How to reset Android to original settings – wipe the data and reload the original apps
A factory reset is a process of restoring an Android phone or tablet to its factory default settings. This means that all of your data, including apps, photos, music, and documents, will be erased. A factory reset can be useful for troubleshooting problems with your device, or for preparing it for sale or transfer.
You should do a reset on your Android phone or tablet if you ever sell or send your tablet in for repairs – be sure to erase all your personal data first. This is also referred to wiping the data, or doing a factory reset.
The process restores your Android phone or tablet to the original settings and content that it came with from the factory. All of the original apps will be installed with the original versions. After you do a factory reset, you should go to Google Play and update all your apps. (How to Update Apps on Android)
You should first back up all your data before erasing everything.
Step 1 – Create a backup:
Touch Settings
Touch Accounts and backup
If you have a Samsung device, you have the option to back up to the Samsung Cloud and also back up to Google Drive. Learn more about doing backups here: “How to backup Android …“
Step 2 – Reset your Android device:
Open Settings
Touch General management
Touch Reset
Touch Factory data reset
Read all the messages then touch Reset
Wait until the reset is complete.
This reset method does not use require you to hold the power button in combination with other buttons.
You can use the Restore process to re-install your data at a later point.
Tips
If you have a screen lock enabled on your device, you will need to enter your passcode or pattern before you can perform a factory reset.
If you have a microSD card inserted in your device, it is recommended that you remove it before performing a factory reset. This will prevent your data from being erased.
Once the factory reset is complete, your device will restart. This process may take a few minutes.
Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble performing a factory reset, you can try the following:
Restart your device.
Try performing a factory reset from the Recovery Mode.
Contact the manufacturer of your device for further assistance.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers for doing a factory reset:
Q: What is a factory reset?
A: A factory reset is a process that erases all of the data on your device and restores it to its factory default settings. This includes your apps, photos, videos, music, documents, and app settings.
Q: Why would I need to perform a factory reset?
A: There are a few reasons why you might need to perform a factory reset, such as:
To troubleshoot problems with your device, such as performance issues, software bugs, or malware infections.
To prepare your device for sale or trade-in.
To remove all of your personal data from your device before giving it to someone else.
Q: What will happen to my data after I perform a factory reset?
A: Once you perform a factory reset, all of the data on your device will be erased. This is irreversible, so it is important to back up your data before performing a factory reset.
Q: How do I back up my data before performing a factory reset?
There are a few ways to back up your data before performing a factory reset:
You can back up your data to a computer using a USB cable or a cloud storage service such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
You can back up your data to an external storage device such as a microSD card.
You can use a third-party app to back up your data.
Q: How do I perform a factory reset on my device?
To perform a factory reset on your device, follow these steps:
Go to your phone’s Settings app.
Tap on System.
Tap on Advanced.
Tap on Reset options.
Tap on Erase all data (factory reset).
Tap on Erase all data to confirm the factory reset.
Q: What should I do after performing a factory reset?
Once you have performed a factory reset, you will need to set up your device again. This includes setting up your Google account, installing your apps, and restoring your data from your backup.
Common problems and solutions for factory reset phone:
Problem: My phone won’t turn on after a factory reset.
Solution: It’s possible that your phone’s battery is low. Try charging your phone for at least 30 minutes before trying to turn it on again. If your phone still won’t turn on, try restarting it in recovery mode. To do this, turn off your phone and then press and hold the power and volume down buttons until the recovery mode menu appears. Use the volume buttons to navigate the menu and select the restart option.
Problem: I’m locked out of my phone’s Google account after a factory reset.
Solution: If you’re locked out of your phone’s Google account after a factory reset, you’ll need to reset your Google account password. You can do this by going to the Google Account recovery page.
Problem: I can’t access my phone’s Settings app.
Solution: If you can’t access your phone’s Settings app, you can perform a factory reset using the recovery mode. To do this, turn off your phone and then press and hold the power and volume down buttons until the recovery mode menu appears. Use the volume buttons to navigate the menu and select the factory reset option.
Problem: I forgot my phone’s lock screen pattern or PIN.
Solution: If you forgot your phone’s lock screen pattern or PIN, you will need to perform a hard reset. A hard reset will erase all of the data on your phone, so be sure to back up your data before proceeding.
Problem: My phone is stuck in a boot loop.
Solution: If your phone is stuck in a boot loop, you may need to perform a factory reset. A factory reset can fix some software glitches that can cause boot loops.
Problem: My phone is running very slow.
Solution: A factory reset can sometimes improve the performance of a slow phone. However, if your phone is old or has low storage space, a factory reset may not be enough to fix the problem.
Problem: My phone is not receiving updates.
Solution: A factory reset can sometimes fix problems with software updates. However, if your phone is no longer supported by the manufacturer, you may not be able to receive updates even after a factory reset.
Problem: I lost all of my data after a factory reset.
Solution: If you lost all of your data after a factory reset, it’s because you didn’t back up your data before performing the reset. Unfortunately, there’s no way to recover lost data after a factory reset.
Problem: I’m having trouble with a specific app or service.
Solution: A factory reset can sometimes fix problems with specific apps or services. However, if the problem is with the app or service itself, a factory reset will not fix it.
Important: A factory reset will erase all of the data on your phone, so be sure to back up your data before proceeding.
Conclusion
A factory reset can be a useful way to troubleshoot problems with your Android phone or tablet, or to prepare it for sale or transfer. By following the steps in this guide, you can safely and easily factory reset your device.
