How to factory reset an Android phone safely

Before you start

• Your photos are backed up, for example to Google Photos, and you've checked they appear there.
• Your contacts and messages are backed up. On most phones, Settings > Google > Backup shows what's included.
• You know the Google account email and password on the phone. After a reset, the phone asks for them before it can be used (this is called Factory Reset Protection).
• The phone is charged to at least 50%, or plugged in.
• You've tried a restart first, if you're resetting to fix a problem.

0 of 5 done. Ticking just helps you keep track; nothing is saved or sent.

Steps

1. 1

   Back up and check it worked

   Open Settings > Google > Backup and select Back up now. Then open Google Photos to check your pictures are there.

2. 2

   Write down anything you'll need

   Wi-Fi password, app logins and any two-step verification apps. If you use an authenticator app, move it to your new phone or set up backup codes first.

3. 3

   Remove the SIM and memory card

   If you're selling or giving the phone away.

4. 4

   Open the reset menu

   On many phones it's Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). On Samsung phones it's Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. If you can't find it, search Settings for "reset".

5. 5

   Confirm the reset

   Read the list of what will be erased, then confirm. You may need to enter your PIN or password.

6. 6

   Wait

   The phone restarts and can take several minutes. Don't switch it off during the reset.

7. 7

   Set it up again, or hand it over

   If you're keeping it, sign in with your Google account and choose to restore your backup.

If this happens, try this

• If the phone asks for a Google account you don't recognise

  It's still linked to the previous owner. Only they can remove it, so contact the seller.

• If you've forgotten your Google password

  Reset it at the Google account recovery page before you reset the phone.

• If the phone won't start properly after the reset

  Charge it, then hold power and volume down to restart it. If it keeps failing, stop and get help.

• If you're resetting to fix slowness

  Try freeing up storage and removing unused apps first. A reset is the last resort.

Things to be careful about

• Never reset a phone you've bought second-hand without the seller signing it out of their Google account first.

• Don't interrupt a reset by holding the power button.

• Recovery-mode resets using button combinations are for when Settings won't open. They can also trigger Factory Reset Protection, so make sure you know the Google login first.