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How to Factory Reset an Android

A factory reset can solve all sorts of Android issues

By Daniel Nations Daniel Nations Writer University of Texas at Arlington Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 13, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Android Switching from iOS

What to Know

Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).After the erasing process is finished, set up your device and restore your backed-up data.If your device is frozen, put the Android into recovery mode. Power it down, then hold Volume Down+Power.
This article explains how to factory reset an Android. Instructions in this article apply to Android 10 and higher and should work no matter who made your Android phone (Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc.).

How to Reset an Android Device

Make sure to back up your Android data before starting the reset process. Starting with Android Marshmallow (version 6.x), your device backs up automatically to Google Drive. Or you can download an app such as Ultimate Backup to back up the device manually. Once that's done, follow these steps to restore your Android smartphone or tablet to factory settings. These steps apply broadly to all Android phones and tablets. The process for resetting a Samsung device is a little different. Open your phone or tablet's Settings app. Tap System > Advanced > Reset options. You might be able to skip Advanced and go straight to Reset options. Tap Erase all data (factory reset) > Erase all data. Enter your PIN, password, or pattern if necessary. Select Erase all data again. This step is the point of no return. Once you select it, the erasing process begins. Once the erasing process is finished, set up your device and restore your backed-up data.

When Your Android Device Freezes or Won' t Boot Up Properly

If you can't perform a factory restore because your device is frozen or won't boot up, it's possible to perform a hardware reset by going into Android recovery mode. To put the device into recovery mode, power it down, then hold a combination of buttons. On most devices, the Volume Down and Power buttons will work. The following list shows the button combinations for popular Android-based devices. If you don't see your device manufacturer on the list, the easiest way to find the information is to search Google for "hard reset" and the device brand name. Press the other buttons before pressing the Power button. Phone Manufacturer Press These Buttons Additional Steps Samsung Volume Up + Home Button + Power None Google Nexus/Pixel Volume Down + Power None HTC Volume Down + Power On some HTC models, continue to hold the Volume Down button after you release the Power button. Motorola Moto Z/Droid Volume Down + Power On most Moto devices, hold the Volume Down button while you press and release the Power button. LG Volume Down + Power When the LG logo appears, continue to hold the Volume Down button while you release the Power button, then press the Power button again. Sony Xperia Volume Down + Power None Asus Transformer Volume Down + Power None When the device is in Android recovery mode, use the volume buttons to select commands. In this case, the command is some variation of "wipe" or "delete data." It may simply say, "perform factory reset." The exact wording may vary by manufacturer. Most devices use the Power button as an Enter button. The process can take several minutes. There are different ways to access the Android recovery mode because manufacturers make it difficult to trigger recovery mode accidentally. Recovery mode makes it easy to wipe the device.

3 Reasons to Reset Your Android Device

A factory reset is when all of the data on a tablet or smartphone is erased and the device returns to its original manufacturer settings. Only operating system updates survive this process. A factory reset is an invaluable troubleshooting tool, and it's a necessary step when selling or trading in an older device.
Before wiping the device—that is, erasing all the data on it—reboot the device, check the internet speed, and try other troubleshooting steps to fix the problem. Perform a device reset if rebooting the device doesn't work. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Reset an LG Phone How to Factory Reset a Lenovo Laptop How to Turn Safe Mode On and Off on Android How to Flash Custom ROMs on Android With TWRP How to Factory Reset an iPhone (All Models) How to Reset Restrictions Passcode on an iPhone How to Reset Your iPad and Erase All Content How to Reset Your Samsung Device How to Reset iPhone 12 (Restart & Hard Reset) How to Factory Reset Samsung Galaxy S7 How to Erase Your Kindle to Sell It How to Reboot an Android Smartphone or Tablet Remotely Reset Android Lock Screen Password and PIN How to Wipe a Dell Laptop How to Reset Nintendo Switch How to Reset the iPod Touch Without Losing Your Music Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies