How to Factory Reset your Android device
21In this lesson we will show you how you can Factory Reset your Android device. But, before we get started, let’s go over what exactly happens when you do a Factory Reset on your Droid and also some of the reasons why you may or may not want to do it.
What happens when you do a Factory Reset on your Android device?
It erases all the data on your phone! It will wipe all the data off of the internal storage of the device and return it to the default factory settings. This means deleting the following from your device: your google account, system and application data, custom settings, and downloaded applications. In addition, you can also choose to have your external storage (SD card) erased as well. After the Factory Reset is complete your phone will operate in the same way it did the first time you turned it on. You’ll have to re-install all of your data and applications back onto the device.
Why would you want to do a Factory Reset?
- Malfunctioning device (resetting the phone to original settings may fix numerous issues)
- Wipe personal data off before selling
- Returning it to manufacturer or retailer and want all personal data removed
What to do before you do a Factory Reset?
- Backup any important files to your PC or external storage
- Make sure your contacts are synced with your Gmail account
- Write down a list of apps you may want to reinstall
Now that we’ve got that out of the way… Below are the step-by-step instructions and the video tutorial on How to Factory Reset your Android device.
Video Tutorial:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- From the home screen, click the MENU button
- Click on SETTINGS
- Select the “SD & Phone Storage” option
- Click on “Factory data reset” located at the bottom
- Final Warning: This next step will wipe all the data off of your device. You are also given the option to check mark whether you want to wipe all data from the SD card.
- Click on “Reset Phone” to finalize the Factory Reset
- Done!
John A
I'm a huge Android fan and also the founder of the DroidLessons website. I started obsessing about the Android platform as soon as I got my HTC EVO phone in mid-2010. Ever since then, I have been obsessed with learning all that I can about the Android OS and sharing that knowledge with my friends and family.
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didnt work for my mytouch 3g
i have rooted my device, and it has worked fine for ages but now im having a few issues so i am considering a factory reset. will this un-root the device? if i still have problems with it will my guarantee still be void? thanks in advance for any help you can give. you have a fantastic website, all very useful!
i have a dell xcd28 android phone. i have forgotten the pattern. i have not even not sync the email id. so wat should i do plz giv a solution. iam dying for my phone.. plz any1 can help me????????????????/
If you have forgotten the lockscreen pattern to the phone, then after you incorrectly enter it a few times a “Forgotten” option appears on the bottom of the screen. Click that and then enter your Google username and password. It will then give you the option to reset the pattern.
Just press the volume up the home button and the power button together until restart
Will u still have be able to place phone calls
Yes… as long as you keep on paying your bills!
Hi, last year i bought a Nexus S with android 2.3.3.
3 mounths ago i manually updte to 4.0.3.
Now i want may old and first android 2.3.3 version back, so i think i need to do a downgrade or something but this i don’t know how to do.
With a factory reset i will get my first android back?
Many Regards
I have a Samsung Galaxy Attain and an LG optimus and The “factory data reset” does not show up as an option on my phone. Is there another way to do it?
When you go to “Settings”, you can go to “privacy” and then choose Factory Reset there. That’s where mine is located!
That was the right option for my Samsung Transform. Thanks!
i have a problem , how do you reset if your phone isn’t turning on but you want to reset the phone !
Ok, so im all out of answers and ive tried everything yet i have come down to my last resort but before i reset my phone i want to ask one last time if there is anyone who knows how i can fix my problem.. here is my problem: A little while ago i was going thru my phone intending to delete old photos, vids, and songs i no longer wanted when out of the blue the DELETE STOPPED WORKING anymore, now ive dealt wit this for as long as i could but i cant even take new pics anymore without being loaded with hundreds of em and if i take a bad pic i cant delete it.. even when i went to files folder and tried deleting from there with no luck.. wtffff any way i can fix this? It wont delete pics, songs, videos or anything else for that matter.. it makes no sense?
i have a problem with my Android Phone 2.2 .. I accidentaly incorrect the calibration of my phone so whenever i touch a button(homescreen or not) or the letters in the keyboard it touches the next one not exactly the one i have touch .. i tried to fix it by still i dont know how to correct or get back to the reset calibration but my phones just getting worse.. Pls help me ..
Follow the instructions in the lesson above. A factory reset should fix your problem. Hopefully!
I have a samsung galaxy w i8150, it only came with vodafone but i unlocked it, if i factory reset it will it get rid of all the vodafone software?
hello, please help !!!
i put a lock on my phone(the pattern), and my sister didn’t know the right pattern so yeahh.. and now it asks me my gmail account, but i can’t remember it, what shpould i do?? i can’t access my phone anymore and it’s new, my parents will be very upset, please help !
what if u forgot the passcode and u forgot your email
I know dumb people shouldnt have smart phones but i do. My phone was only 5 days old when it started messing up I have no clue if I did something or not, I havent downloaded any apps at all..but its super low on memory storage and then several times it has said insert Metropcs sims card. If I turn it off and take the battery ONLY out for 5 mins and replace it and turn it back on that is gona but I still have no space to accept or send texts etc anytime I try to do something it forces closed! Its a ZTE Anthem, I really want my simple samsung phone back already!! I dont have a way to the store that i bought it from and its raining..If I reset the phone will it still have all the apps that it came with?
Check out this lesson: http://droidlessons.com/how-to-fix-low-memory-low-storage-issues-on-android/
I have an htc inspire android phone and my stupid friend locked me out and i don’t even have a google account set up. What should I do? I dont want to lose my contacts or anything. Should I call AT&T or should I factory reset, which it won’t let me do!!