We want Erase All Data (Factory Reset), or similar. Android will throw up a prompt or two to make sure you aren’t doing this accidentally, and you’ll need to input your unlock PIN.
Is Reset Options not where you expect? What we tend to do when resetting an Android is to tap the search button in Settings —usually a magnifying glass at the top-right of the screen —and then type in “reset”. This should bring up the relevant shortcut. Then just select the Factory Reset option in the menu that follows.
Wear OS watches
Wear OS watches can often seem samey, but it also means there’s a nice consistent way to factory reset them.
Flick down from the top of the screen to bring up the pull-down menu. Tap the Settings button.
Scroll down to System and tap it. Then flick down and select Disconnect & Reset.
Microsoft Xbox One
Press the Home button on the Xbox gamepad. Select the cog/gear icon to get to the Settings menu. Go into System, then Console Info and Reset console.
Here you’ll find options to reset with and without removing data such as game installs. Choose Reset and Remove Everything to get the console to a factory fresh-style state.
Sony PS4
The most reliable way to factory reset your PS4 is to do so through its safe mode.
Turn the console off, then hold the power button on the PS4 itself (rather than the pad) until you hear two beeps. This launches it into safe mode.
This offers a basic troubleshooting-style menu that includes Initialise PS4 (Reinstall System Software), which is the option you need. It takes some time, but makes the console ready to sell on.
Nintendo Switch
There are two ways to reset a Nintendo Switch. The first is a factory reset that does not delete your save data. Don’t use this if you plan to sell your Switch, but it can be useful for other situations.
When the Switch is turned off, hold the volume up and down buttons and then press the power button to turn the console on. This should bring up a recovery display that lets you perform a factory reset without deleting save files.
For a full reset, turn your Nintendo Switch on and head to the System Settings menu. Go to the bottom of this menu and select System. At the very bottom of this screen you’ll find Formatting Options, which has the factory reset control we are after.
Kindles
Prepping a Kindle to sell on is a little different to most other gadgets. While there is a “reset” option in the Settings menu under the Device Options sub-menu, the most important part of the process is elsewhere.
You need to “deregister” it. This untethers the Kindle from your Amazon account. The Register Device control lives in the Your Account area in Settings.
Perform both a reset and deregister to get your Kindle back to its box-fresh state. Can’t find the Settings menu? Tap towards the top of the screen, then tap Settings and All Settings in the pop-up that should appear.
Sonos speakers
Resetting a Sonos speaker is not quite as important as wiping a laptop, but it’s a good idea if you want to sell a speaker on and avoid the buyer complaining they can’t get it setup.
Unplug the speaker and hold either the Join, Play/Pause or Mute as you plug the power cable back in. The buttons needed depends on which is actually on the speaker — this varies by model.
Continue holding the button for a while. When the process is complete the on-speaker LED should flash green.
Garmin Forerunner and Fenix watches
Garmin’s reset process may vary a little depending on your model, but it should be similar across Forerunner, Fenix, Vivoactive and Instinct lines.
Long-press the “up” button or use the touchscreen to navigate to the Settings menu. Select System and scroll down to Reset. Choose Delete Data and Reset Settings in this menu to fully reset the wearable.
Huawei and Honor smartwatches
Huawei and Honor watches use the same software. The reset procedure is very similar across models, bar the companies’ basic fitness bands.
In the Settings menu you’ll find a Reset entry that lets you set the watch back to its original state. But you may need to get the battery to a certain charge level before it will run.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
