Android demolition. How to wipe the system on Android or return it to its factory state

Quite often there is a need to reset your Android phone. This procedure is quite simple. All you have to do is tap the screen of your smartphone a couple of times. Despite this, many users do not know how to reset Android settings to factory settings. If you belong to this category of people, then this article is for you. In it we will lift the veil of secrecy and tell you how to remove the settings.

A factory reset or Factory Reset is a process during which all information is deleted from a smartphone or tablet. The phone is cleared of photos, video files, audio recordings, etc. Since all user data is deleted from the smartphone, the device returns to its original form. That is, the phone will return to the state it had before purchase (i.e. factory state).

As a rule, restoring factory settings does not roll back the operating system. That is, Factory Reset does not affect the Android version. It is also worth noting that when resetting the settings, only those data that are on the internal memory of the device can be uninstalled. That is, the information from the SIM card or SD remains unharmed.

Why do you need to reset settings?

There are a number of reasons why people perform a factory reset. Here are the most common:

  • Problems with the device. When using a gadget for a long time, cache, temporary files, and other junk accumulate in the memory. Because of this, the system begins to constantly slow down. In this case, Factory Reset is a real lifesaver. By resetting the settings, you can solve most problems that relate to performance and correct operation of the device.
  • There is no way to remove the screen lock. Many users bet on their smartphone graphic key or password. This is a completely reasonable measure to protect your device from strangers. However, sometimes the combination for just slips out of your head. Resetting Android settings can solve this problem.
  • Preparing the device for sale. Everything here is extremely simple. You don't want anyone to have access to your personal data. And it’s probably unpleasant for the buyer that the phone is full of unnecessary contacts and messages.

Preparation

Before performing a reset, you need to prepare. To do this, follow the following instructions:

  1. Check your phone carefully for information that is important to you. It's better to transfer all photos, videos and music to your computer. If you do not have access to a PC, then simply transfer valuable information to cloud storage.
  2. Make sure your phone is fully charged. Some smartphones, if the battery is low, will not allow you to activate the Factory Reset function. And this is the best possible outcome. If the phone does reset and the battery runs out during this procedure, this can lead to unexpected consequences, including the breakdown of the device.
  3. If your smartphone or tablet has OS version 5.1 or higher, then before resetting the settings on Android you need to delete your Google account. The fact is that the company has a new policy regarding security issues. The system is designed to protect phones from theft and subsequent resale. The essence of the innovation is as follows: before turning on the smartphone after Factory Reset, you must enter the last user’s data. Otherwise, the phone simply will not start. Access will only be available through the service center. And even then only if you have documents for the purchase.

How to perform a Factory Reset

How to reset Android to factory settings? There are several ways to do this:

  • Use “Settings”;
  • Activate the Recovery menu;
  • Use the built-in reset button;
  • Apply service code.

Each of the listed methods is suitable for a particular situation. For example, if you need to clean your gadget of debris, then it is better to reset the system through “Settings”. If you cannot turn on your phone, then you need to use Recovery. Let's consider each of the above methods in more detail.

Settings menu

The easiest way to return to factory settings is to launch a restore through the standard “Settings” menu. However, you can use this method only when you have access to the system. To return all factory settings you just need to:

Recovery menu

Sometimes the phone is in such a state that it is not possible to use its system resources. For example, the device does not turn on or begins to freeze during startup. What to do in this case? The only way to reset system parameters is to use the so-called Recovery menu.

What is Recovery? In fact, this is a kind of analogue of BIOS in computers. Recovery – special software, which is outside the operating system. This software is installed on smartphones by default. Its main purpose is to diagnose hardware, create backup copies and restore the system. We are interested in the latter.

The first thing you need to do is enter the Recovery menu. You need to turn off your device (the buttons should go out). Then you need to press and hold a specific key combination for several seconds. Which one exactly? It all depends on the manufacturing company. The most common combination that is suitable for most smartphones: Volume Down + Power. That is, you need to simultaneously hold down the volume down button and the power button of the device.

