Question What would cause two of my android phones to do a factory reset randomly on their own on the same day?

[ThatChickTiff]

Yesterday I was on my android phone for at least two hours straight doing different things… I didn’t have any issues the whole time I was holding the phone (which was a Moto G stylus) and had no issues.. it wasn’t until I set my phone down to get a drink... I pick my phone up to see a factory reset screen! I couldn’t stop it nothing would work it completely wiped it.
So then I go get my old android phone, to transfer everything from it, like I had done before.
And to check if everything was backed up to my Google account before I started the transfer..
I powered it up, give it time to boot everything.. I set the phone down beside the Moto phone, I turn my head for five seconds it seems… and before I know it, the factory reset screen is on the Samsung phone as well!!
I’m completely freaked out, I can’t figure it out… I’ve searched and searched online…. Checked all of recent activity on my accounts….
And it apparently wiped everything on my SD card as well, which has never happened.
Weird part is, after the Samsung phone did the factory reset… it has a message saying there was an unauthorized factory reset attempt, asking me to login and verify my ID. So I did that….. but it’s still not preventing it from being reset it still giving me the start instructions.
I feel like someone was watching me through the camera on my phone because the factory reset was initiated the second. I sat both phones down and wasn’t looking at the screens. Am I crazy thinking that’s possible?!!
I’d like some help on figuring out how to get my phone back the way it was, because the only back up I have on my Google account is not a recent when I guess.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! My guess is that some app you installed on both phones was causing major system instability, leading to the factory reset. Which app that could be is hard to determine. I would doubt anything malicious, assuming you don't install anything from shady sites, or sideload apk files to avoid paying for an app. Glitchy behavior is almost always due to bugs, rather than a hacker.

 

[Izzybarr]

Yesterday I was on my android phone for at least two hours straight doing different things… I didn’t have any issues the whole time I was holding the phone (which was a Moto G stylus) and had no issues.. it wasn’t until I set my phone down to get a drink... I pick my phone up to see a factory reset screen! I couldn’t stop it nothing would work it completely wiped it.
So then I go get my old android phone, to transfer everything from it, like I had done before.
And to check if everything was backed up to my Google account before I started the transfer..
I powered it up, give it time to boot everything.. I set the phone down beside the Moto phone, I turn my head for five seconds it seems… and before I know it, the factory reset screen is on the Samsung phone as well!!
I’m completely freaked out, I can’t figure it out… I’ve searched and searched online…. Checked all of recent activity on my accounts….
And it apparently wiped everything on my SD card as well, which has never happened.
Weird part is, after the Samsung phone did the factory reset… it has a message saying there was an unauthorized factory reset attempt, asking me to login and verify my ID. So I did that….. but it’s still not preventing it from being reset it still giving me the start instructions.
I feel like someone was watching me through the camera on my phone because the factory reset was initiated the second. I sat both phones down and wasn’t looking at the screens. Am I crazy thinking that’s possible?!!
I’d like some help on figuring out how to get my phone back the way it was, because the only back up I have on my Google account is not a recent when I guess.

I "also" had 2 phones do a hard reset! March 2024 was the 1st time while I waited in WalMarts automotive Dept waiting room. Phone battery was dying so I plugged it in behind the table for their coffee maker. I got called up & asked when I got the car battery & I went back into the waiting room where a 23-24 y.o guy with a girl the same age was now in there. When I unplugged my phone... It was hard reset! WTF? Before leaving I stopped to get my fishing license. He took my name & info, then the automotive manager I just argued with stopped behind me & then the guy said Aww wow Sorry, we don't have any paper, OR INK to print it, you'll have to go to the library. Hmm, Well I drove to Home Depot & when I got out... I started my truck... OPENED MY ARMREST & THERE.... WAS MY FISHING LICENSE!!!! The print at the bottom of the sheet was THAT DATE But the TIME IS 5:03PM! MY RECIEPT SHOWS I LEFT WALMART AT 4:24PM!!! When I got home, my business phone was ALSO in a hard reset! One is my business phone & the other is my personal phone. I do not mix anything on them. a
There ARE 2 people who call both phones. THAT is their only connection!
I do not install anything shady, IF ANYTHING AT ALL!! The business phone only has a VPN APP, a PASSWORD APP & an app to fix PHOTOS. This is definitely SHADY. I have had strange & suspicious activity for a while. I am fighting with an ex brother inLaw who worked at Google for 7 years & leaves alot to be desired in the MORALS department. I believe he is targeting me.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Sorry to hear about this situation, but it's impossible for anyone say for sure what happened, since the phone was left unattended. The fishing license issue doesn't seem to have anything to do with Android, so I don't think anyone here will have anything constructive to say about that either.

As for your brother-in-law, you need to ask yourself if he's the type of person who's a tech wizard, or is willing to hire a tech wizard to mess with someone. Being "hacked" in the Hollywood sense is actually pretty rare, as long as you follow some common sense guidelines:

“I’ve been hacked” - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com
[GUIDE] How To Avoid Malware - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com