When Is Factory Reset Necessary and What Happens to Data During This Procedure?
Every Android smartphone has the option for Factory Reset, which serves to immediately return the device to its default settings and remove any software that’s been added after the initial setup. This option can be executed directly from the phone or remotely with a cloud software tool, so it’s very easy to fall back on whenever all other options fail. The main downside of this procedure is that all data on the device is erased, so this feature should never be used without full awareness of the consequences. A typical situation where users need to perform a hard reset on the device is when the phone is lost or stolen and erasing the data is necessary to protect privacy. Another possibility is that a phone is sold and new owner wants to start from a clean slate. A device that can’t be accessed due to a lock screen is also a prime candidate for a Factory reset. Some users use this option whenever their phone slows down because of too many installed apps and/or clogged memory, but this might be a bit extreme. Factory reset can also be an effective solution for eliminating malware from the device.
How to Recover Data After Factory Rest with Backup?
An Android device will be completely functional after a hard reset and any security locks that were preventing access to its content will be removed, albeit at a price. Any personal contacts, documents, notes, ringtones, images, videos, installed apps and other content will be entirely wiped from the device. That doesn’t mean the data is necessarily lost forever, especially if the device owner had the presence of mind to create backup before resetting. Depending on the location where the backup files are kept, there are two methods that users could rely on for data recovery.
Method #1 – Restore data from local backup
The most straightforward way to get your data back on the Android device is to load it from a local backup. Of course, this can only be done if the backup was made on a computer or another digital device that is physically in the possession of the owner. This method is very convenient for recovering documents, photos, and videos, but it doesn’t help you move personalized settings, ringtones, or installed apps back to the device. Here is the procedure you need to follow to recover data from a local backup and return it to the Android device you are currently using: Step 1 – Connect the Android phone to the PC where the backup files are saved via USB cable Step 2 – Go to Settings menu on the Android, and select the Backup & Restore option Step 3 – Find the latest backup file on the computer and click on Restore from backup
Method #2 – Restore from Google backup in the cloud
Another possibility for the retrieval of backed up data is to use personal cloud storage provided by Google. This method has the advantage of allowing remote access to the data, as well as increased security of the saved content. If data was regularly backed up on the Google account and the synchronization feature has been turned on, recovering everything to the device after a factory reset won’t be hard at all. Here is what you need to do to get the latest backup to the phone and easily access all of your files: Step 1 – After you factory reset the device, start your Android phone Step 2 – Set up the same Google account on the device that you previously used Step 3 – During the setup process, you will be offered the possibility to restore backup files Step 4 – Click on the Automatic restore option and finish the process
How to Recover Data without Backup?
Since factory reset option is sometimes invoked during an emergency, it’s not rare to perform it without a proper backup in place. Without a recent backup, none of the two default methods presented above can be used, and the data is seemingly lost forever. The only option left for the Android user is to download a specialized software solution that can return the lost data to the device. Fortunately, there is a very reliable app of this kind available on the web.
Using DroidKit to recover lost data
DroidKit by iMobie was designed specifically to support Android users in difficult situations and allow them to perform actions they otherwise wouldn’t be able to. One of the most valuable features of this software is its data recovery tool which can solve the problem of lost data after a factory reset. This tool is very user-friendly and doesn’t require expert knowledge of technology, so literally, anyone can use it to quickly recover personal data without the need for a backup. Here is the sequence of steps you need to take in order to get all your files, apps, and preferences back to your phone where they belong: Step 1 – Install DroidKit to your computer, run it, and select the Data Recovery tool from the main menu Step 2 – Select the option Quick recovery from device, and specify which categories of data you would like to recover Step 3 – Plug your Android phone into a USB slot on the computer, and scan the existing and deleted data on the device Step 4 – Preview the scanned data and choose which documents you want to get back, then click on the Start button when you are ready Step 5 – Choose whether to save the files to PC or to Device, and wait a little while for the recovery process to be completed without unplugging the phone.
Final Words
It goes without saying that backing up your personal data on a regular basis is a smart practice, regardless of whether you intend to factory reset your Android device. With a backup stored locally on in the cloud, restoring all data back to the phone is a routine task. Things are more complicated if you failed to create a backup, but even in this case, you could perform a successful recovery if you download DroidKit by iMobie. This software lets you preview and retrieve several categories of deleted content, so it represents a valuable resource that every Android owner should be aware of and prepared to use. For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel. You can also stay up to date using the Gadget Bridge Android App. You can find the latest car and bike news here.
