Factory resetting your device can help you get rid of viruses or remove a forgotten password on your phone, but you may need to recover data that was deleted afterwards. It will be easier for you to restore your data if you back it up before doing a device reset, but some data can still be restored without a backup. This wikiHow teaches you how to back up your data before factory resetting your device, as well as how to restore data to your device, with or without a backup. To restore data without a backup, you will need to root the device so this method is only recommended for more advanced users. Keep in mind that the procedure of rooting a phone can be dangerous and risk voiding the product warranty so make sure you are always careful what steps you take.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Enabling Backup on Device
Step 1. Open the settings menu or “Settings”
This menu is indicated by a gear icon. You can see it on the home screen or the page/app drawer of the device.
Step 2. Touch the magnifying glass icon
This icon is a search feature icon. Usually, you can see it in the top right corner of the settings menu. With this option, you can search for menu entries in the settings menu.
Step 3. Type Backup into the bar
The location of the “Backup” menu or the backup in the settings menu will be displayed. The placement of this menu differs from one device to another.
Step 4. Touch Backup
The backup options on the Android device will be displayed.
Step 5. Touch the switch
next to "Back up to Google Drive".
Automatic backup via Google Drive will be enabled. If the switch is already blue, the backup feature is enabled.
Call history, contacts, and device settings are automatically backed up if this feature is enabled
Step 6. Touch App data
This option is the first option under active backups.
Step 7. Touch the switch
to enable or disable the "Automatic restore" feature.
Use of this feature will depend on personal preferences or needs. Enable this setting if you want your settings and app data to be saved.
Step 8. Touch back button
It's in the top-left corner of the screen. You will be taken back to the previous page.
Step 9. Touch Photos & videos
This menu allows you to set the backup settings for photos and videos stored on your device.
Photo and video backups will only be performed over a WiFi connection, unless you tap the switch next to “ Photos " and " Videos ” in the "Cellular Data Back Up" section. This feature takes up a lot of quota or data packages so it is usually not recommended to activate it.
Step 10. Touch the switch
next to "Back up & sync".
With this option, photo and video backup will be enabled.
Step 11. Touch Back up device folders
This option is in the “Photos & Videos Back Up & Sync” option.
Step 12. Touch the switch
to enable the backup of the displayed folders.
Image folder backup for various applications will be activated. Some common app folders that may appear include Instagram, Facebook Messenger, or Reddit.
Step 13. Touch back button
twice.
You will be taken to the main backup menu page.
Step 14. Touch Back up now to back up data
Make sure the device is connected to a WiFi connection.
- The data will be backed up to the main Google account. If you want, you can switch accounts by touching “ Account "under segment" Back up now ” and choose another account that is already saved on the phone.
- If you're using an older version of Android device, the menu layout may be slightly different, but the process is more or less the same.
Method 2 of 3: Restoring Data from Backup
Step 1. Turn on the device
The factory reset procedure will return the device to its factory settings so you will need to go through the initial setup process, just like when you first use a new phone.
Step 2. Choose a language
Use the drop-down menu under the "Welcome" section to select a language.
Step 3. Touch Let's Go on the welcome page
This button is just below the language options.
Step 4. Touch Copy your data on the “Copy apps & data” page
With this option, you can restore old data to your device.
Step 5. Touch the name of the WiFi network you want to use
After that, enter the network password to connect the device to the network.
Step 6. Touch A backup from the cloud
This option is the second option under the "Bring your data from" segment.
Step 7. Enter your Google account information on the next page
Make sure you are using the account previously connected to the device before the factory reset procedure is performed.
Step 8. Touch I agree to agree to the terms of use of Google services
You cannot continue the process if you do not agree to the stated terms.
Step 9. Touch the name of the latest backup file
The backup files are listed under the "Choose a backup" section.
Step 10. Touch Restore
All data from the backup will be returned to the device.
Alternatively, you can also tap the checkboxes to select the data you want to restore (eg apps, call history, or device settings)
Step 11. Continue the initial setup process
Follow the instructions shown on the screen to return to the settings on the phone. The data restore to the device will run in the background.
Method 3 of 3: Recovering Data Without Backup Through MobiSaver
Step 1. Download and install EaseUS MobiSaver on Windows computer
You can download it from https://www.easeus.com/spec/mobisaver-android-free.html. Click the download button and select the installation file once it's finished downloading. Follow the on-screen instructions to install MobiSaver.
- It is recommended that you install the free trial version first before purchasing the program as not all data can be recovered. The free trial version allows you to view the files that can be recovered, but you will need to purchase a program if you want to recover files that are already displayed. The sooner you take action after resetting your device to factory settings, the more likely you are to recover lost data.
- There are several other recovery programs of varying quality. MobiSaver has good reviews and is quite easy to use. However, you should always exercise caution before installing and using a data recovery program. The process is generally more or less the same, regardless of the program you choose or use.
Step 2. Open MobiSaver on PC
The icon looks like a white medical symbol on a blue background. You can find it on your desktop or by clicking the Windows “Start” menu button and typing MobiSaver.
Step 3. Root your phone
This procedure allows MobiSaver to access the entire Android system. There are several applications that you can use to root your phone, such as Framaroot and Universal Androot. Both can be downloaded from the internet.
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Warning: The rooting procedure can void the device warranty and cause permanent damage to the phone if not done properly. The steps described in this method are only recommended for advanced users. Continue this method at the risk.
Step 4. Enable the USB debugging feature on the device
You need to touch the magnifying glass icon on the device settings menu first, then enter the search keyword Build number. Search Build number ” in the settings menu and touch it seven times. After that, the “Developer Options” feature will be activated. Use the magnifying glass icon to locate the “Developer” option in the settings menu and tap the switch next to “USB Debugging” in the “Developer Options” section.
Step 5. Connect the device to the computer via a USB cable
Thus, the computer can connect with the Android device.
Step 6. Click Start on the MobiSaver window
The name of the phone will be displayed and the button “ Start ” will turn blue when the phone is found.
- Let the program scan the files on your phone. The time it takes will depend on the hardware and the amount of data that can be recovered.
- It's a good idea to have your phone charged before you start this process.
Step 7. Select the file type to review the recoverable information
Available options include contacts, messages, gallery (photos), video, audio, and documents.
Step 8. Click the checkbox
This box is next to each file type. The file types you want to recover will be marked or selected after that.
Step 9. Click Recover
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 10. Select the location to save the recovered data
It's a good idea to save the data to the computer first if at any time there is an interruption in the file transfer process to the cellphone.
The transfer process can take a long time if you have a lot of media on your device
Step 11. Move the file back to your Android device if you want
You can do this by manually moving the data from your computer to a device that is already connected via USB, or uploading the data to Google Drive first.