On devices from LG you can often find the following combo: Power + Home + Volume Up. You must simultaneously hold down the phone activation, volume up and “Home” buttons (located under the screen). You must hold the keys until the company logo appears on the display. When this happens, release the button responsible for turning on the smartphone. Do not release the remaining keys for 10-15 seconds.

LG devices also have their own combination for calling the Recovery Menu: Power + Volume Down. Immediately you need to hold down the power button and volume down button. As soon as the LG logo appears on the screen, you need to release the keys and press “Power” again.

Working with Recovery Menu

After carrying out the above manipulations, you must go to the Recovery menu. You can navigate through it using the volume control buttons. To confirm the action, you must use the Power or Home button. If Recovery supports a sensor, then you can control the program using taps.

How to do a full reset on Android via Recovery? In the list provided, you need to find the Factory Reset option. On some devices this item may be called Clear eMMC. Click on it, after which the program will ask for confirmation - select the affirmative option yes. Program to reset the system to initial settings. After completing this procedure, you need to click on Reboot System Now to reboot the device.

Restoring branded settings through the Recovery Menu is a fairly simple task that even a child can handle. Difficulties may arise if the names of the items are different. However, these are minor things. The meaning of a particular item can be understood even with minimal knowledge in English. In general, the process of erasing user settings is the same for all devices that run on the Android operating system.

Built-in reset button

Some manufacturers make a separate button on their gadgets, which is designed to reset user parameters. It is made in the form of a small hole in the body. To activate the reset, just hold down this key for a couple of seconds with some object.

Service code

You can demolish the system without even going to Settings. It is enough to activate the dialing panel and enter one of the service codes there. Here are just a few of them:

Whether the code will work or not depends on the manufacturer. If none of the above combinations worked, then try sending her to the “Emergency Call”.

Full reset of a phone or tablet on the Android operating system, otherwise called a “hard reset” or sometimes a “wipe,” is an operation that mobile device users usually resort to infrequently. But in some situations this operation can be very useful. For example, you have one of the following cases:

-You have decided to sell your phone or tablet, and before that you want to restore it to its original condition, so that the new owner does not accidentally get any of your personal information;

-You need to return your device under warranty, but you did so with operating system some actions that are official service center may be regarded as unauthorized intervention in the software;

-Your phone or tablet began to constantly freeze, glitch, and behave inappropriately. and you suspect that this is the fault of some software you installed, but you cannot figure out the reasons;

-or even you simply forgot the password for your device or the screen lock code.

In all these cases, a hard reset, or reset, will help you Android settings to factory ones. The developers have provided the user of this operating system with several ways to reset settings. In this short article we will tell you how you can return to the original settings of the Android OS using various methods, from the simplest to the more complex.

Dear readers, please note: resetting Android (hard reset) will destroy all your data, including contacts, messages, Accounts Google, installed software on your phone or tablet.

The smartphone or tablet will return to the same form in which it left the factory. Only the information stored on the SD flash card will remain unaffected. Therefore, before you completely erase the memory of your mobile pet, do not forget to save backup copies of everything that may be useful to you in the future. Read about how to make a backup on our portal.

How to reset Android settings through the device settings menu

The most in a simple way To do a hard reset on your mobile is to launch the corresponding command from the main settings menu. This method is suitable for those users whose devices remain in normal operation (at least you can load the operating system and perform some actions with it).

In order to reset Android settings in this way, complete the following sequence of actions (in some versions Android firmware the names of menu items may vary slightly):

1. Go to “Settings” of your phone or tablet;

2. Select the "Backup and reset" menu item there;

3. Click on the “Reset settings” item and confirm your choice by agreeing to start a full reset in response to the system question.

Your Android device will be returned to factory settings, and after rebooting you will see the OS as during the first launch.

How to reset Android using service code

You may have already heard that in the Android operating system there are various service codes that need to be entered from the telephone keypad. These codes allow you to obtain various information about your device. In addition, if you know the correct code, you can also reset all Android OS settings, that is, do a hard reset.

To perform this operation, go to the dialing program phone number and enter *2767*3855# there. Your phone or tablet will be reset to factory settings. Be careful, this is done immediately, without the need for any additional confirmation on your part!

On devices different manufacturers These codes may vary. If the first option didn't work, try entering the codes:

One of them should help you.

