Is Factory Reset necessary?

**Rob_B** · 07-27-2011, 03:44 PM

I've seen some users saying a factory reset needs to be done after a OTA update is pushed and processed by your phone(stock, unrooted). It would seem to me that this isn't really needed or Verizon wouldn't go through the work to make the OTA keep the phone setup as it was prior to the OTA.
Is this just a placebo some have used once and it worked so they blindly keep doing it or is it good practice?

If it necessary and Verizon/HTC keep up their track record of "fixing" one problem and introducing (re-introducing) other problems customizing the phone would be a waste because you're gonna do a factory reset again and again and again.

**FrankXS** · 07-27-2011, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Rob_B

I've seen some users saying a factory reset needs to be done after a OTA update is pushed and processed by your phone(stock, unrooted). It would seem to me that this isn't really needed or Verizon wouldn't go through the work to make the OTA keep the phone setup as it was prior to the OTA.
Is this just a placebo some have used once and it worked so they blindly keep doing it or is it good practice?

If it necessary and Verizon/HTC keep up their track record of "fixing" one problem and introducing (re-introducing) other problems customizing the phone would be a waste because you're gonna do a factory reset again and again and again.

You are correct. The only reason a factory reset could help is because there was an issue with the phone before the update.

-Frank

**Rob_B** · 07-27-2011, 03:53 PM

I thought so but with this being my first Android I thought I'd get some input from longtime Android users.

Besides it's Verizons goto fix for everything

**yodatom10** · 07-27-2011, 03:53 PM

the only reason a factory reset would help is if there was an issue with the phone. doing one after a ota is not needed

**wildman** · 07-27-2011, 05:33 PM

Beg to differ, if the update is a serious modification on the programming code a hard reset will minimize incompatibilities.

If the update is just a bug fix I say a reset isn't required but if you are upgrading to a new rebuild a hard reset is wise because if you have a large amount of apps that hasn't been verified to work on the new build you wont run into a failed update because all files required to be updated wasn't updated because it was restricted by another app or setting.

My Droid X had the 2.2 update pushed over the 2.1 stock build and one fix was the low volume fix but after update a number of users complained that it wasn't fixed but after a reset all the bugs that remained from 2.1 was corrected and resolved. This didn't get resolved for users until a reset...

**Synycalwon** · 07-27-2011, 06:03 PM

I had various app issues after the MR1 OTA update that a factory data reset cleared up. Same thing after flashing the leaked MR2 RUU and again with the official MR2 RUU. So, as a general practice, I do a factory reset as a pre-emptive measure. It’s a no brainer with a full RUU as they already wipe the phone whereas an OTA does not. Regardless, one should get into the practice of backing up your phone on a regular basis and in particular BEFORE doing an OTA or RUU! If the need arises for a factory data reset, it sure makes it a fairly trivial event.

**Kronko** · 07-27-2011, 07:17 PM

Is not needed unless your phone is acting weird after the update. I always do it, regardless.

**worwig** · 07-27-2011, 07:43 PM

I installed MR1 then MR2. Never did a factory reset. Mine just keeps getting better.
Not even sure were the factory reset command is.

**FrankXS** · 07-27-2011, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by worwig

I installed MR1 then MR2. Never did a factory reset. Mine just keeps getting better.
Not even sure were the factory reset command is.

Me too.

-Frank

**KJ78** · 07-28-2011, 12:29 AM

if i think the ota didn't happen correctly, like it froze on install or something, then yes i would do a factory reset to force the update to install as a fresh installation. much like a desktop/notebook, sometimes its better to format and install than update an existing os.

**trapperjohn** · 07-28-2011, 12:16 PM

Normally a update does not require a factory reset or even automatically do a factory reset unless you side load it (get the update file yourself and put it on the phone not ota from Verizon).
Here is the way to get to the menu option for factory reset :-)

Factory reset:
SD and phone storage then last option.

Thanks,
Bryan

**BattleSwine** · 07-28-2011, 12:52 PM

After I had installed MR1 and the reboot issued started I call VZW. The rep had me do a factory reset but turning the phone off. Holding down volume in when turning the phone back on. It brought up a white background screen with three androids... kinda like a BIOS screen.... Factory reset was one of the options. Recovery, fast boot were there.... its been a few months and I didn't take notes.... It didn't help..... I didn't need one after MR2... lucky I guess. MR2 fixed my MR1 issues. It exposed a Froyo issue, but the forums provided me a work around that is managing painlessly. After using BB for years Factory Reset on Android is a lot less time consuming. No need to enter activation codes in each app. Or the huge number of slow reboots/battery pulls required after nearly each separate download. I'm not saying Factory Reset on Android is pain free, but it's the lesser evil by a long shot. I can even speak to iOS due to my iPod Touch.... better than BB, but needing iTunes PC and USB speeds at the low end of USB 2.0 is a long slow process..... and my iPod has needed more resets in resent months... I'll get off my soapbox now.