How to perform a hard reset on android. Recovering file names. Regarding restoring settings

Very often, an Android device becomes clogged with unnecessary files, starts to slow down, or even stops responding to commands. In this case, a full system reset to factory settings may help. In addition, a “hard reset” will help if you have forgotten your 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 necessary information, create a backup copy of your 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

This is the simplest factory reset method and does not require memorizing complex codes or key combinations. For the latest versions of Android OS, a “hard reset” consists of the following steps:

  • Go to the main 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, the desired button may also have the words “Erase everything” or “Reset phone settings.”

The data deletion process will begin, and after that the device will reboot.

Resetting settings using service codes

Entering the service code

This is perhaps the fastest way to reset settings to factory settings. For this purpose, Android provides special service combinations - codes that must be entered into the “Phone” 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#*#
  • *2767*3855#
  • *#*#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 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: “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 choice, 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"

You can use this method 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.

If you are having problems with your Android smartphone, resetting settings and data can help, which we have already discussed in detail, so you can find the right article with detailed instructions on our website. But resetting to factory settings means that your smartphone will delete all information and all applications with settings in the process, and as a result, you will have a device in your hands in the same condition as it was straight from the factory. Of course, you have information on your Android phone that you don't want to part with. Below are ways to save the data you need.

Step 1: Save your files (photos, videos, documents).

You need to make sure that all your relevant data is not only stored on your phone. There are several places where your data can be stored and there are several ways to make backups. You can:

Option 1: Store data on an SD card

You should always remember that the MicroSD card in your phone can always serve you well, and therefore I always advise you to take a larger card (as much as the smartphone supports). The procedure for saving information to an SD card varies depending on the phone you are using. However, Android smartphones have a universal method - your photos and videos are usually stored in the "DCIM" folder. Finding them is very simple: open the application menu, select “My Files” (or any other file manager) and use it to open the DCIM folder. Surely there is an option for copying files - use it and transfer the necessary photos and videos to the SD card. In the same way, you can copy all the necessary files to your card.

Option 2: Make a backup on your computer

Once you connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable, the computer will recognize it. A dialog box will open on the screen and in it you need to select the “Open folder to view files” option. All available information will open to you and here you can also find the DCIM folder, where you will find your videos and photos. You can also copy other files you need to your computer.

Option 3: Google Drive

If you have not installed Google Drive, you can go to Google Play and download this application for free. If you already have it on your Android smartphone, then you can mark all the necessary files - photos, videos, other documents, and save them in Google Drive or even share access to them. You can easily make the necessary backup copy, but not more than 5GB.

Step 2. Save contacts.

When you open your contacts list on your phone, there is an option in the menu called “Export Contacts” and the list will appear immediately. Select the one you need and you can save a backup copy of your contacts either on an SD card or via USB. You can also select all your contacts and share them to Gmail or any other email account. However, Google automatically backs up your contacts if you are using an Android smartphone.

Step 3: Reset settings.

Once you have backed up all the information you need, you can go to Settings/Backup and reset/Reset phone settings.

There is nothing catastrophically terrible about completely resetting Android, especially if synchronization of your personal data is enabled on your phone or tablet. Resetting will delete your contacts and will most likely delete all your data on your phone or tablet. In other words, you will return your phone to factory settings and inside it will be as if you just bought it.

As already mentioned, if you have activated synchronization by Google or the developer of your device, then you can easily return all the data back to the device and install all the games again. If synchronization is not worth it, and you want to save the information before resetting, make backup copies of your mobile device data using the developer software (Sumsung Kies, Sony PC Suite, HTC Sync, etc.). You can find it on the official website of the developer of your device.

Hard Reset Android

The entire complete reset procedure can be divided into 2 parts: Getting into the menu and selecting the desired item. Let's say right away that sometimes it turns out to launch the wrong menu. You will understand this by the absence of some points. First you need to get into the software menu of your phone or tablet.

First, remove the memory card and SIM card. Then turn off your phone.

Be sure to turn off your phone before performing any key combination. Different devices have different combinations for calling the system menu, so we will try to perform different ones until the menu appears successfully. In brackets we have given examples of manufacturers of phones and tablets on which the combination worked. But this does not mean that if you fail, you should not try others.

Below are the combinations. ATTENTION needed without letting go certain keys hold down the on/off key. Thus, you must hold 2-3 keys pressed for 5 seconds until the Android logo or some action appears on the phone screen.