How to reset Android using the Recovery menu

Let's imagine that the worst happened, and your phone or tablet with the Android operating system stopped loading or responding to user actions. Or maybe you forgot the graphic key to log into the system and were unable to recover it using any of the methods intended for this. In this case, your only hope of bringing your mobile friend back to life is the same hard reset, but using more complex methods.

Reset Android settings

The Android operating system has a bootloader mode, the so-called Recovery Mode. This is a system mode that, among other things, allows the user to reset Android to factory settings if the device refuses to boot. To get to the Recovery menu, you need to turn off your phone or tablet, and then, with the device turned off, press one of the combinations of hardware keys on it: volume control, turning on the device, etc. Depending on the manufacturer of your mobile gadget, this combination may differ. Usually, to get into Recovery Mode, you need to simultaneously press the "Power", "Home" and "Volume Down" keys for a few seconds.

Also, depending on the model, the following key combinations can be used to get into Recovery Mode:

- "Power on" and "Lower volume";

- "Power on" and "Increase volume";

- "Power on", "Increase volume" and "Decrease volume".

In order not to go through all the combinations in a row, the most logical thing to do before starting the operation is to ask Google how you can get into Recovery Mode specifically for your phone or tablet model, in order to make Hard reset android.

After your mobile device boots into this mode, a menu item will appear in front of you with a list of actions that the user can perform. It may also vary slightly from device to device and allow for different operations, but in the context of this article we are interested in one item - “wipe data/factory reset” (sometimes this may just be the “wipe” item). After booting into Recovery Mode, you need to do the following:

Using the hardware volume up or down keys, we move to the desired menu item “wipe data/factory reset” and confirm our desire to do a hard reset with the hardware power button (or, on some devices, “Home”);

Confirm your choice again by clicking the menu item “Yes - wipe all user data”;

Go back to the previous menu and select "reboot system now". The system will reboot and you will see virgin Android, which the user sees when the OS first boots.

After resetting the operating system, you can restore your contacts, data, programs, etc. Be careful with batch restoration of custom applications (those that you installed yourself). After all, if one of them “killed” your system and forced you to resort to a hard reset, after such a recovery you will get back the same problems as before. It seems to us that it would be wiser to restore only the essentials from backups, such as contacts and messages, and minor applications can be installed manually one at a time. Moreover, resetting to factory settings does not affect the data on the SD memory card, so you can save there in advance everything that you may need after resetting the settings, including *.apk application files, so that after booting the device you can immediately access them.

As you can see, dear readers, there is nothing complicated about resetting all settings on a phone or tablet (Hard reset android) with the Android operating system. The user can do this at any time, even if mobile device does not want to boot in normal mode. Don’t forget to regularly backup important data, take care of your mobile friend, and everything will be fine. Good luck!

Very often in questions regarding Android settings the phrase “How to reset Android to factory settings?” is heard, or so to speak abstrusely - Hard Reset, in order to solve some problems. But you need to remember that such a procedure will delete everything that was on the device, from contacts to personal data. But the memory card called “ external storage" will not be reset.

ATTENTION! Before collecting, make sure that all important data is saved on a separate drive; during the reset process, all other data will be deleted!

Below we will look at how this whole procedure occurs.

The settings are always reset to factory settings, that is, the smartphone is rolled back to the initial state. But most often the Android version remains the same after the update. Absolutely everything will disappear from the device, from downloaded applications to phone book, photos, all passwords, etc.

Why do you need a factory reset?

This reset method (Hard Reset) is used if:

  • the device is being prepared for sale;
  • need to return to the state " as when purchasing", and this is the most convenient option. The need for this arises when it is used for a long time, something is removed or installed. As a result, hidden debris appears on the device, which slows down the system. Often resetting the settings helps solve the problem Google Play Market.
  • In order to unlock your smartphone if you don't remember the unlock key screen. But in this case, there is no need to rush and it would not hurt to find out more first detailed information about how to fix everything.

