Device owners ASUS over time are faced with the need to return the gadget to its original state. This could be caused by serious software glitches, system junk buildup, or the phone being prepared for sale. The procedure for completely resetting the system, known as Factory Reset, deletes all user data and returns the interface to the form it was in when it was first turned on.
In this article we will examine in detail the two main ways to perform this operation: through the standard settings menu Android and through the engineering menu Recovery Mode. The second option is indispensable if your device is blocked by malware, a forgotten pattern, or does not boot to the desktop.
Before starting any manipulations, it is critical to understand that the process is irreversible. All photos, contacts, applications and files in the internal memory will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery using standard means. Make sure that you have made a complete backup of important data to an external drive or to Google Drive cloud storage. Without this step, it will be almost impossible to return information.
Preparing the device for a full reset
Before clicking the "Reset" button, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps that will ensure the safety of the process. Ignoring these steps may lead to the fact that after a reboot you will not be able to log into your account due to the triggered protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
The security system Google links the device to the last entered account. If you do not log out before resetting, the phone will require you to enter the username and password for this account the first time you start it. This is an anti-theft feature, but it can be a problem if you forget your login information.
It's also worth checking your battery level. The process of formatting internal memory is energy-consuming, and a sudden power outage in the middle of the operation can damage the system partitions.
⚠️ Attention: If the battery charge is below 50%, be sure to connect the smartphone to a charger before starting the procedure. Interrupting the recording of system files can turn the device into a “brick.”
Do not forget to also remove the memory card microSDif it is installed. Although modern versions Android usually ask whether the external media needs to be formatted, physically removing the card ensures the safety of your personal files on it.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Method 1: Reset through the Android settings menu
This is the safest and easiest method, suitable for devices that are in working order and have access to the desktop. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version of the shell ASUS ZenUI or pure Android, but the logic of actions remains the same.
First, open the main application menu and find the icon Settings (gear). In the list of parameters you need to find the section responsible for the system. In older firmware versions this may be called Recovery and reset, and in new ones - System or General settings.
After going to the desired section, you will see the item Reset settings or Reset Data. The system will display a warning about what data will be deleted. Read the list carefully to make sure you don't lose anything important.
Press the confirm button. The device may require you to enter a screen unlock PIN or account password to confirm the owner's identity. After this, the data deletion process will begin, which will take from 2 to 10 minutes depending on the amount of occupied memory.
Before resetting through the menu, go to the developer settings and disable USB debugging if it was enabled. This will prevent possible driver conflicts during the first boot.
When the process is completed, the smartphone will automatically reboot. The first boot after a reset always takes longer than usual, as the system optimizes applications and creates new caches. Do not try to interrupt this process by pressing buttons.
Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
This method is universal and is used in situations where the phone does not turn on, is stuck on the logo, or you have forgotten the screen lock password. The menu Recovery is accessed by a combination of physical buttons before loading the operating system.
Turn off the device completely ASUS. If the phone freezes and does not respond to normal shutdown, hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds until it vibrates completely and the screen turns off. Then press and hold simultaneously the button Volume Down and the button Power.
Hold both buttons until the logo appears ASUS, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume key. After a few seconds, a menu with a black background and text should appear on the screen, often accompanied by an image of a lying robot Android.
⚠️ Attention: The touch screen does not work in the Recovery menu! Control is carried out only by the volume buttons (up/down to move) and the power button (to select an item).
Using the volume rocker, move the selection to the item Wipe data/factory reset. Confirm your selection by briefly pressing the Power button. The system may ask a clarifying question to prevent accidental clicking, for example, require you to select Yes or Factory data reset.
After confirmation, formatting of the data section will begin. Lines of code will appear on the screen informing you about the progress of the process. When a message appears below Data wipe complete, select Reboot system now to reboot.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not appear?
On some ASUS models, the combination of buttons may differ. Try holding Volume Up + Power. If this does not help, connect the switched off phone with a cable to the computer, then hold Volume Down and, without releasing it, connect the cable to the phone (the method works on older models with Intel chips).