1. Hold Volume Down + Press the Power key ( Samsung, HTC, Asus, Archos)

2. Hold Volume Up + Press the Power key ( Huawei, ZTE, Prestigio, Archos)

3. Hold both sides of the Volume key + Press the power key

4. Hold the Central Key. + Press the power key ( Samsung, Sony)

6. Hold the Central Key. and Volume up + Press the power key ( Samsung, LG)

7. Press the two buttons on the sides under the screen + Press the power key ( Sony Ericsoon)

8. Hold the Central keyboard. and both volume buttons + Press the power key ( Samsung)

After either the Android icon appears or some other actions begin to be performed on the screen, the pressed keys can be released.

As a result, a menu with several items in English should appear. That's how it should be. Let's move on to the second part of the Reset.

Now in the menu that appears, find one of the items:

Reset factory setting

wipe data/factory reset

Factory Reset

WIPE DATA

Clear Storage

Select the found item. Moving through the items is done with the volume up/down key, and selection is done with the power key.

After making your selection, a small submenu will appear where you can click delete all user data or reboot system now. Select these items using the volume key and execute them by pressing the power key.

Once selected, the phone should reboot. I’ll say right away that the reboot can take a long time; the phone can be offline for 1 to 5 minutes. This is also normal, because... This can be considered the first launch of the phone.

Good afternoon!

No matter how “smart” the Android system is, moments still happen to it when you have to resort to resetting the settings (also called Hard Reset). For example, this often happens when there are problems with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, “overloading” of the phone’s memory, when inexplicable slowdowns and freezes appear, etc.

You may also encounter this problem if you suddenly decide to sell your phone (after all, you wouldn’t want a stranger to see your personal correspondence?!).

I would like to point out right away that in the process of resetting from the device memory All applications and games, all SMS messages and contacts, mail accounts, etc. will be deleted. In general, the phone/tablet will be completely with factory settings (approximately the same as it was when purchased).

Note! If you have an SD card installed, then all data on it will remain intact * (at least this was the case with the devices I worked with)! Those. It is the device memory that is cleared!

Therefore, if you have the necessary contacts, photos, videos and files, before resetting, save them to your PC hard drive or to cloud storage (for example,).

Actually, now we can get closer to the point...

Method 1: through system settings

Perhaps this is the most obvious and simplest of all methods. Suitable in any case when you can safely enter the Android settings (I know that this is not always possible, so if you have a more global problem, see the following paragraphs of the article).

And so, you need to open the “Backup and reset” section in the Android settings. See example below.

Then click on the button "Reset your phone" . Please note that the system will also warn you that data from your Google account, all applications and data in them, music, photos, videos, etc. will be deleted.

Actually, there is nothing more to comment on this method...

Method 2: via Recovery mode (or Factory mode)

If your device is frozen, there is a problem with entering the settings menu - then in this case you can reset it through a special device. menu "Recovery mode/Factory mode".

To call it:

Method 3: Using Service Tags

If you know the special codes, you can quite seriously change the settings of the Android system. There are also codes for resetting the settings (i.e., returning the device to the factory state).

Note! The codes presented below may not be suitable for all devices (especially new ones, which are constantly being modified...). Therefore, all the codes below are presented for reference (I am not responsible for your device and software).

Entering the codes is quite simple. You must go into dialing mode and enter one of the following options:

  1. *2767*3855#
  2. *#*#7378423#*#*
  3. *#*#7780#*#

Entering the service code (Don’t “play” with the codes just like that - you can easily erase all the data...)

Method 4: how to delete data from your phone/tablet if it has been lost

Unfortunately, almost everyone has troubles in their life. One of these is the loss of a phone/tablet (I’m not even considering the reason now: whether it was stolen, or just dropped, or something else...). The main thing is that you don’t have it in your hands, but it contains quite a lot of confidential data (and which you would like to delete as soon as possible).

  1. In this case, you need to log into your account from your computer;
  2. Next install the application (direct link to Google Play) . I note that applications can be installed on a smartphone, even if you do not have one at hand.
  3. After which, going to the application website Find My Device, you can:
  • erase all data from the device;
  • call it;
  • or just block.

Thanks to this instruction, you will learn how to reset settings on Android using various methods: from simple to less obvious. Use any of the possible ones - in fact, the result is the same: getting a pristine mobile device in working condition.

