Doing a Factory Data Reset for Android is the process of putting your phone back to its default settings. After this reset, the device will be the same as if you just pulled it brand new out of the box. It is usually done when some default settings are incorrect or to prepare it to sell.
[WARN]Before resetting, make a backup, as it will completely wipe your device of data, contacts, pictures, ringtones and applications that are currently stored on it.[/WARN]
If the device has its own backup option, run that first and then pull that file off and place it onto your laptop or PC using the USB cable you received with the device.
[INFO]If there is no backup option, you can still save all your stuff by pulling the individual file folders off the device and copying them to your laptop or PC. Just copy and paste/drag and drop the folders to a location that you can find again.[/INFO]
[TIP]If you have an external SD card, unmount it just to be safe.[/TIP]
There are also backup apps available on the Play Store.
HOW TO RESET TO FACTORY DATA
1 - Go into Settings
2 - Find "Backup & reset"
3 - If you have the option, enable the "Back up my data" and "Automatic restore". It will also list your GMail account to use
4 - Hit "Factory data reset"
5 - It will give one more warning before resetting. Then hit "Reset Phone"
These are screenshots from my Google Nexus 6.
Most other devices will be very similar, albeit with slight variations.
[NOTE]This process will only wipe data and settings. It will not revert your device to a previous OS version.
Whichever Operating System you have will remain after resetting.[/NOTE]
After the restore, manually return the files back to the device and you should be good to go.
Hope this clears up any confusion about resetting your phone.
Let us know if you have any questions.
[WARN]Before resetting, make a backup, as it will completely wipe your device of data, contacts, pictures, ringtones and applications that are currently stored on it.[/WARN]
If the device has its own backup option, run that first and then pull that file off and place it onto your laptop or PC using the USB cable you received with the device.
[INFO]If there is no backup option, you can still save all your stuff by pulling the individual file folders off the device and copying them to your laptop or PC. Just copy and paste/drag and drop the folders to a location that you can find again.[/INFO]
[TIP]If you have an external SD card, unmount it just to be safe.[/TIP]
There are also backup apps available on the Play Store.
HOW TO RESET TO FACTORY DATA
1 - Go into Settings
2 - Find "Backup & reset"
3 - If you have the option, enable the "Back up my data" and "Automatic restore". It will also list your GMail account to use
4 - Hit "Factory data reset"
5 - It will give one more warning before resetting. Then hit "Reset Phone"
These are screenshots from my Google Nexus 6.
Most other devices will be very similar, albeit with slight variations.
[NOTE]This process will only wipe data and settings. It will not revert your device to a previous OS version.
Whichever Operating System you have will remain after resetting.[/NOTE]
After the restore, manually return the files back to the device and you should be good to go.
Hope this clears up any confusion about resetting your phone.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Last edited:
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