Samsung Galaxy update removes Android recovery menu tools, including sideloading
Source: Hacker News
Samsung removes core tools from Android recovery menu
Samsung, with some of its latest updates, is set to remove several core tools from Android’s recovery menu, and the reason is unclear.
Every Android smartphone ships with a recovery menu that includes the ability to reset the device, wipe the cache, apply updates, and more. That’s a very simplified explanation, but it’s a standard feature, and one that you might be most familiar with when manually sideloading Android updates, such as the beta updates Google releases for Pixels.
In One UI 8.5, Samsung is making a change to this.
As first noted by GalaxyClub and spotted by others, Samsung is removing several options from the Android recovery menu with the latest updates for Galaxy phones. Specifically, the update is removing:
- Apply update from ADB
- Apply update from SD card
- Wipe cache partition
- View recovery logs
- Run graphics test
- Run locale test
The only options remaining are Reboot system now, Wipe data/factory reset, and Power off.
Image: GalaxyClub
9to5Google can confirm that, at least on the current software build (January 2026 security patch), recovery tools are still fully in place on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but that could change seeing as GalaxyClub reports seeing this change attached to February 2026 security updates.
This change might be permanent, too, as GalaxyClub also notes that the update came with a notice saying that “you will not be able to downgrade to the old software due to changes in security policy.”
Why is this happening?
Put simply, we do not know. There has been speculation that Samsung might be tightening security. A leaker recently showed that Samsung is taking legal action to stop One UI build leaks. It would be a significant move for Samsung to cut off sideloading via the recovery menu, but it’s not necessarily out of the question.
Pre‑order information
The Galaxy S26 series is available for pre‑order now, with Samsung’s usual pre‑order perks in full swing. You’ll find boosted trade‑in values and more available now through March 11, when these phones hit store shelves. An additional $30 credit is offered when you buy using the links below: