Whether you're planning to sell your smartphone or want to start fresh,
performing a factory reset can be a smart solution in certain situations.

1. Why Reset a Phone ?

In my daily tech support work, clients often ask whether a full reset is really necessary or if they should simply keep using a slow phone. From my experience helping people with smartphones, there are three situations where learning how to reset a phone is often the best solution. The first is poor performance. Over time, every smartphone collects temporary files, leftover app data, and small system errors that gradually slow it down. I've seen many devices become frustratingly sluggish simply because the operating system was overloaded. Performing a factory reset removes this accumulated clutter and gives your phone a fresh start, often restoring much of its original speed and responsiveness.

The second reason is protecting your privacy before selling, giving away, or trading in your device. I always recommend performing a complete factory reset Android phone or factory reset iPhone before handing your smartphone to someone else. Your phone stores personal photos, saved passwords, banking information, emails, and private conversations. Simply deleting apps or signing out of your accounts isn't always enough. A proper factory reset securely removes your personal data and prevents the next owner from accessing it, giving you complete peace of mind.

Finally, a complete reset is often the most effective solution for stubborn software problems. Failed updates, recurring crashes, battery drain, Wi-Fi issues, Bluetooth problems, or apps that constantly freeze can sometimes only be fixed by reinstalling the operating system from scratch. If basic troubleshooting hasn't solved the issue, a full reset is usually the cleanest way to get your phone working properly again. In our dedicated guide, I'll explain how to identify these software issues and when a factory reset is really the right solution.

2. How to Factory Reset an Android Phone

Although the exact steps can vary slightly between a Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Motorola, Xiaomi, or other Android devices, the overall process is very similar. Before you start, I recommend charging your phone or making sure the battery is above 50%. From my experience helping customers with smartphone issues, I've seen people interrupt the reset because their battery died halfway through. While it's uncommon, a power loss during a factory reset Android phone procedure can cause serious software problems, so it's always worth taking a minute to check your battery first.

On most Android phones, open the Settings app, scroll down to System, then tap Reset options followed by Erase all data (factory reset). If you're using a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset instead. Before confirming, Android will show you a summary explaining that all apps, accounts, photos, videos, and personal files stored on the device will be erased. I always suggest reading this screen carefully to make sure you've already backed up everything you want to keep.

Steps to reset an Android phone

• Open Settings.
• Tap System (or General management on Samsung).
• Select Reset or Reset options.
• Tap Erase all data (Factory reset).
• Confirm your choice and enter your PIN, password, or unlock pattern.

One final point that many people overlook is Factory Reset Protection (FRP). Before resetting your phone, make sure you know the Google account password linked to the device. If you don't, Android may ask you to verify that account after the reset, preventing you from using the phone until you sign in successfully. Once you've confirmed your credentials, simply let the process finish without interrupting it. The reset usually takes between 5 and 15 minutes, after which your phone will restart just like it did the first day you turned it on. If you'd like to learn more about Factory Reset Protection, I've written a dedicated guide that explains how it works and how to avoid getting locked out of your Android device.

Open Settings and go to "General management", then choose "Reset":

Click on "Factory data reset" and confirm to start your phone reset process:

The reset only takes a few minutes

3. How to Factory Reset an iPhone

If you use an iPhone, performing a factory reset iPhone is a straightforward process, but it's important to understand exactly what it does. Many people think restarting an iPhone or resetting a few settings is the same as wiping the device, but they're very different. A factory reset completely erases your apps, photos, videos, messages, accounts, and personal data, returning the iPhone to the same state it was in when it left the factory. Before you begin, I strongly recommend backing up your important files and making sure you know your Apple ID password.

Apple has made the process simple on all recent versions of iOS. Open the Settings app, tap General, then scroll to the bottom and select Transfer or Reset iPhone. From there, choose Erase All Content and Settings. Your iPhone will display a summary of everything that will be removed before asking you to confirm the operation. I always encourage people to read this screen carefully before continuing, especially if they haven't created a recent backup.

Steps to factory reset an iPhone

• Open Settings.

• Tap General.

• Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.

• Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

• Enter your passcode and Apple ID password if requested, then confirm the reset.

Once the reset begins, your iPhone will restart and securely erase all of your personal information. The process usually takes only a few minutes, after which you'll be greeted by the familiar setup screen, just like on a brand-new device. If you're planning to sell or give away your iPhone, I also recommend removing the device from your Apple account beforehand. In my dedicated guide, I explain each step in greater detail and show you how to avoid common mistakes during an iPhone factory reset.

Take the time to save your personal files, including the photos stored in your gallery.

