Very often the Android device gets clogged unnecessary files, begins to slow down or stops responding to commands altogether. In this case, a full system reset to factory settings may help. In addition, a “hard reset” will help if you have forgotten your gadget and cannot turn it on.
After the so-called “reboot”, you will lose all the data that you stored in the smartphone’s memory: phone numbers, applications, SMS messages, account data and calendar entries. In short, the phone will be as good as new. To avoid losing the necessary information, create a backup copy of your data. Transfer them to an SD card, save them in the cloud, or download them to your computer.
If you can turn on your gadget, it is easier to reset the settings through the device menu or using special codes provided by manufacturers. If your smartphone freezes or does not turn on at all, you will have to use the Recovery menu or find a button to reset the settings.
Resetting settings through the gadget menu
This is the simplest factory reset method and does not require memorizing complex codes or key combinations. For latest versions Android OS "hard reset" consists of the following steps:
- Go to the main menu.
- Find the "Settings" section.
- In Settings, select Backup & Reset or Backup & Reset. The name of the desired item may sound different (depending on the brand or model of the device).
To return the device to factory settings, you will need the “Reset” section, the “Reset settings” item.
Android will warn you that after a reset, the phone will return to factory settings and default settings, and all user personal data will be deleted.
If you have backed up the necessary data and are ready to reboot Android, click on “Reset settings”. Depending on the device model, the desired button may also have the words “Erase everything” or “Reset phone settings.”
The data deletion process will begin, and after that the device will reboot.
Resetting settings using service codes
Enter service code Perhaps this is the most quick way reset settings to factory defaults. For this purpose, Android provides special service combinations - codes that must be entered into the “Phone” in dialing mode.
Each manufacturing company flashes its gadgets differently, so before using reset codes, you should find the right combination for your model. Since the Android version is updated all the time, the service codes may change. It is best to check with the manufacturer of your device.
Example of codes that are suitable for resetting Samsung gadgets:
- *#*#7780#*#
- *2767*3855#
- *#*#7378423#*#*
After entering the code, all user information will be deleted from the device and it will return to factory settings.
Resetting settings in the Recovery menu
If your gadget does not turn on or is stuck on the system boot screen, you can return it to factory settings using the Recovery menu. It is called by pressing a special key combination.
These may have different key combinations for different device models. The most common of them: “Volume down” plus “turn on” button. The combination can also be “turn on” + “home” + “volume up” or “volume up” + “home”. To enter the Recovery menu, press the keys simultaneously and hold them for about 5 seconds.
Moving between menu items is done using the volume up/down buttons.” To confirm the choice, use the “turn on” or “home” button. However, sometimes the sensor works in Recovery: then everything happens as in the regular smartphone menu.
To reset settings to factory defaults:
- Select “Clear eMMC”. It may also be called "wipe data/factory reset" or "Clear Flash".
- To reset the settings, click “yes - delete all user data”.
- To finish, select "Reboot System"
You can use this method not only when you have problems turning on your smartphone. If you want to use it for a working device, first turn it off, and when all the buttons and the screen go out, use the combination necessary for your gadget.
Give to your phone new life- it's simple! To do this, sometimes it is enough to reset Android settings to factory ones. Having cleared your smartphone of personal data, you can give it to someone or start using it as new.
Why reset settings on Android
Just recently, a smartphone was just off a store shelf, so clean and untouched. A few days passed, and it was filled with familiar applications, music, old and new photos. You have connected Google account, and all calendars, contacts, notebooks, even search history and favorite places on maps. But all this gives rise to errors. The phone is quickly running out of space (and large memory cards don’t help). Sometimes there are software glitches that cannot be easily fixed
There is only one way out: return Android to factory settings. Often this helps restore your smartphone after a critical failure or eliminates lags and delays in operation. There are other reasons for resetting: you want to sell or give away your smartphone. Then it is important that no personal data remains on it. The best way Clearing it is a complete reset.
How to reset settings
This may seem intimidating for people just starting out with Android. Actually there are two enough simple ways return the phone to a clean state after use:
- From within the system. This option is considered less stringent, as it may leave some “tails,” but it is much easier to do. This is done using a key combination on the case or through a special menu item.
- From outside the system(via recovery mode). Requires confidence. But in fact, all you need to do is read the instructions and follow them correctly.
