How to Factory Reset Android

Factory reset wipes your Android back to like-new. Use it when selling the phone, fixing stubborn problems, or starting fresh. Just back up first. There's no undo.

Before you reset: back up

This is the most important step. Make sure you have:

• Photos and videos: turn on Google Photos backup (Photos app > profile picture > Photos settings > Backup). Wait for it to finish.
• Contacts: should sync to Google automatically. Check google.com/contacts in a browser.
• Apps: Google Play remembers your apps. They'll re-download.
• Texts: on Samsung, use Samsung Cloud or Smart Switch. On other Androids, Google Messages syncs across devices, or use SMS Backup & Restore.
• Files: copy to a computer, Google Drive, or microSD card.
• Authenticator apps: CRITICAL. Export Google Authenticator codes before reset, or you'll lock yourself out of 2FA-protected accounts.

Know your Google account password

After reset, the phone will demand the Google account that was last signed in (Factory Reset Protection). Don't reset until you can confirm you know that password. Test it at google.com.

Factory reset on Samsung Galaxy

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General Management
3. Tap Reset
4. Tap Factory data reset
5. Scroll down, tap Reset
6. Enter PIN/password
7. Tap Delete all
8. Wait 5-10 minutes

Factory reset on Google Pixel

1. Open Settings
2. Tap System
3. Tap Reset options
4. Tap Erase all data (factory reset)
5. Tap Erase all data
6. Enter PIN/password
7. Tap Erase all data again to confirm

Factory reset on other Android (OnePlus, Motorola, etc.)

1. Settings > About phone OR System
2. Look for Reset or Backup & reset or Reset options
3. Tap Factory data reset or Erase all data
4. Confirm

Factory reset from recovery (if phone won't boot)

1. Power the phone off completely
2. Hold Power + Volume Up (most Androids) or Power + Volume Down (some models). Hold until you see a logo or recovery menu.
3. Use volume keys to navigate, power button to select
4. Select Wipe data/factory reset
5. Confirm
6. When done, select Reboot system now

After the reset

• Phone restarts to the Setup Wizard
• Pick language, connect to Wi-Fi
• Sign in with the Google account that was previously on the phone (required by FRP)
• Apps redownload automatically (takes 30+ minutes on Wi-Fi)
• Restore from backup if prompted

Selling your phone? Do this first

1. Sign out of Google account: Settings > Accounts > Google > Remove account
2. Sign out of Samsung account (Samsung phones)
3. Disable Find My Device
4. Then do factory reset

If you don't sign out first, FRP locks the phone to your account, even after reset.