Are you selling your Android phone or getting ready to pass it on to someone else and need to remove your data? Or maybe your device is acting sluggish, glitchy, or just not quite right, and you want to fix a persisting issue. Whatever the case, you need to perform a factory reset on your phone. It wipes your device clean, restoring it to its original settings and giving it a fresh start.
We’ll show you how to factory reset your Android, plus what to do before you begin so you don’t lose anything important and ensure everything goes smoothly.
What to Do Before You Factory Reset Your Android
A factory reset wipes all your data, returning your Android device to its original state when you first unboxed it. That means photos, apps, files, messages, and settings will be erased. Here’s what you should do before proceeding:
Back up your data: Save your photos, contacts, messages, and files to the cloud or an external storage device. Services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Samsung Cloud are excellent options for this.
Know your passwords: Make sure you know your passwords, especially for your Google account and any apps you plan to reinstall after the reset or use on your new phone.
Log out of all accounts: To avoid issues with Google’s Factory Reset Protection (FRP), sign out of your Google account and other accounts linked to your device.
Unpair external devices: If you have any Bluetooth devices or other external gadgets connected to your phone, such as headphones or smartwatches, unpair them before the reset.
Remove your SIM card and MicroSD cards: If you’re selling your phone or giving it away, don’t forget to remove your SIM card and MicroSD cards to protect your personal information.
Charge your device: Make sure your phone has at least 50% battery life or is plugged into a power source to avoid interruptions during the reset process.
How to Factory Reset a Samsung Phone
If you want to factory reset your Samsung phone, here’s what you need to do:
Open the Settings app, then tap General management (or search “Reset” in the search bar).
Tap Factory data reset > Reset.
Read the warnings, and if you’re ready, tap Reset.
You’ll be prompted to enter your device’s PIN, password, or pattern for security reasons. Once entered, confirm the reset.
Your phone will restart and begin the reset process. It might take some time. Once done, your device will reboot as if it’s brand new.
How to Factory Reset a Google Pixel Phone
If you want to factory reset your Google Pixel phone, here’s what you need to do:
Open the Settings app.
Tap System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
Enter your phone’s PIN or password, if asked, and then tap Erase all data to confirm the reset.
Your phone will start the reset process, which can take some time. Once the reset is completed, restart your phone.
Keep in mind that some of the steps may vary slightly
depending on your phone model and software version. If you can’t find the Factory Reset option on your Android device, the quickest way to do it is to open the Settings app and type “Reset” in the search bar.
How to Factory Reset an Unresponsive or Locked Android device
If your Android phone is unresponsive or locked or you cannot access the settings menu, you can perform a factory reset using the recovery mode. Here’s how:
Turn off your device.
Press and hold the Power and Volume Up (Samsung Galaxy phone) or Volume Down (Google Pixel phone) buttons simultaneously until the recovery mode appears.
Highlight recovery mode using the Volume Up/Down buttons and select this option using the Power button.
Select Wipe Data/Factory Reset with the Volume Up/Down buttons, then press the Power button and confirm your selection.
Once the reset is complete, your phone will either restart or prompt you to select Reboot system now to finish the process, depending on your phone model.
FAQs about Factory Resetting Your Android
Will a factory reset remove all viruses or malware on my phone?
A factory reset should eliminate all (or at least most) malware or viruses by wiping the device. However, if the malware is embedded in your backup or external storage, it might return when you restore your data.
Can I undo a factory reset?
Unfortunately, no. Once a factory reset is complete, your data is gone unless you’ve backed it up.
Is a factory reset safe for my phone?
A factory reset is perfectly safe for your phone, but you should do it only when necessary. Frequent resets aren’t recommended as they can put unnecessary strain on your device.
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