Have a slow performing, freezing, or crashing Android? Our guide breaks down how to factory reset your Android in 4 scenarios that wipe your device clean.
Your device will restart automatically after the factory reset.
How to factory reset older Android models
If your model's on the retro side, the menu might not look the same as newer devices. And steps to factory reset an Android with buttons are also a bit different. Read how, below:
Locate and tap the Settings icon on your home screen or app drawer.
Tap “General” then "Backup and Reset" listed under a section labelled “Accounts and Backup.”
Tap "Factory Data Reset" under the “Personal Data” section.
Confirm your choice by tapping "Reset Device" and “Delete All.”
Your device will restart automatically after the factory reset is complete.
How to factory reset your locked Android
Even if you're locked out due to a forgotten password, PIN, or pattern, a factory reset can still be an option to regain access to your Android phone.
Here's how to factory reset an Android phone when locked:
Completely turn off your phone by holding down the power button and selecting "Power off" from the menu.
Boot into recovery mode by pressing a specific combination of buttons simultaneously.
Button combinations include:
Volume Up + Power Button
Volume Down + Power Button
Home Button + Volume Up + Power Button
Tip: Hold the buttons for a few seconds until you see the Android boot logo or recovery menu appear on the screen.
In the Android recovery menu, use the volume buttons to highlight "Wipe Data/Factory Reset" or “Factory Reset.” Press the power button to confirm.
Select the “Yes” option on the confirmation screen and press the power button to confirm again.
The factory reset process will now begin. Once complete, select "Reboot System Now." Press the power button to confirm. Your phone will restart with factory settings.
How to factory reset your Android using recovery mode
If your Android phone is having trouble booting up normally, it can be super frustrating. Luckily, there's a special way to factory reset it called "recovery mode."
Think of recovery mode as a hidden toolbox for troubleshooting software glitches or corrupted files. It gives you a good chance of wiping away whatever software problem was causing the boot issue, give your phone a clean slate, and prevent future boot issues.
It's similar to the method we described earlier for locked devices, but here's a refresher on how to access it:
Completely turn off your phone by holding down the power button and selecting "Power off" from the menu.
Boot into recovery mode by pressing a specific combination of buttons simultaneously. Combinations include Volume Up + Power Button, Volume Down + Power Button, Home Button + Volume Up + Power Button.
On the load screen, use the volume buttons to select "Recovery Mode.” Press the power button to confirm.
After the phone restarts, use the volume buttons to navigate to “Wipe Data/Factory Reset.” Press the power button to confirm.
Select the “Yes” option on the confirmation screen and press the power button to confirm again.
The factory reset process will now begin. Once complete, select "Reboot System Now." Press the power button to confirm. Your phone will restart with factory settings.
Next steps
And just like that, your phone is reborn. Now that you've embraced the power of reuse, here's what to expect and how to make the most of your phone's clean slate:
After a factory reset, you’ll be greeted with a familiar sight: the initial setup screen. Since everything has been wiped clean, this is your chance to start fresh.
Remember that a factory reset means all your data is gone. This includes photos, videos, apps, contacts, and accounts. If you didn't back up your data beforehand, unfortunately, it's lost.
If you removed your SIM card or SD card before the reset for safekeeping, now's the time to put them back in your phone. Then, you'll need to download all your favourite apps again.
You'll need to sign back into your Google account and any other accounts associated with your apps. This is also a good time to personalise your settings and preferences, so your phone feels comfortable and familiar again.
If you’re selling the phone you factory reset, now's the time to finalize the sale and shop for a replacement-these refurbished Android phones are a great place to start.
