InstaCover – Factory Reset Facts 

What to do before, during and after a factory reset. 

While factory resets have been made available on most of our phones for the longest time, it is something that can be a little intimidating. There are also different types of resets; some models offer soft resets, or reboots, which adds to the confusion. But keep calm and read on to make sure that you don’t regret performing that factory reset. 

Consider a factory reset if you: 

• Are planning to sell your phone 
• Are facing software issues 
• Have viruses on your device 
• Want to start anew  

Once you’re ready to take the plunge, here are some before, during and after things you may want to do. 

Get ready for the reset 

Make sure your device battery is charged up. Better yet, keep it plugged in. If your phone doesn’t already warn you, you do not want to perform a factory reset with under 20% power remaining. 

Also, ensure you have a stable WiFi connection. This is important when backing up data. Large quantities of files can consume a whole lot of data, so try not to rely on your mobile data. 

Back it up 

There are two ways you can back up your phone information.  

• Via the cloud 

Both Apple and Android devices offer various kinds of backup systems. Most of them allow you to transfer information to a cloud, which would then be restored to your device once it has been reset. To find the backup on most devices, type “backup” in the search bar under settings.  

• Via external memory 

If you prefer doing things manually, you can purchase an OTG thumbdrive that allows you to transfer your files and configurations to. This is preferable if you want to be more secure with your personal information. To manually move your files, use a file explorer app that comes with your device or download one from the app store or google play store. 

Whichever way you choose, you should note down your favourite apps and how they are organised. To do this the easy way, screengrab your home screens and email the image to yourself. 

The reset plan 

There are two methods to access a factory reset.  

1. The easy way 

The simplest way is to access it is as follows: 

For Apple: 

• Open Settings 
• Select General 
• Select Reset 
• Select Erase All Content and Settings 

For Android 

• Open Settings 
• Under System, select Factory Data Reset 

There will be some confirmation steps. When you’re sure, proceed to wipe out your device. 

2. The this-is-an-emergency way 

If your phone starts acting wonky and you cannot even access your settings menu, there is hope still. Depending on the model of your phone, you can access a reboot menu by holding down on some keys. For most Android phones, you hold down the power button with the down volume button simultaneously.  

Check your phone model to find out how to access the reboot menu if this doesn’t work for you. You should be able to perform a factory reset through the reboot menu. 

Restore 

Once your phone is all reborn, it is time to restore it to the way it once was. You will be asked to sign into your “new” device, which is either by apple ID or Google. Some models allow you to restore your device directly from the cloud upon signing in. On Google, you will find that many of the apps, contacts are files are tied to your Google account if you have previously set it accordingly.  

If you backed up your data through an OTG thumbdrive, you can access your saved files through a file explorer app. 

Conclusion  

Factory resets are great as they make your phone feel brand new. There are however situations where irreversible hardware or software damage has been done to your device that even a factory reset cannot resolve. For that, it is best to leave it to the experts. To always ensure that your device is in tip top condition, try InstaCover; an instant care plan for your device that give you access to repairs for as low as RM0.22 a day! Find out more at instacover.compasia.com.