Reset a Cell Phone

Resetting your cell phone will delete everything on it and return it to its factory default settings. This can be useful if you are experiencing problems with your phone, as it tends to fix most issues that aren't hardware-related. It's also a good practice before selling or donating your old cell phone. Just make sure you back up your important data first, as everything will be erased.

Steps

iPhone

  1. Back up your iPhone before resetting. Resetting your iPhone will delete all of the data that's stored on it. Backing up your iPhone will allow you to restore your data after resetting. Music and other iTunes content will need to be re-synchronized from iTunes or re-downloaded from iCloud after resetting. There are two ways to backup your iPhone data:[1]
    • Open the Settings app and select "iCloud." Scroll down and tap the "Backup" option. Tap "Back Up Now" to begin an iCloud back up. This will save everything that is toggled on in the previous screen to your iCloud account.
    • Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes. Select your iPhone from the row of buttons at the top and then click "Back Up now" with "This Computer" selected. This will begin creating a backup of your iPhone on your computer, which will also save any pictures and videos.
  2. Reset your iPhone from the Settings app. You can perform the reset process directly from your iPhone without using iTunes on your computer. If you can't access the phone or are locked out because you've forgotten your Restrictions passcode, see the next step.
    • Open the Settings app on your iPhone and select "General."
    • Scroll down and tap "Reset."
    • Tap "Erase All Content and Settings," then confirm that you want to erase the phone. You'll be prompted for your lock screen passcode as well as your Restrictions passcode, if you have one.
    • Wait for your iPhone to erase and restart. This will take a little while. Once the iPhone restarts, you'll be able to set it up as new or load your backup.
  3. Reset your iPhone using iTunes. If you can't access your iPhone because you don't know the screen passcode, or you've locked yourself out because you can't remember your Restrictions passcode, you'll need to use iTunes to reset the iPhone.
    • Put your device into Recovery Mode if you can't remember the screen lock passcode. Power the iPhone off, then press and hold the Home button. Continue holding the Home button and plug the iPhone into the computer. Launch iTunes and continue to hold the Home button until the iTunes logo appears on the iPhone's screen. You can then restore the iPhone in iTunes.
    • Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
    • Select your iPhone and then click the "Restore iPhone" button.
    • Wait while your iPhone deletes all of the data and resets.
  4. Reset your iPhone using Find My iPhone. If you don't have a computer to plug your iPhone into but are locked out of it because you don't know your screen lock or Restrictions passcode, you can use Find My iPhone to reset the iPhone remotely.
    • Visit icloud.com/find and log in with the same Apple ID that is logged into the iPhone. You can also use the Find My iPhone app on another Apple device by logging in as a guest.
    • Click the "All Devices" menu and select your iPhone.
    • Click the "Erase iPhone" button and then confirm. Your iPhone will begin resetting automatically.
  5. Enter the original Apple ID to bypass the activation lock. Any iPhone with Find My iPhone enabled will have an Activation Lock. This lock is to help deter theft, and prevents unauthorized users from resetting an using a stolen iPhone. To bypass the activation lock, you need to enter the Apple ID password for the ID that was previously associated with the device.
    • If you bought the iPhone used and you don't know the password of the previous owner, you'll need to get the original owner to enter their password. If they aren't present, they'll need to relinquish ownership of the device at icloud.com/settings by logging in, selecting the iPhone in the "My Devices" section, and then clicking the "X" button.
    • This is the only way to bypass the activation lock. If you cannot contact the previous owner, then you will not be able to access the device. Always check to make sure the activation lock has been disabled before purchasing a secondhand iPhone.