Preparing your smartphone for a factory reset

  1. All important information, photos, videos, documents, contacts, you need to move them somewhere, a PC will do. You can simply create a copy (backup).
  2. Check the battery level and make sure it is charged. There are models in which it will not be possible to reset the settings until the device is charged; it itself will not allow it. And there are also models that will begin the reset process and turn off due to a low battery at the very peak of the reset. This may damage the device.
  3. On Android 5.1, you will need to delete your Google account before resetting the settings. This is due to the new privacy policy rules. In this case, after resetting to factory settings, the device will ask you to enter data. Without them, it will simply be impossible to log into the device, well, at least not easily.

How to reset Android to factory settings - 4 ways

There are four ways to do this.

  1. Using Recovery
  2. Using Settings
  3. Using "Phone"
  4. Using the secret button

Video instructions on how to reset settings

Reset Android settings through recovery (Recovery)

This method will be useful for those whose phone/tablet does not turn on at all, or hangs on the logo. This method is also suitable if you forgot graphic key. Simply put, if there are no more comfortable conditions for resetting the settings, then this method is what you need.

In order to get into recovery mode, you will have to turn off Android so that all the buttons and the screen do not work. To enter recovery, press and hold a few buttons. They are individual for each device.

Factory reset on Samsung

For Samsung, you need to hold down the “+” button on the volume, “home” and power buttons at the same time. If there is no “home” in some model, then this combination – “+” and at the same time with this “Enable” key will suffice. After the company logo appears on the tap, release the power button and hold the rest until the system menu appears.

Factory reset on LG

LG models enter this menu as described above, except further actions. After pressing the desired combination, each user will see the company logo appear on the screen, and then they need to turn on the device again.

The most common methods

  • The most common combination is the “-” key and the “Enable” button.
  • “+” on the volume key, then “home” and with them “Enable”.
  • “+” and “-” on the volume buttons and also “turn on” - this combination is used by almost every Sony Xperia model.
  • The “turn on” key, simultaneously with “home” and “+” on the volume.
  • Increase the volume and press “turn on” at the same time.
  • Simultaneously volume buttons.

One of the above methods will allow you to enter in the Recovery system menu.

You can navigate through this menu as usual if you have a touch screen. In other cases, use the volume buttons. In this case, confirmation of actions will be carried out by the power button or menu.

Next in it you will need to find - “wipe_data/factory_reset”. Next, confirm your intentions with the “yes” button. After completing all the uninstalls in this menu, you just need to click “Reboot_System_Now” and the system will close and reboot. These menu sub-item names may be slightly different, but essentially they have the same purpose.

This method is the easiest if you can go to the menu.

  1. Start by entering the menu, the path to the settings will be different in each device, but we will look at the most popular ones.
  2. Go to “settings”. To do this, go to the menu and select the appropriate item. Found it? Then click “Backup and reset”.

  3. On Samsung devices we also go to the menu, look for settings, then “general”, then “Privacy” (sometimes a little differently).

  4. In Huawei models - menu, settings, then go to “advanced settings”, then you need to enter - recovery and reset.

  5. In the menu in which you find yourself, you need to find the item – Reset data.
  6. After you click there, the device will warn that absolutely all files and data, including accounts and passwords, will be erased, and contacts, pictures, videos and more will be deleted.
  7. Once confirmed, the device will repeat asking if you want to change your mind. Next, it will list what exactly will be deleted, and your task is to click the confirm button. After the data is deleted, the device will reboot.
  8. Many devices have slight name changes in the menu, but, in fact, on an intuitive level they are all identical. Although almost all options for menu names and the location of the item where you need to reset the settings are described above.

Another simple method, which will probably be one of the easiest. Go to Dialer(where the buttons are located that dial a phone number during a call). Next, we write there the following one code:

  • *2767*3855#
  • *#*#7780#*#*
  • *#*#7378423#*#*

Once inserted, the removal process will begin immediately.

Reset settings using buttons

On many devices still there is a reset button. Once you press it, all settings will be reset automatically. It looks like a small hole for a needle or toothpick. You just need to insert it into this hole and press, holding it for a couple of seconds (just like any other regular button). After this, without any warnings or questions, the device will return to factory settings.