What to do before resetting settings
Are you sure you want to reset your Android? But don't rush into irreversible decisions. Before you delete all personal data from your smartphone, make sure that:
- Do you remember your Google account information?. Otherwise, you will not be able to return to your mail and return other data to your new smartphone.
- You have made a backup of all the necessary data. At a minimum, go to Settings > General > Backup copy and reset" and enable the option " Backup data." Then your basic data will be saved in the Google cloud. If you enable the "Auto-recovery" option, then after activating your account on the new Google smartphone will prompt you to completely reinstall your set of applications with all their data and return to the previous user experience.
- You have removed the memory card(if installed). Usually, after resetting the settings, the memory card remains intact, but failures are possible.
If you made a backup before resetting your Android to factory settings, then the restoration will be successful.
How to reset settings
Soft reset
So, there are several ways to reset to factory settings for Android. The simplest of them is a reset through the menu.
In general, what needs to be done for this:
- go to the “Settings” menu on your smartphone;
- enter the “General” section;
- select the “Backup and reset” subsection in it (it’s closer to the end of the list);
- find the item “Reset settings” (usually it is at the very end of the subsection);
- Click on the “Reset phone settings” button and confirm your choice.
- After this, your phone will reboot one or more times;
- when it boots up again and prompts you to set up your device from scratch, consider it cleaned.
This method is great if your task is to completely delete contacts, call history and other personal data. You can already give or sell such a smartphone. However, after such a reset, “traces” of applications that slow down the operation of the device, or malicious applications, may remain in the system.
Watch video instructions:
Hard reset, or hard reset
If you want to perform a truly complete reset and return the system to its original state without garbage and “tails,” then it would be wiser to do a hard reset through the Recovery menu.
Watch how to do this in the video:
IN It is customary that to enter the recovery menu to reset to factory settings, you need to simultaneously press two buttons on the case. As a rule, this is the power button plus volume up.
However, some smartphones may also require a Home key, a Volume Down key, or a Volume Down and Volume Down key at the same time. What and how to do with your smartphone - better check the instructions.
If you hold these keys while booting, the smartphone will offer you a rather peculiar menu, reminiscent of MS-DOS (see the picture on the right). In some recovery options touch screen
turns off. Then you need to navigate through the menu items using the volume buttons (louder - up, quieter - down), and confirm the choice with the power button.
To restore the device to its original state, you must select Clear Data/Factory Reset. This menu item will completely erase the copy of Android on your device and replace it with a clean one. To confirm the deletion, you need to select Yes – delete all user data in the list that opens after selecting the item.
Sometimes enthusiasts use a complete flashing of their smartphone to clean their smartphone, which not only deletes all previous settings, but also allows you to update the Android version. We believe that flashing should be considered separately.
Reset via service codes
There is also a way to reset via service codes. The process of typing such a code is reminiscent of a set of regular USSD codes for checking an account, replenishing or ordering services.
To reset settings on Android using a service code, you will need to clarify which code is needed for your model and Android versions. However, with this method, the smartphone will restore factory settings from within the system, which means this actually duplicates a reset through the menu.
Therefore, we would advise choosing only between the first two methods.
What to do after resetting settings
If you plan to give the cleaned device to another person, then you don’t need to do anything: let the new owner handle the setup himself.
If you continue to use your smartphone, then the first thing you should do is enter your Google account. When you boot for the first time after resetting, the smartphone will prompt you to enter your Google email and password. Connect it to Wi-Fi during the setup process, and the smartphone itself will download all the necessary data: contacts, correspondence, calendar.
If you turned on “Auto-Recovery” before deleting data (as we showed above), then the system will offer you to restore all or some applications from the previous set. Whether to do this or not is up to you.
If you removed the memory card from the device, you can insert it back. Although we would recommend opening it on your computer before doing this and deleting the “Android” folder: a lot of garbage could have accumulated in it. And all necessary files the system will return there upon recovery.
Finally
There is nothing difficult or scary about resetting the settings. The main thing is to save the necessary files. Therefore, pay maximum attention to creating backup copies.
You should not have any misunderstandings during the process. Even if the recovery menu looks different from the one shown in the picture, be guided by the meaning of the inscriptions. Knowledge of English is highly desirable (usually the recovery menu is only available in English), but in case of difficulties, you can use an online translator.
