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A factory reset removes installed apps and their data, giving you a chance to reconsider what you actually use. My takeaway is simple: instead of reinstalling everything by default, start with the apps you need and add others back when a real task calls for them. That is a personal setup approach, not a promise that a reset will improve your phone’s speed, battery life, or security.
What a factory reset does to your apps
Android’s reset explainer says that a factory reset removes accounts, installed apps, and stored data from the device. Google’s backup guidance adds an important qualification: “Not all apps can back up or restore all settings and data.” Some information may be restored from a backup during setup, but you should not assume every app, setting, or piece of app data will return exactly as it was.
That makes a reset a useful moment to review your app choices—but not a risk-free way to declutter. If an app holds information you cannot replace, check its own backup or export options before resetting.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteUse the reset as a chance to choose, not as a universal app-count test
There is no single minimum app list that suits every Android user. The useful question is whether each app serves a task you genuinely need, whether another app or a browser can already handle it, and whether the app’s data is safe if you remove it.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
My approach is to avoid treating the old app list as a mandatory restore list. Start with the apps needed for essential tasks, then reinstall an app when you find a specific job you cannot comfortably do without it. This is an editorial method for making choices, not a Google recommendation or proof that everyone can use the same small set.
Questions to ask before reinstalling an app
- Do I still have a real use for it? A remembered download or occasional past task is not necessarily a reason to reinstall it immediately.
- Can something I already use do the same job? Check whether an existing app or a website is sufficient for the task.
- What happens to its data? Confirm that anything important is backed up, synced, or exportable before deleting or resetting.
- Are its permissions appropriate? Review what it can access and whether that access makes sense for its purpose.
Protect important data and account access before resetting
Before a reset, back up the phone and verify the Google Account credentials and screen-lock PIN, pattern, or password associated with it. Google’s reset guidance also says to charge the phone to at least 70% and connect it to a network for the reset process described there. Because app backup behavior varies, check the apps that contain irreplaceable information individually.
Rank #2
- 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.
Google’s instructions are available in Android’s backup and restore guidance and its factory reset instructions. Reset steps differ by phone manufacturer and Android version. Google says most devices can be reset through Settings, but recommends consulting the manufacturer for device-specific directions.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Review permissions after setup
Android can automatically reset permissions for apps that have not been used in a while. You can also use Google Play’s Data safety information to help review what an app accesses and uses. These tools provide context for your decision; they cannot determine which apps fit your needs.
Rank #3
- 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.
See Android’s privacy settings and permissions information for more about reviewing app access.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this experiment can—and cannot—show
A reset can make it easier to notice which apps you reach for and which you do not miss, provided you choose what to restore rather than automatically rebuilding the old setup. It does not establish a universal ideal app count, and the reset itself does not prove improvements to performance, battery life, or security.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
For readers considering a reset mainly to avoid signing into every app again, that trade-off is real: restoring from backup may reduce manual setup, but restore behavior is not guaranteed to bring back every app’s settings and data. A question in a Pixel user discussion captures that setup concern, though one discussion is anecdotal rather than evidence of how common it is.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
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