The Android operating system has a lot of features, many of which users are not even aware of. For example, with just a few taps on the screen of their device, the user can return the phone or tablet to its original form, that is, exactly the way it came from the factory or at the time of installing the firmware. This resets the system. It is necessary if, say, the device starts to slow down or simply glitch. Today we will show you what you need to do to restore factory settings (or reset, which is basically the same thing).
Via interface
This method is the simplest and most user-friendly. I would like to immediately note that this function is available on any Android-based device, but this item may be located in a different place in the menu. Don't worry, you won't get confused.
An example will be shown using pure Android.
Let's go to settings.
In our case, “Restore and reset” is a separate item. Click on it.
Here we see several additional subsections. We don't touch them. Now we are only interested in the “Reset settings” item, which we need to click on.
In front of you you will see the accounts added to the device (for example, this can additionally be a VKontakte account). At the bottom of the screen there is a "Reset Settings" button. Before clicking on it, you can check the box next to the item that will help clear the card memory, if any. Whether you need to check the box or not is up to you, but remember that then all data from the card will be deleted. Of course, data will also be deleted during a factory reset, so make a backup copy of the files you need.
Finally, confirm the reset.
Restoring factory settings in the second way
This method, in our opinion, is more relevant for advanced users, since the settings will be reset in an unusual way - through the Recovery menu.
To enter the recovery menu, you need to do the following:
- Turn off your gadget.
- Hold down the volume up or down button (depending on your device), and then press the power button.
- As soon as the device turns on, remove your finger from the power button while continuing to hold the volume key.
- Wait for the recovery menu to load.
Control in the recovery menu is carried out using buttons, and not by pressing the screen.
Find the Wipe & Reset section (or something like that - the designation may be different in the menu), then find Wipe All Data, select and wait for the cleaning to occur. Then you reboot your device and, voila, all settings are reset.
No user can be insured and 100% confident in the quality of his mobile phone, much less in the reliability of the operating system and other installed applications. Perhaps smartphones have become smarter and more convenient, but in many cases the problems remain the same - complete failure of the phone, the appearance of non-standard errors, glitches and freezes, muting the sound and much more. As a rule, in the Android operating system, most problems can be solved yourself, and there is no need to take the phone to the nearest service center, paying several thousand rubles for actions that you can do yourself without much effort.
In this material, we will tell you how to reset the settings on Android to factory settings, why it is needed, and what the consequences will be after the reset.
Why do they resort to this procedure?
- One of the reasons to use this option is to remove confidential information, for example, if you are selling your phone to another person and do not want any information about you to remain. In case of theft, this method will not work, but you can use the option to remotely control your device to erase data immediately after turning on the phone.
- Another reason, according to which the settings are reset - this is the appearance of errors and problems of a systemic and software nature.
What will the user lose from his device?
If you decide to reset your settings, you should understand that the system will automatically remove all programs that you installed through file managers or the Gooogle Play service, completely clear the history of correspondence, SMS, delete contact information, mail accounts and much more. The phone's memory will be completely cleared, but the SD card will remain with all the data! Essentially, you will receive a “clean” smartphone, as if you had just bought it in a store.
If you do not want to lose data, then create backup copies so that you can later restore them in whole or in part. We also recommend that you copy some of your photos and videos to a PC or another phone at a certain period of time.
How to reset to factory settings on Android
There are three ways in total, and they differ significantly from each other. Let's look at each of them in detail:
- Reset in phone settings
- Resetting with service codes
- Key reset
Method 1. How to reset your Android phone to factory settings using the menu
All operations will be carried out from the main menu of Android OS. You need to go to the “Settings” item, select the tab called “Privacy” there, and then click on the “Reset Settings” tab.
As you can see in the photo above, here you can activate the following items:
- “Data Archiving” (“Data Copying”)— The system will automatically save copies of all applications installed on your device, settings from Google services, as well as data about each Wi-Fi network previously saved on the phone.
- "Auto-recovery"— All programs will be automatically restored with all settings.
Click "Reset settings" and confirm your desire to erase data. You will see a window with a list of data that is deleted after resetting the settings. As soon as the phone reboots, you can reinstall any programs and add accounts.
Method 2. Reset with service codes
In the Android system, like in any other system (Java, Symbian), there are special codes with which you can activate the restore operation to factory settings.
Attention! Codes may change and may not be suitable for your model or version of Android, so perform all operations carefully! We are not responsible for all actions, and we provide information with codes for review.
Here are some codes. You will need to go into your phone's dialing mode and enter one of these:
- *#*#7378423#*#*
- *2767*3855#
- *#*#7780#*#
Method 3. Key reset (using Recovery)
Each Android smartphone has special keys that can be used to start the factory reset process. Since most of the phones nowadays come with a touch screen, the volume keys, home button, power key are mainly used for resetting.
Here is a sample list of buttons that will allow you to reset settings:
- “Volume down” + “Turn on device”. This is one of the most common combinations used on many phones. Try it first. If that doesn't work, see the list below.
- “Volume up” + “Volume down”.
