How to remotely delete data from an Android phone

When is a complete cleaning needed?

Before looking for the answer to the question of how to delete all data from an Android phone yourself, you need to understand the reasons for this action. Global cleanup is necessary in the following situations:

• there was a need to simply clear the internal memory. This is a cache memory that stores all system elements activated while using mobile phone applications, as well as when searching for information in the browser;
• the user needs to remove all passwords, addresses and other data that were saved while using the mobile device. The data will not be deleted on its own. It can become a problem if someone gains access to the cell phone;

Forced memory clearing

• You need to clear your cookies. These are files activated while searching for information in the browser, as well as due to the use of applications that work only on the Internet;
• it is required to remove all information from the phone before selling it;
• the owner may have forgotten the password for the mobile device and therefore cannot use it. Often, to save money, you simply have to reset the entire system to factory settings.

Note! Smartphone applications remember not only passwords, but also bank card data.
If the phone falls into the hands of fraudsters, they will easily use the money.

If all else fails

If the above methods did not help you remove unnecessary files from the “Other” folder, there are several reasons for this:

• Your smartphone is outdated - if you've been using your phone for more than 3-5 years, the device's memory is probably too small for modern standards. Applications and OS are regularly updated, so they require more and more space.
• The phone has malware installed - there are various viruses that automatically download advertising applications and unwanted content into the device’s memory. Therefore, first, use an antivirus or take the device to a service center.

How to delete all data

Android phone won't turn on - what to do

There is an easy way to delete everything from an Android phone. The reset is carried out to factory settings, which greatly simplifies the preparation of the mobile device for sale. But a characteristic thing should be noted - with such a reset, all data will be deleted, including applications and phone numbers in the contact list.

Full reset to factory settings

How to completely clean your Android phone yourself:

1. Go to your phone settings. Select the “Backup and Reset” tab.
2. Next, a menu with possible functions will be presented. Select "Reset settings".
3. Confirm your actions by clicking the “Reset phone settings” button.

The presented sequence of actions is applicable for smartphones version 4 and higher. If we are talking about series 5, then they follow slightly different instructions:

1. In the settings you need to find “Backup and reset”.
2. Next, open the “Data Reset” tab.
3. Confirm the actions by clicking on the “Reset device” button.

Factory reset for 5 series

Depending on the smartphone series, the sequence may vary. But the general principle is the same: through “Settings” you need to find the reset function and confirm your actions.

Note! There is an even easier way to reset all settings to factory settings.
Every mobile device has a button for this. It must be pressed and held for a few seconds until the reset starts. You can find it on your smartphone or tablet on the side of the case or under the cover.

Preparing a smartphone for sale

If you need to sell a smartphone, you need to study exactly the sequence of steps on how to erase all data from an Android. The entire operation consists of several stages, for which it is important to follow the recommendations and rules.

Creating a Backup

How to clean your Android phone of unnecessary files

You must first create a backup copy so that the owner can later restore files, phone numbers and other data. Saving takes place on Google servers. As a result, after turning on the new device, all data will be restored. The owner just needs to enter the password for his Google account, and all data will be transferred to the new device.

Note! It is recommended to periodically backup the data on your device to your Google account. This will help restore them if the phone owner loses them.

To create a backup copy, you must follow the following instructions:

1. Go to the “Settings” section. Open the "Backup and Reset" tab, and then select your account.
2. Open a menu with functions available for your account. Select backup and auto-recovery.
3. Confirm actions.
4. Connect your phone to the Internet, if this has not been done previously.

Next, you just need to wait for the files to be copied to your Google account. This may take about half an hour, it all depends on the amount of information being stored and its size.

Creating a Backup

Disconnecting from Google account

The next step is to necessarily disconnect your smartphone from your Google account. To do this, select the “Settings” folder, then “Accounts” and Google. A list will open that lists all Google accounts previously connected to this smartphone. It is selected and disabled, all backup copies remain in the account. They can be viewed by logging into your account via computer.

Disabling an account on a smartphone

Delete private messages and calls from your call history

Personal messages with call logs can also be cleared. To do this, you need to do the following:

1. Open the Phone/SMS app.
2. You need to click on the three dots at the top to open the menu.
3. Next, select “Clear call log”/”Clear message log”.
4. To complete the process, you must confirm the operation.

Important! It is necessary to clear the history regularly or as needed - when the memory is full. This will improve the phone's performance.

Removing personal applications

In questions of how to completely clean an Android before selling it, you cannot do without deleting the applications that the owner uses. You can remove programs separately one after another, but it’s better to do it in one fell swoop:

1. Go to the “Applications” section.
2. Next, open the “Third Party” tab.
3. Find the application you want to delete and confirm the action by clicking “Erase data”.

This removes the program and all system files that were open for it to work. The cache memory is cleaned efficiently, resulting in no debris remaining on the device, and no additional actions are required.

Hard reset your phone

How to format an Android phone - format the built-in memory

If there is no need to save data, do a hard data reset. To do this, use one of the methods, which depends on the software version.

