How to reset Android to factory settings: step-by-step guide

Resetting the phone to factory settings is an extreme measure that is used when selling a device, eliminating critical errors, or after being infected with viruses. The procedure completely deletes all user data, applications and personal settings, returning the smartphone to its “out of the box” state. However, many users are afraid to perform a reset because of the risk of losing important information or disrupting the system.

In this article we will look at three official ways reset: through the settings menu, modes Recovery Mode and Fastboot, as well as using tools ADB for advanced users. Let's look separately at how to prepare the device to reset in order to minimize data loss, and what hidden nuances may occur on phones from different manufacturers - Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and others.

If your smartphone freezes, does not respond to touches, or gives errors when loading, resetting to factory settings is often the only solution. But before you begin, it is important to understand: this is an irreversible process. All photos, contacts, messages and installed applications will be erased. Therefore, the first step is backup.

Manufacturers Android provide several reset methods, and the choice depends on the state of the device. For example, if the phone turns on and responds to commands, the easiest way is to use the settings menu. And if the screen does not respond or the smartphone is stuck on the logo, you will have to boot into Recovery Mode or connect to a PC.

1. Preparing the phone for a reset: what needs to be done in advance

Before resetting Android to factory settings, do mandatory stepsso as not to lose important data. Even if the device is unstable, try to save at least the most valuable information.

First - backup. Use built-in tools Google or third-party applications:

📱 Contacts and calendar: synchronize with your account Google to Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization.
📷 Photos and videos: download to Google Photos or copy to PC via USB cable.
💬 Messages and calls: export using applications like SMS Backup & Restore.
🎮 Game saves: check if the game supports cloud saving (for example, through Google Play Games).

Second - delete linked accounts.. On some devices (especially Samsung and Xiaomi) after the reset, you may need to enter data from the previous account Google or Mi Account. To avoid problems, unlink accounts in Settings → Accounts.

Third - remember or take a photo of the network settings. After the reset, you will have to re-enter passwords from Wi-Fi, configure VPN or mobile data settings. Save screenshots of screens with settings or. write down the data in a notepad.

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This is the simplest and safest method available on all devices Android. Suitable if the smartphone turns on, responds to touches and does not produce critical errors.

Instructions for most. phones:

Open Settings (gear icon in the application menu).
Go to section System (on some devices - General settings or Advanced).
Select Reset (or Reset settings, Restore and reset).
Click Reset data or Reset to factory settings.
Confirm the action by entering PIN code or pattern key.
Wait for the process to complete (usually takes 5-15 minutes).

On phones Samsung path may differ: Settings → Device maintenance → Reset → Reset data.

U Xiaomi — Settings → About phone → Reset settings.

After confirmation reset the phone will automatically reboot and will begin the cleaning process. Do not interrupt it or turn off the device, even if it seems that it is frozen. The manufacturer's logo or boot animation may be displayed on the screen.

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If after resetting the phone asks to enter your old Google account (FRP protection), and If you don’t remember it, use the official unlocking tool from the manufacturer or contact the service center.

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone does not turn on)

If the smartphone does not boot, is stuck on the logo or the screen does not respond to touches, use recovery mode (Recovery Mode). data-i="128">-devices, but the combination of buttons to enter Android-devices, but button combinations to enter Recovery may differ.

General instructions:

Turn off the phone (if it does not respond, hold down the power button on 10–15 seconds).
Hold button combination to enter Recovery (see table below).
Hold the buttons until appears logo Recovery Mode (usually 5-10 seconds).
In the Recovery menu, select the item Wipe data/factory reset (use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to confirm).
Confirm the reset by selecting Yes — Delete all user data.
After completion select Reboot system now to reboot.

