straight to the point!

Now everything is ready for the CWM firmware itself, so you can safely get to work. Below is a detailed description of the actions in which it is quite difficult to get lost.

The level of complexity, as you can see, is high, therefore, before the procedure, it is strongly recommended to check that this method is suitable for the device, since it may not work in all gadgets. In practice, this method is good if the manufacturer of the device is HTC.

Rashr App

The installation method using Rashr is convenient and easy to perform, it is recommended for beginners. However, ironically, it also requires administrator rights. You can get them in a few steps. was given earlier in the Rom Manager section.

How to work with Rashr

First you need to download the application itself. It is available for free in the Play Market (Rashr - Flash Tool). You can also watch the program on a third-party site, but you must beware of suspicious web pages so as not to catch a virus.

When the program is already on the phone, you need to open it and provide it with previously received Root rights upon request. Further, everything is simple:

Video: CWM and Rashr

Odin: solution for Samsung

The previous three methods are suitable for different device models. The same method is effective for Samsung devices. This is a proprietary utility, so it cannot be used for devices from other manufacturers. There are many versions of this application. The last one is Odin 3.09.

Here, the standard factory version of Recovery is changed to a modified one using a PC, as with FastBoot:

How to enable CWM Recovery mode after flashing

After the CWM mode has been set using one of the above methods, you need to check if it works. You can launch ClockworkMod Recovery:

• using the ROM Manager program, selecting the section on its home page " Download Recovery mode";
• by pressing the keys simultaneously after turning off the device. Combinations may differ depending on the model and manufacturer of the device. In most cases, these are the volume down and power buttons;
• using the ADB program using the adb reboot recovery button.

Possible difficulties

During the installation of an alternative Recovery Mode, in particular, CWM, various difficulties and errors may occur. Which of them are the most common and how to solve them?

CWM Recovery does not recognize the memory card

CWM makes it possible to update the phone using the archive. When opening Recovery, the user sees a message that the flash card cannot be mounted. After installing another card, even with less memory, the problem disappears. The reason lies in the Windows system itself. The fact is that it diverges from the standards for formatting the card. In order to format according to the specifications of SD/SDHC/SDXC flash cards, and not just in the standard form, it is recommended to use specialized software, such as SD Formatter.

The SD Formatter program allows you to correctly format the SD card

CWM does not see the internal memory of the device: a solution to the problem

When the files to be recovered are on the internal storage, and therefore can only be recovered from there, a problem may arise. When you connect the USB cable to the PC and turn on USB Debugging, the program reports that the Android device is not detected and you need to turn on USB Debugging.

To solve this problem:

1. Connect the device as a camera, not a storage device. If there are other options available, select them.
2. Install generic drivers.
3. Find a more suitable Recovery program for your device.

Recovery menu not working

If, when starting an alternative recovery mode (volume + Home button or power), a picture appears with a lying robot, then the recovery was flashed, but when the device was restarted, it was overwritten by the stock Recovery.

The problem is solved in the following way.

1. Before flashing with Odin3, you need to remove the Auto restart checkbox and disconnect the cable after flashing. From the Download mode on the device, switch to the recovery mode by holding the volume up + home screen + power keys in sequence, and hold them until the recovery menu appears. So in any case you should get into the custom recovery menu.
2. In it, select Reboot system now and then mark Yes. This action will overwrite the stock recovery with the custom one and the "No command" error will be fixed.

Flashing a new Recovery mode means getting new functionality. The firmware methods differ in their complexity, but ironically, the simplest of them require Root access, that is, device administrator rights. When choosing a firmware method, you need to be guided by the phone model in the first place. Rom Manager is not suitable for all devices. For HTC, the FastBoot method is more suitable, and for Samsung it would be more correct to choose Odin.

What to do if a smartphone based on the Android operating system suddenly starts to freeze and behave as if it has a life of its own? How to flash a device based on the Android operating system?

Many users of modern gadgets of well-known brands are tormented by this issue: from top-end Samsung or Sony devices to the popular Xiaomi and Meise.

Possible ways to solve problems

"Recovery": what it is and what it is eaten with

Many users immediately give up and rush to contact service centers. However, any experienced user knows that this is not necessary. After all, you can save a decent amount of money and nerves by following just some simple steps given in this manual. "Recovery" is a special software that is available in smartphones based on the Android operating system. It is something like the BIOS on a regular personal computer. That is, with the help of "Recovery" you can completely reset the smartphone to factory settings. Here you can also flash the device or install operating system updates. Upon purchase, the user most often receives a device with a factory Recovery menu. It is slightly limited in functionality and does not allow you to successfully flash the operating system. If we talk about the "custom" "Recovery", then it allows you to more fully interact with the phone system. Thus, you can make backup copies of firmware and restore them, as well as carry out a deeper and more complete reset of the device.

