Knowing how to factory reset an Android phone is a crucial skill whether you are looking to sell your device or just fix a stubborn problem with it.
This process is quick and easy as long as you've backed up any critical content from your phone before initiating the factory reset as the purpose is to wipe all of the data from your Android phone.
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How to back up your Android phone before resetting it
Unless this is an old device with no critical or unique data on it, you should be backing your Android phone up before proceeding with the reset. The backup method will depend on your Android phone.
- Pixel and OnePlus: Settings > System > Backup > Select Back up now
- Samsung: Settings > Accounts and backup > Select Back up data to Samsung Cloud or Google Drive
How to factory reset an Android phone
On to the main event, you are now ready to wipe all of the data from your phone and get it back to factory settings.
- Pixel and OnePlus: Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data > Erase all data
- Samsung: Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory data reset
The system will ask you to confirm that you want to erase all of your data and may prompt you to confirm with your biometric login (fingerprint/facial recognition), PIN, or pattern code.
After that your phone will begin the reset process, this can take several minutes, so just set your phone down, and when it reboots, it will be back to its factory settings.
