The HTC One (M8) is a fantastic phone, but like any Android device the combination of app installs and uninstalls and everyday use means that from time to time it can misbehave. If your HTC One (M8) feels slow, is prone to freezing or infuriates you with constant crashing, it’s probably time to go nuclear and carry out a factory reset (sometimes called a hard reset or a master reset). Here’s how to factory reset the HTC One (M8).
What to do before you factory reset the HTC One (M8)
Backup, backup, backup: if it’s important to you, make sure you’ve got a backup copy somewhere safe before you reset your HTC. Also make sure you’ve got a note of any crucial app passwords, because post-reset you’ll need to set them up again. Also, make sure you’ve synced with your Google account so that all the online data Google has for your tablet is up to date. That’ll make restoring your HTC One (M8) much simpler.
It’s also worth trying a few other things first. If you’re finding that all of your problems appear to happen with the same app, there’s a good chance that something has gone wrong with it rather than with your entire Android device - so try uninstalling, rebooting and reinstalling it to see if that fixes the problem. Clearing the app and system caches can solve odd behavior too, and of course it’s important to ensure that the version of Android on your HTC is the most recent version available. No operating system ships without a few bugs, and Google generally kills the worst ones with successive releases.
What a factory reset actually does to your HTC One (M8)
Carrying out a factory reset will essentially restore your HTC to factory-fresh condition - and like a brand new one from the factory, that means it won’t have any of your stuff on it. Factory resetting will remove all of the data on your phone including apps you’ve installed, user accounts you’ve created, files you’ve stored and any customization you’ve carried out. The only thing it doesn’t get rid of is system updates, so for example if you’ve installed a few Android OS updates they’ll still be there after the reset is complete.
When you should factory reset your HTC One (M8)
The main reason for factory resetting your device is to stop it from misbehaving. The reset is effectively a spring clean of your device, sweeping away the dust from various apps, removing temporary files and generally ensuring your device is all clean and sparkly. It’s also a good idea to factory reset your HTC if you’re selling it or giving it to somebody else.
An important warning for secret agents, superheroes and international men and women of mystery
A factory reset deletes your data, but it doesn’t make it impossible to recover that data. It’s possible to recover data after a phone has been reset, and while that’s beyond the knowledge of (and of no interest to) the typical smartphone owner, if you’ve been using your phone for top-secret stuff you want to get rid of forever you should fire your HTC into the center of the sun, or at least invest in secure wiping software.
How to factory reset the HTC One (M8) from the Settings menu
There are two ways to reset your HTC: you can do it from Settings, or you can do it using the hardware buttons. The first method is slightly faster, so here’s how to do it:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Backup and Reset
- Tap Reset Phone
- If you want to zap the contents of your SD card too, check Erase SD Card.
- Tap OK
And that’s it. As with any serious system things, always ensure you’ve taken a backup and that your device is charged and/or connected to the charger before doing any of this.
How to factory reset the HTC One (M8) using the hardware buttons
If your HTC One isn’t booting, you can’t access the settings or you just really like buttons, you can factory reset your HTC using the following steps:
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and then press and hold the Power button.
- Wait for the screen with three Android images to appear. Release the buttons.
- Using the Volume Down key to navigate, select Factory Reset. Use the Power button to confirm your selection.
Have you found resetting your HTC One (M8) cures all known ills, or have you still got a stubborn problem? Share your experiences in the comments!
