Note4 keeps factory resetting

[Raignis]

Three times during the last two months, I have awoken to find that my Note4 has reset itself to factory overnight. I have to set it up and download everything from scratch again. The first time this occurred, I found the security app DFNDR installed. I don't know if Verizon forced this one on me because I don't remember having downloading it myself. I'm going to make sure not to reinstall DFNDR in case that is the culprit but, in case it's not, does anyone have any suggestions as to the repeated resets?

 

[B. Diddy]

Were you actually able to uninstall DFNDR? I wasn't familiar with this app before, but AV-Test has tested it, so presumably it's legit: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/mobile-devices/manufacturer/psafe/. Still, as long as you follow common-sense guidelines and use Google's own Play Protect, there's little need for 3rd party security apps.

Do the resets happen in Safe Mode as well? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-28897

 

[Raignis]

I just kept it from downloading when the phone started restoring my other apps. I haven't had safe mode on at any point. The three times this has happened, it's been overnight when the phone is not in use.

 

[B. Diddy]

Spontaneous factory resets are generally a bad sign. It could mean a catastrophic glitch in the firmware or hardware. Or there might be some app that's really malfunctioning (or malicious). Safe Mode should prevent it from happening if it's an app you installed.