If the smartphone freezes on the logo when turned on or the touch screen is completely blocked, this indicates a critical system failure, which can only be eliminated by a hard reset procedure to return the device to factory settings.
Users often confuse a normal reboot and a complete data reset. If the first action simply turns the system off and on, then the second action completely erases all information from the internal memory. Hard Reset — completely erases all information from the internal memory. Formatting affects contacts, photos, installed applications and account settings. Therefore, before starting any manipulations, it is critically important to assess the risks of data loss and, if possible, create a backup copy in cloud storage or on a computer.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available ways to restore the functionality of your gadget. You will learn how to enter a special menu Recovery Mode, what key combinations are used for different manufacturers, and how to bypass Google account protection in emergency cases. The instructions are compiled taking into account the features of modern versions of the operating system Android and various user interfaces from Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands.
Preparing the device for the reset procedure
Before taking radical measures, you need to make sure that the device's battery is sufficiently charged. The optimal level is considered to be a charge above 50-60%. If the power is turned off during the process of erasing data or reinstalling the system, this can damage the system partitions and turn the smartphone into a “brick.” Connect the charger and leave it for a while, even if the indicator shows a high charge level.
⚠️ Attention: A forced reset permanently deletes all files stored in the phone's internal memory. Data on the SD memory card is usually saved, but it is not recommended to remove it before the procedure so as not to disrupt the process of indexing files by the system.
If you have access to the desktop or settings menu, be sure to synchronize important data. Go to the Accounts and synchronization section and make sure that your contacts, calendars and notes are uploaded to the Google server. For photos and videos, use the service Google Photos or manually copy the files to your computer via a USB cable. Backup copy is the only way to save memories after formatting.
Disable all security locks, if possible. In some cases, the presence of an installed PIN code, pattern or fingerprint may complicate the initial setup process after a reset due to the activation of the security system FRP (Factory Reset Protection). Go to the security settings and remove all screen lock methods, leaving the device completely open until it turns off.
☑️ Ready to reset
Reset via the settings menu (Standard Reset)
The safest and easiest method of restoring factory settings is available directly from a running operating system. This method is suitable for devices that function stably, but require cleaning of accumulated software debris or preparation for sale. The algorithm of actions may differ slightly depending on the version Android and the manufacturer's shell, but the general logic remains the same.
Open the main menu and find the gear icon indicating the settings section. Scroll down the list to item System or General settings. In some models, for example from the company Samsung, this section may be called General management. Your goal is to find the subsection responsible for recovery or reset. It usually has the name Reset or Reset Options.
Select an option Data reset or Erase all data (factory reset). The system will issue a warning that all data will be deleted. Carefully read the list of what needs to be destroyed: Google accounts, system settings, downloaded applications. Click the confirmation button, which may be called Reset phone settings or Delete All. The device will ask you to enter a PIN code or pattern to confirm the owner's identity.
Before pressing the final confirmation button, take a screenshot of the list of installed applications - this will help you quickly restore the desired software after a reset.
After confirmation, the smartphone will automatically reboot and start the cleaning process. The screen may go off and on several times. Do not touch the device during this period. The duration of the process depends on the amount of memory used and processor speed, but usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes. When finished, you will see a welcome screen, just like when you turn on a new phone for the first time.
Using Recovery Mode for Hard Reset
When the phone is frozen, does not respond to the sensor, or goes into an endless reboot (bootloop), access to the settings menu becomes impossible. In such cases, the recovery mode comes to the rescue - Recovery Mode. This is a special environment, hardwired into the device’s memory separately from the main operating system, which allows you to perform diagnostic and recovery operations.
To enter this mode, you must use the physical buttons on the smartphone body. Since there is no single standard, key combinations vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The most commonly used combination is the power button and one of the volume buttons. The device must be completely turned off before starting manipulations. If you cannot turn it off in the usual way, hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds to force the power off.
| Manufacturer | Button combination | Input features |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Volume up + Bixby + Power | For new models without a Home button, you need to connect to a PC via USB |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Volume up + Power | Hold until the Mi logo appears, then release the power |
| Google Pixel | Volume down + Power | First you will get to Fastboot, then use the volume buttons select Recovery |
| Huawei / Honor | Volume up + Power | Hold until vibration and the logo appears |
As soon as you see the manufacturer's logo or a menu with text on a black background, release the buttons. Control in the mode Recovery is carried out exclusively by the volume buttons (up/down to move the cursor) and the power button (to select an item). Touch navigation does not work in this mode. Find the item Wipe data/factory reset in the list and confirm your choice.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not appear?
If standard combinations do not work, try connecting the switched off phone to the computer via a USB cable, and then hold down the necessary buttons. On some new Samsung models, logging into Recovery is only possible when the cable is connected to the PC.
Features of reset on smartphones of different brands
The variety of user interfaces, such as MIUI, One UI, ColorOS or EMUI, leaves its mark on the reset procedure. Manufacturers often add additional layers of protection or change the sequence of steps to prevent accidental deletion of data. Knowing these nuances will save you time and nerves.
