How to reset your Android device and what you need to know beforehand

Resetting a device, such as an Android phone or tablet, means restoring it to its factory settings. It may also be referred to as a "format" or "hard reset".

When you reset your Android device, all accounts, installed apps, and stored data are completely removed from the device itself. Deleting data from an Android device when you stop using it yourself, means you can avoid issues such as data breaches or someone using your accounts without permission.

This process returns your device to the exact state it was in when you first purchased it, removing all personalisation and returning all settings to their original configuration. Resetting your phone is often the most effective solution for resolving persistent software problems, preparing a device for sale, or starting fresh with a clean installation.

There are multiple situations when you might want to reset your phone.

It might not just be when you are no longer using your Android device yourself, but may be when you cannot resolve issues with the device such as it is not operating properly anymore or you can no longer unlock it.

Other situations when you may want to reset your Android device are as follows:

• Continuously reboots
• Device crashes
• Device is unresponsive
• Device screen is flickering
• Pixel loss
• Device screen stays black
• Device will not unlock
• To prevent unauthorised use by others

Resetting your Android device will restore it to factory settings and delete any registered Google Accounts and data from the device. Therefore, you will need to prepare before performing a reset.

Note: The verification procedure and method may vary depending on the Android version and device type.

Verify your Google Account username and password

If you regularly use your Android device, you might not often think about the Google Account you have it registered to. Some people may have completely forgotten their Google Account or password. Before resetting your phone to factory settings, ensure you have checked your Google Account username and password.

Verifying your account.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap [Account].
3. If you can not [Account], please contact your device manufacturer.
4. Your Google Account username will be displayed

Verifying your password.

To verify your account password, log in to your account on another device or computer. If you have forgotten your password, please refer to the login help.

If you have set a screen lock, please check your phone's PIN, pattern, or password. If you are unable to unlock your phone, please refer to the troubleshooting.

Backing up your data to your Google Account.

Once you have verified your account and password, make a backup of the device you are resetting.

After the reset, the device will return to its factory settings, which means that installed apps and saved data will be erased. If you have made a backup, you can not only restore a device to its state just before it was reset but also use the backup to transfer your data to a new device.

here are two types of backup methods: automatic backup and manual backup. Here we will explain the manual backup process that you can use to back up your data yourself before you reset a device.

Note: It may not be possible to back up data from some of your apps to your Google Account.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap [Google] → [Backup]. If these steps do not match your device's settings, you can search for "backup" in the Settings app or contact your device manufacturer.
3. Tap [Back up now].

Charge and connect to the network.

A reset can take up to one hour, so make sure you sufficiently charge your Android device's battery.

• Charge your Android phone or tablet to over 70%.
• Connect your Android phone or tablet to Wi-Fi or a mobile network. Once the factory reset is complete, connect to the Internet and sign in to your Google Account.

How to reset?

Once you have completed the preparations, let's reset your phone to factory settings. We will use a Pixel Phone as an example to explain each step.

Note: Some of these steps only work on Android 8.0 and later. Additionally, the reset procedure may vary depending on the device type.

Once you have completed the preparations, let us reset your Android device. We will use a Pixel Phone as an example to explain each step.

Note: Some of these steps only work on Android 8.0 and later. Additionally, the reset procedure may vary depending on the device type.

Use the Update and Software Repair tool.

By using Update and Software Repair tool, you may not need to back up before resetting your phone to factory settings. Additionally, whilst resetting typically reverts the device to the version of Android it originally shipped with, the tool will allow you to install the latest version of Android to your smartphone or tablet.

Note: The Update and Software Repair tool is available on Google Pixel 3 and later.

1. Connect your Android phone or tablet to your computer using USB
2. Go to https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com
3. Follow the on-screen instructions

Reset from your phone's Settings app.

Some Android devices can be reset from the Settings app. Here we will explain the steps to do that.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap [System] → [Advanced] → [Reset options] → [Erase all data (factory reset)].
3. To erase all data from your Android phone's or tablet's internal storage, tap [Erase all data].
4. If necessary, you will be asked to enter a PIN on your Android phone or tablet. Enter your PIN and tap [Erase all data].
5. Once you have reset your Android phone or tablet, select the option to restart.
6. Set up your Android smartphone or tablet and restore your backed-up data.

Reset from Find My Device.

Android devices can also be reset remotely. If you lose your Android device, you can reset it from your computer's browser or from the Android app.

Requirements:

• The power is on.
• The device is signed in to your Google Account
• The device is connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi
• Visibility on Google Play is turned on
• Location services are on
• Find My Device is turned on

If the requirements are met, you can reset a device by following the steps below.

Procedure for remote reset:

1. Go to android.com/find and sign in to your Google Account.
2. If you are using multiple devices, click the Android phone, tablet, or other device you want to reset at the top of the screen.
3. If you have multiple user profiles set up on your Android phone or tablet, log in with the Google Account of the main profile.
4. A notification will be sent to the Android phone or tablet you wish to reset.
5. Select [Erase device]. If necessary, first click [Enable lock/data erase].

Erase device: Permanently deletes all data on your Android phone or tablet (there are cases where the data on your SD card may not be deleted). Once erased, Find My Device will no longer function on your Android phone or tablet.

Reset using the buttons on your Android smartphone or tablet.

This type of reset may be useful if you cannot reset your phone from the Settings app, or if you are experiencing issues such as the screen not responding.

1. If your Android phone or tablet is powered on, press and hold the power button to turn it off.
2. Press and hold the volume down button and the power button at the same time for 10~15 seconds.
3. Use the volume buttons to cycle through the menu options until Recovery Mode appears on the screen
4. Use the volume buttons to scroll to Wipe data / factory reset and press the power button.
5. The factory reset will begin
6. Use the volume buttons to scroll to Reboot system now and press the power button

The factory reset will begin. When the reset is complete, the text "Data wipe complete" will appear at the bottom of the screen.

Use the volume buttons to scroll to [Reboot system now] and press the power button.

To set up your Google Pixel, complete the OS installation on your Android phone or tablet and tap [Start].

Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Android phone or tablet and restore your backed-up data after you have successfully completed the reset. Please check how to back up and restore data.

We will now explain how to restore your device after resetting it. In particular, how to restore using the backup made in advance.

When you reset your Android phone, tablet, or other device, it returns to its factory settings. To restore your data and settings, add your Google Account. By adding an account, you can recover any data and settings that you have backed up.

Please follow the instructions displayed on the screen. The steps may vary depending on the type of device. For detailed instructions, please refer to the manufacturer's support site. Please be aware that recovery may take up to 24 hours, so it is advisable you keep your device charged for the whole time.

When using an Android device, there may be situations where you need to reset the device. In such cases, if you prepare before a reset, you should be able to restore your data, for example, to a new device. Make sure you understand how to back up and restore so that you can correctly reset your device.

Note: Some of the content introduced in this article may not be available on certain devices. The availability of this product, or some of its features, depends on the OEM and device manufacturer.