The Tool Desk
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Before wiping your Android phone
A factory reset erases data stored on the phone, including installed apps and their local data. Information saved to a Google Account is separate and is not erased just because you reset the handset. Restore is possible only for data that was backed up, and some apps do not back up or restore all of their data or settings. Google’s Android reset guidance and its backup and restore guidance explain these limits.
- Check your backup. Review the phone’s backup details and confirm it has completed. Common Google backup categories include apps and app data, call history, contacts, device settings, and SMS/MMS. Google Photos can back up photos and videos, but app support varies.
- Confirm your sign-in details. Know the Google Account username and password used on the phone, plus its PIN, pattern, or password. Google recommends waiting 24 hours after changing your Google Account password before resetting.
- Prepare power and connectivity. Google recommends charging to at least 70%. A reset may take up to an hour, and you’ll need an internet connection to sign in after it finishes.
- Check transit cards if applicable. On Android 15 and later, some wallets may prompt you to back up transit cards with funds before a reset. The exact behavior depends on the wallet provider.
Google says its account backup storage has a 15 GB no-charge allowance. Some backup data is end-to-end encrypted using the device’s screen-lock credential. Restoration can take up to 24 hours, and a backup made on a newer Android version cannot be restored to a phone running an older version.
Erase the phone from Settings
Use the Settings reset rather than deleting items one by one. Google recommends resetting from Settings when preparing a Pixel for trade-in; other manufacturers may use different menu names and paths.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Google Pixel example
- Open Settings.
- Tap System, then Reset options.
- Tap Erase all data (factory reset).
- Review the information, tap Erase all data, and enter your PIN if prompted.
This is the Pixel path, not a universal Android menu sequence. On other phones, look in Settings for a system or reset menu, or follow the manufacturer’s support instructions for your exact model. Google likewise advises using manufacturer instructions for device-specific steps: Android factory-reset guidance.
If Settings won’t open
Some Android phones can be reset using the power and volume buttons, but the button combination and screens differ by manufacturer and model. Do not rely on a universal key sequence: use the device maker’s instructions for your phone. If the phone is still usable enough to open Settings, that is generally the simpler route.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
If the phone is locked or lost
If you cannot use Settings, Google’s options include a manufacturer-specific button reset or remotely erasing an eligible device through Find Hub. For remote erase, the phone must have power and internet access, be signed in to a Google Account, have Find Hub turned on, and be visible on Google Play.
Remote erase permanently deletes on-device data, but may not erase an SD card. Once the phone has been erased, Find Hub can no longer show its location. If you still have the handset and can access its Settings, use the normal reset flow instead.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
Prepare the phone for its next owner
Google recommends clearing data and resetting a device before recycling, donating, or trading it in. If you are switching from Android to iPhone, Google’s checklist says to back up the phone, remove each Google Account through Settings, and then factory-reset it. Menu labels and account-removal steps can vary by phone, so follow the instructions for your device as well as the receiving service’s handoff requirements.
For a Google Pixel trade-in, Google specifically directs owners to use the Settings reset flow: Pixel trade-in preparation. Google’s Android-to-iPhone checklist is available at Switch to iPhone.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What a factory reset does not do
A handset reset is not the same as deleting everything in your Google Account. It erases data stored on the phone; cloud data and backups in your account are separate. Avoid account-level deletion unless you intend to delete that cloud data too: Google notes that its account dashboard deletion can also remove device and WhatsApp backup data.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
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