How to Factory Reset Android Phones and Tablets

Part 1: When do we need to reset Android Phones and Tablets

Here are the five most common situations that would necessitate you to factory reset your Android device:

• To free up some memory. This is perhaps the most common reason why you would resolve to factory reset your Android device. Instead of installing each app individually to free up memory, a factory reset would save you a lot of trouble and time. After all, a fresh start is a better option than sorting out the apps with issues, and then uninstalling them individually.
• If your applications are constantly crashing. This can be noted through the visible home screen widgets and animations. Moreover, if the Android device keeps popping up 'force close' notifications and warnings that some apps have stopped working, then it’s time to give that device a factory reset.
• Similarly, if the Android device takes longer than the normal time to launch applications, then it means that the apps might have some issues with their installations, and a factory reset would be a good way to correct the issues once and for all.
• Battery life is also another indicator that your Android device needs a factory reset. Normally, Android devices have shorter battery life. However, if your device drains its battery faster than expected, a factory reset could help restore normal performance, and reinstate the phone’s battery to normal working state.
• If you have decided to give your Android device to someone or to sell it, a factory reset is advisable so as to erase all the information synced from your mails and applications in your phone.

Part 2: Backup your Android data before resetting it

However, before factory resetting your Android phone, it is paramount that you back up all your important data. This may include all the media files such as the photos and music stored in your Android device’s internal storage, and also phone messages and your browser history. This is where having a tool like Dr.Fone Basic comes real handy.

Dr.Fone Basic

Backup & Restore Data Turns Flexible

• One-click to back up the whole iOS and Android device to your computer.
• Export what you want from the backup to your computer.
• Your device's data remains intact during the restore process.
• Fully compatible with the latest iOS and Android version.

Available on: Windows Mac

Start Download

Start Download

3,981,454 people have downloaded it

Step 1. Initiate the Backup Process for Android Device to Computer

Launch Dr.Fone on your computer, connect your Android device, and follow the My Backup > Back Up Now path to initiate backup.

Step 2. Set Dr.Fone Link App As the Default SMS App

To save your Android text messages, use the Dr.Fone Link app as your default SMS application. Alternatively, explore your device's Settings for the same function. Confirm by clicking OK.

Try It Free Try It Free

Step 3. Start to backup your device

The backup will initiate automatically and upon completion, its status will be visible in the user's window.

For a more detailed guide, embark on your visual learning journey here.

Try It Free Try It Free

Part 3: How to reset Android Phones and Tablets using PC

Apart from the most common ways of resetting Android phones, using multiple buttons on the phone or tablet, you might as well hard reset your phone using your PC.

There are two methods of doing this. Firstly, you can use a PC reset tool for Android, or you can easily use the Android debug bridge commanding utility, to boot the recovery image on your phone.

Method 1 Factory Reset Android Using Universal Hard Reset Tool

In the first method, follow the below given steps.

Step 1 - Download the latest version of a Universal hard reset tool.

Step 2 - Now navigate through the application and click on the option that you want to use. Preferably, click on 'wipe to reset the phone'.

Method 2 Factory Reset Android Using Android Development Kit

This method is a bit technical, although there’s nothing difficult in it.

Step 1 - Firstly, download the Android development kit from the Android developers’ website, and extract the folder. Now, rename the extracted folder; you can name it as ADT.

Step 2 - Afterwards, click computer in your file browser, choose properties and select advanced system settings, and from the window named system properties, click on environmental variables.

Step 3 - Open the path and click on edit in the system variables window, and move the cursor to the end of the selection.

Step 4 - Type "C:Program FilesAndroidADTsdkplatform-tools*" without quotes. Launch command prompt and connect your phone through a USB cable to your computer.

Step 5 - Make sure your tablet or phone is switched on. Type 'adb shell' and press enter. When ADB is fully configured in your device, type 'wipe data' and click enter. Your phone will restart in recovery mode and you will have restored your phone's factory settings.

It is to be noted that these factory restoration processes require you to back up all your files before erasing everything.

Conclusion

Factory resets can significantly improve the performance of Android devices, particularly those with limited memory. Regular resets can help free up memory, resolve app crashes, enhance battery life, and ensure privacy before selling or giving away the device.

It's crucial to back up all important data before a reset using tools like Wondershare Dr.Fone Basic. The reset itself can be performed using methods such as Universal hard reset tool or the Android Development Kit. A factory reset offers not just a solution but a fresh start for your device.

Try It Free Try It Free