- “Turn on device” + “Home” key + “Volume up”.
- “Volume up” + “Volume down” + “Turn on device”.
- "Volume Up" + "Home" key.
You need to hold and press the keys at the same time. Approximate holding time is 2-5 seconds. As soon as the system enters a special mode – Recovery, a menu will appear on your screen.
To move through the list, use the volume up and down keys, since the devices are mostly touch-sensitive!
Find the wipe data/factory reset item and click on it. Sometimes this item is not on the list, but instead there will be one of them: Clear eMMC, Clear Flash! Once you click on the selected tab, the system will ask for confirmation.
Select Yes, and at the end click the Reboot System menu item - this restarts the operating system.
In some versions of Android, the items presented may change depending on the version, but basically the same type of menu is used. We also strongly recommend that you review the instructions for your mobile device before calling up the menu or using codes. Sometimes service codes and reset keys are already written there.
If you were unable to restore the device after resetting the settings or errors and glitches remain, take the phone under warranty to the store where it was purchased or contact the service center if the warranty has already expired.
Resetting an Android phone to factory settings is a procedure in which all data on the device is deleted. This process restores it to the condition it was in when it was purchased. The only thing that remains unchanged as a result is updating the operating system. This means that if you reset your Android device to factory defaults, you won't need to update the platform again.
What does it mean?
For what reason do users restore the factory settings of their Android (smartphone or tablet)?
In many ways, the reset process is similar to having your teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist. All contaminants are removed, leaving cleanliness. For this reason, a hard reset is an invaluable troubleshooting tool. However, there are several other reasons for taking such action. This is worth dwelling on in more detail.
Troubleshooting
The most common reason for resetting an Android phone to factory settings is the need to fix problems that you encounter with your smartphone that cannot be fixed. This could be anything from constant freezing to new apps appearing as default. For example, the Chrome browser stops working, becoming unbearably slow. Before you reset your Android phone to factory settings, first try rebooting it, checking your internet speed, and any other troubleshooting steps. Restoring to original settings is the option you turn to when all else fails.
Sale
Another common reason for a hard reset of a device is when it is sold or transferred to other hands. You probably don't want to hand over your smartphone or tablet without erasing all the data on it, and a factory reset is the best way to do it.
Gadget setup
The question of how to return to factory settings on Android is also relevant if you purchased a used smartphone or tablet, even if the device is already cleaned and ready for use. Unless you received the device from a close friend or family member, you should not assume that the operating system is in a completely clean state. In modern gadgets you can enter data about your payment cards and personal documents, so it is important to ensure security.
How to return to factory settings on Android?
Remember that this procedure will destroy all data on your tablet or smartphone. For this reason, it is important to back up the saved data from the device. From Android Marshmallow (6.x) onwards, your gadget should be set to automatically fall back to Google cloud storage. You can also download an app like Ultimate Backup, which is designed to manually back up your device.
How to reset settings on Android? First, go to the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Backup & Reset under Privacy. The "Back up my data" option at the top should be set to "On". If the setting is “Off,” switch it.
Before you reset your Android, prepare your device. You need to connect it to a power source and make sure the phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network for backup. It's better to leave it like that overnight. Charge the device for at least a few hours.
Once this time has passed, click "Restore Factory Data" at the bottom of the screen to erase all data and return the gadget to like new condition. You will need to confirm your choice on the next screen.
What to do next?
How to return to factory settings on Android by completing the previous step? Your device should reboot. At this time, an indicator may appear on the screen indicating the process of deleting information. Upon completion, the operating system will restart and boot in the form in which it was configured when it was first turned on out of the box. The whole process will only take a few minutes.
If your Android device freezes or doesn't boot properly
How to return an Android phone to factory settings if it is frozen? This is where things get a little more complicated. You can perform a hardware reset by going into Android recovery mode, but unfortunately, how you can enter it depends on the brand and model of your device. This is usually triggered by holding down a specific set of keys on the device. Most devices require you to hold down the Volume Down and Power buttons, but some gadgets have completely different configurations.
Hard reset methods and procedures may vary
The procedure for resetting a device to factory settings usually involves pressing several keys. The combination of buttons you need to press will depend on the specific make and model of your phone, as well as what version of Android OS the device is currently running. For example, when using a platform distribution up to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) OS, you may need one method; when updating the device to more modern OS versions, you may need a completely different one. Therefore, it is important to be careful. You may also need to try resetting your device a few times for it to work correctly.
Button commands to reset the phone
Why are there so many different ways to access Recovery Mode? This is not meant to confuse you. Manufacturers just want to make it difficult for users to accidentally trigger a hard reset. Since this recovery mode erases all data, it is best to put some effort into activating it rather than clicking it accidentally. Sometimes the factory settings password “Android” is also used, without which you will not be able to launch this action.
When you access recovery mode, use the volume keys to select the desired command. In this case, this may be the menu item “erase” or “delete” data. It may be called and “reset settings”. The exact wording may vary depending on the device manufacturer. Most devices use the power button as the Enter key, so press it after making your selection. It may take a few minutes for the reset process to complete.