Comparison of reset methods and their features
Both methods described above lead to the same result - a clean state of the operating system. However, there are technical differences between them that may affect the choice of method in a particular situation.
Resetting through the settings menu is “soft”. It closes all applications gracefully, syncs the latest data before deleting it, and disables accounts programmatically. This reduces the risk of file system errors.
Hard Reset via Recovery is more aggressive. It forcibly formats the partition /data, ignoring the state of running processes. This is the only way to remove a forgotten lock password, but it does not guarantee logging out of your Google account, which may trigger FRP protection.
| Option | Through Settings | Via Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Requires screen to be turned on | Yes | No |
| Removes the lock password | No (need to know) | Yes |
| Risk to the file system | Minimal | Average |
| Complexity | Low | Average |
The choice of method depends on the current performance of your gadget. If you can enter the menu, use the first method. If the phone is locked or hanging on the screensaver - your choice Recovery Mode.
Solving problems after resetting the settings
After the procedure is successfully completed and the first boot, you will see a welcome screen, just like when you buy a new phone. However, users may encounter a number of typical situations that require the correct response.
The most common problem is the requirement to enter the password for the Google account that was previously used on the device. This is a protection system FRP. If you remember the details, just enter them. If not, restoring access is only possible through the Google account recovery form on another device.
Sometimes after a reset, the phone may remain on the logo for a long time ASUS (more than 15 minutes). This may indicate a damaged system partition or a cache conflict. In this case, it is recommended to repeat the Hard Reset procedure via Recovery, having previously selected the item Wipe cache partitionif it is available in your menu.
⚠️ Attention: Recovery menu interfaces may differ on different models (ZenFone, ROG Phone, Max Pro). If the described items are missing, check the official documentation for your specific model on the manufacturer's website.
It is also worth noting that after a reset, all system applications will return to factory versions. You will need to log in again Play Market and update them manually to ensure security and stable operation.
The requirement to enter your old Google account after a reset is not an error, but standard protection against theft. Without this data, it is impossible to unlock the phone in a legal way.
Prevention and optimization after returning to factory settings
Having returned your smartphone ASUS to its factory state, you have received a blank slate. To keep your device fast for as long as possible, it is important to properly configure it from scratch, avoiding past mistakes.
Do not install dozens of applications at once. Start with the essentials: instant messengers, browser and antivirus. Give the system a couple of days to adapt and index files. Mass installation of apps immediately after a reset creates a high load on the processor and memory.
Pay attention to the power saving settings. The shell ZenUI has optimization features that can limit the operation of background applications. Configure them so that important notifications arrive on time, but unnecessary processes do not waste power.
- 📱 Install only trusted applications from the official Google Play store.
- 🔋 Disable unnecessary communication functions (NFC, Bluetooth, GPS) if you do not use them all the time.
- 🧹 Clear the instant messenger cache regularly, as they tend to grow quickly.
Regularly rebooting the device at least once a week helps clear the RAM of accumulated errors and “hanging” processes. This is a simple habit that significantly prolongs the comfortable use of your smartphone.
What to do if, after resetting, the phone asks for a password from the previous owner?
It was FRP protection that worked. You need to enter the login and password of the Google account that was synchronized with the phone before the reset. If you bought the phone secondhand and do not know this data, you will need to contact the seller or provide a receipt of purchase to the ASUS service center to remove the lock.
Will information be deleted from the memory card when resetting the settings?
During a standard reset through the settings menu, the data on the microSD memory card is usually saved. However, when you select the "Clear all" option or when using some versions of Recovery, the system may prompt you to format the SD card as well. Always remove the card before the procedure for a 100% guarantee.
Is it possible to interrupt the reset process if it is frozen?
Forcibly interrupting the process (by removing the battery or holding down the power for a long time) is highly not recommended, as this can damage the partition table. If the progress bar does not move for more than 30 minutes, try performing a forced reboot, but be prepared for the fact that the phone may not turn on and will require flashing via a computer.
Is the Android version reset during a Factory Reset?
No, a factory reset does not roll back the operating system version. If you updated your phone to Android 11 or 12, it will remain on that version. Only user data, settings and installed applications are reset. To roll back the version, a complete flashing is required.