How To Factory Reset Android
How to Factory Reset Android: A Comprehensive Guide
A factory reset is a powerful troubleshooting tool for resolving persistent issues with your Android device. Whether you’re dealing with performance degradation, software bugs, or preparing to sell your device, a factory reset restores your phone to its original settings, effectively erasing all personal data, apps, and configurations. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to factory reset Android, including tablets, and explain how to do it even if you’ve forgotten your password. Curious about what really happens when you reset your phone? Let’s break it down - from the prep work to the aftermath, we’ll cover it all.
How to Factory Reset Android
Factory resetting an Android device can be done via the Settings menu or Recovery mode, depending on your access to the device. Here’s how to proceed with a factory reset using both methods:
Factory Reset via Settings Menu
This is the most straightforward method for resetting your Android phone, ideal for when your device is functional, but you want to clear everything and start fresh.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open Settings:
- On your Android device, navigate to Settings. This can be accessed by tapping the gear icon from the notification shade or the app drawer.
- Select System:
- Scroll down and select System, then tap Reset Options.
- Choose Erase All Data (Factory Reset):
- In the Reset Options menu, select Erase all data (factory reset). This will open a summary of everything that will be erased, including apps, settings, and data.
- Confirm the Action:
- Tap Reset Phone or Erase Everything to begin the process. You will be asked to enter your device’s PIN or password to confirm the reset.
- Restart and Setup:
- The phone will then reboot and begin the factory reset process, which can take several minutes. Once the reset is complete, your device will restart and display the initial setup screen.
Factory Reset via Recovery Mode
If your device is unresponsive, locked out, or otherwise inaccessible, you can still perform a factory reset using Recovery mode. Imagine pressing a series of hardware buttons in just the right order - it’s like finding a secret key that unlocks a special device mode, where you can start from scratch by wiping all data clean.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Turn Off the Device:
- Press and hold the Power button until the device powers off. If your phone is frozen, press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons together for several seconds until the screen goes black.
- Boot into Recovery Mode:
- To enter Recovery mode, press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons simultaneously. On some devices, this combination includes the Bixby button (Samsung) or other hardware keys. Release the buttons when the Android logo appears.
- Navigate to Wipe Data/Factory Reset:
- In Recovery mode, use the Volume buttons to navigate to Wipe data/factory reset. Use the Power button to select it.
- Confirm the Reset:
- Scroll to Yes using the Volume buttons, then confirm with the Power button. The device will begin wiping all data and restoring factory settings.
- Reboot the Device:
- Once the process is complete, you’ll be returned to the main recovery menu. Select Reboot System Now to restart your device.
How to Factory Reset Android Tablet
Performing a factory reset on an Android tablet follows similar steps to those for a smartphone. Whether you own a Samsung Galaxy Tab, an Amazon Fire Tablet (running Android), or any other Android-based tablet, you can use the Settings menu or Recovery mode to reset it.
Factory Reset an Android Tablet via Settings Menu:
- Open Settings:
- On your tablet, swipe down from the top and tap the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
- Go to System:
- Scroll down to System and tap Reset Options.
- Select Erase All Data:
- Choose Erase all data (factory reset) to view a summary of the reset, including which data and apps will be deleted.
- Confirm the Reset:
- Tap Reset Tablet and confirm by entering your PIN or password. The tablet will begin the reset process, wiping all data and restarting.
- Setup After Reset:
- After the reset, your tablet will reboot, and you can follow the setup process to configure it as new.
Factory Reset an Android Tablet via Recovery Mode:
- Power Off the Tablet:
- Press and hold the Power button until the tablet turns off. If it’s frozen, hold the Power and Volume Down buttons until it powers down.
- Enter Recovery Mode:
- Press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons at the same time until the recovery screen appears.
- Navigate to Wipe Data/Factory Reset:
- Use the Volume buttons to scroll to Wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to select it.
- Confirm the Reset:
- Highlight Yes and press the Power button to start the factory reset.
- Reboot the Tablet:
- Once the reset is complete, select Reboot System Now and let your tablet restart.
How to Factory Reset Android Without Password
If you’ve forgotten your password or PIN, don’t worry—you can still reset your Android device using Recovery mode. Skip the lock screen and start fresh - this method lets you erase everything on the device in one swift motion.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Turn Off the Phone or Tablet:
- Press and hold the Power button until the device powers off. If the device is frozen, hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously to force it off.
- Boot into Recovery Mode:
- Press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons (or Bixby button, if applicable) until the Recovery mode screen appears.
- Select Wipe Data/Factory Reset:
- Use the Volume buttons to highlight Wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to select it.
- Confirm the Reset:
- Scroll down to Yes using the Volume buttons, then press the Power button to confirm. Data wipe initiated - everything will be erased.
- Reboot the Device:
- Once the reset is complete, select Reboot System Now. Your device will restart, and the password will be removed.
Other Methods to Factory Reset Without a Password:
Find My Device (Google): If you have access to your Google account, you can use Find My Device to remotely erase the phone. Simply go to Find My Device, select your phone, and choose Erase Device.
Samsung’s Find My Mobile: For Samsung devices, you can use Find My Mobile to remotely reset the phone without needing the password.
What Would Happen if I Reset My Phone?
Performing a factory reset on your Android device will result in several key changes. Here’s what you can expect to happen once the reset is complete:
Data Deletion:
All user data will be permanently erased from the device, including:
Contacts, photos, and videos.
Downloaded apps and app data.
Text messages and call logs.
Saved settings and Wi-Fi passwords.
After the reset, your phone will revert to its original state as if it were just out of the box. The Android operating system will remain intact, but any updates to the software or firmware that were applied after the purchase will stay on the device.
Accounts Removed:
All accounts associated with the device, including Google, Samsung, or any other account, will be removed. This means you’ll need to log back in with your credentials after the reset.
Device Behavior:
Once reset, the device will boot up with the initial setup screen, allowing you to reconfigure it from scratch. You can restore your data from a backup if one was made prior to the reset.
System Updates Retained:
Any system updates applied to the device will remain even after a factory reset. If your phone had received an update to a newer version of Android, it will keep that version.
Will a Factory Reset Fix Performance Issues?
A factory reset is an effective way to resolve performance-related issues such as lag, app crashes, or sluggishness. Simply wiping the slate clean can work wonders - out goes the bad data, and in comes a fresh start. However, if the issues are related to hardware, a reset may not fully resolve them.
Security and Privacy:
A factory reset ensures that all of your personal data is wiped from the device, making it a secure option before selling or giving away your phone. Without giving second thought to cyber threats, you can freely access your files, apps, and accounts, confident in their security.
Conclusion
Knowing how to factory reset an Android device is essential for troubleshooting serious issues or preparing your phone or tablet for resale. Whether you’re resetting via Settings, Recovery mode, or remotely with tools like Find My Device, the process will restore your Android to its original state while erasing all personal data. Always remember to back up your important information before proceeding with a reset, as this action cannot be undone.