  • Lenovo a319, a328, a536, a1000
  • LG p705, e615, d325
  • Sony Xperia
  • Xiaomi Redmi 3(s),
  • Samsung and Samsung Duos

How to do a hard reset using stock Android settings

This is the easiest way to reset Android and we recommend using it first.

    Go to the device menu – Settings – General settings. If you don't have such a subsection, then go back. The main thing is that the “Archiving (Archiving) and Reset” or Confidentiality section is nearby. In different versions of Android there may be minor differences in the names of settings menu items.

    Click on “Reset data” or “Reset device” and then “Delete everything” to confirm the reset.

    After the reboot, you will have a clean and working mobile device at your disposal, just like after purchase.

How to reset settings using hardware buttons on your phone.

A full reset and return to the factory version of Android is a magic wand for you in that case. Why it doesn't turn on is no longer so important. So, how to reset the settings using the keys on the phone when it is turned off:

    If your phone is working, turn it off

    Simultaneously press and hold three buttons: “Power” + “Home” (center) + “Volume Up”.

    Next, you need to hold down three buttons on your phone: power button, home button (home, as a rule, is located on the front panel) and volume up. If there is no Home button, then try the option with the power and volume up button.

    Release the "Power" button once "Samsung Galaxy..." appears on the screen. Hold the remaining buttons until Recovery appears (about 5-15 seconds).

    As soon as the logo appears, release the Power button (only this, hold the other buttons). The recovery menu should appear. Read on to find out how to reset the settings through it.

Resetting settings via Recovery

Control in the menu in Recovery mode is carried out through the volume down button. Select “Wipe data/factory reset” and press the Power button to confirm.

    We agree with the operation (select Yes – Delete all user data) and confirm again.

    Reboot the phone. To do this, select “Reboot system now” from the menu.

Hard reset (or factory reset on Android) is an extreme measure to restore the phone’s original settings provided by the developers.

The factory settings installed in Android assume that the mobile device will work stably, predictably - everything as intended by the manufacturer. In case of any error or problems with your phones, you can roll back the settings to restore the operating system to its working state.

Why reset Android settings and in what cases is it needed?

There are many good reasons why a factory reset can make your device's life easier. Here are the most compelling reasons:

  1. Your Android is starting to slow down terribly or applications are glitching. Although Android works flawlessly, if you don’t screw it up, sometimes inexplicable conflicts and application errors arise when it is impossible to pinpoint the cause, and the phone does not solve the problem in any way.
  2. The phone simply stopped turning on correctly. In the process of experimentation or through inattention, you made a mistake that, alas, became fatal. In this case, there is nothing left to do but reset the tablet or smartphone through the Recovery menu or the phone’s hardware buttons. In this case, resetting Android is almost the only way to return the phone from a brick state to a functioning gadget.
  3. Problems unlocking your mobile device. However, we do not recommend resetting your phone if you cannot remember the pattern or password to log into your mobile device. Before doing this, we advise you to read the article on how to do this more competently:
  4. You want to reset your phone for sale. In fact, a factory reset will help kill two birds with one stone. First, you optimize the phone, returning it to as original a condition as possible. If you leave all applications, files, etc. on the phone, there is a risk that the mobile device will lose performance. The second point is that a hard reset deletes all files in the internal memory, which means you protect yourself from transferring personal data to anyone else.

All these problems can be easily solved through a forced measure - namely, resetting to factory settings.

The recovery procedure is quite safe, although it is practically a last resort when solving problems. It should not be performed unless absolutely necessary.

In addition, before performing a hard reset, you need to know how to actually do it and take precautions. Which ones exactly - read on.

Necessary measures before performing a hard reset

There is a kind of checklist of necessary procedures that should be completed before starting the reset.

  1. important files on your phone. To avoid confusion and unpredictability, it is worth keeping a copy of ALL important files on your computer in any case. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to recover data even without delay.
  2. Charge your phone to the maximum. Although some Android device models have built-in low battery protection, there are unfortunate exceptions. Make sure that the battery is fully charged - otherwise, it may happen that during the reset the battery will run out and you will turn the phone into a brick.
  3. For Android 5.1 and higher - remove the link to your Google account. This is new for relatively older versions of Android. You need to unlink your account before resetting so as not to enter data after resetting. The fact is that if you forget your login information, you will not be able to restore access to the phone (you will need all the documents and a trip to the service center). This is done for security purposes to prevent attackers from taking over your phone using the factory reset feature.