How to Factory Reset Your Android Phone

If your Android phone is acting up and you can't figure out why, you may need to factory reset it. There are also many other reasons you may need to factory reset your phone, like when you want to sell it or trade it in for an upgrade.

Resetting a phone returns it to its original state and removes all user data, such as images, videos, call logs, and browser cache data.

You'll be happy to know that a factory reset doesn't damage your phone. The magic happens when you tap reset or tap erase. If your device was too slow or kept freezing, a factory reset could resolve the problem. Also, you wouldn't want to sell or give the phone to anyone without removing personal information.

This article talks about various types of factory reset methods and the steps to do it. You'll also learn about Phonecheck's advanced data erasure software.

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What you need to know before factory resetting your Android phone

Before you decide to factory reset your Android phone, you should think about backing up your personal information. This eliminates the need to worry about losing important information like contacts, photos, app purchases, and calendar data. If you reset the device as a troubleshooting measure to find and fix a malfunction, you can just restore the information once the reset process is complete.

On the other hand, there are various methods to fix a malfunctioning phone. You should explore these options before performing a factory data reset.

Here's what to try before resetting:

• Keep your Android updated. An update may help resolve crashing and incessant rebooting.
• Clear some storage space by removing unnecessary and duplicate files.
• Force stop or uninstall unused apps.
• Cut down on background apps.
• Stop using external battery packs.

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How to factory reset Android using the settings

You can reset your Android phone quickly and easily using the Android settings app. You need to follow a few basic steps. It's important to charge your phone's battery and plug it in before starting the reset.

Here's how to perform a factory data reset on an Android device:

1. Start by going to the "Settings" app.
2. Tap "System" and select the "Reset" option.
3. Tap "Erase All Data."
4. If the system asks for your PIN, enter it.
5. Next, hit "Erase All Data" and wait until the phone completes resetting.

The exact steps may vary depending on which Android version and device you have.

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How to factory reset Android using recovery mode

Another good way to reset an Android is through recovery mode. Turn the phone off before resetting it.

Follow these steps to reset the phone using Android recovery mode:

1. Kickstart the process by pressing and holding the "Power" and "Volume Down" buttons at the same time. Don't release the buttons until the device restarts.
2. Once the device reboots, you should see the word "Start" and navigation instructions on the screen.
3. Now, use the "Volume" buttons to move from one item to another and the "Power" button to select specific options.
4. Next, press the "Volume Down" button until the device enters "Recovery Mode."
5. Once "Recovery Mode" appears on the screen, use the "Power" button to select it.
6. The phone will restart and an Android robot will appear on the screen.
7. Press and hold the "Power" button before pressing the "Volume Up" button without releasing the "Power" button.
8. Highlight the "Wipe Data" or "Factory Reset" option by pressing the "Volume" buttons.
9. Once you highlight it, use the "Power" button to select the option.
10. Confirm the selection and let the device start the reset process.
11. Once the factory reset process is complete, select "Reboot System."

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How to factory reset Android phone without the password

It's possible to reset an Android smartphone without the device's unlock pattern, passcode, or PIN. However, the process involves a few additional steps. The best part is that you can also factory reset a lost or stolen device remotely via Google's Find My Device website.

Follow these steps:

1. Ensure you've got your Google account login details.
2. Head to Google's Find My Device site and sign in.
3. Select the device you want to reset via the left menu if you've got multiple devices under your account.
4. Next, select "Erase Device."
5. Confirm the selection.

Remember that this reset option only works if the device has an internet connection (mobile data or Wi-Fi) that is switched on.

Now, let's turn our attention to resetting via Android recovery mode.

This method works differently on Samsung, Google, HTC, Sony, Motorola, and other devices. If you're on a Google Android phone, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by turning off the device.
2. Then, hold the "Volume Down" and "Power" buttons at the same time until the phone enters the "Fastboot Mode."
3. Scroll down to “Recovery Mode" using the "Volume" buttons
4. Next, select "Recovery Mode" using the "Power" button.
5. On the "No Command" screen, proceed to press and hold the "Power" button before pressing the "Volume Up Button.”
6. Now, use the "Volume" buttons to scroll your way to the "Factory Reset" option before confirming the erase by pressing the "Power" button.

Here's what you need to do if you've got a SamsungAndroid phone:

1. Switch off the device.
2. Press and hold the "Power" and "Volume Up" buttons, then wait until your smartphone vibrates.
3. Once the device enters the "Recovery Menu," find and select the "Wipe Data" or "Factory Reset" option using the "Volume Down" button.
4. Confirm the data wipe by pressing the "Power" button.

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Frequently asked questions about factory resetting your phone

There's no doubt that factory reset options can be lifesavers when faced with specific situations. In some cases, you may need to reset your phone because you want to resell or give the device to someone else.

Although the reset process is usually straightforward and risk-free, you must familiarize yourself with the different methods available to you. By doing that, it becomes easier to make the right decision for your situation. If your smartphone is malfunctioning, you may need to look at alternative solutions before resorting to a factory or hard reset.

In the next section, we answer some frequently asked questions (FAQ) to help you make the right decision.

Does a factory reset delete everything?

Although the factory resets can help you solve phone malfunctioning issues and malware or virus infections, they don't completely erase everything from your device. That's why you need advanced data wipe software like Phonecheck.

A factory reset doesn't remove file addresses or indexes that help the phone system access your data. So, anyone with data recovery software could easily get hold of your sensitive information from any device you use, such as Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and iPhone. By overwriting information several times, data erasure software does the job right. That way, no one can get a hold of your data.

With a factory reset, the data is available but unreachable by the phone system. If you want to sell or give the device to someone, it becomes necessary to remove your personal information permanently. If you plan to fix a malfunctioning device, you'll find the factory reset useful. You can backup your data before the reset and restore it once the process is complete.

Will factory resetting a phone clean malware, viruses, and other harmful software?

Malware and viruses cause unwanted problems, and you need to get rid of them. Thankfully, the factory reset method can help remove harmful software from your device. This approach lets you restore the factory settings, removing user data and installed apps.

If your device has infected downloads, spyware, and other malicious programs, you can rest easy knowing your phone will be clean. Just back up your data first.

Will I have to re-download all my apps and files after a factory reset?

Once you've reset your device, you need to re-download your installed apps. It's also important to restore your backed-up data, such as contacts, videos, calendar data, text messages, and photos. The good thing is that any personal data stored in a Google account is easier to restore thanks to cloud storage.

How do I do a soft reset on my Android phone?

A soft reset allows you to fix minor device problems quickly and easily. Whether your device keeps freezing or responds slowly to commands, a soft reset might resolve your issues.

Let's take a look at how to soft reset an Android phone:

1. Switch off your smartphone.
2. Then, let the phone sit for between eight and 10 seconds after the touch screen goes blank.
3. Now, complete the soft reset process by powering up the device.

Alternatively, you can remove the battery and wait for 10 seconds before putting it back and turning on your device.

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Securely wipe phone data before reselling with Phonecheck

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