Whether you’re selling your phone or just want to troubleshoot a security issue, in this article, we’ll show you how to factory reset Android devices.
A factory reset on Android is easy to perform—just make sure you back up your important data, first! In addition to showing you the exact steps, we’ll also discuss a few of the cybersecurity benefits of a factory reset. Let’s dive in.
If I factory reset my Android, will I lose everything?
The short answer is: yes—unless you back up your device.
The biggest risk of a factory reset is the loss of data and your customized settings. A factory reset will wipe your device of all data, apps, and any personalized formatting. It is literally resetting your Android back to the state it was in when you first purchased it.
After a factory reset, you’ll be prompted to set up your phone like it’s brand new. If you haven’t backed up your data, then you’ll be doing all of this from scratch. By first backing up your device, you can save all your favorite photos, files, and apps to ensure they’re accessible again after the factory reset.
How to factory reset an Android phone
In case you skipped the previous section, back up all your data from your Android to the cloud or another device before following these instructions. Once you factory reset your Android phone, your old data—like photos, messages, contacts, and so on—could disappear forever. By first backing up your phone, you can preserve your most important data.
With that warning out of the way, here are the instructions:
- Open your Android Settings
- Tap System
- Tap Reset options
- Tap Erase all data (factory reset)
- Tap Reset Phone
- Tap Erase everything
Why you should factory reset your Android
We discussed some of these same points in another article about factory resetting an iPhone. Send that article to a friend if they’re planning to sell, trade-in, or donate their iPhone.
- Factory reset for selling, donating, or gifting your old Android
One of the most common reasons to factory reset an Android is to sell or donate it. In this case, the factory reset ensures the removal of all personal data, safeguarding your information from unauthorized access.
This is true even if you’re gifting the phone to a family member or close friend whom you trust. Beyond enhancing your cybersecurity, the reset grants the future owner a full sense of ownership.
They can easily use the new (to them) phone without having to navigate the previous owner’s old photos and contacts. The factory reset elicits the appearance and feeling of owning a new phone, without the new owner purchasing a brand-new Android device.
- Factory reset to resolve software issues and improve performance
Sometimes, no matter what you try, your phone just won’t work the way it used to. The phone slows. Apps regularly crash. The battery drains too fast. If you’ve experienced any of these things, and tried a few solutions like deleting apps or restarting your device, it may be time to factory reset your Android.
A simple factory reset can resolve software issues like crashes or freezes. It does this by eliminating any corrupted files or data.
On a related note, a factory reset can also improve sluggish performance by improving your Android’s speed and responsiveness. Think of it as a comprehensive digital decluttering process.
- Factory reset to regain your privacy and bolster your security
One of the primary reasons to factory reset your Android device is for cybersecurity. Whether you’re worried about hackers stealing your data or companies tracking you through downloaded files and apps, a factory reset reestablishes the original data protection settings.
If you’re worried your phone has been hacked, a factory reset can help eliminate corrupted files and block the hacker’s access point. Here are a few cyber safety tips to keep in mind:
- A factory reset eliminates all personal data from an Android, including photos, messages, contacts, and browsing history, safeguarding both your information and the next owner’s. A factory reset is essential when selling, donating, or refurbishing a device to prevent unauthorized access.
- Resetting an Android helps remove malware and ransomware caused by compromised apps or phishing emails, ensuring a clean device without corrupt apps, accounts, or documents.
- By restoring the Android to default security settings, a factory reset enhances protection against unauthorized access and hacking attempts. Remember to update your Android regularly for the latest security patches.
- When selling an Android device, a factory reset reduces the risk of identity theft and fraud by wiping all personal data. It prevents cybercriminals from exploiting stored information.
One more way to stay secure online
In this article, we’ve covered a few cybersecurity benefits of factory resetting your Android device. But no conversation about online security is complete without discussing virtual private networks (VPNs).
A VPN is an essential cybersecurity tool that runs in the background while you use the internet as an easy, passive way to stay more secure online. VPNs usually come as an app that you can use on your device (including Android phones) to put one more layer of protection between your data and hackers or companies on the internet. The VPN encrypts all your internet traffic and funnels your activity through a remote server to help ensure prying eyes can’t intercept it.
What does that mean in practice? It means that you can connect to public Wi-Fi networks (like at your favorite coffee shop) without making your device more vulnerable to hackers. It also helps prevent companies from (digitally) watching over your shoulder as you work or explore on the internet.
