
On Android devices, there is a factory data reset option in Settings that will appear to erase all of the device's data and reset all of its settings. Microsoft's Windows 8 and Windows 10, and Apple's macOS have options for this. Ĭomputer factory resets will restore the computer to the computer's original operating system and delete all of the user data stored on the computer. The following section lists a few common electronic devices and how they can be reset to factory settings. Other devices may require a complete re-installation of the software. For some devices, this could be done by going into the device's Service Menu.

Examples įactory resets can be achieved in a variety of ways depending on the electronic device. Factory resets may also be used to prepare a device for sale, refurbishing, destruction, donation or other transfers of ownership by removing personal data and configurations associated with the previous owner. freezing), but it does not remove the device's operating system.

įactory resets can fix many chronic performance issues (i.e. Pre-installed applications and data on the card's storage card (such as a microSD card) will not be erased. Since a factory reset entails deleting all information stored in the device, it is essentially the same concept as reformatting a hard drive. This is often done to fix an issue with a device, but it could also be done to restore the device to its original settings. For the Tilian Pearson album, see Factory Reset (album).Ī factory reset, also known as hard reset or master reset, is a software restore of an electronic device to its original system state by erasing all of the data, settings, and applications that were previously stored on the device.
