Android operating system version 7.0, codenamed Nougat, marked a significant milestone in the development of Google's mobile platform, introducing split-screen multitasking and an improved notification system. However, over time, even such a stable system may begin to become unstable due to accumulated software garbage, conflicts of installed applications, or unsuccessful firmware updates.
In such situations, the only effective solution is often to completely return the device to its original state. Resetting settings on Android 7.0 deletes all user data, accounts and applications, returning the smartphone to its “out of the box” state. This is a radical but effective method that allows you to eliminate software glitches, remove forgotten pattern keys (if encryption is not enabled) and prepare the gadget for sale.
Before starting the procedure, it is important to realize the irreversibility of the process. All photos, contacts and messages will be permanently deleted from the device's internal memory. Therefore, it is critical to create a backup copy of important data in cloud storage or transfer it to a computer in advance.
Preparing the device for a full reset
It is necessary to begin the procedure for restoring factory settings with careful preparation in order to avoid the loss of valuable information and problems with activation after a reboot. The very first step should be to create a complete backup of your data, since the internal memory will be completely formatted.
Be sure to check the battery level. The reset process and subsequent initial setup can take a significant amount of time, and if the device turns off in the middle of formatting the system partition, it can lead to serious bootloop errors. It is advisable that the charge be at least 60-70%, and even better, connect the smartphone to a charger.
It is also necessary to take into account Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection. This security system links the device to your Google account. After the reset, the phone will require you to enter the username and password from the last synchronized account to confirm ownership.
⚠️ Attention: If you do not remember the password for your Google account, remove it from the phone settings (
Settings → Accounts → Google → Delete account) before starting the reset. Otherwise, you risk getting a locked device.
☑️ Checklist before resetting Android 7.0
Method one: Reset via the system menu
The safest and most intuitive way to return Android 7.0 to its factory state is to use the built-in settings interface. This method is suitable for most situations when the phone turns on, the screen responds to touches, and you can navigate through the menu.
The interface may differ slightly depending on the shell manufacturer (Samsung Experience, MIUI, ZenUI, etc.), but the logic of the actions remains the same. You will need to find the partition responsible for system recovery. Usually it is hidden deep in the general settings menu.
Find the item Restore and reset or Backup and reset. In some firmware versions, this section may be called simply Reset and located in the category System. After entering the menu, you will see the option Reset settings or Reset data.
Click on the corresponding button. The system will show a list of data that will be deleted: accounts, system settings, downloaded applications and their data. At this stage, you can still cancel the operation. To confirm, press the button Reset phone settings or Erase all data.
If the device has a password, PIN code or pattern, the system will require you to enter it to confirm the owner's identity. After entering the encoding, the data deletion process will begin, which usually takes from 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the amount of occupied memory and the speed of the drive.
Method two: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
Situations are different: sometimes the smartphone freezes on the screensaver, the screen does not respond to presses, or you forgot the pattern lock key and cannot enter the settings menu. In such cases, the recovery mode comes to the rescue, known as Recovery Mode.
This mode is a minimalistic service menu loaded from a special memory partition, independent of the main operating system. You can enter it using a combination of physical buttons when the device is turned off.
For most smartphones based on Android 7.0, the login algorithm is as follows:
- 📱 Turn off the smartphone completely and wait 10-15 seconds.
- 🔘 Press and hold the button simultaneously Volume Up and button Power.
- 🔄 Hold the buttons until the manufacturer logo appears, then release the power button while continuing to hold the volume.
- 🛠️ When the image of an Android robot with an exclamation mark appears sign or menu in English, release all buttons.
On Samsung devices, the combination may include a button Home (for models with a physical button) or Bixby. Some Huawei and Honor models require a USB cable to be connected to the computer when entering the mode.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. Navigation is carried out using the volume buttons (up/down), and the selection is confirmed with the power button. Be careful when moving through the menu items.
In the menu that opens, find the item wipe data/factory reset. Confirm your selection with the Power button. Next, the system will ask for final confirmation, usually this is item Yes -- delete all user data. Select it.
What to do if you can’t enter Recovery?
If the standard button combination does not work, try other options: Volume Down + Power, or three buttons at the same time (Volume Up + Down + Power). Also, some models (such as older Sony or Motorola) may require you to connect to your PC via a USB cable before pressing the buttons. If all else fails, the recovery partition may be damaged, and you will need to reflash it via your computer (SP Flash Tool, Odin, etc.).
Reset features for different brands
Although the Android 7.0 system kernel is the same for all devices, manufacturers make their own changes to the interface and maintenance procedures. This applies to both the names of menu items and button combinations for entering recovery mode.
