To remove all data from your phone, you can reset your phone to factory settings. Factory resets are also called “formatting” or “hard resets.”
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Get ready to factory reset
Important: A factory reset erases all your data from your phone.
If you're resetting to fix an issue, we recommend first trying other solutions. Learn how to troubleshoot Android issues.
To restore your data after you reset your phone, you must enter security info. When you enter the info, it shows that you or someone you trust did the reset.
- Be sure that you know a Google Account on the phone.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Accounts. If you don't have the option to tap "Accounts," get help from your device manufacturer.
- You'll find a Google Account username.
- Be sure that you know the password for the Google Account on the phone. To confirm, sign in to that account on another device or computer. If you don't remember the password, get sign-in help.
- If you've set a screen lock, be sure that you know your phone's PIN, pattern, or password. If you can't unlock your phone, learn what you can do.
Tip: If you recently reset your Google Account password, wait 24 hours before you perform a factory reset.
A factory data reset erases your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, all apps and their data will be uninstalled.
To be ready to restore your data, make sure that it's in your Google Account. Learn how to back up your data.
A factory reset can take up to an hour.
- Charge your phone to at least 70%.
- Connect your phone to Wi-Fi or your mobile network. When the factory reset completes, you must be connected to sign in to your Google Account.
Factory reset your phone
On most phones, you can reset your phone through the Settings app. If you can't open your phone's Settings app, you can try factory resetting your phone using its power and volume buttons.
We recommend checking your manufacturer's support site for device-specific instructions.