If you’re experiencing issues with your Android phone or tablet, such as slowdowns or continued glitches, the system may have taken a few hits and needs to be reset to get it back into full working order.
Or maybe you’re considering selling the device or gifting it to a friend or family member, but want to erase all the data so it’s as if you took it out of the box for the first time. In both cases, you have several options available to you.
Here’s how to reset an Android phone or tablet.
Before you begin, save!
As some of the methods we will explain here are destructive in terms of files, we always advise you, if possible, to back up your phone data before attempting a full factory reset. Nowadays, much of our storage is managed by Google Drive and other online services, but to avoid losing valuable data, it’s best to make a backup first.
You can see the steps we recommend in our guide how to back up your data for free.
Try updating your Android device
If you’re having issues with your phone or tablet, a full reset may not be necessary to get things back on track. A step that is always worth updating your system to the latest available version of its software, as this can resolve known issues. Take a look at our Android update tutorial to see how it’s done.
How to reset an Android phone or tablet
There are two general types of reset: hard and soft. The first is also known as factory reset, and it means erasing all files and applications on the device and returning it to the initial state it was in when it came out of the factory (d ‘where its name). A less dramatic alternative is a soft reset. This is when a phone is locked or unresponsive and you want to restart it to see if that will fix the problem. No files are deleted and if successful, the device should return to normal.
Here’s how to reset an Android device:
Hold it power button And volume up button at the same time. You may see a message or menu allowing you to turn off the device. Otherwise, hold the keys for a few more seconds until it restarts.
Hopefully this will resolve the issue and get you back up and running without issue. If the key combination doesn’t seem to work, try Googling your particular make and model to see if the manufacturer uses a different variation.
How to Hard/Factory Reset an Android Device
If you just want to wipe the device and start again, a factory reset is the way to go. Remember that you will lose all data from the phone, so make sure your files are backed up somewhere before you begin.
As Android has some differences with interfaces depending on the manufacturer, these instructions are based on a Google Pixel, but should apply to all phones, albeit with a few different names for things here and there.
If you find that the steps don’t match your device, it’s still worth Googling how to reset your particular model.
Here are the steps to follow to reset your phone.
Check your battery level and start the process
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Charge your phone or plug it in, as it will need power throughout the process. Then open Settings and select System.
Go to Reset Settings
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Scroll down and select Reset options.
Complete the factory reset.
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Select Erase all data (factory reset). Confirm your choice and the process should begin. Once the reset is complete, you should be greeted by the Android welcome screen. Now the files, apps, and passwords have all been deleted, so you can sell it, give it to a friend, or just start again with a new phone in your hands.
If you’re upgrading to a new device, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Android phones, best Android phones, and best Android tablets to see which models we currently recommend.
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