Smartphones Vivo are famous for their shell optimization Funtouch OS or Origin OS, but over time, even the most stable software can fail. Cache buildup, errors in the application registry, or a forgotten lock pattern are all good reasons to completely wipe your device. Returning to factory settings (Hard Reset) is a radical, but often the only effective solution for restoring the functionality of the gadget.
Before starting the procedure, it is important to realize that this process is irreversible for user data. All photos, contacts, messages and installed applications will be permanently deleted from the internal memory. However, the system settings will return to the state they were in when you purchased the device in the store. This is an ideal way to prepare your phone for sale or give it a “second life” if it has started to slow down.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available reset methods: from the standard settings menu to using the engineering Recovery mode when the phone screen does not respond to touches. We will also discuss the nuances of protecting your Google account and the features of working with models of different years of manufacture.
Preparing the device for a full reset
Before initiating the cleaning process, you need to perform a number of critical steps. Ignoring this step may result in the fact that after a reboot you will receive a locked brick, access to which will be extremely difficult to restore without the original data.
First of all, create a backup copy of all valuable information. You can use cloud services Google Drive or a proprietary utility Vivo EasyShare to transfer data to a computer or another smartphone. Pay special attention to folders with photos and documents, as they most often occupy the bulk of memory.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the battery charge level is at least 50-60%. A sudden power outage while formatting the system partition may damage the bootloader, which will require contacting a service center.
You also need to unlink the device from your main Google account. The protection system FRP (Factory Reset Protection) automatically locks the phone after a reset, requiring you to enter the password from the last synchronized account. If you don't remember it, access to your phone will be lost.
- 📸 Make a copy of all important photos and videos to external storage.
- 📞 Export contacts to a .vcf file or sync them with the Google cloud.
- 🔑 Write down or remember the password for your Google account and lock screen.
- 🔋 Connect your smartphone to the charger before starting the operation.
☑️ Ready to reset
Reset via the settings menu (Soft Reset)
The safest and easiest way to return Vivo to the initial state - using the built-in software interface. This method is available if you can unlock the screen and navigate the smartphone menu freely. It is preferable in that the system itself correctly closes all background processes before cleaning.
The interface may differ slightly depending on the version Android and shell Funtouch OS. In most modern models, the path lies through the additional settings section. You will need to find the item responsible for managing memory and system state.
Find the option Reset settings or Restore and resetin the list. The system will warn you that all personal data will be deleted. Confirm the action by entering a digital password or pattern if one is installed. The process will take from several minutes to half an hour, after which the phone will reboot.
If the menu has the option “Reset phone settings” and separately “Reset all settings”, select the first option to completely clear the data, and the second is used only to return the network and call settings to default values without deleting the photo.
The alternative path for some firmware versions looks different. Sometimes the menu you need is hidden deeper in the system settings. Try going to System → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset).
| Shell version | Menu path | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Funtouch OS 11-13 | Settings → System → Reset |
Standard Android interface |
| Funtouch OS 9-10 | Settings → Additional settings → Backup and reset |
Password confirmation required |
| Origin OS | Settings → System → Settings reset |
Biometric verification is possible |
Hard Reset via Recovery mode
What to do if your smartphone is stuck on the logo, the screen does not respond to touches, or you have forgotten the lock password? In such cases, the regime Recoverycomes to the rescue. This is a special diagnostic mode, hardwired into the device’s memory regardless of the main operating system.
To enter this mode, you must use a combination of physical buttons. On most models Vivo this is a combination of the power button and the volume up button. It is important to hold them simultaneously when turning on the device.
Power button + Volume UP button (hold for 5-10 seconds)After the logo appears Vivo release the Power button, but continue to hold the Volume until the Recovery menu appears. Control in this mode is carried out using the volume buttons (up/down to move) and the power button (to select an item). You need to find the section Wipe data or Clear data.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. Don't panic if pressing the display doesn't work - use only the physical navigation buttons.
Select an item Wipe data/factory reset. The system may request confirmation by prompting you to enter a code or select an item Confirm. After cleaning is complete, select the option Reboot system now to reboot. The first startup after the reset will take a long time.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not appear?
Some new models with protection against accidental reset require a connection to the PC via a USB cable when entering Recovery mode. Try connecting the phone to the computer before pressing the buttons.
Removing the screen lock and Google account
One of the common reasons for resetting is a forgotten password or pattern. A Hard Reset actually removes this data from the device, allowing access to the system. However, this is where the security mechanism comes into force FRP.
After completing the reset and initial setup, the phone will require you to enter the login and password for the Google account that was synchronized with the device before it was blocked. This is done to protect against theft: if a thief steals the phone and resets it, he will not be able to use it without the owner's data.
If you remember your details, just enter them during the initial setup. If the account is also forgotten, the situation becomes more complicated. You can officially restore access only through the password recovery procedure on the Google website from another device.
- 🔒 Resetting deletes the local screen lock password.
- ☁️ Resetting does NOT remove the link to the Google account on the company's servers.
- 🛡️ FRP system will block the phone until the correct credentials are entered.
There are unofficial methods for bypassing FRP, but they require special knowledge, the use of a PC and third-party software, which is beyond the scope of the standard operating instructions. The safest thing to do is remember your credentials.
Hard Reset removes the screen lock, but activates Google FRP protection, which requires entering a password from the owner's account to activate the phone.
Possible problems after the reset and their solution
After returning to factory settings, users may encounter a number of non-standard problems situations. Understanding their nature will help you avoid unnecessary worry. Most often, problems are associated with the process of initial system initialization.
Long loading time on the logo. The first startup after a reset may take from 5 to 15 minutes. During this time, the system optimizes applications and configures basic services. Do not try to force reboot your phone if the loading indicator is moving, even slowly.
No network or Wi-Fi. Sometimes after a reset the access point (APN) settings are lost. If the SIM card is detected, but the Internet does not work, check the mobile network settings in the corresponding section of the menu or contact your operator for automatic settings.
⚠️ Attention: If the phone reboots cyclically (bootloop) and cannot boot even after a reset, this indicates a hardware malfunction or damage to the system firmware partition. Requires flashing via PC.
It is also worth considering that software versions can be updated. The reset menu interface on a new model released at the end of the year may differ from the one described above. Always check the latest guides on the manufacturer's official support portal if the standard paths do not work.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card during a reset?
By default, the “Factory reset” function clears only the internal memory of the device. The data on the microSD card remains intact. However, before the procedure, it is recommended to remove the card to avoid accidental formatting if you select the wrong menu item.
Is it possible to interrupt the reset process if it is frozen?
Interrupting the process is strictly not recommended, as this can damage the file system. If the phone does not respond for more than an hour, try performing a forced reboot (holding the power button for 15-20 seconds), but be prepared for the fact that the system will have to be restored through a service center.
Does the reset remove viruses and malware?
Yes, a full reset (Factory Reset) removes all user applications, including malicious ones, if they are not embedded to the system partition (which happens extremely rarely on standard firmware). This is an effective way to clear most types of mobile malware.
Will the warranty come back after resetting the settings?
Resetting the settings to factory settings is a standard feature provided by the manufacturer and does not affect the warranty in any way. This is not the same as unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware, which will void the warranty.