You may have to factory reset your Android Phone or tablet in case you are taking it for repair or selling it, in order to wipe all your personal information from the phone. In this post you will be learning three methods to factory reset Android phone.
Factory Reset Android Phone
Generally, there are three methods that you can make use of to factory reset an Android phone
- Using the Phone’s settings
- Remotely using Android Device Manager
- By pressing a combination of buttons on your phone.
What is a Factory Reset?
In case you do not know, a factory reset basically takes your phone back into the state it was in when you originally bought it.
A factory reset restores all the factory default settings on your phone; you will once again see the same setup screen that you originally saw when you turned your phone on for the first time.
You may want to factory reset an Android phone or tablet for the following reasons.
- You are selling your phone/tablet
- You are taking your phone/tablet for repair
- Your phone is not operating like it used to (it is really slow and constantly crashes)
Factory Reset Android Device through Settings
In this method you will be factory resetting Android through the phone/tablet’s settings. Before resetting make sure that you have backed up your Android device.
1. Open Settings
On your Android phone open up the settings by tapping on the 6 dot icon, then from the list of apps tap on Settings. Alternatively, you can directly tap on settings in case you have created a shortcut to Settings on your home screen.
2. Tap on Backup & Restore
Next, tap on Backup & Restore which is located under the subheading Personal. Depending on your device or how you have set up your device, you may have to enter your password or pin at this point.
3. Tap on Factory Data Reset
Tap on an option titled Factory Data Reset which is located at the bottom of the page under the subheading Personal data. (See image below)
4. Tap on Reset Phone/Tablet Option
After tapping on Factory Data Reset (step 3 above), you will be taken to the next screen which will warn you about the data on your device that will be erased when you proceed to the next steps.
On this screen tap on Reset Phone button or if you are resetting a tablet this will appear as Reset Tablet. On some devices this option may appear as Reset Device.
5. Enter Password, Pattern or Pin
In case you have a lock on your phone, you will be prompted to enter your Pin, Password or enter a Pattern on the screen in order to confirm that it is really you and not someone else who is resetting the device.
6. Tap on Erase Everything
Once you have entered your password you will once again be asked if you would really like to reset your device. On this screen tap on the Erase Everything button to factory reset your Android phone or tablet.
Factory Reset Android Phone Remotely
Using this method you can factory reset an Android phone or tablet remotely, using Android Device Manager. Android Device Manager is usually used to find a lost Android phone but you can also use it to factory reset your phone.
1. Log into Android Device Manager
On a computer, tablet or another smartphone visit the Android Device Manager site and sign in with the Gmail account that is associated with your device.
2. Select Erase Device
Once Android Device Manager has finished trying to track your device, you will be presented with 3 options:
- Ring
- Lock
- Erase
Click on Erase to erase all the data on your phone, so that anyone who has access to your lost or stolen phone is unable to use it.
3. Click on Erase again
You will you be asked if you really want to Erase your device in a pop up window, click on Erase to confirm that you want to factory reset your Android device.
Note: If your device is offline then the factory reset will not be performed immediately, it will only be performed once your device gets connected to the internet.
Factory Reset Android Through a Combination of Buttons
If you are not able to access the Settings or have forgotten your Gmail account then there is another method to factory reset Android devices by pressing a combination of buttons on your device.
Note: The button combination varies for each device, you need to find out what your device’s button combination is in order to reset your device.
For the purpose of this article we are using the Volume down and power buttons as an example, since most Nexus devices use this combination.
1. Power off the Device if it is On
If your device is turned on, then power it off.
2. Power + Volume Down button
Hold down the Power and Volume Down buttons until the device shows a different screen (usually you need to hold for around 10 seconds)
3. Select Recovery Mode
Use the volume down button to select Recovery Mode.
4. Press Power button
Next, press and release the Power button to confirm that you really want to launch your phone into Recovery Mode.
5. Launch into Recovery Mode
Your Android phone will show an Android image and will say No command. When this happens hold down the Power button, and with the power button held down press and release the Volume up button.
6. Select Wipe data/factory Reset
After completing step 5, you should be on the Android System Recovery screen, providing you with recovery options to choose from. (See image below)
From the list of options use the volume down button to navigate to wipe data/factory reset option and click on the Power button to select this option. (See image above)
7. Select Yes
Now you will have to confirm your selection by navigating to the “Yes — delete all user data” option and pressing the power button to select this option.
8. Select Reboot
Once your device has finished resetting (which could take a long time) select reboot which will start up your device.