At this stage, the question of How to reset Android to factory settings can be considered resolved, and as you can see, there is nothing wrong with this. It’s enough just to try, carefully read the above information and do everything possible to ensure that all data remains saved.

Hi all.

Are you interested in how to reset your Android to factory settings? Then read this article where you will find several ways to complete your task. Still not sure whether you should really reset your gadget? Find out when to do this and how to avoid losing your data.


Reasons for resetting settings

What do you get when you return to factory settings? It's like a device you just bought. That is, your personal data is erased, the applications you downloaded are cleared RAM and clipboard. This may be needed if:

Saving data

If you are not going to sell the gadget, but only want to clean it, you should first save its contents. How?

  • Go to “Settings”, and then to the “Backup and reset” tab (in some gadgets it is called “Privacy” or “Backup and reset”).
  • Check the "Data backup" box.
  • Write below Google account, to which this action must be performed.
  • Place another tick in the “Auto recovery” checkbox.

Now you are not afraid of losing data, since it will return to its original place after cleaning the system.

Reset

In gadgets different models and brands, the algorithm of actions and section names may differ, but in general they are similar. I'll tell you about several ways to perform a Hard Reset (that's what it's called) so that you can choose the one that suits you best.

Via "Settings"

Method one:

  • Go to the same tab as in backup, only this time click on the “Reset settings” section.

  • You will receive a warning that all content will be deleted. Confirm your decision.
  • Next you will see a list of parameters that will be erased. Give the go-ahead for that too.

Your participation will no longer be required: the gadget will do everything itself, restart and you will receive a reset system.

Using service codes

As with any other system, there are special codes for Android, by entering which you will return the factory settings.

This option is suitable in cases where you can only get to the emergency dial menu.

But you can also enter combinations from the same menu as other phone numbers.

Please note that the codes may change and differ for different gadgets. Try one of these:

  • *#*#7378423#*#*
  • *#*#7780#*#
  • *2767*3855#

Using hardware keys

Does your gadget freeze when loading? Can't navigate the menu? Forgot your password? Execute complete cleaning through Recovery mode. How to activate it? First you need to turn off the device, and then hold down a certain combination of buttons. It differs from one manufacturer to another:

  • Asus, Acer:

— volume down + power button.

  • Huawei

— Offers a couple of options for different models:

— Press and hold the volume up and power keys for at least 10 seconds;

- The same thing, only the first one needs to be pressed in the middle. Wait for the logo to appear and release only Power. When you see an Android robot with gears, slide your finger on the volume up and press until the green loading bar appears.

  • Lenovo. There are also several combinations:

— Volume “+ and -” together with the power key;

— Hold down the last button until vibration, and then increase the volume;

— Volume up and start button at the same time.

— Power + volume down. When you see the logo, release the buttons for a second and press them again until the recovery mode turns on.

  • Prestigio:

— Volume “up” or “down” and “Power”.

  • Samsung:

— “Home” + volume up + power or the latter and volume down.

Such variations:

— Volume up + power;

- Connect the gadget to the network. When the charging indicator appears, press the Reset button using a paper clip. As soon as the display lights up, hold down the “Power” button for a couple of seconds.

  • Xiaomi, Meizu:

— Turn on + increase volume. When you see the picture, release only the first one.

What to do when you enter the Recovery menu?

  • Navigate to the Wipe data/factory reset section.

  • Agree that the information will be erased.
  • When the reset is complete, click on Reboot System to restart the device.

If the sensor refuses to work, navigate through the menu using the volume keys and select an action using the power button.

By the way. An important note.

If the selection is not made using the volume buttons and the device reboots, then try removing the flash card.

Correcting errors in the engineering menu

Did you go to engineering menu and did something wrong? You can return the previous parameters in this way:

You can completely erase the last folder. Don't be afraid to do this, because the default settings are built into the kernel and the system will automatically restore them.

How to reset settings on Android via PC?

