How to completely reset a Android smartphone: a detailed guide with photos

Resetting your smartphone to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes necessary solution. Are you planning to sell your device, is it slow after the update or is it infected with a virus? In any case, full reset will return Androidthe device to its original state, deleting all applications, settings and personal files. However, this process has nuances: from saving important data to choosing the right method depending on the model and OS version.

In this article you will find three proven ways resetting your smartphone - through the settings menu, mode Recovery and tool Fastboot. We will analyze when to use which method, how to avoid common mistakes (for example stuck on the logo after a reset due to a damaged partition /data), and provide a preparation checklist. And if your Samsung, Xiaomi or Google Pixel refuses to reset, you will find solutions for specific brands in the FAQ.

Why you may need to reset to factory settings

Resetting your smartphone is not the first measure you should resort to. But in some cases this is the only way out:

• 📱 Selling or transferring the device. Even after deleting files manually, they can be restored using special apps. Resetting is guaranteed to clear the internal memory.
• 🐢 Critical slowdown. If your smartphone lags after updating the OS or installing dozens of applications, a reset often helps restore performance.
• 🦠 Viruses and malware. Some Trojans are embedded deep into the system, and the antivirus does not remove them. Factory settings reset all changes.
• 🔄 Errors after flashing. An unsuccessful update or manual intervention in system files can lead to a cyclic reboot (bootloop).
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern key or PIN. If you do not remember the unlock password, resetting via Recovery is one of the few ways to regain access.

However, there are contraindications. For example, if the smartphone is locked by the operator (SIM-lock), resetting will not unlock it. And on some devices with Samsung Knox or Google Titan M after resetting, hardware protection may work, requiring input. account Google.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 11+ and the function Factory Reset Protection (FRP) after resetting, you will need to enter the account data Googlethat was linked before resetting. Without this, the smartphone will remain blocked.

Preparing for a reset: what you must do before resetting

Before resetting your smartphone, save all important dataFactory reset deletes:

• 📁 Photos, videos and music from internal memory (but not from SD cardsif it is not encrypted).
• 📱 Contacts, SMS and call log (if not synchronized with Google).
• 🎮 Game states and application settings.
• 📋 Notes, documents and downloads.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords and saved browser logins.

Backup methods:

Data type	How to save	Tools
Contacts, calendar, mail	Synchronization with Google Account	Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization
Photos and videos	Upload to the cloud or PC	Google Photos, Yandex Disk, cable USB
SMS and call log	Export via applications	SMS Backup & Restore, Super Backup
Applications and their data	Backup via ADB or Titanium Backup (requires root)	adb backup -apk -all -f backup.ab
Wi-Fi passwords	Screenshots of QR codes or exporting a configuration file	WiFi Key Recovery (required root)

Also check:

Make sure the battery charge is > 50%

Unlink the device from your account Samsung/Xiaomi/Huawei (if any)

Remember or reset the password for Google Account (for FRP)

Remove SD card i SIM card (if not needed)

Disable Find My Device (blocks reset on some devices)-->

⚠️ Attention: If you use two-factor authentication (for example, for WhatsApp or banking applications), make sure that you have backup codes. After resetting, access to accounts may be blocked.

Method 1: Reset through the settings menu (the safest)

This is a standard method that works on 99% of devices s Android 5.0+. It does not require additional tools and is suitable if:

• 📱 The smartphone turns on and responds to touches.
• 🔓 You know the unlock password.
• 🔄 You want minimal risk of errors.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (gear in the application menu).
2. Go to section System → Reset settings (on some devices the path may differ: General settings → Reset or Advanced → Recovery and reset).
3. Select Reset data (return to factory settings).
4. Read the warning and press Reset phone or Delete everything.
5. When prompted, enter PIN code, pattern or password.
6. Confirm action - the smartphone will reboot and begin the cleaning process (may take 5-30 minutes).

On devices Samsung the path may look like this: Settings → Device maintenance → ResetAnd on Xiaomi — Settings → About phone → Reset settings.

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

If the smartphone does not respond to touchesis locked or reboots cyclically, use Recovery Mode - a special recovery mode It is available. all Androiddevices, but the login methods are different.

How to log in Recovery:

• 📴 Turn off smartphone (if it freezes, hold down the power button for 10+ seconds).
• 🔘 Press button combination (depending on the model):

Brand	Combination to enter Recovery
Samsung	Power + Volume up + Bixby (or Power + Volume up on new models)
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco	Power + Volume up
Google Pixel	Power + Volume Down, then select Recovery Mode in the menu
OnePlus	Power + Volume Down
Huawei/Honor	Power + Volume Up (on some models you need to hold for 10+ seconds)

After entering Recovery:

1. Use the buttons volume to navigate and power to select.
2. Select item Wipe data/factory reset (on some devices - Clear data or Reset).
3. Confirm the action by selecting Yes — Delete all user data.
4. After completion, select Reboot system now.

If in Recovery there is no reset item or an error appears E:unknown command, which means that custom Recovery is installed on the device (for example, TWRPIn this case:

1. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe.
2. Tick the sections Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage and Cache.
3. Swipe to confirm (Swipe to Wipe).
4. Reboot into the system.

