What Does 'Factory Reset' Mean?

A factory reset, also known as a hard reset or master reset, is the process of restoring a device to its original manufacturer settings. This can be useful if you are experiencing issues with your device or if you want to sell or donate it and want to remove all your personal data.

When you perform a factory reset, all of the data on the device, including your personal files, apps, and settings, will be deleted. The device will be restored to its original state, as if it were brand new.

There are a few different ways to perform a factory reset, depending on the device you are using. Here are some common methods:

On a smartphone or tablet:

1. Go to the settings menu and select “Backup & reset” or “Reset.”
2. Follow the prompts to perform the factory reset. You may be asked to enter your password or confirm your decision.
3. Once the process is complete, the device will restart, and you will be prompted to set it up as a new device.

On a computer:

1. Go to the settings menu or control panel.
2. Select “Recovery” or “Reset.”
3. Follow the prompts to perform the factory reset. You may be asked to confirm your decision and choose whether you want to keep or remove your personal files.
4. Once the process is complete, the computer will restart, and you will be prompted to set it up as a new device.

It’s important to note that a factory reset will delete all of your personal data and settings, so it’s a good idea to back up any important files before you perform the reset. You can usually do this by transferring the files to an external hard drive, cloud storage, or another device.