How to Factory Reset an Android Phone

A factory reset wipes everything on your Android phone and returns it to the state it was in when it left the factory. Whether you're selling your device, dealing with persistent software problems, or simply starting fresh, this guide walks you through every step — safely and without losing data you intended to keep.

Before You Start: Essential Preparation

Skipping the preparation steps is the most common reason people lose data they wanted to keep. Take 10 minutes to do all of the following before touching the reset menu.

1. Back up your data to Google

Open the Settings app and go to Google > Backup. Check that "Back up to Google Drive" is switched on, then tap Back up now and wait for it to complete. This syncs contacts, app data, call history, device settings, and SMS messages to your Google account.

For photos and videos, open Google Photos and confirm that backup is enabled under your profile icon. If you have a large library, connect to Wi-Fi and allow it to finish before proceeding.

2. Back up anything Google doesn't cover

Google Backup does not cover everything. Manually transfer the following to a computer or cloud storage:

• Downloaded files from your Files or Downloads folder
• WhatsApp and Telegram chats (both have their own in-app backup options)
• Music, documents, or other locally stored files not in Google Drive
• Two-factor authentication app data (e.g., Google Authenticator — export codes first)

3. Remove your Google account (Factory Reset Protection)

Android's Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a security feature that requires your Google credentials after a reset. If you plan to give this phone to someone else, remove your Google account first or the new owner will be locked out.

Go to Settings > Accounts > Google, tap your account, then select Remove account. If your phone has a secondary owner or multiple Google accounts, remove them all.

4. Charge your battery

Ensure your phone is charged to at least 70% or leave it plugged in during the reset. A battery dying mid-wipe can corrupt the operating system partition and leave the device unbootable.

How to Factory Reset: Samsung Galaxy

Samsung's menus differ slightly from stock Android. The path below applies to Samsung One UI 5 and 6 (Android 13 and 14), covering all Galaxy S, A, and Z series from 2022 onwards.

1. Open Settings
2. Scroll down to General management
3. Tap Reset
4. Select Factory data reset
5. Scroll down and tap Reset
6. Enter your PIN, pattern, or password when prompted
7. Tap Delete all to confirm

The device will reboot, display the Samsung logo, and begin wiping. This takes 3–8 minutes. Do not press any buttons during this process.

How to Factory Reset: Google Pixel

Pixel phones run stock Android. The following steps apply to Pixel 6 and later running Android 13 or 14.

1. Open Settings
2. Go to System
3. Tap Reset options
4. Select Erase all data (factory reset)
5. Tap Erase all data
6. Enter your PIN or password
7. Tap Erase all data once more to confirm

How to Factory Reset: OnePlus / Oppo / Realme

These manufacturers run OxygenOS or ColorOS. The path is similar across all of them.

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Additional settings (or System settings)
3. Select Back up and reset
4. Tap Erase all data
5. Confirm by tapping Reset phone

Factory Reset via Recovery Mode (When the Phone Won't Boot)

If your Android phone is stuck on the boot screen or unable to reach Settings, you can perform a factory reset through Recovery Mode. This erases the device but does not require a working OS.

1. Power off the device completely
2. Hold Volume Down + Power (Samsung) or Volume Up + Power (most other Android phones) for 8–10 seconds until a menu appears
3. Use the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select
4. Highlight Wipe data / Factory reset and confirm
5. Select Yes on the confirmation screen
6. When complete, choose Reboot system now

Note: The exact button combination varies by manufacturer. If the steps above don't enter Recovery Mode, search for your specific model name plus "recovery mode" for the correct combination.

After the Reset: Setting Up Again

Once the device reboots, you'll see the initial setup wizard. If you're keeping the phone, sign in with your Google account and choose to restore from your recent backup when prompted — most apps, settings, and data will be reinstalled automatically. Expect this process to take 20–40 minutes depending on how many apps you had and your internet connection speed.

If you're handing the phone on to someone else, simply hand it over at the setup screen without completing setup yourself. The new owner will sign in with their own Google account.