### **Steps to Format (Factory Reset) an Android Phone:**
#### **1. Backup Your Data (Optional but Recommended)**
Before formatting, make sure that important data such as photos, contacts, and any app data are backed up.
- **Backup to Google:**
- Open Settings > System > Backup.
- Make sure that Back up to Google Drive is active.
- Of course, you can separately backup contacts, messages, photos, and other files by using any services provided by Google Photos, Google Drive, or third-party backup solutions.
#### **2. Factory Reset via Settings:**
Having done a backup, now one may reset the phone by performing the following steps.
1. Open Settings:
- Open the **Settings** app on your device.
2. **Find System or General Management**:
- Scroll down and find **System** (it may also be named as **General Management** on some phones).
3. **Tap on Reset Options**:
- On most devices, you will click on **Reset options**; on others, it may simply say **Reset**.
4. **Tap on Erase All Data (Factory Reset)**:
- Click **Erase all data (factory reset)**.
- Warning notifications will pop up, stating that this will completely clear your phone, including the Google account, installed apps, and settings.
5. **Confirm the Reset**:
- Tap on **Erase all data** or **Reset phone** to confirm.
- You may need to enter your PIN, pattern, or password after this.
6. **Reboot**:
- The phone will initiate the process and restart in a few minutes.
#### **3. Factory Reset Using Recovery Mode (When You Can't Access Settings)**
In case your phone isn't responsive, or you can't reach any setting, you'll be using **Recovery Mode** to complete the factory reset.
1. **Switch Off the Phone**:
- Press and hold the **Power** button and select **Power off**.
2. **Boot into Recovery Mode**:
- Press and hold the **Power + Volume Up** buttons simultaneously until you see the manufacturer's logo on most Android devices. Try pressing **Power + Volume Down** in some models. The specific key combination will differ and can be looked up in the phone manual if required.
3. **Swipe to Wipe Data/Factory Reset**:
* Using the **volume buttons** for navigation, highlight **Wipe data/factory reset**.
- Press the **Power** key to select the **Power** option.
4. **Confirm the Reset**:
- Use the volume buttons to move to **Yes** and the **Power** button to select it.
5. **Reboot the Phone**:
- When the reset is done, use the volume keys to move to **Reboot system now**.
### 4. Set Up the Device
It will then boot up again and take you directly to the setup screen, where you can set it up as new or restore from a previous backup.
After a reset, everything on your phone will be completely wiped, leaving the phone in its factory state.
