Samsung devices have always come with download and recovery mode to fix the device easily when the need arises. While download mode lets you flash a firmware using Odin (a proprietary PC software from Samsung) on your Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, recovery mode lets you perform a host of stuff like hard reset (factory reset), cache wipe, adb sideload OTA updates, etc.

Until now, booting into download or recovery required use of the home button. However, now that physical buttons are gone from the Galaxy S8, booting into either of the modes is done via the Volume up and down button combined with Power button.

Below is a simple guide to follow to boot into download mode and recovery mode on Galaxy S8.

How to boot into Samsung Galaxy S8 download mode and recovery mode

The method to boot into download mode and recovery mode remains same for both the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, whether it’s the software trick you’re relying on, or the robust hardware method.

Hardware Method

Galaxy S8 Recovery mode

Follow the step-by-step guide to reboot the Galaxy S8 into recovery mode easily.

  1. Power off your Galaxy S8.
  2. Press and hold the Bixby, Volume up and Power buttons together until you see anything on screen. Once you see the blue screen, let go of the buttons, as you will soon enter ‘Android recovery‘ screen now.

That’s it, you’ve entered the recovery mode. Browse between options using volume keys while to select an option, hit power button.

Galaxy S8 Download Mode

  1. Power off your Galaxy S8.
  2. Press and hold the Bixby, Volume down and Power buttons together until you see anything on screen.
  3. Now, you will see warning screen. Here, hit up Volume down to continue to download mode.

Software Method

Galaxy S8 Download mode

The Galaxy S8 features a download mode, which is similar to fastboot or bootloader mode you see on other devices.

  1. Install ADB and Fastboot driver first of all.
  2. Now, connect your device to PC (should be powered on).
  3. Open a command window on your PC.
  4. Run this command reboot into bootloader mode. 
    adb reboot bootloader

Galaxy S8 Recovery mode

  1. Install ADB and Fastboot driver on PC first of all.
  2. Now, connect your device to PC (should be powered on).
  3. Open a command window and run these commands: 
    adb reboot recovery

That’s it.

Do let us know if you need any help with this.