Now that you know how to reset Android to factory settings, you can handle the task yourself.
The need to reset settings on Android may arise completely different situations: Your device has started to freeze, or you simply cannot unlock it. And if no action helps solve the problem, Hard Reset– this is a real opportunity to restore the functionality of the device. From the article you will learn what to do.
(!) If you have forgotten your pattern, PIN or password, please read these instructions first: and .
Well, if after these manuals you still need help with unlocking or you have other problems with the device, read this article carefully. It is worth noting that after a Hard Reset, data from the phone or tablet will be deleted only from internal memory. SD files, photos, music, videos, etc. will remain untouched.
Method 1. How to reset settings on Android via Recovery
The first method is relevant for those whose device does not turn on at all, is malfunctioning, or needs to regain access to the smartphone system:
1. Turn off the device.
2. Now you need to get into Recovery mode. To do this, you need to press and hold a certain key combination until the screen lights up. Depending on the device manufacturer, the combination may differ:
- Volume down + power button
- Volume up + power button
- Volume up/down + power button + home button
- Volume up + volume down + power button
How to enter Recovery Mode on phones of various brands is written in.
Using the volume up and down buttons you can move up and down respectively, and confirm your choice with the power/lock button. In newer devices, the Recovery menu may be touch-sensitive.
3. Select “wipe data/factory reset”.
This way you agree to clear the internal memory of your smartphone/tablet.
5. And at the end “reboot system now”.
The whole process will take no more than a minute. After all actions Android phone or the tablet will reboot - factory settings will be restored. You will receive the device as it was when you first started it.
Meizu Recovery Mode
Meizu made their own recovery mode instead of the classic Recovery. To get into it, use the combination “ON” + Volume “UP”. Check only the “Clear data” item and click “Start”.
Executing Wipe from Recovery on Xiaomi
The Xiaomi engineering menu loads when you hold down the Power and Volume “+” keys. It is available in several languages - to switch from Chinese to English, click:
1. Select "Recovery"
2. Click “OK” if you are going to enter Recovery mode.
3. Click "Wipe data". Here the sensor does not work, use the Power and Volume keys to select and move.
5. Confirm by clicking "Confirm".
6. The device will inform you that Wipe has been successfully completed. Open the main menu.
7. To reboot your smartphone, select “Reboot”.
8. Then “Reboot to System”.
Method 2. How to do a Hard Reset through settings
1. Go to Android settings.
2. Open the “Backup and Reset” item. Don't forget to complete.
3. Select Factory Reset.
4. Then click "Reset phone (tablet)".
5. If a pattern or password is installed, you need to enter it.
6. Finally, click “Erase everything”.
After this, all data from the internal memory of the device will be reset.
On Android 8.0 Oreo and higher
The Settings menu in Android 8.0 has undergone major changes. Now the “Reset to factory settings” function is located in the “System” → “Reset” section.
On Meizu
In Flyme OS, the path to the function is different from stock Android: go to “Settings” → “About phone” → “Storage” → “Reset settings”.
Check "Delete data" and click "Recover".
On Xiaomi
In MIUI, the developers hid the Factory Reset function in “ Additional settings» – watch the video instructions:
On Xiaomi smartphones The USB drive is also cleared, so make sure to create a backup in advance if you want to save photos, audio and other files.
Method 3: Factory reset on Android
This method is even simpler than the previous ones. In the dialer, dial one of the following. Perhaps none of them will work, it all depends on the manufacturer:
- *2767*3855#
- *#*#7780#*#*
- *#*#7378423#*#*
Also try entering these codes into “Emergency Call”.
4. Perform Hard Reset from Fastboot mode
Clear internal memory Android devices you can use the Fastboot utility for PC when the device is loaded in the mode of the same name (if there is one on the smartphone). About installing and launching the program, as well as ADB and USB drivers, told in. On devices such as Nexus, Pixel, Huawei, HTC, Sony, Motorola, the latest LG, you must first unlock the bootloader:
- On Nexus - with fastboot oem unlock command
- On Nexus 5X, 6P and Pixel – activate the “OEM unlock” option in the “Developer options”, use the fastboot flashing unlock command
- For others, you additionally need to obtain an individual code on the manufacturer’s website
(!) Unlocking Bootloader is done via Fastboot and immediately makes Wipe. In the future, to reset the phone, just follow the steps in the instructions.
