The process of initiating an Android operating system from a USB storage device allows for system installation, recovery, or running a live environment without modifying the device’s internal storage. This involves creating a bootable USB drive containing the necessary Android OS image and configuring the target device to recognize and boot from this external source.
This capability provides flexibility in system maintenance, offering a way to recover from software failures or test alternative Android distributions. Historically, this method has been instrumental in developing and debugging Android builds, as well as facilitating custom ROM installations on compatible devices. It allows users to bypass limitations imposed by the device’s pre-installed system and explore different functionalities.