What is the Right Way to Factory Data Reset on All Android Models & Versions?

Factory data reset is a powerful in-build feature in every Android device that restores the smartphone to its first original system state by deleting all information, data, apps, and settings. As highlighted on support.google.com, A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. This action is used by people in order to fix persistent issues, clear personal, and important data before selling a device, or to give give a fresh start when the system gets bogged down.

In this step by step guide, we’ll explore information like what a factory data reset is, why and when you should do it, and the different step by step correct and safe ways to perform a factory reset on your Android smartphone using various techniques. We’ll also cover not to do actions to take beforehand and tips for recovery afterward.

What is Factory Data Reset Feature?

As per Wikipedia, a factory data reset is also popularly known as hard reset or master reset. It is an exclusive feature available in modern smartphones like Samsung, Oneplus, Motorola that deletes all user data from the device. This includes:

• Installed apps, data and their cache
• System settings and app settings
• Media items (photos, videos, audio)
• Messages and call logs
• Accounts (Google, social media, etc.)

Once factory reset completed, your phone will revert back to its original state just like it was out of the box.

Important Note: Factory reset doesn’t delete data stored on your external SD card (unless you choose to format it too). However, always back up your data like images, videos on cloud or external drive!

When Should You Do a Factory Reset?

Factory resetting is a big step and should generally be used only when its necessary. Here are some common situations where you can do factory reset and your phone will return to the same state as before:

• Phone is continuously freezing, crashing, hanging, or lagging consistently
• If malware or virus infection found
• Selling or giving away your device
• Your phone is locked out and can’t access your phone
• Continuous software issues not fixed by updates or restarts
• You’re switching to a new device and want to wipe the old one

Precautions Before Resetting the Phone

Before doing a factory reset, you must take care of some important things. As shared by a mobile user on Quora,  keep your personal data like pictures, videos, WhatsApp images, PDF, doc files safe somewhere on the cloud or on a flash drive. This a type of data that you don’t want to lose.

Backup Your Data

Use cloud storage services like Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, OneDrive, iCloud, Dropbox  etc. or take manual backup in PC/Laptop, External SSD, Pen Drive, SD Card, Disc to save following data:

• Contacts – (via Google Account)
• Photos & Videos (Google Photos)
• App data (via Google Backup)
• SMS and call logs (apps like SMS Backup & Restore)

Among them most of users only worry about the photos, videos, screenshots, call recordings, and whatsapp images. Rest they somehow manage and recover by signing a google account!

Sign Out of all Accounts

Remove your all Google accounts and other accounts to avoid triggering Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which restricts unauthorized logins after reset.

Steps:

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Google
• Tap your account and choose Remove account

Charge Your Smartphone

Ensure that your Smartphone has at least 50% of the battery to prevent any kind of interruption during the process. If possible you can do this factory reset by connecting the phone with charger!

Encrypt first, reset second

As reported by authors Riqui Schwamm and Neil Rowe in a research paper published on ResearchGate, reset devices can still provide some useful information to a forensic investigation. The reason – A factory data reset usually deletes file indexes, not the actual data blocks. Hence… whenever you decide to erase data from mobile then first encrypt the device and then reset.

• Go to Settings > Security > Encrypt phone (on older Android versions).
• On modern Android, encryption is usually on by default.
• Encryption makes leftover data unreadable.
• Last, you can do one more thing. After factory data reset, fill the phone’s memory with dummy data like dummy images, video clips, or other downloaded content. This will overwrite the unallocated space, making it extremely difficult for forensic tools to recover the original data

5 Different Ways to Factory Reset an Android Device

Let’s check out 5 various methods to reset your Android phone depending on your situation and device status.

