A boot loop is when an Android device gets stuck in the startup screen and continuously reboots, preventing the user from fully booting up the phone. This usually happens because of a software issue, where there is a problem with the operating system that causes it to crash and restart repeatedly.
There are a few main causes of boot loops on Android devices:
- Corrupted system files – If some important system files get corrupted or damaged, it can prevent the OS from loading properly.
- Problematic app or update – A bad app or firmware update can sometimes disrupt the boot process.
- Hardware failure – Issues with physical components like the motherboard can also cause boot loops.
- Rooting gone wrong – If errors occur while rooting or modifying the software, it may lead to boot issues.
Boot loops need to be fixed as they render the phone unusable. This guide will go through various methods to try and recover data from an Android device stuck in a boot loop.
Back Up Data Regularly
Backing up your Android phone data on a regular basis is the best way to avoid permanent data loss if you ever experience a boot loop issue. According to a 2022 Backup Survey, 54% of people reported data loss even though only 41% back up monthly or more often. Another study found 57% of mobile users back up their data after experiencing compromised data, compared to just 39% of users who back up regularly [1].
Frequent backups ensure you have multiple recent versions of your data to restore from. Experts recommend the 3-2-1 backup rule: have at least 3 total copies of your data, stored on 2 different media types, with 1 copy offsite or in the cloud. Backing up to the cloud and external storage regularly prevents data loss if your phone cannot be recovered.
Try Booting into Recovery Mode
You can try rebooting your Android device into recovery mode to see if you can access the data files. Recovery mode loads a special interface that gives you access to advanced troubleshooting options.
To enter recovery mode on most Android devices:
- Turn off your device completely
- Press and hold the Volume Down button
- While still holding Volume Down, press and hold the Power button
- Keep both buttons held down until you see the recovery mode screen
Once in recovery mode, you may see options to wipe data or reboot. Be very careful not to wipe data unless you have backups. Try rebooting to exit recovery first. The key is accessing recovery mode to see if it can read data, not wiping anything yet.
If you can access recovery mode, some data recovery may be possible by connecting your device to a computer. Otherwise, a factory reset or professional help may be needed if recovery mode is inaccessible.
For more details, see this guide: https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-android-recovery-mode/
Use ADB and Fastboot
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and fastboot are command-line utilities that allow communication between an Android device and a computer. They provide access to the Android system partition and can be used to install and manage apps, access data partitions, and even boot the device into different modes like recovery. ADB and fastboot require the device to be connected to the PC via USB with USB debugging enabled.
To use ADB and fastboot to recover data from a device stuck in a boot loop, you’ll need to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your computer. This contains the adb and fastboot executables. Once installed, boot your device into fastboot mode by holding Volume Down + Power. Then connect the device to your PC via USB.
You can now use fastboot commands to boot into recovery mode or access data partitions. For example, “fastboot boot recovery” will boot the device into recovery mode where you may be able to perform a factory reset or wipe cache partition to fix the boot loop. The “fastboot pull” and “fastboot push” commands can help copy data from the device to your PC.
Overall, ADB and fastboot provide powerful access to break out of a boot loop and recover data. They do require some technical knowledge. Refer to the Android documentation for details on all available fastboot commands.
Sources:
[How to Use ADB and Fastboot on Android (and Why You Should Care)](https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/use-adb-fastboot-android/)
[Using ADB and fastboot](https://wiki.lineageos.org/adb_fastboot_guide)
Boot into Safe Mode
Booting your Android into safe mode can help isolate issues caused by third party apps. Here is a step-by-step guide to boot into safe mode on Android:
1. Press and hold the power button until the power options menu appears.
2. Tap and hold the “Power off” option. Don’t let go yet.
3. You should see a “Reboot to safe mode” option appear. Tap that option to reboot your device into safe mode.
4. Your device will restart and boot into safe mode. You’ll see “Safe mode” in the lower left corner.
5. Use your device and see if the issues persist. This can help identify if they are caused by a third party app.
6. To exit safe mode, simply reboot your device normally.
Booting into safe mode disables all third party apps so you can troubleshoot software issues. It’s one troubleshooting step to try if your Android is stuck in a boot loop. For details, see Google’s guide on how to enter safe mode on Android.