Make sure your device is turned off
In most cases, performing a hard reset requires the gadget to be turned off completely. So make sure you turn off your device and don't just lock it. If your device is seriously frozen and you can't turn it off using the power button, you may need to remove the battery, count to ten, and then reinsert it.
Also, make sure that the device is not connected to a charger. Otherwise, the reset will not work.
What's important to remember?
Before you reset your Android to factory settings, be sure to consider a few facts. Remember that a hard reset is permanent and cannot be undone. It will delete all personal data and downloaded content on your phone. However, this process will not affect the contents of your memory card or anything else stored on the SIM card. Such content may include pictures, ringtones, texts, etc.
Resetting your device to factory settings usually fixes software errors, removes viruses, and so on. For this reason, try to back up your device regularly, not just when necessary. It often happens that when you need to perform a factory reset, you will no longer be able to perform a backup because the device's memory is already damaged.
By following the advice in this guide, every user will be able to perform a full OS rollback without difficulties or obstacles. Here are the most current and actually working reset methods. Windows that you won't find anywhere else. Tips information was collected by specialists in repairing and configuring Windows systems.Computer owners are often faced with the need to roll back their operating system to factory settings. Windows with complete erasure of all data. Performing such actions may be required in several cases:
- Computer sales.
- System software failure.
- Installation of incorrect drivers and programs.
- Lost productivity.
- Contamination with remnants of previously installed applications.
- System failure caused by a virus.
Only probable causes of system rollback are listed Windows 7 to factory settings. There are other reasons for doing this. To execute reset Windows 7 settings, follow the instructions in this manual, and the process will be much faster and more productive.
If you decide to reset your computer, you need to take care of your data stored on the hard drive that has been accumulated while using the Windows system. This is very important to do, because in addition to files, the system stores program data and passwords, so simply formatting the hard drive is not enough. In addition to personal data, videos, photos and music, you must separately save additional program files, without which the software will not be able to function. A striking example of this is the program Keeper from Web Money, which will be impossible to launch without a special file, which will result in loss of access to your wallets with all the funds in them. Therefore, resetting the settings must be carried out thoroughly prepared.
Returns using integrated capabilities
IN Microsoft We took care of performing a full system rollback to factory settings, which anyone, even an inexperienced user, can do. The method is very simple. First you will need to restart your computer, during which you need to press the key F9 or keyboard shortcut Alt And F10. The button combination may vary depending on the PC device. If after the first reboot you were unable to enter the menu, you need to try another key combination and, using a trial method, call the necessary system function that will restore Windows 7. This is a fairly simple and effective way to return the system to its original state, but what if the backup partition was damaged or was erased to free up hard drive space?Additional manipulations
Similar situations with partitions happen quite often, so don’t worry if you couldn’t return the configuration to its original state in the normal way. You can restore data without reinstalling the system using a flash drive or other media on which the Windows installation package is unpacked. The removable drive must first be prepared and formatted in Fat 32. The creation of a recovery card must be done through a previously downloaded system image, which, using the program Nero or deployed to media. Now you need to insert the card into the USB connector and restart the computer. When rebooting, you need to boot the system from the memory card, not from the hard drive.To do this, you will need to press the key several times in a row. F8 until a small menu appears offering to boot available systems on media connected to the system unit. If you cannot call the boot menu and specify the initial boot from USB. Thus, the next startup will start not from the hard drive, but from removable media. Instead of reinstalling, you need to choose recovery mode, which will return Windows to factory settings. This method may not delete all data, so if unsuccessful, the installation memory card can be used later for reinstallation, but more on that later in the article.
Resetting the system via the control panel
Almost all Windows are designed with a factory reset option in the utilities menu in the control panel. You must select a bookmark from the list of options "System Restore". In the further dialog that opens, you should select a previously saved rollback point with the desired configuration. The disadvantage of this return is that if the configuration has not been saved before, then the possibility of resetting is excluded.Erase Windows data with third-party applications
Some developers have created utilities to roll back system configuration, but this option also depends on a previously prepared restore point. To perform a system reset in this way, after first installing or purchasing a PC, you need to save it to a separate OS duplicate media, for example, on a disk, and then use it if necessary. With such a disk you can restore the functionality of the OS even in the most severe cases, such as a “blue screen”.Laptops
Resetting parameters and system resources on laptops is carried out almost like on a PC. The only difference is the combination of keys that must be pressed to open the menu during a reboot. Most models use Ctrl + F12, F8, F9, F10, depending on the manufacturer and model.This ensures a complete return to the factory configuration. If the system remains incompletely cleaned, you can perform a reinstallation. To do this, you need a pre-prepared installation card or Windows distribution disk. You can use an assembly or a license, the process is identical in both cases.
First, you will need to download the finished image and copy the contents to a card or hard drive, depending on how you created the rollback point. If you cannot find or create a similar installer among your friends, you can contact other people on the Internet who can provide a pre-created point for resetting the resources of the installed operating system. Fortunately, the capabilities of the network make it possible to perform the procedure very simply using a file hosting service.