It is important to note that a factory reset erases all data from your phone including contacts, photos, apps and many more. The reason you do factory reset is basically to bring back the original functions of the device as it were at first when you purchased the phone. This can be done depending on users' expectation. You must also take heed that the methods of factory/ hard reset do vary depending on the brand of a device. Below are methods of factory reset for each of the 3 main operating systems that most phone operate with these days:
A. Factory reset example on an Android phone.
1. Press on Settings.
2. Tab Backup and reset. On Samsung Galaxy devices, tap General Management and then Reset.
3. Tap Erase all data (factory reset). A pop-up menu will open.
4. Tap Erase data. Again, this will reset all data on your phone.
B. Factory reset for Windows Phone.
If your phone is unresponsive and you can't reach Settings, you may be able to reset your phone using the hardware buttons. On Lumia phones and some others, do the following to reset your phone:
- Press and hold the Volume down and Power buttons at the same time until you feel a vibration (about 10-15 seconds).
- When you feel the vibration, release the buttons, and then immediately press and hold the Volume down button until you see a large exclamation mark.
- Once the exclamation mark appears, press the following four buttons in this order: Volume up, Volume down, Power, Volume down. Your phone should now reset and restart itself. (It might take a while for the reset to finish.)
For further information, click here (data charges apply)
C. Factory reset for iOS Phone
It might seem silly to mention, but this will, of course, only work if you have previously done an iCloud backup in the past. Not so obvious, but it will also only work if you have 'Find my iPhone' enabled, to allow Apple to identify your phone and you as the correct user.
Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Reset, then tap “Erase All Content and Settings.”
Step 2. When you are restarting your iPhone you will be greeted by the classic “Hello” screen and need to go through the few steps just as if the phone was brand new.
Step 3. When you are presented with the 'Apps Data' screen, tap to 'Restore from iCloud Backup'. Then “Choose Backup” and proceed as necessary.
For further information, click here (data charges apply)