How to Format Android Phones (2026 Guide)

If your phone has slowed down or apps are crashing frequently or you are simply selling your Android phone, formatting is the ultimate option. When you format an Android phone or factory reset, it erases everything on the device including apps, photos, accounts and settings. In this guide, I have explained how to format Android phones from all major brands, including Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi, OnePlus, etc. I have also added the Recovery Mode method for when your phone doesn't boot at all.

Things to Do Before You Format Your Android Phone

Formatting an Android phone is irreversible so take a few minutes to prepare your device. It will save you from losing precious data or getting locked out of your own phone. Here is what you need to do.

1. Back up your data: First off, open Settings > Google > Backup and tap on Back up now. It saves your apps, contacts, messages, photos and settings to your Google account. You can also follow our detailed guide to back up your Android phone using other methods.
2. Remove your Google account: Next, go to Settings > Passwords & accounts, tap on your Google account and select Remove account. This step is important if you are selling the phone. Otherwise, Factory Reset Protection (FRP) will ask the new owner to sign in with your Google account during setup.
3. Charge your phone: Google recommends charging your phone to at least 70% since a factory reset can take up to an hour.
4. Note down your credentials: Keep your Google account email and password handy. You will need them to restore your data after the reset.

How to Format Android Phones

This is the standard method that works on most stock Android phones. The factory reset option lives inside the System menu and here is how to find it.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone and go to System.
2. Now, tap on Reset options.

3. Here, select Erase all data (factory reset).
4. Review the list of accounts and data that will be removed and tap on Erase all data.
5. Enter your PIN, password or pattern to confirm it's you.
6. Finally, tap on Erase all data again to start the process.

Your phone will reboot and take a few minutes to wipe itself. Once done, the Android phone will boot on the initial setup screen, just like a brand new device.

How to Format Samsung Phones

Samsung phones run One UI which places the reset options under the General management menu instead of System. Here is how to format a Samsung phone.

1. Open Settings on your Samsung phone and tap on General management.
2. Now, tap on Reset.

3. Here, choose Factory data reset and review the information on the screen.
4. Now, tap on Reset at the bottom and enter your PIN, password or pattern.
5. Finally, tap on Delete all to confirm the action and it will reset your Samsung phone.

Note that if a Samsung account is added to the device, you will be asked to enter your Samsung account password before the reset begins

How to Format Vivo and iQOO Phones

iQOO and Vivo phones run Funtouch OS and OriginOS and the factory reset option sits inside the System management menu. Follow the steps below.

1. Open the Settings app and tap on System management.
2. Now, tap on Reset and select Erase all data.

3. Check the list of what will be deleted and tap on Erase at the bottom.
4. Enter your PIN, password or pattern to confirm.
5. Finally, tap on Erase again to format your Vivo phone.

Note that on older Funtouch OS versions, the same option is located under Settings > More settings > Backup & reset. And if you only want to fix a glitch without wiping the entire phone, go ahead and reset settings on Vivo phones instead.

How to Format Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco Phones

On HyperOS, Xiaomi has put the factory reset option inside the About phone section. In addition, if the Find device (Mi Account) lock is enabled, the phone will ask for your Mi Account password after the reset. So make sure you remember the credentials before formatting your Xiaomi phone.

1. Open Settings on your Xiaomi phone and tap on About phone.
2. Now, move to Factory reset and tap on the Erase all data button at the bottom.
3. Enter your PIN, password or pattern to authenticate.
4. Finally, confirm the action and your phone will begin the reset process.

How to Format OnePlus, Oppo and Realme Phones

OnePlus, Oppo and Realme phones run OxygenOS, ColorOS and Realme UI respectively, but all three skins share the same underlying software. So the steps to format these phones are identical.

1. Open the Settings app and tap on System & update.
2. Now, tap on Back up & reset.

3. Here, select Reset phone and then tap on Erase all data.
4. Review the list of everything that will be deleted and tap on Erase all data at the bottom.
5. Enter your PIN, password or pattern to confirm. Your phone will reboot and begin the wiping process.

How to Format Android Phones Using Recovery Mode

If your Android phone is stuck in a boot loop, frozen on the Android logo or you can't access the Settings app, you can format the phone via Recovery Mode. It lets you force a factory reset using just the hardware buttons. Here is how to do it.

1. First and foremost, power off your Android phone completely.
2. Press and hold the Power + Volume Up buttons together until the Fastboot or bootloader screen appears.
3. If it doesn't work, hold Power + Volume Down buttons together.
4. Use the Volume buttons to navigate to Recovery Mode and press the Power button to select it.
5. If you see a No command screen, press and hold the Power button and then press the Volume up button once.
6. Under Android Recovery, use the Volume buttons to highlight Wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to select it.

7. Now, select Factory data reset to confirm.
8. Once you see the "Data wipe complete" message, select Reboot system now and you are done.

Note that the button combination differs across brands. On Samsung phones, you need to connect the device to a PC via USB and then hold the Power + Volume up buttons to enter recovery. On Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco phones, hold the Power + Volume up buttons for around 10 seconds.

Also, remember that FRP kicks in after a Recovery Mode reset, so you must sign in with the Google account that was previously added to the device. If you are formatting the phone because you are locked out, follow our guide to reset password on Android for all the available options.

How to Format Android Phones Remotely

If your Android phone is lost or stolen, you can format it remotely using Google's Find Hub (formerly Find My Device) to protect your data. The phone must be powered on and connected to the internet for this to work. Here is how to go about it.

1. Open a web browser on any device and go to google.com/android/find.
2. Sign in with the Google account linked to your Android phone.
3. Now, select your phone from the list of devices.
4. Choose Factory reset device and confirm the action. That's it.

If the device is offline, the reset will trigger the next time it connects to the internet. Do note that once the phone is wiped, you will no longer be able to track it using Find Hub. And if you have a Samsung phone, the Find My Mobile service can locate your Galaxy phone.

What to Do After You Format Your Android Phone

Once the format is complete, your phone will boot into the initial setup screen. If you are keeping the device, connect to Wi-Fi, sign in with your Google account and restore your data when prompted. In case the Android setup keeps stopping during onboarding, you can follow our guide to fix the error.

And if you are selling the phone, simply leave it on the setup screen so the new owner can configure it with their own accounts. To sum up, that is how to format Android phones from every major brand. The Settings method is the easiest option while Recovery Mode comes in handy when the phone doesn't boot.

Finally, if you formatted your device because of battery drain or shady pop-ups, I would recommend reading our guide on how to remove malware from Android to make sure the infected apps don't return.