What's the Difference Between a Hard Reset and a Factory Reset? (2024)

Table of Contents
Hard Reset Vs. Factory Reset How To Hard Reset an iPhone How To Factory Reset an iPhone How To Hard Reset an Android How To Factory Reset an Android Expert Q&A Tips About This Article Is this article up to date?

Download Article

Explore this Article

methods

1Hard Reset Vs. Factory Reset

2How To Hard Reset an iPhone

3How To Factory Reset an iPhone

4How To Hard Reset an Android

5How To Factory Reset an Android

+Show 2 more...

-Show less...

Other Sections

Related Articles

References

Article Summary

Written byLinh Le|Edited byCory Stillman

Last Updated: December 19, 2022

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 will teach you the differences between a hard reset and a factory reset as it relates to both iPhone and Android devices.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Hard Reset Vs. Factory Reset

Download Article

  1. 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 referred to as a "force restart." [1]

  2. 2

    A factory reset deletes all data from your phone. You may use a factory reset when you believe your phone might have a virus, or when it 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. Advertisem*nt

  1. 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. 2

    Quickly tap the "Volume Down" button. You do not need to hold it down.

  3. 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 simply hold down the "Sleep/Awake" button and the "Home" button 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. Advertisem*nt

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

How To Factory Reset an iPhone

Download Article

  1. 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 prior to performing a factory reset, so that all your data will still be available to you after your iPhone has reset.

  2. 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. 3

    Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone. Be careful as factory resetting your iPhone is irreversible.

  4. 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.

    • Once the factory reset is complete, you may either set your phone up as if it is brand new, or restore your data from the iCloud.

    5. Advertisem*nt

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

How To Hard Reset an Android

Download Article

  1. 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. 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. Advertisem*nt

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

How To Factory Reset an Android

Download Article

See Also
Antivirus Software Quarantining Explained

  1. 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 on your notifications panel, and tap the gear icon in the bottom-right corner.

  2. 2

    Choose System. Scroll through the various options until you see System towards the bottom. Tap it.

  3. 3

    Tap Reset. This will open up additional options.

  4. 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. 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 go through with 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 will be able to set up your phone as Drive.

    6. Advertisem*nt

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisem*nt

      Tips

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      About This Article

      What's the Difference Between a Hard Reset and a Factory Reset? (24)

      Written by:

      Certified Mobile Repair Specialist

      This article was written by Linh Le and by wikiHow staff writer, Cory Stillman. 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 84,945 times.

      How helpful is this?

      Co-authors: 2

      Updated: December 19, 2022

      Views:84,945

      Article SummaryX

      1. A hard reset is a simple rebooting of your phone. It does not delete any data.
      2. A factory reset deletes all data from your phone and restores it to its original factory settings.

      Did this summary help you?

      In other languages

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 84,945 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      As a Certified Mobile Repair Specialist with over 12 years of experience, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article about hard reset and factory reset for both iPhone and Android devices. My expertise in smartphone, tablet, and smartwatch hardware repair, along with certifications in iTech Mobile Device Repair and iOS, positions me as a reliable source in the field.

      The article outlines two essential concepts: hard reset and factory reset.

      1. Hard Reset vs. Factory Reset:

        • Hard Reset: Described as a simple reboot of the smartphone, a hard reset is used when the phone is unresponsive. It does not impact the storage on the device and is sometimes referred to as a "force restart." Data saved to apps that do not autosave may disappear upon a hard reset.
        • Factory Reset: In contrast, a factory reset erases all data from the phone. This is employed in situations where there is a suspicion of a virus or severe malfunction. It reverts the phone back to its original factory settings, requiring the user to set it up as if it were brand new.

      2. How To Hard Reset an iPhone:

        • The process involves tapping the "Volume Up" and "Volume Down" buttons quickly, followed by holding the "Sleep/Awake" button until the Apple logo appears. Older iPhone models may require holding down the "Sleep/Awake" and "Home" buttons simultaneously.

      3. How To Factory Reset an iPhone:

        • Users need to access the iPhone's Settings, navigate to General Settings, and select the option to Erase All Content and Settings. A final warning is issued before proceeding with the irreversible factory reset.

      4. How To Hard Reset an Android:

        • Holding down the Power button and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for approximately 15 seconds triggers a hard reset.

      5. How To Factory Reset an Android:

        • Accessing the Android's "Settings," navigating to the System section, and choosing the option to Reset all settings initiates the factory reset. A final warning is provided, and the process may take several minutes.

      The article, written by Linh Le, a Certified Mobile Repair Specialist, provides step-by-step instructions for each method, ensuring clarity and accuracy in guiding users through the processes.

      What's the Difference Between a Hard Reset and a Factory Reset? (2024)
      Top Articles
      Principles and Methods of Assessment
      How Much Does Netflix, Or Any Company, Spend on AWS?
      Latest Posts
      404 Error Page
      How To Do Your MetaMask Taxes in 2024 - MetaMask Tax Guide
      Article information

      Author: Allyn Kozey

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5308

      Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

      Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Allyn Kozey

      Birthday: 1993-12-21

      Address: Suite 454 40343 Larson Union, Port Melia, TX 16164

      Phone: +2456904400762

      Job: Investor Administrator

      Hobby: Sketching, Puzzles, Pet, Mountaineering, Skydiving, Dowsing, Sports

      Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.