Put the device into Fastboot mode. There are 2 ways:
First. Turn off your smartphone. Then press and hold the “ON” + volume down buttons until Fastboot mode appears. This keyboard shortcut may vary depending on the manufacturer.
Second. Carefully study how to work with ADB and Fastboot, the link to the article is above. Connect your phone to your computer by activating USB debugging (see). Then enter the adb command via command line(or PowerShell on Windows 10) running as administrator and press “Enter”:
To have Windows PowerShell do this command, add at the beginning:
It will turn out like this:
The device is loaded in firmware mode. To erase data, just run one of the commands (don't forget to add .\ when using PowerShell):
To reboot the device use:
5. How to delete data from your phone using the Find Device service
Google has developed a special service "Find device", with which you can not only track your phone, but also reset its settings. To do this, the device must be connected to the Internet.
2. Google will find devices linked to this account. Click Erase Data.
4. Confirm your selection by clicking Clear.
As a result, the internal memory on the smartphone or tablet will be cleared.
6. If TWRP Recovery is installed
Unlike the standard recovery mode, the custom one allows you to reset specific partitions, and not all settings at once.
To do this, open “Wipe” in the main menu.
If you just want to do a Factory Reset, drag the slider to the right.
If you want to format specific sections, select "Advanced Wipe".
Mark the sections that need to be cleaned and swipe to the right.
To reboot Android, click "Reboot system".
That's all. In fact, there shouldn’t be any difficulties with resetting settings on Android; the whole process will take no more than 5 minutes.
Hard Reset, also known as Hard Reset, is done in two main ways. Regardless of the method you choose, take care to back up your personal information, and also remove the memory card from your tablet and, just in case, a SIM card, if you have one.
1. Using the menu (if the tablet turns on)
If the tablet is fully operational, the pattern key is not locked, and you have the opportunity to get into the settings, be sure to use this method to do a Hard Reset (hard reset) and reset the user settings to factory settings.
1. All you need to do is go to the settings and find the item Recovery and reset.
2. Then you need to select the item Reset.
4. As a result, Android will issue a final warning that you want to destroy everything and will not be able to restore anything. If you haven't changed your mind, choose a team Erase everything.
5. The tablet will reboot, and to show you the full depth of the process, you will see a screensaver of atoms and molecules spinning in the belly of the Android robot.
6. This is normal, after a couple of minutes the screensaver will disappear, the tablet will start with factory settings and applications, as if you had just brought it from the store.
2. Through the Recovery menu (if the tablet does not turn on)
If a software failure occurs in the tablet, it stops starting, it’s “eternally loading”, or the device is locked graphic key- you have only one way out - get into Recovery mode, i.e. recovery mode. The Recovery menu can only be accessed when the tablet is turned off. To do this, use a special combination of simultaneously or sequentially pressed physical buttons on the tablet, which are located on the device body. Typically this is the volume rocker +/-, the power button, and/or the Home key. The general procedure is as follows:
1. Turn off the tablet. The battery must be fully charged. If you are not sure that the battery is fully charged, or the battery is weak, it is better to carry out all manipulations by connecting the tablet to the network
2. Press and hold the key combination (examples of such combinations for your device model will be below), and wait until the Recovery mode opens
3. Navigate through the menu using the volume rocker (touch control is possible in some tablets). Choosing a team wipe data/factory reset(translation: erase base/reset settings to factory settings). To do this, you need to press with your finger if the control is touch-sensitive, or with the power key, which in this case serves as a button OK.
5. After this, you must give the reboot command. To do this, select the item reboot system now(translation: reboot the system now)
6. The tablet will think for a while, all data and settings will be erased, and it will turn on itself.
It is worth noting that each tablet manufacturer sets its own set of keys to access the Recovery menu, so only general methods that are relevant for different brands of devices have been collected.
Attention! In the descriptions of options for how to get into Recovery, I will mention that the reset is carried out according to a standard, general procedure, or according to a preparation. This means that you will need to use the blank with the photo described above.
How to do a Hard Reset on tablets from different manufacturers:
1) Samsung
Method No. 1
- At the same time, press the buttons: “Home” - the central button, the volume key “+”, and the power key.
