How to Factory Reset an Android Phone

A factory reset erases everything on the phone and returns it to the setup screen. Do the first two steps first; skipping them loses data or leaves the phone locked for the next owner.

Back up your data

Open Settings, System, Backup (Samsung: Settings, Accounts and backup, Back up data) and tap Back up now. This saves apps, contacts, call history, SMS, and settings to Google One. Open Google Photos, tap the profile picture, and confirm backup is complete. WhatsApp chats are separate: open WhatsApp, Settings, Chats, Chat backup and back up. Authenticator apps need their own export.

Remove your Google account if the phone is changing hands

After the reset, Factory Reset Protection asks for the last Google account used on the phone. Without that password the phone stays locked. Go to Settings, Passwords & accounts (Samsung: Settings, Accounts and backup, Manage accounts), tap each Google account, and choose Remove account. Also remove the screen lock under Settings, Security. If the phone stays yours, keep the account but make sure the password is known.

Remove the SIM and SD card

Eject the SIM tray with the tool or a straightened paperclip and take out the SIM and any SD card. A card used as portable storage is not wiped by the reset, so remove it either way.

Run the reset

Charge the phone to at least 50 percent. Go to Settings, System, Reset options, Erase all data (factory reset) and tap Erase all data. On Samsung, go to Settings, General management, Reset, Factory data reset and tap Reset. Enter the PIN and confirm. The phone spends a few minutes erasing, then boots to the welcome screen.

Reset from recovery mode if the phone will not boot

Power the phone off. On a Pixel, hold Power + Volume Down until the bootloader appears, use the volume keys to pick Recovery mode, and press Power. On the "No command" screen, hold Power and press Volume Up once. On most Samsung models, connect a USB cable to a computer, then hold Power + Volume Up until the recovery screen appears. Highlight Wipe data/factory reset with the volume keys, press Power, and confirm, then choose Reboot system now. Recovery mode does not skip Factory Reset Protection.

If the phone is carrier locked or managed by work. A reset does not remove a carrier lock, and a phone enrolled in device management re-enrolls during setup. Ask the carrier or IT administrator first.

If you use an eSIM. Recent Android versions ask whether to erase eSIM profiles during the reset. Erase them only if the phone is changing hands; getting a profile back means going through the carrier.