In devices Xiaomi with a shell MIUI before performing a reset, the system may require you to enter a password for your Mi account. This is a security measure that binds the device to the owner. If you have forgotten this password, a menu reset may lock your phone after rebooting. In this case, it is better to use the mode Fastboot and flash the device through a computer, although this requires more in-depth technical knowledge.
Smartphones Samsung with the latest versions One UI have a hidden recovery menu. To get into it, you not only need to hold down the buttons, but also connect the phone with a USB-C cable to the computer (not to the charger!). Without a connection to a PC, the phone may simply boot into normal mode, ignoring button presses. This innovation was implemented to protect against unauthorized access to data via Recovery.
Devices from Google (Pixel series) use pure Android, but have a specific bootloader. When you enter Recovery, you will first be taken to a menu Fastboot with an image of a lying android. Here you need to use the volume buttons to find the item Recovery Mode and confirm with the power button. After this, an image of an android with a red triangle and the inscription will appear No command. To see the menu, you need to hold down the power button and press the volume up once.
FRP protection and problems with Google account
Modern smartphones are equipped with a protection system FRP (Factory Reset Protection). Its goal is to make a stolen phone useless to an attacker. The essence of the mechanism is simple: if you reset the settings not through the menu (for example, through Recovery or buttons), during the first setup the phone will require you to enter the login and password for the Google account that was synchronized with the device before the reset.
⚠️ Attention: If you have forgotten the password for your Google account, the phone will turn into a “brick” after the reset. Unlocking it without account information is extremely difficult and often requires paid services from service centers or the use of specific software.
To avoid FRP blocking, always try to remove your Google account from your phone settings before performing a Hard Reset. Go to the Accountssection, select your email address and click Delete account. Only after this procedure can you safely perform a reset in any convenient way. The system will record that the device was correctly unlinked from the cloud.
In situations where the phone was purchased second-hand and the previous owner did not unlink his account, you will be faced with the FRP verification screen. There is no official way to bypass this protection as it is a security vulnerability. The only legal solution is to contact the previous owner to obtain the password or provide the purchase receipt to the manufacturer's service center to confirm ownership.
Removing the Google account from the settings before resetting is the only guaranteed way to avoid FRP lock when you turn it on for the first time.
Actions after resetting the settings
After the process formatting is completed and the phone has rebooted, the initial setup phase begins. Don't rush to install all applications at once. First, check the functionality of the main modules: make a test call, check the Wi-Fi connection, make sure that the sensor responds correctly in all corners of the screen.
When connected to the Internet, the system will offer to restore data from a backup copy. If you made a backup to the Google cloud in advance, you can return your contacts, call history and list of installed applications in a couple of clicks. However, be careful when restoring system settings if software errors were the cause of the reset. Sometimes it is better to set up your phone as new so as not to revert back the configuration file that caused the crash.
Be sure to update the software immediately after setup. Go to Settings → System → System update. Manufacturers often release patches that fix vulnerabilities and bugs that could lead to the need for a reset. Installing the latest version Android will ensure maximum stability of the device in the future.
Set a reliable screen lock method. A pattern, PIN code or biometrics will protect your data if your device is lost. We also recommend turning on Find My Device in Google's security settings. This will allow you to remotely lock your phone or erase data if it falls into the wrong hands, as well as track its location on a map.
What to do if the phone does not turn on after a reset?
If the screen is black and there is no response to the buttons, try connecting the phone to the charger for 30-60 minutes. The battery may have completely drained during the reset process. If the charge indicator does not light up, you will need a combination of buttons to force a reboot (usually Volume Down + Power for 20 seconds). In the worst case, the problem may be hardware, and a visit to service will be required.
Is it possible to interrupt the data reset process?
It is strictly not recommended to interrupt the formatting process. If you turn off your phone or press the reboot button while wiping storage partitions, the file system may be damaged. This will cause the phone to stop booting, and recovery will require flashing it through a computer using special utilities like Odin or Fastboot.
Does Hard Reset remove a virus from a phone?
In most cases, a hard reset removes the malicious software because it resides in the user memory section that is being formatted. However, there are complex viruses that can penetrate the system partition. If the problem returns after resetting and installing applications, the virus may be contained in one of the restored applications or on the SD memory card.
How long does the Hard Reset procedure take?
The data erasing process itself usually takes from 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the amount of memory and the speed of the drive. However, the subsequent first boot of the system may take longer than usual - up to 15-20 minutes, as the system optimizes applications and creates new configuration files. Be patient and do not touch the device during this time.
Do you need to remove the SIM card before resetting?
Removing the SIM card is not necessary, since resetting the settings does not affect the data on the SIM card (contacts saved on the SIM will remain in place). However, removing the SD memory card is recommended if you don't want the system to accidentally format it as internal storage (although modern Android usually asks for confirmation before formatting external media).