Samsung Galaxy update removes Android recovery menu tools, including sideloading

Hacker News · Mar 1, 2026 · Collected from RSS

Full Article

Samsung, with some of its latest updates, is set to remove some core tools from Android’s recovery menu, and it’s unclear why. Every Android smartphone ships with a recovery menu that includes the abilty 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, though, Samsung is making a change to this. As first noted by GalaxyClub and spotted by others too, 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 this update came with a notice saying that “you will not be able to downgrade to the old software due to changes in security policy.” So why is this happening? Put simply, we do not know. There has been speculation, though, that Samsung might be tightening security. Just today, a leaker showed that Samsung is taking legal action to put a stop to One UI build leaks. It’d certainly be quite a big move for Samsung to just cut off sideloading via the recovery for eveyone in response, but it’s not necessarily out of the question either. 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 are available on store shelves. You’ll also get an additional $30 credit if you buy using our links below! Galaxy S26 at Samsung.com Galaxy S26 Ultra at Samsung.com More on Samsung: How to stack Galaxy S26 Ultra discounts and get an extra $50 off Samsung confirms satellite connectivity for Galaxy S26 and older Galaxy devices The Galaxy S26 in ‘Cobalt Violet’ has a bit of an identity crisis [Gallery] Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.