Android from A to Z: What is the Recovery menu?

We have already reviewed the most essential aspects of the Android scene. We have seen what is Root, what is that of the Bootloader, the difference between a Custom ROM and a Stock ROM, and some other things. Today we are going to focus on something essential, the Recovery menu. What is this Recovery? What can we do when we have it? Is it necessary to root?

What is the Recovery menu?

Some operating systems have this type of application, a Recovery menu. This menu is used to execute actions at a low level of programming. That is, to make modifications to a large part of the system. Many computer systems have a menu of this pre-installed. For most Android there are already compatible applications, created by the developers, which are installed as a Recovery menu. In some cases it is very simple, and in others it requires a somewhat more complex process. The Recovery menu starts only some system drivers, and normally we cannot even use the Internet connection. It usually has some rare functions.

What is the Recovery menu for?

We have explained above what this menu can be used for on a conceptual level. Now, some practical examples would be, for example, to install a new ROM. Does the word flashing sound familiar to you? Actually flashing anything is just installing it. The main difference in android jargon is that the installations are done from the system itself, while flashing consists of modifying the system itself, adding or changing something. To install, it is necessary that the system is active and working, to flash it is the opposite, it is usually necessary that almost the entire system is inactive. In addition to installing a ROM and flashing files, we can also make backup copies, or perform complete system erasures and formatting. And not only from the system, but also from the cache, or Dalvik Caché memory. Likewise, we can create system partitions, and a whole series of other things that, although they are basic, it is essential to know if we want to start changing the ROM to our smartphone.

What is the best known Recovery?

The Recovery menu is something that many computer systems have, and not just Android. However, in Google's operating system, there is an application that has obtained its own name, ClockWorkMod Recovery. Not only is it famous for being the most installed Recovery menu, but also because the rest of the Recovery there are almost all based on it.

How do I install a Recovery menu?

It depends a lot on the smartphone. ClockworkMod Recovery has an application that allows you to install the Recovery menu from the system itself. It is very easy to use, but only some smartphones are compatible. The Sony Xperia, for example, are not. The latter have adapted versions of ClockworkMod Recovery, but their installation procedure varies, and we have to find information for each specific one.

Is it necessary to be Root?

Yes, it is necessary to be Root. Also, it doesn't make much sense to have a Recovery menu installed without being Root. Installing this menu would be the intermediate step between rooting a smartphone and changing its ROM.

How do you access the Recovery menu?

Once the Recovery menu is installed, each smartphone can run it in a different way. Some ROMs allow us to directly restart in Recovery mode. If our smartphone is compatible, then it is very simple. If our smartphone is not compatible with this system, then we will have to access the Recovery by pressing a combination of keys at a specific moment when the smartphone is turned on. For example, in the case of the Sony Xperia S, you have to press the volume up button when the LED turns purple.