Hard Reset vs. Factory Reset: What's The Difference? (2024)

Written byLinh Le|Edited byDarlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: January 22, 2024Fact Checked

Things You Should Know

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   A hard reset is a simple rebooting of your smartphone. It does not affect the storage on your phone. You may use a hard reset when your phone is acting unresponsive. This sets it apart from a standard reboot of your phone, as it typically involves holding down the power button for an extended period of time.

   • While a hard reset of your smartphone will not affect your phone's storage, any data saved to apps that do not autosave may disappear upon reboot.
   • A hard reset is sometimes called a "force restart."^[1]
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   A factory reset deletes all data from your phone. You may use a factory reset when you believe your phone has a virus or is severely malfunctioning. A factory reset reverts your phone back to its factory settings, forcing you to set it up again as if it is fresh out of the box.

   • Because of the severity of a factory reset, it should only be used as an extreme measure.

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   Quickly tap the "Volume Up" button. Simply press the button and let go. You do not need to hold it down.

   • Ensure your display is turned off for this process.
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   Quickly tap the "Volume Down" button. You do not need to hold it down.

3. See Also

   How to wipe your Android phone/tablet before selling or recycling itHow to wipe your smartphone (Android and iPhone)How to use the BootloaderHow To Reset Mi Phone? Guide For Factory Reset Before Selling Off

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   Press and hold the "Sleep/Awake" button on the opposite side of your phone. Your iPhone will soon display the "Slide to Power Off button", but you can ignore it. Continue holding the "Sleep/Awake" button until the Apple logo appears. Your iPhone is now performing a hard reset.

   • On older iPhone models, you can hold down the "Sleep/Wake" and "Home" buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. Make sure to hold them down, as simply pressing the two buttons simultaneously will take a screenshot instead.

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   Visit your iPhone's Settings. The Settings app on the iPhone is represented by an image of overlapping gears. Click on it, and prepare to perform a factory reset.

   • Be sure to back up your iPhone before performing a factory reset so that all your data remains available after the reset.
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   Tap General Settings. Your Settings App has several different sections. To perform a factory reset, go to the General section of your settings.^[2]

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   Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone. Be careful, as factory resetting your iPhone is irreversible.

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   Tap Erase All Content and Settings. Your phone will offer you a final warning before you go through with the factory reset. Confirm that you want to perform the factory reset, which may take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes.

   • Once the factory reset is complete, you may either set your phone up as if it is brand new, or restore your data from the iCloud.

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   Hold down the Power button and the Volume Down buttons simultaneously. On most Android phones, these buttons are conveniently located on the same side of the device.

   • This combination of buttons also triggers a screenshot. If your phone takes a screenshot, don't worry. Your phone will not save the photo after it has reset.
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   Hold the buttons down for 15 seconds. ^[3] Keep the buttons pressed until your screen goes black. This should take approximately 15 seconds. Your Android will now reset and should operate normally once rebooted.

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   See Also

   4 Best Ways to Restore Data After Factory Reset on Android [2024]

   Visit your Android's "Settings." The option to perform a factory reset is located in your Android's Settings app. The easiest way to access Settings is to pull down your notifications panel and tap the gear icon in the bottom-right corner.

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   Choose System. Scroll through the various options until you see System towards the bottom. Tap it.

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   Tap Reset. This will open up additional options.

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   Tap on Reset all settings. This will pull up a menu with various reset options, including the options to reset your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, or to reset your app preferences.

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   Choose Reset all settings. It should be the final option on the Reset options menu. Your Android will offer you a final warning that this reset will delete all your data. Ensure that you want to complete your factory reset and tap to confirm. ^[4]

   • Your phone will now perform a factory reset. This will take several minutes. Once it reboots, you can set up your phone as new.

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