Performing factory reset android

How to factory reset your Android phone

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central

Regardless of what phone you’re using — whether it’s one of the best Android phones you can buy today or an older phone — there are several reasons why you might need to factory reset your phone. Maybe your phone is overloaded with apps and running slow, you’ve downloaded a recent update and it’s causing problems, or you just want to reset your phone before selling it. Here’s how to reset your Android phone through the phone settings or via the recovery mode.

How to factory reset your phone from the settings menu

Before we get started, know that a factory reset will erase all the data on your phone. If you haven’t backed up your contacts, pictures, videos, documents, and anything else (preferably in the cloud), you should do so now. Not sure where to back up your data before a factory reset? Read our guide on how to do that first.

Given the variety of phones available on Android, I’ll be using the Pixel 4a and Samsung’s Galaxy A51 as the examples for this guide. The Pixel is a good baseline as the process is nearly identical on Android One devices from the likes of Nokia, Xiaomi, Motorola, and other companies like OnePlus that retain a «stock» user interface.

As for the Galaxy A51, the phone is running Samsung’s One UI, and with the company being the largest manufacturer in the world of Android by some considerable margin, it makes sense to see how things differ. With that out of the way, let’s get started.

The easiest way to factory reset your phone is through the settings menu. The location of the factory reset option might vary slightly based on the phone you’re using, but once you’ve found the Backup and reset menu, you should be in the clear.

How to factory reset most Android phones Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, Nokia, etc.

1. Tap the Settings icon from your home screen or app drawer.
2. Swipe up to scroll down to the bottom of the settings menu.

Tap System.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central

Swipe up to scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central

Select Erase everything.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central

Your device will reboot and you can go through the initial setup as if it were a new phone.

How to factory reset your Samsung phone

1. Tap the Settings icon from your home screen or app drawer.
2. Swipe up to scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Tap the General management tab.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central

Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central

Tap Delete all.

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central

Your phone will reboot and you’ll have to go through the setup process again before you’re able to restore your data.

How to factory reset your phone via recovery mode

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central

If your phone is running into issues with an update or if there’s a malfunction that’s preventing the device from booting up, you’ll be able to factory reset by heading into recovery mode. At a high level, you’ll be able to enter recovery mode by pressing down on the volume up and power buttons simultaneously.

The process varies slightly based on the device you’re using, as we’ll see later on. Before we proceed to reset via recovery, you’ll need to know about a security mode called Factory Reset Protection.

Google rolled out Factory Reset Protection (FRP) a few years ago, and the feature is now standard on all phones running Lollipop and above. Essentially, FRP ensures that someone can’t just factory reset your lost or stolen phone and set it up as new by booting into recovery mode. The mode requires you to sign into a Google account associated with the device after a factory reset. If you fail, you won’t be able to proceed with the setup.

Based on what I’ve encountered, FRP kicks in when you reset a device via the recovery mode and isn’t an issue when you’re resetting via the settings. If you’re interested in knowing more about the feature and how it works, you should take a look at this excellent article on the subject:

So if you’re looking to sell your device and are considering a factory reset, a better option would be to go through the aforementioned settings page. If you’re unable to boot into your device and need a way of resetting data, then you can turn to recovery mode. Now that you understand the risks, here’s how to reset your phone via recovery mode.

How to factory reset via recovery mode on a Pixel/Android One phone

1. If your phone is on, power it off.
2. Hold down the Power and Volume down buttons. Instead of booting up normally, you’ll see «Start» in an arrow pointed at the power button. Here you use the Volume buttons to scroll and the Power button to select an option.
3. Press the Volume down button until you’ve highlighted Recovery mode.
4. Press the Power Button to start recovery mode.
5. When your phone reloads, you should see a screen that says «No command» with an Android robot in distress. Press and hold the power and volume up buttons together to load the recovery mode.
6. Using the Volume buttons to scroll through the menu, highlight Wipe data/factory reset.
7. Press the Power button to select.
8. Highlight and select Yes to confirm the reset.
9. Once the reset is complete, you will be bounced back to the same recovery mode menu. Press the Power button to select Reboot system now.

Your phone will power on and be reset to its factory settings. Your phone will reboot and you’ll have to go through the setup process again before you’re able to restore your data.

