Rebooting vs. Resetting

Many people tend to confuse Rebooting with Resetting. Both terms are totally different. Rebooting simply means restarting your device,  i.e., turning off your device and turning it on again. Resetting means completely restoring your phone to the factory version. Resetting clears all your data.

Some Personal Advice: Reboot Your Smartphone

Before you try to factory reset your phone, you can try rebooting your phone. In many cases, a simple reset can solve the issues you face. So do not hard reset your phone in the first instance. Try out some other methods to first solve your problem. If none of the methods work for you, then you should consider resetting your device. I personally recommend this as reinstalling the software after reset, backing up your data and downloading it back is time-consuming. Besides, it also consumes a lot of data. Press and hold the Power button for three seconds. A pop-up will show with the options to power off or restart. Tap on the option you need to continue. Or, press and hold the Power button for 30 seconds and your phone will switch itself off. You can turn it on.

Another way is to pull off the battery of your device. Insert it back after some time and proceed with powering on your device.

How to Hard Reset Any Android Device

A hard reset, also known as a factory reset or master reset, is a process to restore the device to its original factory settings. This means that all data, apps, settings, and personal files on the device will be erased. You can download your previously-used apps by viewing them using your Google account. If your phone is already rooted, I recommend that you take a backup of your device before proceeding with the reset.

Method 1: Hard Reset Android Using Settings

This totally resets your phone to Factory Version, and hence I strongly recommend that you back up your data before you perform this reset. Note: Since smartphones don’t have the same Settings options, they vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Hence, ensure the correct settings before changing any on your device.

  1. Open your phone’s Settings. 
  2. Navigate to the General Management option and choose Reset.
  3. Finally, tap on Factory data reset.

In some devices, you would have to:

  1. Open your phone’s Settings.

  2. Choose Advances Settings and then Backup & Reset. Note: Ensure that you have chosen the option to back up your data.

  3. Then choose Factory data reset.

  4. Proceed further if asked for any confirmation. In OnePlus Devices:

  5. Open your phone’s Settings.

  6. Choose System and then select Reset Options.

  7. Tap on Erase all data (factory reset).

  8. Proceed with the on-screen instructions to factory reset your data. In Google Pixel devices and a few other Android stock devices,

  9. Open your phone’s Settings then tap on System.

  10. Locate the Reset option. Choose Erase all data (another name for Factory reset in Pixel devices).

  11. Tap on Delete all data.

Great! You have now chosen to factory reset your smartphone. You would have to wait for a while until the process is completed. Once the reset is complete, sign in again to continue. Your device would now be a fresh, factory version.

Method 2: Hard Reset Android Device Using Recovery Mode

To reset your phone using the factory mode, you need to ensure that your phone is powered off. Besides, you should not plug your phone into a charger while proceeding with the reset.

  1. Press and hold the Power button accompanied by the volume up button at a time.

  2. Once your device loads into recovery mode, release the buttons. Note 1: If it displays no command, press and hold the Power button and use the Volume up button one time. Note 2: In this screen, swipe down using the Volume down. Similarly, swipe up using the Volume up key. Press Power button to select the option.

  3. Choose Wipe data/factory reset.

  4. Choose Yes. Your device will proceed with the process of hard reset. All you have to do is to wait for a while. You will have to select Reboot now to proceed.

Other Key Combinations for Recovery Mode

Not all devices have the same key combinations for booting into recovery mode. In some devices with a home button, you need to press and hold the Home button, Power button, and the Volume Up button. In a few devices, the key combo will be the Power button accompanied by the Volume Down button. So, if you are not sure about the key combo of your phone, you can try these, one by one. I have listed the key combos used by the devices of some manufacturers. This might be of help to you.

  1. Samsung devices with home button use Power button, Home button, and Volume Up. For a few Samsung devices, use the Power button and the Volume up button.
  2. Nexus devices use the power button and Volume Up buttons.
  3. LG devices use the key combo of the Power button and the Volume Down keys.
  4. HTC uses the power button + Volume Down to get into recovery mode & disabling S-OFF.
  5. In Motorola, it is the Power button accompanied by the Volume Down key.
  6. Sony smartphones use the Power button and the Volume Up or the Volume Down key depending on the model.
  7. Google Pixel has its key combo as Power + Volume Down.
  8. Huawei devices use the Power button and Volume Up combo.
  9. OnePlus phones also use the Power button and Volume Down combo.
  10. In Xiaomi, Power + Volume Up would do the task. Recommended:

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I hope the above tutorial was helpful and you were able to Hard Reset your Android device. But if you still have any questions regarding this tutorial then feel free to ask them in the comment section.

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