In this guide, we will walk you through the complete process on how to effectively factory reset an Android phone. This process is essential if you’re planning to sell your smartphone or if you’re thinking of gifting it to a friend or a family member. Factory resetting your Android device is the most effective way to wipe your phone clean, ensuring all your personal data is deleted, and your phone is as good as new.
As you might already be aware, a factory reset on an Android phone leads to the deletion of all your data stored on the device. This includes contacts, messages, photos, apps, settings, and much more. It’s crucial to note that once the factory reset is complete, there is no way of retrieving the deleted data. Hence, it is of utmost importance that you back up everything you deem necessary or valuable before proceeding with the reset.
To help you keep your data safe, we’ve also included a step-by-step process on how to effectively back up all of your data, including photos, contacts, and more, on your Android device. These backup steps are straightforward and can be accomplished with a few taps on your device.
Before initiating the factory reset, it’s advisable to fully charge your Android phone or ensure it’s connected to a power source during the process. This is to prevent any interruptions that might occur due to a drained battery.
Following these procedures diligently will ensure you have a smooth experience while factory resetting your Android phone and will eliminate the potential for any data loss during the process. This guide is aimed at assisting you in successfully achieving a clean slate on your device, whether for selling purposes or for starting afresh with your Android smartphone. So, stick with us as we dive into the step-by-step process on how to safely and effectively factory reset your Android phone while ensuring the safety of your data.
Back-Up Your Data
Before you begin the factory reset process, make sure to back up all your important data. This includes contacts, photos, videos, apps, and personal files. Losing these without a proper backup can be a frustrating experience.
- Google Account Sync: You can sync contacts, app data, and other information to your Google Account. Go to ‘Settings’ -> ‘Accounts’ -> ‘Google’ -> select your account -> ‘Account Sync’.
- Photos and Videos: Use Google Photos to back up photos and videos. Download the Google Photos app from Play Store if you don’t have it, sign in, and enable ‘Back up & Sync’.
- Files and Folders: Back up your files to Google Drive, or you can transfer them to your computer or an external hard drive.
Remove Your Google Account
You must remove your Google Account from your phone before performing a factory reset. This step is crucial to prevent the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) feature from locking your phone after the reset.
- Go to ‘Settings’ -> ‘Accounts’ -> ‘Google’.
- Tap on the ‘Remove account’ button. You may need to enter your password to confirm this action.
Factory Reset
Now that your data is safe and your Google account has been removed, you can proceed with the factory reset.
- Go to ‘Settings’ -> ‘System’ -> ‘Reset’ -> ‘Factory data reset’. Note that the path may vary slightly based on your phone’s manufacturer and Android version.
- You’ll see a warning screen detailing what data will be erased. Confirm you want to continue with the factory reset.
- Tap on ‘Reset Phone’ at the bottom. You may need to enter your phone’s password or PIN to proceed.
- Finally, confirm your choice by selecting ‘Erase Everything’. Your phone will begin the factory reset process. It may take a few minutes, so be patient and do not turn off your phone during this process.
- Once the process is complete, your phone will restart, and you’ll see the setup screen you saw when you first bought the phone. You can now set it up as new or give/sell it to someone else without worrying about your data.
This process applies to most Android phones. The specifics might vary slightly depending on your device manufacturer and the version of Android you’re using. Always make sure you’ve backed up all important data and signed out of all accounts before proceeding with a factory reset. If you are selling or giving your phone to someone else, you should remember to remove your SIM card from your device. You can find out more information about performing a factory reset over at Google.
We hope that you find out guide on how to factory reset an Android Phone useful, if you have any comments questions, or suggestions, please let us know in the comments section below. If you own an iPhone we previously published a guide on how to factory reset an iPhone.
Image Credit: Adrien
Filed Under: Android News, Guides, Mobile Phone News
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