Find Out Some Methods To Fix “Downloading….Do Not Turn OFF Target!!” Error Message On Android Phone!
Summary: Have you faced the error message “Downloading…Do Not Turn Off Target” on your Android phone. Don’t need to worry about this issue. You can fix this error message. In this article, I have shared some methods on how to fix downloading do not turn off target on Android phones.
Why Does My Phone Say Downloading Do Not Turn OFF Target?
There are many reasons due to which you get the error message “Downloading…Do Not Turn OFF Target!!”. Some of the reasons are as follows.
- When users try to enter into recovery mode by pressing Volume Up + Home + Power buttons but if here they use Volume Down button instead of Volume Up button then their device will enter into Downloading Mode instead of Recovery Mode.
- Software bugs and glitches can also cause downloading do not turn off target issue on Android.
- When your device’s internal portion gets damaged then this error notification can occur.
- If your device does not have an EFS folder then your phone will show this error.
Additional Reading: How To Fix Android Phone Shuts Off Randomly
Now, let us see a real user practical example!
Practical Example: A User Experiencing “Downloading…Do Not Turn Off Target” Problem On Android
So I have the same issues others are having with not being able to update on my rooted N10 except, I can’t go into recovery.
About Me: Rooted Nexus 10> Running Stock JB 4.2.1>
When I hold down the power and down button I go into the bootloader and it says “Downloading… Do not turn off target!!” and it will just stay on this screen.
I can’t toggle anything, up and down buttons do not work to go into recovery, reset bootloader, start device etc..
But I can hold the power button down and then restart the device and everything works fine. How do I go about this?
My only thinking is that I am going to have to go into ADB, but I’m not even sure if that’s going to work.”
Original Post Is From: Androidcentral Forums
So, now the question is – How do you fix “Downloading Do Not Turn OFF Target” error on Android?
Well, you don’t need to worry. Here are some methods that you should follow when your phone says downloading do not turn off target on your Android phone.
Below discussed all the methods will work in all Android models like Samsung, Nexus, LG, Oppo, Vivo, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Moto, ZTE, HTC, Xiaomi, Realme, Lenovo, Sony, Asus, etc. But the steps may vary from phone to phone models.
Method 1: Exit Download Mode (Samsung Only)
This is the first method to fix downloading do not turn off target Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.
Follow, the below steps to do this.
Step 1: When you are on the error message screen you need to press and hold the Power, Home and Volume Down buttons altogether.
Step 2: Keep pressing the buttons unless the screen turns black after that leave all the buttons.
Step 3: Now, your phone will automatically reboot, if it is not rebooted then you need to press the Power button to reboot the device.
Once it is done see the downloading do not turn off target error is fixed or not. If not then follow the second method.
Additional Reading: What To Do To Fix Samsung Black Screen Of Death
Method 2: Soft Reset Your Device
Your device stores some data to increase its performance. But sometimes they get corrupted and this can also cause the downloading do not turn off target error notification.
Restarting the device helps in removing the temporary corrupted data from the device. This method will reset the device connection to the network which may fix this type of issue.
Here, follow the steps to soft reset your Android device to get out of download mode.
Step 1: Press and hold both Power + Volume Down buttons for few seconds.
Step 2: Now, you need to wait until your phone restarts.
Method 3: Boot Into Safe Mode
Another way to fix downloading do not turn off target is to boot your device into safe mode. Safe mode will disable all the third-party apps which you have installed and helped you to know that if the installed apps are causing the error.
Now, follow the below steps to boot your device in safe mode.
Step 1: Press and hold the Power button.
Step 2: Once the power menu appears on the screen then tap on Power OFF option among the other options.
Step 3: Now, a message will appears on the screen which will ask you persimmons to boot the device into safe mode.
Step 4: Tap on OK button and your device will boot into safe mode. You can check this by looking at the Safe Mode text at the bottom left side of the screen.
Now, if you are not receiving the downloading error then it means that recently installed third-party apps are causing this downloading error. So, to fix this find and uninstall all the apps which you have recently installed and which are creating the error.
Additional Reading: How To Fix Download Pending Error On Google Play Store
Method 4: Wipe Cache Partition In Recovery Mode
If your device has some firmware glitch then this can also be the result of downloading do not turn off target issue. Wiping the cache partition in recovery mode will remove this problem.
Below, follow the steps to wipe the cache partition in recovery mode to fix the issue.
Step 1: Power OFF your phone.
Step 2: Press and hold the Volume Up + Home + Power buttons. (The key combination to enter into recovery mode may be different.)
Step 3: When your device vibrates then leave the Power button but keep holding the other two buttons.
Step 4: When Android recovery menu appears then leave the other two buttons.
Step 5: Now scroll down with the help of Volume Down button to select “wipe cache partition” option.
Step 6: Then press the Power button to select this option.
Step 7: Wait till the process gets over. After this, you will be asked to restart your phone. Press the Power button to restart your device.
Now, see the issue is resolved or not. If still not then go to the next method.
Additional Reading: How To Fix Dead Android With Red Triangle [5 Methods]
Method 5: Master Reset
If all the above 4 methods failed to solve the error then lastly you should master reset your device. This will wipe all data that you have saved on your phone including the installed apps.
Now, follow the steps to master reset your device to fix downloading do no turn off target issue on Android.
Step 1: Switch OFF your device.
Step 2: Now, press and hold the Volume, Home and Power buttons simultaneously.
Step 3: When your device start vibrating and the Android logo appears on the screen then leave only the Power button.
Step 4: When Android recovery menu appears then leave the other two buttons.
Step 5: Now, select “wipe data/factory reset” option by using Volume Down key.
Step 6: Then select that option by pressing the Power button and then select “Yes – delete all user data” by using Volume Down key.
Step 7: After that press the Power button to start the reset process.
This will take some minutes, so be patience. Once the reset process gets over, restart your device by pressing the Power button.
Conclusion
So, whenever you face “Downloading…Do Not Turn OFF Target!!” message on your phone then you just have to go through the methods to fix the error. And if after following all the methods the error still coming then you can take your device to the mobile service center. If your phone is in warranty period then you can exchange your smartphone.

Wan to know About Me. Well, I have experince of almost 11 years in writing topics related to Android and other tech. Previously, I used to write Blogs for the company where I was working earlier. Now, I love to write tips, tricks, fixes for errors, data recovery solutions, and more related to Android for my own Website. Besides that, I love to travel and explore places, watch movies and play online games.