Hard reset for old versions of android

Old versions of Android can be completely cleaned by restoring them to factory settings. This will help in improving the performance of the entire device. To implement your plan, you must perform the following sequence of actions:

1. Fully charge the device and turn it off.
2. Next, you need to press a specific key combination on your phone to enter reset mode. For most devices, this is pressing the volume up and power keys simultaneously. In some gadget models, you need to press the volume down key and the power button, as well as all three buttons available on the smartphone.
3. Wait for system information to appear. An inscription should appear on the dark screen.
4. Use the volume down key to go down to “Wipe Data / Factory Reset” and confirm the action by pressing the power button.
5. Agree by pressing confirmation with the same key in the next action.

The system will open the hard reset option, begin the operation and automatically reboot the phone as soon as possible.

Factory reset older versions of Android

Hard reset on Android 8 and later

Modern smartphones can also be returned to factory settings if you follow all the manufacturer's recommendations. There are instructions for this:

1. Go to the “Settings” folder, select the “System” subsection.
2. Next, open “Reset settings”.
3. Here are several options for resetting data on your smartphone. If a hard wipe is required, select the “Delete all data” option.

Reset settings on Android from version 8 and higher

The selected action is confirmed. The owner only needs to wait until all data is deleted and the phone automatically reboots the system. Upon completion, you need to turn on the smartphone and use it for its intended purpose or sell it.

Note! A hard reset to factory settings is not recommended every time you encounter problems with your Android. The presented operation is resorted to only if all the actions carried out earlier did not give the desired result.

A hard reset can cause a system failure, which will require you to contact a specialist to ensure normal operation of your mobile device. They will flash the system, but it will be expensive.

Cleaning with apps

If you have considered all the ways to clean other files on Samsung, and the proposed options are not satisfactory, use one of the many applications. Let's highlight several popular programs that help clear your phone's memory of garbage:

1. SD Maid is an application that allows you to clean the system of your device and keep it in working order. The program's functions allow you to create crash reports, delete unnecessary files, receive a detailed analysis of the device's operation, and detect duplicate music and photos. In addition, you can automatically launch applications at specific times (if required). The software has a simple interface and can work without root rights. If you have Superuser rights, the possibilities expand. They increase even more if you purchase the paid version.
2. CCleaner is one of the best programs that allows you to clean your phone and memory card on your Samsung phone. Using the software, you can quickly delete unnecessary data, speed up the operation of your mobile device, and remove the cache and browser history. In addition, the software successfully copes with software removal, analyzing the impact of programs on the phone and solving other problems. This is a powerful assistant that copes with all the tasks assigned to it and helps clean the device.
3. Clean Master is high-quality software designed to optimize and ensure the security of smartphones. With its help, you can easily clear your Samsung phone of unnecessary data, protect it from viruses, save battery power, speed up the device and solve other problems. Additional features include a charging wizard, Wi-Fi security and much more.

Users have dozens of applications at their disposal that allow them to clear the operating space on their smartphone. There is no point in listing them all. In all cases, the interface is simple, downloading is available on the Play Market, and use itself is free. To expand the functionality, you can always buy a paid version.

Instructions for full formatting via Recovery

Every Android is equipped with a software recovery function through the Recovery menu. You have to resort to something like this when the device completely fails to work in its previous mode. This could be a simple program freeze, when the owner can neither enter the menu nor open the application.

This option will help you format your smartphone without deleting applications and general data, but with complete clearing of information in the browser and cache memory. To achieve this, you need to do the following:

1. Turn off the device by pressing the corresponding button on the case. This is always resorted to if the phone does not respond to pressing the touch screen.
2. Next, press and hold the key combination - volume down and power button. As already described above, some models require pressing other buttons. It is important to wait for the black screen with information from the operating system to appear.
3. Find “Android System Recovery” in the list of suggested information. Some models provide other options; you can also find “Factory Mode”. Confirm the selection of the found item by pressing the power button.
4. Next, a list of other actions will open. You need to select “Wipe Data/Factory Reset”.
5. The next phrase is selected after opening a new action list. In most cases this is “Clear eMMC”.
6. Next, the selected action is simply confirmed by pressing the device’s power button.

Clearing memory via Recovery

This way, all information stored in the internal memory and previously performed actions at the time the smartphone froze is deleted. A kind of system reboot occurs, which requires the removal of the latest program files to start the mobile device.

For your information! The files were used to fulfill a specific request by the device owner. They are active, but in the event of a malfunction, it is not possible to delete them without the above steps.

Thus, the instructions for completely cleaning the smartphone were discussed above, as well as the sequence of actions on the question of how to prepare your phone for sale (Android) yourself. This is not difficult if all actions are performed according to the worked out steps.

Danger of data deletion

Before you start completely wiping your phone, it is important to check that all the necessary data has been copied and stored somewhere else, because after the operation it will no longer be possible to restore some of the information.

Deleting data has a twofold nature:

• on the one hand, it is necessary to permanently delete essential information so that it does not interfere with the new user and has no possibility of recovery;
• on the other hand, very often situations arise when part of the data has been overwritten and requires immediate recovery.

The latter cannot always be done, especially in the case of total deletion of all data from the smartphone.