How to reset your smartphone: iPhone, Android, Windows Phone

If you have noticed that your smartphone has been running slowly, freezing, or has caught a virus, you may consider resetting it. This FAQ will walk you through how to do so and explain to you some of the precautions that you should keep in mind before doing so.

What is a smartphone reset?

Resetting your smartphone — also referred to as "wiping your data" or "factory resetting" your device — will restore it to its initial configuration, or to the factory settings and content that is included when it was brand new. This process clears all stored data, custom user settings, installed apps, saved passwords, and user accounts.

When should you reset your smartphone?

If your device is running smoothly, you do not have to worry about performing a device reset. However, if your smartphone is locked or frozen, has seriously slowed down, has caught a virus, or you have lost the ability to reboot it, you should consider this route.

What does a smartphone reset involve?

Resetting your smartphone will delete all of your stored data, including your contacts, applications, and photos. This is the information that you should target when figuring out what to back up before your reset.

If you are interested in saving any of this information, you should save them on a separate memory card so that retrieval after the reset will be a breeze. This is especially pertinent in the case of saving your contacts because without those you will not be able to contact anyone who is currently on your phone's contact list!

N.B. Any data stored on your smartphone's memory card will not be erased when you reset your device.

What things you should know/do before resetting your smartphone?

How to conduct tests and verifications?

The factory reset procedure should be considered a last resort. Before wiping your device, you should, first, perform the following tests to be sure that you have properly identified your issue.

Restart your smartphone, then test its performance by trying to open applications.

You should also try to identify potential hardware failure, including in the components, battery, SIM card, or memory card.

What are the precautions to consider before factory resetting your smartphone?

You should back up all of your important data, settings, and applications on an external memory card before resetting your smartphone.

If you are using an Android smartphone, you can take advantage of its backup settings to save Wi-Fi passwords, browser bookmarks, and apps downloaded from Google Play. To save your data, go to Settings > Settings > Save and Reset.

You can also use backup software, like G Cloud, which allows you to back up the SMS history, contacts, call history, documents, settings, photos, music, videos, and other data stored on your smartphone.

How to reset your Android smartphone?

The procedure will slightly vary depending on the release of Android and phone model. In general, go to Menu > Settings > Privacy > Reset phone.

Alternatively, you can go to Menu > Backup > Reset phone.

How to reset your iPhone?

Simultaneously hold down [Power/Sleep] + [Home] for 10 seconds, or until the Apple logo is displayed.

How to reset your Windows Phone 8?

From the Start screen, swipe to the left to access the App list.

Go to Settings > About > Reset your phone.

Tap Yes to confirm.