Reset your Android device to factory settings (2024)

To remove all data from your phone, you can reset your phone to factory settings. Factory resets are also called “formatting” or “hard resets.”

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Get ready to factory reset

Important: A factory reset erases all your data from your phone.

If you're resetting to fix an issue, we recommend first trying other solutions. Learn how to troubleshoot Androidissues.

Know Google Account username & password

To restore your data after you reset your phone, you must enter security info. When you enter the info, it shows that you or someone you trust did the reset.

  1. Be sure that you know a Google Account on the phone.
  2. Be sure that you know the password for the Google Account on the phone.To confirm, sign in to thataccount on another device or computer. If you don't remember the password,get sign-in help.
  3. If you've set a screen lock, be sure that you know your phone's PIN, pattern, or password. If you can't unlock your phone, learn what you cando.

Tip: If you recently reset your Google Account password, wait 24 hours before you perform a factory reset.

Back up your data to your Google Account

A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled.

To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account. Learn how to back up your data.

Charge & connect

A factory reset can take up to an hour.

  1. Charge your phone to at least 70%.
  2. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi or your mobile network. When the factory reset completes, you must be connected to sign in to your Google Account.

Factory reset your phone

On most phones, you can reset your phone through the Settings app. If you can't open your phone's Settings app, you can try factory resettingyour phone using its power and volume buttons.

We recommend checkingyour manufacturer's support site for device-specific instructions.

Related resources

Get to know your Android phone

Learn how to use your Android device and get the most out of Google. Get step-by-step guides and instructional videos on how to set up your phone, customize your settings, and use apps.

Reset your Android device to factory settings (2024)

FAQs

Is a factory reset enough to wipe Android? ›

A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled. To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account. Learn how to back up your data.

Does factory reset delete everything permanently? ›

A factory reset restores a computer, smartphone, etc., back to the state it was in when it left the factory. This includes deleting all the data, apps, and settings the user changed on the device.

Is factory reset enough to sell phone? ›

Can my data still be accessed even after resetting my device? The data on most Android phones is encrypted, which means that it can't be accessed following a factory reset. As such, you don't need to worry about another person accessing this information if you sell your Android phone.

What is the difference between reset settings and factory reset on Android? ›

A hard reset is forcing your phone to restart when it's unresponsive. A factory reset is the process of restoring your phone to its original settings, like when you bought it. Factory resetting erases everything on your device, while a hard reset simply reboots it.

Will factory reset remove Google account? ›

Factory resetting doesn't do anything to your Google account. If you have a phone you were signed into with your Google account and then factory reset it, it will require you to sign back into your account to verify it's your device. Then you can do whatever you want with it.

What is the Android secret code for factory reset? ›

*2767*3855# (Wipe Your Device and Reinstall Firmware)

Think of it as a factory reset—type this code on your dialer and run it, and it'll effectively delete all data from your phone, and wipe it clean.

Is there a hard reset for Android? ›

Hard Reset/factory Reset is a feature of an android that erases all data from internal storage. wipe data/factory option is available in android recovery mode.

Is it a good idea to factory reset? ›

Additionally, frequently resetting your phone can also cause wear and tear on the device, leading to a shorter lifespan for the device. It is recommended to only perform a factory reset when it is necessary and to make a backup of your data beforehand to avoid losing important information.

How to permanently erase data so that it cannot be recovered Android? ›

First and foremost remove the sim cards and sd card from the device.
  1. Now factory reset your device.
  2. Reboot and set it up again.
  3. Now fill the phone with all the junk possible.
  4. Remember not to put your personal files again.
  5. Once the device is junked now factory reset it again.
  6. Now no one can restore your personal data.
Jan 19, 2023

What will I lose with factory reset? ›

Doing a factory reset of your Android phone will make the phone look and operate exactly as it did when you bought it. That means that your contacts, photos, messages, and any installed apps will be deleted.

Can someone access my data after factory reset? ›

Since the encryption key is tied to your password, the phone automatically resets the key after a factory reset. A savvy hacker can still dump the phone's storage, perform data forensics on it, and extract files. However, those files would still be encrypted, and reading them is next to impossible.

How do I completely wipe my phone? ›

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Do I remove SIM card before factory reset on Android? ›

Start by backing up your Android phone, then remove any MicroSD cards and your SIM card. Remember to use the backup function in specific apps (like WhatsApp) and to transfer codes from apps like Google Authenticator. Android has an anti-theft measure called Factory Reset Protection (FRP).

Is factory reset the same as wiping? ›

Restoring a computer to the factory settings will make it look like you've wiped the memory. However, the data does sit in the background until it is overwritten by new data.

Is wiping data the same as a factory reset? ›

A factory reset restores a device to its original settings, erasing all user data and applications. However, it is important to note that this method does not completely erase the data, as it can still be recovered using specialized software. Data wiping, on the other hand, is a more thorough method of erasing data.

What is the difference between factory reset and wipe data? ›

In short, after Windows performs a factory reset, the files may still be recovered by some professional recovery software. But once you perform a data wipe, the files cannot be recovered. The following section will provide you with the methods to perform these two operations separately on Windows 10/11.

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