Manufacturer	Combination to enter Recovery
Samsung	Volume up + Power + `Bixby` (if any)
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco	Volume up + Power (hold until vibration)
Huawei/Honor	Volume up + Power (on some models - volume down)
Google Pixel	Volume down + Power (hold until menu appears)
OnePlus	Volume down + Power (on OnePlus 8/9 —volume up + down + power)

On some phones (for example, Samsung s One UI) the menu Recovery may be in Chinese or English. If you are not sure about the item selection - do not confirm the resetso as not to aggravate the problem.

What to do if Recovery Mode does not open?

If the button combination does not work, try:

1. Connect the phone to a charger. 10–15 minutes (sometimes a low battery blocks the entry to Recovery).

2. Use another combination (for example, on Samsung older than 2018, volume up + home + power may work).

3. data-i="165">(see next section). ADB (see next section).

⚠️ Attention: On phones with an unlocked bootloader (bootloader), resetting via Recovery may result in loss of data on the internal memory, including files on the card SDif it is used as internal storage.

4. Method 3: Reset via ADB or Fastboot (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, the firmware is damaged or access to Recoveryis blocked), you can perform a reset via command line using tools ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or Fastboot. This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with the console.

To reset via ADB (if the phone turns on, but the settings menu is not available):

adb shell

recovery --wipe_data

or (on some devices):

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

To reset via Fastboot (if the phone does not boot, but there is access to bootloader):

fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache

fastboot reboot

Before using these commands, make sure that:

🔌 Drivers ADB and Fastboot (can be downloaded as part Android SDK Platform-Tools).
📱 Enabled on the phone USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Number assembly (press 7 times) → Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).
🔒 Unlocked bootloader (if required for Fastboot).

⚠️ Attention: Commands Fastboot can completely erase system partitionsif entered incorrectly. Do not use them if you are not sure of the actions - it is better to contact the service center.

5. brands

Manufacturers of Androiddevices often modify standard reset procedures by adding additional protection or changing the menu. Let's consider the key nuances for popular brands.

Samsung (One UI):

After the reset, you may be required to enter account data Samsung or Google (protection FRP).

In the menu Recovery items may be in Chinese - look for characters similar to "" (erase data).

On new models (Galaxy S22, S23) reset via Recovery may require confirmation via Knox.

Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI):

Before resetting, be sure to unlink your account Mi Accountotherwise the phone will be blocked.

B Recovery Mode on Xiaomi often found item Reboot to Fastboot —do not confuse it with a factory reset.

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10after the reset, the latest version is automatically installed MIUI.

Huawei/Honor (EMUI/Magic UI):

Phones with Huawei Mobile Services (without Google) may require input Huawei ID after reset.

On older models (P20, Mate 10), reset after Recovery can take up to 30 minutes.

In the settings menu, reset item sometimes hidden in System → Advanced → Reset Other brands data-i="231">uses a proprietary menu System → Advanced → Reset.

Other brands (Google Pixel, OnePlus, Realme):

On Google Pixel reset via Recovery automatically reinstalls the latest version Android.

OnePlus uses a branded menu OxygenOS Recoverywhere the reset is called Erase everything.

On Realme and Oppo before resetting, you may need to enter your account password Realme/Oppo ID.

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On phones with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), resetting through the standard menu Recovery can lead to loss of firmware. In such cases, use only ADB or specialized tools like TWRP.

6. Frequent errors during reset and how to avoid them. data-i="241">Even if you follow the instructions, users often encounter problems. Let's look at the most common errors and ways to solve them.

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems. Let's look at the most common mistakes and ways to solve them.
1. The phone does not turn on after resetting

🔋 Possible reason: the battery ran out during the process. Connect the charger and wait 15-20 minutes.

🔄 If the logo flashes or is constantly on, try logging in again Recovery and repeat the reset.

💻 On the PC, check whether the phone is detected in Manager devices (if not, there is a problem with the firmware).

2. Requires an old Google account (FRP lock)

🔑 If you have forgotten your account data, use Google recovery service.

📱 On Samsung you can try bypass the blocking via Samsung Find My Mobile (if the account Samsung is linked).