Below is a table with the features of popular brands of that period so that you can quickly navigate the specifics of your device.
| Brand / Manufacturer | Path to the settings menu | Button combination (Recovery) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung (Galaxy S7, A5 2017) | Settings → Backup and reset | Volume Up + Home + Power | Samsung account deletion required before resetting |
| Xiaomi (MIUI 8/9) | Settings → Advanced → Reset | Volume Up + Power | You may need to enter your Mi account password |
| Huawei (EMUI 5) | Settings → Advanced → Reset | Volume Up + Power (with cable) | Sensitive to battery level |
| Sony (Xperia) | Settings → Recovery and reset | Volume Down + Power (when USB connected) | Notification LED changes color upon entry |
| LG | Settings → General → Reset | Volume Down + Power (hold on logo) | Specific reset confirmation menu |
Please note that on devices Samsung with Experience 8.0 (based on Android 7.0) the process may be slightly slower due to data encryption by default. Do not interrupt the process, even if the screen goes dark.
If you have a smartphone with a non-removable battery and it is frozen, hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot before trying to enter Recovery.
Initial setup after reset
After successful completion of the formatting procedure The device will automatically reboot. You will see a welcome screen asking you to select a language. This is where the initial setup phase begins, which may seem complicated due to the number of steps.
The system will prompt you to connect to the Wi-Fi network. This is a required step to verify device activation and time synchronization. If you reset your phone due to network issues, try skipping this step or using mobile data if possible.
A critical step is checking Google FRP. If you did not delete your Google account before resetting, the system will ask for the email and password that were previously used on the device. This is protection against theft: without this data you will not be able to log into the phone.
Next you will be asked to restore the data from the backup copy. If you created a backup in the Google Drive cloud, you can return your contacts, call history and list of installed applications in a couple of clicks. Carefully choose what to restore so as not to return the problematic application that caused the crashes.
The first launch after the reset can take up to 15-20 minutes. The system optimizes applications and indexes files. Do not try to speed up the process by frequently pressing the screen.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the well-developed procedure, users may encounter a number of difficulties both during the reset and after it. Understanding the nature of these errors will help you avoid panic and unnecessary actions.
One of the common problems is a reboot loop (bootloop), when the phone constantly turns off and on without reaching the main screen. This can happen if the reset process was interrupted due to a low battery or a software glitch in the recovery section.
In this case, you need to enter Recovery mode again and try to reset again. If this does not help, you may need to clear the cache partition (wipe cache partition) or completely flash the device via a computer using the manufacturer's official software.
⚠️ Attention: If after a reset the phone writes “Account verification failed” or requires a code that you did not install, the device may be listed in the stolen database or it has corporate restrictions (MDM).
Another problem is the lack of connection or Wi-Fi operation after the reset. In rare cases, on Android 7.0 the radio module settings are lost. Try to manually reflash the modem part or contact a service center if software methods do not help.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when resetting the settings?
By default, when you select the "Reset settings" function in the Android 7.0 menu, only the internal memory of the device. The data on the microSD card remains intact. However, some menus have a separate "Empty SD card" checkbox - make sure it is not active if you want to save files. For a complete guarantee, it is better to remove the card before the procedure.
Is it possible to reset the phone if the screen is broken and the sensor does not work?
If the sensor does not work, it is impossible to reset through the settings menu. However, you can try the Hard Reset method through the buttons (Recovery Mode), since there the control is carried out by the physical volume and power keys. Also, if USB debugging is enabled, you can use utilities on your PC (for example, ADB), but this requires preliminary configuration.
What is FRP Lock and how to bypass it after a reset?
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is Google's protection. You can bypass it using legal methods only by knowing the login and password of the account that was synchronized with the phone. Third-party bypass methods (through browser vulnerabilities or special apps) are unstable, depend on the specific security version of Android 7.0 and can be considered illegal actions if the phone is not yours.
How long does a full reset of Android 7.0 take?
The data formatting process itself usually takes from 2 to 5 minutes. However, the subsequent first boot and optimization of the system can last from 10 to 20 minutes. If the process hangs on the logo for more than 30 minutes, there is probably a firmware error.
Will the Android version revert to an older one after a reset?
No. A Factory Reset only returns user data and settings to their original state, but does not roll back the operating system version. If you updated to Android 7.0 from version 6.0, then after the reset you will be left with Android 7.0. To roll back a version, a firmware downgrade procedure is required, which is more complex and risky.