Resetting settings on a mobile gadget via a computer is more suitable for advanced users, but if a beginner strictly follows the instructions, the task will be crowned with success for him too :). So:

  • Download the program from the official website Android System Development Kit.
  • Unpack the archive, click the “Browse” button and specify the path “C:\Program Files”.
  • Go to the folder with the extracted files and press F2 to give it a simple name that you like.
  • Right-click on the “My Computer” icon or on the corresponding section in the “Start” menu to get to “Properties”.
  • You will need the section " Extra options System", where in the "Advanced" tab, click on the "Environment Variables" button.

  • In the “System Variables” window, select the “Path” field, and then “Edit”.
  • Another window will open. Scroll down and set the path to the unpacked archive with a semicolon at the very beginning. For example, C:\Program Files\ADT\sdk\platform-tools\.
  • Is everything right? Click "OK".
  • Call command line. To do this, either go to “Search” and enter “cmd”, or hold down the Win + R keys.
  • Connect your mobile device to your computer via USB.
  • Write “adb shell” in the line.
  • Click the Enter key.
  • When ADB connects to the device, add “-wipe_data”.

  • Enter again.
  • The gadget will reboot and return to its default settings.

I have nothing more to add on the topic of how to reset settings on Android to factory settings.

Very often the Android device gets clogged unnecessary files, begins to slow down or stops responding to commands altogether. In this case, a full system reset to factory settings may help. In addition, “hard reset” will help if you have forgotten the password for the gadget and cannot turn it on.

After the so-called “reboot”, you will lose all the data that you stored in the smartphone’s memory: phone numbers, applications, SMS messages, account data and calendar entries. In short, the phone will be as good as new. To avoid losing the information you need, create backup copy data. Transfer them to an SD card, save them in the cloud, or download them to your computer.

If you can turn on your gadget, it is easier to reset the settings through the device menu or using special codes provided by manufacturers. If your smartphone freezes or does not turn on at all, you will have to use the Recovery menu or find a button to reset the settings.

Resetting settings through the gadget menu

Find the "Settings" section.

In Settings, select Backup & Reset or Backup & Reset. The name of the desired item may sound different (depending on the brand or model of the device).

To return the device to factory settings, you will need the “Reset” section, the “Reset settings” item.

Android will warn you that after a reset, the phone will return to factory settings and default settings, and all user personal data will be deleted.

If you have backed up the necessary data and are ready to reboot Android, click on “Reset settings”. Depending on the device model on the desired button there may also be the words “Erase everything” or “Reset phone”.

The data deletion process will begin, and after that the device will reboot. Resetting settings using service codes Perhaps this is the most quick way reset settings to factory defaults. For this purpose, Android provides special service combinations- codes that must be entered in the “Phone” application in dialing mode.

Each manufacturing company flashes its gadgets differently, so before using reset codes, you should find the right combination for your model. Since the Android version is updated all the time, the service codes may change. It is best to check with the manufacturer of your device.

Example of codes that are suitable for resetting Samsung gadgets: *#*#7780#*#

*#*#7378423#*#* After entering the code, all user information will be deleted from the device and it will return to factory settings.

Resetting settings in the Recovery menu

If your Android gadget does not turn on or is stuck on the system boot screen, you can return it to factory settings using the Recovery menu. It is called by pressing a special key combination.

These may have different key combinations for different device models. The most common of them: the “volume down” plus “turn on” button. The combination can also be “turn on” + “home” + “volume up” or “volume up” + “home”. To enter the Recovery menu, press the keys simultaneously and hold them for about 5 seconds. Moving between menu items is done using the volume up/down buttons.” To confirm the selection, use the “turn on” or “home” button. However, sometimes the sensor works in Recovery: then everything happens as in the regular smartphone menu.

To reset settings to factory defaults: Select “Clear eMMC”. It may also be called "wipe data/factory reset" or "Clear Flash".

To reset the settings, click “yes - delete all user data”.

To finish, select “Reboot System” Use this method This is possible not only when you have problems turning on your smartphone. If you want to use it for a working device, first turn it off, and when all the buttons and the screen go out, use the combination necessary for your gadget.

Reset settings with a separate button

Some manufacturers equip their devices with a special reset button: it is very small and often the user is not aware of its existence. If your gadget has a small connector with a pin diameter, most likely the same button is hidden in it. To delete all information from the phone and return it to its original form, you need to press this button with a thin object.

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