How to Factory Reset an Android Phone from a Computer

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 7, 2021

Losing your phone is never fun, but at least Android makes it easy to keep your data safe! If you want to erase personal data from a lost or stolen phone, you will need to factory reset your device, which will erase all of your data. Even if you do not have access to your phone, you can always reset your Android device from a computer. This wikiHow article will teach you how to factory reset your Android phone from a computer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Android Device Manager

1
Sign in to your account on Android Device Manager. Go to the Android Device Manager website and sign in to your Google account.
- You will only be able to reset your phone if it is currently on and has an internet connection.
- This method will work for anyone who uses a Google account on their Android phone.
2
Select the phone you want to erase. After signing in on the website, you will see your Android devices listed in a menu at the top of the screen. Locate and select the phone you want to erase from this menu. The selected phone will receive a notification.^{[1]
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- If your phone has location services enabled, you will be able to see its last approximate location on the map.
3
Click "Erase Device". Once the phone has been selected, you will see the options to Play Sound, Secure Device, or Erase Device. Choose Erase Device, which will take you to another menu where you will again confirm that you want to erase the selected device.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Samsung Find my Mobile

1
Go to Samsung Find my Mobile. On your computer, go to the Samsung Find my Mobile website. When prompted, sign in to your Samsung account.
- You will only be able to reset your phone if it is currently on and has an internet connection.
- This method will work for anyone who uses a Samsung account on their Android phone.^{[2]
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2
Select the phone you want to erase. If you have more than one Samsung device, select the phone you want to reset from your list of devices.
- If your phone has location services enabled, you will be able to see its last approximate location on the map.
3
Choose "Erase data". This option will be listed in a window on the right side of the screen and will be represented by a logo of a trash can. You will be asked to confirm this action by clicking Erase one more time.
4
Enter the two-step verification code. After choosing Erase data, the website will ask you to enter a verification code. You can choose to either enter a backup verification code you previously set in your Samsung account, or have the code sent to your phone number. Enter the verification code for the method you selected.
- If you lost your phone, you will likely need to use the backup code method. Check out this page to learn how to set a backup code for your Samsung account.
- You will be asked to confirm this action by clicking Erase one more time, and your device will be reset!