Resetting an Android smartphone works in different stages. There are three different types of reset: Soft Rest, Factory Reset and Hard Reset. We'll explain the differences and show you how to do a hard reset on your Android device.
Differences between the three types of reset
Soft reset
Here the system is restarted by a key combination . It will not lose any data and all user settings are maintained. A soft reset is particularly useful when the device no longer responds to touchscreen input. It may just have hung up.
Each smartphone brand has its own key combination for this :
- With Google devices , i.e. the Pixel or the Nexus, you have to hold down the power button for 10 seconds.
- With smartphones from Samsung, Huawei or Honor , you have to press and hold the power button and the volume down button for 10 to 20 seconds at the same time.
- On Sony smartphones , you can either hold down the power button and the volume up button for 5 seconds or pull the SIM tray out briefly and then push it back in.
Factory Reset Use
this method to reset your smartphone to factory settings . Your personal data will be lost in the process. You can find out how to reset Android to factory settings here.
Hard reset
With a hard reset, like a factory reset, all personal data is deleted and all factory settings are restored . The difference is that this method is only used when the device no longer accepts any commands from the user , in particular through touchscreen input. The hard reset is not carried out by the smartphone settings , but by the boot menu . If you can still access your smartphone normally, we recommend that you reset Android to factory settings..
Carry out a hard reset
Note: Before you perform a hard reset, you should back up all data on your smartphone. Create an Android backup: this is how data backup works.
- Switch off your device first made .
- Then press and hold the Power button and the Volume down button. After a while the boot menu appears.
Attention: With no-name or China smartphones, this menu may not appear in English but in Chinese. - Here you need to use the volume down and volume up buttons to navigate . Press the volume down button twice to select " Recovery mode ". Confirm with the power button .
- When you see the Android mascot, you need to press and hold the power button . Also briefly press the volume up button .
- Following you need four times the volume down key press to select " Wipe data / factory reset select". Confirm your selection by pressing the power button .
- Select " Yes " by pressing the volume down key once and confirming the entry with the power key . Now your device will shut down and reset to factory settings .