Android

  1. Back up any data you want to save. Resetting your Android will revert it to its factory settings and delete all of the data on it. Make sure to back up anything that you want to save before proceeding with the factory reset.
    • Open the Settings app and tap "Backup & reset" to see your backup options. You can back up most data to your Google account, including contacts and other settings.
    • Photos will need to be backed up to your computer or to your Google Photos account. See Transfer Photos from Android to Computer for instructions.
  2. Reset your Android from the Settings app. You can reset your Android device from the Settings app. Note that the following instructions may vary slightly depending on your Android model and manufacturer, but the process is generally the same. If you can't access the Settings app because you are locked out of the device, see the last step of this section.
    • Select "Backup & reset." You can usually find this in the "Personal" section.
    • Tap "Factory data reset" and confirm. This will begin erasing all of the data on the Android and will allow you to setup the device as if it just came out of the box.
  3. Reset your Android from the Android Device Manager. If you can't access your Android device because you're locked out, or it's been lost and you want to wipe it remotely, you can use the Android Device Manager.
    • Visit google.com/android/devicemanager or open the Android Device Manager app on another Android device and log in with your Google account.
    • Click the "Erase" button in your Android device's card. Confirm that you want to erase the device.
  4. Reset your Android using Recovery Mode. If you can't access your Android device and can't use Android Device Manager, you can reset your Android using Recovery Mode.
    • Turn your Android phone completely off.
    • Press and hold the Recovery Mode buttons. These vary depending on your device, but the most common combinations are Volume Up + Home + Power or Volume Down + Power. Continue holding these buttons until the Recovery Mode logo appears.
    • Use the volume buttons to navigate the recovery menu and the Power button to make selections.
    • Select "recovery" and then "wipe data/factory reset."
  5. Enter the Google Account password for the original owner (if prompted). Newer Android devices have an Activation Lock that ties the phone to the owner's Google account. This prevents a thief from activating a stolen Android phone. If you are prompted, you will need to enter the password for the Google account that was associated with the device before the reset in order to setup the device.
    • If you purchased the Android used, you'll need to contact the original owner and have them enter the password for you.

Windows Phone

  1. Back up any data you want to save. Resetting your Windows Phone will delete all of the data that is stored on it. Make sure you've transferred your photos to your computer or your OneDrive account, and that you've saved any other data that you want to keep to a safe location.
    • You can back up most of your Windows Phone data by opening the Settings menu, selecting "Update & security," and then tapping "Backup." Ensure both options are enabled and then connect your Windows Phone to a power source and a wireless network. This will not back up your photos.
  2. Reset your Windows Phone from the Settings app. You can reset your Windows Phone directly from the Settings app. If you can't access your phone, see the next step.
    • Open the Settings menu. You can find this in the "All apps" list on your Start screen.
    • Select "About." You may have to open the "System" section first if you're using Windows 10.
    • Tap "Reset your phone." After confirming, your Windows Phone will begin the reset process, which may take a while to complete.
  3. Reset your Windows Phone with Find My Phone. If you don't have access to your phone or you are locked out, you can reset it using the Find My Phone website:
    • Visit account.microsoft.com/devices and log in with your Microsoft Account.
    • Select the Windows Phone that you want to erase.
    • Click the "Erase" button next to the phone's details. After confirming, the phone will begin the reset process.
  4. Reset your Windows Phone from the recovery menu. If you can't access your Windows Phone, you can reset it from the recovery mode.[2]
    • Turn the phone off, then press and hold Power and Volume Down until you feel the phone vibrate.
    • As soon as you feel the vibration, release both buttons then press and hold Volume Down.
    • When you see the exclamation mark (!), press and release the following buttons in order: Volume Up, Volume Down, Power, Volume Down. This will start the reset process.

BlackBerry

  1. Back up your data. Resetting your BlackBerry device will delete everything on it, so make sure that you've saved any important data. Resetting your BlackBerry will also delete any IT policies that your BlackBerry may have received from your company's BlackBerry Enterprise Server, so check with our IT department if this is a company phone.
    • The easiest way to back up a BlackBerry is to use the BlackBerry Desktop Software. Connect your BlackBerry to your computer via USB and click the "Back Up Now" button in BlackBerry Desktop Software to begin the back up process.
  2. Reset a BlackBerry 10 device. If you are using a newer BlackBerry running BlackBerry 10 OS (Z10, Q10, Q5, Z30, P'9982, Z3, Passport, Classic, Leap), follow these steps to securely erase your device. If you're using an older model, see the next step:[3]
    • Swipe down from the top of the Home screen and tap the "Settings" button.
    • Tap "Security and Privacy" and then tap "Security Wipe."
    • Type "blackberry" into the text field to confirm that you want to erase the device.
    • Enter your BlackBerry ID and password if prompted. This will only happen on devices running 10.3.2 or later.
    • Tap "Delete Data" to begin the wipe and reset process. Do not turn off the power or remove the battery during the reset.
  3. Reset an older BlackBerry device. If you are using an older-model BlackBerry (Bold, Curve, Pearl, Storm, Torch, Style), follow these steps to securely reset your device:[4]
    • Click "Options" on your BlackBerry's Home screen.
    • Click "Security" or "Security Options" and then "Security Wipe."
    • Check the boxes for the data you want to delete.
    • Type "blackberry" in the field and then click "Wipe." Do not turn off the phone or remove the battery during the wipe process.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203977
  2. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/reset-my-phone
  3. ↑ http://support.blackberry.com/kb/articleDetail?ArticleNumber=000033591
  4. ↑ http://support.blackberry.com/kb/articleDetail?ArticleNumber=000014058
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