4. Back Up Your Photos and Videos Before Resetting

Before you reset your phone, there's one step I always advise: back up your phone. A factory reset will erase everything stored on the device, including your photos, videos, contacts, messages, and files. I've seen too many people lose precious memories simply because they assumed their backups were automatic. That's why I always recommend double-checking your backup before starting a phone reset. Spending just a few extra minutes now can save years of irreplaceable memories.

Many modern Android phones make this process much easier. For example, recent Samsung devices offer built-in options to back up your data to the cloud or to an external USB storage device directly from the reset menu. If you use Google Photos, open the app, tap your profile picture, and make sure it says "Backup complete." On an iPhone, go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now. Once the backup has finished, you'll be ready to perform a factory reset safely.

If you have large media files or limited cloud storage, I recommend creating a second local backup on your computer. Connect your phone via USB and manually copy your important photos, videos, and documents. Before performing the factory reset, open a few of those files to confirm everything was copied successfully. In my complete guide, I explain several ways to back up your photos before a factory reset, whether you prefer cloud storage or a local backup.

For older phones that don't offer a built-in backup option before a factory reset, I invite you to read my dedicated guide on how to copy your photos and videos to your PC before resetting your device.

5. How to Reset Network Settings (Android & iPhone)

One of the most common smartphone issues I see when helping clients is a device that suddenly refuses to connect to Wi-Fi, loses its mobile data connection, or keeps disconnecting from Bluetooth accessories. Fortunately, these problems don't always require a complete factory reset. In many cases, performing a reset network settings is enough to restore your connections without deleting your apps, photos, videos, messages, or other personal files. It's one of the first troubleshooting steps I recommend because it's quick, safe, and often surprisingly effective.

On most Android phones, open the Settings app, tap System, then Reset options, and choose Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. If you're using a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > General management > Reset instead. Depending on your Android version, you'll find options such as Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings or Reset mobile network settings. Before confirming, remember that your phone will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, and some network preferences, so you'll need to reconnect your devices afterward.

Reset network settings on Android

• Open Settings.

• Tap System or General management.

• Select Reset or Reset options.

• Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

• Confirm the reset and enter your PIN or unlock pattern if requested.

If you're using an iPhone, the process is just as simple, although the option is slightly hidden within the settings menu. Open Settings, tap General, then scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone. Next, tap Reset—not Erase All Content and Settings, which would completely wipe your device—and choose Reset Network Settings from the list. After entering your passcode, your iPhone will restart and rebuild its wireless configuration.

Reset network settings on an iPhone

• Open Settings.

• Tap General.

• Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.

• Tap Reset.

• Choose Reset Network Settings.

• Enter your passcode and confirm.

Once the process is complete, your phone will reconnect with fresh network settings. You'll need to join your Wi-Fi networks again, reconnect Bluetooth accessories, and, if necessary, reconfigure any VPN connections. In my experience, this simple procedure resolves many common connectivity issues without the need for a full factory reset. If your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or mobile data problems continue afterward, I invite you to read my dedicated troubleshooting guide, where I explain more advanced solutions step by step.

And reset both network settings options:

6. How to Reset Settings Only (without deleting data)

Not every smartphone problem requires a complete factory reset. Sometimes, the issue is simply caused by an incorrect setting, a disabled permission, or a configuration that was changed by mistake. I often see clients panic and assume they need to erase everything, when a simple Reset All Settings would solve the problem. This option restores your phone's system settings to their default values while keeping your photos, videos, apps, contacts, and other personal files intact. It's one of the safest ways to reset your phone without losing data.

On Android, the option is usually called Reset all settings or Reset all preferences, depending on the manufacturer. Samsung Galaxy devices include it under Settings > General management > Reset. On iPhone, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset, then choose Reset All Settings.

Android: Settings → General management (or System) → Reset → Reset all settings

iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings

This type of reset only restores your system preferences. It may remove saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth connections, privacy permissions, or customized settings, but your personal files remain untouched. If you're unsure whether you need a factory reset or just a settings reset, I invite you to read my dedicated guide, where I explain exactly which option is best for each situation.

And choose "Reset all settings":

7. What to Do after Resetting Phone

Once your factory reset is complete, your phone will restart and display the initial setup screen. Although the reset is finished, there are still a few important steps to take. From my experience helping people with smartphones, one of the biggest mistakes is restoring an old backup without thinking. If your phone was slow because of corrupted settings or problematic apps, restoring everything exactly as it was may also bring back the same issues.

If you're trying to improve your phone's performance, I recommend setting it up as a new device whenever possible. Sign in with your Google or Apple account, then reinstall only the apps you actually use. Most people are surprised by how much faster their phone feels after removing years of unused applications and unnecessary background services.