How to factory reset via recovery mode on a Samsung phone

1. If your phone is on, power it off.
2. Hold down the Power and Volume up buttons simultaneously. You should see the Samsung logo followed by an «Installing system update» screen.
3. After a few seconds, you should see a «No command» message flashing on the screen. Wait 10 to 15 seconds at this screen and the device will enter recovery mode.
4. Use the Volume buttons to scroll through the menu and the power button to make a selection.
5. Highlight Wipe data/factory reset.
6. Press the Power button to select.
7. Highlight and select Yes to confirm the reset.
8. Once the reset is complete, you will be bounced back to the same recovery mode menu. Press the Power button to select Reboot system now.

Your phone will power on and be reset to its factory settings. The next time you turn the phone on, you will go through the initial setup process as if it were a brand new phone. Once set up, you can go about restoring your data from wherever you had it backed up.

As mentioned earlier, if you’re resetting your phone via recovery mode, Factory Reset Protection kicks in if you haven’t already removed your Google accounts from the device. So if you’re selling your device, make sure you remove your Google accounts and lock screen security before you do a hard reset through the recovery mode.

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Harish Jonnalagadda

Harish Jonnalagadda is the Asia Editor at Android Central. A reformed hardware modder, he now spends his time writing about India’s technology revolution. Previously, he used to ponder the meaning of life at IBM. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.

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How to factory reset Android devices

Are you ready to sell your device or hand it down to a new owner? Maybe your phone isn’t working correctly, or you need a fresh start. Whatever the case may be, sometimes your best bet is to factory reset Android to get it back to how it was the first time you turned it on (at least software-wise). Let’s show you everything there is to know about the process.

Editor’s note: This guide to factory reset Android is put together using a Google Pixel 4a with 5G running stock Android 12. Manufacturers often change the UI and methods for performing specific tasks. Setting layouts and button combinations might differ depending on which device you own and which version of Android it uses.

A word of warning

First things first: let’s get the disclosure out of the way. Performing an Android factory reset will delete all your data and get the software back to its original state. This means all apps and data stored on your device will be deleted. Make sure to back up all critical files and data before you go through this process. We have a guide on how to back up your Android phone linked right below.

Try to find another solution first

We know having to start fresh can be a hassle. The backup process isn’t simple, and re-downloading all your data can be time-consuming. Not to mention it can take a toll on your data if you aren’t connected to Wi-Fi. This is why we often recommend finding a simpler solution before you factory reset Android.

If you are going to factory reset Android due to phone malfunctions, you can try finding your problem in our guide for Android problems and how to fix them.

If none of those solutions work, you can always perform a restart or a soft reset (hold down the power button for 30 seconds), which won’t delete all your data. If you have exhausted all troubleshooting and need to factory reset Android, then keep reading.

Factory reset Android using the Settings

If you’ve decided to factory reset Android, the most user-friendly way to do it is through the Settings app.

How to factory data reset an Android phone using the settings:

1. Make sure de device is plugged in or has enough battery to go through the reset process.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Select System.
4. Go into Reset options.
5. Hit Erase all data (factory reset).
6. Tap on Erase all data.
7. Enter your PIN if prompted.
8. Select Erase all data and let the phone do its thing.

Factory reset Android using Recovery Mode

Some users might not be able to access their settings. This could be due to the phone or software malfunctioning. Luckily, there’s a way to do it without accessing the consumer UI.

How to factory data reset an Android phone using Recovery Mode:

1. Make sure the phone is off.
2. Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously.
3. Continue pressing them until the screen starts.
4. A screen with the word “Start” pointing at the power button, text, and navigation instructions will appear.
5. You can now use the Power button to make selections and the Volume keys to navigate.
6. Hit the Volume Down button until you see Recovery Mode.
7. Press the Power button to select it.
8. The phone will restart and show an Android robot in trouble.
9. Press and hold the Power button, then press the Volume Up button while still holding the Power button.
10. Using the Volume buttons, highlight Wipe data/factory reset.
11. Press the Power button to select the option.
12. Confirm by selecting Yes and let the phone do its thing.
13. Once done, select Reboot system now.

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