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A factory reset, also known as hard reset or master reset, is a software restore of an electronic device to its original system state by erasing all data, settings, and applications that were previously stored on the device. This is often done to fix an issue with a device, but it could also be done to restore the device to its original settings.^[1]

Since a factory reset entails deleting all information stored in the device, it is essentially the same concept as reformatting^[1] a hard drive. Pre-installed applications and data on the card's storage card (such as a microSD card) will not be erased.^{[citation needed]}

Factory resets can fix many chronic performance issues (i.e. freezing), but it does not remove the device's operating system.^[2] Factory resets can also be used to prepare a device for sale, refurbishment, disposal, recycling, donation or other transfers of ownership by removing personal data and settings associated with the previous owner.^[3]

Examples

Factory resets can be achieved in a variety of ways depending on the electronic device. For some devices, this could be done by going into the device's Service Menu. Other devices may require a complete re-installation of the software. The following section lists a few common electronic devices and how they can be reset to factory settings.^{[citation needed]}

Computer factory resets will restore the computer to the computer's original operating system and delete all of the user data stored on the computer. Microsoft's Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows 11, and Apple's macOS have options for this.^{[citation needed]}

On Android devices, there is a factory data reset^[4] option in Settings that will appear to erase all of the device's data and reset all of its settings. This method is typically used when the device has a technical problem that cannot be fixed using other methods, or when the owner wants to remove all their personal data before selling, giving away, returning or disposing of the device. Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a security feature implemented in Android devices starting from Android 5.1 Lollipop and later. Its purpose is to prevent unauthorized access to a device that has been lost, stolen, or reset to factory settings. If the user does not recall the Google account information, alternative methods such as FRP bypass are utilized to unlock the Android device. After performing a study, Avast reported that the data is recoverable using forensics software that is fairly generic and publicly available.^[5] On Samsung smartphones, a factory reset operation does not affect the Knox Flag. As such, it does not reset the device to its original factory settings and is not a way to return the device to a state compatible with the manufacturer's warranty. Data on the SIM card and the microSD card is not erased.^{[citation needed]}

Many other devices can be restored to factory settings, like televisions, GPS units or tablet computers.^{[citation needed]}

Many electronic devices have a menu with tools and settings called the service menu,^[6] which commonly includes a tool that performs a factory reset. This tool is most common in devices with displays, such as television sets and computer monitors. These menus are usually accessed through a sequence of button presses.

Game cartridges, particularly ones designed for Nintendo handhelds that maintain save data, may feature a factory reset option that can instantly delete all of such data from the cartridge, initiated either by selecting a particular setting in an options menu^[7] or by inputting a particular button combination during startup.^[8]^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b "hard reset (factory reset; master reset)". whatis.techtarget.com. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
^ "Guide for Performing Factory Resets on Common Mobile Devices" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
^ "ACCC Report Revelations Of Scams And Cyber Crime Not Surprising". Tech Business News. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024. Whilst there exists the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) and the Information Security Manual (ISM) which direct government and critical industry to use NAID AAA certified recyclers to destroy and sanitise data at end of life, there remains confusion over ownership of accountability.
^ Thomas, Arun (2016-09-08). "How To Remove FRP Lock On Samsung Galaxy Android Smartphone? (Updated)". SamsungSFour.Com. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
^ Jaromír Hořejší (9 July 2014). "Android Forensics, Part 1: How we recovered (supposedly) erased data".
^ "Service Menu Instructions" (MediaWiki).
^ Sonic Rush Instruction Booklet. SEGA. p. 15. Delete Record: Delete all saved data on the Game Card.
^ Mario Kart: Super Circuit Instruction Booklet. Nintendo of America. p. 12. To erase all of your saved data, hold the L Button, R Button, B Button and START when you turn the power ON, then choose "Yes" when the confirmation message appears.
^ "Elite Beat Agents Instruction Booklet" (PDF). Nintendo of America. p. 11. Retrieved 15 September 2021. Deleting Saved Data: When you see [the opening logos], press and hold A + B + X + Y + L + R at the same time to delete saved data.