What to do if Recovery prompts password?

On some devices (for example, Samsung s Knox or Pixel s Titan M) even in Recovery mode, you may be required to enter a password if you do not have one. remember:

1. Try standard combinations: 0000, 1234, default_password.

2. Connect your smartphone to the PC and use ADB to delete the file /data/system/gesture.key (requires unlocked download).

3. for flashing.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for experienced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode damaged or missing.
• 📱 The device does not respond to other methods.
• 💻 You have access to a computer with installed ADB i Fastboot.

This method more risky, since incorrect commands can lead to brick (complete inoperability) of the device. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

Instructions:

1. Install on PC Android SDK Platform-Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Enable on your smartphone USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times) → For developers → USB debugging).
3. Connect the device to the PC and open the command line (cmd) in the folder with platform-tools.
4. Check the connection with the command:

   adb devices

   If the device is displayed, go to the next one step.

5. Reboot your smartphone into the mode Fastboot:

   adb reboot bootloader

6. Reset with the command:

   fastboot erase userdata
   fastboot erase cache
   fastboot reboot

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi), you may need to unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock). data-i="248">device and reset all security settings. completely clear device and reset all security settings.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 10+ and function Dynamic Partitions (for example, Pixel 3/4/5, OnePlus 7/8) command fastboot erase userdata may not work. Instead, use:

fastboot wipe-super super_empty.img
fastboot reboot

(file super_empty.img needs to be downloaded separately for your model).

What to do after the reset: initial setup

After resetting, the smartphone will start as new. You will have to:

1. Select a language and region.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (required for activation Google Account).
3. Log in Google Account (if enabled FRP, you will need the same account as before the reset).
4. Restore data from a backup (if one was created).
5. Install the necessary applications.

On devices Samsung after the reset, a warning may appear about uncertified software (if custom firmware was previously installed. To remove it:

1. Go to Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings.
2. Click Fix certificate problems.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions (may be required reboot).

Typical reset errors and how to avoid them

Even if you follow the instructions, problems may arise: Let's look at the most common ones:

Error	Cause	Solution
Smartphone hangs on logo after reset	Damaged partition /data or incompatible firmware	Repeat reset via Recovery or reflash the device
Requires a password from Google after reset (FRP)	It was turned on Factory Reset Protection	Enter the details of the account that was linked before the reset
Cannot log in Recovery	Wrong button combination or damaged bootloader	Check the combination for your model or use Fastboot
After reset there is no network (does not catch SIM)	Reset settings IMEI or Baseband	Check Settings → Mobile network → Operators or restore IMEI via Engineer Mode
Fastboot does not see the device	Drivers are not installed or software debugging USB is disabled	Install drivers ADB, enable debugging or try another cable

If after reset the smartphone does not turn on at all (black screen, no reaction to charging), perhaps an error occurred when clearing the partition boot or system. In this case:

1. Try holding down the power button for 30+ seconds.
2. Connect to the charger for 1-2 hours (the battery may be low).
3. If that doesn’t help, you need to flash it via ODIN (for Samsung), Mi Flash (for Xiaomi) or Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to reset a smartphone without losing data?

No, a factory reset always deletes user data from the internal memory. However, you can:

• Create a backup via Google Drive or Samsung Cloud.
• Copy files to PC or SD card.
• Use Titanium Backup (required root).

If you just need to free up space, try clearing the cache (Settings → Storage → Clear cache) or delete unnecessary applications.

How to reset Samsung with account Samsung Account?

On devices Samsung linking to a brand account may complicate the reset. To avoid blocking:

1. Unlink your account before resetting: Settings → Accounts and archiving → Delete account.
2. If you forgot your password, restore it to website Samsung Account.
3. After resetting, the first time you turn it on, you may need to enter your account data Google (if there was FRP).

On new models (Galaxy S22, S23) reset via Recovery may require entering a PIN code even in mode recovery.

What to do if after resetting Xiaomi asks for an old account Mi Account?

This Mi Cloud Lock is an analogue Google FRP for devices Xiaomi. unlock:

1. Enter the account information Mithat was linked before the reset.
2. If you forgot your password, restore it on the official website.
3. If the account is not yours (for example, you bought used phone) - contact the previous owner or service center with proof of purchase.

On some models (Redmi Note 10, Poco X3) you can bypass the blocking through EDL Mode, but this requires special equipment.

Will it be reset to an older version after resetting? Android to an older version after resetting?

No, reset to factory settings does not roll back the OS version. The device will remain on the same firmware as before the reset. If you need an older version. Android, will be required manual downgrade via the firmware, but this:

• May lead to data loss.
• On some devices are blocked anti-rollback protection (for example, on Huawei or Samsung with Knox).
• Requires unlocking the bootloader (on Xiaomi, Pixel, OnePlus).

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

No, after confirming the reset the process is irreversible. However:

• If the smartphone has not yet rebooted, you can Forcibly turn off it (by holding down the power button). But this can lead to data corruption.
• If the reset is already in progress, wait until the device is completed. inoperative.
• After the reset, you will be able to restore data from a backup (if it was created before resetting).