To remove all data from your phone, you can reset your phone to factory settings. Factory resets are also called “formatting” or “hard resets.”
Get ready to factory reset your Google Pixel phone
Important: A factory reset erases all your data from your phone.
If you want to reset your phone to fix an issue, we recommend that you first try other solutions. Learn how to troubleshoot your issue.
Know Google Account username & passwordTo restore your data after you reset your phone, you must enter security info. When you enter the info, it shows that you or someone you trust did the reset.
Required security info includes:
- A Google Account on the phone. To find your account:
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Passwords & accounts.
- To the right of Google app
, you can find the Google Account username associated with the phone.
- Your password for the Google Account associated with the phone. To confirm the password, sign in to that account on another device or computer. If you don't remember your password, get sign-in help.
- Your phone's PIN, pattern, or password if there’s a screen lock. If you can't unlock the phone, learn what options you have.
Tip: If you recently reset your Google Account password, wait 24 hours before you perform a factory reset.
A factory data reset erases all your data from the phone. While data stored in your Google Account can be restored, your apps and their data are uninstalled.
To prepare to restore your data, check that it's in your Google Account. Learn how to:
A factory reset can take up to an hour.
- Charge your phone to at least 70%. Learn how to charge your phone.
- Connect your phone to Wi-Fi or your mobile network. When the factory reset completes, you must be connected to sign in to your Google Account.
Tip: If you can’t reset from the Settings app or you can’t use your screen, learn how to reset your Pixel phone manually with Fastboot mode.
Use the Update & Software Repair tool (Pixel 4a & later, including Fold)
We recommend you use this tool because of these benefits:
- You may be able to update your software manually to the latest version without a factory reset. This manual update may resolve software issues without requiring you to delete and restore your data.
- You can use this tool to reset your device to the most recent version of Android. Other factory reset options keep the same software version that is on your phone, which may not be the most recent version. This option still requires you to back up, delete, and restore your data
Important: Before you use the Update and Software Repair tool, you must have a computer and a USB cord that can connect to your phone.
- Connect your phone to a computer with a USB cord.
- Go to https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Factory reset your Google Pixel phone
From your phone’s Settings app (all Pixel phones)- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap System
Reset options
- To erase all data from your phone's internal storage, tap Erase all data.
- If needed, your phone asks for your PIN. Enter your PIN and then tap Erase all data.
- When your phone finishes the reset, pick the option to restart.
- Set up your phone and restore your backed-up data. Learn how to restore your Pixel’s data.
Other issues with Pixel phone reset
Important: If you remove your Google Account, your backup will be deleted.
If you can't factory reset your device and want to remove your Google Account from the device, follow these steps:
- Go to myaccount.google.com.
- On the left, tap Security
Your devices.
- On the device, tap More