What’s the Difference Between a Hard Reset and Factory Reset?

PDF download Download Article
Learn what each type of reset does and how to perform them
PDF download Download Article

As much as our phones do for us, they can also frustrate us immensely. When your phone isn't working properly, you may need to reset it. But even then, it can be difficult to determine whether or not you need to perform a factory reset or a hard reset, two related yet very different things. This wikiHow article teaches you the differences between a hard reset and a factory reset as it relates to both iPhone and Android devices.

Things You Should Know

  • A hard reset is forcing your phone to restart when it's unresponsive.
  • A factory reset is the process of restoring your phone to its original settings, like when you bought it.
  • Factory resetting erases everything on your device, while a hard reset simply reboots it.
Section 1 of 5:

Hard Reset Vs. Factory Reset

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 A hard reset is a simple rebooting of your smartphone.
    It does not affect the storage on your phone. You may use a hard reset when your phone is acting unresponsive. This sets it apart from a standard reboot of your phone, as it typically involves holding down the power button for an extended period of time.
    • While a hard reset of your smartphone will not affect your phone's storage, any data saved to apps that do not autosave may disappear upon reboot.
    • A hard reset is sometimes called a "force restart."[1]
  2. Step 2 A factory reset deletes all data from your phone.
    You may use a factory reset when you believe your phone has a virus or is severely malfunctioning. A factory reset reverts your phone back to its factory settings, forcing you to set it up again as if it is fresh out of the box.
    • Because of the severity of a factory reset, it should only be used as an extreme measure.
    3. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

How To Hard Reset an iPhone

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Quickly tap the "Volume Up" button.
    Simply press the button and let go. You do not need to hold it down.
    • Ensure your display is turned off for this process.
  2. Step 2 Quickly tap the "Volume Down" button.
    You do not need to hold it down.
  3. Step 3 Press and hold the "Sleep/Awake" button on the opposite side of your phone.
    Your iPhone will soon display the "Slide to Power Off button", but you can ignore it. Continue holding the "Sleep/Awake" button until the Apple logo appears. Your iPhone is now performing a hard reset.
    • On older iPhone models, you can hold down the "Sleep/Wake" and "Home" buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. Make sure to hold them down, as simply pressing the two buttons simultaneously will take a screenshot instead.
    4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:

How To Factory Reset an iPhone

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Visit your iPhone's Settings.
    The Settings app on the iPhone is represented by an image of overlapping gears. Click on it, and prepare to perform a factory reset.
    • Be sure to back up your iPhone before performing a factory reset so that all your data remains available after the reset.
  2. Step 2 Tap General Settings.
    Your Settings App has several different sections. To perform a factory reset, go to the General section of your settings.[2]
  3. Step 3 Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
    Be careful, as factory resetting your iPhone is irreversible.
  4. Step 4 Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
    Your phone will offer you a final warning before you go through with the factory reset. Confirm that you want to perform the factory reset, which may take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes.
    5. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

How To Hard Reset an Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Hold down the Power button and the Volume Down buttons simultaneously.
    On most Android phones, these buttons are conveniently located on the same side of the device.
    • This combination of buttons also triggers a screenshot. If your phone takes a screenshot, don't worry. Your phone will not save the photo after it has reset.
  2. Step 2 Hold the buttons down for 15 seconds.
    [3] Keep the buttons pressed until your screen goes black. This should take approximately 15 seconds. Your Android will now reset and should operate normally once rebooted.
    3. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

How To Factory Reset an Android

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Visit your Android's "Settings."
    The option to perform a factory reset is located in your Android's Settings app. The easiest way to access Settings is to pull down your notifications panel and tap the gear icon in the bottom-right corner.
  2. Step 2 Choose System.
    Scroll through the various options until you see System towards the bottom. Tap it.
  3. Step 3 Tap Reset.
    This will open up additional options.
  4. Step 4 Tap on Reset all settings.
    This will pull up a menu with various reset options, including the options to reset your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, or to reset your app preferences.
  5. Step 5 Choose Reset all settings.
    It should be the final option on the Reset options menu. Your Android will offer you a final warning that this reset will delete all your data. Ensure that you want to complete your factory reset and tap to confirm. [4]
    • Your phone will now perform a factory reset. This will take several minutes. Once it reboots, you can set up your phone as new.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

My Phone Screen Is Black but the Phone Is on
How to
Fix a Black Screen of Death on Your Phone
How to
Clean a Charging Port Without Damaging Your Device
Get Air Bubbles Out of a Glass Screen Protector
How to
Get Air Bubbles Out of a Glass Screen Protector
Get Water Out of Your Phone Speaker
How to
Remove Water from an iPhone or Android Speaker
How to
Remove Scratches from a Phone Screen
Reset the Samsung Galaxy Phones and Tablets
How to
Reset a Samsung Phone or Tablet: Quick & Easy Guide
Reverse Phone CloningWhat To Do If Your Phone or SIM Card is Cloned
Remove a Hacker from Your iPhone
How to
Remove a Hacker from Your iPhone
Clean a Phone Speaker5 Simple Ways to Clean a Phone Speaker
Save a Wet Cell Phone
How to
Save a Wet Cell Phone
Dry Out a Phone Without Rice
How to
Dry Out a Phone Without Rice
Reset Your Android Phone3 Easy Ways to Reset an Android Phone to Factory Settings
Stop Pop Ups on Android Phone
How to
Stop Pop-Ups on an Android Phone or Tablet
Deactivate a Phone
How to
Deactivate a Phone
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/iphone/iph8903c3ee6/ios#
  2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/iphone/iph7a2a9399b/ios
  3. ↑ https://www.digitub.org/guide/how-to-force-shutdown-your-android-device/
  4. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/za/support/mobile-devices/how-to-perform-factory-reset-on-android-smartphone/

About This Article

Linh Le
Co-authored by:
Linh Le
Certified Mobile Repair Specialist
This article was co-authored by Linh Le and by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Linh Le is a Certified Mobile Repair Specialist and the Owner of SC Mobile Repairs in San Clemente, California. With more than 12 years of experience, he specializes in smartphone, tablet, and smartwatch hardware repair. Linh has an iTech Mobile Device Repair Certification and an iOS Certification. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Franciscan University of Steubenville. This article has been viewed 138,479 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 2
Updated: September 6, 2024
Views: 138,479
Categories: Cell Phone Maintenance
In other languages
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 138,479 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement