Deleting individual app data vs factory reset - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I posted this in a hardware specific forum but it's a general question so I am reposting here in hopes of getting a non-hardware specific answer. I apologize for not finding this forum first.
I have a couple different devices to sell (one on stock JB 4.1.2 and one on CM 10.2.1) and I would prefer not to factory reset them. If I go through each individual app and clear its data and cache and also delete any accounts I have set up (e.g., Facebook, Gmail), does that get rid on my identifying information the same as a factory reset would?

I think you should just go for a factory reset...
If you are using CWM/TWRP then just do a data wipe...
Don't format the internal SD....
Data wipe is much better option than what you were thinking..!!
But anyway doing that much is enough to clear your personal information n stuff..!!

If you are going to sell, what would be the reason to NOT factory reset?
Factory resetting will not get rid of your roms and put you back to like you got it brand new, but will wipe out all of your user data, which typically, most people do not want to share.

Related

[Q] Want to reset/wipe my phone, what is backed up by Google?

I want to do a factory reset/wipe since Ive been having issues since the update, plus it will allow me to get rid of a bunch of apps I dont use anymore.
I know Google backs up mail and contacts. What about phone settings? Apps would have to be redownloaded/installed from the market, which is no big deal. What about SMS? I also want to format my internal memory, so that stuff will get backed up manually by me. Is there an option to format this drive or should I just do it in Windows?
the best way to reset, is flash a new Stock rom to the phone. that is Called FRESH!! beside that, ordinary reset from phone menu only wipes the data, not the updates. updates stays!!
you say u want to avoid the updates, that is what I am guessing from your post.
so best to apply Stock Rom with Odin...read the bible got all the info you ever need!!
Nope, I want the update (why wouldnt I ?)
Think of it like wiping your hard drive and reinstalling Windows with all the updates.

[Q] Selling an Android

Hi,
I have two questions regarding selling of an android device:
- What should I do do completly get rid of any personal data? I have CWM available (which will stay on). As I am selling to a friend I would flash a recent Darky on it, so I want to keep the new ROM but have it completly "fresh". So flashing the rom and going to CWM and doing all "resets" there should be enough, or am I missing something?
- How do I get the phone out of my Google Account? Even if the phone is reset, it stays on my Google Account, let's say in the Webmarket Listing. Will it get removed as soon as the device registeres with a new Google Account?
Goto settings, accounts & sync, tap on your account and select remove account.
Also, boot into CWM, wipe cache, data/factory reset, dalvik cache. And flashing the ROM over again would make it faster
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
What phone?
What phone do you have. You can do a factory reset and format the SD card.
Maybe it is a possibility to put on a custom ROM so your friend can gain from the benefits such custom ROM's most of the times have. When putting in a new ROM you can format the SD card first and then put in a new one.
Sometimes (depends on what phone) in the recovery it is possible to format the SD card and do a factory reset of the ROM. If this is possible then also al data from users is deleted.
Ok I think just "resetting" everything from CWM should be enough then. Im selling a Galaxy S1.
The more important question: How do I get the device out of the webmarket?

complete format

hi,
first off, apologies is this has already been discussed..
i have a sgs2 and have rooted it and installed miui, and then recently installed cyanogen 7.
im having signal problems and my data signal is also poor.
i also find my memory is cluttered with old app data.
i would like to completely remove all data off my phone and install a clean and reliable rom (any recommendations of the best one?). i would also like to update my kernel and firmware to the most reliable one.
can you please advise me on how to do so.
once again apologies if this is already been covered.
thanks
azam
Always use data wipe/factory reset option in CWR.
iv decided i want to go back to stock rom. what is the correct proccess?
Yeah just do data/reset or if u unsure ucan use
Moun then format data cache n system
check the sgs2 forums as there are some guides available and even some odin one-click restores which accomplish the task.
back up any data to pc/external sd and when you do a factory data reset in the rom chose format usb storage as that will clean off any other remnants you may be seeing.

how to wipe without wiping rom?

Im giving my old mt4g to my brother and want to keep the rom. How do i wipe all my data without wiping the rom?
CWM recovery, factory reset or configs, location and security, factory reset.
Sent from my U20i using xda premium
On most custom roms you can't as they install needed files to directories that are wiped during the factory reset. Best bet is to do the wipe and reflash the rom.
You could always do a manual wipe - but it'll probably take much longer than reflashing a rom
Just uninstall all downloaded apps
Go to accounts&sync and remove all accounts
Go to manage applications > System applications, and clear data from all of them.
That should probably remove all user data (Besides settings, which can be changed easily)
Update?
Can I get an update on this topic? I'm trying to use CWM to wipe my phone, and it's not working. I choose "clear data/factory reset." Then I flash a ROM. When I install Rom Toolbox (and nothing else) and open the root browser, all the MP3s I downloaded from Amazon are still there, along with a multitude of other remnants. I'm trying to wipe my internal storage, not my SD card.

[Q] Full and secure wipe -> no way to get data back ?

Hi everyone,
I am about to sell my old galaxy S3, and I would like to completly wipe it:
I have already read tons of topic, i don't want to:
- manually delete files
- wipe from recovery
- format from the setting menu
etc.. I have already done these steps before and i am not satisfied:crying:, i would like the next owner to not be able to find any file on my phone with softwares such as getDataBack or DiskDigger...
I read on xda that the only way to "erase" a file is to replace it.. so if i fill my phone with many useless files I may not be able to recover any file anymore..?
but that's why i poste here.. i would like to know if there is a software which can do this by itself ? or if there are other methods...
thanks a lot for your help
cheers
anyone ?
Here's a tutorial I found online!
Step one: Encrypting
I recommend encrypting your device before you are getting ready to wipe it. The encryption process will scramble the data on your device and, even if the wipe doesn't fully delete the data, a special key will be required to unscramble it.
To encrypt your device on stock Android, enter settings, click on Security, and select Encrypt phone. The feature may be located under different options on other devices.
Step two: Perform a factory reset
The next thing you will want to do is perform a factory reset. This can be done on stock Android by selecting Factory data reset in the Backup & reset option in the settings menu. You should be aware that this will erase all of the data on your phone and that you should backup anything you don't want to lose.
Step three: Load dummy data
Following step one and two should be enough for most people, but there's an extra step you can take to add another layer of protection when erasing your personal data. Try loading fake photos and contacts on your device. Why you ask? We will address that in the next step.
Step four: Perform another factory reset
You should now perform another factory reset, thus erasing the dummy content you loaded onto the device. This will make it even harder for someone to locate your data because it will be buried below the dummy content.
Still feeling a little paranoid? Repeat steps three and four as many times as you like. As I mentioned above, though, for most people simply following steps one and two should be enough. Without the encryption pin, which is overwritten in the initial factory reset, it will be almost impossible to unscramble your data.
Step five: Try using data recovery software to see if you succeeded in completely wiping your original data!
Then again, you could always take a hammer to your phone or toss it in the toilet. You know, if you aren't interested in selling it.
Hello, thank you very much for those explanations !
I will do all these steps and check if backup softwares find something

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