"Recovery": how to enter

To flash the device through the "Recovery" menu, you need to get into this very menu. This can be done quite simply, especially considering that many devices use the same login combination. So, if the smartphone has a “Home” button or a physical central button, then on the switched on gadget, simultaneously press the “Volume +” and “Home” buttons. After that, without releasing these buttons, you need to press the power button. The device should turn on in the desired mode. In the event that the user has a more modern device without a physical Home button, it will be necessary to repeat the process that was described above, but only when using the Volume + buttons and the power button. If the desired result is not achieved, it is recommended to refer to the extended list of ways to enter the Recovery menu for devices from various manufacturers.

What else is needed?

To understand how you can reflash an Android device, you must first download the firmware for your device. Firmware files are most often hidden from public view in order to preserve the manufacturer's data and security. It is for this reason that ordinary users create backup copies of their OS and form databases of stock firmware from them, links to which can be found on special sites. It is the firmware file itself, which is in the archive with the * .zip extension, that will be needed in order to learn about restoring "Android" through "Recovery". Sometimes there are times when the old firmware bothers users and they want something new. It is for this reason that there are always craftsmen who develop custom firmware, adding something new from them or, on the contrary, “cutting out” the excess. In this case, the standard "Recovery" will not work. This is where custom CWM Recovery or TWRP come to the rescue.

How to install CWM Recovery or TWRP

It is not necessary to install "Recovery" on Android using a personal computer. Most often it is easier to use stock. All you need to do for this is to download the necessary file, which is in the *zip archive and move it to the smartphone's external flash card. After that, you need to go to the stock "Recovery" and select the item "Apply update external storage" there. In the list that opens, you must select the same file with custom "Recovery". When the selection is confirmed, the installation process will begin. The device will then prompt you to reboot. The process will be completed.

How to flash Android through "Recovery"

Let's proceed directly to the process of installing the firmware. I would like to note that all unofficial Android OS files created directly by users are installed only at their own peril and risk. If the decision to install non-native software is nevertheless made, you need to make sure that the firmware was written specifically for the smartphone model that you plan to reflash. If we are talking about stock firmware, then it is better not to bother installing CWM Recovery or TWRP. All manipulations that should be done are limited only to downloading the factory file and moving it to an external memory card. The process after that will be similar to installing a custom "Recovery". You need to go to the stock menu "Recovery" and select the item "Apply update from external storage" in it. Then you need to specify the firmware file and confirm the action. When the process is completed, you will need to perform one more step, which will avoid "glitches" and freezes when you turn on and operate your smartphone. Immediately after the firmware is installed, you must select the menu item "Wipe data / factory reset" and confirm the operation. Thus, you can clear information about the previous software, as well as about those files that were on the device before the firmware process. When all these actions are completed, you will need to select the "Reboot system now" menu item. The device will reboot and the smartphone setup process will start from scratch. In the event that the power-on process is delayed and the device logo “freezes”, it will be necessary to remember whether the reset item was completed after flashing.

Custom versions of Android

How to flash Android through "Recovery"? It remains only to figure out what to do with versions of operating systems that were written directly by device users. The answer to this question is quite simple: you need to repeat the whole process, performing the same manipulations in custom Recovery. The only difference is that the firmware file itself can now be placed not only on an external memory card, but also in the internal memory of the gadget. This will add convenience to the user in the event that a flash card is not available. Then you have to select the item "Apply update internal storage". It is also worth noting that in TWRP and CWM Recovery, the “Wipe data / factory reset” item has been replaced with two separate items “Wipe cache” and “Wipe data”. After you manage to install Android through "Recovery", you will need to select the "Wipe Dalvik cache" item in the modified TeamWin or ClockWorkMod menu. This will significantly increase the chances of successfully shutting down the device with the new OS.

How to restore stock firmware?

If the user does not like the new custom firmware, there is always the opportunity to return everything to its place. Many today are interested in the question: how to restore Android through Recovery, namely through the stock version? The answer is hidden in the paragraph above. Returning everything to its place occurs in the same way as the implementation of the initial changes. All you need to do is download the firmware from the manufacturer to the internal memory or flash card, and then select the appropriate item in the "Recovery" menu and perform a full reset. In principle, there is nothing complicated in this.

There is really nothing complicated in the firmware of a smartphone based on the Android operating system. But in the event that you are not confident in your own abilities, then it is better not to get involved with these processes. If, nevertheless, something does not work out, then you can always restore the device firmware using the corresponding menu item. The main thing is to make a backup before flashing Android through Recovery. To do this, you need a custom "Recovery" and a little patience. The process of restoring the firmware takes a lot of time. If something does not work out, you can always turn to specialists for help.

If after flashing the Android operating system there are problems in the operation of the device, you need to understand the situation and find the reasons. Very often, users, due to their inexperience, use pirated firmware, which do not allow for high-quality firmware. In this case, you are left for a long time without a reliable assistant - your smartphone or tablet.

Many users who have already encountered the problem of low-quality Android firmware have tried the method of flashing the Android OS through recovery. This firmware method involves first installing a special program on the mobile device that acts as a bootloader. Recovery is activated by clicking until a certain key combination is loaded (power button + volume button).

If the user has chosen this method, he must find out. Regardless of the device, it comes with its own factory recovery. It can be launched after turning on the device. Also, the factory program can install and configure system updates from update. zip and clean up the entire system.

