How to remotely reset your Android device to factory settings

Resetting your Android device to factory settings remotely can be helpful if you’ve lost your device or suspect it’s stolen. It prevents unauthorized access to personal/sensitive information on your devices by wiping them out before they can be accessed.

Please note that this option should only be used as a last resort. If you plan on getting your device back, there might be other options besides a complete erase. 

Here are two simple steps to reset your Android device remotely:

1. Enable  “Find My Device” on your device

1. Go to your device’s Settings => Security OR Security and privacy => Find my device. Alternatively, you can search directly for “Find My Device” from settings.
   
   
2. Toggle on “Use Find My Device”
3. Turn on the device location
4. Select your preferred way to use Find My Device – Find My Device app or Find My Device web

Find My Device app

1. This option launches the Google Play store.
   
   
2. Tap the “Install” button and wait for some minutes for installation to complete.
3. Tap “Open” to launch the app. Sign in to the app using your Google account.
   
   
4. Once you are signed in, a box will open asking you to permit Find My Device to use location data and device information.
5. Tap “Accept”. 
6. A list of all the devices connected to the Google account will be displayed in Find My Device app.

Find My Device web

1. This option launches your web browser.
2. Sign in with your Google account if you are not signed in already.
   
3. Once signed in, your devices will be listed

It’s important to note that “Find My Device” should be enabled on your phone before the phone gets stolen. If this is not enabled, you will not be able to reset your phone remotely.

2. Remotely reset your device

a. Using Find My Device Web

1. Access Find My Device: Launch a web browser and go to https://www.google.com/android/find.
2. Sign in with the Google account associated with your lost device.
3. Choose your device: If you have multiple devices, select the one you want to reset.
   
   
4. Select “Factory Reset Device”:  Some vital warning regarding the reset process will appear in a pop-up window.
   
5. Select “Next” to sign in to your Google account. Some more vital warnings regarding the reset process will appear in a pop-up window.
6. Select “Reset”

The factory reset process will begin.

b. Using Find My Device App

1. Launch Find Device app on the device
2. Sign in with your Google Account
3. You will see a list of the devices connected to the Google Account you signed in with.
   
   
4. Select the device you’d like to reset
5. Tap the gear (settings) icon on the right side of the device name
   
   
6. Tap “Factory reset” at the bottom of the device settings page
   
   
7. A new page will load showing some information and the reset button
   
   
8. Tap Reset

The reset process begins.

Note that this is a permanent action. Once you confirm, your phone will be reset to factory settings.

Conclusion

Note that this method only works for Android phones. The phone needs to be turned on, the location turned on, and it must have an internet connection for the remote reset to work.