A factory reset will set your Android back to its default state. The process, also known as a “hard” or “master” reset, will erase data from the device and set the Android OS back to default settings.
You might want to perform a factory reset in these cases:
- You are selling or changing ownership of the device to another party and don’t want any personal information to be provided with the transfer.
- You are experiencing problems with the device that cannot be resolved by other means.
- Your device has become cluttered and you wish to start anew.
There are often multiple ways you can perform a factory reset on an Android device:
- Menus from the options within the Settings application.
- External reset using a button or key combination during device startup.
- Dialing a certain series of characters within the Phone app.
Note: Performing a factory reset will erase data from your device. Data such as Contacts, Calendar, and Email typically sync with your account online and are easily restorable. Be sure you have your photos, music, and any other information within each app backed up if necessary before you proceed.
Method 1: Menu Reset
With most versions of Android, you can perform a factory reset from the menus within the “Settings” app. The path can vary depending on which device and version of Android.
Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich, JellyBean and KitKat)
The factory data reset screen in Android 4.
Choose “Settings” > “Backup & reset” > “Factory data reset” > “Reset phone” or “Reset tablet” > “Erase everything”.
Android 2 and 3 (Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, and Honeycomb)
Choose “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Factory data reset” > “Reset phone” or “Reset tablet” > “Erase everything”.
On many devices, you may have an option to check an “Erase SD card” option on the same screen as the “Reset phone” or “Reset tablet” button. That option will also erase data such as photos and music from the SD card while performing a format during the factory reset.
Android 1 (Cupcake and Donut)
Choose “Settings” > “SD card & phone storage” > “Factory data reset” > “Reset phone” > “Erase everything”
Variations
Some device manufacturers change the Android environment and place options under different menus. In some cases, the option to factory reset can be located in a different area than specified above.
For example, Samsung places the factory reset option under “Settings” > “Accounts” tab > “Backup and reset” > “Factory data reset” > “Reset device” > “Delete all” on many of its Galaxy Android devices.
Check the documentation provided with your device to learn how to perform a factory reset if you cannot locate the option using any of the methods above.
Method 2: External Reset
A button or key combination method (often referred to as an “external reset”) is an option for performing a factory reset on most Android devices at startup. The combination of buttons used varies widely with each device.
For example, you can perform a factory reset on the Samsung Galaxy S4 by pressing and holding “Volume Up” while powering on the device. The Moto X can be factory reset by pressing and holding the “Volume Down” button while powering on the device.
You can often find information about the button combination that works for your particular Android device by visiting the manufacturer or wireless provider website. For some reason, this method is not often provided in the user guide for the device.
Method 3: Dialer Reset
Some carriers provide the option to factory reset Android devices if you dial a certain set of characters within the Phone app. The characters you have to enter can vary between carriers and devices.
For example, you can select “Phone”, then dial “*2767*3855#” to perform a factory reset on some devices.
Check the documentation provided with your device or visit your wireless carrier’s website to obtain this information.
FAQ
If I have performed an Android OS update since obtaining my device, which version of the OS will I have after the factory reset?
A factory reset will reset the current version of the Android OS. That means if you had Android 3.2 when you first bought the device, and have upgraded to Android 4.1, a factory reset will preserve version 4.1 of Android.
I lost my device. How do I factory reset my Android remotely to protect my privacy?
On most devices, you can use Android Device Manager to remotely wipe a device. Device manufacturers sometimes provide their own apps to perform remote factory resets. View the documentation provided with your Android for information specific to your device.
For other devices, you can try pushing the Android Lost app to your phone via Google Play, then using it to remotely reset your device.
I tried these steps and my device is stuck on a screen and won’t respond. What do I do now?
This often happens when there is software corruption or a hardware malfunction. Ensure you have waited long enough for the process to recover. If a few hours go by and the device is still not responding, attempt the process again by using the external factory reset method.
If your device is flashing a logo over and over, that is most likely a symptom you’ll find on devices that have been flashed with a custom ROM. Ensure you have flashed your phone with a compatible ROM if you see this behavior.
If you still don’t have any luck after another attempt, you may want to contact the manufacturer of your device to see about repair options.
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