To flash the phone through recovery, you need to find and download the ClockworkMod Recovery program (installed in the internal memory of the device, in place of the factory version). It is intended: for flashing Android and the kernel, creating backups for system recovery, for other system updates. This utility is significantly different from the factory counterpart.

If the user is interested in how to flash an android through the recovery menu, this issue must be considered. Custom Recovery Menu is a special application that has a package of popular utilities. After installing the application on the device, it will overwrite the old version of the similar application.

Custom Recovery Menu is necessary for users who plan to flash the device very often.

Android firmware through the Custom Recovery Menu is very simple. It can be done using a PC or laptop. To do this, go to program activation and select the appropriate firmware items.

Entering recovery mode.

Turn on the phone (Power button);

After 2 s. press the volume button in both directions at the same time;

After another 2 s. release the power button;

We carry out the Wipe process (Wipe data / factory reset);

After the process, Data wipe complete appears;

We reboot the device and go into recovery again;

Choose One Of The Items (install zip from sdcard, choose zip from internal sdcard). It depends on where the firmware is;

If everything is entered correctly, the firmware starts.

At the end of the phone firmware process, you need to reboot the device and start using it.

By default, all Android devices have a recovery mode called Recovery. With it, you can roll back the operating system to standard settings, install official additions and fixes. If this is not enough for you and you want to install third-party firmware, kernels and utilities on your device, then you need to replace the factory recovery with a custom one.

Custom recovery: what to choose

The most popular custom recovery for Android are Clockworkmod Recovery (CMD) and TeamWin Recovery (TWRP). The main difference between one program and another is the presence of touch control in the latter. As for the functionality, the software offers approximately the same list of options:

1. Installation of unofficial patches, firmware;
2. Connecting the device to a PC in ADB mode and instead of a removable drive;
3. Formatting, creating, merging partitions in the internal memory of the device;
4. Clearing the software cache and battery summary;
5. Creation of backup copies of the system.

After studying the methods below, you can easily install custom recovery on Android. You need to get Root-rights before carrying out work.

Ways to install TWRP

You can install TWRP recovery using a special software developer utility (TWRP Manager), third-party software designed for flashing recovery, and Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Installing TWRP using TWRP Manager

Your first step is to download TWRP Manager from the Play Store and install the application on your device. The utility must be opened to give rights to Root access. Then:

1. in the menu that appears on the left, select "install twrp";
2. a window will appear in front of you where you need to select the device and the version of the recovery that you want to install;
3. after selecting all the settings, click “install recovery”;
4. the program will automatically download the recovery and install it;
5. if you want to install a specific version of recovery that you downloaded in advance, then you need to save recovery.img and select it through the “select img file” item.

ADB as a way to flash recovery

Such a solution with reinstalling the recovery is suitable for advanced PC users. To carry out the manipulations, you will need an Android device, a computer and a USB adapter. First you will need to install the Android SDK with all packages along with the Google USB Driver. Thereafter:

1. save the Recovery.img version of TWRP supported by your smartphone to your computer;
2. rename the recovery file to twrp.img, save it to the root memory of your device.

Connect your device to your computer using USB. Launch the PC operating system command line (cmd in Windows). Write the following lines in it:

1. cd C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools\adb;
2. su
   dd if=/sdcard/twrp.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p34.

After that, reboot your device.

Ways to install CMD

You can install CMD using Rom Manager, FastBoot mode, or third-party utilities for flashing recovery.

Installing CMD using Rom Manager

1. Download Rom Manager from the Play Store and install it on your device. Don't forget to give it Root access.
2. After starting the program, a window will appear, including several sub-items. You will need to go to the "Recovery Setup" tab.
3. A new window will appear. There select CMD. After that, you will need to select the model of the device on which the recovery will be installed.
4. After that, another window will appear where you must confirm your actions.

Rom Manager will download the files to install the recovery, ask for Root rights if you did not provide them by default. After that, she will proceed to install the software. Once everything is finished, you can check the installation of CMD by going from the main menu to the "Reboot into Recovery" tab.

CMD installations in FastBoot mode

To reflash an Android device in this way, you will again need to download the Android SDK, a USB driver for your smartphone / tablet. Save the recovery file from the CMD site, rename it to update.img, save it to the platform-tools folder located in the directory of the installed Android SDK. Then enable USB debugging on your Android device.

Launch Command Prompt and enter the following commands:

If everything goes well, a corresponding notification will appear on the command line.

Installing CMD and TWRP via Flashify

As we mentioned earlier, they install custom recovery for Android with third-party utilities. One of them is Flashify. A distinctive feature of the program is compatibility with many models of smartphones and tablets. You need to install the software on the device and allow it to use Root rights.

1. On the main screen of the running application, select "Recovery Image".
2. A window will appear in front of you with a choice of recovery version and a choice of device model (if you have not downloaded the program in advance).
3. After the desired version of the recovery is saved to the device's memory, click on "YUP!".
4. Flashify will install the program, automatically reboot the device.