- We wait a couple of seconds for the Samsung logo to appear, then we wait for Recovery mode to start.
- Release the previously held keys.
- Using the volume +/- keys, go to the wipe datafactory reset line. To select an item, briefly press the power key. Next we do everything according to the preparation.
Method number 2, if there is no Home button, or when the key combination does not work
- Press and hold two keys: volume down “-” and power
- As soon as you see the Samsung logo, you can release the Power key. At the same time, hold the volume button. When a recumbent Android appears with an exclamation mark, you can release the button
- We do a Hard Reset (hard reset) according to the standard procedure
2) Asus
Method No. 1
- Press and hold the power and volume down buttons at the same time
- Release the keys when the recovery menu appears
- In the menu, look for the Factory Reset line, select it using the power button. We are waiting for the operation to complete and the tablet to reboot.
Method No. 2
- Press and hold the power key and volume down rocker at the same time
- Wait until small text appears at the top of the screen, then release the keys
- As soon as you see the words Wipe Data, immediately press the volume key once (the main thing is to do this without delay). We are waiting for a reboot and using it.
3) Lenovo
Method No. 1
- It is necessary to simultaneously hold down two more keys - volume control (i.e. press the rocker in the middle) and hold for several seconds
- Then simply release these buttons and make a single press on the volume down or up rocker
- We look for the Wipe data/Factory reset item, select it with the power key, and wait until the reset process is completed.
Method No. 2
- Press the Power key until you feel a slight vibration
- Immediately after this, you need to quickly press the volume up key several times (it may not work the first time)
- The Recovery menu will appear, then we reset according to the standard procedure
Method No. 3
- Press and hold the volume and power keys at the same time
- We release only when the Lenovo logo appears
- When you wait for the recovery menu to load, follow the standard procedure according to the template
4) Prestigio
Method #1 (works in most cases)
- Press the volume rocker up and the power button at the same time
- Release when the Android logo appears
- After recovery appears, perform a standard reset
Method No. 2
- Press and hold the volume down rocker together with the power key.
- Wait until the tablet starts up, after which you can release the power button, do not release the volume rocker
- When the recumbent Android appears, release the key and immediately press the volume rocker all the way. (That is, decreasing and increasing the volume at the same time). If nothing happens, repeat the procedure again until it works
- If you're lucky, you'll get to the Recovery menu, and then everything is as usual
5) Texet
Method No. 1
- The volume up rocker “+” must be pressed simultaneously with the power button
- When the tablet responds with vibration, you can release the power rocker and continue to hold the volume button
- As soon as the menu appears, you can release the button
- Further according to the standard
Method No. 2
- Press and hold the Home key at the same time as the Power button
- When the Android logo appears, release the Power key and press it for a couple more seconds. Then press the volume key
- Next, we reset according to the template
Method No. 3
- Press and hold the Home and Power/Lock buttons at the same time. Release “Power” after a couple of seconds, while continuing to hold the “Home” key
- When you see the Recovery menu, you can release the button and perform a reset according to the standard template.
6) Sony
Method No. 1
- The power and volume up keys must be pressed simultaneously
- As soon as the screen turns on, release the power button while simultaneously holding down the entire volume key
- After the menu appears, the button can be released, and then the standard procedure
Method No. 2 (for tablets with a Reset button)
- Connect your tablet via Charger to the network, and wait until the green power indicator, which is located near the device’s power button, lights up
- On the case we find a hole with a Reset button, and press it with a thin object, such as a paper clip
- When the screen is turned off, press and hold “Power” for a couple of seconds
- Before the tablet starts to turn on, press the volume up button several times in a row
- When the recovery menu appears, do a factory reset
7) Huawei
Method No. 1
- Press and hold the Power and Down buttons at the same time for about 10 seconds until the menu appears
- We reset the workpiece
Method No. 2
- Press the volume button in the middle, followed by the power button. At the same time, do not release the volume rocker
- Hold for up to 10 seconds until the Android screensaver appears. At this time, you need to release the power key, but the volume button must remain pressed
- As soon as the image of the Android robot with gears appears, move your finger press from the center of the volume rocker to increase it
- Release the button only when the green loading bar appears
- Next, all you need to do is observe the process. When everything is demolished and the hard reset is performed, the tablet will restart.