1. Factory Reset through Settings Menu (Standard Method)

Everyone knows about this feature and where to find it in the Settings. This is a standard method which anyone can do. Check out the following steps to do a factory reset in your smartphone:

Steps:

1. Open Settings
2. Navigate to System or General Management (varies by device)
3. Tap Reset or Reset Options
4. Choose Factory Data Reset
5. Read the warning and tap Reset phone
6. Confirm with PIN/Password if prompted
7. Tap Erase Everything or Delete All

This process can take a few minutes. The device will reboot and you will see it as if brand new.

2. Factory Reset via Recovery Mode (When Device is Inaccessible)

This method is used by the Smartphone repair vendors when your mobile is not accessible or hanged. Following are the steps to do factory reset via Recovery Mode:

Steps:

1. Turn off the device
2. Boot device into Recovery Mode by pressing a key combination:
   • Common: Power + Volume Up
   • Samsung: Power + Bixby + Volume Up
   • Google Pixel: Power + Volume Down, then select Recovery
3. Use the volume keys to scroll the options to Wipe data/factory reset
4. Press Power button to select
5. Choose Yes
6. After completion, select Reboot system now

Note: You may still require the original Google account to re-activate the phone after reset (due to FRP).

3. Factory Reset via Google Find My Device (Remote Reset)

This technique is used when your mobile is lost or stolen. The Smartphone is not required to perform this activity and will be done online. Following are the steps to do factory rest via Google My Device:

Steps:

1. Visit Google Find My Device
2. Log in with your Google account
3. Select your device
4. Click Erase Device
5. Confirm your action

This technique helps you to erase your data remotely. The only requirement is that the device needs to be online and connected to your Google account.

4. Factory Reset via ADB Command (Advanced Users & Developers)

This technique is used by the developers and required cable and Smartphone’s developer mode as ON. With the help of cable, you can reset the device using Android Debug Bridge (ADB). Following are the steps to do that:

Steps:

1. Install ADB on your PC
2. Connect your phone via USB
3. Run this command in Terminal or Command Prompt:

• • bash
  • CopyEdit
  • adb devices
  • adb shell
  • recovery –wipe_data

4. Or simply:

• • bash
  • CopyEdit
  • adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

This method is used by the developers and experts and is not recommended to the average users. Use only if you know what you’re doing or consult with a expert.

5. Manufacturer-Specific Tools

Some Smartphone Manufacturers provides their own Software to do different activities and you can use Factory Reset feature through that Software also. Following are some brand software:

• Samsung Smart Switch – For backup and factory reset
• Xiaomi Mi Cloud – Remote wipe and device reset
• OnePlus – Factory reset via OnePlus Switch or Settings
• Huawei – Use HiSuite to reset and restore devices

What Happens After a Reset?

After a successful reset:

• The Smartphone boots up like a brand new phone
• You’ll be prompted to do different activities like choose a language, connect Wi-Fi, and sign in to your Google account
• Any previous backups you took (Google or brand-specific) can be restored during setup

If FRP was not by-passed or Google accounts were not removed prior, you’ll need original credentials.

Post-Reset Setup and Data Recovery Tips

Once the factory reset is complete, its time to recover the data. Here’s the best and proven practices:

Restore Backed-Up Data

• Use Google Account or Accounts to sync contacts, calendar, and apps
• Restore all your photos via Google Photos, or Cloud Storage Drive
• Use SMS Backup & Restore or brand-specific backup services

Re-secure Your Device

• Set a newly generated password/PIN or pattern
• Enable features like fingerprint or face unlock
• Add 2FA security for accounts
• Install the necessary apps like Social Media Apps, Banking Apps, or Investing Apps

Final Thoughts

A factory reset is a simple yet very powerful technique to refresh your Android device and resolve any issues, bugs or malwares and protect personal data. However, it must be used wisely and with caution. The right way to do factory reset involves:

• Backing up all your data
• Choosing the best and appropriate method based on your situation
• Following all reset steps carefully
• Setting up all steps securely post-reset

Whether you are troubleshooting, reselling the device, or simply starting fresh, this step-by-step guide helps you and ensures that your Android reset is safe, effective, and hassle-free.