Reset App Preferences
Resetting app preferences can help fix issues caused by apps behaving incorrectly. This resets all preferences for apps on your device back to their default values without losing any app data.
Here are the steps to reset app preferences on Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Tap the More menu (⋮ or …) icon in the top right corner.
- Select Reset App Preferences.
- Confirm that you want to reset app preferences when prompted.
Resetting app preferences does not delete any app data. It simply clears any incorrect settings that could be causing apps to crash or your phone to get stuck in a boot loop. After resetting app preferences, reboot your device and see if the boot loop is resolved.
If resetting app preferences does not fix your boot loop issue, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps like booting into safe mode, wiping the cache partition, or doing a factory reset as a last resort. Be sure to backup your data first before trying any of these steps.
Source: How to Reset Default Apps in Android
Wipe Cache Partition
The cache partition stores temporary system files and app data that can become corrupted over time, leading to performance issues. Wiping the cache partition clears out these temporary files and gives the system a fresh start, which may resolve any software issues causing the boot loop.
To wipe the cache partition on Android:
- Power off your device completely.
- Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time until you see the recovery screen.
- Use the volume buttons to scroll to ‘Wipe cache partition’ and select it with the power button.
- Confirm that you want to wipe the cache partition.
- After it completes, select ‘Reboot system now’ to restart your device.
Wiping the cache partition will not delete any personal data or settings, so it’s worth trying before a factory reset. Check if the boot loop issue is resolved once your device reboots. If the issue persists, you may need to try the other troubleshooting steps.
Factory Reset
A factory reset will restore your Android device to its original factory settings, removing all installed apps, personal data, and customized settings (Google, 2023). This can help fix many issues caused by software bugs or conflicts.
To factory reset your Android device:
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to System > Advanced > Backup & Reset.
- Tap Factory data reset.
- Tap Reset phone.
- Tap Erase everything (Google, 2023).
This will wipe all data, settings, and installed apps from your device. Be sure to backup any important data first, as it cannot be recovered after a factory reset. The process will return your phone to the state it was in when you first unboxed it.
Factory resetting can often fix boot loop issues by removing any corrupted software or files causing the problem. However, it should only be done as a last resort, after trying other troubleshooting steps like booting into safe mode (Samsung, 2023).
Use Data Recovery Software
One of the best options for recovering data from an Android device stuck in a boot loop is to use data recovery software. There are many excellent Android data recovery apps available that can help extract your files and data from the device.
According to reviews on Reddit, some top recommended Android data recovery software options include:
- Jihosoft Android Phone Recovery – Has a free trial and is known for its deep scan capabilities to find lost and deleted files.
- EaseUS MobiSaver – Provides a free version and offers a simple, quick way to recover Android data.
- Disk Drill – Available for Mac and can read and restore files from Android devices.
These programs allow you to connect your Android device via USB and scan the internal memory and SD card for recoverable data. They search for photos, messages, contacts, videos and other file types that can be extracted and restored on your computer.
The recovery software also lets you preview found files before choosing which ones to recover. Going with a top-rated, trusted app ensures you have the best chance of rescuing your precious data from the stuck device.
Contact a Professional
If you’ve exhausted all other options and still can’t recover your data, it may be time to seek help from a professional data recovery service. Data recovery services have specialized tools, clean room facilities, and experienced engineers that may be able to rescue your data when DIY efforts have failed.
According to 300dollardatarecovery.com, professional data recovery services typically charge $300-$1000 for a simple hard drive recovery, but costs can run into the thousands for complex RAID setups or solid state drives. Be prepared to get an estimate before proceeding.
Leading data recovery companies like Geek Squad offer diagnostic evaluations to assess the feasibility of recovery before charging for full services. If your data cannot be recovered, many will not charge you at all.
Seeking professional help can be expensive, but may be your best or only option to retrieve truly critical or valuable data. For personal photos, financial records, or business data, the cost is often worthwhile.