8) Ainol
- Press and hold two buttons at the same time: power and volume rocker
- You will see a green robot on the display - the buttons can be released
- After this, the Recovery menu should appear. If a miracle does not happen, press the power button once, or “Home”
- Further everything is according to the standard.
9) On Chinese tablets (including noname)
There are so many tablets made in China that it is simply impossible to describe all the options on how to get to the recovery menu. Try to try all the methods described above on your tablet - one will do anyway.
Also note that most Chinese devices simply do not have Recovery mode. All you can do in this case is to find the firmware for your tablet or a program for it, as well as instructions for it, and. Fill your tablet with pure Android and it will work again.
How to do a Hard Reset on a tablet without volume keys
There are devices that nature has deprived of a volume rocker. General advice in this situation:
- At random, try to get into recovery mode by holding down “Power” and “Home” with the tablet turned off. For example, hold down two buttons at the same time and wait. Or this: hold down the “Home” button. At the same time, press (but do not hold) the power button once, then release the “Home” key. When the Android splash screen appears, press the “Home” button again.
- Even if you manage to get into Recovery, there is a problem with navigating the menu. Is being decided USB connection keyboard via OTG cable.
- If you still can’t get into recovery mode, the most clumsy option is to reflash the tablet.
Please note that this article is not exhaustive information on all tablet models. Therefore, if you do not find the manufacturer of your tablet in the list, try all the keyboard shortcuts described above, perhaps some method will be suitable for your device. If you still haven’t managed to get into Recovery mode, write the model of your tablet in the comments, and we’ll try to help if possible.
A full reset is complete removal all user data from the internal memory of the Android device. As a result of this procedure, the Android device returns to the state in which it was released by the factory. We can say that after full reset settings, the Android device from a software point of view becomes completely new.
The need to completely reset an Android device does not arise too often. Typically, this procedure is resorted to when selling a device. A hard reset is also used to remove viruses. If your smartphone is , and you cannot remove them in any way, then a full reset can always quickly solve this problem.
If you are interested in this question, then you have come to the right place. Here you can learn how to do a hard reset on your Android device.
Step #1: Open Android Settings and go to Backup & Reset.
In order to do a full reset on Android, you need to open the Android settings and go to the “Recovery and reset” section.
On some firmware, this section of the settings may be slightly different. For example, on Android smartphones from Samsung, this section is called “Backup and reset” and is located on the “Accounts” tab.
Step No. 2. Go to the “Reset settings” subsection.
Once you have opened the Backup & Reset settings section, you need to go to the internal section called Factory Reset. Usually the link to this section is at the very bottom of the window.
In non-standard firmware, this internal section may also have a different name. For example, on Android devices from Samsung it is called “Data reset”.
Step No. 3. Completely reset your Android device.
After going to the “Reset settings” section, a window should open in front of you describing all the possible consequences of the reset. For example, it describes here that after a full factory reset on Android, all user data in the internal memory will be deleted. Including Google account, program settings, user photos and videos, downloaded applications, music, as well as other data, such as SMS messages. Therefore, if you have the data you need in your internal memory, you need to copy it to your computer before doing a full reset on Android.
It should also be noted that if you use data encryption on the memory card, then after resetting the settings, the data on the memory card will also become inaccessible, since the decryption key is usually stored in the internal memory.
If you have figured out what will be deleted and what will not, and are ready to completely reset your Android device, then simply click on the “Reset settings” button, which is located at the bottom of the screen.
After clicking on this button, you need to wait a while until the reset process is completed. After this, the device will reboot and be ready for use.
How to do a hard reset if Android won't boot
There are situations when operating system Android is so damaged that it even refuses to boot. In this case, the instructions described above will not help you, since you will not be able to enter the settings.
In such situations, Recovery mode (or the so-called recovery mode) can come to the rescue. The method for starting an Android device in Recovery mode may differ depending on the model. But, in most cases, in order to start Recovery mode you need to do the following:
- Turn off your Android device;
- Simultaneously press the volume up, home and power keys;
- Without releasing these three keys, you need to wait until the Android device boots into Recovery mode;
After starting Recovery mode, you need to find the full reset function in it and activate it. After this, you need to wait until the device reboots.
