[2020] How to Reset Android Phone without Losing Data

Hard reset (factory reset) is mostly done in any of the following scenarios:

When troubleshooting an Android phone or tablet that is having a technical issue.

When selling a device to a total stranger.

When trying to remove the screen lock on the device (i.e. if you do not know or have forgotten the device’s passcode).

It’s a traditional belief that before an Android device is unlocked, it has to be factory reset to its default settings. This simply implies that all the data stored in the device will be lost, and unrecoverable. However, this article brings to us some enlightenment on how to reset an Android device without losing data.

Part 1. See If You Can Reset Android without Losing Data

Some Android devices allow us to factory reset our Android devices without losing data, but you need to be sure before proceeding to reset your device. To see if you can reset your Android device without losing data, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to “Settings” app and navigate to the “Backup > Reset > Reset Settings” tabs.
Step 2. If you have the option that says “Reset Settings”, then it’s possible for you to reset only settings without losing storage data. However, if the option says “Reset Phone” then you will lose your data.

If you don’t see “Reset Settings” and would like to back up your Android phone, then follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to “Settings > Accounts > Google”.
Step 2. Tap the switch next to “Contacts” to turn it on.
Step 3. Wait a while for your device to sync the data. When you see “Last synced on…” then know that the sync was successful.
Step 4. Log into your Gmail account to make sure all your contacts are there.
Step 5. Now, you can perform your factory reset and the phone will reboot at the end.
Step 6. Go to “Settings > Accounts > Google”.
Step 7. Tap the switch next to “Contacts” to turn it on.
Step 8. Wait a while for the contacts to sync.
Step 9. At the end sync process, go to “Contacts” on the Android device to ensure that your contacts are there.  

Part 2. How to Reset Locked Android Phone without Losing Data?

If you want to reset an Android phone when it’s locked without losing data, then you’ll need a special tool to reset the device – iMyFone LockWiper (Android) to remove Android lock screen.

iMyFone LockWiper (Android) is a free and special tool that can reset any locked Android device without password or data loss. It can reset a locked Android device in 3 simple steps without getting stuck at Google FRP lock.

Steps to reset an Android phone without losing data:

Step 1: Download, install and launch LockWiper (Android) on your Mac or PC. Then, select the mode “Remove without Data Loss”, and click “Start”.

Step 2: Select device information and download the data package and connect your Android device.

Step 3: Now, start to unlock your device without data loss.

Step 4: Done! The screen lock was removed successfully and your data is still in your device.

Is it really work for your device? Check what other users say about this unlock tool right now.

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View this video to see how to reset Android phone without data loss:

Part 3. How to Reset Android Phone (Losing Data)

We have seen how to know if you can reset your Android device without losing data. Now, we are going to share 3 methods to reset an Android device, but you may get data loss.

Method 1: Factory Reset on Settings Menu

The Settings menu is the default way to reset Android devices, and the steps are as follows:

Step 1: Unlock your phone, drag down/up for the options menu to appear, and then select “Settings” icon.

Step 2: Look for the options for “Factory Data Reset”.

Step 3: At the end of the process, your Android phone will restart.

Method 2: Reset It via Recovery Mode

If your reset for performing a factory reset is because your phone is misbehaving, then using the recovery mode method of resetting the android device will pay you better.

Step 1: Press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons at the same time to boot the phone in recovery mode.

Step 2: Use the Volume Up button to scroll to “Recovery Mode” and choose it using the Volume Down button.

Step 3: Hold down the Power button and press the Volume Up button then release it.

Step 4: Use the Volume Up button to scroll to “wipe data/factory reset” and then press the power button.

Step 5: Scroll to “Yes” and select it to wipe your device.

Method 3. Reset It via Android Device Manager

The Android device manager app can help you reset your phone but this would require you to install the ADM app on your phone first before using it.

Step 1: Use another device to sign in to ADM.

Step 2: Select your device (make sure the device you want to reset has an internet connection and is logged into Google account).

Step 3: Select the device you wish to unlock and click "Lock" to continue.

Step 4: After set up a new lock screen then you can get into your locked device.

The methods we shared in this post are genuine and easy to follow, but we highly recommend iMyFone LockWiper (Android) to remove Android lock screen as the best method on how to reset an Android phone without losing data.