What a factory reset does and when you need one

A factory reset erases everything on your Android phone — all apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. This is different from a straightforward restart. A reset is permanent and cannot be undone, so you should back up anything you want to keep before you start.

You might reset your phone if you are selling it, giving it away, or handing it to someone else. You might also reset it if the phone is running slowly, crashing constantly, or behaving in ways you cannot fix. A reset can also remove malware or unwanted software that has taken hold of your device.

Before you reset, understand that you will lose access to any files stored only on the phone itself. Photos, videos, documents, and messages will be gone unless you have backed them up to Google Drive, Google Photos, or another cloud service. Apps will be gone too, though you can reinstall them from the Google Play Store after the reset is complete.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases everything on your phone and cannot be undone, so back up your photos, messages, and documents before you start.
  • You can reset through Settings on most Android phones by going to System, then Reset Options, then Erase All Data.
  • If you cannot access Settings, you can reset using hardware buttons — usually Power and Volume Down held together — though the exact combination varies by phone model.
  • After a reset, your phone will ask you to sign in with a Google account, and you can restore backed-up data from that account.
  • If you are giving the phone to someone else, do not sign back in after the reset — let them set up their own account instead.

Back up your data before you reset

The safest way to back up an Android phone is through your Google account. Open Settings, go to System, then Backup, and turn on "Back up to Google One" if it is not already on. This backs up your contacts, calendar events, app data, and some settings. It does not back up photos or videos by default.

For photos and videos, open Google Photos and make sure backup is turned on. Go to Settings in Google Photos, tap Backup and Sync, and choose "Backup by Google One" or "Unlimited" depending on your account. This will upload all your photos and videos to the cloud so you can access them after the reset.

For documents, messages, or other files, use Google Drive. You can manually upload files to Drive, or use an app like Microsoft OneDrive or Dropbox if you prefer. The key is that anything you want to keep must be stored somewhere other than the phone's internal storage.

Reset through Settings if you can access them

On most Android phones, the reset option is in Settings. Open Settings and look for a section called System, Advanced, or About Phone — the exact name varies by manufacturer. Tap into that section and look for Reset, Reset Options, or Erase All Data.

Once you find the reset option, tap it. The phone will ask you to confirm that you want to erase everything. It may also ask for your PIN, pattern, or password to prove you own the device. Enter it if prompted. The phone will then begin erasing data, which can take several minutes. Do not turn off the phone during this process.

When the reset is complete, the phone will restart and show you the setup screen, just as if it were brand new. You will be asked to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. If you want to restore your backed-up data, sign in with the same Google account you used before the reset.

Reset using hardware buttons if Settings is locked

If you cannot access Settings because you forgot your password, or if the phone is not responding, you can reset using the physical buttons on the phone. The exact button combination depends on your phone's manufacturer and model, but the most common is holding Power and Volume Down together until the phone vibrates or shows a menu.

For Samsung phones, hold Power and Volume Up together until the Samsung logo appears, then release. For Google Pixel phones, hold Power and Volume Down together until you see the bootloader menu. For other brands, search online for "[your phone model] factory reset buttons" to find the correct combination.

Once you see the recovery menu, use the volume buttons to navigate to an option that says "Wipe Data" or "Factory Reset" or "Erase All Data". Use the Power button to select it. The phone will ask you to confirm — usually by pressing Volume Up for yes or Volume Down for no. Confirm, and the reset will begin. This can take several minutes.

What happens after the reset is complete

When your phone finishes resetting, it will restart and show the initial setup screen. You will be asked to choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign in with a Google account. If you are keeping the phone for yourself, sign in with your own Google account. If you are giving the phone to someone else, stop here and hand it to them — do not sign in with your account.

If you signed in with your Google account, the phone will offer to restore your backed-up data. This includes contacts, calendar events, app data, and any photos or videos you backed up to Google Photos. You can choose to restore everything or pick and choose what you want back. Apps will not be restored automatically — you will need to read them again from the Google Play Store, though your app data will be there when you open them.

If you are giving the phone away, make sure you do not sign in after the reset. The new owner should set up their own Google account during the initial setup. If you do sign in and then give them the phone, they will not be able to use it without your account information.

Troubleshooting a reset that will not complete

If your phone is stuck on the reset screen or keeps restarting without finishing, the first step is to let the battery drain completely. Plug the phone in and let it sit for at least an hour, then try the reset again. Sometimes a low battery causes the reset to fail partway through.

If the reset still will not complete, try a different method. If you used Settings, try the hardware button method instead. If you used hardware buttons, try Settings if you can access them. If neither method works, your phone may have a hardware problem or corrupted system files that a factory reset cannot fix. At that point, you may need to contact the phone's manufacturer or a repair shop.

If the phone is stuck in a boot loop — restarting over and over without fully starting up — try holding the Power button for 30 seconds to force it to shut down completely, then wait a minute before turning it back on. If that does not work, try the hardware button reset method again, making sure you are using the correct button combination for your specific phone model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset remove my Google account from the phone?

A factory reset erases the phone's data but does not remove your Google account from Google's servers. After the reset, you can sign in with the same account and restore your backed-up data. If you do not want to use that account anymore, you can sign in with a different Google account instead.

Can I reset my phone if I forgot my password?

Yes. If you forgot your PIN, pattern, or password, you can use the hardware button method to reset the phone without entering a password. Hold Power and Volume Down (or the correct combination for your phone model) until the recovery menu appears, then select the factory reset option.

What if I reset my phone but did not back up my photos?

If your photos were not backed up to Google Photos or another cloud service, they are gone after a factory reset. This is why backing up before a reset is important. In the future, turn on automatic backup in Google Photos so your photos upload to the cloud as you take them.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting?

No. A factory reset does not affect your SIM card or your phone number. Your SIM card will work the same way after the reset. You do not need to remove it or do anything special with it.

Can someone use my phone after I reset it if I do not sign in?

Yes. If you reset the phone and do not sign in with a Google account, the phone will be completely blank and ready for someone else to set up with their own account. This is the correct way to prepare a phone for someone else to use.