If your Vivo phone has started misbehaving or showing random issues, you don't need to nuke everything with a factory reset. Vivo's Funtouch OS and OriginOS offer several reset options, from network settings reset to a complete factory wipe. The trick is knowing which one to use and most people reach for the nuclear option when a smaller reset would have fixed the problem. On that note, let's go ahead and learn how to reset settings on Vivo phones.
What Happens When You Reset Settings on a Vivo Phone?
When you reset settings on a Vivo phone, it rolls back specific system configurations to their default settings without touching your personal data. Your photos, videos, apps, messages and accounts all remain intact. Only the settings get wiped, whether that is your saved Wi-Fi networks, your default apps or system preference.
That said, a factory reset erases all your data including your personal files and settings. It will completely wipe the phone and restore everything to the out-of-the-box state.
So if you only want to fix a connectivity issue or a glitchy setting, start with one of the smaller reset options on your Vivo phone. You should also try restarting your phone since a reboot clears temporary glitches without changing a single setting. You can use factory reset for serious software problems or for when you are selling the phone.
No matter which reset option you use, take a minute to back up your Vivo phone first because one of the options is irreversible.
On current Funtouch OS and OriginOS builds, every option below lives under Settings > System management > Reset. If you are on an older Funtouch OS version (Android 11 or below), the same options will be under Settings > More settings > Backup & reset.
How to Reset Network Settings on a Vivo Phone
This is the reset option to try first for any Wi-Fi, mobile data or Bluetooth issue on your Vivo phone. It forgets all saved Wi-Fi networks, paired Bluetooth devices and mobile network preferences and sets them back to default. None of your other data or files are touched.
- Open the Settings app on your Vivo phone and scroll down and tap on System management.
- Next, tap on Reset.
- After that, select Reset network settings. Older Funtouch OS builds may show Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
- Now, simply tap on the Reset button, enter your PIN, password or pattern and confirm the action.
Once done, you will need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network and pair Bluetooth devices again. This process will likely also fix any connection woes you were facing on your Vivo device.
How to Reset App Preferences on a Vivo Phone
If apps are crashing on your Vivo phone or default apps have changed, an app reset is the fix. It restores default apps, re-enables disabled apps and notifications and resets background data and permission restrictions. It does not delete any app or its data so you will not lose chats or downloads.
- Go ahead and open Settings > Apps. After that, move to App manager.
- Once here, tap on the 3-dot menu in the top-right corner and choose Reset app preferences.
- Now, tap on Reset again and you are done.
How to Reset All Settings on a Vivo Phone
This option lets you reset all system settings to default in one go including network settings, system preferences, etc. All your apps, photos and files will remain completely intact. Here are the steps to follow.
- Launch Settings on your Vivo phone and tap on System management > Reset.
- After that, select Reset all settings and tap on the Reset button at the bottom.
How to Factory Reset a Vivo Phone (Erase All Data)
Unlike resetting settings, this option completely wipes your Vivo phone. Use the factory reset option when smaller resets have not worked and the phone is performing poorly. This will delete everything including apps, accounts, photos, messages and settings, so make sure your backup is done and you remember your Google account login.
- Open the Settings app and tap on System management > Reset.
- Here, select Erase all data.
- Now, review the list of what will be deleted and tap on Erase at the bottom.
- You will have to enter your PIN, password or pattern to confirm the action.
- Finally, tap on the Erase button to wipe all data from your Vivo phone.
The phone will reboot and take a few minutes to wipe itself and optimise. When it reboots, you will be greeted by the initial setup screen, just like a brand-new device. If the Android Setup keeps stopping, you can follow our article to fix it.
One important note: due to Factory Reset Protection (FRP), you will be asked to log in with the Google account that was previously added on the phone after the reset. If you are selling the device, remove your Google account before you reset the phone.
In case you have a Galaxy phone, you can follow our dedicated guide and learn how to reset a Samsung phone. Next, you can find a long list of Vivo secret codes for diagnostic testing and to check the phone hardware.