⚠️ Do not use dubious bypass apps FRP —they may contain viruses.

3. frozen

⏳ If the process takes more than an hour, force restart the phone (hold down the power button for 15-20 seconds).

🔌 Try repeating the reset using another method (for example, ADB instead Recovery).

🛠️ If nothing helps - contact the service center (the device’s memory may be damaged).

4. After the reset, the functions disappeared (NFC, 5G, camera)

📲 Check if the network settings have been reset: go to Settings → Mobile network → Mode networks.

🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version via Settings → Software update.

🔧 If the problem persists, reset it again or flash the phone via Fastboot.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with root access or custom firmware, resetting to factory settings can lead to losing the ability to boot the systemIn such cases, flashing is required via TWRP or Fastboot.

7. What to do after the reset: initial setup

After a successful reset, the phone will start in the initial setup mode, as after purchase. Here's what to do next: step by step. planwhat to do next:
1. Select language and region

Select the interface language (recommended Russian or English (United States) for stability).

Specify the country - this will affect the available services (for example, Google Pay does not work in some regions).

2. Connecting to the network

Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data (if a SIM card is installed).

If Wi-Fi does not find networks, check whether the module is enabled in the settings.

3. Login to your Google account

Enter the data from the account Googlethat was linked before the reset (if required FRP).

If the account is not linked, you can skip this step or create a new one.

4. Data recovery

When prompted to restore data from a backup, select the last saved copy.

If there is no copy, manually transfer the files from your PC or cloud.

5. Security setup

Set PIN code, pattern key or fingerprint.

Activate Find device settings Google (useful if you lose your phone).

6. System update

Check for updates in Settings → System → Update Software.

Install all available security patches - this will protect against vulnerabilities.

After the initial setup, you can start installing applications. We recommend downloading the essentials first (messengers, banking applications), and then the rest.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to reset the phone without losing data?

No, resetting to factory settings always deletes user data. However, you can selectively save individual files (photos, contacts) by backing up before resetting.

How long does the reset take?

The time depends on the phone model and the amount of data:

Through the settings menu: 5–15 minutes.

Through Recovery Mode: 10–30 minutes (on older devices longer).

After ADB/Fastboot: 2–10 minutes.

If the process takes more than an hour, most likely a failure has occurred.

Will the reset delete files from the memory card (SD)?

Depends on the settings:

If the card is used as portable storage —the data will be saved on it.

If the card expanded as internal memory —it will be formatted.

Before resetting, remove the card if you are not sure of its status.

Is it possible to cancel the reset after the process has started?

No, after confirmation, the reset cannot be interrupted without the risk of damaging the system. If you change your mind. — wait for the process to complete and restore the data from the backup.

Why did the phone start working slower after the reset?

Possible reasons:

🔄 Not all background processes are optimized (reboot the phone after the first setup).

📉 Old versions of applications are installed (update them via Google Play).

🛠️ The firmware is damaged (reset again or reflash the device).

How to reset an Android phone to factory settings: 3 proven methods

1. Preparing the phone for a reset: what needs to be done in advance

2. Method 1: Reset through the settings menu (if the phone is working)

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone does not turn on)

4. Method 3: Reset via ADB or Fastboot (for advanced users)

5. brands

6. Frequent errors during reset and how to avoid them. data-i="241">Even if you follow the instructions, users often encounter problems. Let's look at the most common errors and ways to solve them.

7. What to do after the reset: initial setup

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

How to reset an Android phone to factory settings: 3 proven methods

1. Preparing the phone for a reset: what needs to be done in advance

2. Method 1: Reset through the settings menu (if the phone is working)

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone does not turn on)

4. Method 3: Reset via ADB or Fastboot (for advanced users)

5. brands

6. Frequent errors during reset and how to avoid them. data-i="241">Even if you follow the instructions, users often encounter problems. Let's look at the most common errors and ways to solve them.

7. What to do after the reset: initial setup

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

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