Finally, restore your important data, reconnect to your Wi-Fi network, and configure your security settings again. I also suggest enabling automatic backups so your photos, contacts, and documents stay protected in the future. If you'd like to get the best performance from your freshly reset device, I invite you to read my complete post-reset optimization guide, where I share the settings I personally recommend after every phone reset.

8. FAQ  - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Will a factory reset remove viruses or malware from my phone?

Yes, in the vast majority of cases, performing a complete system restoration will completely eliminate malware, adware, tracking scripts, and malicious applications. Because the process completely formats the user storage partition, any hidden malicious files are entirely wiped out. However, if your phone is rooted or jailbroken, some highly sophisticated malware can theoretically persist in the system partition, though this is exceptionally rare for average users.

Can I reset my phone if the touch screen is completely broken?

Yes, you can absolutely trigger a reset even if your screen is completely unresponsive to touch inputs. For Android devices, you can boot into a special "Recovery Mode" by holding down a combination of the physical Power and Volume keys while turning the device on. For iPhones, you can connect the device to a computer via a USB cable, put it into Recovery Mode, and use iTunes or the macOS Finder interface to execute a clean system wipe.

Does a factory reset delete everything on my external SD card?

No, a standard system wipe only targets the built-in internal storage chips of your smartphone. If your Android phone has an expandable microSD memory card inserted, the data on that card will remain completely untouched unless you specifically check an optional box that explicitly asks to format the SD card during the reset process. To be absolutely safe, I always advise my clients to physically eject the memory card before proceeding.

How long does the entire phone reset process take?

The actual data erasure process usually takes anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes on modern, fast smartphones utilizing solid-state storage. However, the entire end-to-end experience—including backing up your files before the wipe, downloading updates, running the reset, and setting your applications back up from scratch—typically takes between 45 minutes to an hour.

Will a factory reset lock me out of my device permanently?

It can if you do not know your original account credentials. Modern smartphones use security features called Factory Reset Protection (FRP) on Android and Activation Lock on iOS. If you wipe a phone while still logged into an account, the device will strictly require the password of the original Google or Apple account upon rebooting to prevent thieves from using stolen hardware.

Does wiping my phone unlock it from my mobile carrier?

No, performing a system reset does not change your carrier status or network lock conditions. If your phone was originally locked to a specific carrier like T-Mobile, Verizon, or Vodafone, it will remain locked to that carrier even after a complete factory clear. Carrier unlocking is a legal status managed directly by your network operator's database, not a setting inside the phone hardware.

Will resetting my phone downgrade my operating system version?

No, a system wipe does not downgrade your software version. It simply clears the user data partition while keeping the currently installed operating system version completely intact. For example, if your phone was upgraded from Android 13 to Android 14, running a reset will give you a clean, blank version of Android 14, not the original version the phone shipped with.

Can I recover my data after a factory reset if I don't have a backup?

On modern smartphones, it is practically impossible to recover data after a factory reset without a prior backup. Modern devices use file-based hardware encryption by default. When you execute a reset command, the phone instantly destroys the master cryptographic keys. Even if the raw data bits still sit on the storage chips temporarily, they are completely unreadable scrambled garbage.

Do I need to remove my SIM card before resetting my device?

It is not strictly necessary, but I highly advise removing physical SIM cards to prevent losing any legacy contacts stored directly on the card chip. If you are using a digital eSIM profile instead, both iOS and Android will present you with a specific, clear on-screen prompt asking whether you want to preserve or delete your cellular eSIM profile during the wipe process.

Why is my phone still running slow after a full factory clear?

If a clean system wipe does not improve your device speed, you are likely dealing with hardware degradation rather than a software issue. Over time, lithium-ion smartphone batteries degrade, causing the phone's operating system to intentionally throttle processor speeds to prevent sudden shutdowns. Alternatively, your phone's processor may simply struggle to handle the resource demands of modern web pages and applications.

Conclusion

You now have everything you need to reset your phone safely and choose the right solution for your situation. Throughout this guide, we've covered why to reset a phone, how to perform a factory reset Android phone or factory reset iPhone, how to reset network settings, and how to reset your phone without losing data when a full wipe isn't necessary. Most importantly, you've learned why it's essential to back up your phone before making any major changes.

From my experience helping people with smartphones, many issues can be solved simply by choosing the right type of reset instead of immediately erasing everything. Whether you're troubleshooting Wi-Fi problems, fixing software glitches, or preparing your device for sale, taking a few minutes to follow the proper steps will save you time and help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.

I hope this guide has given you the confidence to handle your smartphone with peace of mind. If you'd like more detailed instructions, be sure to explore the dedicated tutorials linked throughout this page. They cover every topic in greater depth and will help you keep your Android phone or iPhone running smoothly for years to come.

Thibaut MATHIEU

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