Factory resetting your Motorola G5 can resolve many software issues, improve performance, and prepare it for resale or transfer by erasing all personal data. There are two primary methods to perform a factory reset: through the settings menu or via recovery mode.
1. Before You Begin: Essential Preparations
Before initiating a factory reset, it's crucial to take a few preparatory steps to prevent data loss and ensure a smooth process.
- Backup Your Data: A factory reset will permanently delete all data stored on your phone's internal storage, including photos, videos, contacts, apps, and messages. Ensure you back up all important information to a cloud service (like Google Drive or Google Photos), a computer, or an external storage device.
- Remove Google Account: To prevent Factory Reset Protection (FRP) from locking you out of your device after the reset, it's highly recommended to remove your Google account(s). Go to Settings > Accounts, tap on your Google account, and then select Remove account. Repeat for all Google accounts.
- Charge Your Device: Ensure your Motorola G5 has at least 50% battery life to prevent it from shutting down unexpectedly during the reset process, which could cause software issues.
- Understand the Outcome: A factory reset returns your phone to its original, out-of-the-box state. You will need to set it up again as a new device.
2. Method 1: Factory Reset via Settings Menu
This is the most straightforward method and is recommended when your Motorola G5 is functional and you can access the settings.
- Open Settings: From your home screen, swipe down from the top twice to open the Quick Settings panel, then tap the gear icon (Settings), or find the Settings app in your app drawer.
- Navigate to System: Scroll down and touch System.
- Access Reset Options: Tap on Reset options.
- Erase All Data: Touch Erase all data (factory reset).
- Confirm Deletion: You will see a summary of what will be erased. Read it carefully. Tap Erase all data again.
- Enter PIN/Pattern (if prompted): If you have a screen lock set up, you may be asked to enter your PIN, pattern, or password to confirm.
- Final Confirmation: Tap Erase all data one last time to start the reset process.
Your phone will then restart and begin the factory reset. This process can take several minutes. Once complete, the phone will boot up to the initial setup screen, just like a new device.
3. Method 2: Factory Reset via Recovery Mode
If your Motorola G5 is experiencing significant software issues, won't boot correctly, or you can't access the settings menu, you can perform a factory reset through the recovery mode using hardware buttons.
- Power Off Your Device: Completely power off your Motorola G5. If it's frozen, press and hold the Power button for about 10-20 seconds until it turns off.
- Enter Bootloader Mode: Press and hold the Volume Down button and the Power button simultaneously for a few seconds. Release them when you see the Android bootloader screen (often with "START" at the top).
- Navigate to Recovery Mode: Use the Volume Down button to scroll through the options until you see "Recovery mode."
- Select Recovery Mode: Press the Power button to select "Recovery mode."
- Access Android Recovery: If you see an Android robot lying down with an exclamation mark ("No command"), press and hold the Power button, then quickly press and release the Volume Up button. This should bring up the Android Recovery menu.
- Wipe Data/Factory Reset: Use the Volume Down button to navigate to "Wipe data/factory reset."
- Confirm Selection: Press the Power button to select it.
- Confirm Data Deletion: Use the Volume Down button to select "Yes" or "Factory data reset" (depending on the specific menu version).
- Initiate Reset: Press the Power button to confirm and start the wiping process.
- Reboot System: Once the data wipe is complete (you'll see a "Data wipe complete" message), ensure "Reboot system now" is highlighted.
- Restart Device: Press the Power button to restart your Motorola G5.
Your phone will then reboot to the initial setup screen.
Understanding the Process
A factory reset deletes all user-installed applications, personal settings, and user data. It reinstalls the original operating system and pre-installed applications that came with the device. This process does not update the Android version, but it can often resolve persistent software glitches, freezing issues, and performance slowdowns.
For more general information on factory resetting Android devices, you can refer to Google Support.
Summary of Factory Reset Methods
| Feature | Reset via Settings Menu | Reset via Recovery Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite | Phone is functional and accessible | Phone may be unresponsive or not booting |
| Data Deletion | All user data, apps, and settings removed | All user data, apps, and settings removed |
| Requires PIN/Password | Yes, if screen lock is active | No, bypasses lock screen |
| Steps Involves | Navigating Android OS menu | Using hardware buttons (Volume & Power) |
| Best For | Preparing for sale, minor software glitches | Unresponsive phone, severe software issues |
